Page 56 of Marigold Run

I, on the other hand, am annoyed that Stan didn’t show up to sign the fucking paperwork. We have a contract that should have been finalized weeks ago.

“Give me five minutes,” I say, trying to hide my frustration. “I’ll meet him in Dassy’s office.”

“Dassy’soffice?” Tonia says at my bizarre request, but thankfully she’s already walking off.

“Are you leaving me?” Mari’s brown eyes flood with worry as I pick her up, setting her back on my desk.

“I won’t be long.” I kiss her forehead.Fuck, she smells good.“I’ll be just next door.” I point to the bookcase on the other side of the room. “If you need me for any reason, yell and I’ll be here in less than a second.”

“You can’t dothatto me,” she motions to my lower half, “and then just leave.” Her jaw sets and her eyes flash. And while I’d love to sit in here all day, fucking her mouthy ass into submission, I have work to do.

“I won’t be long,” I say, making sure my shirt is tucked in. My pants are ruined, but I kind of like the idea of walking around the office soaked in my omega’s slick.

“What am I supposed to do while you're off talking to your friends?” Mari pouts, crossing her arms.

“Myfriends?” I can't help but laugh at her choice of words. “This isbusiness. Not a garden party.”

“But,” Mari huffs loudly, making her sound more like a toddler than an adult. “Can I at least play on your computerwhile you're gone?” She glances at the laptop on the edge of my desk.

“Play?” I repeat the word, making sure I heard her right.

“Yeah.” She nods, reaching for my computer. Her fingers trace the edge as her expression shifts from annoyed to longing.You gotta love those omega hormones.

“I don’t have games,” I say simply.

Mari’s shoulders fall, her head lowering. “I don’t know,” she mumbles, looking so small and sad. “Everly showed me an online library. I love to read.” She looks up with those big, beautiful eyes and I instantly know I’ll give her whatever the hell she wants. “I just don't want to feel alone.”

“Fine.” I relent, and open the laptop. Mari smiles wide, eagerly waiting for me to login. I scan my fingerprint, then quickly double-check my most sensitive files. They’re all closed and password protected, but I like to make sure. “Here you go.” I adjust my belt, making sure I look presentable. My pants are soaked in my girl’s arousal, but I like it. I want the world to scent the delicious creature I own.

“Thank you, alpha!” Mari hops off the desk, curling up in my chair. She looks so damn happy.

I make myself walk to the door, but then I pause and glance back at my girl.Myomega. She’s so lively and beautiful, sitting in my office chair with her wild blonde hair framing her pretty face. And she’s finally starting to bond with me.

I hate leaving her. Even if it is for just a few minutes.

Sitting at the Desk

Mari

Asliver of something anxious moves through me as Izan shuts the door behind him, but I’m too thrilled to be alone with a computer to focus on the emotion for too long. It was a gamble coming to work with Izan, but I knew that if I played my cards right, I might be able to get my hands on a computer. I just didn’t expect to be alone with one. Too bad I had to pull out all my “overly emotional omega” tricks. Not that I wanted to get off on his leg.That was…

It was shocking, but there’s no sense dwelling on it. I have a job to do.

Turning all of my attention to the laptop in front of me, I sit tall and bring up the search bar. Then I type in “Alpha Cardis and the Tenus Pack”.And there he is.

Cardis Anthony Contos.

He’s a known member of the Tenus Pack with a record. Apparently, he served six months in prison a few years back, and he attended a well-known charity event at an art gallery with Donovan last year.

My eyes drift over the article as Izan’s voice filters through the wall. It’s big and booming, and maybe even friendly with whoever he’s talking to. My face warms and my ears perk as I try to make out the alpha’s words, but all I can hear is a few muffled words and his booming laugh. He really does have a good laugh.Full and cheerful. It’s the kind of laugh that you feel in your toes.

Stop it!I snarl at myself as I stare unfocused at the words on the computer screen. “You don’t want Izan,” I grit out as softly as I can. “You want to find Cardis and get the fuck out of here.” I remind my body of my only purpose here.

I know that theonlyreason I’m distracted by Izan right now is because he just got me off without fucking me properly. It’s frustrating and stupid, but I feel weirdly empty and more than restless because I didn’t get his cock. I need him to come back to tend to me, but it might be weeks before I can get my hands on another computer, so I have no choice but to get this done now.

Shoving down the treacherous biological needs coursing through my veins, I force myself to concentrate on the article. I don't find anything useful, and click on the next link.

It’s for a popular social media site for alphas. I’ve never been on it before, but the second the page loads, shock slams into me. Square in the center of the screen is a picture of Cardis and his ponytailed brother. They’re standing side-by-side, posing in front of a large brick building.

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