Chapter 2 #3
Not like the background check would answer any questions.
There was nothing more than a couple of fifteen-year-old parking violations and the fact he now owned Keller Security left after that.
He sensed it wasn’t unusual for men who’d worked in the elite intelligence forces to have little in their file, especially one like the Black Guard.
He scrolled back up to the photo. It looked like a driver’s license shot. While most men looked unflattering in theirs, Dashiell Keller’s smoldering good looks shone through. Those gray eyes looked a bit bluer as they glared at him from his screen.
Out of the blue, a wave of lust washed over Emerson and a growl rose from his throat. He gripped the wooden trolley seat and inhaled deeply, glancing around to see if anyone was watching. A couple of omegas seated nearby got up, wide-eyed, and moved near the front of the trolley.
As if they’ve got anything to worry about with me.
He hated being lumped in with all other asshole alphas out in the world, but it wasn’t as if he could explain to anyone why he shouldn’t be.
And if confronted with an omega’s heat, he had no idea if his predilections would prevent nature from taking its course or not.
He hoped not, but instinct was instinct.
He sighed, scrolling down again and checking for Dash’s home address.
His gaze flicked up, and he checked his location. A street name caught his attention, and he scrolled down a little farther. A man like Dash likely works long hours.
As soon as he recognized he was close to Keller Security’s office, he slipped off the trolley and paused to get his bearings.
The good thing about being a firefighter was the fact he knew the province’s streets like the back of his hand.
The only way to get to a fire fast was to know the fastest way everywhere.
Two blocks east and he found himself in front of a six-story glass and chrome building tucked amid a small industrial zone.
The other nearby businesses were closed for the night, and a few streetlights had been destroyed, probably thanks to the large chunks of broken concrete across the road.
It gave the twilight a much gloomier feel.
One lone window was lit in Keller’s building, and he’d bet money it was coming from the alpha’s office.
He entered the lobby. It was empty except for a single, elderly guard seated behind a long counter that took up most of one wall.
“Can I help you, son?”
“I’m here to see Dashiell Keller.”
“Keller Security’s on four,” the man said, sliding a guestbook Emerson’s way.
Emerson scribbled his name and headed for the elevators.
Once up on four, he approached the clear glass front door with the company’s name broadcast on it in rich, royal blue painted lettering and found it unlocked.
Toward the back of the suite of offices, he noticed the light and headed in that direction.
Before he entered Dash’s office, the alpha’s scent filled his nose.
Emerson’s cock grew thicker, just like it had at the arson scene, but maybe more considering they might be in a safer spot than before.
Still, he wondered what the fuck he was doing.
He should be running in the opposite direction, not towards the man who could undo him.
He stopped just outside the circle of light spreading outside Dash’s door, considering his next move.
If he was truly honest with himself, he knew what he wanted to happen. He had no idea if Dash would want the same.
Or if they even should.
Even if he did want it, Dash might fight the desire tooth and nail against his touch.
He didn’t look like he was fighting too hard earlier.
Emerson let out a slow breath, desire warring against logic.
“You’ve gotten this far. Are you really going to chicken out now?”
Emerson eyed Dash from his vantage point in the shadows. He wasn’t even looking up from the laptop his hands were feverishly typing over. When his hands finally stilled and his gaze lifted, he locked eyes with Emerson.
That look was a sucker punch to the gut.
Emerson had walked right into the lion’s den and wasn’t sure he’d make it out alive.
Dash’s hands shook so badly, he had to hide them in his lap so the alpha couldn’t see. Why did it have to be him who showed up? He hadn't yet recovered from his last encounter with Emerson Walker.
“If I were in your shoes, I’d be questioning why I was here at all,” Emerson said after a couple of hesitant steps forward. The light just washed over his features, leaving him partially in shadow.
It was enough light for him to get another delicious peek. Dash leaned back in his highbacked leather office chair, his lids drooping a bit as he looked his fill. “Then tell me… what are you doing here?”
“I wish I fucking knew,” Emerson muttered, dragging his gaze from Dash’s to eye the carpeted floor.
“Checking to make sure I’m not the enemy?” It was more than that and they both knew it, but the fuck if he was going to say what it really was.
