But now he felt like he might doze off on Calder’s comfy office couch.
“My apologies,” Zinn said, scrubbing a hand over his face. “It’s been a busy day.” He straightened his posture. “I’m listening. You can go again.”
“It’s alright.” Ked sat down next to him. “I think I’ve got everything memorized. It’s honestly making me more nervous to keep going over it.”
“I get it. Sometimes I draw and erase the same cake designs until I can’t see them anymore. It means you care about your art, that you’re willing to rehearse so much. But you’re probably fine to call it a night.”
Zinn crossed and uncrossed his legs several times before slumping back into the cushions.
“Sure you’re not sick or something?” Ked asked. “My papa is wiping down tables out front. I can go get him.”
“I’m fine,” Zinn insisted, managing a smile. The last thing he wanted to do was explain the intricacies of pre-heat symptoms to a fourteen-year-old beta.
As though summoned, Calder walked in. His nostrils flared. Zinn cringed, knowing the alpha was clocking his elevated pre-heat scent. “I heard the last part of that,” Calder said, concern in his features. “Did you need me for something?”
“No. All good,” Zinn said, forcing himself to stand. “I was helping Ked run lines, but I’m heading home now.” He swayed on his feet.
Calder rushed to his side, steadying him before helping him back to the couch. “When was the last time you ate, sunshine?”
Zinn thought about it. “I had a sandwich at lunchtime.”
“That was hours ago,” Calder admonished. Eyes flashing, his nose twitched. “You need to take better care of yourself.”
Zinn scowled. He knew his scent had activated Calder’s protective instincts. Still, he didn’t want any alpha, even one he admired as much as his boss, telling him how to manage himself.
Ignoring Zinn’s down-turned mouth, Calder spoke to his son.
“Ked, please call Jordie at the pizzeria. Order three pizzas for him to bring home after his shift.” Turning to Zinn, he asked, “What toppings do you like?”
“Oh, no, but thank you. I can’t stay for dinner. I have leftovers in my fridge, and I don’t want to get home too late.”
Calder stared at him, and Zinn shuddered at his intensity. Ked stood to the side, looking bewildered.
The alpha’s green eyes were hypnotic. “I’m not going to argue with you, sunshine,” he said. “What kind of boss would I be if I allowed one of my employees to walk home when he’s obviously bone-tired? How about you have pizza with me and my boys, and then I’ll drive you to your place?”
He’d phrased it like a question, but Zinn knew a command when he heard one. He swallowed hard. Calder rarely displayed this level ofalphaness.
The scent of pine and clove rolled over the room.
Calder had offered to drive him home in the past, and Zinn had never accepted. But pre-heat symptoms were hitting him like a truck, something the doctor had warned him would happen after long-term suppressant usage.
He was exhausted and his back hurt so much that he honestly wasn’t sure he’d be able to walk home. Not without collapsing onto the sidewalk at every corner. Calder was a good man, so of course he could not ignore Zinn’s distress. It didn’t have to mean anything. Besides, Zinn’s inner omega was screaming at him to let the alpha help.
Maybe he could give an inch.
“I’d appreciate the ride home,” he finally said.
“And the pizza toppings?”
Zinn sighed. He supposed he could eat. Save himself one more chore. “Sausage and mushrooms.”
The alpha looked at Ked to make sure he’d heard. Ked nodded and left the office, pulling out his phone as he stepped away.
Silence filled the air. Zinn rubbed his back again.
“Can I help?” Calder asked quietly.
Zinn instantly removed his hand. He registered the pull of the hormones, the ones demanding he let this beautiful alpha touch him. And as much as he understood logically that he’d be drawn to any alpha this close to his heat, it felt extra dangerous to imagine that intimacy with Calder.