Page 16 of Secretary's Obsession

“Do you remember that spunk of mine you licked off your lovely lips this morning?” Scott’s cheeks became slashed with pink, and his nod was jerky. “If you’d slapped that into a jar instead, it wouldn’t take you long to find a buyer for it. You’ve clearly got the skills on the web.”

George watched as a myriad of emotions flashed over Scott’s face. The wide eyes, the frown, the confusion, and then, just as fast, his professional expression was back. “Are you someone important, from a genetic standpoint?”

“Not in my opinion, no. I’m just a regular bear, making a living as a taxi driver—a job I like because my passengers don’t care if I’m surly. I can work my own hours, and there’s no dress code. So long as my bits remain covered, no one complains.”

“Then why…?” Scott tilted his head slightly, his eyes glazing over, and then he frowned. “Who put a value on your spunk?”

George chuckled, tickled by the possessiveness of his demon. “Your pretty blue demon clearly doesn’t like the idea. Is he reading you the riot act?”

The blush was back, but Scott’s jaw was tight. “Neither one of us enjoys the idea that someone wants your juices for nefarious purposes. You consider me your mate. Don’t I have a right to know what’s going on?”

Scott was right, and George didn’t need the nudge he got from his bear. Pushing his chair back, George collected their empty mugs and went over to the coffee pot. “My father’s considered important in some circles,” he said slowly, focusing on getting coffee into the mugs. “Growing up, there were certain behaviors I was expected to participate in, which I didn’t because I believed them to be immoral, indecent, and unnecessarily cruel.” George closed his eyes as memories flooded his mind. “My beliefs were not well received,” he said, determined his sweet little blue demon didn’t need all the details.

“People hurt you? They physically punished you? Your family did this to you?”

George focused on counting sugars as he spooned them into his mug. Clearly his mate could get impressions through their bond the same as he could, and while Scott’s growl was cute, it wasn’t necessary. “After it was determined I wasn’t going to live the way my father expected, he decided I was to copulate with others in the clan, with the sole purpose of spreading my genetics. My father’s idea was that as I wasn’t up to his standards, behavior-wise, he would raise my son in his image instead. He didn’t take my refusal well.”

Picking up the mugs carefully, George took them back over to the table. “It’s become a matter of principle for him. For all I know, my father has since had another son of his own and has completely given up on harvesting my spunk. I don’t know. What I know is that I should never have been drugged at the accident site. There was no way I should’ve been put in a hospital and just left there. Call me a conspiracy theorist if you must, but I’ve been watching over my shoulder for years, and for good reason. Nothing that happened immediately after the accident makes sense.”

“I’ll get that information about the paramedic for you.” Scott nodded, and George noticed his fingers were twitching again. “I think you’d be safer at my house in the meantime, don’t you? Just in case someone tracks you from the hospital to here. I have the best security measures money can buy. You’ll be completely safe there.”

“I’m not sure I would fit in your place, sweetie.” The ‘sweetie’ he added to try and soften his words, but George looked at Scott’s smart suit with its sharp creases and not a stain in sight and then down at the raggy, but very comfortable, sweatpants he’d thrown on to maintain some modesty while they were eating. “I’m not exactly tidy.”

“It won’t matter.” Scott was apparently determined. “George, they drugged you. That could happen again. No one will find you at my place. I need you to be safe.”

Scratching the back of his neck, George nodded, even though his gut was screaming at him it was a bad idea. “I can join you there later if you like,” he said. “I’ve got to hunt out the papers for myinsurance for my cab, organize a replacement vehicle, and things like that. Were there things you needed to do at the office today, or…” he trailed off. It’s not like he knew what Scott did all day, apart from looking like a wet dream walking in his suit.

“I’ll get my place ready and stop off at work and finish up a few things there.” Scott’s smile made George’s discomfort worth it. “I can even get some cushions to make it comfortable for you.”

“Don’t change anything on my account, sweetie.”This is going to be a disaster.

Chapter Nine

Scott

Leaving George… wasdifficultwhen he worried for his safety after what he had revealed. The problem was, to do the research he wanted, he needed his blissful one’s real name. He chewedover this dilemma to distract him from the ache under his breastbone that came with his departure.

You don’t need to work,his demon huffed for the fifth time.

I do! I made a commitment to Dakata.

He left and is flouncing around the forest with his blissful one, he doesn’t care.

Flouncing! Dakata hasn’t flounced a day in his life. And he has to be in the forest with Silas because Silas does not cope well being away from his tree, as you well know.

Whatever! Our bear needs us to protect him.

You weren’t saying that when you thought I was insulting his bearhood! Now, can you give me a minute's peace so I can work to figure out my next steps?

Thankfully, the loud snort was followed by silence as Scott tapped at the laptop on his knee. He answered the endless supply of e-mails that came with his job fast and efficiently.

When the car pulled up outside of Dakata’s building, Scott realized he’d promised to get pillows for his apartment to make it more comfortable for George.

We need more than pillows to make your apartment seem less like a doctor’s sterile waiting room.

Excuse me! Our apartment is beautiful.

Maybe, but it’s not as cozy as our bear's home. That big fur throw rubbing against my skin…

---