Page 23 of Knight With Benefits

Brow creasing, the next look he gave me was more concerned.

“Are there issues at your house, too? I know you said you had done a little work to it but…”

He trailed off at my sigh, waiting for me to explain.

“The realtor who sold me the properties was good at his job. I guess. There are spots on my ceiling there too, so I wouldn’t be surprised if it was in the same state as the cafe.”

Carl switched lanes, turning into the next parking lot before backing up. A low rumble filled the cab of the truck, making the hairs on the back of my neck rise as my entire body tightened.

“What are you doing?”

My voice was squeaky, drawing the focus of the alpha beside me. His nostrils flared as he sucked in a deep breath, his eyes flashing orange before settling back to green as the growl faded away.

“It would be easier to get everything at once, so I was going to go back and take a look at your roof. Do you only own your half?”

Swallowing and loosening the grip I’d taken on the door, I tried to calm my racing heart so I could respond.

“No, I own the whole thing. I’ll eventually rent out the other half, but it would be better if you did both sides at once I guess.”

He grunted and turned to focus on the road as he pulled out, heading back the way we’d come. We had already been more than halfway to the hardware store, but it made sense to take care of both at once, especially since he was borrowing David’s truck to pick up the supplies.

“I don’t have a ladder there either. Sorry.”

It was habit to apologize for causing an inconvenience, and while I was still a little tense from his previous reaction, the way his lips quirked eased any fear that I had done something wrong.

“It’s no problem. We can swing by The Hangout first. Can’t have your house falling down around you while we work on the business. Is there anything else that needs done at the duplex?”

I kept my breathing slow and steady, letting my instincts relax as I considered the question.

“There are a few little things on my side, but they’re mostly just inconveniences. The other side needs more work since there are holes in the drywall and the pipes leak, but I’m not worried about any of those things yet.”

I also wasn’t sure my comfort with Carl would extend to allowing him into my home. I’d never had anything that was just mine before, and I wasn’t sure I could give up that sanctity. His scent would linger even after he’d left, and I didn’t know if my muddled feelings could handle that.

A shiver passed through me at the thought of what it would do to me, to have his scent near my nest. Even if I kept him out of the bedroom, the fantasies would follow me to bed.

It only took Carl a moment to hop out of the truck at The Hangout and grab the ladder, loading it into the back and tying it so it couldn’t slide around. I stared over at the place that held all my hopes, wondering if it would ever turn into what I saw in my head. Painting the kitchen had helped, and I loved the new brightness in there, but the outside was still a dreary, drab building with boarded windows.

Old and neglected.

The way I felt.

I swallowed my sigh as Carl climbed into the cab, the truck rocking as it took on his weight. Curiosity ate at me, but I wasn’t sure if it was polite to ask what his animal was, and I bit my lip to keep the question from blurting out without permission.

The silence as we drove back to my house was easier than the previous one, and I let myself sink into the scent of him. As much as I wanted to be independent, I had to admit I felt better when he was around. As an omega, alone, my instincts were always on edge. Anxiety was a constant companion, fear close behind.

But with Carl, that part of me uncoiled. Despite my past with alphas, I felt safe in his presence, but when my mind intruded to remind me I didn’t know him, it left me unsettled.

I stepped out of the truck when he did, sucking in air not filled with sweet chocolate and smokey alpha pheromones. It was stupid to fight the way my omega side reacted to the big man, but I needed more to soothe the logical side that wouldn’t stop worrying.

Carl was on the roof before I could collect my thoughts, moving cautiously as he paced the length of the home. Giving the roof attention for the first time, I could see where there were gaps from missing shingles, and I shook my head over not noticing it before. There was so much I didn’t know since I’d never been responsible for any of it before, but I needed to learn.

It didn’t take long for Carl to get whatever information he needed, and the grim line of his mouth let me know it was just as bad as I’d thought.

“Does it need replaced too?”

He tried to smile but it didn’t reach his eyes, and I couldn’t stop my groan.

“We’ll take care of it tomorrow. If Jason isn’t free, I’ll grab someone else to help, then you’ll be all set. Those limbs over your roof need cut back too, since there’s a risk of them breaking and falling through, but they seem sturdy enough. That’s a little trickier than I’m willing to risk, but I know someone who can take care of it.”

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