A Mate for the Sheriff (Shifter-Match.com Book 4) Read online

  When more people were gone, she nodded and put her things down on the desk, then looked at the people around her. “Keep numbers ready. I’ll be back in five minutes.”

  She walked away from the nightmare that had been waiting for her and headed straight for Novak’s office. “Is that a daily thing out there? What the freaking hell is going on with people that they think they can come into your offices and act like that?” she asked, planting her hands on his desk and leaning in to talk to him.

  “In the outer office? No, that’s not a daily event. Normally they all pile into the bullpen to wait for the deputies in a mostly orderly fashion. They haven’t ever dared to come in further until today, but I’m betting word that you’d moved jobs had spread and they were testing the limits. Mainly because they know I wouldn’t shoot them all, too much paperwork.” He didn’t seem happy about the paperwork part of that equation. Sighing, Novak gave a lazy shrug and leaned back in his seat, tossing his pen onto the desk. “Not a one will have an even semi-valid reason to be here either. It’s more about testing your limits and watching us interact. My guess is the grapevine has put a spin on the move and blown it out of proportion, so they’re all here to try to verify the info being spread. Handle them however you want. Just remember you’ll still have to deal with them on a day-to-day basis.”

  “Well, the first thing that’s going to happen is rules and boundaries. What I saw is never going to happen again. Besides, why would they want to know about the dynamics between us? Jackasses.” She took a deep breath. “Anyway, since I now know that they’re all just testing everything, I know what to do. Thank you.”

  Novak stared at her for a time. “Go handle the gawkers first. Legitimate issues get passed to the deputies. Your job isn’t to handle complaints, grievances, or any sort of report. Once they’re gone, then we’ll get down to the actual work. And don’t go scheduling any meetings if you can avoid it. I prefer to show up at the council’s offices unannounced to watch them scramble. It’s petty but it’s fun.” Picking up his pen again, he leaned forward, bringing him in closer to her. “When we get out of here tonight, we’ll talk about the fact we’re fated mates. Cause if we do it now, all those folks are in for one hell of a show.” For the briefest second his eyes flashed an icy bright blue color before returning to their normal golden-brown shade.

  She just looked at him. She couldn’t help herself. “How do you know I’m your fated mate? How long have you—” She abruptly closed her mouth. Jesus, he knew? How long had he known? “Don’t answer that. Later, okay? We will talk later when we are behind closed doors.”

  Novak lifted an eyebrow but didn’t look away or blink. It was the stare of a predator and she knew it. “We’ll definitely be talking about it later,” he said quietly. “About several things, in fact, but only once I have you tucked away for the night where you can’t escape me. You’d better get out there, Ms. Morris. It appears they are becoming restless.”

  Still in shock, she swallowed, then nodded before heading toward the door. “Right. Okay.”

  “Jess.”

  She turned to look back at him. In that moment, she had a feeling that he knew exactly what she was, and that scared the hell out of her.

  “I think we should go out to my place tonight. I’ve seen yours, part of it anyway, but you’ve never even been near mine. It’s nice and private. There won’t be any interruptions for our chat or whatever comes of it. Unless you’d feel more comfortable staying at your place tonight.” He said it all in a way that made sense, in a matter-of-fact manner, but she could have sworn there was a hint of a dare there, too.

  “Fine.” She was at the door now, standing back, watching him.

  “You’d better get to it, Ms. Morris. We have several things to clear up before day’s end.”

  Chapter Five

  The workday dragged out long past what she would have considered normal business hours. Given the number of interruptions Jess had to deal with from people with agendas, it wasn’t exactly a surprise. Even with all that, she still got a good amount of work done.

