“Are you sure you can handle this?” I give Eli a pleading look, hoping he doesn’t say no.

“Of course I can. We’ll be fine.” He pulls some kind of video game out of the side pocket of his backpack and waves it at me. “Oscar and I are gonna have a great time eating junk food and playing video games. This just came out last night, so he’ll be the coolest kid at school for getting to play it all weekend.”

I roll my eyes as I reach for my keys. “Just don’t eat too much junk, or you’ll be cleaning up puke all weekend.”

Eli grimaces at the thought. “Noted.”

“Oscar, I’m leaving.”

My sweet nephew comes running out from his bedroom with a pile of comic books he wants to show Uncle Eli. I kneel down and hold out my arms to give him a big hug goodbye, but he high-fives me and keeps on going until he’s at Eli’s side, holding up a comic for him. “This is the one I was telling you about. It has the baddest monster ever.”

“Um, excuse me. Don’t I even get a hug before I leave?”

Oscar sighs heavily, obviously embarrassed by my affection in front of his buddy. “Fine.” He quickly walks into my arms then rushes back out. “See you tomorrow.”

Eli tries unsuccessfully to stifle a laugh. “Harsh.”

“Whatever. See if I bring anything back for either of you.” I get up and dust off my knees before I grab my bag. “Okay, I guess I’ll get out of your hair then.”

Eli walks me to the door with a serious look in his eyes. Before I can close it behind me, he gently grabs my forearm and stops me. “Text me before you go to bed tonight, so I know everything’s okay.”

I smile, appreciating that his big-brother protection has expanded to include me now that Emily has her own protector. “I will. You guys have fun.”

I’ve been on a few boats before, but nothing like this. Garrett Madison’s yacht is bigger than most houses I’ve ever been in and has the nicest kitchen I’ve ever seen in my life. There are three separate decks for entertaining, and each one has a small group of about a dozen people hanging around. From what I can tell, he’s invited both shifters and humans, so I’m not expecting anything too crazy to happen tonight.

I’m not sure if I’m happy or disappointed by that.

Garrett invites me to enjoy the bar and appetizers before showing me to a small stage on the uppermost deck. Since I don’t like to dance on a full stomach, I skip the food and head straight to the stage. Right against a wall, in the center of the ship, is a dancing pole and a ballet barre waiting for me. I make a quick circle around the area, pacing off my steps so I know how much room I have to work with. I don’t need much space, but it would be embarrassing to stumble off the raised platform in the middle of my routine.

This should be interesting.

My sheer swimsuit cover-up isn’t hiding much, but I slide it over my head and drop it on a chair before I step onto the stage in just a bikini. Garrett told me to keep my bottoms on, but he expects my top to come off at some point in the evening.

It takes a few minutes for me to get into the right headspace to block out the people around me and get lost in the music. But by the second song, I’m feeling loose in my own little world. Without fear of getting booed off the stage, I decide to practice a few pole moves that have been difficult for me to catch on to. I won’t be riding a pole for a living after next week, but it’s a great workout, and this is a good opportunity for me to practice without any tips on the line.

The gentle sway of the ocean and the music are both helpful and distracting. I slowly swing my lower half up and balance completely upside down with only my feet and hands holding me in place along the slick bar before carefully lowering my body back to the ground until I’m hovering just a few inches from the stage. I haven’t worked my muscles this hard since my high school volleyball days, and my arms feel like jelly. As soon as the song ends, I step off the stage for a break.

I’m not even at the bar for thirty seconds before Garrett’s arm slides behind my back, and he tucks me into his side. “You look beautiful up there.”

I smile and wipe my palm across my sweaty forehead. “Thanks. I forgot how hard it is to dance for several songs in a row. I’m usually just up for one at a time and then only two or three times a night.”

“It doesn’t look like work at all.” He takes a step away to give me some breathing room while he grabs a bottle of water from an ice bucket on the bar. “Would you like something else to drink?”

“Just a Coke, please. I could use some sugar.”

Garrett twists the lid off the water bottle then orders a Coke for me and a glass of bourbon for himself. “I’m glad you agreed to do this. My friends are all very impressed.”

I throw my head back to chug the water, taking a surreptitious glance around the deck. There are several men looking my way and a few curious women. “Thank you.”

“I was hoping you might consider making this a regular thing. I have parties like this at least monthly and would love to have you over to my home for some private parties as well.” His blue eyes are smoldering as they stare into mine. That’s usually a turn-on, but I have to remind myself this is a job. It’s not a date.

And he’s just a horny alpha looking for a warm omega.

