by Moxie North
The conversations they still needed to have were going to be long and complicated. He needed to explain to her who he was. A shifter. If she chose him, she was choosing a life of secrecy. An extended life with him after he shared his DNA with her through the bonding bite. Her life would have to change completely. Even though this was all Tanner ever wanted, he couldn’t deny the guilt of her having to give up her life to be with him.
He knew he’d make it up to her. She’d never want for anything. He would love and cherish her until the day he died. How to explain that she was the only one for him and would be the only one for him? If she didn’t agree to stay, he’d go to California to convince her. If she ended up in the witness protection program, he’d become a mechanic in Wisconsin if he had to. As long as he was with her, he could be happy.
Ending the kiss, he wrapped her up in his arms and just reveled in the fact that she was as close as he could get her without getting them naked.
“Has Eddie come and seen you yet? Since you remembered?” Tanner asked.
“No, the nurse told me, but I was waiting to make sure I didn’t walk in on someone getting their freak on,” Eddie called from behind the curtain. He walked around to the wall near the door, keeping his distance.
“Man, how long have you been standing there?” Tanner growled.
“Don’t get your panties in a twist, copper. About thirty seconds. From the heavy breathing, I was worried someone was having an asthma attack. Then I realized it was you in here and put two and two together. You know she is recovering from a head wound. I don’t really think depriving her of oxygen is in her best medical interest,” Eddie said, propping his hip against the counter in her room.
“Oh, sorry, Dr. Eddie.” Brooke blushed, her cheeks glowing. Gawd, she could only imagine what he thought of her. Thank goodness this wasn’t her hospital.
Tanner was transfixed by the way her skin brightened under her embarrassment. He wondered what the rest of her body would look like when she blushed.
“Don’t worry about it, darlin’. Tanner here is no dog unless he’s going after a juicy bone.” Eddie laughed.
“Did you just call her a bone?” Tanner said, his voice rumbling deep in his chest. The sensation made Brooke’s eyes widen.
“No, I called you a dog. Try to keep up, Sheriff.” Eddie grinned. “So, got your memory back, huh?”
Brooke attempted to climb off Tanner’s lap before she answered him. Tanner was not going to let that happen; his hands tightened on her hips keeping her in place. Brooke decided struggling against him would look even worse, so she settled in.
“I guess so. I don’t think anything else is missing. I remember why I left California. I remember who I am, what I do, my family. How do you know if you’re missing something if it’s still missing?” she ventured to ask.
Eddie seemed to contemplate that for a moment, his brow furrowed. “How do any of us know we have all our memories? Wow, gonna have to noodle on that one,” he said, scratching his head.
“Well, you have all the time in the world. Why don’t you get back to us on that one,” Tanner said sarcastically.
Brooke laughed out loud when she saw Eddie flip Tanner off, and her sheriff returned the gesture without blinking.
Her Sheriff. She liked the sound of that.
“Well, I have no reason to hold you here. Have you made plans on where you are going to go?” Eddie asked, but his eyes were on Tanner.
“I’m going back to the motel tonight. I wasn’t sure about it, but now that I know, well me, I’m feeling more confident. Sheriff Rochon here said he’d keep an eye out for me,” she said.
“Oh, I have no doubt, both of his eyes will be on you,” Eddie said with a wink. “You know, Tanner told me a little about your situation. If I was just passing through town and someone was looking for me, I’d check the motel first. Maybe you should stay somewhere no one would think to look? The sheriff’s house has lots of bedrooms.” Eddie was giving Tanner a wicked eye as he spoke.
Tanner was shaking his head at his cousin. That wasn’t subtle at all. Tanner didn’t want to push her and freak her out. He was playing the long slow game, and Eddie was rushing in with a Twister board and a bottle of tequila. Typical Eddie.
“I don’t know if Brooke would be comfortable staying with me.” Tanner glared at his cousin.
