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I was still trying to shake off the last remnants of that absurd dream when I heard the door to the suite click open. I looked up just in time to see Rowan walk in, his white hair styled into a messy man bun that somehow added to his troublemaker vibe. His torso was fully on display—abs that looked like they were carved from stone, tattoos swirling across his skin, and just a towel hanging low around his hips. A pair of black earrings sparkled as he moved, and the tray in his hands had the enticing smell of fresh eggs and overpriced hotel coffee.
He took one look at my face and stopped in his tracks.
"...Why do you look like someone just told you brunch was off?" he asked, raising an eyebrow while making his way toward the bed with the tray.
I stiffened my spine so fast I almost hurt myself. "Nothing. Really, it's nothing. Just—sleep stuff. A dream. Just a normal dream. A silly dream." I waved my hands as if that would somehow wipe away the panic I was feeling.
Rowan wasn't buying any of it. He set the tray down on the bed with a soft clatter and leaned in close, scanning my face like he was reading a song he already knew by heart. "You always look like you've done something wrong when you say 'normal dream.'" His mouth twisted into a smug little half-grin that made me want to push him off a cliff. Affectionately, of course.
"It wasn't anything bad," I mumbled as I pulled the plate toward me. "Just a dream."
"Mm-hm." He sat beside me, the towel dipping even lower—way too low, really—as he leaned back on his palms. "Was it about your boss again?"
I froze, fork halfway to my mouth.
Rowan's grin widened, bright and annoyingly confident, like he already knew what the answer was.
And honestly… why was I even trying to lie to someone who had seen me cry while drunk because Xavier used the word "good" in an email?
With a heavy sigh, I dropped the fork. "Fine. Yes. It was. Are you happy now?"
Rowan threw his head back, laughing—a loud, attractive laugh that somehow made his abs look even more impressive. Great. Just what my morning needed. "Theo, you are so into that guy."
I shot him a flat look. "I am not 'into' anyone. I'm perfectly normal."
"You dream about him almost every night."
"That's totally normal," I argued while grabbing my coffee. "Millions of people have dreams about their super-hot alpha bosses."
Rowan snorted. "Name one."
I opened my mouth, then promptly closed it again.
"…Shut up," I muttered into my cup.
Rowan leaned over and pressed a kiss to the corner of my mouth—soft, familiar, and easy. Without even thinking, I kissed him back, a small thank you for the food and for not making me feel too bad. He tasted like toothpaste and mischief. When he pulled away, he flicked a strand of my hair off my forehead.
"If you're gonna fall for your boss, at least let him take you to dinner first," he teased, his voice warm.
"I'm not in love with him," I insisted, knowing full well I was lying. "I just… admire him. I'm an omega, he's an alpha, and he's super hot. That combo is scientifically hazardous."
Rowan laughed again, this time softer. "Theo, you definitely need help."
"Probably," I said, stuffing a piece of toast into my mouth before he could judge me more. "But until therapy is free, you're stuck with me."
He nudged my shoulder gently, still smiling like he had a front-row seat to my embarrassment. "Don't worry. I like being stuck with you."
I focused on my breakfast, desperately trying not to think about the imaginary Xavier from my dream, hands against the wall.
Rowan picked up on that for sure.
He groaned playfully. "Oh my God. You're thinking about him again, aren't you?"
"…No?"
"You're hopeless."
"Let me eat in peace."
Rowan just laughed and snatched a piece of bacon off my plate.
I groaned into my coffee, trying to ignore the heat creeping up my cheeks. Rowan was leaning back against the headboard, a wicked grin slowly spreading across his face, eyes sparkling with mischief as he watched me struggle to look innocent.
"You know," he said, his voice smooth and teasing, "you're almost making me feel jealous."
I nearly choked. "Jealous? Of… who?"
He smirked, clearly enjoying the flush creeping up my face. "Of your boss, Mr. Pierce. You're practically dreaming about him while I'm right here."
I groaned, pressing my hands to my face. "Stop being mean, Rowan. You—last night—you were… that was one of the best—" I trailed off, mortified at even saying it out loud. "...intimate experiences I've ever had, and now you're laughing because I had a dumb dream about my boss?"
Rowan's grin stretched wider, dangerously pleased. He leaned in, brushing his thumb along my jaw, teasing and warm. "I'll stop being mean… if we recreate last night."
I blinked at him, fork halfway to my mouth, my brain flooded with vivid, inappropriate images. My stomach flipped and warmth pooled low as I straightened up, a grin creeping onto my face that was a bit too seductive. "Oh? And do you promise to keep your end of the bargain this time?"
Rowan's eyes darkened slightly, his hand slipping from my jaw to rest on my thigh, his thumb brushing my skin slowly. He let out a low, husky laugh. "I keep my promises, Theodore. If I say yes…" He leaned in, letting the words hang, "…you can bet I'll follow through."
I swallowed, my heart racing. The combination of his words, the way he looked at me, and the memory of last night made it nearly impossible not to lean in and see just how serious he was. "Good," I murmured, my voice low and teasing, just a hint breathless. "Because I never forget a promise either."
Rowan chuckled, slow and low, leaning back with that smug, infuriating confidence that always made me want to either fight him or beg for more. "Guess we're both in trouble then," he said, his voice deep, teasing, and deliciously intimate, like it was just the two of us in a world where nothing else mattered.
I smiled, leaning back against the pillows, soaking in the warmth of the room, his scent, and the memories of last night mixed together in a heady, dangerous way. My eyes flicked toward him, trying to hold onto some semblance of composure but failing miserably as my smile grew, filled with amusement and desire. "Oh, Rowan," I said softly, "you have no idea how much trouble you're in."
He tilted his head, lazily raising an eyebrow, dark eyes sparkling with wicked humor. "Neither do you, Theodore. Neither do you."