Page 5 of Silas's Sweetheart

Ziggy’s gaze dipped to the phone on the desk. “You might want to finish your call before we have this conversation?”

“Nah, it’s fine. I’ve got all the fuckin’ time in the world,” Ethan said sarcastically, before laughing aloud.

Silas’ face burned like the sun in the middle of Texas summer but through sheer force of will, he never dropped his gaze from Ziggy. Internally though, he floundered like a fish back on Ziggy’s hook.

“Behave Ethan!” he snapped harshly.

“You’re no fun sweetheart,” Ethan crooned, further winding Silas up.

Ziggy’s eyes narrowed as he stared him down in challenge. Sweetheart. That endearment from Ethan held a whole different meaning when aimed at the sexy snake.

Ziggy’s penetrating stare never moved from Silas.

Was he trying to figure out if there was something between him and Ethan? Not that it mattered. There had been no personal conversation at the club. None. It had all been dirty demands. Hard fucking. A crazy ride that ended with Silas leaving while Ziggy slept, not hiding his desire to stay and cuddle.

Ethan didn’t do shit. Never!

He swallowed so hard he felt his Adam’s apple, felt like it was trying to block his airway.

“Give Cranny the opportunity and figure out what you can offload to Brye. Speak to the accountant ‘bout the pay increases they’ll require so he can adjust accordingly.” As he spoke, he never shifted his attention, forcing himself to keep his shit together.

“Okay Boss, but I’m so fucking gonna do the whole ‘I told you so’ when it turns to horse shit.”

“I know you will,” he sighed, finally shifting his attention from Ziggy. “Let’s hope you’re wrong. But until you advertise and replace the cowboys, we’ve got no other options as I can’t leave here until I’ve grasped all the reins.”

“You can dream. And more than one set of reins ain’t a party, for sure. I’ll make it work for now. See ya.”

The call ended abruptly, as it always did with Ethan, leaving Silas with no option but to hang up and give his time to the silent man standing watching him intently. Silas recalled exactly what he’d written in the group chat—aptly named Alphaholes by Jupiter—he had with his brothers when he’d questioned what kind of name ‘Ziggy’ was.

It suited the snake shifter.

“This is awkward, it seems,” Ziggy murmured, those pale eyes captivating Silas. Daring him.

Silas sat back and gave himself a moment to consider what the hell he was going to do, if anything. Whatever, he needed to deal with it before his brothers found out how badly he’d screwed up by fucking his PA.

“It appears so,” he answered finally, dark brows merging into a straight line.

“So what do you suggest we do about this?” Straight to the point, something Silas admitted he admired. Suggesting a repeat of what they’d done while Ziggy wasn’t under the influence of his heat… wasn’t the right response, was it?

Silas looked at the pile of work on his desk, shoving hard at the urge to do just that. “Sit and I’ll talk you through my expectations and what I’ll require while attempting to juggle all my existing responsibilities.” His authoritative tone drew a raised eyebrow, but Ziggy took the seat.

It was only then that Silas noted the iPad in Ziggy’s hand. He flipped open the case and grabbed a stylus, and then returned his unwavering attention to Silas. “Will this list include the guy you were talking to?”

Silas frowned and came forward to rest his elbows on the desk. “Why do you ask?”

“’Cause I got the impression what you were discussing isn’t related to the fashion business.” He offered a bewitching, sexysmirk, and Silas crossed his legs awkwardly to squeeze his twitching cock between his thighs.

This was going to be a fucking nightmare!

“I have Ethan tomanagethe ranch I own. It’s not, nor will ever be, part of your responsibilities,” Silas stressed, before moving to reach for the mouse to click and close the open file and then open the one with the list of requirements that Ziggy would need to help with.

“How long have you been with Starling Enterprises? Are you up to scratch with all the departments and where they overlap?” Was it wrong to hope he said he had no clue so Silas could go to Hollis and ask for someone else?

Ziggy gave him a cursory glance before returning to looking at his iPad. “I’ve been with the company for over a month. I’ve worked alongside Hollis, and he’s given me the background to each department and who manages them. Your area is manufacturing, warehouse management, and stock control. This crosses over with all departments. Booker deals with trending fashions and designers. Taylin focuses on accessories, working closely with Booker. Jupiter has global fashion shows and deals with sourcing models…”

As he continued, Silas zoned out, listening to the sexy rasp that made the hairs on his body feel they were being brushed lightly by tattooed fingers.

Disconcerted by how distracted he was, when he’d never had trouble compartmentalizing in the past, Silas shifted on his seat, uncrossing and crossing his legs once more. What the hell was wrong with him? Maybe he should go back to Hidden Desires and find another omega to fuck this one out of his system?

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