Chapter Sixteen
Malone
By the time we arrived at Rig’s house, the events of the night had descended on me, and I was a quivering mess.
“Come inside and we’ll get you warm.” He came over to open my door since I was making no move to do so myself.
“Oh, look at that.” Rig put his arm around my shoulders and turned me to face the other way.
The sun was rising, making the sky look like a watercolor masterpiece of lavender and rose pink.
“So beautiful,” I said, letting the morning claim some of my worry and fear. I was here now, with Rig, and he would never let anything happen to me.
But when I looked over, he was not looking at the stunning sunrise. His eyes were on me. “Inside with you, omega. Tea and breakfast and a movie to take our minds off everything.”
It was the second time that night or morning he had called me omega. I loved it when he called me by my name, but there was something about an alpha calling you omega that caused all kinds of reactions in my body.
Something had changed between us. Strangers to partners in solving this crime and now, the gentle whispers of something more.
I wanted him. More than I’d wanted anyone in a long time. To learn everything about him. Have him whisper all the secrets he told no one. Wake up to the dimples in his chin and make it my sacred duty to make them appear as much as possible.
“That sounds amazing. Thank you.”
That stopped him in his tracks. “No need to thank me.”
There were about a million reasons for gratitude, but I would figure out a way somehow.
Once inside, he made us a simple breakfast of avocado toast and two cups of tea. Chamomile. Rig said we could both use the calm after the wild night.
I was hoping to have an even wilder night tonight. With him.
“How about that one? I watch a lot of shifter movies but I haven’t seen that one. It’s new.” I pointed to the movie on the screen.
Rig turned to me, paler than I’d ever seen him. Mouth open wide.
“What?” I asked.
“You like shifter movies?”
“Yes? Don’t you?”
His gaze bounced to the screen and then back to me. “Yes, but I like them because I think it’s funny they get a lot of things wrong.”
“Oh?” I laughed. “And you’re an expert?” It felt good to joke and flirt with him. No talk about stalkers or online predators and the what-ifs for once.
“I’m not an expert, but I am a shifter.”
I stilled but in a shocked way. The admission from Rig didn’t scare me. I was surprised. “You are?”
“You’re not running for your life.”
“Should I?” I scooted closer. This was a special moment. Rig didn’t share personal information with just anyone.
He let out a laugh. “No. You’ll never be in danger from me, but also my shifter animal is…”
“Is what?” I sat up straighter, excited about what he was. A bear? A lion? A panther? Something big and fierce and mean, maybe?
“Small. Cute? A house pet for some.”
Okay, not a bear.
The next words tumbled out of my mouth before I could think twice or better of them. “Can you show me?”
“You’ve seen him before, actually. But I’m no raccoon, Malone.”
I gasped. Was he kidding me? “That was you? By the alley? Then you… I thought I was crazy. Wait, not a raccoon?”
Rig leaned forward and kissed my forehead while chuckling. I moaned at the small amount of contact. “You are so responsive to touch, baby. How long has it been since someone took care of you?” He cupped my face and pressed a long kiss to my lips. “You seem…”
“What?” I breathed.
“Touch starved. Eager. Needy.” He kissed me again. “So damned needy.”
I was. My body swayed into the contact, wishing for more. Whatever he would give me.
But I pulled back. “Are you changing the subject? I want to see this raccoon.”
Rig snorted, shaking his head. “Okay, okay. But not raccoon. Ferret. I’m a ferret shifter.”
While I watched with rapt attention, Rig stood and removed his clothes, winking at me before he took off his boxers. His body was firm and taut in all the right places, and I hungered to feel his skin next to mine.
I looked between his legs and licked my lips. The man was well-endowed. But I only got a glance before his shape shifted, and where once stood a man, a tiny ferret bounced in place.
“Hey!” I slipped down from the sofa and onto the floor. “Look at you. We’ve met before, haven’t we, cutie pie?”
The ferret was shy at first but then ran into my arms and burrowed his head in, getting comfortable.
His fur was soft and warm, and he looked up at me with those eyes, instantly melting my heart.
“I know nothing about ferrets, Rig. You’ll have to teach me.
” I petted his fur, and the little guy purred under my caresses.
“While you’re in this form and there’s less brooding and grumpiness, I wanted to thank you.
You’ve done so much for me already, and tonight you probably saved my life.
I might not be able to ever repay you, but I appreciate all of this. ”
Rig stayed like that for a few moments, cuddling, almost falling asleep, but then he skittered off my lap and shifted back to human form.
“There’s one more thing I have to tell you,” he said, sitting on the floor beside me. Still naked.
“What?”
“Shifters have mates. Lifelong mates. Fated to be together forever, and you’re mine. I know that’s a lot and if you need time to think about…”
I tackled him. Threw myself at his body and kissed the life out of him. “I don’t need time, alpha. I need you.”
“You understand what this means, right? Once I mate and mark you, there’s no going back for me. This isn’t marriage where you can get a divorce, Malone. And I don’t want you making a decision because you’re scared and I can help you. I’ll protect you, no matter what.”
“I want you to mate me and mark me because I’ve been falling for you since you first invited me to your house. Grumpy and all. I don’t want you to wait. I know you’ll take care of me.” I grabbed his hand and moved it over my groin. “Please, alpha. I need you to take care of me.”
A devilish gleam shimmered in his eyes. “I was hoping you’d say that.”