Chapter Eight
The moment Jonah spotted Kijani's patrol car idling in the employee parking lot, his frustration level reached a boiling point. He marched over and glared at him. "You better have a damn good reason for waiting outside my job."
Kijani looked at Jonah from the driver's seat, those deep russet eyes piercing right through him. Jonah's entire body flushed red-hot from that one glance.
He couldn't deny how much he wanted Kijani, had craved him all day, but that didn't mean he would tolerate the guy showing up unannounced like Flint used to do.
"I'm not here to spy on you, honey bee." Kijani got out and shut the door then leaned against the front fender of his car. His legs were spread apart, and Jonah found himself moving closer like he wanted to fill that space between them. "I tried to find you on your route, but since I couldn't, and was still on duty, I had to handle a few calls."
Focus. Stop drooling over the slice of deliciousness in front of you.
That wasn't going to happen. Not when all Jonah wanted was to sink into him.
The exhilarating moment popped like a delicate bubble when Arlo walked out of the building. Jonah deliberately avoided eye contact, not wanting to give any impression of encouraging Arlo's harassing behavior.
When Jonah glanced at Kijani, he noticed the deputy was a little too observant. His gaze slid from Arlo to Jonah. "We need to talk. Is your shift over?"
The barely hidden bite in Kijani's voice didn't sit well with Jonah. "If you want to accuse me of messing around with Arlo, then forget it."
Was Kijani just another Flint? Maybe it was better his true nature surfaced within days rather than taking two weeks like Flint's had. Jonah hoped he was wrong. It would suck like hell considering he'd already become attached to Kijani.
"I'm not accusing you of anything." Kijani's jaw tightened as he watched Arlo get into his car. "But I noticed you tensed up when he walked out, which makes me wonder if he's making you uncomfortable at work."
Jonah didn't want to talk about Arlo. He didn't want his ex-boyfriend to be the main topic with yet another guy. "You didn't try to track me down because of Arlo. So, why are you here?"
"I'd prefer not to discuss this in private." Kijani slid his finger down Jonah's bare arm, making him shiver.
But Jonah could still see the tension around the deputy's eyes.
Kijani was caressing Jonah's arm absently, his thoughts clearly somewhere else. Something besides Arlo was weighing heavily on his mind. Jonah could see it in Kijani's stiff shoulders, in the frown lines formed around his mouth, and the wrinkles creasing his forehead.
"Is it that bad?" Jonah's voice hovered around a whisper.
Kijani caught his bottom lip between his teeth, and now Jonah wasn't sure he wanted to know why Kijani was here. "Why don't we head to your place?" Kijani asked.
That would give Jonah time to prepare himself for whatever bad news the guy wanted to deliver. Was there such a thing as preparing for something bad? One could try, but Jonah didn't think it would work.
Knots formed in his stomach. "I'll meet you there."
"I'll follow right behind you." Kijani looked up at the clouds then at his watch like he was expecting something to happen at any moment. Was he looking for a plane to fall out of the sky or an apocalyptic explosion in the distance to form a fireball big enough for people miles around to see?
Jonah walked to his car filled with dread, even though he had no idea what Kijani wanted to talk about. On the drive home, his fingers gripped his steering wheel tightly, like it would fall off at any second.
Mr. Pritchard was outside watering his dying lawn when Jonah pulled into his driveway. The summer heat hadn't done the grass any favors. His own lawn was more brown than green and needed to be cut.
If his mind wasn't shattered after Kijani said what he had to say, Jonah might cut his grass.
He climbed his porch and unlocked his door, the deputy right on his heels, closing the door with a soft click after they entered.
"Flint escaped custody."
Jonah froze, unable to move a single muscle in his body, positive he'd misheard Kijani. His mind couldn't accept that Flint, who couldn't outsmart Jonah's air fryer, had somehow outsmarted the authorities. "How?"
"There was an accident. While the deputy helped the driver who collided into them, Flint escaped out of a broken back window."
