Dash’s lips quirked up. “You’d be a good boy scout.”
Emerson growled sexily, moving closer just as the elevator dinged. Eliott sashayed out. He froze, eyeing the pair of them at the door.
Dash cleared his throat and took a step back.
Emerson clenched his jaw. He hated that they had to hide how they felt for one another. “I’ll bring dinner. Any requests?”
He stepped back, opening the front door wide for Eliott. Emerson moved a bit to give the omega space, but Eliott remained near the elevator.
“You got it last night. I can order something for us this time,” Dash murmured lowly, the excited glow and energy absent from his face.
“No worries. I’ll get dinner,” Emerson said. “I’ll see you around the same time as last night. Text me if you crave something specific.”
Dash nodded. “Will do.”
Emerson didn’t want to walk away from Dash without a goodbye kiss. Hiding their affections for the next forty years was going to suck a lot more than he’d realized. He held Dash’s gazeas he stepped back and towards the elevator, spinning at the last second.
Eliott searched his face as he passed. Emerson steeled his features and hoped he didn’t look like an idiot in love. Fortunately, the next car arrived quickly. He slipped through the doors, offering Dash one last longing look.
It was then that he noticed he wasn’t alone in the elevator. He turned to the side and murmured, “Good morning” to the janitor he shared the ride with.
“Morning,”the older beta spat, wiping his sweaty brow with a handkerchief.
Emerson sighed inwardly, hoping the guy hadn’t seen anything he didn’t need to see. He’d really need to work on his poker face. If not, they were going to end up locked away.
There was no way anyone couldn’t see how much he loved his mate.
As soon asEmerson was gone, Dash’s gaze landed on Eliott. Eliott searched his face, pausing right in front of him with a frown. Neither spoke. Eliott shook his head and walked past, stopping at his desk to set his tote down. Nervous bands of energy wrapped around him. It was clear. Eliott didn’t approve.
“Want some coffee, boss?”
Dash held Eliott’s gaze, his mind spinning. “I’d love one. Thanks.”
“You started early this morning,” Eliott said, his tone higher than normal. “I’ll go ask if they want any and then go start a pot.”
Dash watched as Eliott stuck his head into the conference room and then disappeared towards the back of the office. He looked down at the coffee and bag in his hands, wonderingwhy he told Eliott he’d love a coffee. He placed the breakfast Emerson had brought him on the desk beside him and found himself trailing his assistant instead of returning to Jackson, Mason, and Randall.
Eliott stood in the break room, pouring grinds into a paper filter. He looked smaller than normal, his shoulders slumped. He noticed Dash enter and quickly looked away.
“What’s wrong?” Dash asked quietly.
“Nothing,”Eliott said, voice strained.
Dash winced. No jabs? No smart mouth? He didn’t want to lose Eliott, but if the man didn’t approve of who he loved, there was no way they could move forward.
“After our discussion yesterday, I guess I didn’t expect your disgust.”
Eliott whipped to face him.“Disgust?”
“Youclearlydon’t approve.”
Eliott drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I knew you were different. I’mnotshocked by your choice in men. He’s hot as fuck, so I get it.” He paused a few seconds, tears glistening in his eyes. “I hadn’t considered that whatever made you different might land you in prison.”
Dash sighed with a bit of relief. “Mason and I have discussed plans to protect the business in the case of that happening. You don’t have to worry about losing your job.”
“Dash—I’m not worried about my fucking job right now. Prison, babe.For life.”Eliott shook his head. “That’s some heavy shit. I don’t want that for you.”
Dash closed his eyes, fatigue hitting him hard. He didn’t want to think about losing everything—not when it finally felt like he had it all.
