Kyle sat alone at a table in a luxurious restaurant the next evening, patiently waiting for Lucian to arrive as he flipped through a file that contained intricate details about his future company.
He had arrived minutes earlier and his sharp blue eyes gleamed with faint fascination as he looked at the alpha that was approaching him.
Dressed entirely in black, Lucian looked neat and sophisticated in a way that drew curious glances as he walked across the room.
"Good evening." Kyle smiled faintly as he watched the Alpha take the seat opposite him.
"Good evening, Kyle." Lucian returned the greeting as he leaned back in his chair, his aura one of professionalism.
"I am starting my own fashion brand and I was hoping you could be my investor." Kyle got straight to business, pushing a copy of his business proposal across the table.
"Fashion?" Lucian mused, his voice curious as he picked up the file, intently studying its contents.
He was already involved in various sectors but he had not yet invested in the fashion industry.
It looked like a promising venture and he was impressed with Kyle's proposal.
It was structured and well detailed in a way that gave him all the basics he needed to know to make his decision.
"So, what do you say? Will you be my business partner, Lucian?" Kyle asked half an hour later once the alpha had finished reading through the proposal.
"Yes." Lucian was certain as he placed the file down, his eyes meeting Kyle's in a steady gaze.
"To a successful collaboration." Kyle extended his hand for a hand shake. Lucian's facial expression was neutral as he shook the small hand that was nearly half his own in a light grip, his mind trying not to linger on the subtle warmth that slipped through his body at the brief skin to skin contact.
He withdrew his hand quickly like he had accidentally touched a piece of hot coal and Kyle who noticed the subtle reaction was a little disheartened as a short silence settled between them.
"Business aside, how have you been?" Kyle asked, his voice friendly and curious.
It had been one torturously long week since he had last seen Lucian but he doubted the alpha felt the same way.
"Good. You?" Lucian made an attempt at small talk.
A little bored and busy missing you.
A small voice in Kyle's head whispered but he refrained from speaking his thoughts and seeming too straight forward.
"I have been well. Thank you for agreeing to be my investor." Kyle replied and Lucian offered him a small smile.
"It is a really good deal. I am looking forward to working with you." Lucian's voice was the friendliest tone the alpha had used when talking to him and Kyle's heart did a little flip, glad that the ice wall between them had reduced by an inch.
"Me too." His voice was low as the tips of his ears burned, excited that he was going to be seeing Lucian a lot more often.
Once they were done with dinner, Lucian offered to escort the omega to his car and they entered the elevator, standing side by side in a companionable silence.
They started their downward descent from the top floor of the three storey mall but midway through, the lights inside their elevator started to flicker shortly before everything went dark and the lift stopped moving.
Kyle's breath hitched, his chest suddenly heavy at the realization that he was trapped in a small dark space with no way out.
It was a dreadful feeling and within seconds, Kyle's panic kicked in.
Hot tears burned at the corners of his eyes, threatening to roll down his cheeks as he struggled to breathe, his chest falling and rising unevenly.
Although Lucian's presence offered a little comfort, Kyle couldn't shake the uncomfortable knot in his stomach as fumbled for his phone, hurriedly switching on the flashlight with trembling fingers.
"Are you alright?" Lucian's concerned voice reached his ears, soothing him along with the burst of light that illuminated the elevator.
It was no longer so dark and although he didn't feel so terrified anymore, he was still wheezing.
"No....I am not fine." Kyle admitted honestly, still trying to stabilize his breathing.
He didn't want to appear so fragile in front of the alpha whose attention he was trying to get.
"Is there anything that I can do to help?" Lucian asked and Kyle scolded himself for the bold idea that had crossed his mind at the alpha's innocent question.
"Can I...hug you?" Kyle whispered, his heart racing as he waited for Lucian's response.
Lucian was caught off guard at the odd request but one look at Kyle's pale complexion was enough for him to disregard his comfort.
He had offered to help and if the omega needed a hug to feel better, there was no way Lucian was getting out of it.
It was just a harmless hug anyway. Right?
Lucian swallowed softly as he stretched out his arms and watched as the omega hesitantly moved closer and wrapped his small arms around his waist.
Kyle's head rested on Lucian's chest, the alpha's warm embrace immediately easing his worries as his breathing slowed and eventually returned to normal.
Lucian was frozen stiff, his arms lightly resting around the omega's shoulders as he inwardly counted down to the moment he could put some distance between them.
Kyle's body was warm and too close for his liking and Lucian's jaw tightened as he noticed the subtle shift in the omega's chocolate scent.
Strangely, it was more potent and inticing in a way that stirred up a faint desire in him.
The desire to protect and cherish was an instinct in every alpha that was usually expressed around a mate and family. Not around newly made friends.
Kyle reluctantly pulled away from Lucian's embrace a couple of minutes later, his cheeks flushed as he took a few steps back.
He wanted to stay longer and bask in the alpha's addictive pheromones but he did not want to make Lucian much more uncomfortable than he already was.
Kyle had already pushed too hard and too fast and he didn't want his love interest to get overwhelmed.
"Thank you." He murmured as he looked up into Lucian's unfathomable grey eyes.
"You are welcome." Lucian's voice was calm, contrary to his raging thoughts.
As he looked at the innocent looking Omega, Lucian was certain he was never letting Kyle Donovan into his arms again!
Kyle was proving to be dangerous. Dangerous enough to stir up parts of his instincts that were meant to be reserved for his mate alone.