Chapter 20 Handcuffs and Collars Optional
Handcuffs and Collars Optional
In the car, Malachi winced and let out an involuntary whimper as he jumped into the back.
He turned and noticed Chuck’s forehead scrunched in concern.
Her lips were compressed into a thin line, and she shook her head.
Holding up a shaking finger, she ran to the front seat and grabbed a coat and blanket she kept in an emergency pack.
She hurried back and created a cushion for him to rest on.
With a heavy sigh, he sank onto it gratefully. Thanks, Chuck. That helps a lot.
With a silent nod, Chuck closed the compartment and scurried to the driver’s door before climbing inside. She started the vehicle, then just sat there, staring through the windshield.
Malachi gazed at the back of her head, puzzled, until he heard a small sniffle. Alarmed, he raised up slightly. Chuck? he called softly, Are you okay? What’s wrong?
Spinning to face him, a tear trailed down her cheek as her eyes trailed over him.
“What’s wrong? Malachi, you’re injured! I let you go in alone because you wanted to protect me, and you got hurt.
I should have come with you. I should have protected you!
You’re my partner, and it’s my job to keep you safe.
You were injured on my watch. Dammit… Mal…
I’m so sorry.” Another sniffle and deep breath as she tried to hold back the tears.
She’s crying over me? Because I got hurt?
Malachi thought with wonder. No one had ever cared about him like this, and he wasn’t sure what to do.
It didn’t make sense. She was a cop, part angel.
He was a demon, part incubus. They should be at war, hate each other.
But he could see fear and guilt in her aura.
Even more wondrous… were the streaks of red now flitting through her glow.
He wasn’t quite sure what it all meant, but he knew she felt strongly enough about him that it pained her when he’d been injured.
Chuck, he called quietly, it’s not your fault.
I knew what I was getting into. I knew that guy was dangerous.
Be honest, what would have happened if you’d been thrown into a tree?
I have some abilities… like Glenda. I’ll be okay.
It hurts now, but I just need to rest, and I’ll be alright.
He would have killed you, Chuck. I… I couldn’t live with that.
She shrugged hard then shook her head vehemently. “But I can’t live with you getting hurt either!”
Blinking, Malachi shimmered to human form and stuck his hand through the small window, gently running his fingers over her cheek.
His breath caught when she closed her eyes and leaned against his palm.
“Chuck… Kelly,” he whispered. He opened his mouth to say more, but a sharp rap on the window had him snatching back his hand and shifting to canine rapidly.
Startled, Chuck quickly turned and rolled down the window. “Hey, Jax, what’s up?” she called cheerfully, trying to clear her throat discreetly.
“Chuck, I heard you and Malachi had a scuffle with our suspect,” Jaxon explained slowly, peering behind her. “Who’s in here with you?” His eyes were squinted, trying to see in the dim interior of the vehicle.
“Who’s… what do you mean? It’s just Malachi and me. He got a little banged up, so I was just making sure he was comfortable before I took him home. He’s moving kind of slow, but I think he’s going to be okay.” She tried to smile convincingly to make her point.
Jaxson smiled back. “Yeah, weird. I could have sworn you were talking to someone.”
“I was. I was talking to Malachi, reassuring him and such. It’s good to talk to your partner; it helps build that bond.
And strengthen the partnership. I mean, that’s what the trainer said, not sure how much I buy into that.
But it seems to help. We are pretty in tune, you know.
” Chuck stopped with a slight grimace, realizing she was babbling and overexplaining.
Jaxon simply stared at her in concern, a slight quirk of his lips as he studied her flushed cheeks and bright eyes.
“Were you… Crying, Chuck?” came his quiet question.
It was filled with soft sincerity, and Malachi narrowed his eyes, thinking that if the dickhead tried to hug her, he would bite him.
Sighing, her shoulders sagged slightly. “A little. I was just so worried about Malachi. I really care about him. He’s a great partner, and he means a lot to me.
The thought of him being injured hit me a little hard, but I’m alright now.
He’s okay. I’m going to take him home and give him a steak. ” She huffed out a little laugh.
