Sheriff’s Secret Read online

  “Watch me suck you off, big city man,” he growls, only taking his mouth off my dick long enough to harshly deliver his words.

  I get snared in his hot stare as he continues to pleasure me. A man could get used to this—used to Jaxson Bell. Having him in my bed feels like a dream I didn’t know I wanted to come true until now. I’m doing a great job, holding off coming until he attempts to swallow me. The hot, constricting way his throat closes around my dick coupled with the way he rubs at my prostate is an assault of pleasure. I come with a long, loud groan, my entire world exploding around me like a kaleidoscope of lust and adoration and sexy sheriff smiles.

  By the time I’ve come down from my high, Jax has moved away to locate some supplies in the end table. He’s already suited up with a rubber and slicking over it with a lubricated hand. His body once again finds its way between my thighs, this time his cock teasing my hole. In an achingly slow way, he inches into my body, fire and need flashing in his brown eyes. With a final, quick thrust of his hips, he buries his dick inside me to the hilt.

  Our eyes meet and his say a thousand words all at once. I want to pause time to try and decipher each unspoken one. Before I can think too hard, his lips are back on mine, kissing me in that worshipful way of his that sets my blood ablaze. Hips thunder into me in an erratic way that makes me feel like I’m his entire world right now. I caress his neck and shoulders and biceps, eager to touch him everywhere as he fucks me. As his breath quickens and his grinding grows more punctuated with the nearing of his orgasm, he pulls from our kiss, resting his forehead to mine so he can stare at me up close. With our eyes locked, he topples over the edge of desire. His cock swells as it pumps into the condom. Hot breath tickles my lips as he exhales in sharp pants. Eventually, his dick stops pulsating and only throbs slightly. I pull him to me, hugging him tight.

  “I needed that. I needed you,” I admit.

  “You’ll always have me.”

  As much as I wish that were true, I’m not sure it always will be. Relationships haven’t been on my radar since Toby. Now, with Jax, it’s all I can think about. The what-ifs.

  What if we could be more than fuck buddies?

  What if we could be forever?

  The cold, hard truth is…we can’t.

  Jax leaves before I even finish my shower because he’s on call today. Despite the water being hot, a chilly emptiness quivers through me. I quickly towel off and change into something casual—jeans and a hoodie—before heading downstairs to find something to eat. The scent of bacon lures me downstairs and to the kitchen where Shelly is hard at work.

  “Hey,” I greet, making my way over to the coffee pot. “How are you holding up?”

  “Like Mom always told us when we were kids, ‘They’re just things. It’s the people you can’t replace.’”

  I dump in some cream and sugar into my cup while I study my sister. Her shoulders are tense and she stands guard over the bacon with her spatula in hand like it might hop out of the pan and run away. After stirring my coffee, I take a sip and then set it down before walking over to her.

  “It still sucks,” I say, rubbing her shoulders.

  The tension bleeds away and she nods. “It really does. I thought the gazebo was so beautiful. I’d even planned to take some photos today if the weather was nice to put on our website.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “We thought running Dad’s company was hard,” she says with a heavy, resigned sigh. “No one told us getting a B&B up off the ground would feel so damn near impossible.”

  I kiss the top of her head before making my way back over to my coffee. “No, they didn’t. Dad warned us, though, that anything worth having in life meant fighting tooth and nail for it.”

  “Right, but is it worth it?”

  I think about Jax. Sweet, sexy Jax. Of course he’s everything a man could want in the sack, but Jaxson Bell is so much more. He’s kind and funny and caring. When you’re his object of affection, he spoils you with attention and gifts and heart melting words.

  “It is worth it to you, isn’t it?” she asks, her probing hazel eyes on mine. “Because of him.”

  My back straightens at her words and I look away. “What?”

  “You know what, big brother. The sheriff.” She plants her hands on her hips and steps closer until I’m forced to look at her. “It’s why you were weird about him when I went out with him a couple of times. You really did like him, and for all I know, were probably already seeing him.”

  “Shelly, I…” I grit my teeth and shrug. “It’s complicated.”

