Page 146 of Wild Card
I mimed zipping my lips and throwing away the key. “Your secret is safe with me.”
“Appreciate it.” He turned, whistling for Banshee, and she followed him to his room. The door shut behind him with a click.
“Do I want to know what you saw back there?” Dalton asked.
“Nope.” I stood. “You want to join me in the shower so you can take your punishment.”
“Is my punishment choking on your dick?”
“Might be.”
He stood. “Let’s go.”
CHAPTER 35
Dalton
I held up my phone,using the selfie mode on my camera in place of a mirror to check my hair. Axel’s bathroom was tiny and primarily used as a storage closet, and I didn’t want to hog the brothers’ bathroom over at the house.
Frowning at my image, I flicked my short strands, trying to make them less unwieldy after rolling around in bed with Axel.
He wrapped his arms around my waist, hooking his chin on my shoulder. “I thought I was the vain one who cared about his hair. I don’t know if this relationship is big enough for two of us.”
I chuckled, heart fluttering at Axel so casually referring to this as a relationship. It hadn’t come easily to him, and I treasured every time he called me hisboyfriendor said heloved me.
“You’ve got reason to be vain,” I said, turning to nuzzle his cheek. “Your hair is gorgeous. Mine is…stubborn.”
“Just like you,” he teased. “Strong-willed, a little stuffy, and sure that it’s right where it should be.”
My jaw dropped. “Rude!”
His phone rang, and he grinned as he reached for it. “Truth hurts. Don’t worry, Dalton. You look like the sexiest sheriff in town.”
Well, I’d take that. I gave up on my hair and smoothed my button-down shirt. We were going out to officially celebrate my appointment as sheriff. I’d still have to run for election in May, but there were no opponents filed, so it was a formality.
“No shit,” Axel said into the phone. “Already? Damn. That’s fantastic. Thanks so much, Allison. Yeah… Okay, I’ll get with you to formalize plans.”
He disconnected the phone, a grin stretching his mouth wider than I’d ever seen. “Word just came in that I’m going to get a grant for the foster program. I guess Allison submitted the application weeks before I agreed so we wouldn’t miss the deadline.”
“That’s amazing. How much are you getting?”
“Ten thousand. It’s not a ton, but it should be plenty to get started. Plus, the Riverton Community Foundation is kicking in extra funds for ‘Safe Surrender’ signs on the highway pointing folks to me, so I can take possession of the animals safely before finding them foster homes.”
“That’s great news.” I pulled him into a hug. “I’m so proud of you.”
He drew back. “You should be saying that to Allison. She made it all happen.”
“Butyouwill do the real work,” I said. “And it’s only happening at all because you saw a need and tried to fill it. Give yourself some credit.”
He ducked his head, looking almost bashful. “Okay.”
“Looks like tonight’s dinner will be a celebration for both of us.”
“Oh, no,” he protested. “Tonight is about you. Being sheriff is a big deal.”
“Helping animals in need is a big deal, too.” I kissed his forehead. “Come on, we better get going, or we’ll be late. Your brothers know where to meet us?”
“Yep, they’ll be there.”
