by Moxie North
“I’m not an animal. I’m a Cassie, and bears are big furballs,” she teased.
“You are just asking for it, aren’t you?” His voice was low.
“Oh yeah, I’m totally asking for it,” she said, a glint in her eye that Brooke could even see from where she was sitting. There was a secret game going on that was definitely private and none of her business.
“So, Brooke, has Cassie offered you anything other than sugar since you got here?” Cash asked, turning his attention from his mate.
“Uh, no. I’m fine, though,” she said lamely.
“I’ll re-heat the stroganoff I made last night. Cassie, you can’t just eat crap all day. Occasionally something with nutritional value must enter your body,” Cash chided.
Cassie looked at Brooke and held up her hand flapping her fingers together like she was mocking what he was saying. That earned her another kiss, and this time she did start to bat at him.
“Stop, go heat something. Be useful,” she said, pushing at his shoulders.
Cash smiled at Brooke and strode into the kitchen. “Do you need any help?” Brooke asked.
“No, I got this,” Cash called back.
“Don’t worry, he can actually cook – like, real food. I’ve even seen him use the oven for something other than frozen pizza. Apparently you can put raw food in there, and it comes out edible. Crazy, I know,” Cassie said with a laugh.
Cash brought back plates a little while later, and they all sat on the couch eating. Brooke was taken aback at the differences between the two people. They were sitting side by side, touching as much as two people could while still balancing their plates.
Cash’s eyes barely left Cassie the whole time. Even when he was eating, he was watching her. Sometimes he seemed to be admiring her. Others he appeared to be counting how many bites she was taking. Then Brooke could see him glancing around his mate to see if she needed anything or could be more comfortable. It was astonishing to watch.
This giant of a man was head over heels in love with his purple-haired pixie. Brooke had to wonder if that was something she could have. Was Cassie right that she was going to say yes, and that Tanner was going to make her as happy and content as Cassie seemed?
Part of her said she already knew that was possible. The other half reminded her that nothing was for certain. Things changed in the blink of an eye. Cassie had told her about her accident while they talked. She was lucky to be alive. She’d almost died. She would have missed out on the amazing love that Cash offered her. And clearly despite her blustering, Cassie was in so deep with Cash her love shone out of her like a spotlight. They were lucky.
Chapter 35
Tanner had a busy day catching up on paperwork after all the time he’d spent with Brooke. You would think that nothing too exciting could have happened, but it seemed that Apex was a happening place. There was a bad accident just outside of town as soon as he’d gotten to work. He’d spent hours at the scene getting the drivers to the hospital and the cars cleared.
He did manage another call to Detective Buchannan. The news wasn’t good. It seemed the word on the street was that the mob guys were still looking for Brooke, and now the Sick Devils were looking for the mob guys. The last thing Tanner needed was for their gang war to hit his little town.
Tanner managed to resist the urge to check in on Brooke. What the girls didn’t know was that Cash had texted him when he came home after lunch, letting him know that she was fine.
Knowing Cash was home allowed Tanner to focus on work. He had one of his deputies run over to the motel and check on Brooke’s car. It was still sitting there, and Betty confirmed no one had asked about her.
Tanner wasn’t about to let his guard down. He called over to Cage and gave him an update. He called his parents and updated them too. Checking off his to-do list, Tanner made a stop at the grocery store and picked up supplies to make Brooke dinner before getting her from Cash’s.
He wasn’t surprised as a laughing Brooke was hugging tiny Cassie before she left. The girls had managed to become fast friends in the course of a few hours. Tanner knew introducing her to Cassie was a good plan. If Cassie could adjust to shifter life, then hopefully Brooke could see that she could too.
Tucking her into the passenger side, Tanner hopped in and started the engine. Giving his horn a honk and waving at Cash, he didn’t miss Cash picking Cassie up and throwing her over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry before walking inside.
Brooke didn’t miss it either because she had a huge grin on her face.