Chapter 24
Eddie snorted. “No offense, cuz, but she looks pretty comfy right now. I’m not judging. Hell, I think you two are cute together. I’m thinking of her safety. Tucked away in the sheriff’s house is a lot less exposed than hanging out at the Apex Motel. Besides, she’d be more comfortable in your house. You could cook for her, light toasty fires for her. At the motel she’ll probably sleep on a lumpy mattress and eat noodles out of a cup,” Eddie said, sticking his lower lip out.
Brooke started to giggle. She was of course going to say there was no way she could impose on Tanner and stay at his house. Then again, the mattress at the motel was lumpy, and it was noisy there as well. Staying with a man that could kiss like he did might just turn out well for her.
“I’d be thrilled to have Brooke stay with me. I just don’t want to pressure her,” Tanner said through gritted teeth. He narrowed his eyes at his cousin and let his bear come up just enough that his eyes glowed yellow. It just seemed to egg Eddie on.
“Brooke, you feeling pressured? Eddie asked.
“Nope, not at all,” she said enthusiastically. She liked watching the two men banter back and forth. “I’d be happy to sleep on a non-lumpy bed. And noodle cups were all I could manage in my cold, noisy motel room.” Brooke turned her face up to Tanner and stuck her lip out like Eddie had.
Tanner glanced down and closed his eyes and moaned. “Great, you really shouldn’t use Eddie as a role model. He got through medical school on charm alone. You are lucky you didn’t need any major surgery.”
“Jealous much?” Eddie said from his position against the counter.
“Hardly, I’m going home with this luscious beauty. You are probably going to go home and give your dog a bath and read it bedtime stories,” Tanner said.
“Keno likes vampire stories; he won’t go to bed without at least two chapters,” Eddie said indignantly.
“Sure…Keno likes the vampire stories,” Tanner mocked.
Eddie glared for real now, like he was actually annoyed that Tanner had outed his love of vampire novels. “I’m going to make sure your paperwork is ready. I’d like you to follow up with me in a few days, just to make sure you don’t lose any more marbles,” he said to Brooke with a wink.
“Unless you want to be sporting a patch, cuz, keep that winking shit to yourself,” Tanner hissed.
“He never was good at sharing,” Eddie said, walking out the door.
“I like him,” Brooke declared as soon as they were alone.
“He’s a menace, and if we didn’t need him here at the hospital, I’m sure they could find a trained monkey to replace him,” Tanner scoffed.
“Oh, you love him. I can see that,” Brooke said knowingly.
“Hmph.” Tanner wouldn’t comment.
Turning her back to facing him, he cupped both of her cheeks. “You want to come home with me?” His tone was quiet, but he was holding his breath to hear her say it.
“Does it make me easy? Will you respect me in the morning?” she said it in a teasing tone, but the question was real.
“No, it doesn’t make you easy. But you putting the idea out there that I might get to see you naked later has me thinking we should skip dinner,” Tanner said in a low voice.
“Sheriff!” Brooke said, acting shocked. Brooke wasn’t a prude, something she didn’t need to get her memory back to remember. She liked sex, and she liked men – especially hot, ripped men in uniform. Sheriff Rochon was like hitting the panty-dropping lottery.
Tanner could read her face and bent down to place a hot, open-mouthed kiss on her neck. He got a sweet moan from her that he couldn’t wait to hear
again.
“Say you’ll come home with me, Brooke,” he said against her neck, kissing down to her collarbone. He grazed his teeth over it, licking to soothe where he’d bitten.
“I’ll come home with you,” she moaned, tipping her head to give him better access.
“You taste so good. I want to taste all of you,” he said against her skin. The switch in his brain that was trying to keep him from overwhelming her flipped when she didn’t slap him for saying he wanted to see her naked. His bear was mentally pushing him that she was giving him all the right signs that she was as in to him as he was to her and his bear was definitely ready for him to stop pussyfooting around and get down to business.
“Hmm, what do I get to taste, Sheriff?” Her voice was husky.
“Oh, baby, whatever you want,” he said, nipping her jaw.
