To Have A Human Read Online Free PDF Page A

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