Page 43 of Rhett

“I’m not stupid or reckless. Once I got inside, I made sure all the doors were locked.”

He folded his arms across his chest. “Yet, Josie somehow slipped inside.”

I finally threw my arms up in the air in exasperation. “I don’t know how she did it. How about you go ask your psycho girlfriend how she broke into Bonnie’s house?”

“First, she’s not my girlfriend. Never was. Never will be. Second, if I hadn’t arrived when I did, Josie could have killed you.”

“Injure me, yes,” I admitted. “Kill me, no. She’s an owl.”

“Don’t let Josie’s shifter size fool you. Great horned owls have strong, lethal talons that can pierce organs. They strike so hard that even larger animals are helpless before they know what hit them.”

Is that why Josie grabbed my hair?

Was she trying to gouge the back of my head?

I shuddered at the thought of the extensive damage she could have done if she’d accomplished her sinister goal.

I rubbed the goose pimples on my arms, and that was when I realized that I was standing in front of the sheriff with bare feet and in my underwear.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” I hissed. “I’m practically naked.”

“I don’t mind.” His eyes raked over me from head to toe, making my skin tingle as though he’d stroked me. I watched him with apprehension, not comfortable with my physical response to him.

“I bet you don’t,” I replied. “For the record, my ass is not for your amusement.”

He winked at me. “Your ass is beautiful, not amusing.”

I pointed at him. “Keep your eyes off my ass, shifter.”

He laughed. “I’m not making any promises.” He tugged off his T-shirt, handing it to me. “Here.”

“Thank you,” I grumbled.

When I put on his shirt, my heart rate sped up. I closed my eyes briefly, breathing deeply his wonderful, captivating scent. Sandalwood. Pastries. Coffee. It was as if his scent were reaching out, pulling me to him.

“Nova?” His voice snapped me out of my internal musing. “Are you okay?” He reached over, taking my hand in his and touched his lips to it. I stiffened at the jolt of heat that raced through me. Tightening my thighs, I fought against the need to climb him like a tree.

I yanked my hand away. “Ummm.” I heard my voice croak. “I have to make a call,” I blurted out. “To Bonnie. You know, to tell her what happened.”

“I already texted her and Quinn while I was upstairs and briefed them both about what happened.” His eyes were like lasers aimed at me. “She wanted to cut her meeting short, heading home, but I told her I’d stay with you until she got back.” His nostrils flared as he breathed deeply. “Your scent has changed.”

Struggling to breathe normally while my heart nearly pounded out of my chest, I replied, “Are you saying that I stink?”

“Quite the opposite.” A low growl sounded deep in his throat. He reached over and brushed his hand down my back. My body tingled with awareness and my nipples throbbed.

He growled again. My insides fluttered, and I became hotter, needy for him.

He’s ours,a female voice inside my head declared.

What the hell?

Am I going crazy?

I stepped back so fast that I tripped over my feet. Lightning fast, Rhett caught me. Heat raced up my arm, and I gasped and attempted to pull away, but his other hand closed over my other arm.

You’re not crazy,the voice replied.I’m your other side. Your inner animal. And this male is our fated mate.

My heart pounded faster, and my breath quickened.