Page 55 of The Beta's Bargain

Falcon exits that email to fire off another one to Simon. I watch the long lengths of his fingers float across the keyboard.

I swallow hard and stand up, but his arm snaps out, and he snags my top and drags me back down.

“I was just going-”

“No.” He says firmly.

“That’s not really very fair.”

“I’m a very cruel and unusual man. Ask anyone.”

“I have. They speak of you with fondness.”

His eyes widen, and his mouth parts.

“They say you are good and fair. A kind boss who drove a woman to the emergency and stayed until her burn was treated. You helped another worker get out of debt. Your workers respect you. They might act nervous, but it’s because they are in awe.”

“You can’t know that.”

I lean in close, smiling. “I’m one of your workers, boss.”

He stands up suddenly, and I do, too. His hands move faster than I can anticipate, snagging my upper arms.

His kiss is punishing. It rips past all my defenses and steals my sanity. His kiss freezes in my mind, becoming one of those forever moments that I know I will never forget. I can’t move my arms, but he walks me backwards until I hit the shelves. Stuff falls, but he doesn’t even break away. Menthol tingles in the air, and I moan, opening my mouth, only to have his tongue press in, stealing even more of me. I am changed by his kiss.

He draws back. His lips are wet and slightly puffy. I want to kiss him again.

“You’re full of surprises.” He whispers, and then with a growl, he pushes himself away from me and the shelves and drags a hand through his hair. “Fuck, you taste like coconut.”

“I do?”

He gives me a sharp look and grabs my wrist, dragging me back out to the main room where I find Gray lounging on the couch. He looks almost asleep. He’s not wearing a top again and is just in his work out shorts. I bite the inside of my cheek and force myself to look away. I think there’s a little drool, but I refuse to check.

“Stay with Gray.”

Gray’s eyes open, and he lifts an arm for me to come close. I sit beside him, but he drags me into his hold and curls around my back, throwing a thigh over my legs.

I squirm and let out a little whimper.

“Careful, Beta,” Gray whispers in my ear. “You sound needy.”

I freeze, and he chuckles darkly in my ear. I try to stay as still as possible, and it’s not hard. Gray is like a sedative. The warmth and smell of his mango scent relaxes me so much I end up asleep.

When I next open my eyes, Dylan is sitting beside Silas on the couch. They are both smiling at each. Silas is talking, using his hands to describe a project he’s interested in starting, and Dylan is listening intently, looking carefree and…dare I say it, happy?

Falcon makes a sound, and I twist and find him sitting beside me. He crooks his finger again, and without thinking, I crawl out of Gray’s arms and into his lap.

It’s like I’m in one big dream. None of this feels real.

Falcons arms come down around me, and I lean into his chest. I’m not sure what’s going on, but I can’t find it in me to resist. And then I feel the vibrations, the deep, soothing sound. My eyes close as I press closer to him. Has it been there the whole time?

I think so. But I've only just become aware of it.

What is it?

It’s coming from Falcon. I think. That’s crazy, isn’t it? I press my hand to his chest and lift my head.

“What’s this?”

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