Page 4 of Kitten Kisses

Deputy Kingsman gave a firm nod. “I know this store is equipped with a panic alarm. You can press that if he comes back, and we'll be here in no time.”

Crap. Alex had been so busy panicking that he’d forgotten about the panic alarm. But to be fair to himself, Gary had only mentioned it once, and with so many other things to remember, it had slipped his mind.

Deep inhale. Deep exhale.

“The guy you handcuffed, Mike—”

“Do you know him?” Deputy Kingsman furrowed his brows.

“No. I overheard his friend say his name.” Even if they were on the same social level, Alex would never associate with a tantrum-throwing bully.

“Okay, go on,” the deputy said encouragingly.

“Right.” Now Alex had Dreamboat’s undivided attention, which was a little intimidating. To ease his nerves, he focused on the stubble lining Deputy Kingsman’s jaw and upper lip. Or maybe just those soft lips, which were distracting to his concentration.

Taking a deep breath, Alex launched into a detailed account of everything that had happened from the moment Mike and Chase entered the store until the unexpected arrival of the deputies.

“Perfect timing.” A smirk tugged at the side of Dreamboat’s mouth. “You did the right thing by refusing the sale and remaining calm under pressure.”

Despite his initial urge to freak out, he’d handled the situation well. Dreamboat had said so. “Can I confess something?” he whispered, feeling a sense of trust with the guy for some reason.

The deputy’s smile grew wider as he teased, “Do I need to advise you of your rights first?”

“Does desperately wishing to do Mike bodily harm count?”

Dreamboat’s eyes twinkled mischievously. “Not if you only confess it to me.”

Covertly, Alex leaned in just a tad closer and caught a whiff of Deputy Kingsman’s enticing scent. “Then I wish I knew how to fight so I could have knocked him on his spoiled butt.”

“We could fix that.” He crossed his brawny arms over his chest and leaned his shoulder against the wall. “If you’re willing to learn, I’m willing to teach.”

“I’m not exactly built for fighting.” Alex looked down at his slender frame and shook his head. “My lack of biceps alone should tell you a bag of sugar could probably take me down.”

Deputy Kingsman’s gaze traveled down Alex’s body, taking in every inch of his frame, then swept back up before their eyes met. A sudden flutter erupted in the pit of Alex’s stomach. “We can work on building your muscle tone and strength.”

After that intense exploration, a different kind of sweaty workout flashed through Alex’s mind. He gestured toward Dreamboat’s bullish body. “Will I end up as big as you?”

That side-of-the-mouth smile returned. “This is home grown.”

A rush of heat spread across Alex’s face. Whatever home that body was grown in needed to be enshrined.

Flexing one of his biceps, Dreamboat caused Alex to squeak in surprise. The deputy chuckled, clearly amused by his reaction. “I have to assist my partner, but we’ll exchange numbers afterward and set up our first training session.”

Alex had no idea what the training session would entail, but if it meant spending time with Deputy Kingsman, he was all for it.

And of course learning how to defend himself.

“By the way,” the deputy said before he rounded the counter, “call me Slater.”

“Alex,” he replied as if Slater couldn’t read his nametag. Gary had printed the letters so large that even astronauts in space could probably read them.

As soon as Slater was out of sight, Alex quickly pulled his phone out of his pocket and dialed his boss’s number. It rang for what seemed like an eternity before a groggy voice answered on the other end.

“Yeah?” Gary groaned. “Everything all right, Alex? What time is it?”

“It’s nearly three in the morning, and no, everything is not okay,” Alex replied, trying to keep his voice steady.

Gary let out a heavy sigh, his voice thick with sleep. “What happened?”

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