To Have A Human (4 page)

Dating, maybe, but mating wasn’t on Carey’s to-do list. Not in this decade. He didn’t need a mate to weigh him down and tell him what to do.

Isaac’s cynical gaze swept Carey’s exposed chest. “I don’t think that would be such a good idea. I mean you can sleep with him all you want, but a job interview should be professional. I don’t want you hiring someone with your little brain and regretting it later. No offense, Carey.”

“No offense taken.” Carey shrugged. At least one of them was looking out for the company. His respect for Isaac grew at the man’s insistence on someone responsible doing the hiring. Obviously Broden wasn’t giving the interview the right kind of attention. Carey would love a repeat of their first encounter, but he could use a job more. He also didn’t plan to get it because he was sleeping with the boss.

Carey’s phone beeped. He pulled it out of his pocket. “I think you need to beef up your firewall. I’ve been all over your system and there wasn’t much stopping me.”

Whoever had been their computer specialist before hadn’t done a very good job, by Carey’s estimation. Their security program was sophisticated, but anyone with an ounce of knowledge knew all of its back doors.

The astonishment on both their faces made him smile. They really had no idea about the technological capabilities of a smart phone. These obviously weren’t the computer crew. Carey wondered who else they had on staff.

“You’re hired,” Isaac said.

“We will, of course, run a background check on you first,” Broden replied. His smile told Carey that it was probably more for personal reasons than because he needed it for the job, but that was all right.

“I’d be surprised if you didn’t. You’ll find I have both shifter and human clearance,” Carey assured him.

If there was one thing his father had taught him even better than firearms, it was how to design his own background check. Carey’s file showed whatever he wanted it to. However, the one these people would see was the one he’d set up with security clearance and a limited background filler, enough to look like he had a valid history, and with just enough facts to satisfy his curious kitty.

“Good,” Broden approved. “Now that that is out of the way, Isaac, you can leave us and go check Carey’s clearance.”

“Don’t you want to explain the job to me? I might not want it,” Carey warned. He might think Broden was the hottest shifter on the planet, but he wouldn’t ruin his life over a big cock, no matter how well the owner knew how to use it. He’d only offered to interview because he wanted a steady paycheck for the group.

There were other options. More tiring options that involved drumming up business and a few that involved shady people with even shadier bank accounts, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t do things if needed. He took care of his people. They might be an odd little pack, but they were his.

Broden wrapped an arm around Carey’s shoulders. “I’ll tell you all about it.”

“It doesn’t include having to have sex with the alpha,” Isaac piped up. “That’s completely optional.”

“Don’t you have references to check?” Broden growled.

“Yes, sir,” Isaac gave a snappy salute before vanishing out the door, laughter drifted after him.

Carey tried to put his shirt back together, but had to give it up as a lost cause.

“I’ll buy you a new one,” Broden promised. “Sit.”

Broden motioned toward a leather couch positioned at the side of the room away from the desk. The piece of furniture looked comfortable and well-loved like it had provided haven for more than one impromptu nap and possible overnight sleepover.

“Is this like a casting couch interview?” Carey asked, waggling his eyebrows at Broden. “Should I strip to see if I’m qualified for the job?”

Broden grinned. “The job isn’t contingent on giving me sexual favors. However, don’t let that stop you from sleeping with the boss. Although I’m in charge of the company, I won’t be your direct supervisor, Isaac will. He’s in charge of day-to-day operations.”

“Good.” Carey hadn’t stopped kicking himself for not getting Broden’s number before. He’d had an attack of nerves in the middle of the night and had snuck away. Afterward, he’d regretted that action. Broden deserved better. Unfortunately, unless he returned to Broden’s apartment and truly became a stalker, there wasn’t a way to go back and apologize.

“I was going to go back to the club to find you,” Broden said, breaking into Carey’s thoughts.

“You were?” Carey’s heart pattered faster
—
he really was wanted. Despite the evidence of the bite mark, he’d worried that Broden might regret his one-night stand with a human. Carey had more than one encounter where the friendly shifter lover from the night before refused to acknowledge him the next day. Harris generally hunted those men down and beat the crap out of them, but it had happened before.

Broden nodded. “You said you’d be there in two weeks. I was going to make sure I was, too. I’d like to date you on a regular basis and see where it might go. What do you think?”

“I didn’t think shifters dated. I thought you mated or not.” Carey couldn’t get a handle on Broden. The man had marked Carey as if he belonged to him, but then didn’t push to seal the deal. As none of his friends were mated yet, Carey didn’t know if this behavior was normal. Maybe the cat shifter was a bit unhinged. Or maybe he was looking for a way to convey his regrets about picking the wrong guy. Despite the satisfied look in his eyes when he saw his mark, maybe Broden didn’t want anything long term either. Carey could appreciate that. He needed to get his friends settled first and make sure their lives were on the right track before he could accept any man permanently in his life.

“I’m not like most shifters. I’m a jaguar, and the alpha of my pride. I need to make sure any man in my life can handle being my mate. If you were a shifter, it would be easier. Each of our animals would bond with the other. Since you’re a human, allowances must be made.”

Carey didn’t like how Broden acted as if being human was a barrier that had to be overcome. He’d known enough shifters with that humans-are-inferior attitude that he didn’t have to accept it from a lover.

“I can already tell you that if you think you need to make allowances for me, then we aren’t compatible,” Carey let his disgust show on his face.

He wasn’t anyone’s second choice. With one last disappointed look at Broden and with his heart breaking, Carey turned to leave.

Two steps later, Broden grabbed him and spun him back around.

“Don’t leave, babe. I didn’t mean for it to sound like that. I just want to know you better before I make any permanent decisions. I told Isaac you were mine and I was going to keep you, human or not, but I do have to make sure you’ll settle well with the pack. Is it too much to ask to give us some time?” Broden’s pleading look twisted Carey into knots.

