Page 38

WINNOW

T ruly, this man’s generosity knows no bounds.

Before I can stop myself, I’m closing the distance between us. He doesn’t shy away in the slightest when I throw my arms around his neck. His long arms, heavy and thick with muscle, wrap around me to pull me tighter against him. Never in my life have I felt so happy and at peace.

My words are slightly muffled against his chest. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re lovely?”

Gideon’s chest rumbles with deep, gentle laughter. “I’ve been called many things, but I can say with certainty that ‘lovely’ isn’t among them.”

His reply makes me squeeze him that much harder. “A true injustice,” I murmur into his muscly pec.

With another chuckle, one of Gideon’s large palms cradles my head as he strokes soothingly over my back, making warmth blossom in my core. “In all honesty, I don’t think I ever gave them a reason to.”

My thoughts circle around this man for several moments as I allow myself to sink further into him before finally pulling back to hold his gaze. A corner of my mouth curls upwards. The bold words are out before I can stop them.

“Oh, yeah? You save all this goodness for me?”

My cheeks flush as a feline grin spreads across his face. With my sensitive hearing, I can discern the pounding rhythm of his heartbeat, and that it’s somehow in sync with mine.

“Darlin’, if you only knew just how good I wanna be for you…”

Oh my fucking gods.

My lips part as I am struck with pure wanton need. Gideon’s eyes dip, tracking the action just as Trigger erupts into barking hysteria, making me yelp and jolting us both out of the moment as the sound of gravel crunching beneath tires sounds from Gideon’s incredibly long and secluded driveway.

His hands cover my ears as he lets out a baritone shout that could make a daemon tuck their tail.

“Hush!”

Trigger quiets reluctantly, still whining softly and huffing as he paws at the front door. Gideon’s hands return to my waist as I twist in his arms to gaze out of the living room window to find Sheriff Harlan’s mechanical beast of burden come to a stop just beyond the porch.

Growling in frustration, Gideon squeezes my waist. “Come on, let’s go show the man you’re alive and well.”

Gideon tugs me toward the front door. Just before opening it, he releases my hand, and I catch a glimpse of the visible outline of a very large cock trapped within his denim trousers. As soon as his back is to me, I catch him readjusting himself.

Chewing my cheek to hide my grin, he opens the door to find Sheriff Harlan climbing up the front steps two at a time with his long legs, only to be tackled by Trigger.

Gideon makes a sharp sound, and Trigger drops to his haunches, casting Harlan a pleading look for pats, his tail sweeping the stained porch boards.

Harlan gives him a good rub behind the ears, eyes bouncing between the two of us. “Well, don’t you two look perfectly domestic. Like two peas in a picket-fenced pod.”

Sheriff Harlan’s eyes settle on me—no doubt realizing I’m dressed entirely in Gideon’s clothes. “Has Mr. Kincaid proven himself to be a good host and gentleman?”

The grin that spreads across my face is genuine. “He has, indeed.”

Harlan’s stormy grey eyes study mine. “And he’s been keepin’ his hands to himself?”

Gideon scoffs, folding his arms across his broad chest, and I can’t help but laugh. “As I said, he’s been the perfect gentleman, sleeping on the couch, cooking me food, and even letting Trigger sleep in his bed with me.”

The grumble that comes from Gideon draws my gaze, and I have the sudden urge to kiss it away.

Harlan chuckles knowingly. “What’s the matter, boy? You jealous?”

Gideon gives a sardonic huff, mumbling something unintelligible before stepping aside to welcome Harlan inside the house. “Can I get you something to drink, Sheriff?”

“A glass of ice water would be divine, Mr. Kincaid. Thank you.”

Harlan steps inside, removing his hat, eyes eating up the space.

“You pick all these pretty flowers?”

My blush returns. Doubly so when Gideon glances back at me.

“Yes, sir.”

Harlan glances back at Gideon briefly. “Well, I’m glad you two are getting along.”

“Me too.”

The clinking of ice and glass sounds from the kitchen. “How’s everything with Leanna?”

Harlan’s brows tense as his lips give a subtle tilt downwards.

“Scheduled an appointment with a new marriage counsellor. First one’s Monday.”

“What was wrong with the first counsellor?”

“Leanna said he was sexist because he seemed to favor my perspective on things.”

Gideon shakes his head as he fills Harlan’s glass of water and heads over to us, offering it to him. Harlan gives me a sheepish look as he murmurs a thank you and gulps it down. Gideon surprises me by passing me a glass of ice-cold water as well, drawing a smile to my lips. I mouth, “Thank you.”

“You ever been married, Ms. Ardelean?”

The sound of my own name and the strange title make me stifle a grin. When Gideon’s gaze snaps to mine to wait for my answer, that grin bursts free.

“No, I haven’t.”

Harlan nods thoughtfully. “Good. Save yourself the heartache and the headache...”

If it weren’t for the sadness radiating from him, I might chuckle. Instead, my heart aches for him. The man literally scraped me off the side of the road.

I didn’t need to know the details of his usual protocol to recognize he went out on a limb for me by calling Gideon to take me, a potentially deranged stranger, into his home.

Nor do I need to be familiar with the social standards of this realm and this tiny mountain town to know that his actions were remarkably kind and compassionate.

Harlan is a good man—and a nice-looking one at that.

Though he’s some years older, if the slight salt and pepper of his dark blonde hair is anything to go by, his features are carved even more finely than Gideon’s.

If it weren’t for his round ears, the scruff on his face, the chest hair peaking out of his shirt, and the fine hairs on his arms that all scream human, one could otherwise believe he might be fae.

It also doesn’t hurt that he’s nearly as tall and just as muscular as Gideon. I have no doubt that if I were to introduce him to virtually any female in Caerwynath, they’d eagerly steal him away for themselves.

And good people—human or otherwise—aren’t always easy to come by.

Harlan finishes the last of his water, striding over to set the empty glass in the kitchen sink.

“Welp, just came by to make sure you’re in good spirits.

I’m headin’ home…” Harlan shakes Gideon’s hand, giving him a teasing smile.

“If you need me—you don’t.” Walking to where I stand with my hip perched on the arm of the sofa, he offers me his hand.

“And if you need me, call anytime. You got my card still, darlin’? ”

“Yes, sir.”

Harlan’s smile is warm as his voice drops to where only I can hear him.

“He’s a good man, Winnow. Been through a lot and didn’t always make the best decisions when he was younger, but if there were ever a man I wanted on my side when push comes to shove, it’d be that one right there, and he’s as loyal as they come. ”

Before I can reply, he gives my shoulder a squeeze and turns toward the door. “Be good, you two. I’ll be back in a few days.”

Gideon calls out after him. “You could just call next time.”

Harlan tosses a grin back over his shoulder. “Not a chance.”