Sheriff’s Secret Read online

  Jax fights a smile as he tries to shake off his friend. As soon as his gaze meets mine in the mirror, his face burns crimson.

  “Actually, man, I have to go. I’ll see you later.” Jax pulls away from Cato and presses a sweet kiss to his forehead. “It’s been a long night and I feel like I’m going to pay for this shit tomorrow morning.”

  I scowl at my coffee, hungover as fuck this morning. My sister is chipper as she flits around the kitchen, banging pots around like she’s trying to give me a migraine on purpose. The scent of bacon makes up for it, though, and I try to tune out the noise, my mind drifting back to last night.

  I’m such an asshole.

  I just had to get involved.

  Jax is clearly all fucking twisted up over Kian but is too chickenshit to do anything about it. Rather than giving him advice like a normal man, I had to use my dick sucking powers instead. If he was confused before, he’ll really be a mess now.

  To top it off, I blew the guy my sister went on a date with. It’s not like it’s going anywhere anyway considering he’s not straight, but it was still low. I love my sister and that was fucked up.

  Someone bangs on the door and I groan, waiting for Shelly to grab it. She’s preoccupied, and the knocking won’t stop, so I finally slide out of my chair to end the incessant rapping. I rolled out of bed this morning, throwing on a pair of sweats, before desperately seeking coffee. It’s probably bad business to answer the door half-dressed, but it’s not like we’re open anyway.

  The knocking grows more intense as I near.

  “Hold your fucking horses,” I grind out under my breath before flinging it open. “Can I help you?”

  Jesus, fuck, it’s cold.

  Arctic air rushes in, shooting pellets of ice pinging off my chest. I’m so stunned by the cold that I barely notice the man standing in front of me.

  Sheriff Bell.

  Goddammit.

  Where I’m a hungover mess, he’s a picture of rugged perfection, dressed and all serious faced this morning. I wave him in, eager to stop the assault from the cold-ass weather. Slamming the door shut, I grunt and make my way into the dining room. He clears his throat behind me.

  “Can we talk?” His voice is low. Ashamed. “Please?”

  I scowl at him. The last thing I want to discuss before I’ve had my second cup of coffee is how much of a fucking mistake it was for me to blow him. “So talk,” I bite out like an asshole. “My coffee’s getting cold.”

  His brows furl together, glancing briefly toward the kitchen, before settling back on me. “In private.”

  I grab my coffee mug up and walk over to the window overlooking Wolffish Bay. “It’s just the two of us.” I shoot him a conspiratorial smile. “Like last night in that stall.”

  He huffs, frowns, and then huffs again. Seemingly against his will, his dark eyes flit to my lips before he forces them away. To my chest. Quickly, he skims down my abs to my happy trail. He clears his throat and looks away.

  “Geez, Dante,” Shelly shrieks from the doorway to the kitchen. “Put a damn shirt on before you scare away our guest.” Turning her Kincaid charm on, she prances over to Jax. “Good morning, handsome. It’s a surprise seeing you here.”

  “I, uh,” he mumbles, not meeting her stare, “I have official business to discuss with your brother.”

  She cocks her head to the side, studying him. “Is he in trouble?”

  The snort that escapes me has Shelly rolling her eyes and Jax’s brow deepening.

  “Trouble is my middle name,” I throw out at her.

  “It’s Ivan, dumbass.” She rolls her eyes at me before regarding Jax. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost. Mr. Howe swears the place isn’t haunted.”

  “It’s Chamber business,” Jax blurts out, finally finding his voice. “Just town stuff.”

  Her eyes narrow and she bounces her penetrating stare between the both of us before throwing her hands up in exasperation. “Boys,” she gripes. “Settle in, Jax. I have enough bacon in there to feed an army. May as well stay. After breakfast, you guys can have your secret ‘no girls allowed’ club meeting without me.”

  She storms off to the kitchen and Jax winces, his face cinched with guilt. Rather than letting him feel like shit, I throw him a bone.

  “She’s not mad,” I reveal. “She’s dramatic.”

  “I heard that,” Shelly hollers from the kitchen. “Jax, hon, how do you take your coffee?”

