Chapter Five

For the millionth time, Jonah wondered what he was doing. He shouldn't be leaning so heavily on Kijani, but he couldn't seem to stop himself.

One smile.

One ounce of concern.

One moment enveloped in strong arms.

That was all it had taken to reel Jonah in like a fish on a hook. It shocked him just how much he craved Kijani's company, how protected and at ease he felt in his presence, especially considering their brief acquaintance.

Was this a case of the damsel in distress falling for the rescuer, except Jonah was the distressed dude? Or was there something more to the ache he felt for Kijani?

Since Flint was the first guy Jonah had needed rescuing from, he had no damn clue what to think. He buried his face and groaned. Why did life have to be so complicated, starting at birth?

Why hadn't Jonah just lied when both Slater and Kijani asked how he knew about shifters? He could have said he'd had a friend who was one. Instead, he'd locked up inside, guilt and shame punching him in the head and gut like a physical blow.

Don't start dwelling on the secret you keep locked inside.

Lying down, Jonah drew in a deep breath from exhaustion. The couch's upholstery was infused with Kijani's scent, a blend of dark oak and seduction. The smell evoked images of the warmth and temptation in Kijani's russet eyes, of the way his powerful body moved so fluidly with every motion.

Of his thick cock nestled at his groin when the blanket hadn't been wrapped around his lean hips.

Jonah never should have agreed to stay the night. If he had an ounce of energy, he would slip away and return home, putting distance between him and everything to do with the deputy.

Only, he didn't want to go back to an empty house. After Kijani had gone on that call, the fight with Flint had replayed on a loop in Jonah's head. He'd wandered from room to room, unable to feel safe in his own home, afraid Flint would somehow get off on some technicality and return.

Jonah flipped over and closed his eyes, breathing in the scent that reminded him of when he was safely cocooned in Kijani's arms.

A noise somewhere in the house made Jonah bolt upright. Was he dreaming, or was the sun really filtering through the windows? He shoved aside the blanket and sat up, planting his feet on the carpet. He'd only closed his eyes for a second. How was it morning already?

Kijani walked past the living room like he was heading somewhere else in the house then stopped and gazed at Jonah. A soft smile curved his lips and reflected in his eyes. "Good afternoon, sleepyhead."

Jonah's heart leaped and twisted at the way Kijani seemed to brighten the moment the guy noticed he was awake.

Don't even go there.

Wait. Had Kijani just said afternoon ? "Did I really sleep that long?"

"You needed it." Kijani chucked a thumb over his shoulder. "I just made a fresh pot of coffee."

"God, yes." Jonah headed toward the kitchen. When he passed Kijani, the guy playfully ruffled his hair. "Your hair is committing anarchy right now."

Jonah scowled. "And you still haven't won back those brownie points, so you're not allowed to comment on my appearance."

Kijani chuckled. "Someone's a grump when they wake up."

"I haven't immersed my brain in coffee yet." That ache flared, burning hotter than before. He refused to entertain any thought of how easy it would be to fall for Kijani's kind heart and charm.

Jonah had just gotten out of a relationship, and Kijani didn't deserve to become his rebound. But Jonah wasn't trying to get over a broken heart, because he'd never been in love with Flint.

In the beginning, their relationship seemed full of potential, but after only two weeks, it had become toxic due to Flint's insecurities and jealousy.

Thankfully, Jonah had gotten out of that situation nearly unscathed, at least physically.

"Do you have to work today?" Jonah added a ton of sugar and a splotch of cream to his cup of coffee. He needed his caffeine turbo-charged to start his day.

"Third shift." Kijani took a drink of his coffee, watching Jonah over the rim.

"What time is that?" Jonah tried to keep the nervousness out of his voice. He didn't want to think of spending tonight alone. That was where the "nearly" unscathed part mattered. The slight bruise on his arm would heal faster than the one Flint had mentally caused.

Now Jonah really was considering getting a dog. A big, snarly beast that would eat Flint if the guy showed his face again.

"I have to be there by ten." Kijani set his cup aside. "Would it be okay if I stopped by after my shift?"

"I have to be at work tomorrow morning at seven." Jonah wasn't looking forward to seeing Arlo. Despite claiming he wanted to be there for Jonah as a friend, that spark of hope said otherwise.

Was there a neon sign blinking over Jonah's head that said he was into insecure losers? If so, he wanted to find the damn thing and smash it to pieces.

"I never thanked you for watching over me while I healed," Kijani said.