  “He’s hot and adorable. You’re a catch because, duh, Kincaid blood running through your veins. How is that complicated?”

  “You’ll burn the bacon,” I grumble.

  “You like it extra crispy. We have time. Explain this to me, oh wise one.”

  “Did you already take Callan to school?”

  “Yes, and stop evading the question.”

  “You can’t say anything to anyone, not even Callan. Hell, especially not Callan.”

  “I’ve kept your secrets before. Spill it, mister.”

  “I just wanted to hook up when I got here,” I mutter in resignation since she won’t let up until I tell her everything. “There were plenty of guys I thought I could see myself spending a weekend with.”

  “But?” She turns back to the stove to scramble some eggs.

  “But those guys got overlooked because the surly town sheriff was a thorn in my side.” I smile fondly at the memory of our first encounter at the Chamber meeting. “After a few bitch fits, we realized we had chemistry. One thing led to another and then I was agreeing to a weekend fling with Jax.”

  “But then you fell in love,” she sings, flashing me a wicked grin that reminds me of when she was a bratty kid sister.

  “No,” I grumble. “I got hooked.”

  “In human speak, that means love.” She flashes me an exaggerated wink. “Go on. Tell me when I can start shopping for bridesmaid dresses.”

  “God love the man who ever settles down with you for the rest of your life. Remind me to take him out for drinks. Often. Just to give the poor guy a break from your annoying ass.”

  She tries to smack me with her spatula, but I jump out of the way, sloshing coffee to the floor in the process.

  “Seriously,” she complains, “you’re clearly into him. Not every guy is a douchebag like Toby.”

  “You loved Toby,” I throw back. “He was your shopping buddy.”

  “I love you more, though, and Toby hurt you. Badly. Fuck Toby.”

  I smirk at my sister. “You’re feisty today.”

  “Just getting ready for when Hans gets here. He thinks I was bossy before? Wait until I give him my orders to get the old gazebo cleared away and a new one built by next weekend.”

  “Poor Hans.”

  “I pay him well. He’s not poor. Poor me for having to double do all my work.” She turns off the stove, shooting me a curious stare. “I didn’t even know Jaxson was into men. He never mentioned being bisexual when we went out.”

  “Shelly Belly,” I say as I load up my plate with bacon and eggs, “that’s the thing. He’s so far into the closet it’s not even funny. I’m not sure he’s bisexual at all. It’s more of a forced thing to fit in.”

  “That’s sad,” she mutters as we sit down in the dining room. “Just give him some time.”

  “I don’t think time will do it.” I chew on a mouthful of cheesy eggs, frowning. “He’s traumatized, I think, about what his father will think. Dean Bell is an asshole of epic proportions. He already disowned three sons. Jax is the only one left. Back in high school, he sacrificed love to please his father. He’s been sacrificing ever since. I’m not going to change him.”

  The sad truth makes my stomach roil, protesting at the heavy breakfast. Jax has gone his entire life hiding this part about him. To expect him to walk out of the closet for me, especially after the recent hate crimes against gays and my family,
is a ridiculous dream.

  “I don’t like this,” Shelly says with a huff. “You’re sad these days. It’s reminiscent of another time in your life, which makes me think you’d be better off dating someone who’s not going to hide it.”

  “Toby broke my heart because he decided one day he didn’t love me,” I grumble. “This is different.”

  “Yeah,” she agrees, narrowing her eyes. “With Jax, he might never allow himself to love you, and somehow, that feels worse, Dante. Like you’ll never get the entire thing, just the carrot dangling in front of you. It’s cruel.”

  “Put the claws away, sister bear,” I tease. “We’re just having fun right now.”

  “Fun isn’t supposed to hurt.”

  A deep voice chuckles, drawing our attention to the doorway. “Sorry, I walked in on what Shelly just said. Darlin’, that’s not what you said last night when you dropped the bowling ball on my foot.” Hans motions down to the cast on his foot that’s encased in a black, padded boot. “Remind me never to go bowling with you again.”

  I lift a brow at my sister, whose face is fire engine red.

