Page 16 of Risque (Pack It In #1)

Jaxon

The next two days pass with ease, watching Mila light up at every new creation, the Omega offering his two cents in ways that I hadn’t thought of before.

Everything I had been building over the last few years took the joy out of eating and was replaced by the luxury, by the need to impress the executives, the elites, and everyone but the people I originally made my foods for.

And in between tastings, I had Mila curled up in my lap, usually sleeping.

Holding someone against me again was heaven.

Selena never really enjoyed it and I didn’t make her but having an Omega is an entirely different experience.

He’s needy in all the right ways, that adorable pout on his lips when he thinks he’s fucked up drawing me to kiss him and to make it better.

Nights are spent alone, only because I’m not sure I could control myself, my Alpha itching to claim the Omega as my own.

We still haven’t spoken about the mates part of this new relationship and I don’t want to ruin something so new.

Still, it’s a question burning at the edge of my mind and if I don’t do something today, I might end up blurting it out during dinner.

I didn’t think it was possible to love two people. Selena had all of my heart. But somehow, Mila is slowly crawling into it, carving a little place out for himself.

A heavy sigh falls from my lips as I look around, trying to understand what’s got Mila tied up.

He was here this morning, curled up on the lounge as he read something about nutrition.

But after my meeting, he all but disappeared and he’s not answering his phone.

I head to my desk and look under there, a few pillows and blankets heavily coated in his scent but no Mila.

“Missing something?”

I shoot back up and growl at Jasmine’s entrance, the woman swaying her hips rather excessively before plopping her ass onto the edge of my desk. In any other circumstance, I would have enjoyed her company but I’ve been avoiding her ever since that rather… odd confession.

“Would you happen to know where Mila is?”

“You mean Mr. Grey? Actually, I do. He’s doing a few tasks for the other executives. Copying papers, stocking supplies. You know, the stuff normal assistants do.”

I frown. He’s my assistant and having him work with anyone other than me… just feels wrong. “Why would you allow that? They have their own assistants.”

“He was more than happy to oblige when I said you asked for the tasks to be completed. They should take at least until after lunch. It should finally give me a chance to sit down and speak with you.”

She waves at the open door, my nostrils flaring at the scent of my son entering my office. I had wondered why it was so quiet, how our last two days were so peaceful and easy. It seems that my most trusted person and my son have been conspiring together for some reason.

I just need to know why.

Nolan’s carrying a small tray from one of the Italian eateries we used to visit when Selena was alive. I was never a fan of their pasta but I went for her and her son. Seeing it here now feels like a slap in the face.

He sets the tray down and starts doling out portions, Jasmine going to my fridge and producing some of the juices that were dropped off this morning. I say nothing as they spread out the feast, waiting until they’re seated on the other side of my desk.

“You both decided to have this lunch meeting, so talk.” I’m rather pissed, more so because I ordered Nolan never to be on company property. Seeing Jasmine bring him in under my nose and without my permission… it hurts.

Nolan grabs one of the rolls and takes a healthy chunk of it. “I thought it was odd when you stopped picking up my calls and Mila stopped talking to me at the same time. I came here to ask you about it yesterday and found him all cuddled up against you where you thought no one could see.”

Of course, he couldn’t just leave well enough alone. But there’s no crime in employees dating, as risqué as this relationship is.

Jasmine grins as she takes a sip of juice.

“And so, your lovely son brought that concern to me. I was unaware that you were even dating but the extreme happiness you started exhibiting ever since Mr. Grey came into your office was suspicious. Jax, no matter how many showers you take, you still smell like citrus. I wanted to believe it was a new body wash but it smells like the little Omega who’s taken over your office.

By the way, that’s the most pitiful nest I’ve ever seen. ”

I swallow, running through everything I could say to these two and deciding I don’t want to fight. There’s no reason to lie but I also don’t want to thrust Mila out into the limelight. However, calling his nest pitiful? That’s just wrong.

“Jasmine, I understand your sentiments when it comes to Omegas.”

“And I thought we agreed on them.”

I snort, shaking my head as I lean back in my chair.

“Jasmine, we’ve had all of two conversations since college about Omegas and our feelings about them.

Where you continued to hold that viewpoint, I don’t hate them or find them weak.

I just didn’t know anything about them. Then Selena came along and I didn’t need to know anything about Omegas.

Alphas were the only thing I knew and it was fine.

” My attention dips down to the food and as hungry as I am, I won’t be able to taste it.

We’ve been tracking how far Mila can be from me before I lose my sense of taste again and if he’s not in contact with me, it’s still ash.

I still can’t smell anything but I’m not worried about that. And if it means I have to hold Mila during every meal, I am not complaining.

Nolan cuts in. “I just don’t understand why you felt the need to steal my boyfriend. Well, fiancé. It’s fucking weird.”

This again. I drag a hand through my hair, pulling it from the manicured bun I put together every morning.

I really don’t like getting ambushed like this.

“If you both felt an intervention was needed, there are much better ways than providing lunch when both of you know that my sense of taste and smell have eluded me since Selena passed away. That being said, I did not steal anyone. I am not a homewrecker. I am doing nothing wrong. Is he several years younger than me? Yes. But am I coercing him into something? No. Do you know the only reason I haven’t claimed him?

Because he’s not ready. The only reason the world doesn’t know about my mate?