Jonah gaped at him. "Like I could say no after you showed up at my door naked and sweaty and crashed on my floor then transformed into a five-ton wolf!"

"I thought I was a ten-ton elephant." Kijani's lips twitched like he was fighting a smile. "You're gonna give me a complex if you keep increasing my weight, honey bee."

"You can't deny you're a ginormous guy," Jonah argued. "I almost threw my back out trying to help you out of my car."

"You get an A for effort." Kijani winked.

"I get an F for..." Jonah paused, searching for the right word.

"Fantastic?" Kijani suggested with a grin.

"Failing to be of any help getting you unstuck."

"Fierce determination in spite of the odds." Kijani stepped right in front of him, the smolder in his eyes knocking the breath right out of Jonah. He gently rubbed a few strands of Jonah's hair between his fingers, the side of his mouth kicked up into a cocky grin.

"Foolish determination," Jonah whispered. That ache threatened to burn him alive, to plunge him into the depths of very wild and rash decisions. He could no longer remember any damn good reason why he shouldn't kiss Kijani, shouldn't give in to the maddening heat between them.

Kijani tucked a finger under Jonah's jaw then lowered his head slowly, stretching out the moment. As if bewitched, Jonah couldn't look away. There was so much need, so much longing in those russet eyes, drowning Jonah in them until he felt like he couldn't breathe.

"Because your honey is an ambrosia to savor," Kijani said huskily. "A delicacy to indulge in."

"Your brownie points just hit an epic level," he murmured.

Kijani's silky smile demolished Jonah, the touch of his lips a carnal decadence made of pure sin. He pressed a hand against Jonah's back, coaxing him closer as Kijani's mouth possessed his, consumed him in a way that left a mark on his soul.

It was a shooting-star first kiss.

An explosion of pure bliss.

A purge of all the pain and misery Jonah had suffered through before this very moment.

Jonah curled his hands into Kijani's shirt, determined to keep him close as the steady pressure of their lips and swipes of their tongues felt like an uncontrollable firestorm burning between them.

No past.

No shame.

No guilt.

Just them. A stolen moment in time where Kijani's lips made Jonah feel whole and cherished, gently healing the bruise inflicted on him.

Kijani cupped Jonah's ass in a tight squeeze of hands, bringing their bodies impossibly closer. Hard, delectable muscles were flexing and bunching, rippling under Jonah's palms.

"Pure ambrosia, honey bee." Kijani's voice was deep and velvety, a slight growl around the edges, his eyes now a smoky shade darker.

Kijani pulled away and retrieved his cup of coffee, putting a good ten feet between them. Jonah drew in a shuddering breath and trembled, dazed and unsteady from a kiss that had detonated inside of him like a nuclear blast.

"Are you sold on the nickname now?"

"It's growing on me." Jonah took a sip of his coffee to hide his smirk.

"On an epic level," Kijani teased.

Jonah leveled a finger at him. "You're not allowed to hold hostage anything I said while under the influence."

"And what influence might that be?" Kijani arched a dark brow. The sexy son of a bitch must have practiced that sultry look until he'd mastered it because he was wielding it like a provocative sword.

"Coffee wasn't the only thing my brain was immersed in." Jonah could add stupidity to the immersion. He could also add "one smoldering glance" to the list of things that reeled him in.

And "one mind-blowing kiss" too.

He was definitely screwed.

"Are you going to tell me?" Kijani asked.

Jonah set his cup in the sink, hid his grin, and headed for the living room. "F is for figure it out."

* * * *

In an effort to distract himself from the apprehension of being home alone at night, Jonah popped in his earbuds and pulled out his cleaning supplies. He meticulously wiped away every nonexistent speck of dust, washed already-clean bedding and curtains, and vigorously scrubbed his spotless floors.

Well, almost spotless except for the lingering traces of blood still clinging to the wood grains. To maintain his sanity, since he was washing away Kijani's blood, Jonah played upbeat music as he scrubbed until his arms ached.

If he hadn't slept until early afternoon, his intense cleaning session might've been enough to help him get some sleep before he had to be to work in the morning.

But it was nearly midnight, and he was still wide-awake, wandering around the house looking for another task he could throw himself into. The music drowned out the silence of the house but wasn't enough to chase away the increasing edginess or the constant bombardment of thoughts that refused to leave him alone.

Jonah now hated Flint intensely, but some of the blame landed on his own shoulders. If he'd kicked the bastard out at the first sign of instability instead of letting it drag on for a month, things wouldn't have escalated to the point of physical violence. And Jonah wouldn't have lost his sense of safety and security within his own goddamn home.