  “Grab breakfast, hammer man, because I have the longest honey-do list you’ve seen to date!” she threatens, scowling at him.

  He flashes her a knowing grin and then winks before he hobbles into the kitchen.

  “Hammer man? Bowling?” I chuckle at the way my sister turns even redder. “What aren’t you telling me, Shelly Belly?”

  “You’re not the only one with boy problems around here.” She shovels down the rest of her eggs, not making eye contact with me.

  “Don’t make me drag the story out of your boyfriend,” I joke, earning a warning glare from her as Hans joins us at the table.

  “What’s on the agenda?” he asks, a shit-eating grin on his face.

  All humor fades as I let out a sigh. “You didn’t hear about the gazebo?”

  “No…” He frowns. “Was there something wrong? I inspected it all the other day.”

  “Someone torched it. Arsonist.”

  In the matter of a minute, Hans goes from flirty to confused to fucking pissed.

  “Who do I have to give an ass whippin’ to?” Hans asks, deadly serious.

  I guess if Shelly wants to date this rugged carpenter who gives her hell, but is ready to throw punches when she’s clearly been attacked, he’s all right in my book.

  “Not sure yet,” I reply, “but we’re going to find out.”

  Jaxson

  My eyes are bleeding.

  Not really, but they sure as hell feel like it.

  For days now, I’ve been swimming in my work. Not that we’re a crime ridden town or anything, but because of the recent fire that happened at Red Hake Bed & Breakfast and the fact the Rainbow Vigilante is back at large. I have older townspeople bitching at me about the colorful vandalism and people from the gay community worrying over their safety. I had no other option but to have an article written up in the paper asking for leads on the string of hate crimes in the area. But, rather than get any promising leads, all I got were a handful of terrified people like Cato wondering if they’d be the next target.

  I have to get to the bottom of this.

  Dante and his family’s safety are riding on my ability to find the culprit.

  “Jax,” Cato sings as he clomps down the stairs. “I have a present for you.”

  Brie giggles but then apologizes profusely to whoever she’s talking to on the phone. I tear my gaze from my computer screen, curious to see what sort of present Cato has this time. He’s the prince of horrible gift giving. It’s always something hideous, unwanted, or just plain weird.

  “I can’t wait,” I deadpan.

  He rounds the corner and walks toward my desk, an orange tabby cat in his arms. It’s missing an eye and seems as though it has seen better days.

  “That better not be my present,” I grumble, motioning to my lazy, sleeping dog on the floor between me and Brie. “I already have a pet.”

  Cato’s dark hair is sticking up high on top of his head in some strange model way only he can get away with. The black infinity scarf he’s wearing over a fitted light gray long-sleeved shirt is covered in cat hair. His red denim pants are glued to his skin, leaving nothing to the imagination.

  “You can look at that later,” he teases, drawing my gaze back up to his playful gaze.

  I roll my eyes at him. “You shouldn’t wear stuff that forces people to look at that.”

  “It’s the only way I can get a boyfriend.” He smirks. “Enough about my dick. Look what I found by the BFB fish market.”

  The fish market is situated almost directly across the street from his place on old condo row. Sometimes, when visiting him and if the wind is blowing just right, you can smell the unmistakable scent of raw fish, much to my wannabe vegan friend’s horror.

  “You know I can’t take that cat,” I gripe as he steps over Ox and comes toward me. “One pet is enough.”

  “What about Zak? He’s in the apartment. This little gal would love the apartment life.”

  “Maybe she loved the fish market life, but you ruined that.”

  Cato rolls his eyes. “She’s scrawny and meant to be a princess. Those cats over there are mean and would have impregnated her against her will had I not come to her rescue.” He hands the cat to me. “You can’t say no once you hold her.”

  Unlike most cats who don’t like new people, this one purrs loudly and clings to my sweater as though she enjoys the warmth.

  “Why do you do this to me?” I complain, softly stroking the cat.

  “Because you’re weak and this cat needs a home with someone good. Who better than the sheriff of Brigs Ferry Bay?”

