Chapter 9
NINE
Nori
I’m not sure how to describe how I feel when I first wake up. I’m hot and achy, but it doesn’t feel like I’m coming down with some illness. My body doesn’t feel run down. It’s actually the opposite. I’m energized and more aware of things than usual. The cool, crisp air on my heated skin has goosebumps popping up all over me, and I shiver slightly as I watch Tucker head outside.
I hate to see him go. I mean, I kind of always do, but today it’s so much worse. I need him close to me. I need to be around him.
I remember him telling me about the mating heat, and it takes me a second to realize that this must be what I’m feeling. Tucker wasn’t sure if I would be able to feel it, but I can and it’s powerful.
“How are you feeling?” Crew asks me as he unlocks my cell.
“Fine,” I tell him, my eyes straying towards the front door that Tucker just left out of.
I can feel Crew studying me, but I can’t seem to pull my eyes away from where Tucker just left.
Get it together! I chide myself as I tear my eyes off of the front door, duck my head, and hurry towards the bathroom.
I try to get my head on straight as I go to the bathroom and wash my hands, but it’s no use. I can’t stop thinking about Tucker.
The day doesn’t get much better either. If anything, as the sun starts to set, my feelings just intensify.
“What did you want for dinner?” Tucker asks me, his voice low and filled with heat.
My nipples tighten in my bra, and I practically pant as I look at his handsome face.
“Um…” I try to think about food and not climbing the sheriff like he’s a tree. “Maybe some pasta?”
“Sure.”
His eyes look like they’re glowing as he stares at me, neither one of us moving. That’s pretty much how today has gone. Whenever we’re alone, there’s this intense energy passing between us. It’s like we’re two magnets being drawn together.
We’ve spent the day talking, but there’s always been this tension between us. The last few days, it was easy being with him and chatting. Today, I can barely seem to concentrate on what he’s saying. All I can think about is him kissing me.
My eyes drop to his lips, and Tucker growls low in warning. My lips part, and I pant, my body flushing with want.
Crew comes in then, and we both look away and toward him.
“Whoa,” he says, looking shocked as he glances between us. “Everyone okay in here.”
“Uh-huh,” I say, my voice sounding breathy and sexual.
“I’m going to go,” Crew says, backing slowly out of the station.
“Good,” Tucker growls.
Once we’re alone again, his eyes find mine again. I know that he’s waiting for me to make a decision on whether I’m going to be his or not. I was still undecided, but leaning towards yes last night, but today, well, today, all I can think about is being his.
I want to ask him to bite me and fuck me, but part of my head is still wondering if this is all too fast.
“What kind of pasta?” He asks, and I blink out of my thoughts.
“Alfredo.”
He nods and turns stiffly to leave.
You’d think that it would be easier without him here, but as soon as he’s gone, I’m pacing my cell like a caged animal, waiting for him to come back. I start to feel anxious and even a little sick as I wait for him to return. I can’t help but wonder if he feels the same way right now.
I should have told him to forget the food, I think as I make another circle around my cell. I’m not even that hungry.
I don’t know how long he’s gone for, but by the time that the door swings open, it’s dark outside, and I feel like I’m burning up.
My eyes lock with his as soon as he steps inside, and he looks absolutely feral as he stalks towards me.
“Nori,” he groans, dropping the food on his desk.
“Yes,” I moan, and I see his eyes darken.
He grits his teeth, a muscle in his jaw popping as he holds himself back.
“I need to know,” he says quietly, and I swallow hard.
This is it. What am I going to choose?
I think back to how we met, to him arresting me and locking me up in this cell. I think about how crazy this all has been.
Then I think about how kind he’s been to me, how generous and loving and sweet. I think about my feelings and reactions to him.
I would have never thought that I would fall in love with someone that I had only known for a few days, someone who arrested me, but that’s exactly what happened. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. I believe him that we’re fated to be together because he’s the only man that I’ve ever wanted. The only one that has ever made me feel this way.
“I’m yours,” I tell him softly, and relief flashes over his face.
“Damn right you are, mate,” he says as he grabs his keys and unlocks my cell.
He slides the metal door open, and I lunge for him. He catches me easily and I marvel at how right it feels to be in his arms, to feel his strong body against mine.
“I want you,” I moan, and he nods.
“You have me,” he promises.
Then his lips are on mine, and all is right in my world.