“Thanks for the generous offer, but as I said, I’m looking forward to starting a regular day shift. Work-life balance and all that.” I smile and reach for the glass of Coke the bartender slides in front of me. I’m not feeling faint, but I could definitely use a spike of sugar in my veins to get me through the night. “I’m gonna run to the restroom, and then I’ll get back up there.”

“I’m looking forward to it.” He leans forward to give me a kiss on my cheek before I slip out of his reach and find a restroom.

Garrett’s pretty blue eyes are heavy on my skin as he watches me walk away. A chill runs up my spine from his intense inspection. I briefly wonder what he looks like in his wolf form, but I quickly squelch that thought. If I get aroused, he and every other shifter on this boat will smell me and come running.

That’s the curse that comes with being an omega.

My body wants to mate as often as possible, so it sends out inviting pheromones at completely inappropriate times. Like right now, when I’m wearing barely anything on a boat full of strangers…

And the sexy Garrett Madison.

Shit, I need to focus and keep my eyes on the prize.

Ten grand will go a long way for me, Oscar, and the pack.

It’s after midnight when Garrett finally calls me off the stage and tells me I’m done for the night. Most of his friends have already left the boat on their own vessels, and only his staff and a few guests are left on the yacht.

While walking me to my quarters, he keeps his hand pressed possessively to the small of my back. It feels nice.

As soon as we arrive at my room, I hesitate at the door after opening it. “Thank you for this, Garrett. I’m exhausted, but I’m glad I came. It was kind of fun.”

His eyes are lidded as a low growl emits from his parted lips. “If you’re up for a little more fun, I can come in for a little while.”

My body is already lubricating to take his massive cock as I back away and close the door against my side so he can’t follow me in. Something about tonight feels…off. I can’t explain what it is, but I need some time alone to process it. “Um…”

“That’s okay, Angel.” He rakes his fingers through my blonde hair and pushes some wayward strands behind my ear. “You get some rest, and I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Good night, Garrett.” I bounce up on my tiptoes and kiss his cheek.

“Good night, my angel.”

The sway of the boat from side to side puts me to sleep just moments after my head hits the pillow. And I don’t open my eyes again until a soft knock on my door wakes me at 7:15 on Sunday morning.

“Come in.” I run my fingers through my hair to tame it and pull the sheet up over my chest.

Garrett opens the door just a few inches and peeks inside. “I’m sorry to wake you, but there’s a pod of whales I thought you might like to see.”

“Whales?” My eyes widen, and I hop out of bed, slowing down only long enough to grab a pair of shorts from my bag before following Garrett to the observation deck.

I lean forward on one of the rails, looking for any evidence of the whales still being nearby. Garrett steps up to my back and places his strong palm on my hip. His other arm closes around my shoulder as he points to the ocean below us. “They’re right there,” he whispers in my ear.

It takes me just a second for me to see where he’s pointing. And just as I do, two orcas jump out of the water and flop on their backs like they’re playing. There is also a group of dolphins swimming with them, and it’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.

“Do you have your phone?” I turn to Garrett, hoping he has it with him.

He doesn’t hesitate as he reaches into his pocket and unlocks his smartphone before handing it to me.

I quickly open the video app and start recording the marine show in front of me. “Look, buddy. There are whales and dolphins here to say good morning. Maybe we’ll plan a whale-watching trip in a few weeks. Love you, Auntie Angie.”

I turn to Garrett, surprised by the level of intensity he’s watching me with. “Do you mind if I send this to myself?”

He nods as if the question is absurd. “Of course not.”

I enter my phone number and send the video to myself before handing the phone back to Garrett. “Thank you for this.” I lean against the rail and continue to watch the beautiful animals frolicking in the morning waves. “This job will make a big difference in my life. I want you to know how much I appreciate it.”

Garrett’s eyes move across my face then scan down the front of my body as he leans back against the railing beside me. “Are you free next weekend?”

I smile, knowing we’ve already had this conversation. “No, this was a one-time deal. I need to be home on the weekends.”

“That’s a shame.” Garrett holds his hand out, and I put mine in his. He brings it to his mouth and kisses my knuckles. “I’ve enjoyed having you around, Angel. I don’t want this weekend to end.”

Garrett is hot as hell and definitely someone I could see myself falling for. But this is only about entertainment and sex for him. When he settles down, it’ll be with someone who can give him pups.

“All good things must come to an end, Garrett.” I give him a wink, forcing the smile to stay in my voice. “But you know how to find me. And if you’re ever in need of relationship advice, I’d love to see you.”

His eyes are dark with unfulfilled desire as he stares right through me, as if trying to read my mind. “You can count on it.”