by Lynn Hagen
“Maybe.”
Pat’s eyes rounded. “Oh, you lucky bastard. The sheriff is sweet, kind, and—”
“Hot as hell,” Newt said.
“You got that right.” Pat gave him a hug. “Well, if he is your mate, I’m so jealous and happy for you.”
Maybe that was what Orlando had wanted to talk to him about. Was that the reason he wouldn’t fuck Newt? “So you just find your mate and live a happy life?”
“Well, yes.” Pat took a sip of his coffee. “But there’s more to it than that. Has the sheriff bitten you yet?”
Newt whipped his head around and gaped at Pat. “Bitten me?”
“I take that as a no. He’ll bite your shoulder with his canines and that seals the deal. Your souls will solder together, which is kind of like a human marriage, but shifters don’t get divorced, and the connection they have with each other is deeper than any human couple will ever experience.”
Orlando had to bite him? Seriously? Newt felt faint at the thought. He didn’t remember the feel of the dog biting him when he was a kid, but he recalled he’d been in a lot of pain.
“Oh crap, I’m scaring you.” Pat squeezed his hand. “I’m told the bite doesn’t hurt.” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “I’m told you have an orgasm from it.”
Newt swallowed, unsure if he wanted to find out.
“Oh, and the sheriff is a timber wolf, which means he’ll ask you if you accept him as your mate,” Pat said. “If you say no, your souls won’t connect. Ever. I have no clue why that is with timber wolves, but keep that in mind.”
“Where’s your bathroom?” Newt stood, needing some alone time to process everything Pat had laid in his lap. The guy pointed behind him. Newt hadn’t even seen the two doors.
He hurried to the men’s room and closed the door behind him, pressing his back into the wood as he fought for air. Everything was too much. Newt had to get out of here. He had some bad guy after him, and now this? He couldn’t process anything at the moment.
He needed to go to work. Newt needed normalcy.
When he exited the bathroom, he saw Pat in the kitchen. Newt made a beeline for the desk, grabbed his scrubs, and shot out the front entrance.
Chapter Six
“I thought you were taking some time off,” Carla said when Newt walked through the door. “Sheriff Werth called about an hour ago and said you had an incident at home and that you needed a few days to recuperate.”
Incident. That was one way of putting it. “Nope, I’m fine. Just let me get changed and—”
“And then you’ll be marching your butt back to the station.”
Newt closed his eyes at Orlando’s deep voice. How had he caught up to him so fast? Newt turned, giving the man a tight smile. “I’ll be doing no such thing.”
“I’m gonna let you two work this out.” Carla headed toward her office and slipped inside just as Mr. Bernstien wheeled toward them from the day room.
“The cable is out again, Newton.” The elderly man glared at him. “Come fix it or I’m putting my laxative in your pudding cup.”
Newt groaned. “I’ll be there in just a second.”
Mr. Bernstien gave Orlando the stink eye before he wheeled away.
“Seriously?” Newt snapped at Orlando when he faced him. “You come to my job and embarrass me in front of my boss? You had no right to call Carla and tell her anything.”
Orlando narrowed his eyes. “Get your skinny little ass into my Jeep, right now.”
“Get your big ass out of my workplace.” Newt spun, taking a step, intending to go to the locker room to change when Orlando moved in front of him, his nostrils flaring.
“Were you aware that you were followed here?” Orlando asked. He jabbed a finger at the door. “It was the same scent I smelled at your house last night. If I didn’t have to come in here and deal with this bullshit, I could’ve picked up the trail and found the guy.”
Newt’s eyes widened as he looked toward the door. There were big floor-to-ceiling glass windows on either side of it, and he felt exposed standing there as the clouds parted and the warm sun cast its glow across the carpet and over Newt’s body.
Was the intruder watching him now? Had he been following Newt all along? How had he known Newt was at the station?
“I’m-I’m sorry.” Newt swallowed. “I just got overwhelmed and had to leave.”
Orlando cupped Newt’s face, forcing Newt to look into his dreamy brown eyes. “What made you feel overwhelmed, hon? Why didn’t you come to my office instead of leaving?”
