The man had a slight limp but he was strong, fit. Hank had no doubt he would be able to tear out his throat in a heartbeat if he wanted. “You heard me? Well, I’m glad, but I’m not done talking. I’m not your Alpha. I understand your decision. Don’t for one second think you’re not my pack, though. Regardless of your decision, I’ll always consider you family. You’re here helping us rebuild, and I’m going to do whatever I can to keep you safe. Even if it’s telling you to be careful on the damn roads. Did you hear that?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good.” He held his hand out to Hank. “Drive carefully. Be cautious around McKay. He’s a good man, but he knows we’re different and he doesn’t know why. Suspicious humans are dangerous.”
His time in the human world had taught him the truth of those words. Humans were only happy when everything fit into its neat little box. “Gotcha. I’ll watch myself around him.”
***
McKay ran his fingers through his hair as he stared at the computer screen. The new budgeting software made keeping track of the farm’s expenses every bit as easy as it’d promised. It’d also made the slim margins his farm was forced to survive on more visible. He couldn’t hide from the figure at the bottom of the page. Every time he put a new expense in, the profits shrank. He possessed a greater appreciation for the phrase, “ignorance is bliss” these days. He didn’t want his farm to go under because he had his head in the sand, however. He hated seeing how close his family was to losing everything each and every month. Thankfully, the rumble of a large vehicle outside offered him a temporary reprieve from the dismal state of the farm’s financial affairs. He had an order to see to. Orders were always a welcomed break.
He threw on a coat and slipped on a pair of boots before he went out to meet the driver. The day’s chill found its way through the layer of protection anyway and left him wishing for a warm fire. It was only early October, but the autumn had been cooler than usual. The chill in the air didn’t leave him optimistic about a gentle winter.
“Howdy.” He held his hand out to the tall man who climbed down from the semi’s cab. “I’m Thom McKay. Drew told me somebody would be here today.”
“Hank.”
Thom’s blood heated with appreciation for the truck driver’s wide shoulders, curly blond hair, and the slight stubble clinging to his cheeks and chin before the man took his hand. Damn. He had a grip. “So, you part of Drew’s commune?” The words were out before he could stop them. If he could’ve kicked himself, he would’ve. Drew was the best customer he’d gotten in two seasons. He ordered in bulk and paid in cash. The man’s personal affairs weren’t any of his business. Or so he kept telling himself. The only thing McKay should care about was the income Drew and his people offered him.
“Commune?” His voice held a note of confusion.
“Sorry. I meant…community?” He could only hope Hank bought the obvious lie. He really hadn’t meant to offend the guy.
Hank tipped his head and laughed. The sound sent a wave of warmth through him. He hadn’t realized how much he missed the sound of men laughing until it enveloped him. “Community. I like it. The answer is no.” He took a breath before he continued, “I’m not a resident of Los Lobos. I’m only hauling supplies for them. If you’d show me where their order is, I’ll get out of your hair.”
When the man looked down, Thom realized he still held onto the man’s hand. Under Hank’s scrutiny, he loosened his grasp, then allowed his hand to slide away. The rough calluses swept against his palm and made his cock jump. Not enough of a reaction for the other man to notice, but enough to cause more havoc in Thom’s already chaotic mind. He had to get their meeting back to business if there was any hope of him getting through it without doing something really stupid.
“Yes, sir.”
“Good.” He held his hand out to Hank. “Drive carefully. Be cautious around McKay. He’s a good man, but he knows we’re different and he doesn’t know why. Suspicious humans are dangerous.”
His time in the human world had taught him the truth of those words. Humans were only happy when everything fit into its neat little box. “Gotcha. I’ll watch myself around him.”
***
McKay ran his fingers through his hair as he stared at the computer screen. The new budgeting software made keeping track of the farm’s expenses every bit as easy as it’d promised. It’d also made the slim margins his farm was forced to survive on more visible. He couldn’t hide from the figure at the bottom of the page. Every time he put a new expense in, the profits shrank. He possessed a greater appreciation for the phrase, “ignorance is bliss” these days. He didn’t want his farm to go under because he had his head in the sand, however. He hated seeing how close his family was to losing everything each and every month. Thankfully, the rumble of a large vehicle outside offered him a temporary reprieve from the dismal state of the farm’s financial affairs. He had an order to see to. Orders were always a welcomed break.
He threw on a coat and slipped on a pair of boots before he went out to meet the driver. The day’s chill found its way through the layer of protection anyway and left him wishing for a warm fire. It was only early October, but the autumn had been cooler than usual. The chill in the air didn’t leave him optimistic about a gentle winter.
“Howdy.” He held his hand out to the tall man who climbed down from the semi’s cab. “I’m Thom McKay. Drew told me somebody would be here today.”
“Hank.”
Thom’s blood heated with appreciation for the truck driver’s wide shoulders, curly blond hair, and the slight stubble clinging to his cheeks and chin before the man took his hand. Damn. He had a grip. “So, you part of Drew’s commune?” The words were out before he could stop them. If he could’ve kicked himself, he would’ve. Drew was the best customer he’d gotten in two seasons. He ordered in bulk and paid in cash. The man’s personal affairs weren’t any of his business. Or so he kept telling himself. The only thing McKay should care about was the income Drew and his people offered him.
“Commune?” His voice held a note of confusion.
“Sorry. I meant…community?” He could only hope Hank bought the obvious lie. He really hadn’t meant to offend the guy.
Hank tipped his head and laughed. The sound sent a wave of warmth through him. He hadn’t realized how much he missed the sound of men laughing until it enveloped him. “Community. I like it. The answer is no.” He took a breath before he continued, “I’m not a resident of Los Lobos. I’m only hauling supplies for them. If you’d show me where their order is, I’ll get out of your hair.”
When the man looked down, Thom realized he still held onto the man’s hand. Under Hank’s scrutiny, he loosened his grasp, then allowed his hand to slide away. The rough calluses swept against his palm and made his cock jump. Not enough of a reaction for the other man to notice, but enough to cause more havoc in Thom’s already chaotic mind. He had to get their meeting back to business if there was any hope of him getting through it without doing something really stupid.
Similar Books
