Page 11 of Mate Match: Curtis & Jae
Jae
I will
“Ready to go?” Curtis asked once it was clear we were finished with our private conversation.
“I’m ready.” While I was also a little nervous, it wasn’t about my decision to be with Curtis. Him, I was sure about. It was just the first time with a new person nerves.
“Have fun!” Brady called with a soft smile.
Curtis took my hand as we left the restaurant. It was only then I realized Brady’s alphas didn’t say a word during the entire thing. I frowned.
“Sorry our date got interrupted,” I said, the faint prickle of another wave bringing me back to the moment.
“We can always have another.” His smile was so genuine and kind it took my breath away.
Most drugstores carried emergency contraceptive kits alongside the more traditional types of contraceptives. When we had evolved, there was a leap in research leading to breakthroughs in medicine. It had helped doctors cure many medical conditions, including all STIs and STDs, which was lucky since there was a protein in an alpha’s ejaculate that an omega needed to get through their heat.
Some omegas, like me, didn’t react well to the synthetic kind which could be bought for omegas who either did not have or did not want a partner to take them through their heats.
There were contraceptive pills you could take in the run up to your heat if you had notice. Barrier methods like condoms where you would ingest the synthetic protein instead. Hormonal implants, heat blockers, all sorts of ways to prevent a pregnancy or even a heat.
Unfortunately for me, I was sort of allergic to the implant and heat blockers. The hormones upset my stomach and gave me chronic headaches, so I had to avoid them. Meaning not having my heat just wasn’t possible and a synthetic protein just plain didn’t work on me, leaving me miserable.
I was what was called a dominant omega because of that. My pheromones could be particularly alluring to alphas, especially dominant ones, like I suspected Curtis was. Had he ever been tested? It wasn’t standard to check. You either presented as omega, alpha, or stayed a beta. I was only checked for my hormone levels when I began heats and had problems with the contraceptives. My dominant presentation shocked everyone since I was late starting my heats. Most dominants presented later and started heats pretty soon after, but I had presented as normal at fourteen, slowly changing and developing until my heats turned up at nineteen.
It had taken me a couple of years to figure out what worked for me. If I’d had more time to prepare for my heat, the pill wouldhave worked fine. I could deal with the headaches for a week or so, as unpleasant as it could be.
My impromptu heat had robbed me of time to protect myself. Luckily, there was an emergency option.
I pulled Curtis to a stop just before the drugstore. I could see the sign was lit up, telling me it was still open.
“Are you okay with taking DuoStop?” The popular last minute contraceptive from AlphaPharm worked on slowing an alpha’s sperm and preventing the omega’s egg from implanting. It was sold in liquid form to be injected into a person’s thigh no less than thirty minutes before sex.
Apparently, some alphas didn’t like taking it because their orgasms weren’t as strong on it. You’d think they’d be more concerned with not having to pay child support, but whatever. I just hoped Curtis was on board.
“Oh, I thought you’d want to use condoms. Either is fine with me.” He gave a careless shrug, the movement jostling me slightly since we were closely pressed together. His pheromones wrapped around me comfortingly.
I briefly explained my situation along with the surprise heat limiting my options. It was embarrassing, though necessary, to be so candid about my medical history and heats with someone so new to my life. Yet not telling Curtis felt unfair. How could he be expected to take care of me properly if I couldn’t communicate my needs?
“Whatever you want is fine with me.” He scrubbed the back of his neck nervously. “I’m not the best with needles. D’you think you could stick me with my dose?”
“Sure.” I grinned, happy to have such an easygoing alpha with me. There was no way Hwan would have been so calm about the situation.
The next wave rose, bringing with it a flush to my skin. Sweat broke out all over my body. I really wanted a shower beforeCurtis got anywhere near me. My stomach cramped as my hole clenched. I could feel the slick in my underwear. I was grateful for the absorbent layer to the briefs I’d picked out. Designed for omegas, they kept me feeling dry even with the surge of hormones creating slickness to ready my ass for sex.
We entered the drugstore and Curtis asked for the DuoStop, but I paid for it, feeling bad he’d already paid for dinner and now we were doing this. There was a good chance I was interrupting his entire weekend. We were given our dosage pens, and the attendant told us how to inject ourselves. Like those epinephrine auto injectors, we did it through our clothes. I did mine quickly, trying not to wince at the sting, so I didn’t put Curtis off. It hurt, though, making me reluctant to hurt Curtis with his.
“Is it okay if I do his?” I asked the person behind the counter.
“Not good with needles?” the attendant asked sympathetically. “We get that a lot. You’d be surprised at how many people just don’t like needles.” They rounded the desk between us. “I can do it while you distract him if both of you are okay with that?”
Curtis’ eyes met mine. “I’d much rather look at you while you don’t have that thing in your hand.”
I handed over the pen with my thanks and while they got in place, went onto my tiptoes to kiss Curtis.
He made a gasp of either pain or surprise before kissing me back. His hand cupped the back of my neck in the barest of touches, fingers brushing over my scent gland where an alpha bite would go if he wanted to be my mate. The bites were incredibly difficult to remove. Stimulating the gland, particularly during sex, helped the alpha/omega pair bond, which led to a greater likelihood of a pregnancy.
The feeling of our kiss was electric. It held the promise of great chemistry in the sheets, but also genuine affection. I took in more of his pheromones, the scent fizzing through my system, leaving a pleasant warmth behind it.