Emerson’s gaze whipped up, and Dash had to hold back a gasp from the intensity of those piercing amber eyes.
His heartbeat quickened while his skin suddenly felt too tight.
The urge to close the distance between them and bury his nose in the crook of Emerson’s neck was difficult to fight.
The scent he’d caught earlier in the day filled the room, growing thicker by the second, but it wasn’t enough to inhale it from across the room.
He needed to lean into the source and bathe in it until Emerson’s scent became his own.
“Who said that’s what I’m doing?” Emerson asked, his eyelids growing heavier.
Silence hung for a couple of seconds, Dash struggling to get enough air into his lungs without taking in too much of the alpha’s scent.
“Considering your brother Randall just… ran a background check on me.” He paused enough to appreciate the look of shock crossing Emerson’s face. “I think we both know that’s exactly what’s going on here. Making sure I’m legit.” He shrugged. “It’s the first thing I’d do.”
Emerson didn’t reply. The corners of his mouth curled upward, but just barely, as if he fought a smile with everything within him.
“I was pretty sure a visit was coming next,” Dash said. “I figured it would be Harrison.” He paused, forcing a cold smile to calm his raging nerves. “What comes next? An interrogation? Torture?”
The slick smile begging to come out finally spread across Emerson’s handsome face. “I guess that depends on which one gets you off more.”
Heat burned in Dash’s cheeks. “Neither are really my thing.”
Why did he suddenly want it to be his thing? Sensual torture at the hands of Emerson Walker didn’t sound like the worst thing in the world.
Though, it would be the worst thing in the world. Emerson could spell the disastrous end to his entire life.
“That blush makes me think it could be your thing… if done right,” Emerson said, a raw edge to his voice that made Dash clench his jaw.
“What blush?” Dash lied. “I don’t blush.”
Emerson took another step into the light. “Liar.”
Dash glared at the alpha for a couple of seconds. “If you came to ensure that your brother and his mates were in good hands, they are. No harm will come to any of them.”
“Mates? Cassidy is his beta. Raimy’s simply a guest in their apartment,” Emerson said. “Since he lost his due to the fire.”
“Sure,” Dash said. “Whatever you say.”
“And you think you know better than I do?”
Dash searched Emerson’s face. Was the guy that clueless or was he protecting his twin’s privacy?
He sensed the three were in a polyamorous relationship, and if that was their thing, he wouldn’t judge.
There was no point arguing over a guess, though.
Not when there was something stronger he needed to fight against.
“No, of course not. I was mistaken,” Dash said.
He took a deep breath, inhaling a lung full of spicy alpha pheromones. Releasing it quickly, he latched onto either side of his seat with a white-knuckled grip.
They stared at one another in silence, longer than what was appropriate.
Emerson’s chest rose and fell too quickly, his lips parted.
His lids grew heavier, eyes darkening. Dash’s gaze slid down Emerson’s frame and stopped at the thick imprint of a hard cock pushing against the zipper and towards him.
Mouth drying, he could only envision himself going to his knees at Emerson’s feet and begging for a taste.
A tremor rolled down his spine, and it grew even harder to breathe.
Emerson took a couple more steps closer. “What are you?”
Dash blinked a few times, the question as good as ice water. Too bad it wasn’t enough to douse all the desire burning within. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve never felt a reaction like this to an alpha before.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Dash said, sitting up straighter. He scanned his nearly empty desk, wishing he had a pile of papers scattered about so he could straighten them up and have a reason to avoid Emerson’s gaze. “You need to leave.”
“Answer my question,” Emerson demanded, taking two more steps closer, seemingly more confident with each.
“What am I? A very busy man who doesn’t have time for this.”
Emerson moved directly in front of Dash’s desk and leaned over, his big hands curled into fists as they pressed against the dark teak surface. He inhaled deeply, holding Dash’s gaze. “You don’t smell like any alpha I’ve ever met.” He frowned. “And yet… all I scent is alpha.”
“Good to know.”
“I need to know why you make me feel like this,” Emerson said.
“I can’t control how you feel, Emerson,” Dash said.
When Emerson attempted to round the desk, Dash leapt to his feet and marched to his office door. He eyed Emerson and waved a hand toward the front door. “Get out.”