by Lynn Hagen
The guy’s eyes narrowed. “I just told you he shot my friend.”
“No.” Kenny shook his head. “You just accused me of shooting your friend. I don’t even own a gun, let alone know how to use one. Besides, how can you mistake me for Brad? He’s twice my size.” Kenny wasn’t a snitch, but if he was about to be arrested for those crimes, he was gonna sing like a canary. “But Brad owns a few weapons.”
And Kenny was pretty sure none of them were legally registered.
“Release him to me until you get this settled,” Raven said. “I’ll make sure Kenny doesn’t skip town.”
Raven had said it with humor in his tone, as if the idea of Kenny running was laughable. The guy didn’t know that it could be a possibility if the sheriff didn’t believe him.
Hell, a real possibility if Kenny was going down for crimes he hadn’t committed.
“I swear he’s a good kid,” Raven said. “A little lost, but harmless.”
Kenny wished Raven would shut up. He wasn’t lost, or a scatterbrain, or any of the names Raven called him. Kenny just hated his job and didn’t put any real effort into it.
“If you’re lying to me,” Sheriff Copache snarled, “I’ll hunt you down and make you wish you were never born.”
Was a sheriff supposed to threaten people? Kenny wasn’t sure but was glad when the guy let him go.
“Let me see your face,” Raven said.
“I’m fine.” Kenny glared at Shrimp because he was too afraid to give Sheriff Copache the stink eye. “You better pray my nose isn’t broken.”
“You better pray you’re telling the truth,” Shrimp countered. “I know a guy who knows a guy.”
“Calm down, Jeremy,” the sheriff said. “If Raven vouches for him, then the least I can do is check this out. You better get back to the diner before…too late.”
Kenny looked toward the street. A black Charger zoomed up to them and came to a screeching stop. The driver got out and slammed his car door.
“Have you lost your fucking mind?” he shouted. “What the fuck are you doing running from the diner with Grayson?”
“He thought he spotted the guy from this morning, Cyril,” Sheriff Copache said.
“And you decided to run after him?” Cyril looked as though he was about to blow his gasket. He also looked familiar. Kenny had eaten at the diner a few times and recognized Cyril from there.
Kenny might be pissed about the mistaken identity, but he was enjoying the little show. Well, not really enjoying it, but at least the focus was no longer on him.
“There was no time,” Jeremy argued. “I had to act fast.”
“Act your ass into this car right now, mister,” Cyril demanded.
“What about Grayson?” Jeremy asked. “He ran out, too.”
“Don’t put me in this,” Grayson said. “It’s my job to chase down bad guys.”
“Right now.” Cyril glared at Jeremy.
In truth, Kenny kind of felt sorry for Shrimp. Cyril looked mad enough to chew nails, but he also looked downright worried.
“Is that him?” Cyril focus turned to Kenny.
Kenny shrank back behind Raven.
“Mistaken identity,” Raven said. He turned to Kenny. “Go inside and clean up.”
“And miss this?” Kenny asked.
“Crazy, right?” Raven grinned.
“Insane is more like it,” Kenny said. “My morning went from bad to downright ludicrous. I didn’t try to rob anything, and I sure didn’t shoot anyone.”
“I believe you,” Raven said. “But until Brad is caught, you’re not staying at your house.”
Anyone who didn’t know better might think that Raven cared about Kenny. It wasn’t even like that. Raven just wanted to make sure nothing happened to his only employee, who he worked to death and paid very little.
“And where do you propose I stay?”
Raven shrugged. “Don’t you have some relatives around here?”
“I can’t believe I’ve worked for you for a year and you know so little about me.”
Kenny was so over this day. He stormed into the station to clean himself up and get his work done, praying a meteor didn’t fall out of the sky and strike him down.
Chapter Nine
Cyril was still seven kinds of pissed by the time they made it back to his house. He hadn’t even thought of taking Jeremy home. Still, the car ride had been silent as Cyril tried to bring his anger under control. Worse, he’d had to shut everything down and shoo the customers out so he could chase after Jeremy.
Cyril grimaced at the mess he would have to clean up when he returned. And every customer in the joint had gotten a free meal because Cyril hadn’t wanted to take the time at the register.
