Page 12 of Kitten Kisses

“I was worried about embarrassing myself while learning how to fight,” Alex said with his eyes closed, clearly unaware he’d injured Slater. “Between this and smacking your face with a stack of papers, I exceeded my expectations.”

If his mate wasn’t there, Slater could’ve shifted to heal. It might not seem like a serious enough injury to warrant his tiger, but any minutes or seconds detracted from the pain of getting hit in the nuts was thankful relief. “I thought we needed to work on your strength first, but I think we should focus on your balance and coordination.”

Because next time his mate’s knee just might render Slater unconscious.

* * * *

Alex couldn’t believe he’d screwed up a simple kick and caused such a fiasco. His embarrassment was only exacerbated when he learned he’d accidentally injured Slater’s manhood with his knee.

Ugh!

If only he could time travel to when he’d been seated behind the counter at work, worrying he wouldn’t be any good at fighting. Alex would tell his past self not to sweat it because, apparently, his knees were deadly weapons.

Slater walked onto the back porch where Alex was sitting, ice clinking inside the two glasses in his hands. While they had been inside, the evening had turned into night. It was relaxing just sitting there listening to the symphony of crickets filling the air. It almost felt like time had slowed down and the outside world had melted away.

After offering Alex one of the drinks, Slater relaxed in the chair next to him.

“Thanks.” He took a sip and discovered it was lemonade infused with strawberries and tasted delicious.

To be honest, Alex wasn’t sure what was happening between them, just that he was wildly attracted to the deputy. Attracted to the way Slater’s features softened whenever they talked and how his smile brightened when their eyes met. It caused Alex’s heart to beat faster than a hummingbird’s wings.

The nickname fit a little better now.

“You impressed me tonight.”

Alex choked on his drink. “Impressed?” The only thing that was impressive was the level of humiliation he’d achieved. “I nearly took out your baby-making factory.”

Slater’s booming laughter had Alex smiling, his heart squeezing a little at the infectious sound.

“Although I have no plans to make kittens, I’m grateful my factory was spared.”

Was it possible for a person to spontaneously combust from sheer embarrassment? Because Alex was pretty sure he was about to turn Slater’s porch into a bonfire.

But he found it cute that Slater referred to babies as kittens. That only made him more endearing in Alex’s eyes.

“Despite my disastrous attempt at self-defense lessons, we managed to avoid a trip to the emergency room.”

“The night is still young.” Slater winked.

The small squeeze in Alex’s heart turned into a pulse of arousal. “Don’t jinx it. I’ve already endured enough embarrassment.”

With a mischievous grin, Slater stroked his stubbled chin. “Who’s to say it won’t be me doing something blush-worthy?”

Was that a subtle innuendo, or was the deputy just trying to make him feel better?

“Please.” Alex rolled his eyes. “Like you can top me.”

The moonlight reflected in Slater’s gaze, casting a glow in his bluish-green eyes. “I can definitely top you, hummingbird.”

Alex couldn’t breathe. There was something primal lurking beneath Slater’s gaze, a raw power interlaced with strength and hunger. Its amber eyes were focused on Alex, the pull of the gaze calling to him and claiming him as its own. His body throbbed with a desperate urge to surrender to it, to let it claim his soul.

It’s yours.

The beast faded, leaving Alex with a feeling that something powerful lay within Slater, waiting to be unleashed.

Had Alex truly felt something, or was it all just a figment of his imagination?

“You mentioned you had two nights off.” Slater was still looking at him, but his eyes were only the beautiful bluish-green Alex had been attracted to since the moment their gazes met for the first time.

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