“Have a nice time?” Tanner asked.
“Yes, thank you. Cassie is someone you really have to experience. Explaining her to someone really doesn’t cover it,” Brooke said wisely.
“No, that one is a force unto herself,” Tanner agreed.
“So any news on my case?” Brooke asked. She really didn’t think of it as her case, but she was tired of calling it her problem.
“Sort of. It seems now the Sick Devils are looking for the Valentino brothers. I don’t know if this is in California or if the Devils are on the trail of the hit man, who may or may not be on your trail,” Tanner said with an exasperated sigh.
Brooke didn’t know if she should say she was sorry, or she should say she’d told him so. She knew he wasn’t frustrated with her - he was clearly frustrated that there were still too many unknowns. They were in limbo.
“So what’s the plan for tonight?” Brooke asked, deciding to change the topic.
“Dinner, talking, maybe some music, then bed,” Tanner said, like it was a normal night for them.
“Who’s cooking?” Brooke asked. Cash’s stroganoff was incredible, and she liked the idea of a man with culinary capabilities.
“I am. I picked up some steak and potatoes for dinner. I have stuff for salads, and I got a tub of vanilla ice cream for dessert,” he said as he drove them down the long dirt road that led from Cash’s place.
“Vanilla ice cream. Tasty, but not very exciting,” she remarked. Actually vanilla was her favorite but she wasn’t going to share that. Most people thought that made her boring. She figured she just appreciated the simple things.
“Well, that depends.” Tanner glanced over at her.
“On what?” she asked.
“Whether we use bowls or not.” His hot glance that traveled over her like he was touching not just looking.
Wow, these boys did not mess around. It seemed Cassie was right. They didn’t like being apart and only had sex on the mind when they finally got you back. This was not a terrible thing.
“Hmm, I’m thinking no bowls – fewer dishes,” Brooke murmured.
“You realize it’s twenty minutes before we get back home. You gonna tease me the entire ride?” Tanner growled.
Brooke pretended to think about it for a moment. “Yes, I am,” she said boldly. Sliding a finger into her mouth, she made sure he had time to see her suck on it, before letting it travel down the front of her and slide into her jeans.
“Fuck me,” Tanner groaned.
“Not yet,” she said wickedly.
Brooke let her slick finger find her clit, and she started a slow swirl over it. Reaching her other hand down, she found the release lever on the seat and let it fall back a bit so she could stretch out underneath the seatbelt.
She found a good spot and gasped, her eyes still on Tanner as he drove. His hands were white-knuckled, gripping the steering wheel. “You are being mean,” Tanner hissed.
“No, I’m just giving you a pre-dinner show. If you are cooking, then I can be the entertainment,” she said saucily. She continued to work over her clit, feeling the slickness between her legs as her orgasm built. “Sheriff, I’m so wet and hot. Seems a shame to waste it,” she said to torment him. Brooke slid a finger into herself and used the heel of her hand to rub over her clit.
Working her hand in and out, she couldn’t keep the moans in any longer. She was bucking in her seat, keeping her eyes on Tanner, who was watching out
of the corner of his eye. Brooke didn’t know why he wasn’t just pulling over to join her. She was feeling naughty and decadent fingering herself in his police car.
There had to be some kind of regulation forbidding orgasms in police vehicles, but she was about to break that rule, big time.
Brooke couldn’t help but gasp his name. “Tanner!” She moaned, deep and low, as the wave of pleasure crested and crashed over her. It wasn’t as satisfying as the orgasms he gave her, but it was still good.
As she came down, she could see Tanner’s nostrils flaring, and the bulge in his pants was painfully obvious. She wondered if he’d be up for a little DWGBJ. Driving while getting a blow job. Before she could ask, the car came to a screeching halt.
She hadn’t realized that during her little self-indulgence Tanner had picked up speed. She also hadn’t realized he’d turned on his flashing lights so he could speed through town to pull into his driveway in record time.