  Novak had been pulled from the office several times. One had put him in a foul mood for about ten minutes after his return to the office. She wasn’t even entirely sure how she’d known he was in a pissy mood. It wasn’t like the man stomped around and slammed doors. There had just been something off about him. A cup of coffee that she’d brewed, not that crap down in the breakroom, and he’d perked back up. Things had been mostly normal for the rest of the afternoon, even though Jess found it next to impossible to put the morning—and what would be coming tonight—out of her mind. Even though the air practically sizzled between them, she was proud that she’d managed to keep things professional all day. Now the day was over, though, and her reprieve was coming to an end.

  Currently Novak was clearing his desk of the last files he’d needed to sign for items she’d managed to get organized. Once his signature was on everything, she could file them wherever they needed to go in the morning before tackling the next mound. A prickle on her nape let her know Novak was close by a second before he spoke.

  “You about ready to go?” he asked from behind her.

  She turned to look at him and nodded. “You betcha. I’m exhausted and have no idea how you’ve dealt with this day in and out all this time and kept your sanity.” She grabbed her purse and turned off her computer, locking her drawers. “Are you okay?” She saw that he had a slightly darkened spot on his left eye.

  “Yeah, I’m good. One of our fair town’s citizens didn’t feel like being arrested. Fucking grizzlies pack a wallop,” he muttered, rubbing at his cheekbone. “Not the first time I’ve had my bell rung on this job and it won’t be the last.” Novak waved her toward the office door, hitting the lights when she stepped out, then pausing to lock it behind them. He punched in a code on the pad she’d noticed earlier before facing her again.

  “A grizzly hit you and you are still standing?” she said, incredulous. “And all you have is just the smallest bruise at the edge of your eye? What are you?” She wasn’t afraid. Despite her misgivings, she was eager to learn more about him, her fated mate. She could only pray that, whatever he was, perhaps he would understand what she was and not turn her in to the covens for the death sentence that she’d been dodging her whole life.

  “I’m something even a grizzly fears, and I come with a badge and a gun, too.” He put his hand on her back and guided her quickly through the quiet bullpen toward the door. Jess noticed there were only a couple deputies in the office, but she knew there were others on-call should they be needed and a few who would be on their meal break. She’d learned a lot today both from Novak and also the others in the office about how things were run in the sheriff’s department, the key point being that Novak led by example. He didn’t expect perfection, but he damn well expected everyone to give the job their best.

  She didn’t say anything for a very long time. Finally, when they were in his car, she spoke. “Do we need to get food before heading to your place?” Not what she wanted to ask, but it was the safe topic.

  “I have a fully stocked kitchen,” he said. Turning onto the road leading from town toward her place, he shot her a look. “Listen, Jess. I know we’ve got a lot to talk about, but I want you to stay with me tonight. We talk. No bullshit. We deal with this thing between us, and if you want to leave tomorrow, you can. But tonight, you hear me out. No running. Think you can give me that much?”

  So it was going to be like that. But that was Novak, direct and to the point. In a way, Jess was glad. Now that things were being thrust out into the open between them, she was feeling oddly relieved. Yes, she was still worried—not only for herself, but for his safety as well—but she didn’t want to let Novak go. Already, the thought of being away from him was painful, and not even telling herself that it was for his own good lessened the hurt. With every minute she spent near him, she could feel the mating bond growing stronger, tiny, invisible threads circling and pulling ti
ght. So she didn’t try to hedge or make excuses. Instead she took a deep breath and said, “I’ll pack some clothes.”

  “Really?” He looked stunned. “I didn’t expect you to give in that easily,” he confessed.

  Jess shrugged. “You’re right. We need to talk.” They would probably do a lot more than talk, she admitted to herself, staring at his profile and feeling heat curl low in her belly.

  He slowed slightly before taking the turn onto her driveway. “Do you want me to come in with you?”

  She smiled when he glanced over at her. “Sure,” she told him, linking her fingers together and tucking them in closer to her lap.

  Grinning, he pulled up in front of her door and threw the SUV into park. He slid out of the truck, then came around to her side and gave her a hand down. He followed her to the door, resting a hand on her hip while she fumbled with her keys.

