Page 37 of The Sterling Acquisition

“Hostility,” Orion repeated, his voice flat and mean. “Because being pissed off about being treated like property is just a malfunction, yeah? Get the fuck out. Leave me alone.”

The words carried just enough venom to be insulting, just enough edge to suggest he was looking for a fight with anyone stupid enough to give him one. Dante met his eyes and saw the war playing out there—fury and biology and something that looked suspiciously like misery.

“Physical changes often affect emotional regulation,” Dante said. “It’s not uncommon for subjects to experience mood fluctuations during transitional periods.”

“Subjects,” Orion spat. “Transitional periods. God, you people and your fucking corporate speak.”

Keep pushing. Let’s see how much fight you’ve got left in you when you’re moaning my name.

“I’ll take this from here. I think we can make some progress today,” Dante said, shifting to address Leo.

“Of course. Whatever you think is best.” Leo was already backing toward the door, eager to escape the hostility radiating from his expensive acquisition. “I’ll be at the facility. Call me if anything comes up.”

The door closed and the air felt charged with heat and anger and something that might have been desperation.

Now, let’s see what you really want to say to me.

Chapter eleven

Tactical Advantage

Dante

Dantefeltsomethingpredatorybuilding in his chest at the sight before him. Orion sat on the narrow bed, shirtless and flushed, radiating hostility like heat from a forge—and every instinct Dante possessed whispered that this was what he’d been hoping for.

More than that, he wanted to see what happened when all that magnificent fury had nowhere to go except into desperate need.

“Well,” Dante said, settling into the single chair with deliberate casualness. “That was quite a performance for Leo’s benefit.”

“Get the fuck out.”

Hearing Orion spit profanity with such vicious satisfaction was like watching someone shatter expensive crystal just because they could. He wanted to hear more of it, and he definitely wanted to see what other sounds he could force from that smart mouth—gasps, moans, maybe his name broken apart by pleasure.

“I don’t think so,” he said, settling into the chair with deliberate casualness that he knew would infuriate. “Leo’s paying for my expertise, and right now my expertise says you need immediate intervention.”

Orion was on his feet before Dante could blink, and he had to appreciate the dangerous grace of it—a year of vigilance taught the Omega to move like a weapon. “I don’t need anything from you.”

“No? You look like you’re about to crawl out of your own skin.” Dante let his gaze travel over Orion’s flushed chest, cataloguing the signs he’d been trained to recognize. Dilated pupils, rapid breathing, and the obvious arousal pressing against worn fabric. “Tell me, how does it feel knowing you’re going to go into heat having never been properly fucked?”

The scent spike hit him—fury morphing into something complex and desperate. Dante watched Orion’s pupils dilate further, his breath catch, his posture shift in ways that screamed “fuck me now” despite the obvious attempt to stay focused on anger.

“Fuck you,” Orion snapped.

“Maybe later. Right now, I’m more interested in watching you cum for me again.” Dante stood slowly from the chair, satisfaction coursing through him at the way Orion tensed. “I’m curious how long that brilliant mind of yours can hold out when your body’s working against you.”

“I’m not—” Orion started, then cut himself off as Dante took a step closer.

“You’re not what? Not desperate? Not so wound up you can barely think straight?” Another step, and Dante could smell that unmistakable tangy sweetness that meant he was dripping slick. “Not wondering what it would feel like to have me lick every inch of you?”

Dante felt his control slip at the violence of Orion’s response—hands shoving hard against his chest with enough force to move him back a step. He caught his wrists and spun them both around, slamming Orion against the wall hard enough to feel the impact in his own bones. The gasp it forced from Orion’s lips went straight to his cock, especially when Orion started struggling—trying to knee him, twist free, bite anything within reach.

God, he’s magnificent when he fights.

Dante pinned both wrists just above his head again, using his full weight to keep him trapped while his free hand traced along flushed collarbone. The skin was fever-hot under his fingers, and he could feel Orion’s pulse racing beneath the surface. “Don’t—” Orion warned, his lips trembling as he tried to bring his knee up.

“Don’t what?” he asked, curious about how far this defiance would stretch. “Don’t tell you the truth? Don’t touch you the way someone like you wants to be touched? Don’t mention that I can smell how wet you’re getting?”

“Let go of me,” Orion spat, bucking against the hold in a way that made his erection press against Dante’s thigh. The contradiction fascinated him—his body seeking contact while his mind rejected it completely.