Chapter 36
Jumping out of the SUV, he opened the door behind his seat and grabbed something. Before Brooke could even right her clothing, her door was thrown open. Unbuckling her seatbelt, Tanner grabbed her hand and dragged her into his kitchen.
The bag from the car was tossed on the counter; the door slammed behind them. Brooke was about to say something, but a hand at the center of her back pushed her down over the kitchen table.
Tanner didn’t say anything as he reached around her and unsnapped her jeans. Pulling them down her hips, Brooke had just a second to be thrilled by the prospect of what was to come when she felt the hard tip of him pushing through her wetness.
“That was not very nice, Brooke,” he said, sinking into her.
Brooke moaned and reached her hands to the edge of the table. “I’m sooo not sorry,” she moaned.
Tanner pulled back and thrust forward into her. “If that was the pre-dinner entertainment, this is the appetizer,” he said. Tanner proceeded to fuck her senseless in the kitchen until she came again, screaming and slapping the table.
Bending over her, Tanner filled her with his seed, his cock throbbing inside her as he fought the urge to bite and seal her to him. When his cock was finally empty, he leaned over her, propping his elbows on the table near her head. He placed a wet kiss on her neck.
“You okay?” he asked. He was a little rough. He should have had better control, but driving and smelling her sweet pussy as she’d finger-fucked herself almost drove him mad. All he could think of was how fast he could get his dick in her. He’d even broken his own rules about the improper use of police equipment. He didn’t give a shit. No one would call him on it, but it definitely showed a lack of control.
“I’m fantastic, Sheriff.” She giggled against the table.
Tanner reached back and slapped her ass leaving a handprint in his wake. “That was for being naughty and distracting me while driving.” He gave her ass another crack which she returned with a luscious moan. “That was for distracting me, so I didn’t have time to put the ice cream in the freezer.”
“Hmm, if that’s what I get for being naughty, you can expect to be busy in the future, Sheriff,” Brooke said looking over her shoulder at him.
“Fucking hell,” Tanner moaned and let his head fall to her back. This woman was perfect for him. He wasn’t into anything crazy, but he was a fan of watching her ass jiggle when he spanked it. By her response, he imagined she wouldn’t be too put out if he wanted to play a little more seriously. But that was for later, after she’d agreed to bond with him.
Sliding back and pulling out of her, Tanner loved knowing he left part of himself inside her again. He didn’t think she could get pregnant yet, but it was still a thought in the back of his mind.
Helping her stand up, Tanner adjusted her clothing and gave her a deep kiss. “Time for dinner,” he said, turning back to the counter. He found the ice cream and put it in the freezer. He pulled out the steaks and got them marinating. The potatoes went into the oven and then he grabbed two beers out of the fridge, offering one to Brooke. She happily accepted, and Tanner led her out to the front porch.
Brooke took in the warm afternoon, his yard a perfectly manicured suburban garden. Looking around the porch, there were potted plants, and a long bench ran along the wall under the front window where just the night before had sat a bear.
The other side of the deck closest to the front door was a white wood porch swing suspended from the ceiling. Pulling her hand, Tanner led her over to the swing.
“Will that hold us?” she said looking at the somewhat skimpy chains holding it to the roof.
“Let me put it this way. One night some of the cousins met over here for poker night. Cash had one too many beers, which for him is just shy of a keg, and he passed out on this swing. He slept here all night, and it stayed attached.”
“So what you are saying is he probably damaged it structurally, and now it is a ticking time bomb waiting to dump my ass on the ground?” Brooke looked at him skeptically.
“No, I’m saying it’s fine, trust me,” Tanner said, sitting first to show her it was stable. He pulled her hand until she was sitting next to him, her legs resting over his as he pushed off with his feet, setting them into gentle motion.
Brooke watched and waited for any creaking or groaning to start so she could jump off but eventually she was lulled into the movement of the swing. Tanner was running his hands up and down her legs, in a slow petting motion. This wasn’t bad at all.
