Page 26 of The Sterling Acquisition
“And would that rapid departure include stolen corporate assets?”
Dante smirked. “If the assets were valuable enough to justify the risk.”
The way he looked at Orion when he said it made it clear which assets he was considering. It should have been threatening. Itwasthreatening. But there was something about the directness, the lack of pretense, that was almost refreshing after Leo’s incompetent fumbling.
At least he’s honest about what he wants. Leo pretends it’s about bonding and partnership and all sorts of romantic bullshit. Dante just wants to own you and isn’t ashamed about it.
“And you think I’m valuable enough?”
“I think you’re the most valuable thing I’ve encountered in years.” Dante’s voice dropped. “The question is whether you’re smart enough to recognize mutual benefit when it’s offered.”
Your benefit and his benefit, defined by him.
But even as Orion’s rational mind ran through all the ways this was a terrible idea, his body was responding to the Alpha’s proximity, his scent, the confident way he claimed ownership of the space around him. The pre-heat wasn’t being medically suppressed yet, and being in close quarters with an Alpha who smelled right was making his skin feel too tight.
“The mutual benefit being that I get to be owned by someone competent instead of someone incompetent.”
“The mutual benefit is that you get protection, intellectual stimulation, and care from someone who values what you are instead of trying to break what you are.”
Care. He keeps using that word like it means something different when he says it.
“And in return?”
“In return, I get the most fascinating, brilliant, beautiful Omega I’ve ever met.” Dante moved closer, and his scent seemed to intensify. “Seems like a fair trade.”
Fair according to whom?
But Orion’s protest died in his throat as Dante stepped into what was definitely personal space. Close enough that he could see the way the Alpha’s pupils dilated. Close enough to smell the complex layers of his scent—something that smelled like hunger and possession and want.He’s corporate. Point out his lack of professionalism, and he’ll back off.
“You’re staring,” Dante said softly.
“You’re close.”
“Too close?”
Orion’s rational mind screamed yes. His hindbrain, however, was offering different opinions about optimal Alpha proximity.
“That depends,” Orion said, “on what you’re planning to do.”
It was supposed to be a challenge. A test to see if Dante would back down or reveal more of his intentions. Instead, it seemed to flip some kind of switch in the Alpha’s carefully controlled demeanor.
The corporate mask didn’t slip—it shattered.
One moment, Dante was standing at a too-close but restrained distance. The next, Orion found himself slammed against the wall with an Alpha’s full weight pinning him there, strong hands gripping his wrists and forcing them above his head.
“Let go,” Orion snarled, struggling against the hold. “Get the fuck off me.”
“No.” Dante’s voice was rough, dangerous, nothing like the controlled corporate tone he’d been using. “I’m done with being polite. I’m done pretending I don’t want to pin you down and fuck you senseless. I’m going to touch you, and you’re going to take it, and we’re both going to enjoy every fucking second of it.”
Fight. Move. Do something.
But Dante’s grip was iron, his body a solid wall of muscle.. The Alpha was bigger, stronger, and the way he was looking at Orion—like he was already imagining him naked—made something dark uncurl in his stomach.
“Let me go, you bastard,” Orion snarled, but his voice came out breathless rather than commanding.
“Not a fucking chance.” Dante shifted his grip to hold both of Orion’s wrists with one hand, freeing the other to grab his jaw. “I’ve been watching you for days, thinking about what I’d do if I got my hands on you. Now I’m going to show you exactly what you’ve been missing.”
“I said let me go.”
