Page 36 of The Werewolf's Deputy
“I’m down for pretty much anything,” Emmett breathed. And it was true. When it came to the human in his arms, he was down for anything. There was just something about Jonah that made him want to keep coming back.
Emmett was floating through most of the morning, a big smile on his face, and when he ran into Taron on his rounds, the shapeshifter studied him with a knowing smile.
“Good morning, Emmett.”
Yeah it was, he thought to himself, but gave the shapeshifter a professional smile instead of saying that out loud. He got the feeling Jonah wouldn’t appreciate him discussing their sex life with their friends.
“Good morning, Taron. Doing a walk about?”
Taron nodded, then shrugged. “Trying to work out a thought in my head. What about you? Any security concerns I should know about? How’s our favorite temp doing?”
The question made Emmett pause. He’d already checked in on Jonah at least twice since dropping him off on the Cyber Security floor. His little human was happily working alongside Roz doing computer stuff Emmett had no hope of keeping up with. He seemed happy enough, but Emmett remembered just how stiff and unhappy Jonah looked when he first arrived. Maybe some friend time would help as well.
“Security is fine. Nothing to report. But Jonah had a difficult weekend. He looked beat when he showed up to work today. He might need some cheering up.”
Taron visibly perked up, excitement written all over his face. “I’m an expert on cheering people up. What can I do to help my adoptive son? Should we take him on an adventure for lunch?”
Emmett considered it, then shook his head. “He’s really happy with the temp position he’s in right now. I don’t think he’d want to go far. Something simple in the office should work for now, then we can reevaluate later in the week if he hasn’t relaxed.”
Taron nodded in agreement, pulling out his phone and poking at it. He made a face. “I can’t join for lunch unfortunately, I’ve got a working lunch planned, but—” He reached into his pocket, pulling out his wallet and snagging a black card from inside “—lunch will be on me. You should consider the sandwich shop across the street. It’s amazing. You’ll have to put in your order early, though, as they’re quite popular and the line gets long at lunch time.”
“I can buy him lunch,” Emmett protested, frowning at the black card. He might not make as much as Taron, who co-owned the company, but Ronan paid them all well enough.
Waving his argument away, Taron said, “I know you can. Buy him dinner. As Jonah’s adoptive father, I’m allowed to spoil him, too. So lunch is on me. Buy yourself something as well. Oh, and I’ll send Peri and Kian up to join you. Make it a party.” His phone beeped, and he smiled as he checked the message. “My mate is calling. I need to head back to my office. I’ll check in later. Toodles!”
With a final wave, he hurried off to meet his mate. Emmett glanced down at the card the shapeshifter had managed to place in his hand without him noticing, and he blinked in surprise as he twisted to look at Taron’s receding back again. How had he done that?
CHAPTER TWENTY
“How’s it going?” Roz asked, fluttering to land beside him.
Jonah didn’t startle, mostly because she jingled when she moved so he’d heard her coming, and when he looked up at her, his smile was genuine when he replied, “It’s good so far. I’ve got two with the firewall up and running, they’re currently downloading updates, and I’m about halfway done with this one.”
Roz leaned over his shoulder, nodding approvingly at the screen. “Good. You’re faster than I expected for a temp. At this rate, we’ll have the computers set up by the end of the week.”
The thought was bittersweet. Jonah was proud of the work he was doing, but he also wasn’t looking forward to it ending. He was only a temp, and he’d eventually be sent somewhere else to do regular temp jobs. Kian wouldn’t keep him here forever. He’d leave Spellbound at one point, too. Morana didn’t say he’d be here permanently. There were rotations at the company, and he’d be sent back at one point. The thought was a little sad, honestly.
His phone beeped, and when he pulled it out of his pocket and saw Emmett’s name on the screen, he found himselfsmiling. Somehow the werewolf always knew when he needed a distraction.
Emmett:What did the werewolf say to the human?
Jonah:What?
Emmett:Food’s here. Come eat.
Jonah’s brows furrowed. What kind of joke was that?
The lights flickered, drawing both their attention to the doorway where Emmett leaned against the frame with a grin on his face. “You two are so cute with your noses pressed to the screen. Come on. I bought everyone lunch.”
Curious, Jonah stood, following Roz as she flitted for the door.
“Was that why you were pestering me about my favorite sandwich?” Roz asked as she passed, somehow flying backward without running into anything so she wouldn’t miss his reply.
“Yup. I wasn’t going to leave you out. That’s rude. We’re set up in the main room.”
The construction on the floor was nearly finished. Walls had gone up over the weekend and outlets were all working. They still had to add carpet, paint, that kind of thing, but desks were brought in and tucked against one wall, which was where their friends waited. Kian was sitting on top of one, one leg crossed underneath him while the other dangled over the edge. Peri was sitting in his boyfriend’s lap in an office chair they must have dragged from somewhere. There were a few other chairs pulled in, as well as an array of sandwiches, chips, and drinks laid out over the desk surfaces. Miguel was poking through them, his tail swishing lightly like he was pleased with the haul. Emmett clapped his shoulder as he came to join them, grinning at his best friend.
“Don’t worry. I got you the Italian. I know what you like.”
