Page 46 of Wild Cub

I take a deep breath or two and peek through my hands, finding the one man I thought knew better than to sneak up on me. Alexander leans up against the doorway, peering into my office, taking in the scene, probably second guessing his involvement with me. Leaning back into my chair, I push my glasses to the top of my head.

“Do I want to know how you got in?” I get up and walk around to the front of my desk, leaning against it. I fold my arms across my chest, hiding the possible excitement of seeing him. Something about him sends pleasure and exhilaration zipping through me. The sight of him is unbelievable.

“Little birdie let me in. I can be very persuasive.” He smirks.Sammie.

“Little birdie may not have a job and I’m fully aware of your tactics.” I look away, because if I look at him any longer, I might regret my next move.

“I’m surprised, darlin,” he says, inching closer.

“Surprised about what?” I cock my head at him.

“I’m not getting a tongue lashing from you.” He laughs.

“I would have thrown something at you or kicked your ass if I deemed it necessary. Plus, there’s a better use of my tongue,” I say brazenly. A spark of curiosity rages in his eyes.

“Oh, do tell.” He walks closer, inches away from sitting between my legs.

“I like to show, not tell.” I turn to walk away when he grabs me from behind and pulls me back to his chest. He inhales me, before letting it out in a fast rush.

“I’ve missed you. I can tell you’re turned on, Little Cub.”

“It’s only been a few days. Guessing I missed the part where being a bloodhound is in your DNA.”

He shakes his head, his lips rubbing against my neck. “Teresa, you aren’t hard to find. Lemons and sandalwood, that’s you. I’ll always find you.” He engulfs me in his arms, embracing every inch of my body. This moment. I wish I could freeze time and live in this moment. For a brief second, a sense of trust and protection settles over me. Maybe this is my chance to trust him.

“Mmm wait until I tell Doc you’ve turned into a sap,” I snicker.

“Oh, they’re aware. That’s not a secret,” he tells me. “You’re working later than usual. What has you burning the midnight oil?” He lets me go and slinks into one of the chairs.

“I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.” I sit in my chair, twisting back and forth. “Look, Jackson…” I continue but I’m interrupted. I let it slip again.

“Nope. Try again,” he lets out. I know what he wants.

“LookAlexander,I have some questions. I think now’s time for some answers.” I lean forward, catching his attention.

“I can try. But first, I need to make sure you eat something that’s not cereal.” He stands up, offering his hand.

“How do you know I’ve been eating cereal?” He’s not wrong. He gives me a look, like I should know the answer. “Never mind. You see all.” I pack up my backpack and laptop. I shoot Britt a message that she’s on Seamus duty for the night and let her know my location is on. “Alright you brute, let’s go. Feed your woman.” That is the first time I’ve actually admitted that I’m his.

He grins from ear to ear. “I like the sound of that.” He takes my hand as I lock up the building and walks towards the parking lot.

Alexander scans the parking lot. I assume he took over for the previous watchdog. I walk in front of him, trying to grab my keys from my bag when I hear tires screeching in the darkness. The sound echoes, as if the world is only making that sound. I turn to look around but it’s too dark to have any indication of what’s coming. I whip my head around, trying to find Alexander.

I hear the bang of shots ricocheting off the building, and then a slight inflection of pain, then my body is shoved to the ground. I try to brace my head for impact, but pain radiates across my skull and adrenaline starts to surge through my veins. Alexander barricades himself around me, firing off his gun. My ears are ringing, muffling the sounds around me. I can’t see anything. His weight is still on me and everything goes still.

Moments go by, I try to balance myself and understand what happened. I turn my head as Alexander gets up, on the phone. He’s angry, yelling, but I can’t make out what he’s saying. I groan in pain; he’s no soft blanket and pillow. I must have said his name, because he looks at me with concern. Shock, confusion, and pain are not the combination I want to see. He rushes back to me, and the ringing softens. I can start to hear a few of his words, but not all of them.

He examines me, every inch of my body. His eyes dart to my right arm, and I follow his gaze. Blood drips down my arm, coating it. With the adrenaline, I must not have felt it at first. He rips part of my shirt off to bandage it up. My eyes don’t leave my arm. Then all I see is darkness, like a gentle sleep.

I must be dreaming. Granddaddy’s here. We’re sitting on the back porch of his old farm, swinging on the porch swing. He died when I was young, but this isn’t a memory. I’m my normal self, but granddaddy is still the vibrant man he was when I was nine. The sunkissed wrinkles from the days on the farm and the freckles on his nose are too real. I can feel the tears starting to form; I’ve missed him so much. “Granddaddy?” I say it like a whisper in a dream. He looks at me with his kind eyes and rests his hand on my cheek. I lean into it, his calloused hands warm against my cheek.

“My brave angel. Hang on.”

I clutch his hand to my face. “Granddaddy, I miss you.”

“I know, a stóirín.”My little treasure.

“Why are you here? Why amIhere?” I question him. I’m so happy to see him, whether or not this is heaven. Or my mind playing games with my memories.

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