  “Black is fine. Thanks, Shelly.”

  I motion for him to have a seat and I sit back down in my chair across from his. “Your secret’s safe with me, Sheriff.”

  His face burns bright again, but he clamps his mouth shut when Shelly walks into the room, a steaming mug in her hand. She sets it down before scampering off again.

  We sit in silence while Shelly cooks, both of us brooding for different reasons. He’s afraid I’m going to drag him out of the closet kicking and screaming while I’d rather not think about the fact I sucked his dick not even an hour after he had dinner with my sister. By the time breakfast is finished, we’re forced into some cheery conversation with Shelly over an amazing meal. She may be a talker, but it’s times like these it sure comes in handy.

  “I appreciate breakfast,” Jax says. “That was thoughtful.”

  “Anytime, hon,” Shelly chirps. “I’m going to get this mess cleaned up and then I’m headed for a meeting with Mr. Lopez.”

  Hans Lopez is the contractor we’ve hired. So far he’s been extremely thorough, but something behind my sister’s eyes tells me maybe something has gone wrong that she’s sparing me from.

  “What happened?” I demand.

  “Nothing,” she cries out. “Jesus, Dante, stop trying to read my mind all the time. I can handle ‘issues’ that come up. Remember, I helped you run Kincaid Corp. You didn’t do it all by yourself.”

  Someone’s defensive.

  “Whatever. Do your thing, brat. Let me know if I need to lay down the law.” I smirk Jax’s way. “Or we could ask Jax to.”

  His jaw clenches. “Hans is a great guy. But if he’s giving you problems, I can—”

  “Ugh, men,” Shelly gripes, cutting him off. “He’s a perfectly nice man and we’re going to discuss a gazebo if you must know. If I need two alpha males to come defend my honor, I’ll ping you both in a group text.”

  Chuckling, I stand and pass her my plate. “Testy. I’m taking that as our cue to start our ‘no girls allowed’ meeting pronto. We’ve got to figure out a plan of action when you come crying to us for help.”

  She flips me off as she walks into the kitchen.

  Turning to Jax, I let out a sigh. “Let’s get this over with.”

  Jaxson

  This is a mistake.

  I thought coming here to undo last night’s mistake was what I needed to do, but it’s clear I’m only further tumbling into this hole I dug for myself. First, breakfast with both the woman I went on a date with and her brother who blew me. Now, I’m stuck walking behind his half-naked body, forgetting every goddamn thing I came here to say.

  What was so hard about putting on a shirt?

  Did he have to answer the damn door looking fucking lickable?

  My mouth waters as I watch the way his muscular ass tightens through his sweats with each step he takes. The material hangs low, revealing just a hint of his ass crack. I can’t look away. I’m sporting a chub all because I’ve apparently got a thing for a good-looking man in sweats.

  Masculine, dominating men are not my type.

  I have one type.

  Kian.

  Cute and fun and a little mouthy at times.

  Slender build with a hint of muscle. Sexy taste in clothes. Pretty, plump lips.

  Not this. Not Dante fucking Kincaid. Part man, part hot vampire. Rather than thinking about what I came here to tell him, all I can do is replay the wet, eager way with which he swallowed my dick. I’d loved every fucking second of it…until it was over.

  Regret smacks m
e in the face, once again reminding me of my purpose. As we walk into an office that smells like his expensive New York cologne, I’m able to find my resolve. I straighten my spine and cross my arms over my chest as he closes the door.

  “If you’re here to ask for another blowjob, then ask,” Dante taunts, his evil hazel eyes glinting. “Or maybe you’re here to return the favor instead.”

  I clench my jaw, trying like hell to look anywhere but the dark happy trail that dips below the waistband of his sweats. I’d felt him pressed against me last night. His cock, like my own, was thick and impressive. As he rubbed on me, his tongue dancing with mine, I’d wanted to see and touch it—to compare the both of us as I stroked us together in my hand.

  “Oh,” Dante states, leaning his ass against his desk. “You must be here to tell me how much you regret last night. That it was all a terrible mistake. How you’re in love with Kian and I need to stay away…or else. Am I close?”

