Page 7 of Kitten Kisses

“We’re going to need a statement from you,” Sheriff Harper said to Alex. “One of my deputies—”

“I’ll take it,” Slater said, finally calming his beast. “I don’t mind sticking around. I like the way it smells in here.”

Kijani and Sheriff Harper both glanced at him, their eyes asking if Alex was his mate.

A jackhammer couldn’t have removed the broad smile from his face or the happiness in his heart. “The aroma is nice.”

Alex sniffed the air then frowned, causing the small, faded scar under his right eye to crinkle. “It smells like old coffee and pine cleaner.”

It smelled like dark chocolate and desire.

Sheriff Harper grinned with a wink. “Then I’ll leave you to it.”

Kijani patted Slater’s shoulder and whispered, “Congratulations.”

“What happened to the guys with Mike?” Alex asked when they were finally alone.

“Since it was Mike who tried to walk out with the beer, they were allowed to leave with a warning to stay out of trouble.” Slater led his mate behind the counter then grabbed the metal folding chair tucked against the wall and opened it so Alex could sit.

“I already told you everything.” Alex’s shoulders sagged as he sat down. “Please don’t ask me to write everything down. My hand will cramp up before I’m even finished.”

“I’ll need you to come to the station to give me an official statement sometime tomorrow. I just wanted to stick around to make sure you’re okay.” And to spend more time with you.

“Seriously, I’m fine.” Alex looked over his shoulder at the parking lot and pressed his lips firmly together. “I have to clean up the mess they left out there.”

There were two Styrofoam food containers by the pumps, crumpled paper, numerous cans of energy drinks, and several other items. It looked like they’d emptied their car of trash and dumped it all on the ground instead of in the trashcans conveniently located at both islands.

“If we work together, we can get it done in no time,” Slater offered.

His mate’s Nordic-blue eyes filled with surprise. “You’d do that for me?”

“It’s not fair you have to do the work they should have done,” Slater said. “If I’d known, Mike’s buddies would’ve picked up every last piece of litter before taking off.”

They walked outside to clean up the litter. Slater was going to write all three citations for littering. And as soon as he found out her name, he would cite the female who’d stayed in the passenger seat the entire time he’d been there.

Alex retrieved the cans and tossed them into the trash. “It would have been satisfying to see Mike cleaning this up after he treated me like I was beneath him.”

Slater picked up the food containers, hoping none of the lingering sauce leaked onto him. “I’ve encountered his type before. Arrogant punks who think their family wealth gives them a free pass to behave like entitled douchebags.”

Kijani had tried to deescalate the situation, but Slater had wanted to beat the shit out of Mike for the way he’d treated Alex.

Mike might not be facing harsh consequences for his actions, but if he dared to go near Alex again, he would face a different kind of justice.

* * * *

It was early evening when Alex pulled into the police station and parked, making sure to grab the printed papers from the passenger seat before getting out. As soon as he’d made it home from work, Alex used his laptop to type out the incident at work so he wouldn’t forget any crucial details and then printed it.

Once he entered the building, Alex paused in the waiting area as he glanced around. Then it hit him that he hadn’t called Slater to find out if the guy would even be at the station.

“Can I help you?”

Frustrated with himself, Alex turned toward the man seated behind his desk. He wasn’t wearing a deputy’s uniform. Instead, he wore a dark blue polo shirt and the police station insignia added for an air of authority.

On the front of his desk was a centered black nameplate with Mort Smith etched in bold white letters. Alex approached and widened his nervous smile. “I’m here to see Deputy Kingsman.”

“Your name?” Mort picked up his desk phone and stared at him. If he was picking up the phone, that meant Slater was there.

“Alex Preston.” Heat rushed through his entire body as his heart accelerated faster than a cheetah racing across the grasslands of a savanna.

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