“I just have one more question.’ Remy folded the tips of his fingers together and asked, “aren’t you a little young to be on your own?”

“I’m twenty-three, sir.”

“Still young for someone like you.” Remy ignored the look of surprise on Erin’s face and added, “I imagine your father wouldn’t approve of you living alone with me.”

For some reason, Erin blushed before he said, “if this was a romantic arrangement, perhaps he wouldn’t agree. But seeing as you have no intention of—” The Omegas cheeks flushed darker. “Of bonding with me, it isn’t an issue.”

“It might not be an issue for you, but it certainly is for me.” Erin tilted his head, clearly confused at the implication.

“You’re an Omega.” Remy decided to spell it out for him. “I am an Alpha.”

“I’m aware of our caste, Mr. Baker, but I don’t see why they should matter. Alphas and Omegas work together all the time.”

“Yes, but they don’t live under the same roof. The risk is too great. What if you were to go into heat?” Erin’s cheeks grew so red, Remy thought he might faint. In retrospect, the question was probably a bit coarse, but honestly, Remy couldn’t understand what Erin was thinking. Omegas and Alphas had come a long way from the time of forced bondings and arranged marriages, but some things never changed. An Omega in heat was still as potent as an Alpha in rut. And these things were as inevitable as breathing.

“I can leave when my heat is due!” Erin offered. “I can stay at my sister's! It only lasts for two days!”

“I appreciate your interest, but it simply won’t work.” Remy stood from his chair, hoping Erin would take the hint. “Now if you excuse me, I—”

“Wait!” Annalee’s squeaky voice called from the stairs. “Mr. Erin! Wait!”

His daughter rushed past him in a blur, waving a piece of paper in the air.

“I made you a picture!” she told Erin, pulling the wild strands of hair from her face.

“My favorite color!” Erin beamed at her. Peeking at the picture, Remy could see that it was an exact replica of the flower Erin was currently wearing in his hair.

“Here.” The Omega unsnapped the clip. “This is for you.” He slid the sunflower into the front of Annalee’s hair and clicked it into place. “Now you have a gift from me.”

Annalee patted the top of her head excitedly. “Look at, Papa! Is it pretty?”

“It’s beautiful, darling. What do you say to Mr. Erin?”

“Thank you, Mr. Erin!”

“You’re welcome!” Erin sniggered as he watched her run off. He folded the picture in half and slipped it in his back pocket.

“Well…” Remy let out a heavy sigh before he stepped away from the front door. “It seems you’ve made quite the impression on my daughter, Mr. Holloway.”

“It’s Rin,” Erin answered flatly.

“Pardon?”

“My name.” Erin scrunched his face. “I wasn’t going to say anything until I got the job, but since that’s off the table I figure there’s no harm in telling you the truth. I prefer Erin, or Rin, Mr. Baker. Mr. Holloway makes me sound like an old man.”

“Is that so?” Remy couldn’t help the smirk as he added, “even though you just called me Mr. Baker.” Erin’s eyes shot open, and he clasped his hands over his mouth, hiding the red in his cheeks. “Then again, I suppose that’s fair. I must seem ancient to you.”

“No!” Erin blurted, waving his hands and shaking his head. “I didn’t mean—that is to say—I’m sure you’re not that old.”

Remy burst into laughter then, fully exposing his Alpha fangs. Erin however, looked mortified.

“I mean—” Erin tried to clean up his mess. “You don’t look old. But I just assumed because of Annalee that you—”

“Enough.” Remy held up his hand to silence Erin’s rambling and take him out of his misery. “I’ve decided to keep you around, Erin.”

“I’m sorry.” Erin blinked. “What?”

“Against my better judgment, I am hiring you as Annalee’s nanny.” He schooled his face, and his tone grew more businesslike. “I’ll give you one month. Consider it a trial run. But if anything goes wrong in that time, anything at all, I’ll ask you to leave immediately.”

“Of course!” Erin squeaked and bounced on his tiptoes. “I promise! Nothing will go wrong.”

“Good.” Remy nodded. “You can move in right away. I’ll need you for my next trip which is exactly one-week awa-”

“Oh thank you, Mr. Baker!” Remy’s eyes went wide as Erin practically jumped into his arms. He froze where he stood, muscles tensing as Erin wrapped his arms around his back and laid his cheek against his chest. “I really, really appreciate it. I won’t let you down!”

Erin’s body was just as supple as Remy presumed; warm, and intensely delicate. Remy could easily overpower him. And who's to say he wouldn’t? Erin didn’t know him, yet here he was, an Omega, heedlessly bestowing affection. How could a man be so defenseless?

Protect him.

The thought echoed at the base of his skull. Of course, Remy understood that this little Omega spoke to the plebeian Alpha within him. It was hardwired in Remy’s nature to protect, and in his biology to physically desire. The attraction, if he could call it that, was superficial. Skin deep.

And yet...

How long had it been since he held an Omega? How long since he filled his lungs with the luscious aroma of Omega?

Too long, Remy decided, and so, he indulged. He gave in to the urge he’d had since Erin entered his territory and leaned down to scent him. For a moment, Remy forgot himself. Erin smelled unreasonably good, but then, how often did Remy truly take the time to scent his lovers? Alphas and Betas were fine for casual sex, but an Omega was an Alpha’s ingenerate mate.

Remy inhaled deep through his nose and closed his eyes. Erin smelled like the wild lavender fields of Saudi Arabia; fresh and exotically sweet, with the tangy zest of lemongrass. It made his mouth water, and the tips of his fangs began to ache and tingle, beckoning Remy to answer the call Erin’s body subtly gave him.

If he smells this good, I wonder how he’d taste…

The thought struck Remy like a fist. His eyes shot open, and he cleared his throat. It only took seconds for Erin to realize his mistake.

“Oh my goodness!” Erin unwrapped himself from around Remy and jumped back terrified. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to—”

“It’s fine.” Remy ran his fingers through his sweat-dampened hair, fighting the heat in his groin.

“I shouldn’t have done that.” Erin shook his head. “It’s just. I’m a hugger. So, when I’m happy, I just…” his voice cracked, and he lowered his head in shame. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Baker. I promise, it won’t happen again, but I understand if you don’t want to hire me.”

Remy gazed at Erin, overwhelmed once more by how beautiful he was. Even with the hint of tears in his eyes, he was breathtaking, and consequently, dangerous.

And yet…

Remy wasn’t so weak to be pulled under by the spell of an Omega. He’d refused countless partners in the years since his wife died. He could certainly refuse Erin Holloway. Right?

Right.

“It’s Remy.”

Erin peered up at him, green eyes glistening with tears. “Excuse me, sir?”

“My name…” Remy stood up straighter attempting to harden his resolve. “It’s Remy. If you’re going to be living here, I won’t have you calling me Sir or Mister.” Remy reached out his hand for Erin to shake. “It’s very nice to meet you, Rin.”

Erin blinked before his face lit up into a wide grin. He clasped both hands around Remy’s and squeezed the tips of his fingers. “Very nice to meet you too, Remy.”