  I scrub my palm down over my face, letting out a heavy sigh before walking over to the large window with an incredible view. With my back to him, I can think clearer. Being forced to stare at his perfectly chiseled chest and abs, I’m going dick crazy.

  “I’m straight,” I lie, even wincing at the words as I hear them.

  Dante laughs. “Tell your dick that.”

  “Dante.” I scowl at him over my shoulder. “Stop being an asshole for five seconds so I can get this out.”

  “Carry on,” he says, amusement in his tone. “Let’s hear all the lies you’re going to try and convince us both of.”

  “I…” I trail off and shake my head. “I was with Kian a long time ago. Just a thing between boys. I’m an adult now. That thing we had was special, but I’m not that person anymore. I’m the sheriff.”

  “Last I checked, it’s not a law for sheriffs to like getting their dicks sucked.”

  I wince at the reminder. “It’s more than what happened last night.”

  “You don’t want Kian to find out I sucked your dick?” he asks, clearly loving the fact he’s pushing my damn buttons. “Don’t worry, Sheriff, your secret is safe, just like I promised. When you get ready to admit to yourself you’re gay as fuck, then you can run along and swoop up your boy toy. He doesn’t have to know about our little rendezvous.”

  Gritting my teeth, I spin to face him, my face burning with a mixture of anger and shame. “I’m not going to swoop him up. I’m dating your sister, for fuck’s sake.”

  Dante’s features morph from playful to pissed in three seconds fast. “About that shit. You need to cut it off and not torture that poor girl. The last thing she needs is to fall for a closet gay who can never love her back. Shelly deserves better than that.”

  Disgust has me storming over to him, poking his firm chest with my finger. “Don’t act all self-righteous now, Dante. You blew me knowing I went to dinner with her.”

  “Fuck you, Jax,” he snaps, losing control and swatting my hand away from his chest. “We both knew full and well what the hell we were doing last night. Don’t pin this shit all on me like I’m the villain here.”

  I sneer at him. “Stay away from Kian.”

  “That’s what this is really about?” he barks, stepping until his face is inches from mine. “To ward me away from Kian? To pretend you’re not fucking gay and I didn’t suck the sanity out of you?”

  “Stay. Away. From. Kian,” I clip out each word, narrowing my eyes. “That’s what I came to say.”

  “No,” he snaps back.

  “So help me, Kincaid, if you don’t stay away from Kian, I will make your life a living hell.”

  Hazel eyes gleam with challenge. “You really have no idea who I am. What I’m capable of.”

  “You and I both know last night was a drunken mistake based on opportunity and lust. It happened,” I grind out. “What’s done is done. But I will not have you fucking with Kian just to mess with me. If you want to get at me, then let’s handle it like men.”

  “Are you going to man up and go after your boy?” Dante demands, his head cocking to the side. “He seems like a good guy. Deserves someone who won’t hide him.”

  His words piss me off because I know he’s right. It’s not that simple. Sure, last night, I had grand ideas of me and Kian getting back together. That I’d finally step out of the closet, revealing my true heart to the entire town. But when I woke up this morning with one helluva hangover and a shit ton of regret, I knew it was a pipe dream. I needed to stick with dating girls like Shelly Kincaid and eventually I’ll like one well enough to settle down with.

  “I’m not gay,” I say again, breaking eye contact. “I just…”

  “If you can’t have him, you don’t want me to,” Dante finishes. “What a piece of fucking work you are. Real pillar of the community. But you know what I see?” He shoves me back, sending me stumbling a few steps as he prowls my way. “I see a fraud and a liar and a selfish dickhead.”

  “Dante,” I snap, pinning him with a searing glare. “There are tons of gays here you can stick your dick into, but Kian isn’t one of them.”

  “I think it’s time for you to go,” he growls, pointing at the door, his bicep flexing in a distracting way. “Now, Sheriff.”

  “Not until we have a deal.” I stand my ground, refusing to leave. “Promise me, Kincaid.”

  “Fine,” he sneers. “Go in there and tell my sister you’re gay, secretly in love with your friend, and that you can’t date her anymore.”