"And you think he'll come after me." That was what Jonah feared. Flint had threatened to make him pay for getting the guy arrested, although it had been Flint's insecurities and loud mouth that caused the neighbors to involve the police. It had been Flint's outstanding warrant that had gotten him handcuffed.
Jonah had nothing to do with either incident. He hadn't wanted to argue in the first place, but Flint had been convinced that Jonah was still fooling around with Arlo, which only fueled his anger.
If he'd shown back up that same night while Arlo had been on Jonah's porch, blood would have been spilled. Not even Kijani could have saved him since the guy had been unconscious while he healed.
Jonah just wanted both men to leave him alone.
"It's a possibility," Kijani said after a long silence. He was watching Jonah, those observant eyes trained on him.
But Jonah wasn't going to fall apart. He would now be fully aware of his surroundings at all times, but Flint wasn't going to turn him into a shut-in.
The bastard had taken enough from him.
He looked Kijani right in the eye. "I want you to teach me how to use a gun."
"Do you own a firearm?"
"No." Jonah rolled his eyes. "I guess I need to purchase one first."
"I'll teach you whatever you want to learn." Kijani pulled his service weapon from its holster, removed the clip, made sure a bullet wasn't loaded in the chamber, then handed it to Jonah. " First, you need to learn the basics."
The gun felt like a cinder block in his hand. Even though he'd just seen Kijani turn it into an oversized paperweight, Jonah was still too scared to point it anywhere but at the floor.
Then, with a dramatic flair, he tilted the gun sideways and pointed it at the wall.
"Holding it that way might look cool, but your aim will be as accurate as a stormtrooper's." Kijani sidled up next to him. "Let me show you the correct way, honey gangster."
"That's how they hold it in the movies!" Jonah argued as Kijani gently rotated his wrist until the gun was upright.
"And how many of those bad guys actually hit their targets?" He tapped Jonah's finger. " Pro tip: keep your finger off the trigger unless you're firing your weapon." Kijani showed him where to rest his finger.
Even though Jonah was determined to protect himself, he wasn't sure a gun was the way to go now that he was holding one.
Kijani positioned himself behind Jonah, slid his hand down the underside of Jonah's arm, and said softly, "Close one eye and aim through the sight. Hold your breath and pull the trigger, but brace yourself for the kickback."
He was murmuring vital instructions to Jonah, but they faded away at the sensation of Kijani's warm breath caressing his ear. The gentle graze of his beard across Jonah's skin left him trembling and aching.
And so needy.
Jonah squeezed the trigger, only to hear something that resembled the click of a stapler.
"You won't feel any recoil unless there's an actual bullet being fired." Kijani's strong fingers were still curled around Jonah's hand. "You forgot to take a breath before you fired."
At that moment, Jonah was incapable of breathing, too aware of that hulking body pressing into his back, the heady scent of dark oak enveloping his senses like an intoxicating mist.
Kijani's lips were temptingly close, his russet eyes urging Jonah to bridge the small distance between them. He had to have felt the constant turmoil and uncertainty Jonah struggled with.
But Kijani never demanded. He didn't have to. Not when Jonah was helplessly drawn to his touch, soft smile, and gentle patience.
When Kijani stroked his cheek, Jonah gasped, afraid but willing to trust that the deputy wouldn't hurt him like the others had. He thought Kijani would do everything within his power to protect him.
There was no longer any hesitation. Only Jonah's mouth sinking against Kijani's, his beard the right amount of friction to make the kiss even more deliciously wicked.
This was what Jonah had craved all day.
Had ached for.
A to-the-core dominating kiss filled with promises, wildness, and conviction.
Jonah spun, having barely enough wherewithal to shove the gun into its holster. Then he grabbed Kijani's shirt and pushed the massive deputy toward the couch.
The sound of Kijani's grunt when he landed had Jonah smiling against his lips. He smiled even wider when he straddled lean hips and felt Kijani's hardness pressed against his backside.
Sweet Jesus, the guy's trapped cock felt humungous.
Considering Kijani's massive build, Jonah shouldn't have been shocked. Even Kijani's hands were big, and they clutched Jonah's ass in their iron grip, shredding his senses and ripping the breath from his lungs.