He dropped onto the couch and removed his earbuds, wishing he didn't miss Kijani so much. His hug had held a silent promise of always lending an embrace when Jonah needed one.

Right now, Jonah was desperate for one.

"You just have to push through this," he said to himself. "Flint is currently locked up. For now, he's not a threat to you."

That didn't mean the danger had passed. Even Kijani couldn't predict what would happen once Flint reached Maple Grove. Would he get off with just a fine, or could he potentially face prison time for the aggravated assault charge?

Completely tangled in his grim thoughts, Jonah shot off the couch and nearly screamed when his doorbell rang. He glanced at his wall clock and saw it was now closer to one in the morning.

He hesitated, unsure if he should answer it or sprint out his back door.

"Open up, honey bee."

Even though he'd nearly had a freaking heart attack, profound relief flooded Jonah at the sound of Kijani's deep and soothing voice.

Forcing himself not to run and snatch the door open like a lunatic, Jonah walked at a normal pace, unlocked the door, then opened it to let Kijani inside.

"You didn't say anything about stopping by on your shift."

Kijani shut the door behind him. "It was a slow night so I thought I'd stop by and see how you were doing."

Every part of Jonah's body yearned to jump into the deputy's massive arms. He would have if not for the utility belt strapped around Kijani's waist and the deadly gun holstered there.

"Just getting some cleaning done." While trying not to completely lose my shit. Jonah couldn't believe he was desperate for a hug and Kijani was now standing right in front of him like an answered prayer.

Tall as a redwood and looking so damn mouthwateringly gorgeous in his uniform, which strained to hold his savagely beautiful muscles.

If he flexed, those buttons would fly off like tiny missiles. Jonah was almost tempted to test his theory.

You've gone from refusing to fall for him to willingly jumping on the hook and letting him reel you in.

Yeah, but you have to admit Kijani is a far better option than a big, snarly guard dog.

What in the hell was going on inside his head?

"Can't sleep?" Kijani asked.

"Can't figure out why my brain is arguing with itself," Jonah admitted, furrowing his eyebrows.

"Probably because you need some sleep."

Probably because I've lost my ever-loving mind. "You may be right."

Kijani took Jonah's hand and guided him to the couch. "Perhaps you'll get some sleep if you're tucked next to me."

He didn't doubt Kijani's warm, protective body could lull him to sleep. The deputy was sweet, kindhearted, humorous, emotionally mature, and safety embodied in a stunning exterior.

Everything Arlo and Flint weren't.

Keeping him at arm's length was a battle Jonah couldn't win, and maybe he no longer wanted to. Perhaps he wanted to be swallowed whole by tenderness and charm.

After his past two failed relationships, he truly needed emotional stability in his life. Why should he run so hard from a whole lotta good when he'd stuck around for a shit-ton of bad?

"Are you getting sleepy?"

Jonah grinned. "Ask me that question when you're swinging a pocket watch in front of my eyes."

Kijani dug something out from behind him then began to sway a set of silver handcuffs in front of Jonah. "You're getting sleepy ," he said in a hilariously creepy voice.

"I'm getting nervous you'll arrest me." He took the set from Kijani and lay them on the cushion, noticing they had some weight to them. "Don't even think about pulling out your pepper spray and waving that in my face."

"Police officers in our town don't rely on pepper spray."

"Really? Why not?"

"Due to health concerns and the risk of collateral damage if the wind changes direction or another person is standing too close, we instead carry Tasers. Plus, being a department comprised entirely of shifters gives us a significant advantage. Unless we're up against another supernatural, then we have to get creative."

" Other supernatural?"

"Try to get some sleep, honey bee."

Jonah wanted to push for more information, but how could he demand Kijani reveal secrets when he wasn't willing to share his own?

"I'm buzzing with too much energy," Jonah replied.

"Puns, really?"

"That's what happens when you're part of a hive mind."

Kijani groaned with a chuckle. "Please, stop. Show me some mercy."

"I'll trade you mercy for a much-needed hug." Leaning next to Kijani was nice, but Jonah could really use those barrel arms around him, especially after he'd just been staring at the wall Flint had him pinned against.

"I accept your barter." Kijani pulled Jonah into his lap, his firm arms caging him like Jonah would take flight at any second. Absolutely nothing could harm him when he was wrapped up in safety and protection. Not even those grim thoughts could penetrate Kijani's secure barrier.

The apprehension and edginess seeped away like pollutants down a sewer drain during a powerful thunderstorm.

Jonah exhaled and closed his eyes.