Page 27 of Unbonded
I skim the details, not quite believing my eyes. Unless I’m mistaken, they want me to live in their palatial home and provide companionship to their pack for an absurd sum of money. “This is very generous, but I don’t understand. Why are you offering me this?”
“It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement,” Bram says, using his soothing voice. “And the formality is just to protect you.”
“But this is a companionship contract. What does that mean to you?”
“Friendship,” Corbus says, opening his hands like he’s offering me the world - and isn’t he, in a way? I’m not so blinded by pride that I can’t recognize a highly attractive proposition. “Emotional support,” he goes on. “Company while at work. Even dates to public events, if you’re both so inclined.”
I glance at Dash, finally understanding what they’re trying to achieve with this offer. “You want to pay me to spend time with Dash?”
“Oh my God,” he huffs, glaring at the two alphas. “You make me sound like such a catch, guys.” He turns to face me,cheeks flushed as he rolls his eyes. “Ignore them, Kate. You stay because youwantto stay. Not everything is a soulless business transaction.”
His censure is clearly being levelled at the alphas, but I don’t object to the formality of the contract. The actual responsibilities might not be spelled out in full, but I’m confident they’re making the offer in good faith. I’ve learned the difference between an opportunity and a trap while dealing with King, but there is still a major hitch in their plan that I have to point out. “My design work is very important to me, and I have a number of projects I can’t just abandon. I refuse to leave Florence in the lurch.”
“Of course not.” Bram looks unfazed by this complication. “But this contract would allow you to quit the housekeeping work and focus on your career. There’s a line item in the budget for materials for your own projects, although I may have underestimated the cost. Fashion isn’t really my forte.”
He shifts his shoulders in his too-tight suit, and I tilt my head, considering him. “It’s not so bad.”
“Hmm. I outgrew the big and tall store when I was a teenager. Nothing fits.”
“Is that a challenge?” He raises his brows at me, and I shrug. “A few tweaks, a couple of tucks, and I’d have you ready for Fashion Week.”
He doesn’t look convinced, but Dash seems to have warmed to the plan. “You could work on your own designs from here. There’s plenty of space, and there’s even an empty room next to my studio.” He leans closer, his voice dropping an octave. “I bet we could squeeze some wraparound mirrors out of Bram’s budget.”
I blush, my skin tingling at the heat in his eyes. But there’s more than just our attraction to consider. The alphas are in the process of courting Dash, but there’s nothing in the pages I’ve read to suggest they have any romantic intentions towardsme.
It shouldn’t squeeze my heart. I’ve just spent one of the best nights of my life with Dash. Am I really greedy enough to want more?
But looking at Bram sparks that same magnetic pull I felt before I climbed all over him in his car, and I’ve been floating on Corbus’ addicting scent ever since I sat at the table. He hasn’t given me any sign of a connection between us, but maybe exposure will awaken it. If I’m living under his roof, at least I could work out if it’s real, or just my hormones going haywire.
Which brings me back to my approaching heat, and Dr. Green’s warnings. I’ll need to see her again and find out how living here might affect my condition. For now, I’ll keep my appointment with Lachlan, if only to decide if I could go through with a heat auction. But at some stage, I’ll have to discuss it with Dash, especially if I’m going to keep sharing his bed.
And that seems highly likely, given the way his fingers have started brushing up and down my arm. He’s obviously comfortable touching me in front of his alphas, but I catch my breath as Corbus leans close to my ear and murmurs, “If you’re wondering why we don’t simply leave this to chance, it’s because of the gala. Dash could’ve been badly hurt, and I was distracted with business.”
He's close enough for his breath to tease the damp hairs trailing my cheeks, but Dash still gives a squawk of protest. “I’m fine, Corbus! It was just a hunger pain that got away from me. And I’m taking care of that, see?”
He stabs his fork into the fruit salad on his plate, and Corbus gives him a fond smile. “I will always want to take care of you,mijn liefje.” His gaze swings back to me. “And if he needs assistance again...”
“I’ll be right there.” One glance tells me Dash is still conflicted by the arrangement, so I nudge his elbow. “Does this mean I get to watch you dance?”
He perks up, his mouth twisting into a sly smile. “You can have a private performance whenever you want. And there are a couple of moves that we should probably practice, just to make sure I nail them before opening night.”
Something tells me those moves won’t ever make it to the stage, but I’m more than willing to have him try them out on me. Over and over, if that’s what it takes.
“Ugh. And speaking of rehearsals…” Dash groans as he drags himself to his feet. “Today is a technical run-through, so not exactly a thrill a minute.”
“We thought Kate might join us for the day,” Corbus says, setting his napkin aside and looking expectantly at me. “Would you like to come along on a client visit? I’m meeting with the design team at House of Omega on a collaboration.”
Would I like to see the inner workings of themost elite luxury goods company in the world?No design devotee is ever going to turn down an offer like that. And as for spending more time in Corbus’ company, I try to ignore the way my heart perks up in anticipation. “I’d love to.”
Dash rounds the table to kiss us all goodbye and then Corbus is pulling back my chair to help me stand. I feel that familiar pull between us -his cedarwood spell, as I'm starting to think of it – but I try not to lose my head as I say, “The only thing is I have a shift at the hotel at noon. If I miss it, Mrs. Gladstone will fire me for sure.”
“Don’t worry.” Corbus waves an elegant hand at this minor inconvenience as he leads us off the terrace. “We’ll take care of that on the way.”
Taking care of it, I discover, involves calling Mr. Friedman from the phone in the back of Corbus’ limousine. I've never met the Liberty Hotel's owner, but as his voice comes over thespeaker, both Corbus and Bram greet him like old friends. And yet once the pleasantries are out of the way, Corbus doesn't hesitate to tell him that I’m joining the Paragon family, effective immediately.
I can almost hear Mr. Friedman frowning down the phone. “You're poaching my staff now, Corbus? Who is it? It better not be Marianne from my PR team. Or Lucilla, from -.”
“It's Kate Valentine,” Bram interrupts him. “She's part of your housekeeping staff. We spoke to you about her after she helped us on the night of the gala.”
