“You know I’ve got a lot on my plate right now,” Dash snapped, but the usual annoyed intensity in his voice was lacking. From the look in his eyes, he was happy to see Emerson, but his gaze traveled the room instead of remaining where it likely wanted to be.
“Idoknow.” Emerson lifted the bag in his hand. “Which is why I brought dinner.”
The corners of Dash’s lips lifted just a hint. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“Have you eaten anything since this morning?” Emerson had tossed Dash a breakfast bar on the way out, figuring it was better than nothing. He’d not been prepared to tend to the aftereffects of a heat. Next time, he’d be better prepared.
Dash opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He tilted his head before saying, “No. I haven’t eaten.”
“I offered to order you lunch,” the omega snapped, reminding Emerson the guy was still there. “You said you weren’t hungry.”
Emerson fought a growl. Dash had barely eaten for days because of his heat. He needed fuel.
Dash’s cheeks grew even darker as he turned to his employee. “On your way home, Eliott?”
The omega glanced between them before pulling the handles of a massive tote bag onto his shoulder. “Yep. See you first thing.” He gave Emerson another once over as he approached.“Bye, Mr. Firefighter.”
“That’s Mr. Arson Investigator.”
“Hmmpff,” Eliott said before giving him another scan. “As long as you can throw me over your shoulder, I’m good either way.”
Irritation crossed Dash’s face as he glared holes into Eliott’s back. As the omega locked the front door, Dash took a few steps closer. “You shouldn’t have come here.”
“Too bad. Someoneclearlyneeds to take care of you,” Emerson replied. “Did you even eat that bar I tossed you on the way out?”
“A few bites,” Dash admitted, face darkening more.
Emerson didn’t hold back his growl this time. “You’regoingto eat dinner.”
“I’d argue but whatever’s in that bag smells amazing,” Dash said, rubbing his stomach absently.
“I brought enough for two.” Seeing hunger in Dash’s eyes, Emerson suddenly craved something other than food. No way that was happening, not with his mate recovering from a heat. “Maybe you can take a break to eatwithme?”
Dash hesitated a couple of seconds before saying, “A half hour. But no more.”
“I’ll take it,” Emerson said, taking the small victory.
“We can eat in one of the small conference rooms. My office is chaos right now.”
Emerson waited for Dash to get closer before leaning in and trying to steal a kiss. Dash pulled away, glancing around nervously.
“Not here.”
Emerson spun to follow Dash and noticed the omega watching them while waiting for his elevator. His anger at being denied faded. He needed to be more careful but whenever Dash was close, logic flew out the window.
He followed Dash to a conference room and stood at the table, emptying the contents of the bag. “Any breakthroughs in the case. Or rather—cases?”
“No breakthroughs. Just a mind-numbing dive through the unending paper trails from hell your brother and Jackson left me.” Dash rolled his eyes as Emerson’s jaw tensed at the mention of Jackson. Dash scanned the items on the table for a second, ignoring Emerson’s ire. “We’ve got some sodas in the kitchenette. Be right back.”
Emerson set the table with the biodegradable silverware his hippie brother stocked at the restaurant, questions about Jackson swimming through his mind. When Dash reappeared a few seconds later, Emerson forced them all down. His jealousy wouldn’t sit well with his mate.
Dash set two ginger ales on the table and immediately picked up one of the plates Emerson had just uncovered.“Wow!That’s almost too beautiful to eat.”
He brought it closer, inhaling. His pleasure-filled sigh went straight to Emerson’s cock.
None of that.
“Which one’s mine?” Dash asked, unaware of Emerson’s growing—and inappropriate—ache.