  Once she was inside, she turned to look at him, then froze when she saw the heated look in his eyes. “Novak…” she murmured as he moved closer. God help her, but she was desperate for this man. He backed her to a wall and pressed a thick thigh between her legs while cupping her face in his hands. Leaning in, he brushed his lips lightly to hers once, then a second time before he took her mouth. His tongue slid over hers, stroking and teasing. She was vaguely aware of his hands moving down over her sides to cup her ass right before her feet left the floor and she was plastered against his chest. Jess wound her legs around his hips, holding on tight.

  The kiss was all consuming. It was something that she could find herself pleading for on a regular basis. Her fingers wrapped into his short hair and she tugged his lower lip with her teeth. She could all but feel the edge of the animal inside of him. It was a predator, dangerous, but never to her and she knew it. She felt her control slipping. Panting, she somehow managed to pull back from him. “Novak. Stop. We have to talk before we do anything else.” She wanted to kiss him again. Jesus she wanted to take him to bed now, but he affected her too deeply. She was certain that if she wasn’t careful the firm hold she had on her abilities in keeping herself hidden and looking like a human would slide away and be gone before she told him the truth. “You have to know before we make that final tie together. I can’t let you tie yourself to me before you know everything,” she said, her hands shaking.

  He pressed a light kiss to her lips. “We’ll talk once we’re at my place. I may not have figured everything out about you, but what I do know makes me want to keep you, sweetheart. Try not to look so panicky, all right? There’s absolutely no reason for it. Go pack. I’ll be in the kitchen.” Novak let her down to her feet and stepped back enough she could slip away whenever she wanted.

  Chapter Six

  When they got to Novak’s home, Jessica was stunned. It looked as if a log cabin and a severe modern home had mated and had a baby. The logs on the outside were stark contrast to the floor-to-rooftop windows. She could see the floor separation through the windows and was just in awe. “This is, wow. This is incredible. No wonder you never let anyone come out here,” she whispered. Jessica was glad that they had stopped at her place first. She’d grabbed enough clothes to last the rest of the week. She had a feeling she would need at least that much time with him in order to get to know the real Novak, although it could be something for nothing. It could be he would be taking her from his home and to the coven for judgment and death.

  Pulling to a stop, he slid out and came round to give her a hand down. “It has a great view of the sunset. It’s a shame we missed it tonight, but there’s always tomorrow,” he told her, grabbing her bag. She couldn’t wait to see if the inside was as amazing as the outside. His home was perfect, although cleaning the windows had to be a bitch.

  Novak unlocked the front door and ushered her inside. “Holy mother of God,” she said once he’d flipped the light switches. She looked around the place in complete awe. It was surreal to her. The home was like an upscale lodge, but looked as if it were well loved and well lived in. She walked to the mantel and ran her hand over it. “Beautiful,” she murmured, turning to face him.

  He set her bags down and grinned. “I’m glad you like it, but you’ve barely even scratched the surface. After dinner, I’ll give you the nickel tour.”

  “Sounds good.” She couldn’t wait to see the upper floors. “Did you have Piran in on the woodworking in this house? It’s freaking amazing.” She paused and cocked her head at a painting. “Oh wow, you have a thing for dire wolves?” she asked, running her fingers over the wooden frame. “Beautiful. Whoever painted this is incredibly talented.” She could all but feel the soul of the wolf.

  “Piran did some of the woodwork, but the rest was my father. The painting was done by my grandmother.” Novak moved in closer behind her.

