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“Can’t I?”

I didn’t change my tone. Didn’t flex my muscles the way I sometimes did when I was about to pound someone into the floor for betraying me. I didn’t have to. If my reputation didn’t precede me, then he hadn’t done the kind of homework I expected of my assistants.

My smirk grew as I watched Ryder’s Adam’s apple bob in his throat with a nervous swallow. His eyes narrowed as he noticed my attention, and he reached out, snatching the contract from my hands.

“Let me see that.”

He read quickly, pupils scanning back and forth across the page. I knew when he got to the salary because his breath hitched and the paper trembled.

“This is too much.”

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

Ryder glared at me. “Oh, is that what passes for consent with you?”

My smirk grew wider. “No, baby. It’s not consent if you’re not begging for it.”

“Fuck off.”

“Be a good boy and ask me nicely for a job.”

The faintest scent of omega arousal drifted across the space between us, making my already hard cock even harder. Given the way his pulse was racing and his pupils were dilated, he must be wearing scent blockers and who knew what else for it to have taken that long to reach me.

His pheromones made my mouth water and need thrum under my skin. The base of my cock tingled like I might pop a knot in my pants like a teenager. There was a bitter edge to his scent that matched the sharp edge to his personality, but one that only enticed me more—like the richest dark chocolate or a perfectly brewed coffee first thing in the morning.

“I’m not begging you for a job I don’t even want.”

I waited. Not saying a word.

“Fuck you. This isn’t how you interview someone.”

More silence. He’d come round. They always did. Hopefully, I wouldn’t have to do anything elaborate to get him there. I didn’t have time to fuck with his lease or his bank accounts to make him desperate. I needed him to start tomorrow before Nate left so they had time to do a handover.

Something in my expression must’ve given away the threats I was pondering, because Ryder’s nostrils flared and his scent took on the slightly sour tint of fear. My brow furrowed. Usually, I loved knowing I’d inspired that kind of emotion but for some reason, I didn’t like it on him.

“Fine. Give me the fucking job, then. What do I care?” Ryder muttered.

I raised a single eyebrow, moving forward when he refused to meet my gaze and reaching out to tip his chin up until he was looking at me. Fuck, he was so much smaller than me. The top of his head fit beneath my chin, and his body was so slender and pale. Delicate.

“What was that, baby?”

“If you want me to work for you, don’t call me that.”

“Ask me nicely and I’ll think about it.”

Ryder tried to tug away, but I moved my hand behind his nape, stroking my thumb over the scent gland on his neck. His mouth opened on a gasp, and a moan slipped free before he quickly cut it off. His eyes flicked to the closed door.

“What is wrong with you? Stop scent-marking me! They’re going to think we⁠—”

“Let them.”

“Easy for you to say. You don’t have to earn their respect.”

Satisfaction filled me at hearing him accept that he’d be working for me. “You don’t need to either. They’ll respect you because you’ll be speaking for me.”

“Whatever. Give me a pen so I can sign this thing and go.”

Ryder’s eyes widened as my grip on his neck tightened. “You didn’t ask me nicely, pet.”