Because you’re the reason I felt so dazed and confused. Newt didn’t want to tell Orlando what he’d found out. He didn’t want to get Pat into trouble. “Everything.”
That was the truth, although Newt didn’t go into details.
“Do you wanna go back to my place?” Orlando caressed his thumb over Newt’s cheek. “I was gonna question you at the station, try and see if you can recall any little detail about your life that would make someone come after you, but we can do that over bowls of soup and some sandwiches.”
Did Newt want to be left alone with him? As he gazed into Orlando’s eyes, he already knew the answer. He hadn’t been lying to Pat when he said he’d felt as if he’d known Orlando since forever. He felt a connection to the guy and had no doubt in his mind that the sheriff was his mate.
He just wished biting didn’t have to be involved.
“I’d like that,” Newt said.
“Take as much time as you need,” Carla said when she stuck her head out her office door.
“How did she hear us?”
“She’s a leopard shifter.” Orlando winked.
“See, that right there is what’s freaking me out,” Newt said. “I keep getting blown away.” Was anyone who Newt thought they were? Next someone would tell him Mr. Bernstien was really a turtle shifter. Lord knew the guy moved at a ridiculously slow pace.
Orlando chuckled. “Come on, sport. Let’s get you home and fed, and then we can talk.”
“I gotta fix the cable first.” Newt hurried into the day room, dodging around wheelchairs and card tables. He tightened the loose cord behind the television, nodded at Mr. Bernstien, then hurried back to the reception area.
Praying he was making the right choice, Newt followed Orlando from the center. They made it down the walkway and to the curb when a shot rang out. Newt had no idea what was going on when the sheriff grabbed him and threw him to the sidewalk, covering Newt with his body.
“Was that gunfire?” Newt cried out.
It sounded more like someone had dropped a heavy piece of wood to the ground. But the shattered window behind them proved it had been a bullet.
Orlando jumped up, grabbed Newt’s wrist, and dragged him to the Jeep before letting him go and shoving him back down.
“What the hell is going on?” Newt shouted. “Why is that asshole after me?”
“Just keep your head down.” Orlando grabbed his phone and talked bullet-fast to whoever was on the other line. Seconds later, okay, so maybe a minute, sirens filled the air. Orlando stuck his head up and cursed. “I see him running.”
“Then go after him.” He wanted this over with. If Orlando caught the guy, maybe Newt’s life would go back to normal.
“I’m not leaving you.” Orlando still had his head up enough to see over the frame of the passenger window. Newt wanted to pull him down. What if the guy turned and shot his gun and the bullet hit the sheriff?
“But you can see him,” Newt argued. “You can catch him.”
“And we don’t know if he’s alone,” Orlando argued. “I’m not taking that chance with your life.”
Although they had the Jeep to protect them, and The Village Inn was behind them, they were still vulnerable on either side of them. Newt forced himself to calm down. It wouldn’t do Orlando any good if Newt went into a tizzy. He would fall apart later over some ice cream and a box of tissues.
And he had no doubt Max would try and cuddle with
him.
Cop cars roared up and screeched to stops at every angle. The doors flew open, and the deputies used them as shields. Newt scooted until he was at the back bumper so he could see what was going on.
“I think he’s gone,” Orlando called out. “Jacoby, Myers, do a perimeter sweep, but watch your six.”
Newt’s jaw dropped when the two deputies Orlando had called out shifted One had changed into a wolf while the other had transformed into a cougar. They took off in the direction of the shooter. Newt still had his chest pressed into the sidewalk as Orlando stood and looked around.
“Get into the Jeep,” he said.
“I can’t.” Newt looked up at him. “I’m kinda frozen in terror.”
“Dillon, go inside and make sure no one was hurt.”
“You got it, boss.” Newt saw the handsome deputy hurry inside the retirement home.
“Vince, Payton, go get those onlookers out of here,” Orlando ordered.
“Can you peel me off the ground?” Newt asked.
“Shit, sorry.” Orlando grabbed Newt under his arms and lifted him to his feet. Newt looked around, terrified the shooter would return.
“He won’t be back,” Orlando said. “They’re too many cops around.”