  “She is amazing.” She stroked her fingers over the wolf and smiled. “I’ve always been fascinated by dire wolves. They are so powerful yet protective. Incredible. It’s too bad that they’ve been killed off. I would have loved to have seen one in real life.” She was silly, she knew. But she was a witch who had to hide as a human because the abilities she had would get her killed just as the dire wolf had been killed off. “I feel a kinship to them,” she said softly. Then she sighed, figuring she might as well tell him now and get it over with. “They were all killed off and are extinct, just as I should be.” She looked at him via the glass of the painting. “If the coven knew what I was, I would be dead. I’m a null and a dreamwalker. I am the thing that the witches have hunted out and destroyed for years.” So now it was in his hands. She literally was putting her fate and faith in him. When he didn’t respond, she explained, “A null is a witch that no one wants around because I literally dampen a witch’s power if she or he is near me. It’s not something I can control. If a witch or warlock gets too close to me—or if my control slips—they can’t access their abilities at all, and when you add to that the fact that I can walk in their dreams? People like me are hunted and typically killed.”

  Jess felt his hands on her hips before he slid his arms around her waist. “I knew there was something you were hiding. The power I could occasionally feel completely contradicted the only-human claim you’d made. But it also makes much more sense and explains why you’re so far from home, how you avoid the covens and cross the street when a witch happens to be walking where they could cross your path. You’ve been hiding this a long time, haven’t you?”

  She nodded. “According to traditional coven law, I’m to be killed on site when found.” Not if, she knew that.

  Turning her in his arms, Novak lifted a hand to cup her cheek. “No one is killing you, Jessica Morris. They’d have to go through me first, and if a grizzly can’t take me down, there’s not much anyone else can do. Even the witches. Though Alaska might give me a run for my money. She’s pretty damn powerful.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead, then stepped back to tug her over to the sofa. Sitting, he eased her onto his lap and wrapped her up in his arms.

  “The painting is my father,” he said quietly. “Grandmother created it the day he first shifted into his dire wolf form. We have been hunted to the very edge of extinction, but the population is slowly coming back. We’re keeping it quiet, for obvious reasons, but our people weren’t about to let our kind be wiped out because of fear. Dire wolves are not the killers history portrays. I’m not saying we can’t kill if it is needed, but it’s not who we are. We protect what and who is ours. But fuck with us and the last thing you will see on this earth is one fucking pissed off beast about to tear your throat out.”

  She was stunned, to say the least. “Alaska doesn’t know what I am,” she admitted. “I have to shore up every freaking wall I have when I go to visit with all of them. I love them dearly, but I could never ask her to hold my secrets, not when it would mean her death, too. Are you sure, Novak? That you want to be in this with me? I want to with you.” Even more so now. It was surreal that the one animal she’d always had an affinity toward was the one who would be her mate. “I would
love to see you one day. As your animal. I think your father is incredible and I want to know what my mate looks like.” She was rubbing her cheek against his. She accepted it, him, all of it.

  “I look much like he did. I was born an alpha, bigger in size and faster than others of our kind. Only with how we’ve had to live to survive, it’s a little hard to be the alpha of anyone or anything. We’ve always taken great care to stay miles apart, except the family units. Even then, once the children reach a certain age and have their shifts fully controlled they, too, move on and away. At least the digital age has given us a few advantages in assisting us keeping up with one another. Much easier than back in the day.” Rubbing her back, Novak brushed his nose to her cheek. “You are my mate, Jessica. That’s all there is to it. I will do anything and everything to protect you, always.”

  “You are too good to be true.” She was in awe of him. He was her everything. It had only taken moments, hours really, for her to know she was in love with him, and it was more than the mating pull. It was him. “I should warn you, though, it’s hard for me to rein my ability in when I get angry,” she admitted bluntly. “It’s very hard to keep the null in me hidden when I’m pissed, and God help whoever makes me angry, because I will walk in my dreams and give them nightmares.”

  His chuckle surprised her. “Damn but I really hope I don’t piss you off. I happen to like you in my dreams but not if you’re angry with me.”

  She nuzzled against him. “I can come into your dreams anytime that you want me there. Simply invite me in. I will never invade anyone’s dreams, like I said unless they deserve it. I’ve done it three times. Once when a rapist was set off on a technicality, once when a mother killed her son by leaving him in a car while she got drunk, another time when a child molester was let out of jail to do it again.” She sighed. “Bad, bad people. They deserve every nightmare they get.”