For once in her life, she was in control. There was no one telling her what to do, how to think, and what to wear. She was finally free. The only person she had to please was herself. Hugh would ruin all of that. The sad thing was, she was the one that instigated this whole mess. Therefore she was the one who had to fix it. It was time for some damage control.
"Mary Elizabeth, I think we need to take a step back and think about what we're doing before this goes any further. You're a nice woman, but you're my tenant. A relationship between us wouldn't be a good idea."
"Oh, I'm so glad to hear you say that. This is all wrong. I know I gave you the wrong impression just now. I'm really not the type for one night stands. The last thing I want is a relationship with you.” She was so relieved. He understood perfectly how she was feeling and was on the same page. She tucked her breasts into her top and tugged on her skirt, making sure everything was covered.
Hugh's eyebrows came together as a ferocious frown crossed his face. “What's wrong with me?"
"What?” she asked distractedly, her mind already on something else. She had to drag her mind back to the conversation. “As far as I know, nothing.” She inspected herself to see if she missed anything.
"You said, ‘The last thing I want is a relationship with you.’ Why me, specifically? Is it because of Charles?"
Mary Elizabeth snapped to attention. “Are you crazy? Didn't you just say a relationship between us wouldn't be a good idea?” Men! See, this was one more reason why she didn't need a man in her life. She turned and opened the door, peeped out to see if anyone was nearby.
Yes, but it was different when he said it. He never expected her to agree. Why was she so against a relationship with him specifically? He was a good catch. He owned his own business. He was decent enough looking and he was a nice guy. What more could she want?
Women always wanted him. He never had any problems attracting women. He was usually turning them away. He watched her reach under her skirt, pull off her thong and throw it in the trash before tugging her skirt back into place. Then she walked out the door. Knowing she was naked under her skirt caused the blood to drain from his head and flow straight to his cock.
He stalked out of the room behind her, determined to get an answer to his questions. What did she have against him and who the hell was Charles? She was his, not this Charles guy. It didn't matter that up until now he hadn't wanted her. That all changed the minute he discovered she didn't want him. What kind of game was she playing? The woman virtually threw herself at him and now she was saying it was a mistake? He caught up with her in the kitchen only to pull up short. Kiesha got to her first.
"Kiesha, where have you been? I looked but didn't see you anywhere.” Mary Elizabeth was so happy to see her. She could feel Hugh hot and heavy behind her.
"Carol had her baby.” Kiesha was positively glowing with excitement. “And I got to watch. This is the first birth I've ever witnessed."
"What!” The shock of what she was saying caused Mary Elizabeth to forget all about Hugh, who was standing there glowering.
"I know. Unbelievable. Apparently she was having contractions and didn't tell Mark. She was determined to be here tonight. You saw that. Well, her water broke and Mark came to get Alex. Get this, instead of lying down and screaming for drugs as any sane woman would do, she set up the spare bedroom, turning it into a delivery room. She set up the equipment, laid out the supplies ... Alex had to make her lie down."
"Get out of here. Are you serious?” The very idea of it was mind-boggling.
"Very serious.” At that moment, Shannon walked up and asked Kiesha about Carol.
"How did you find out? I wasn't aware that anyone not in the bedroom with us knew what was going on. We tried not to draw any attention to ourselves."
"I was talking with Alex when Mark came to get him,” Shannon explained.
"Carol's doing great. It's a boy. Mark is beside himself with excitement."
"What are they going to name him? Have they decided on a name yet?” Both Shannon and Mary Elizabeth spoke, their words overlapping.
"He's being named after his father, of course."
Mary Elizabeth looked at Shannon and they both rolled their eyes. They knew whose idea that was. Women rarely chose to name their sons after the father. There were just too many names to choose from, not to mention the confusion of having two people in the same house with the same name. No, that was a man thing.
Laughing, they pulled out chairs at the bar and settled in for a chat. They talked about other births that they had seen or heard about. Mary Elizabeth, who wasn't doing as good a job ignoring Hugh as she was pretending, heaved a silent sigh of relief when he finally stalked off.
As soon as he was gone, Shannon turned to Mary Elizabeth. “So, what was that all about?"
"I don't know what you're talking about.” But her face turned red and she looked everywhere but at Shannon.
Kiesha glanced back and forth between the two them before turning to Shannon. “What's going on? What did I miss?"
"Nothing,” Mary Elizabeth mumbled, hoping Shannon would let it drop.
"Oh, I don't know. Which nothing would that be? The nothing where you kicked Hugh after he kissed the breath out of you on the dance floor? Or the nothing where you two were going hot and heavy at it while dancing just before you disappeared together?” Shannon grinned, obviously enjoying herself.
"Really. Oh, my. Do tell. Mary Elizabeth, is there something you'd like to share? Miss, ‘I don't have time for a relationship'. Come to think of it, where were you? I know you weren't in the kitchen when I first walked in. Then poof! I turn around, and there you are. But you didn't come from the living room."
Shannon leaned forward and sniffed Mary Elizabeth, causing her to jerk away. A devilish glint lit her eyes. “Hugh's sent is all over her. Wherever she was, Hugh was there, too."
Kiesha raised both eyebrows, silently demanding she tell all.
"There's nothing to tell."
"Of course not,” Shannon stated with a grin.
"There isn't. So we got a little carried away. It doesn't mean anything."
"Not a thing,” Kiesha echoed, obviously trying not to smile.
"Even if I were interested in him—not saying I am—nothing could come of it. Think about it. The man's my landlord."
"Right. Landlord. Major problem,” Shannon teased.
"It wouldn't work. He's too masculine ... too dominant ... too ... too..."
"Alpha?” Kiesha suggested.
Mary Elizabeth snapped her finger. “Yes! That's it. He's too alpha. I've had enough of people telling me what to do. Tonight was interesting, but it just won't work. Hugh said the same thing."
Kiesha and Shannon looked at each other doubtfully.
"Really, it's true. We both agreed."
"Are you sure both of you are in agreement? That man looked mighty determined just a minute ago. I don't think you've heard the end of it from him."
Mary Elizabeth hoped Kiesha was wrong.
Back in the living room, Hugh ran into Alex. “I heard the news. Everyone alright?"
Alex gave a great big smile. “Everyone's just fine. I wish all of my deliveries went as smooth as this one did."
Hugh grinned in return. “Did you really expect anything less from Carol?"
"No, can't say that I did.” They shared a laugh. “I can't wait to see her running around after the little one. He's bound to have her stubbornness and attention to detail. Throw in Mark's sense of humor and it should be very interesting."
Alex looked around him. “Have you seen my mate? She disappeared while I was cleaning up."
"She's in the kitchen with Shannon and Mary Elizabeth.” Who was trying her best to ignore him. Standing where he was, he should be able to see her the minute she exited.