Page 17 of Risque
“Jasmine, he was in heat and mostly incoherent. So, yes, I took him home, stuck him in a room and asked what he needed. Seems like cold water and lots of pillows truly helped. What isthis all about?” His eyes dart over to me before returning to Jasmine.
“Your image! You can’t be running around with your son’s boyfriend. That… he’s half your age. You need someone more like…”
Mr. Holt laughs and pushes to his feet, his expression darkening. “Someone more like you? Jasmine, we’ve never once had that relationship. Are you my best friend? Yes. Do I confide in you with things no one else knows? Yes. But does that mean you own my heart? No. It doesn’t and now, this,” He gestures between them. “Is awkward. Mila, come here please.”
I rush forward, nearly tripping over my own feet as he grabs the fruity pebble coffee and takes a sip. Foam gathers on the tip of his nose and just below, Mr. Holt making no move to wipe it off. “Just as I suspected. Still can’t taste it. But you know who can? Mila. Which is why he’s here. Now, respectfully, Jasmine, I need you out of the office so I can prepare Mila for our next meeting.”
Jasmine gasps. “The tastings? You always take me to those.”
“As a courtesy, yes. But the way Mila can describe…”
“You’ve had him foroneday.”
Silence filters into the room, Mr. Holt standing up to his full height. “Jasmine, I would have expected that you of all people would be the most professional about this new working relationship. I can see where your head is at and what you want but none of that belongs here in my office. If you’d like to sit down and discuss something, we can do so at a later time. For now? I have a project deadline and you have other people to manage.”
Jasmine huffs and stalks out, Mr. Holt following to close and lock the door behind her. I’m still standing by the table, confused and wondering where this leaves me. When he turns around, hisexpression has softened, the Alpha moving to sit in his chair and place his coffee on the table.
“Good morning, Mila. I hope you slept well.” I nod. “But you’re not wearing the clothes I left for you.”
I drop my bag and dig them out before placing them on his desk. “I didn’t know where all of this was going and I didn’t…”
“Ah. I’m not getting rid of you any time soon, sweetheart. Besides, that was only day one. Come here.” He opens his arms and nods, my sorry ass scurrying around the desk to crawl into his lap. It feels perfect here as I press my nose into the crook of his neck, drawing healthy gulps of his scent. Fuck, that’s better. “What happened downstairs?”
“Nolan was there and he was asking all these questions about you and why I was in your car. Jasmine was suspicious and that’s why she called you about the coffee. Sorry, I had to lie.”
“It’s no problem. Keep going.”
“Well, Nolan said he saw me and you said I had gone home so I told Jasmine that I slept in the car and then you found me. It’s all a big mess and I’m sorry.” Tears come to the surface but I smack those away. There’s no time for crying.
Mr. Holt chuckles as he wraps an arm around my waist to tug me closer. “Is it a little chaotic, sure. But it’ll work itself out. Now, how about we try a little something. You stay here on my lap while I work until it’s time to leave.”
“Leave where?” I place a hand on his chest, fiddling with his buttons.
“There’s a small factory across the street with a few samples to taste test and I’d like you to come with me.”
I nod, the high of being at Mr. Holt’s side dwindling. “Right. Of course.”
“Sweetheart, regardless of how I feel about you, this is still a job.” His fingers pinch my chin, angling it up so that my gaze meets his. “And Idofeel for you, more than is appropriate in anycircumstance but I can’t really just take off and ravage you for a week. I also don’t know whatyouwant.”
My cheeks flame as I bury my head in his chest. I’ve known this man for less than a day and somehow I keep trying to think about a forever. It’s so comfortable here in his lap, surrounded by his scent, held strong by his arms. “I just want to be loved. I want to take care of someone and see them smile when I do. Nolan never liked that.” A growl rumbles through Mr. Holt’s chest and I glance up to see the Alpha’s nostrils flaring. “What did I say?”
“I can’t believe my own son treated you like that. It makes me angry, Mila. I am not my son and I would never treat you like that.”
“But you also don’t like men.”
Mr. Holt nods, settling back in his chair a little bit. “No, it was more that I never found a man who caught my attention. Not until you. Mila, seriously? We all experimented in college. I just found someone I loved more than life—Selena. When she passed away, I thought that might be it for me. And then you came through my door yesterday.”
“This is too fast.”
“Yes, yes it is. Which is why I’m letting you drive whatever this is between us. You tell me where we go with this. First and most important question. Do you want there to be an us?”
That doesn’t take any thinking. I nod. “I just… you’re really important.” I hope he catches what I mean. I don’t mindwhohe is but the limelight that comes with it is terrifying. What will people say about us?
“We’ll keep it quiet for now. I’m not really sure I want people digging into my private life at the moment, anyway.” His nose scrunches up and I’m pretty sure he’s talking about Jasmine. I don’t press it, snuggling in a little further as he grabs his fruity pebble coffee and takes another swig. He pauses and then drinksagain, his jaw tensing. “Sweetheart, what the fuck is this?” He asks playfully.
“You can taste it?”
His eyes widen and he nods as he takes another swig. “Yes and it’s the most horrendous combination of flavors. Jesus Christ, they make this down there?”