Although Heather and Fred had been happy to leave early. Cyril really did need to fire them.
“I said I wanted you to drive me to my home,” Jeremy said when Cyril made the turn toward his house. “Haven’t you been listening to me?”
In truth, Cyril had been zoned out. “We’re already heading my way.”
“And you can turn this car around.” Jeremy folded his arms over his chest. “I’m not going to your place while you’re pissed at me. Why would I punish myself like that?”
“Punish?” Cyril said incredulously. “Consider yourself lucky I don’t bend you over my damn knee. What if that turned out to be our guy from this morning? What if he’d shot you this time? Do you know the panic I felt when Heather told me that you and Grayson had taken off after you’d shouted that’s him? I’m not an idiot. I know who you were talking about, and without any regard to your safety, you chased him down.”
Cyril took a deep breath. He was more worried than angry. All he kept thinking about while driving the streets to find his mate was what could happen to Jeremy. He’d just found his mate, and Cyril would be damned if Jeremy put himself in harm’s way.
“I wasn’t thinking, okay?” Jeremy looked out the passenger window. “And I don’t like confrontation. So take me home, please.”
“I have to let the dogs out first, and then I’ll take you home.” But not if he could talk Jeremy into staying. Cyril didn’t want to let the man out of his sight.
He might be rejoicing that he’d found his mate, but the past three days hadn’t been easy on either of them. He also didn’t want Jeremy to go home and drink. His mate still hadn’t processed what had happened this morning, and Cyril didn’t want him processing it through a bottle of booze.
Or to sit in his home that was still filled with Lily’s memory and become morose. Cyril had to figure out a way to get Jeremy to move in with him. But that wouldn’t be easy, because Jeremy wouldn’t want to part with a house he’d shared with his wife.
Cyril was trying his best to be understanding, and he was to a certain extent. He didn’t blame Jeremy for mourning her passing, and they’d known each other for only three days.
But it was hard trying to make something work when Cyril felt as though he was competing with a ghost.
They pulled into the driveway, and Cyril got out. He went to the sunroom and let Samson and Davidson out, but instead of running with them, he took a seat in one of the wicker chairs, wondering what he would do with Jeremy.
His mate had been right. Jeremy sucked at making his own decisions.
Jeremy came around the corner, his hands stuffed into the pockets of his pants. He stared off into the distance as the dogs handled their business and then chased each other through the field.
Cyril hated the strain between them. He also wasn’t one to tiptoe around a problem. He got up from his chair and moved in behind Jeremy, curling his arms around his mate.
Jeremy’s hands pressed against Cyril’s, and Cyril took that as a good sign. “We shouldn’t argue.”
Jeremy leaned against his chest. “I told you I don’t like confrontation. I’m surprised I didn’t shut down.” He tilted his head to the side until they were staring at each other. “I don’t know what came over me today. I just tho
ught I saw the bad guy and wanted justice for Moose. I guess I wasn’t thinking.” The side of Jeremy’s mouth curved into a smile. “That’s the first time I’ve done something like that, acting brave when I really wasn’t. Unless you count when I confronted Alan, but that was more me trying to get him out of the diner than being a badass.”
“You were a total badass today.”
“Yeah?” Jeremy’s smile widened.
“Yeah, and don’t do it again. You scared a hundred years off my life.” And only now was Cyril calming down. But he’d been feeling the rush of anxiety since that moron had come into his diner with a gun. Not because he couldn’t have beaten the holy hell out of the stranger but because he had feared for Jeremy’s life.
And then his mate had to go and take off, disregarding his own safety.
“I’m sorry for worrying you.” Jeremy turned in Cyril’s arms.
“You’re forgiven.” Cyril smiled before he tilted his head downward and captured Jeremy’s warm lips. When his mate moaned, Cyril deepened the kiss, pulling Jeremy even closer.
Every time Cyril kissed him, it was an explosion of emotions that rioted through him. My heart became lighter, and time seemed to stand still, waiting for them to breathe again.
Cyril slid his hand down Jeremy’s side, resting it on his hip and curling his finger into one of the loops on Jeremy’s pants. He loved touching his mate, feeling connected to him. The kiss was slow, exploring, and Cyril would never get enough of tasting Jeremy.