“How was your day, dear?” she asked once her relaxation had hit its peak.
Tanner laughed. “It was typical. Nothing too exciting, just an average day in Apex.”
“That’s good. I’d hate to think you were in danger while you are at work,” Brooke said and realized that was a much bigger worry for her than Tanner being a bear. Police work was inherently dangerous. Cassie told her shifters healed quickly, but they could still die.
“My job normally isn’t dangerous. I’m careful and do my best to prevent encounters that could turn violent. I spend most of my days defusing situations. I think that is the hardest part about being a cop. Being able to take the abuse people throw at you, because you know sometimes they just need to vent their frustrations. Often they just want to be heard,” Tanner said.
Brooke thought about that. He must have the patience of a saint. Brooke often had to send herself to timeout at work when people got on her nerves. Luckily there was a supply closet near her office that she would often go into and do a silent scream to vent her anger. She’d been caught there by the janitor once. He swore he’d never tell. But she knew that Tanner was right, sometimes people just needed their voices and opinions heard, no matter how crazy or wrong they were.
They sat for a little while longer until Tanner moved her legs off his lap and stood up. “Sit tight. I’ll start the steaks and come back,” he said kissing her softly.
Brooke had relaxed to the point that although she thought about offering to help she accepted his offer to stay put. She stayed happily seated swinging on the porch. Watching over the yard, Brooke took in the birds and butterflies making use of the flowers and trees.
It was quiet and peaceful here. There was little noise from the neighbors, an occasional car passing by. Other than that, it was practically perfect.
Chapter 37
Tanner was back and held out his hand to her. She took it, and he pulled her to her feet. He wrapped her into his arms and just held her. Brooke hugged him back, breathing him in, enjoying their quiet togetherness.
Then there was a sharp tap on her ass. “Steaks are cooking, wanna set the table?”
Brooke smiled up at him. “Of course,” she said. They walked back into the house. Tanner went out the kitchen door, and when he opened it, Brooke could smell the scent of charcoal and meat cooking.
Rifling through the cupboards, Brooke found plates and silverware. She also found napkins and started pulling out condiments from the fridge.
“Did you want a salad? I alwa
ys forget most people like something green while they eat,” Tanner said with a shudder. He wasn’t anti-veg but when you had a nice piece of steak, why bother filling your stomach with roughage?
“No, I’m good. My day is pretty much shot after spending time with Cassie. I should probably do some kind of juice cleanse tomorrow, start fresh,” she joked.
Tanner knew what she meant. One night after dinner at Cash’s, Cassie had made brownie sundaes. Which would have been more than enough, but she put cookies, marshmallow squares and crumbled up peanut butter cups on top of the ice cream, fudge and whipped cream that was already there. It was a sugar shock that Tanner wouldn’t soon forget.
A few minutes later, they were sitting at the table enjoying perfectly cooked steaks and loaded baked potatoes. Brooke was laughing at a story that Tanner was telling about a deer that walked into the post office when she realized it – she felt like she was at home. She was comfortable in Tanner’s home. She was comfortable with him. They could talk, banter, and laugh with each other. It was effortless. The sex was out of this world, and he was so enthralled with her it wasn’t something she could ignore.
Could she just say yes? Would her parents understand if she moved? She knew her mother would be thrilled she was settling down. Her father would be sad, but he’d just want to make sure she was still focused on her chosen career. He was a firm believer that hard work brought happiness. Her mom knew that love and companionship brought happiness.
Brooke hadn’t realized that Tanner had stopped talking, so lost in her own thoughts.
She started a bit and saw his brow was furrowed, but his eyes were searching. Biting her lip, Brooke took a breath and asked, even though she knew the answer.
“Tanner, do you love me?”
A small smile pulled his mouth up. “Yes, I love you. More than I can say, Brooke.” Tanner wanted to wax on about how and why he loved her, but he could tell she needed the clarity of a simple answer right now.