This was a level of passion Jonah had never experienced before. His past relationships had been flickering flames on the end of a matchstick.
Kijani was a wildfire burning through his veins.
Years of pent-up frustration burst from Jonah's lips, burst through his stroking hands, which couldn't seem to get enough of the miles of hard body beneath him.
Or enough of the man who'd awakened Jonah's body and senses, until his wrists were grabbed.
Kijani yanked his mouth away. Jonah slowly blinked, left dazed and wondering why the kiss had ended so abruptly.
"Honey bee." He gripped Jonah's backside a little harder.
"You want to slow down."
"I want to charge full steam ahead, but first, we need to talk." His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed, and his fingers eased their grip.
Nervousness crawled inside him. Kijani had dropped a bomb into Jonah's lap the last time he'd uttered those words.
"How bad is it?" Not a verbatim question to the one Jonah had asked the last time, but close.
Kijani sighed and rested his hands on Jonah's hips. "It's not bad, honey bee, but it is important."
Okay. Not bad news. No bombs were going to drop into Jonah's lap.
"You're aware I'm a wolf."
"Either that or a huge stuffed animal passed out on my floor." Jonah's laugh was strained.
"F is for funny." Kijani grinned.
"If you start that again, I'll torture you with my stinging bee puns," Jonah warned.
Kijani's grin fell. "That's just…F is for fucked up."
Jonah struggled not to crack up, pressing his lips together tightly. Kijani seemed to be doing the same. The battle was lost when they burst out laughing.
"What do you need to talk about?" Jonah played with the buttons on Kijani's shirt, his smile lingering.
"Mates."
Jonah frowned. "Like a mate to a sock or wild animals having mates? Are you asking me to be friends?" He poked Kijani in the chest. "You can't just throw a random word at me and expect me to understand what you're talking about."
"I'm talking about shifters having mates."
Not supernatural, which would encompass more than shifters. Jonah hadn't forgotten their conversation where Kijani had said "other" supernatural.
But Jonah could figure out what Kijani was saying in their current conversation. They were mates. What he remained in the dark about were the specifics, which he had a feeling would be another bomb in the lap.
"I can see in your eyes you figured it out." Kijani's fingers tightened against Jonah's hips, like the guy would hold him down if he tried to get up.
"I need the specifics." Jonah might faint, but he had no intention of running.
"Bonded for life. Age as slowly as I do. No diseases. Your happiness above all else. Faithful to each other. Protective—"
"Stop." Jonah pressed his fingers against Kijani's lips. "I wasn't asking for a checklist. Let me think."
Bonded for life? For. Life. Shit. Kijani was a great guy, but that was asking for one hell of a commitment when they'd only met a few days ago. Were they already committed?
Jonah felt like he should be, but it was "your happiness above all else" that had him even considering this.
That had never been a concern for either Arlo or Flint. Everything had always been about them, disregarding Jonah's feelings for their own selfish needs.
But Kijani was different. He cared about Jonah's feelings, made him laugh, and went out of his way to protect and comfort him. Kijani brought true happiness into his life.
"We're mates no matter what?"
Kijani confirmed with a nod.
Jonah pulled his hand away from Kijani's mouth. "Bonded for life."
He was really stuck on that one.
"Soldering our souls brings everything else together." Kijani stood, the expanse of his hand keeping Jonah against him. Then Jonah was gently lowered to his feet. "I just want you to think about it."
"About what?" Jonah gaped at him. "I still haven't been told the specifics."
Kijani ticked the first thing off on his finger. "Bonded for life. Our souls seal together during sex. I have to bite you in order for my saliva to enter your blood stream."
"Can't I just cut myself and you spit into it?"
"That was an image I could have done without." Kijani wrinkled his nose. "I honestly don't know if that would work, but biting your shoulder will be a hell of a lot more pleasurable than spitting into a wound."
Now that image was stuck in Jonah's head.
"Your happiness." Kijani ticked off on another finger. "It means everything to me, honey bee."
The sincerity in Kijani's voice made Jonah feel like he was floating on a breeze. "You already make me happy."
