Page 50 of Mark & Don't Tell

“Not to mention, next month, we’re meeting with the biggest commercial porn production agency,” Linc adds, brushing an invisible speck of dust off his sleeve. “If the dates are too much too fast, we can go slower.”

“No,” I say quickly. “I mean, I think the schedule is fine. I only want to make sure I have time for myself and my friends.”

“We can be flexible to meet your needs.” Kai slides a stack of papers toward me. “The HR papers.”

“To be super clear, if my bestie says she needs me, and I cancel a date night, you won’t be mad at me?”

All three of them scrunch their brows.

“Of course not,” Vic says.

“And if I want to go on a weekend girls’ trip?”

“Then, have fun?” Linc asks, genuinely looking confused by my questions.

“And when I’m too tired or not in the mood?”

Kai tips his head, eyes narrowing. “What sort of pack were you dating before? They sound like assholes.”

A laugh slips out of me, but it’s bitter. “Trust me, they were.” Before I can show too much of my damage, I say, “Then, for now, I agree to let Pack Kelly court me.”

Nineteen

DARIA

My new employment arrangement doesn’t start until next week. I’m already dying to start working for Good Vibes. They have a lot of cool projects lined up, but for now, I’m busy wrapping up the last items for Mandy.

“Guess you were never going to get the temporary assignment,” Arnold says from behind me.

The wheels of my chair whir over the plastic mat covering the gray carpet as I spin around and glare at the alpha blocking my cubicle door. The job offer does mean I won’t be getting to fill in for Keisha while she’s out on maternity leave, but the year-long assignment has its benefits. I’ll learn how to deal directly with the client, figure out how to build campaigns that suit their needs, and learn a new market. It’s not like I’m quitting.

Still, I hate that Arnold gets a win.

“What do you want?”

He scowls at me. “You know, you’d be a lot prettier if you wore different clothes and shut your mouth every once in a while.”

This. Mother. Fucker.

“Arnold,” I say as sweetly as I can. “Don’t take out your inability to get your dick wet on me.”

“Says the omega who will be too busy on her back to further her career.”

I suck in a sharp breath, but before I can lay into him, Mandy appears like some angel—or maybe like a bull charging toward a red target. Her eyes are nailed to Arnold, who straightens and pastes a fake smile on his face.

“Hi, Mandy. I was?—”

“Save it,” she snarls. “I heard every word. Head to HR.”

His mouth drops open. “You can’t?—”

“I just did, Arnold. If you read the employee code of conduct, which was in your orientation paperwork, you would’ve known that Moon & Rock has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment.”

“Sexual harassment?” He gapes, giving me a horrified look. “I wouldn’t sexually harass that.”

I know everyone has their own tastes. I know that, when I look in the mirror, I love what I see. Regardless, those words cut through me, and I look away, refusing to let him see my hurt.

“That’s enough, Arnold. Go to HR before I decide to call every marketing firm in the city and tell them not to hire you.”

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