Malachi let out a happy-sounding woof at the mention of steak, playing along with the charade. He was careful not to grimace despite the pain the sound caused his ribs.
Smirking now, Jaxon shook his head. “Well, I guess talking to him helps, because he seems to know the S word.” He chuckled and ran a hand through his frosted tips like he was in a re-run of Miami Vice.
Yeah, I know lots of S words, douche, Malachi grumped uncharitably, like stupid simpering smarmy snake and shady slithery shit-head sucker.
Chuck squeaked out a small choking sound, hearing Malachi’s comment. “Yep, he definitely knows S words.”
Smiling, thinking she was amused by him, Jaxon leaned one arm on the door and grinned. “So, how’s the boyfriend?”
Startled, Chuck jerked back. “Boyfriend?” she blurted.
“Yeah, the guy at the store. Malachi’s former owner. What was his name… Evan?”
“Oh, yeah. Evan. Well… I wouldn’t say he’s my boyfriend. More of a friend who’s a boy but um… yeah, he’s fine.”
Malachi chuckled. Oh yeah, Evan’s just fine.
Other than lying in the back of a police car with two or three broken ribs, trying not to laugh and make it worse.
Not even any handcuffs to keep me entertained.
He laughed again as Chuck blushed, then groaned, unable to help it as the movement twinged his broken bones.
Chuck sobered quickly, her eyes flying to him in the mirror.
“Yeah, Jax, I gotta go. I need to get Malachi home and comfortable. Maybe take him to the vet if he’s not better by tomorrow.
Catch you later!” She jammed her finger on the window button, Jaxon barely jumping back as the glass rose quickly.
A half-hearted wave, and she put the car in gear, taking off with a spray of gravel.
After they were back on the main road, she glared in the mirror. “Dammit, Malachi. Broken ribs? I didn’t know it was that bad! I’m taking you to the vet or the hospital. You pick.”
Shimmering back to human form, Malachi grabbed the blanket and wrapped it around his waist, wincing at the movement.
“No, Chuck, seriously, I’m okay. I mean, yeah, I’ve got some broken ribs, but there’s nothing a hospital or a vet can do for me.
I just need to sleep in this form, and I’ll be fine.
I promise. Please, Chuck, just let me get in my bed and take a nap, and I swear I’ll be so much better. ”
Meeting his gaze once more, she sighed, her shoulders drooping with resignation. “Fine. I’ll trust you again. But if you’re lying to me, I swear I will take you to the vet and tell them to use the biggest thermometer they have.”
Stifling a smile, he deadpanned, “Don’t threaten me with a good time, sweetheart.”
Another of her cute, choked squeaks escaped her lips, and she finally shook her head. “Malachi…” She paused, then burst into laughter. “You really are something else, Mal.”
“Were you serious about the steak? That sounds really good, you know.” He smiled at her innocently and batted his eyes.
Catching his performance in the mirror, she snorted, then her expression softened. “For saving that little girl and for being brave, yeah, I’d say you deserve a steak. How about this, I’ll go to the store and get some things for dinner while you take this magical restorative nap. Deal?”
“Deal.”
At the house, Malachi shifted back into dog form so the neighbors—especially Muriel—wouldn’t wonder why Chuck was escorting a naked man up her sidewalk. At the last second, he twisted to pick up the bag of evidence, then whimpered at the pain the maneuver caused.
“I got it,” Chuck called softly. She grabbed the bag, then helped him out of the car and into the house. As he went down the hall towards his room, she stopped him. “No, Mal, go lie in my bed. It’s more comfortable, and you’re a big guy, so you need the space.”
Surprised, Malachi shifted to human form and looked up at her from his crouched position on the floor.
“Thanks, Chuck.” He rose to his full height and smiled, staring down at her now.
Still grinning, he slipped on the shorts she was holding out while studiously averting her gaze.
Turning, he walked to her room instead, aware of her gaze on his back where large dark purple bruises spread over his skin like a map of his pain.
The ugly marks wrapped from his spine around his side and tapered off around his navel.
“Mal.” Her voice shook with concern, then she choked out: “Oh, the collar.”