  “I don’t know that I’m that good of a sheriff.” I don’t meet his stare and instead inspect the eyeless cat up close. Her one good eye is bright green and she studies me intently with it.

  Pretty soon, Cato is going to have to change his business name from And Puppies! to And Poor, Pitiful Kittens!…

  Before Cato can respond, Brie joins us, adding her two cents in. “You’re the best sheriff I know. Besides, you can’t take those crimes so hard. It happens in most towns. We’re just not used to it. You’ve been working tirelessly on the arson case for days now. You’re a great sheriff. I don’t want to hear any more of that negativity. Now give me my niece.”

  I start to pull the cat off my chest to hand her to Brie, but the thing makes a godawful whining sound. “She likes it here,” I mutter, petting the poor thing’s back so she’ll calm back down. “Go find your own one-eyed furball.”

  “Plenty more down at the fish market,” Cato says, laughing. “What are we naming her? Peaches? Punkin? OJ?”

  “She’s a cat, not a fruit. I think we should call her Pirate.”

  “Ew. No. Pirate is a boy name,” Cato argues. “She’s too precious for a name like Pirate.”

  “You like the name Pirate?” I ask my cat, ignoring Cato. “Do they make eyepatches for cats?”

  “You can’t put an eyepatch on that poor thing.” Cato huffs and then glances at Brie. “What have you been up to lately, Miss Thang? You’ve stood me up twice this week because ‘something came up,’ which is code for you’re getting laid.”

  Brie’s cheeks turn pink. “I…what do you…I’m not sure…”

  Cato looks at me, rolling his eyes. “Am I right?”

  “That’s certainly her guilty face,” I agree. “Question is, who’s the lucky guy?”

  “I hate you both,” Brie mutters. “I need to get back to work.”

  “No way!” Cato grabs her wrist so she won’t escape our interrogation. “Not until you tell us who you’ve been bumping uglies with.”

  She gnaws on her bottom lip, shifting from one foot to the other. “I’m afraid to say.”

  “That means he’s old!” Cato cackles. “Am I right?”

  “It means whoever it is, we don’t like him.” I narrow my eyes at my deputy. “Please for the love of
God tell me it’s not Hank.”

  Her eyes roll and she makes a scoffing sound. “You’re so judgmental, Jax.”

  Cato and I exchange a surprised look. She is fucking Hank. And I never thought of myself as judgmental. That’s for the likes of people like my father and Ned Townsend, not me.

  “He’s always been kind of a douchebag,” I say slowly, “but if—”

  “He’s good to me,” Brie throws back, crossing her arms over her chest. “And Atlas likes him. That should account for something.”

  Her brother, Atlas, has only shown his face in town three, maybe four times since he joined the Marines right out of high school. When he does visit, it’s always been brief. I’m pretty sure the last time he saw Hank was when Brie was around twelve. Everyone likes a twelve-year-old kid. Back then, I liked Hank too. It wasn’t until high school that I decided I didn’t like the guy.

  “It does, honey,” Cato placates when Brie starts to scowl. “We believe you.”

  “If he’s going to date you, then I need to have a sit-down with him and remind him who he answers to if he breaks your heart.” I lift a brow at her, daring her to challenge. “Since Atlas isn’t around, those big brother duties go to me.”

  “I’m older than you, dumbass.” She flashes me a triumphant grin. “Remember?”

  “By a month, smartass. I’m bigger. Remember?”

  “Oh jeez,” Cato complains. “Here we go again. Are you sure you two aren’t related?”

  “If we were, that would have made that kiss in the ninth grade really awkward,” Brie says, chuckling.

  “You two are freaks.” Cato waves off our comments. “Come out with us tonight. Jax and I are going to Focus to have a few drinks and catch up since he’s been so busy lately. Bring your new boy toy, Hank. We can all hang out and give him a proper interrogation to make sure he’s treating our girl right. It’ll kill two birds with one stone.”

  It was tough giving up a night to spend with Dante, but Cato is my best friend and I have been neglecting him lately. Based on the guilty flash in Brie’s eyes, I know she’s thinking the same.