Claimed by My Ruthless Alpha Boss

Chapter 6

Lyra POV

My head feels light and fuzzy as I breathe in his earthy, pine scent.

Dominic’s hand completely engulfs both of mine, the weight of it sinking down into me and making me suppress a moan. I feel his touch everywhere, as if he’s caressing my entire body with the tips of his fingers.

“I was wondering if you would like to have dinner with me tonight,” he says smoothly, and it takes me a second to process his words.

My lustful thoughts stop in their tracks as something else takes their place. Relief. I can’t help what happens next.

I start to laugh.

I’m not getting fired. I don’t have to find three part-time jobs just so I can afford my sister’s weekly Skittle indulgence. The sudden weight lifting off my shoulders causes more laughter to tumble out of me, so much so that I throw my head back and let it consume me.

It takes me a solid minute to get myself under control, and when I look back to him, he looks confused, which only sets me off again.

When he starts to look insulted and annoyed, I get myself under control.

“I’m sorry. I thought you were going to fire me! I definitely wasn’t expecting you to ask me out,” I try to explain.

He shakes his head. “I’m never going to let you go,” he grits out.

It’s a weird way to phrase it, and an even weirder amount of force behind the words, but at least I don’t have to be worried about my job anymore.

“Thanks, um, I’m flattered, but I’m not interested in dating anyone right now,” I say.

I’ve never had to turn anyone down before. No one has ever asked. Nevertheless, even if this man makes me light up like a damn Christmas tree, that doesn’t change the facts.

“Plus, dating my new boss isn’t a good idea.”

Dominic seems surprised by my answer, but I watch as he takes the rejection, puts on a pleasant smile, and leans back in his seat.

“I think it’s a great idea,” he says, his smile turning into a grin.

Something about his tone or maybe his posture has my back straightening. malrik used to do the same exact thing when one of our members didn’t do as he ordered or disagreed with him. He would turn on the charm, pretending to be a good guy, and I hated it. It was only a matter of time before he snapped again.

I glare at Dominic, even though I know it’s probably not the best career move. That grin evolves into a full-on smirk, his lips twisting as if he’s enjoying the challenge. Yet another thing he has in common with malrik. Cockiness, charm, and bullshit.

Even though I know I shouldn’t, I narrow my eyes at him and ball my fists up in my lap.

“Well, I don’t,” I snapped. “And believe it or not, my opinion matters.”

How many times did I want to say that to malrik? To my dad? Hell, to any man from First Coming.

A sudden rush of emotions floods through me as memories pop up left and right. Not wanting to break down in front of my jilted boss, I grab my purse and stand.

Dominic stands, too, and I think he’s going to say something, but I don’t let him. I stomp out of his office, only feeling a little bad when a pretty brunette intern flinches. I don’t know much about her, but she seems sweet. This is no time to make new friends, though.

I stab the button for the elevator about twenty-five times, trying and failing to crack the surface like Dominic had done.

I barely resist the urge to flip him off as I step inside and turn around, watching him through the closing elevator doors. The only reason I don’t is because I don’t want to offend the shy woman lingering around the front desk.

He looks shocked as I leave him standing there, and some part of me knows that maybe I’m overreacting. I don’t know him that well, and he could be nothing like malrik. But the reminder of my past, coupled with the stress about my job and the unexpected turnaround, has my head spinning. Better safe than sorry. Even if Dominic isn’t like malrik, that doesn’t mean I should date him.

Those eyes, though. They get me every damn time. I still see them, even though the elevator doors closed a few moments ago. The blue depths held a mix of confusion, hurt, and disappointment. Why does my heart try to rip itself in two when I think about hurting him?

I’m exhausted. That must be it. None of the attraction, the pleading blue eyes, or the chemistry is real. It can’t be. It’s far too intense for anything that could actually happen in real life. I just need to get a good night’s sleep.

Yeah, sure. Whatever you say, my unhelpful inner monologue interjects.

The elevator opens on the ground level, and I’m halfway across the lobby when I realize my sister has been calling my name.

I stop and try to smile as she joins me, but she can tell something is wrong.

“Want to talk about it?” she asks as we head down the sidewalk toward our apartment.

Do I?

It would be nice to get a second opinion, but I know Elowen will only worry about me and my job now that I’ve pissed off my boss. She has enough stress with starting her own job and running from malrik, our father, and the cult. Besides, it’s my job as the older sister to protect her from worries, not pile them on.

“No. It was just a long day. Let’s go home and watch some TV.”

She doesn’t seem to quite believe me, but she doesn’t push. Instead, she threads her arm through mine and leans her head against my shoulder as we head home.