Lights, Camera, Omega (Hollywood Omegas #1)

Amelia’s smile sparkles and she waggles her sandy gray eyebrows at me.

“Oh, I’m not going to be helping the new girl into the saddle for the first time – no sir.” She gives a gentle shake of her head before producing her cellphone from the pocket of her khaki cargo vest.

“I’ve got to get the other wrangler on the line. I’m missing four horses for shoots later tonight and I need to get them here or find replacements or Benton’s gonna chew my ass out.” Amelia waves the phone in my face for effect before her eyes catch on something in the distance over my shoulder.

“You, my dear Mr. Cooper, are going to be helping our young starlet this morning.”

Without turning to look, I can tell that Amelia’s spotted the actress and is tracking her progress toward us.

“Hmph,” Amelia snorts, a smirk curling the corners of her mouth.

“I might actually be jealous of you Sol–whether she can seat a saddle or not, she’s cute as a button. Good luck, pal,” Amelia added under her breath before offering me another friendly pat on the shoulder, already dialing into a call.

Duchess gave a stifled whinny, as if to protest being left with Jasper and I, and the prospect of an actress who didn’t know the first thing about riding a horse.

I gave the mare a knowing nod and offered her a sugar cube from my open palm.

Like Duchess, I was similarly affronted. Though I was playing it cool and hadn’t turned to greet the clueless starlet, it burned me that I hadn’t really signed up to babysit some actress who Amos and Benton had started sniffing around—but I’d gotten stuck with the task like some kind of low-level flunky.

Jasper nosed me, probably jealous that I hadn’t offered him any sugar yet, but for some reason I heard my Mama’s voice in my head, Solomon Cooper! What kind of attitude is that? Were you perfect at everything you did first try? Do you know how to do everythin’? Then, cut out that superior attitude, and remember, a stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet!

Like I keep saying, you can take the boy outta Wyoming…

You’re right mama, I’ll do you proud—I promise, I assure my Mama’s memory, before I turn to face my charge.

Amelia wasn’t kidding. She is cute as a button, pretty as a picture, sweet as a rose—all those cliche things.

“Hi, you must be the stunt master.” The little blonde bombshell reaches a hand to shake. She can’t be more than 5’5” at the most, but you can see she’s got the proportions of an old Tex Avery drawing, even in her cold weather gear.

I pull my pinchfront off of my own unruly mop of hair, thankful that Cosmo brushed and braided the blonde mess into a short cord down the nape of my neck before I went to bed last night, so it isn’t a total mess.

“Yes Ma’am, Sol Cooper at your service.” I bow my head slightly, the introduction out of my mouth too quickly, too eager.

She giggles, a high bubbly sound that I want to hear her make again as soon as she’s stopped.

“That sounds like such a great cowboy name,” She beams, pushing a section of her golden waves behind one ear.

“I’m Daphne. I’m here for a screen test.” Her white-blonde lashes flutter, her aquamarine eyes looking up at me.

She smells floral and sweet—like white flowers and stone fruit and honey. Her scent has a tangible warmth to it, like the steam of our breath in the cold morning air.

“I’ve never ridden before. I’m gonna need some help to get back on the horse—or I guess just on the horse because I’m totally new to this.” She laughs nervously, her sunny expression and silver bell voice completely without any hint of ego.

Like a teenage boy, I stand stunned, momentarily dumbstruck and speechless.

Her smile falters, if only slightly.

“I’m sorry. Have I already said or done something wrong?” She laughs again, a bit of manic worry encroaching on her tone.

I shake myself, trying to clear my mind from the clouds of her perfume and her immediately endearing expression, and way of speaking.

She’s an omega Sol, but she’s just another professional–keep it together!

I extend a hand and clasp her small, soft palm in mine.

“Not at all, Miss Dale! I’m just still half asleep. I haven’t had my second cup of Joe yet this morning.” I excuse my slack jawed awe and attempt to stumble forward through the rest of the morning.

This seems to put her at ease. I can see her shoulders soften and the smile return to her full, coral lips.