“Don’t worry,” Emmett murmured, leaning close so he wasn’t overheard by the rest of the group. “Kyle got sent home by our alpha. You aren’t the only one he’d done that to, and our alpha was pissed. He’s been put on sabbatical until Ronan decides he can be trusted to come back.”
It felt like a weight lifted off him, and Jonah let out a long breath, shooting Emmett an apologetic look. “Thanks. I’m trying not to let it get to me, but I’ll admit it freaked me out a little.”
Thankfully, Emmett didn’t look the least bit offended, putting a hand on Jonah’s lower back to urge him forward. “You’re allowed to feel freaked out after that. No one judges you for it. No one judged you for the fake dating plan either, right? Whatever makes you feel comfortable. And I promise, it won’t happen again. I’ll make sure of it.”
He said it with just enough of a growl to get a reaction out of Jonah, but Jonah ignored it. He’d embarrassed himself enough today. He wasn’t going to pop a boner in the middle of the cafeteria.
As they grabbed trays and shuffled along the line, Jonah finally remembered to ask a question he’d had earlier. “About the smelling thing. What was Neil talking about when he said it doesn’t smell like I’m dating anyone?”
Emmett hummed, his tail wagging when he saw fried chicken was on offer at one of the stations. Jonah snickered, but didn’t comment, since he wanted the answer to his question more than he wanted to tease the werewolf for being so cute.
“So you know how human senses aren’t as great as supes, right?” Emmett began.
Jonah nodded.
“Well, because we’ve got such heightened senses, lots of species claim their partners by scent instead of something physical. Especially if they’re just dating, since some of the more physical marks would be permanent. Werewolves especially like to scent mark their partners. He said you didn’t smell like you were dating anyone because you don't smell like me.”
The thought of smelling like Emmett was both embarrassing and intriguing.
“And how do I make myself smell like you? Do I have to use the same shampoo as you or something?”
Emmett snorted, snagging Jonah’s favorite soda and putting it on his tray. “No, that wouldn’t be enough. To mark you with my scent would require a lot more… touching.”
The suggestive tone made Jonah swallow hard. Any thoughts he’d had about pretending he wasn’t interested in hooking up with a supe were immediately thrown out the window, and his voice was breathless when he asked, “What kind of touching?”
The chuckle that Emmett emitted was half-growl and made goosebumps spread along Jonah’s skin as Emmett leaned in to whisper, “Want to find out?”
Were Jonah’s knees weak? He felt a little like his knees were weak. At the same time, he wanted to climb Emmett like a tree. He looked up at the werewolf, studying his face with his long snout and hint of sharp teeth when he grinned. What would it be like to be with him? What would it even be like to kiss him?
Tasha poked Emmett in the side, nudging him out of the way so she could get her own drink. “You two are holding up the line. Move it.”
The moment broke, and Jonah felt his face go hot again. At this point, if he didn’t cool off, he was going to permanently change color. He did not want to spend the rest of his life looking like a tomato just because he had the hots for a werewolf.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“Hey, Jonah!”
Emmett had gone looking for his favorite human closer to the end of the work day like he normally did. He couldn’t seem to help himself. Jonah never seemed to mind, and he lifted his head with a smile when Emmett poked his head in. He was surrounded by new computers, empty boxes and packaging material, with a happy glow to him that said he was exactly where he wanted to be.
“Hey. It’s not the end of the day already, is it?”
Emmett snorted, coming fully into the messy room. “Don’t sound so disappointed. I have plans for us.”
Jonah tipped his head curiously, shutting down the computer he was working on before moving to do the same to the rest. They were scattered on open tables, which Emmett knew wouldn’t be the final set up, but Jonah didn't have much of a choice with all the construction going on in the main room, and Rosalind blasting music in the one office room.
“Plans?”
“Yep. I realized that slimy vampire was right. You need to smell more like me. So I’m taking you out.”
Jonah’s cheeks turned that pretty pink color that made Emmett’s tail want to wag. He held back, he didn’t want to encourage any tail pulling, but he loved that look. He especially loved the scent that came with it, the hint of arousal that made Emmett salivate for more.
Was he using the vampire’s comments as an excuse to get some alone time with Jonah? Maaaaybe. But the guy hadn’t been wrong. Jonah needed to smell like him to sell the fake dating thing.
“Um, I’m not sure…” Jonah began, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck.
Emmett’s tail drooped. “You don’t want to?”
Jonah shook his head. “It’s not that I don’t want to. I just can’t stay out too late. It's an hour commute home, and my parents will be pissed if I wake them up.”