Because he asked me not to say anything. ”

Jasmine holds up a hand. “Woah, woah, woah. Mate? Jax.”

“I wasn’t going to say anything until Mila is ready but we knew it the first moment he walked into my office.”

Nolan cuts in again. “I thought Mom was your mate.”

“No, not exactly. We fell in love. Mila, however, is biologically my mate. I don’t understand it and I know there’s going to be quite the obstacles going forward but if he’ll have me…”

Nolan pushes out of his chair, swiping his plate of pasta across the table. Noodles and chicken spray across the floor, anger settling in his expression. “No! He’s mine! How many times do I have to fucking tell you—”

I shoot out of my chair and reach across the table to grab him by the scruff of his neck.

“You cheated on that sweet little Omega, Nolan. You broke his fucking heart when all he wanted to do was give you his. Get it through your thick skull that he does not want a man who can not own up to his mistakes. When we finally had a meal together, I wanted to tell you that your mother left you more provisions than you originally thought, that legally you are my son and owed it.” I push him backward and dip into the drawer beside my chair.

“However, I no longer feel like having a civil conversation with you. So, here. Your provisions she left you. Don’t squander it all in the same place. ”

Nolan is just staring at the folder, bond letters and the outline of a trust fund inside.

Each and every page needed my signature as well as a notary when Nolan signed.

I wanted to explain everything to him when he was 30, a promise I made with his mother but it’s not worth it now.

She had envisioned him working his way up here and that by the time I handed him that folder, I would also be handing him some part of the company.

Fat chance.

I turn to Jasmine, the Alpha standing up and bowing her head. “I think it’s best that Mr. Grey returns to the café downstairs or finds work elsewhere. It is inappropriate that you are in a relationship with your assistant—”

“I’m going to stop you there. You were insinuating that I be with you, the head of HR, which seems even more inappropriate.

So, here’s what we’re going to do.” I grab the phone from my desk and dial one of the executives down the hall to send Mila here immediately.

I only have to wait five minutes before the doe-eyed Omega is peeking inside, fear running through his expression. “Come here, sweetheart.”

He does as he’s asked, scurrying over to my side, his gaze racing between Jasmine and Nolan. “What… um… what’s going on?” He looks over at the mess of noodles on the ground and then at me, tears glazing in his eyes.

“Mila, it seems that both Nolan and Jasmine have had concerns about our relationship here so I wanted to set the record straight before I made any decisions.” He nods, one of his hands curling into my sleeve for support.

He smells distressed but he’s keeping that smile on his face for me.

“Did you break up with Nolan?” Mila nods.

“And you’re no longer together in any capacity, correct?

” Another nod. “Jasmine says that you working as my assistant and my boyfriend can’t happen on Epicurea payroll so I’m going to have to let you return to the café downstairs. ” Another nod, slower this time.

We spoke about this last night while Mila was wrapped around me, my knot swollen inside of him.

I had told him that Jasmine was probably searching for something to break us apart or at least remove Mila from my side.

I told him that I might have to let him go publicly but that didn’t mean I couldn’t hire him as a personal assistant with my own funds.

When he asked, ‘like a sugar daddy’, I only laughed and tried to fuck him again.

Mila steps back, twisting his hands together, his bottom lip trembling as a tear escapes. “I… understand.”

It takes me a moment to realize that he’s not acting, that this situation is overwhelming and he’s having a hard time. “Mila, I’d like to speak to you privately how this is going to affect you going forward, okay?”

Jasmine looks like she’s over the moon and Nolan looks like someone kicked his dog. It’s too bad he didn’t know how to cherish what he had. I wave them both out of my office before dragging Mila into my chest, the Omega burying his head in my shirt.

“Sweetheart, fuck, I’m not actually firing you, okay?”

“I know. It’s just Jasmine was so mean this morning and then I saw Nolan and I… what… I’m going back to the café at least, right?” He pulls away from me to search my face and I can see the hope that he’s still going to be working at Epicurea.

My thumbs swipe across his cheeks. “If that’s what you want. But I really did want to hire you as my assistant.”

“Because I can taste things for you?”

“Because I like you. Really like you and I want you at my side at all times. Hell, I don’t even like dropping you off at your apartment.”

His nose scrunches up. “But it’s only been a few days.”

“Tell me you don’t feel it too, Mila. Everything in me is telling me to claim you but we need time and I know that. I’m just hoping that during all of that time, I can hold you too.”

His face lights up and he nods, leaning forward for a kiss. I happily oblige him, tasting him softly as he melts against me. These are moments I cherish above all else, moments when he’s pliant in my hands and we need nothing other than each other.

“Jasmine won’t be happy,” he murmurs against my lips before placing his head just beneath my chin.

“I don’t really care. We’ve been friends for a very long time but her goals aren’t mine and if that means I have to let her go…”

“You’d fire her?”

“No. She wouldn’t have a choice but to leave because at the end of the day, I’m the last vote. It’s my company and I think in some part she forgot that. Now, I really don’t want to talk about that. What’s for lunch?”

“I’m guessing not Italian.”

I shake my head, pressing a kiss to Mila’s forehead. “No, I only ate Italian because of Selena and Nolan. I’m feeling something else. Something sweet.”

“Like what?” Mila sits back up, the sudden bloom of his scent filling the room.

“ You. ”