Page 18 of F Is for Honey Bee

Kijani shut the door behind him. “It was a slow night so I thought I’d stop by and see how you were doing.”

Every part of Jonah’s body yearned to jump into the deputy’s massive arms. He would have if not for the utility belt strapped around Kijani’s waist and the deadly gun holstered there.

“Just getting some cleaning done.” While trying not to completely lose my shit. Jonah couldn’t believe he was desperate for a hug and Kijani was now standing right in front of him like an answered prayer.

Tall as a redwood and looking so damn mouthwateringly gorgeous in his uniform, which strained to hold his savagely beautiful muscles.

If he flexed, those buttons would fly off like tiny missiles. Jonah was almost tempted to test his theory.

You’ve gone from refusing to fall for him to willingly jumping on the hook and letting him reel you in.

Yeah, but you have to admit Kijani is a far better option than a big, snarly guard dog.

What in the hell was going on inside his head?

“Can’t sleep?” Kijani asked.

“Can’t figure out why my brain is arguing with itself,” Jonah admitted, furrowing his eyebrows.

“Probably because you need some sleep.”

Probably because I’ve lost my ever-loving mind. “You may be right.”

Kijani took Jonah’s hand and guided him to the couch. “Perhaps you’ll get some sleep if you’re tucked next to me.”

He didn’t doubt Kijani’s warm, protective body could lull him to sleep. The deputy was sweet, kindhearted, humorous, emotionally mature, and safety embodied in a stunning exterior.

Everything Arlo and Flint weren’t.

Keeping him at arm’s length was a battle Jonah couldn’t win, and maybe he no longer wanted to. Perhaps he wanted to be swallowed whole by tenderness and charm.

After his past two failed relationships, he truly needed emotional stability in his life. Why should he run so hard from a whole lotta good when he’d stuck around for a shit-ton of bad?

“Are you getting sleepy?”

Jonah grinned. “Ask me that question when you’re swinging a pocket watch in front of my eyes.”

Kijani dug something out from behind him then began to sway a set of silver handcuffs in front of Jonah. “You’re getting sleepy,” he said in a hilariously creepy voice.

“I’m getting nervous you’ll arrest me.” He took the set from Kijani and lay them on the cushion, noticing they had some weight to them. “Don’t even think about pulling out your pepper spray and waving that in my face.”

“Police officers in our town don’t rely on pepper spray.”

“Really? Why not?”

“Due to health concerns and the risk of collateral damage if the wind changes direction or another person is standing too close, we instead carry Tasers. Plus, being a department comprised entirely of shifters gives us a significant advantage. Unless we’re up against another supernatural, then we have to get creative.”

“Other supernatural?”

“Try to get some sleep, honey bee.”

Jonah wanted to push for more information, but how could he demand Kijani reveal secrets when he wasn’t willing to share his own?

“I’m buzzing with too much energy,” Jonah replied.

“Puns, really?”

“That’s what happens when you’re part of a hive mind.”

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