That didn’t make Newt feel any better. “I just wanna go back to your house.”
When Dillon came back out to report no one was hurt, Orlando said, “Take over the scene. I’m getting Newt home.”
Dillon looked surprised. “You’re letting me take charge?”
“Don’t let it go to your head, and no arguing with Vince.” He opened the passenger door, and Newt got in, his foot slipping on the frame before he settled in his seat.
Orlando spoke to Dillon a moment longer before he hopped into the driver’s seat and took off. By the time they made it back to Orlando’s house, Newt had finally stopped shaking.
Max ran outside to greet them, and Newt was too exhausted and mentally fucked to care. He didn’t insist Orlando put the dog away. In fact, absentmindedly, he petted Max’s head.
“I’ll make some tea.” Orlando walked Newt inside and closed and locked the door. “Why don’t you relax on the couch?”
“To be honest, I’d rather not be alone right now.” Newt followed him into the kitchen and stopped, staring at the trash can that had been knocked over.
“Damn it, Max,” Orlando snapped. “You know better.”
Max growled at Baby Girl when she sauntered into the kitchen, as if the cat was the culprit.
“I got it,” Newt said.
“No, I’ll get it,” Orlando argued.
“It’ll give me something to do,” Newt countered. “Besides, aren’t you supposed to be making some tea?”
“Bad dog.” Orlando wiggled a finger at Max.
Max snapped at Baby Girl as the cat trotted from the kitchen.
“I see you’re having a bad day, too,” Newt said to Max. “Join the club. At least you didn’t get shot at.”
Max whined as he licked Newt’s face.
“Eeew.” He pushed the dog away. “No licking. That’s just gross.”
Newt’s brows shot up when Max mouthed an empty milk container and dropped it into the trash can. “I see you’ve got some skills.”
Max helped him clean up the mess, and then Newt washed his hands in the sink as Orlando dropped a tea bag in each cup. “I like it here,” Newt said. “Not that I’m trying to move in, but your house feels…I don’t know how to describe it.”
“Like a home?”
“Yeah.” Newt nodded. “Like a home.”
“Look, we need to talk.” Orlando pulled Newt into his arms after Newt dried his hands. “But I’m afraid of how you’ll react.”
He patted Orlando’s chest. “I think I know what you’re gonna say.”
“I highly doubt that,” Orlando said.
“We’re mates, and you want to bind me to you by claiming me, but you have to bite me, too.”
Orlando gave him an incredulous look as his head snapped back. “How in the hell do you know all that?”
“A little birdie told me.”
“I’m gonna kill Pat,” Orlando snarled. “Is that the reason you took off?”
“You have to admit all that was a bit overwhelming to digest.” Newt pulled from Orlando’s arms when the teakettle whistled.
“And now?” Orlando turned the burner off and poured the hot water into their cups.
“I’m still digesting it, but I’m not freaking out.” Newt took a seat on one of the stools. “I adapt pretty quickly just as long as I have time to absorb things.”
“I see.” Orlando looked at him with approval in his eyes, and Newt beamed. He liked when...his mate—he had to get used to that—looked at him that way. Newt was glad his mate hadn’t brought up the fact that he’d passed out when Orlando shifted. He’d already been embarrassed enough for one day.
“All right.” Orlando nodded as he stared at Newt. “Soup, sandwiches, and then we take our discussion to the bedroom.”
Goddamn it. Newt wished he’d stop blushing whenever Orlando dropped innuendos or flat-out talked about sex. Having his face catch fire was disconcerting.
He gave Orlando a wicked grin. “Then let’s get lunch started.”
* * * *
When Orlando had mentioned sandwiches, he had no idea the guy would pull a roasted chicken from the fridge and carve the meat. Even the chicken noodle soup was homemade. If Newt kept eating the man’s cooking, he would weigh a ton in no time—even if his portion was tiny compared to the whopper of a sandwich Orlando had fixed for himself.
Newt had even tossed a few pieces of the chicken to Max, who sat at the kitchen entrance whimpering. If Newt didn't know better, he would have sworn that Max also whimpered when Newt took a drink of his sweet tea.
