Page 128 of Knot So Social

Alessandro hesitates, and I sense a world of problems running through his brain. “It would not . . . put us on equal footing.”

I frown, arching away from him to see his face better. “I don’t understand. Equal footing for what?”

He smiles so sweetly I almost forget what we’re talking about. “I want to court you, Willow.”

“And you can’t do that if we’re under the same roof?”

“I can’t do that, with dignity, if I’m beholden to you.”

Ah. Now I understand. It’s an alpha pride thing, but at the same time more like my cherished need for independence. Alessandro wants to earn his way in life, and I can respect that. But the thought of him going out house hunting and staying with other people, especially after what happened, doesn’t sit well with me.

“What if you paid room and board?” I ask, toying with my lip as I think things through.

He falls silent.

I tap his chin. “Alessandro, I understand your pride and respect it. But you need to know that I am never leaving this house. Ever. Not even if you offered me the White House. I’m never moving out, or going on dates. So if you want to court me, then you’ll have to do it here, under this roof.”

Understanding flashes in his eyes. “Those are your terms?”

I nod roughly. “Yeah.”

He cups the back of my neck, stroking lightly. “And if . . . ?”

His jaw works overtime and his expression darkens. Even a simpleton could figure out where his thoughts are turning.

“If it doesn’t work out between us, then you look for somewhere else to live. I’m a big girl, and I can use my words.” I toss him a smile that’s a little shakier than I expected. “Mostly.”

The idea of things not working out between us now sounds a faint alarm in my heart.

He stares down at me, fingers brushing my neck in the most wonderful way. Like I’m a treasure. Then he bends down and leans his forehead to mine. “Here I am trying to steal your heart, but you just keep stealing mine.”

I grin, wrapping my arms around his neck. “Are you calling me a thief?”

“Absolutely.”

We share a secret smile, and I acknowledge that he’s a master thief himself.

His dark eyes turn liquid as he stares at me, and his scent deepens, rich with desire. “Merda,” he whispers. “What am I to do, when I’m not content to be friends after all?”

A heated thrill chases up my spine.

“What are you talking about? We’re not friends at all, alpha.”

His lips quirk as we stare at each other, the kitchen, along with our problems, fading away until nothing remains but our bodies pressed together and the tangible desire igniting. His warm breaths come faster, quickening in time with my beating heart.

Our mouths meet in a blaze of hunger. Alessandro holds me up with an arm around my back as my legs weaken, my core melting at his touch.

It might be my undoing, but it seems I cannot live without this alpha.

Chapter forty

Willow

Alessandro lifts me up onto his chest and walks toward my bedroom, kissing me like our lives depend on the contact. All reservations slip away as I merge my mouth with his, writhing in anticipation. Everywhere we touch, he’s lean from constant outdoor work, muscles solid and rippling under his clothes.

I tug his upper button loose. His scent blooms, more powerful than ever before, and smelling of life itself. A roaring ocean, sea salt misting the air—a scent I’ve only had fragments of since becoming housebound. I need more.

As I bury my nose in his chest, tears slide down my cheeks.