“I know I talk shit,” Eliott said. “But I love it here…because of you.You don’t treat me like an idiot or like I’m less than anyone else. You keep me on my toes, handing me things otherbosses would say were too much for an omega to handle. You’ve never doubted me, even when maybe you should’ve at times.”
“But you’ve always risen to the occasion,” Dash replied.
“Damned right I did,” Eliott said, a smile coming to his lips. His face twisted, though, looking near tears seconds later. “And you need to stick around andkeepchallenging me.”
“I don’t plan on going anywhere—if I can help it.”
Eliott walked closer and straightened Dash’s rumpled shirt. “Did you sleep here last night?”
“Who’s slept?” Dash whispered.
Eliott continued using his palms to smooth Dash’s shirt. “You’d best work hard to ensure you’re still here when I meet my super-hot, ultra-rich alpha and put in my two-week’s notice.”
Dash chuckled.
Eliott joined him with a snicker of his own, but his lower lip soon quivered with sadness. “As if anyone could afford me and my shopping addiction. You’re likely stuck with me forever, you know?”
“If I’m lucky,” Dash murmured.
Eliott grinned and cocked his head to the side. “Well, I’ll be, Dashiell Keller. That just might be the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
“Don’t get used to it.”
Eliott gave him the finger before taking a deep breath. “Whatever I need to do to help with this plan you and Mason have, you just say the word. It’ll be done. And if there’s anything I can do to protectyou,just say the word for that, too.”
“You’ll doanythingfor that raise, won’t you?”
Eliott playfully smacked his chest. “Yes. Yes, I will.” He hedged for a second. “Well,almostanything. Sexual favors are off the table.”
“Not a problem. I prefer hot alphas, remember?”
“Me, too.” Eliott grinned, lifting a brow. “Hot alphas who bring you dinner.” Eliott gasped. “Was he here all night with you?”
“No. He left after dinner.”
“Oh, that’s a lie,” Eliott said.
Dash fought a smile. “He left not long after dinner.”
Eliott nodded. “Better.” He stepped back from Dash. “I’ll bring your disgusting black coffee in a few minutes.”
“You don’t need to. My alpha brought me coffee and something to eat.”
“I’m going to have to step up my game soMr. Firefighterdoesn’t make me look bad.”
“Mr. Arson Investigator—remember?”
“Right,” Eliott said with a roll of his eye. “Before you go, who’s the hot guy with Jackson and Mason in the conference room?”
“Randall Walker. Emerson’s younger brother.”
“Am I supposed to know who Emerson is?”
Dash backed out of the break room. “Mr. Arson Investigator.”
“Ahh,”Eliott said. “I thought he looked familiar. I guess it was more that he lookedfamilial.”
Dash snagged his coffee and bag before returning to the conference room.