“I think my personality is coming back, because I find that to be a very welcome invitation. Would you think me too forward if I asked to taste you first?”
Tanner groaned into her neck. His girl liked to tease – he fucking loved that! He also fucking loved the mental image of her mouth wrapped around his cock. That even shut up his bear.
“I say we should probably get you fed, because you are going to need your strength later. Let’s hit the motel, grab your gear, and then dinner,” he suggested.
“Should I follow you to your house?” she said, thinking there wasn’t much at the motel. She’d bought the clothes she was wearing after she left California. Everything was new except her purse and the clothes she’d worn to work that day.
“No, let’s leave your car. It will give us a head’s up if someone comes looking for it,” Tanner said. He still wasn’t sure just how sophisticated these criminals were. They already knew she’d rented a car which meant they had access to information most civilians didn’t. He’d rather they think she was still at the motel if they came looking. Easier to catch someone who might be staking out his mate.
“Hmm, do I get to ride in your cop car? Will you turn on the lights and sirens?” she whispered in his ear. Brooke couldn’t help herself; he smelled too good – she licked along the shell of his ear.
“Oh baby, that would be against the rules,” he said, rumbling low.
“For me? Sheriff?” Her voice was all sweetness.
“Fuck me – you are gonna be the death of me, woman,” he moaned.
“Oh, but what a way to go, Sheriff,” she said.
“Damn straight.” Tanner picked her up in his arms, turned and sat her down on the bed. Giving her a quick kiss on the mouth and a look that told her to stay put, he went to the wardrobe and opened it to find her bag. He threw it on the bed and started tossing any piece of clothing he could find over his shoulder at her.
“Tanner!” Brooke screeched, trying to catch her clothes before they fell on the floor. “Those were all folded!” she groused.
“Fold them when you get to my house. Right now, stuff them in that duffle so we can get the hell out of here, and I can get you loaded with carbs.”
“Hmm, that might make me sleepy,” she warned.
Brooke’s breath caught as Tanner turned, and his eyes hit her, hot and hungry. “I’ll wake you up, don’t worry.”
A shiver ran over Brooke that started in her toes, took a huge detour straight to her clit then finished up at her nipples. She had no doubt that Tanner would make sure she stayed wide awake for him. Her body was primed and ready. She didn’t give a flying fuck about pasta.
“We could skip dinner,” she offered. She watched as a bright glow started around the outside of his eyes. She shook her head, thinking she was seeing things.
“No, I need some time. Dinner will give me time,” he said cryptically.
Brooke was still shocked and could have sworn his eyes had flashed yellow.
“Time?” she whispered.
“Time to focus. I want you so badly right now, but I refuse to rush it. I need time to cool down so I can take my time with you. I have plans,” he said in a voice that dampened her panties.
Brooke watched as his nostrils flared, and his eyes did that weird yellow thing again. It triggered her fight or flight nerve again, but she knew she wasn’t going anywhere. She just had to resist the urge to hide or play dead.
“Your eyes are glowing,” she whispered.
She saw his jaw clench, and the light in his eyes faded returning them to his normal hazel.
“Family trait,” he said, then came over the bed. “Trust me?” he asked.
Brooke wasn’t afraid of him; she knew that. She had much bigger things to be scared about.
“Yes,” she answered. Tanner Rochon had secrets, but then most people did. Brooke had to make a fast decision whether she would be able to handle his secrets. Whatever he needed to share with her, she was hoping that it was something she could handle.
“Thank you.” He kissed her sweetly on her forehead. He helped her with her shoes then grabbed her duffle in one hand and her hand in his other. He walked them to the nurse’s station and signed the necessary paperwork.
Tanner had her through the parking lot and in his SUV in record time. He didn’t like the idea of her being outside unprotected. The park had been hard enough on him, but she’d needed it.
“Dinner,” he said, as he started the engine after making sure she was securely buckled in.
“Dinner,” she agreed.
Chapter 25
Their dinner was fun.
