Page 9 of Claimed By the Boss

I stuff my hand into my pocket for my pepper spray, but come up empty.

Steps slowing, I search my other pockets. I know I put it back in there after Gino emptied my jacket this morning. Great. Apparently, someone from the club stole that as well as my suppressants. I don’t go anywhere without it in this neighborhood.

Footsteps scuff behind me, and the hairs on the back of my neck rise as familiar pheromones tickle my nose.

Rich.

He must have followed me out of the club.

Before I can bolt, hard hands land on my shoulders. “Finally, we’re alone.”

4

My heart jumps into my throat, and I stiffen within Rich’s hold.

“Hey, Mr. Ballcrest.” The words come out as a croak, and I swallow hard as I struggle to find my customer service voice. “Are you heading home early for the night, too?”

“I saw Tony being hard on you.” He massages my shoulders. “Poor, Leo. Accidents happen. I can talk to him for you. Get him to treat you nicer.”

“I appreciate that, sir, but I’ll be okay.” I try to turn toward him, but his hands tighten, and pain shoots through my shoulders. “Mr. Ballcrest?”

He yanks me backward, and I lose my balance, falling against his large body. Stale cigarette smoke clings to him and pheromones fill my nostrils.

“Why?” Hot breath fills my ear. “You think someone like Nolan Rockford is going to make you a better offer?”

“What? No, I?—”

His hands move to my throat, cutting me off. “You think I don’t see the way you’re throwing yourself at him? You think you’re too good for me, is that it?”

I scrabble at his hold, my sweaty palms sliding against his skin.

He drags me toward the dumpster against the back wall. “You’re going to give me what I want, you little bitch.”

Terror shoots through me, and I struggle against his hold, my thoughts going fuzzy.

“Don’t worry, you won’t fight it for long.” He releases me and spins me to face him. “Soon, you’re going to be begging me for it.”

I gasp in desperate breaths, the stench from the dumpster and his pheromones filling my lungs, musk and rot making me lightheaded and nauseous.

His scent surrounds me, seeping into my pores, and my body betrays me.

“I knew it.” He smirks as I sag against the concrete wall. “You bitches all look the same when you’re going into Heat.”

I shake my head, trying to clear my senses, to stop the flood of fever rushing through my veins. “N-no, please…”

The concrete walls and the side of the dumpster surround us, with his large body blocking the only possible escape. He pins me against the cold concrete, his body heat enveloping me. Thick fingers trail down my cheek, tracing the line of my jaw before cupping my face gently, while his other hand moves lower, brushing against my stomach.

A shudder of revulsion and desire runs through me at his touch.

“You’re so beautiful.” His lips graze my earlobe, sending waves of pleasure coursing through my body. “I should have broken you in sooner, instead of letting you lead me on. You’re just a little cock tease, aren’t you? Well, we’ll take care of that.”

My cheap nape guard comes off easily, and he tosses it to the ground.

His scent grows stronger, and my resistance weakens. My brain fogs over, and all I can think about is being touched by an Alpha, of the need to be bred. My Heat slicks my entrance, preparing my body for him.

I don’t want this, but my body is going to betray me.

Then the Alpha’s touch vanishes, and cold air sweeps into the space he filled only seconds ago.

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