Page 45 of Heat & Deceit
All the places I found peace are ruined.
Well, technically, Tabitha made my life miserable, and more often than not. I’m pissed about not being able to make anything good on the pottery wheel, but that’s beside the point! The coffee shop and studio were blessedly alpha free—aside from customers, of course—and now I can’t seem to catch a break.
“—saved and reused, not thrown away.” Mr. Gray’s expectant look makes me shift.
I pop my hip and place my hand on it. The movement is one-hundred-percent Nova-style annoyance. I straighten and hang my hand at my side.
No. You’re not going to say anything. Let it go. You don’t need to tell him anything. You don’t even know half of what he said. Do not engage.
“Listen, will you at least let me teach you a few things?”
“No.”
He bristles. “Why?”
“Because I said no,” I bite out with a growl.
“That’s not a reason,” he counters.
“God, what is it with alphas and pushing for answers they haven’t earned?” His mouth drops open, but I’m not done. “I said I didn’t want your advice, and then you still offer it like you know better. Then I say no, I don’t want you to teach me things, and you ask why, like you deserve an answer.”
“I’m sorry,” he says quickly.
“I’m going over to my station, and I’m going to work. I’m probably going to mess up, but you need to mind your own business. There are boundaries, you know? The whole world doesn’t move at your command.”
“Right.” He drops his gaze and nods. “I really am sorry. I’ll leave you alone.”
“Thank you.” I spin on my heel and storm to my station, grabbing the clay I originally picked up and set to work wedging it with a bit too much force. Mr. Gray probably didn’t deserve the full force of my alpha annoyance, but I stand by what I said. I didn’t want his help.
Maybe it would have been useful, but I said no, and he didn’t listen.
That, more than anything, pisses me right the hell off.
When did no becomemaybe, yes?
A while later, I sit back on the wheel, dutifully avoiding checking to see how he’s recovering from my verbal lashing, and begin the process, easing up on the wheel, despite every instinct in me screaming to ignore the stupid alpha whose pottery is beautiful.
Movement catches the corner of my eye, and I flick my attention up long enough to see his little grin before he turns and gathers his things, then drop my gaze once again. I’m a little more than annoyed to admit he had good advice, because of course, he did, but this time, the piece comes together, albeit still a little misshapen. By the time I’m done, I’m trying my damndest to fight a triumphant smile.
I actually made a vase.
Mr. Gray is long gone.
What the hell? I can smile. No one is watching. He’ll never know how much his advice helped.
A grin breaks across my face as I finish up, and it doesn’t leave until my head hits my pillow. I roll onto my side and nestle under the blankets, replaying the way I’d scolded Mr. Gray. I was a jerk, but boundaries are there for a reason. It’s going to be so awkward the next time I see him. That probably doesn’t matter, though. He’s likely never coming to the studio again, not after the way I yelled at him. I’ll eventually need to see him for heat suppressants. Will he be petty enough to refuse to sell to me?
Fuck, I hope not.
Groaning, I pinch my eyes shut and give my late-night anxiety the middle finger.
I’m not going to let yet another alpha get under my skin.
No way, no how.
Twelve
ROME
