I flip the TV off, shove the rest of my breakfast bar in my mouth, and gulp down the rest of my coffee. I grab my pre-made lunch from the fridge and my thermos of ice water before heading out to my truck.
As it idles for a moment, my mind shifts to Arbor. I hope he didn’t have any trouble with the pack of rogue shifters. I really should have stayed, but my ego wouldn’t let me. I’ll set that aside today and talk to him about hiring more security, especially if he plans on working late most nights. He’ll glower at me and make a comment about how I’m being too alpha, but fuck it.
Normally, shifters aren’t a problem, but these seem like they’re lost. Like they need a pack leader. They have no one to reel them in, to make them behave.
Kind of like Red, I think, before shaking it off. He’s not a problem. Not really. And if he is a problem, he’s notmine. He’s living just fine in our small town. And besides being initially aggressive toward Skye, it seems Forest has nipped that in the bud. Or butt, as it may.
I huff a laugh as I pull onto the highway that leads to my job site. The project presses up against the boundary of Twilight Hallow, a name whispered through local legend that was born from the unease that haunts its woods. You can sometimes feel it in the air, or so they say.
I don’t know if I’ve ever experienced it. I just see a forest and a plot of land that’s waiting to be built upon. And I think it will do well, appealing to the people who want to live near Wolverston, but not in it.
Plus, it helps that the land out here is cheaper and easier to develop. It makes things affordable. I think people will move this way and make our town not as sleepy and quiet as it used to be.
Parking my truck in the dirt parking lot, I note Arbor is already here. My heartbeat picks up at the sight, but I ignore it, pushing the door open and stepping outside. It’s cool this morning, leaving me to inhale deeply. I love the smell of the woods as mist hovers over the ground. It’s so much better than the oppressive heat and humidity of the summer.
Fall is coming soon.
My eyes wander around the parking lot, and I realize the men aren’t here yet, so I throw my stuff into the back of my truck and grab my tools, fastening my tool belt around my waist and getting ready for the day.
I peer over my shoulder at some point and see two of the blinds pried open. I send an obvious wave toward Arbor, and in a flash, they’re back to the way they were before.
I huff an annoyed laugh. Yeah, all right, little spy. Look all you want. I won’t give him any reason to write me up, though. I’m a good fucking worker. I refuse to have his ego put me on notice.
I grab my hard hat and tuck it under my arm before moving to the trailer, which serves as Arbor’s office.
I push the door open and see him at his desk, clacking away, his lips pursed, those glasses sitting on the edge of his nose. His hair is perfectly styled today, his shirt nicely pressed. He looks like he spent hours getting ready, unlike me.
But then again, he spends his days behind a desk. He doesn’t work with tools.
I pull my gaze away from him when he doesn’t even acknowledge me, and I move toward the coffee machine.
Only it’s not the coffee machine that was there yesterday. It’s fancier. Something expensive.
I stare at it and then over at Arbor.
“Gods, don’t look at me like that. I replaced the old machine because it was shit. I can’t live like a caveman drinking sludge all day.”
I arch an eyebrow and then grab a disposable cup and place it under the metal nozzle. I push a button, and the scent of espresso fills the air. The machine gurgles as frothed milk enters the stream, and then a minute later, I have a deluxe cappuccino in my hand.
Huh. Who knew this was even a thing? Maybe I should get one for my place. I do love a fancy coffee.
I turn around and move to the desk Arbor is working at, and take a seat in one of the chairs. He still doesn’t look up at me, and I wonder if he remembers that night. If he knows it was me fucking him. The memory that flashes through my mind, of the way his hole clenched around me, the scent of him in heat, the sounds he made. It makes my cock half hard, but I ignore it to focus on the way Arbor’s mouth moves as he speaks.
“…permits. Declan left this place a mess.”
“Sure did. We did the best we could with how he managed the site. If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear he was doing it on purpose.”
His eyes flick up to mine, and I see his cheeks pinken slightly. He may not recognize me, but he sure as fuck likes what he sees.
“Well, we’re behind schedule, and a few of your men are overdue for their annual safety training.”
“I think we should focus more on getting the builds done on time. They all know what they’re doing.”
I feel a flutter in my stomach as he stares at me. “And what happens if there’s an accident and they make a complaint? Hm? This site is already under intense scrutiny. We can’t afford any more mistakes.”
I roll my lips between my teeth as his scent changes from that sweet pear to a bitter citrus, and I give a small nod. “You’re right. Let me know who needs the training and I’ll pull them up on it.”
“You too, Mr. Barrett. You’re overdue for your annual one as well.”