Orlando’s dog was definitely strange.
And now Newt sat nervously on the bed as he listened to the shower right next door. He could just imagine all those suds slipping down Orlando’s rock-hard body, dipping and sliding in all his naughty places.
Newt lay back on the bed, trying to strike a sexy pose, but he kept changing his position every few seconds, unsure how he should lie as he waited for Orlando to join him.
Max padded into the room and jumped onto the bed, sticking his nose into Newt’s back.
“No.” He shoved at Max. “This isn’t a good time for us to hang out. I’m trying to get some dick.”
Max cocked his head to the side and stared at him.
“You wouldn’t understand. Go in the den.” Newt shoved again, but Max wouldn’t budge. He might be getting more comfortable around the dog, but Newt was still afraid to push his luck. If he shoved Max too forcefully, would the dog bite him?
He’d known Max all of twenty-four hours, and that wasn’t long enough to know his disposition when it came to being kicked out of the room by a stranger.
“You’re messing this up,” Newt whined. “If you go, I promise we’ll hang out later.”
To his surprise, Max hopped off the bed and headed to the door, pausing long enough to look at Newt from over his shoulder, as if to say that Newt better not break his promise.
Newt waved his hand for Max to shoo when he heard the shower cut off. The only thing Newt had on was some loose-fitting pajama pants.
He wanted Orlando to have easy access, but he didn’t want the access too easy.
His mind dumped into the pits of brainlessness when Orlando strode into the room naked and wet, rubbing a soft-looking towel over his chest. Drool pooled in Newt’s mouth as he stared at the guy’s long, thick cock.
“Did lunch fill you up?” Orlando tossed the towel on the dresser and sauntered over to the bed, his dick swaying with every step.
Newt couldn’t tear his eyes away from it.
“Hey, my eyes are up here.”
Newt had to rip his gaze away, and then it traveled up Orlando’s impressive abdomen as he imagined his hands gliding over the muscles. He g
ave Orlando’s pecs a once-over before he gazed into those beautiful brown eyes.
Orlando smirked as though he knew his body was rocking and loved that Newt was drooling over it.
“Scoot over, shorty.”
Newt wiggled backward. When Orlando got in, the bed dipped so deep that Newt rolled back toward him and landed against Orlando’s naked body. His hand pressed against Orlando’s stomach, and his face was that close to the guy’s armpit.
“You’re so short.” Orlando chuckled.
Newt glared at him. “Don’t make fun of me.”
“Who’s making fun of you?” Orlando turned on his side to face him. “I like your compact size. It makes me feel even bigger than I already am.”
“It’s like lying next to a bear.” Newt ran his hand over Orlando’s chest, loving how hard and smooth the man’s body felt under his palm.
Orlando gave a small growl. “Wolf, not bear.”
Newt noticed the way Orlando looked drowsily at him, his eyelids at half-mast. Orlando glided his hand down Newt’s arm and then played with the waistband of his pajamas. Newt sucked in a breath and held it, waiting to see what else Orlando would do with that hand.
“You know what I realized?”
Newt’s pulse thrashed in his ears. His heart galloped like runaway horses. He was wound so tight that he was afraid he’d combust at any second, and Orlando wanted to ask him questions? Newt didn’t have the brain function for that right now.
“We haven’t kissed.” Orlando slid his hand over Newt’s cheek, bringing their faces closer. His minty breath huffed over Newt’s mouth, their lips inches apart. Newt licked his lips in anticipation, although his throat had gone dry.
“We haven’t?” Newt was proud that he was able to produce those two words considering his intelligence seemed to have fled.
Orlando’s grin stole Newt’s heart. “Nope.”
Their lips touched, and Orlando moved his head back and forth, ghosting his lips over Newt’s. A million thoughts crammed into Newt’s head as Orlando plunged his tongue deep, moaning while sliding his arm over Newt’s side, pulling him even closer.
Newt was terrified, excited, impatient, and so many other things. Would the bite really hurt, or had Pat been telling the truth? Was Newt ready to commit himself to a guy he’d just met? Newt forced a lid on those thoughts as they rolled, Orlando placing Newt under him.