He still smelled like a field of roses, and Cyril’s panther purred at the scent as Cyril swept his tongue through Jeremy’s mouth, drinking his mate in.
Hot pleasure started at Cyril’s toes and worked its way through his entire body, hardening his cock and making his body buzz with need. Somewhere in the past three days, Cyril had fallen in love with his sprite. His heart now belonged to Jeremy, and that worried Cyril since he had no clue where Jeremy’s head was.
Jeremy wanted to go home tonight, and if he really pressed the subject, Cyril would take him. Although he didn’t want Jeremy to leave his side, if the guy needed space, Cyril would give it to him, give Jeremy a chance to miss him and realize what he had right in front of him.
Or his plan could backfire and Jeremy would sink into a deep depression and drink himself into a blackout.
Samson and Davidson ran over to them. Reluctantly, Cyril stepped back so he could let the dogs inside. But he had Jeremy’s hand in his and tugged his mate along. Cyril wasn’t going to let him stay outside this time until the sun set and the bugs came out.
Jeremy came willingly.
They picked up where they’d left off when they reached the living room. Between their tongues tangling and nibbling on lips, Cyril unbuttoned his shirt and tossed it aside.
Jeremy yanked his own over his head and let it fall to the floor. He brought his hands to Cyril’s chest, smoothing them over his heated skin, tweaking his nipples, and eliciting a moan out of Cyril.
“I love your chest hair,” Jeremy said into Cyril’s mouth. “It’s so soft.”
Jeremy moved his hands upward and pulled the small rubber band from Cyril’s beard then loosened the braid. It didn’t matter where or how Jeremy touched him, every stroke of his fingers sent shivers through Cyril.
As Jeremy combed his fingers through Cyril’s beard, brushed his palms over Cyril’s chest, and used the pads of his fingers to tease Cyril’s nipples, a purr rumbled through him. Jeremy had no fucking idea what he meant to Cyril.
No idea at all.
The depths of his love for his mate transcended time, and there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for his sprite.
Cyril lowered himself to his knees and removed Jeremy’s shoes and socks, setting them aside. When he reached to unfasten Jeremy’s pants, his mate inhaled quickly as his body trembled.
He looked up at his mate as he lowered Jeremy’s pants and underwear, taking them down to his knees.
Jeremy’s cock sprang free, hard and aching, with dots of pre-cum glistening from the slit. Cyril smirked before he took the head into his mouth, lashing his tongue over the head as Jeremy’s eyes closed and he hissed and moaned.
As Cyril worked Jeremy’s cock down his throat, he worked his mate’s clothes the rest of the way off. He turned Jeremy, pulled his mouth away, then gently shoved Jeremy to the couch cushions.
His mate laughed as he grabbed the arm for purchase. But Cyril was far from done with him. He spread Jeremy’s legs, cupped his balls, then took his shaft back into his mouth.
Jeremy’s laughter died as moans escaped. Cyril ate the pleasurable sounds up. Now that was how his mate should sound all the time. No drinking, no moping, and definitely no fear. Laughs and sensual moans were all Cyril wanted to hear from Jeremy.
Cyril tugged at the hairy sac then massaged it in the palm of his hand as he licked his way back up Jeremy’s cock. His mate wiggled his ass and spread his legs farther apart.
He kept trying to toss his leg over the back of the couch, but his leg continually slid back down.
So Cyril scooted Jeremy until his mate’s ass was on the end of the cushion and his back was pressed into the back of the couch.
“Now my neck is straining,” Jeremy panted.
Cyril rose to his feet and kicked his shoes off. He yanked his pants and underwear down then off before he sat and peeled his socks free. “That’s all right. I’m about to bend you over the arm.”
Heat infused Jeremy’s green eyes. He licked his lips and jumped up from the couch, hurrying down the hall. When he returned, he had a bottle of lube in his hand. He handed it over to Cyril before climbing onto Cyril’s lap.
“How about this position instead?”
“You know how to live dangerously.” Cyril winced at his own words. Jeremy had lived too dangerously today, but Jeremy snickered, and everything else faded to the back of Cyril’s mind.