Brooke was able to at least gather the rest of her clothes from the motel without Tanner unfolding everything. It was a sad little assortment. Just enough to get her by. Tanner drove them to the small Italian restaurant on the Main Street of town. It was quiet and had cute candles flickering in red votives on the table. Brooke figured it was the go-to place for Apex first dates.
They played light sabers with their breadsticks. Tanner told her more about his family. Brooke teased him about ordering stuffed shells and said it was chick food. She ordered chicken parmesan, and he said that was dude food.
Tanner made sure to offer her a bite of his meal, using his fork so he could have that small intimacy with her. Brooke didn’t hesitate to mimic the gesture, offering him a bite with her fork. Tanner’s bear wanted him to keep feeding her, but he wouldn’t be able to do it in the restaurant. He promised his bear he’d get the chance to coddle their mate later.
While they chatted, Brooke shared memories that were surfacing. They felt fresh and new, so she wanted to share, whether they actually had anything to do with their current topic. She remembered that she had a horrible habit of straightening products on shelves at the supermarket. Often it would take her twice as long to shop because she spent so much tidying. She also told him that she sometimes drank milk with ice cubes in it to make it colder. Tanner just smiled and let her talk. His bear loved that she was so animated and happy. She seemed relaxed.
Tanner wanted her to always look like that. Relaxed and happy. They had made a call to her mom and dad in the car. This time, she was able to talk to her father.
“Brooke, you need to rest. Your mind has had a trauma. It needs quiet. You should be home with us,” her father said firmly.
“Dad, until the people who want me dead are caught, I am not getting you involved. Sheriff Rochon is keeping me safe here. He has a whole team of people watching out for me. I’m perfectly safe here. As long as mom doesn’t tell anyone I’m here, this is the safest place for me,” she told him.
“You tell your mother not to gossip. I care about my life too much to do that,” he said. Then Brooke heard a slapping noise.
“Don’t you tell your daughter I’m a gossip. I only relay information. It’s a public service, and I haven’t told anyone about where she is. You are lucky to have me, Harry Nishi. You’d be in an arranged marriage if it wasn’t for me.”
“Stop hitting me; use your words,” her father said.
“I’ll give you some words. Just you wait until you hang up. I’ve got a whole list of
words for you,” her mother said.
“Dad, go hide,” she warned him. Her mother loved her dad so much. Harry was the most tolerant man in the world. He could teach warring nations how to negotiate peace.
It felt good to be able to assure them she was okay. She did get a chance to talk to her mom. She was happy that she wasn’t in the dark anymore, but she was more interested in whether Tanner was cute. Brooke was able to answer with a yes, thinking that Tanner had no idea what she was saying yes to. Little did she know that Tanner’s shifter hearing was picking up the entire conversation.
She thought he was cute. He knew she did.
After giving her parents promises and reassurances she would check in again soon, she finally disconnected, and Tanner noticed it was as if there was a weight lifted off her. She loved her parents; he could tell. She didn’t want them to worry. Tanner knew that was her kind heart again.
Tanner enjoyed dinner. He loved every time she teased him. His bear still thought they had made the wrong choice in not taking her straight home, but Tanner knew they needed this time. It was essentially their first date. For shifters who have found mates, it’s an immediate path from nice to meet you to in love and making cubs. Humans needed to be wooed. There was a process to claiming a human heart.
“Dessert?” Tanner asked when they had finished their meals.
“Yes, please. I always order dessert,” she informed him. “Sometimes even before my dinner.”
“Before? Aren’t you the rebel,” he joked.
“That’s me, rebel Brooke. Administrator ninja, part-time gardener, and wicked knitter.” She laughed with him.
“Wicked knitter, huh?”
“Totally. I’m going to whip you up a hat. Maybe we can go yarn shopping tomorrow? You can pick out the colors you want,” she said excitedly.
“I think we can do that. I have a shift in the afternoon. I can either have someone come over to stay with you, or I can drop you off with another cousin of mine.”
“Eddie?” she asked.