Page 39 of Knotty Lessons

He’s scared. I know he is.

He keeps peering at us over his shoulder, keeping his brisk pace until he reaches an old Ford Ranger.

Ezra smacks his hand against the hood as Chaz backs away, burning rubber as he puts the truck in drive and stomps the throttle.

“Please don’t think you have to tolerate his harassment. I wasn’t joking with my threat. I don’t care who he is, or what my position is to him as a professor at the university. I will not stand for his behavior. I’ll always protect you, amore. Always.” Ezra turns to me, kissing me softly.

Lights beam over us, setting us aglow in the parking lot. Fear squeezes my chest at the sight of Chaz’s truck barreling toward us.

He’s out of his damn mind.

I don’t even have a chance to react as Ezra shoves me out of the way and onto the hood of his car. I scream, fear blurring my eyes.

Chaz slams the brakes, squealing to a halt only feet away from Ezra. Smoke billows around us, and I cough, the scent gagging me.

“Don’t you fucking threaten me, you bastard! You think you can scare me, but you can’t. Let this be your warning. Next time, I will run your ass over.” Chaz honks his horn, startling me. “And Scarlett, you’re a fucking whore. I know your secret. You smell like a disgusting, slutty omega. Next time, answer my damn text messages. If you don’t, you’ll be the one regretting it.”

Chaz shifts gears, reversing out of the parking lot. I can’t move. I can’t breathe. All I can do is sit frozen as Ezra scoops me from the hood and sets me in the front seat of his car.

What the fuck just happened?

Where does all of Chaz’s animosity come from? I don’t understand.

“Scarlett, listen to me. He’s done for. I promise you that.” Ezra squeezes my hand, barreling from the parking lot.

If only I could believe him.

If only I didn’t feel as if my whole world was about to fall apart.

14

Scarlett

The Claim

Mypencilglidesoverthe canvas as I pre-sketch the painting I imagine in my head. I vividly remember what Leo looked like as he entered me, the row of piercings on top of his shaft sparkling in the light. I squirm in my seat, taking a deep breath. That’s all I seem to be doing lately. Breathing in and out. Doing whatever I can to calm my nerves and distract myself.

Now I have taken residency in Dominic’s pottery studio, wanting a change of scenery while I lose myself to my art. It helps push my thoughts of Chaz away. The fucking psychopath. Jonah said he hasn’t shown up for class, but it’s not like I have either.

He’s probably livid beyond reason, especially because Ms. Sandy fired him, spotting his behavior on her security camera. She gave it to Ezra in case he wanted to file a police report.

I’m not sure he will though. Not yet, at least.

“Lettie, Ezra said I’d find you here.” Dominic’s voice sounds from behind me, his nickname for me bringing a smile to my lips. “What are you sketching?”

Heat blooms across my face, and I spin around in the rolling chair and raise my palm to him, stopping him from getting closer. “You probably don’t want to see. I...might be sketching something dirty. You know, it’s kind of my specialty.”

Dominic grins, knowing exactly what I’m talking about, considering that he has seen my sketchbook. “Now, I insist. Let me see what’s going through your mind right now.”

I giggle, covering my eyes with my hands. I should be more embarrassed than excited to let him glimpse the passion that refuses to leave my mind. He closes the space to me and looks at the canvas as he towers above me.

He intakes a whistling breath, the scent of his desire wafting around me, battling the pungent smell of clay. “Is that Leo?” he asks, his voice deepening. “Damn, Lettie. You know he’s going to want to hang that on his wall.”

I tip my head back and laugh, looking up at him. “He wouldn’t.” Except I know I’d be lying to myself. I’ve seen the self-portrait I left behind on his nightstand.

Leaning down, Dominic kisses me softly, smiling against my mouth. “If he doesn’t, I will. It’s going to be fantastic. So sexy.”

“Yeah?” I ask, my voice turning breathy. “You know, I’m always looking for inspiration.”

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