Page 94 of Knot So Social

She sashays closer, hips moving in an exaggerated way.

When she’s within arm’s reach, I ask, “Did you need something, ma’am?”

“I think you know I do.” She reaches out and her fingers graze my abdomen.

I jerk back from her touch and step around my trailer’s tow hitch to put a barrier between us. Cold chills run up and down my spine. “I know this is your home, ma’am, but I am leasing this shed from you.” I clear my throat and stand taller. “From your husband.”

Please, Dio! Make her go away.

Her eyes flick up. Not quite a roll, but exasperation for sure. “You know, I really can’t tell if you’re playing hard to get or not. But I’ve got time.”

“I assure you, I’m not playing hard to get. While I’m grateful for your attention, I’m not interested.” I bow my head slightly, clutching my towel to keep it in place. “Accept my refusal, per favore.”

Please, woman! Before you destroy us both.

She stares at me, and a slow smile creeps across her face. “No, I don’t think I will.” She leans forward on the toolbox. “You see, I have needs, Alex, and you’re just the person who can fulfill them. You and that lovely alpha cock you’re hiding under there.”

My stomach quivers, nausea choking my throat. “With all due respect, ma’am, you’ll need to find someone else to meet those desires.”

She pouts and straightens. “Are you sure?”

Before I can answer, she peels back her trench coat. Underneath, she wears nothing but tasseled nipple stickers and a G-string with a garter belt.

“I mean it, Alex,” she hums, arching her back. “I like you. I want your hands on my body. Nobody needs to know, and you won’t get in trouble. I’m certain you’re not seeing anyone currently, because you’re always holed up in here at nighttime.” She chuckles softly and tips her head. “How long’s it been since you held a woman, Alex?”

Years, to tell the truth, but not even decades of abstinence would make me want to fuck this woman. The only thing my hands itch to do is wrap her coat back around her and push her out of my shed. And somehow, the way she refuses to use my name burns equally as badly.

I grind my fist deeper into my towel. If only I wasn’t so damn naked underneath.

Miranda walks around the hitch.

I tried to be polite. Now my boundaries are beyond violated, and my alpha defense instincts rise. “Please leave.”

The woman shivers as a touch of alpha command vibrates in my throat. “Fuck, darling! You have no idea how wet your voice makes me.”

I growl, my entire body vibrating with anger. “Get out! Now!”

Her body snaps to attention, her hands twitching. Eyes wide, she backs up, lips quivering around her gasp.

The stark refusal still hums on my tongue.

She slams the shed door open, making the entire structure rock.

“You’ll regret this, Alex!” she hisses, before wrapping the coat around herself and storming out.

I stalk forward and yank the door closed, slipping the small chain clip in place to lock it. One hand on the timber beams, I stand in place, vibrating with fury for five full minutes, my temper and concern warring in equal measure.

The old adage runs through my head on a loop: hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. I always thought that meant a woman in a relationship who got cheated on, but the look on Miranda’s face promised revenge just for being turned down.

If it was as simple as fucking her, maybe I could do it, but not when she wants to sneak around behind her husband’s back. Mr Warkow gave me a place to stay and my first work recommendation. Once I moved in, he even taught me how to handle his guard dogs.

I could never betray his trust.

No, I need to find another place to live, fast. That much is clear. A growl simmers through me as I glance around the small, dusty space. The chances of finding anything as cheap in this neighborhood are next to zero, which means moving further afield.

Away from Willow.

That thought jolts me out of my state. Funny how proximity to her comes before concerns like accommodation and transport costs. And with her at the center of my thoughts, my heart says I could never fuck another woman.