“I have my moments of being a rebel.” He leaned forward, slid his arms around Cyril’s neck, and once again, they were groaning into each other’s mouths.
Cyril slicked his fingers and probed at Jeremy’s hole, his heart racing as he slid two digits into his mate’s ass.
Jeremy hissed, biting Cyril’s bottom lip as Cyril stretched him. His own cock was hard and needy and resting just under Jeremy’s ass.
No longer able to stand the need coursing through him, Cyril pulled his fingers free, lined his cock up, and let Jeremy slowly sink on his shaft.
“You’re right. I like this position a lot better,” Cyril said as Jeremy bounced up and down while holding on to Cyril’s shoulders. He drove his hips upward, matching his mate’s rhythm.
Cyril tilted his head to the side as Jeremy pressed kisses along his neck. He even hissed when his mate sank his blunt teeth into Cyril’s shoulder. Jeremy hadn’t broken skin, but the sensation still turned him on.
A purr rumbled through him as his buildup came quickly. He curled his arm around Jeremy, pulled his shoulder close, and sank his canines into his soft skin.
Jeremy cried out, his cock erupting between them as his hole pulsed. Cyril was right there, his orgasm sweeping him away as he pulled his teeth free and licked the wound.
“Move in with me,” Cyril said between pants.
Jeremy rested his head on Cyril’s shoulder but didn’t answer him.
“The offer is there whenever you decided to make that move.” Cyril kissed his temple. He entwined their fingers and stared down at the wedding band on Jeremy’s finger.
The offer would always be there, but would Jeremy ever let go of his past and grab onto what they had? Would he allow their relationship to blossom to its full potential?
Cyril caressed Jeremy’s back, resting his head against his mate’s, while hoping, one day, Jeremy learned to let Lily go.
* * * *
After Cyril dropped Jeremy off, Jeremy felt restless. He wanted to apologize to Kenny for earlier. After cleaning out Lady’s litter box and refilling her bowls and giving her a go
od ten minutes of scratching, he got into his sedan and drove to the garage.
Jeremy didn’t think it would still be open but was glad he spotted Raven standing outside talking with some guy. It was after ten at night, and hoping someone was there had been a longshot that paid off.
After parking at the curb, Jeremy got out and headed toward the men.
“Come to accuse me of something heinous?” Raven had a smile on his face. “Or is your car acting up?”
Jeremy had no idea who the other guy was. “I came to talk to Kenny.”
Raven smile slipped into a glower. “You’re too late. Kenny quit.”
“He did what?” Jeremy hoped it wasn’t because of earlier. He truly believed Kenny was telling the truth, and Jeremy wanted to apologize. “Do you know where I can find him?”
“Not at his house,” Raven said. “I told him to steer clear of his place until Brad is caught.”
Drat. Jeremy had no idea where to find Kenny. Even if Raven had said Kenny had gone home, it wasn’t as if Jeremy had the man’s address.
“Okay, thanks.” Jeremy got into his car and headed down the street, keeping his eye out for not only Kenny but for Brad and Alan, too. Not that he’d gotten a good look at Brad’s face. It had been covered mostly by the hoodie.
Jeremy had passed the diner, heading toward his place, when he spotted Kenny hurrying down the street, his hands shoved into the pockets of his jeans. He was no longer wearing the leather jacket.
Pulling to the curb, Jeremy honked his horn before he got out. Kenny rolled his eyes. “Not you again. Haven’t you harassed me enough already?”
Jeremy grimaced. Kenny’s nose was starting to bruise, and it was slightly swollen. Grayson had done a number on it. The guy needed to put some ice on it, but maybe it was too late. Jeremy wasn’t sure since he’d never had a bruised nose before.
“I just wanted to talk to you.” Jeremy stepped onto the sidewalk. “I wanted to apologize for earlier. I jumped the gun when I saw the leather jacket and reacted before finding out the facts.”
Kenny touched his nose and winced. “Well, now I have no place to stay because you forced a confession out of me, although it wasn’t the confession you wanted. Brad is going to murder me if he finds out I ratted on him, and he’ll find out.”