“I like you, too, but I’m not a consolation prize. If you can’t accept me as a human, we’re done.” Carey was at a loss. He really liked Broden and even though he didn’t really want to be Broden’s mate at this time in his life, he couldn’t make himself let the man go completely. He had a feeling that if he quit seeing Broden, he would regret it for the rest of his life.

“Like I said, I want to date you. Take you out somewhere, not my apartment or a bar, and get to know each other.” Broden leaned closer and sniffed at Carey’s neck.

Carey laughed. Broden’s breath across his neck tickled. “If you want, I can strip down and you can sniff me all over,” Carey offered. He winced after he spoke. Eaton always told him he didn’t need to say everything he thought. Harris claimed Carey had a defective brain-to-mouth filter. Carey suspected a person had to have one to start out with in order to break it. His daddy wasn’t the only reason Carey had to learn to hold his own in a fight.

Broden’s mouth quirked at the edges. “I’ll restrain myself.”

Despite his words, Broden shoved Carey’s shirt off Carey’s right shoulder a little to access the bite. Broden lapped at the mark he'd left, healing the open wound. “Sorry I didn’t heal this for you. I got carried away, and you left before I remembered.”

“It hurts like a bitch. I almost asked Eaton to fix it, but that would have been too weird,” Carey explained. He’d never been romantically attached to any of his roommates
—
they were like brothers to him.

A low growl vibrated Broden’s body against him. “I don’t know who Eaton is, but he better keep his mouth to himself.”

The he-man act never appealed to him before. Why did Broden’s possessive tone make Carey shiver with desire? Something about this cat shifter had Carey reacting like he never had before. Maybe there really was some sort of cosmic-mate-matching service and they were the latest pair. Only time would tell if this would work out.

Carey raised an eyebrow at him. “I didn’t agree to be exclusive.”

“Trust me when I say I don’t share. Until we decide what’s between us, I’ll need you to see only me. I’m a jaguar,” Broden said as if that settled the matter.

“I didn’t think jaguars mated for life,” Carey said.

“Jaguar cats don’t. Jaguar shifters are like all other shifters—once we find the one we want, we keep them.” Broden’s smile told Carey the man already had plans for keeping Carey.

“I’m not dating anyone else at the moment. I’ll agree to be exclusive for now,” Carey caved. He didn’t want to fight, not when his entire goal was to get back into Broden’s bed.

“Thank you. Let me know if you change your mind,” Broden said. “So I can hunt down your new lover and convince him of the error of his ways.”

“I’ll be sure to do that,” Carey said dryly.

Chapter Three

Broden knew the second Carey exited the elevator and walked onto the third floor. The scent of honey and lemon always followed the man. An odd smell to make him hard and needy, but the results didn’t lie. Since Carey had started to work there a few days ago, Broden had never missed the opportunity to watch the man enter or leave a room. No one looked as good from all angles as Carey.

Not to mention the man did great work. Three banks now had permanent contracts with them after Carey easily hacked into their accounts to show them the error of their ways.

His hot lover was also good for business
—
what more could he ask for?

He struggled against the urge to purr.

After taking a slow calming breath, Broden turned and tried to focus on his spreadsheet.

“Did you say something, boss?” Isaac asked.

The smirk on his face told Broden his beta needed his ass kicked…again. Ever since Carey had started on the job and showed all the errors their last computer guy had left behind, Isaac had been beside himself with smugness.

Not only did Isaac pat himself on the back for bringing Carey on board, but for finding Broden’s mate. Isaac said that he got the credit because Broden let Carey slip through his fingers.

Smug bastard.

“No, I didn’t say anything.” Broden let a little growl underlie his words to show his ire.

Isaac tilted his head submissively, even though the twinkle in his eyes didn’t dim. “You should see the workers pop out of the woodwork when he walks through the office, men and women.”

A fang pricked Broden’s lower lip. He sucked in a breath, appalled at the action. Only Carey affected him enough to lose control and actually fang out.

Isaac gave a strangled laugh.

“Oh, shut up. I can’t help if it drives me insane. Have you seen my guy? He’s hot!”

“He is,” Isaac agreed. “You think he’s the one?”

Broden nodded. “He’s jumpy though. He’s agreed to be exclusive, but not to commit.”

“Is it the rock star thing?” Isaac asked.

Broden shook his head. “No, I think it’s because I made a comment about him being human. He’s kind of sensitive about it.”

Isaac tilted his head to examine Broden. “Maybe you’re just insensitive. You’ve never had to actually consider someone’s feelings before. Everyone has always catered to you, especially in the pride. I think you need to step up your game. Do you know he remembered Julie’s birthday and he hasn’t even been here a week?”

Broden shrugged. “You know I don’t remember stuff like that.” He’d never been good with anniversaries and holidays
—
they always interrupted the flow of the regular day. Annoying.

“She’s been your assistant for ten years,” Isaac said, exasperated.

“So?” Broden wondered where his beta was going with his weird comment. It’s not like Broden didn’t know how long she’d been his assistant.

Isaac rolled his eyes. “My point is, he’d make a good alpha mate. He already knows how to get on everyone’s good side, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s easy on the eyes.”

They both watched the friendly blond exchange smiles with the receptionist. Carey brought out the best in everyone. Not to mention his shirt outlined a nice set of muscles. Broden longed to strip him naked and examine every bump with his fingers and tongue. Sometimes at night he had dreams about doing that exact thing. He wished to do more of it in the future.

He smiled as he visualized the mating mark still there beneath Carey’s shirt. Broden made sure to freshen it each time they made love. Eventually, it would become permanent.