Page 53 of Marigold Run

Pride beats in my chest, and I stand a little taller. There aren’t many omegas that would happily make themselves uncomfortable to spend the day with their alpha. But it seems Mari has grown attached to me.Finally.

“Right this way.” I hold her hand, closing the door to the house behind us.

Mari walks slowly next to me, peering into every room as we pass. Of course, it’s far too early for anyone else to be here, but I don’t rush her. Letting her walk at her own pace.

“Here we are,” I say, pushing open my office door.

It’s a large space with my desk on one side of the room, tall windows along one wall, and a sitting area on the other. I have a comfortable couch and a few sitting chairs but nothing omega-made. Perhaps I should get furniture more to her liking, in case she wants to come to work with me.

I think I’d like to see her lovely face throughout the day.

“Izan? What exactly do you do for a living?” Mari’s voice is tight, almost alarmed. I quickly follow her gaze to see what she’s looking at.

Sitting on my desk is an open black duffle bag. Stacks of money are visible, as is a gun and a blood-covered rag. One of the guys must have dropped it off yesterday after I left.

“I own a few casinos.” I drop Mari’s hand, moving to the bag. I shove everything inside and zip it up. “I also have a business for sports bets.”

“You’re abookie?” she asks, and I can’t help but smile. I didn’t expect her to know the term.

“I guess you could say that,” I say.

“Is that…” Her brown eyes follow the duffle bag as I place it on the floor behind my desk. “Is thatlegal?”

For half a second, I consider lying to her. Telling her some fairytale that I’m an honorable man with an honorable business that would never even consider breaking the law. But if she’s going to be on this side of the house, I need her to know who she’s dealing with.

“Most of it is legal,” I say as I take my seat behind my desk. “Come here.” I pat the top of my leg.

Mari’s feet move, those big brown eyes staying glued to mine. “Most of it?” She stops next to my chair. “What does that mean?”

“It means that I have created a very lucrative career managing bets on sports and horses.” I wrap an arm around her waist, urging her to sit in my lap.

“And the blood?”

I’m not sure how to answer this question, but the look on Mari’s face isn’t one of horror. In fact, she looks intrigued. But even if I do feel comfortable telling her more, you never know what might upset an omega.

“Some people don’t like to pay their debts,” I say simply. “Now,” I cup her face, brushing her cheekbone with my thumb, “How do you feel? Sore? Hungry? Do you need to be fucked again?” A small part of me hopes she does. The fantasy of fucking her over my desk is too tempting.

“I’m sore,” she says, dropping her gaze. “I don’t…” her voice drops to a whisper and her fingers curl into the thin fabric of her dress. “I don’t want to be rutted.” Her timid mannerisms make me want to smile. It’s obvious she wants to be touched, but is simply too shy to ask for it.

I glance at the clock on the wall. It’s past seven. Tonia will be in soon. Too soon.

“Let me look at you,” I lift Mari, setting her on the desk in front of me.

“What?” Her voice is much lower this time. “Why?” She grabs the hem of her dress, shoving it past her knees. “I said I don’t want to be fucked.”

Her crass language makes my brows raise, but I let it go this time. It’s obvious my omega has a mouth. I can either fight it or accept it. And honestly, the twins say much worse, so it doesn’t really matter.

“I want to make sure you’re okay.” I rest my hands on her tiny fists, looking deep into her eyes. “I promise, I’m not trying to fuck you. I need to know how you managed last night.”

Mari looks enraged, her jaw set and fire in her eyes. I can’t tell if she wants me to put her in her place, or if she actually wants to kill me.

“Spread your legs.” I tap the side of her thighs. “Now.”

Mari’s knees slowly part as her lips pull into a tight line. Stepping between her soft thighs, I lift her dress, inhaling the glorious scent that washes over me. Peppermint laced with vanilla. So decadent.

Slipping my hands under Mari’s knees, I lift, resting her feet on the edge of the desk. “That’s better.” I lean back, then frown. “Why are you wearing underwear?” I ask, shocked she even owns them.

“Everly bought them for me.” Mari tips her chin up, almost as if having them on is in some way an act of defiance.My girl does love to fight.“Don’t you like them?”

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