Page 86 of Knot So Social

When I continue mowing, the two watchdogs trot past, doing a lap of the boundary fence and drawing my eye toward the back of the property. It’s been three days since I visited, which means Willow should be about done with her heat, unless it’s a super long one.

I know it’s a pipe dream, but if she’d asked me to help her, I would've agreed in a flash. As if answering my thoughts, my phone vibrates in my pocket, and I check if I’m out of sight of the boss’s wife. Safely hidden behind an oasis of greenery, I read the message.

My heart leaps as I spot Willow’s name.

Hi. I heard you dropped by the other day. Sorry I wasn’t available. Happy for you to come and do the fence anytime this week.

I shouldn’t be so thrilled about the neutral permission, but my smile widens at the thought of seeing her again. I check my watch and tell her I’ll be there in ninety minutes. That gives me enough time to finish here and wash up.

My feet practically skip across the lawn as I complete the mowing. As I head back to my shed to put the machinery away, Mr Warkow walks toward me, holding something. Nausea twists my stomach as I catch sight of the drill in his hand.

“Hi, Alessandro.” He holds up the drill. “I found this in the guest house. Is it yours?”

“Yes, sir. I helped Mrs Warkow hang a curtain in there a few days back.”

He passes me the drill. “Oh, really? She didn’t mention it.” He glances toward the pool where his wife lounges in full view and then glances back at me. “Everything going okay with the work?”

“Absolutely. I’ve just finished your lawns. I’ll blow the paths and then head to my next job.”

Miranda calls loudly from the pool edge. “Alex, there’s leaves in the pool.”

Before I can answer, her husband spins on his heel. “He’s got to leave for his next job, honey.”

The irritation in his voice sets me on edge. “I have a few minutes, if you want me to do it now.”

He shakes his head. “Actually, I’ll take care of it. Where’s the net?”

I give him directions and then slip back to the shed. As much as I don’t want to go near Miranda, I can’t skip the shower today, not when dusty grit coats my entire body. But I keep my eyes down and walk fast to the outdoor shower. It’s partially closed off with a frosted wall and some potted palms, but the barrier doesn’t stop my skin crawling. I also leave my underwear on as I scrub myself.

Stepping out with a towel wrapped around my waist, I discover Miranda leaning on the wall. She skims my damp body before meeting my eyes.

“Don’t avoid me, darling. I don’t like it.” She pouts, forming fresh wrinkles around her mouth. “And it will only spark my desire more.”

Her finger moves toward my bare chest.

“Ma’am, I have to go,” I say, skirting around her and striding away. It’s bad enough she’s hitting on me, but if her husband thinks I’m doing something behind his back, well, that would be the worst.

I close myself inside my hot shed, the mist on my body drying fast. It’s not much here, with a bed, sink, folding table, and my tools, but this is home. And it’s a base that allows me to operate in this area efficiently.

Now, none of the convenience is worth the trouble that’s brewing.

I pack the fencing gear into my trailer and then drive around the block to Willow’s house. The excitement fluttering in my belly stalls as I catch sight of the old truck still parked in the driveway. Is that alpha, Jeremy, still here?

The gate slides open automatically and I drive in, parking up behind the truck. As I pull the ladder out of the trailer, the front door opens. Willow waits on the threshold, not stepping out into the sunshine. I guess that’s how she maintains her perfectly clear, pale skin.

Setting the ladder down on the lawn, I pull out a section of the decorative paneling and climb the steps. “Good afternoon.”

Willow smiles at me. “Hi.”

She’s as beautiful as ever, but far more relaxed than the last time I saw her. And her scent’s muted, soft and feminine without any of its previous desperation. I want to lean in and fill myself with that delicate Jasmine scent, and maybe check for alpha overlays, but that would be a serious breach of etiquette.

So I don’t stand there gawking at her, I lift the piece of white panel. “This is the capping. Do you like it?”

“Yeah, looks cool. Is it strong enough if Mr Shares pushes on it?”

I swing the piece so I can grasp it in both hands and flex, showing the rigidity.

“Should hold the troublemaker,” I tell her with a grin.