  Heat creeps up my neck with mortification. I would die before I did that shit. Fucking die. I’m already shaking my head. “No.”

  “No?”

  “No.”

  “So let me get this straight,” Dante says, his voice deceptively low as he prowls my way. “You want me to back off your boy toy, but you’re going to continue to date my sister?”

  “She’s sweet and we had a nice dinner—”

  “Before you begged me to choke on your fucking dick!” He grabs the front of my jacket, slamming me against his bookcase. “You’re unbelievable. Fuck you, Jax.”

  “Dante,” I hiss, anger burning like lava through my veins but morphing into something much hotter when his hips press to mine.

  “No,” Dante murmurs, his hazel eyes drifting to my lips. “You’re done talking. Here’s how it’s really going to go.”

  We both suck in a breath when he rocks his hips against me. In just his sweats, I quickly become quite familiar with the size, shape, and heat of his dick. My dick isn’t helping matters by being hard as fucking stone, twitching with need.

  “You can keep telling your lies to yourself and the whole damn world. Even if that means you go on the most boring damn dates ever with my sister.” His hazel orbs lock onto me. “And I’ll hook up with whoever the hell I want because I can.”

  I swallow hard, trying to focus on our conversation. All I can feel is the delicious way he rubs against me. It reminds me of his cruel mouth worshipping my dick—equal parts punishing and starved.

  “Who knows,” Dante croons, pulling away slightly. “Maybe I’ll hook up with you again.”

  A garbled cry of pleasure tumbles from my lips and my eyes snap closed when he grips my dick over my jeans. He caresses my cock with expert movements as his hot breath tickles my ear. All I can do is buck my hips, desperate for the pleasure he’s offering. Whatever purpose I came in here for has been obliterated.

  I feel Dante in every nerve ending.

  Inhale his masculine cologne with every breath.

  Listen to each pleased, growly sound he makes.

  “That feel good?” he rumbles before nipping at my ear.

  My heart thunders wildly. “Dante…”

  “Does that feel good, Jax? Simple question.”

  “Y-Yes,” I whisper.

  “Good boy.” He sucks on my earlobe. “Do you want to come?”

  I can’t answer him verbally, but I thrust my hips up, eagerly chasing his touch. He chuckles—low and dark like a demon—as he takes
me closer and closer to the edge. I’m going to regret when he pushes me over, but for the life of me, I can’t bring myself to face why it’s a problem. All I can do is chase this high.

  “Dante,” I warn, my voice sounding like a needy whimper to my own ears as my nuts tighten in anticipation.

  “There.” Dante removes his hand and steps back. “All done.”

  I suck in a deep breath of air, confused at the sudden loss of his touch. “W-What?”

  “I was just making a point, Sheriff.”

  Is this guy fucking serious?

  I’m furious I let myself get caught in his web again. I don’t understand how he just gets inside of my head at every damn encounter.

  “You…” I adjust my dick in my jeans and shoot him a nasty glare. “You’re an asshole.”

  “True,” he admits with a sinister grin. “But so are you.”

  Shaking my head, I storm over to the door. My cheeks are burning hot with embarrassment. Before I grab the handle, he stops me with his deep words.

  “If you want to come, just ask to come.” He flashes me a brilliant smile. “But, I won’t play those denial games with you, Jax. Next time I have your dick in my hand, I expect you to beg to come. Hell, even demand it. You may not want to admit this side of you to the world, but I already know about it. Stop hiding something we both can see plain as fucking day.”

  Tearing my gaze from his, I stalk out of the room and out of the villain’s lair before I do something stupid…like beg.

  Dante is bad news and I need to stay far the hell away from him.

  Because I don’t like how easily he topples over walls I’ve spent a lifetime erecting.

  Ox whines when I enter the police station. As soon as I see his shiny coat and red scarf fancily tied around his neck, I know why.

  He’s been Catoed.

  It’s a thing.

  A thing my poor dog knows all too much.

  “For the record,” Brie says, holding up both palms. “I tried to intervene. But you know how he is.”

  I squat down to scratch Ox behind the ears. “You smell like bubblegum, dude. Though I can’t help you with that, I can take this prissy shit off.”