He reached up to unfasten it but hissed at the movement, dropping his arm and clutching his side.
“Let me,” she offered softly from behind him.
He could feel the heat of her body close to his skin and closed his eyes, enjoying it.
“Damn, you’re tall,” she muttered, stretching on her toes to reach the buckle.
“Hang on,” he said and turned to face her before slowly sitting on the bed, so she was taller than he was. He stared into her eyes, watching her unblinkingly as she raised her trembling hands to the buckle again.
She fumbled with the fastening a few times until she finally got it undone.
Slowly, she pulled the material from around his throat before bunching it between her fists.
The tension in the air was thick as she stared at him wordlessly, lips rolling in like she wanted to speak but didn’t know what to say.
“Thank you,” he murmured, gently pulling the collar from her fingers and setting it next to him on the comforter.
“Chuck, look… I’m sorry again for snapping at you out there.
I didn’t want you to get hurt. The world needs more people like you, and I couldn’t stand it if that asshole had laid a single claw on you.
” He took her nearest hand in his and threaded their fingers together.
“And thank you for helping me. Once again, I’m in your debt.
I don’t know why you put up with me, but meeting you has been the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
I may not know who I truly am or how I ended up there in that rescue center, but these last six months have been amazing. ”
“You don’t have to thank me for that.” She smiled softly and ran her free hand gently through his hair. Her fingers got tangled, and she tugged them free with a chagrined wince. “Sorry, I forgot your hair gets so messy after you change forms.”
Taking her other hand now, he smirked, a teasing smile, and with a sing-song tone replied, “You are sooooo obsessed with my hair, Chuck. You liiiike it, you looove it.” He tilted his head and widened his eyes innocently, batting his lashes.
“Shut up, you idiot.” She laughed and yanked her hand from his, shoving his shoulder playfully.
At his stifled gasp, her hand flew to her mouth.
“Oh shit, Mal, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you!
Dammit, I’m an idiot. Come on, lie down.
What do you need? What can I get you?” She hurried to the head of the bed and yanked down the sheet, plumping up the pillows.
“Here, Malachi, please. Tell me what to do.”
He watched her worrying her lower lip between her teeth and studied her pale cheeks.
“It’s okay, Chuck, I just need to sleep for a bit, and I think my body will heal itself.
Don’t worry about me, I’ll be alright. Go do whatever you need to do.
I’ll take care of whatever I need. I’ve put you out enough. ”
“No, you haven’t. Nothing is too much for you.” Seeming to understand the depth of what she’d said, her aura flared red and orange. She straightened her shoulders and briskly directed, “Let’s get you tucked in, and I’ll run to the store for dinner.”
Silently, Malachi studied her and her aura.
The red was getting stronger, and it unnerved him.
She was definitely feeling what seemed to be a strong lust for him, and it was wrong.
He was all wrong for her. For the first time in his demonic life span, he felt shame and despair.
This was what he was trying to accomplish: gaining her trust, her desire, her grace.
But it made him feel awful and grimy. Conflicted.
Unfamiliar emotions swirled through him like a hurricane, spinning around the center of stillness that was undeniable.
He cared for her too much. He wasn’t going to hurt her.
Groaning from the stiffness of his body and the sickening dance of feelings sweeping through him, he lay back onto the pillow.
“Fuck,” he murmured as his muscles relaxed on the silky sheets and all the little aches and pains flared up again.
His gaze caught Chuck’s worried stare, and he plastered a reassuring fake smile over his lips, trying to let it reach his eyes.
He wasn’t sure it was fully successful, but it earned a timid smile from her in response.
“I’m good now, go do what you need. I’ll be here. Just going to sleep.”
Closing his eyes, he forced his breathing to even out and listened until he heard her quiet footsteps retreating.
When the door closed gently, and the tiniest click from the catch echoed, he truly relaxed.
He stifled a groan as every muscle in his body throbbed all at once, as if punishing him for daring to ignore his injuries.
Shifting around until he sank further into the mattress, he released a deep sigh as the quivering stopped, and everything warmed.
His healing magic had started, and soon the comfort lulled him into sleep.