Kijani's warm smile was breathtaking. "Ditto, sweetheart."
How did he break down Jonah's walls without even trying? Honestly, he didn't need to finish his list. Not when Kijani was like a radiant sun, casting his warmth and light on Jonah, filling him with a sense of contentment he never knew existed. He basked in Kijani's presence, soaking up every bit of his radiance like a dry sponge in desperate need of water.
Jonah's hands trembled as he cupped Kijani's face, more certain about this than he'd been about anything in his life.
He needed Kijani's sweetness.
Needed his warmth.
Needed those beautiful eyes to always gaze at him as if he was the most precious thing in his world.
Like the way they were gazing at him now, like Kijani had been given a priceless gift.
Jonah's consent.
With a snarl, Kijani swept Jonah into his arms, carried him to the bedroom, and then lay Jonah down on the bed. His growl deepened as they tore at each other's clothes, desperate to feel skin against bare skin.
They were both naked, Kijani standing at the side of the bed, his powerful legs now spreading Jonah's apart. But Jonah needed the space between them to disappear.
Kijani leaned forward, their cocks kissing for the very first time.
A shudder ran through Jonah as he tangled his legs around Kijani's lean waist. He wrapped his arms around the man's neck and pulled Kijani down to him, his shredded body pinning Jonah to the bed.
Jonah wanted to feel that thick cock taking him so deep he screamed Kijani's name.
"Where's your lube?" He searched Jonah's face as if the answer was written on it.
"Nightstand. Bottom drawer."
Kijani pulled away for only a second, and then he was on Jonah again, slicking his fingers. Their lips met, hungry for each other as Kijani's fingers circle around Jonah's hole.
God, yes!
Jonah bore down on them and then felt them inside of him. He was panting, lost in Kijani's yearning eyes.
His words came out in a groan. " My honey bee."
"My wolf."
Kijani bit down gently on Jonah's bottom lip, a soft, rumbling growl rolling in his throat.
His fingers grazed Jonah's prostate, sending a volcanic rush through him. Jonah cried out, the sound unleashing something inside Kijani. He owned Jonah's mouth, the kiss filled with a scorching passion that was a seal of ownership.
"Fuck me, please," Jonah begged.
"You don't have to beg for it." Kijani's cock replaced his fingers, sinking into Jonah's ass, stretching him to the limits. He ran his hands over inked muscles that flexed as Kijani lapped at his throat, jaw, and collarbone, turning Jonah into his licking toy.
That was fine by him. The hairs of Kijani's beard only heightened everything, scraping and brushing a whisker-burned path across Jonah's skin.
The man could lap him right into heaven.
He dug his fingers into Kijani's shoulder blades as the man took him higher, his powerful thrusts an earthquake shaking Jonah to his core. Kijani was watching him, those drugging eyes hot and possessive, leaving no room for doubt as to whom Jonah belonged to.
Not to Flint.
Not to Arlo.
Not to any lover in his past.
But to a beautiful, wild wolf that was a force of nature, both fierce and surprisingly gentle.
And at the moment, savage.
His thrusting had grown even more demanding, making Jonah writhe beneath him, mewling, scorched by every move of Kijani's body.
It was too much but not enough.
Jonah never wanted this to end, even as he detonated, his guttural cries so loud the sound might have reached halfway down the block.
"Mine!" Kijani snarled, his sharp canines piercing Jonah's soft flesh, sweeping Jonah into a powerful riptide as his orgasm intensified.
Jonah gasped when his heart felt as if it stalled, only to restart with an even stronger beat.
Kijani pulled his canines free and lapped at Jonah's shoulder, turning him back into the man's licking toy. He buried his cock deep, his seed spilling inside Jonah with a deep, salacious groan.
Jonah had given his absolute trust to Kijani, something he'd never given to anyone before. His uncertainty and hesitation had vanished. His happiness was overflowing.
"Your teeth." Kijani looked shockingly at Jonah.
Oh fuck! Jonah slapped his hand over his mouth and shoved at Kijani, trying to escape, his secret now exposed.