Moose grinned. “You don’t question fate. You just go with it. A shifter has only one mate, and sometimes they don’t find the person. I got lucky.” He pulled Grayson into his arms. “Although someone is afraid of admitting we’re an item.” He kissed Grayson’s temple. “But that’s okay. For now, we can keep this a secret. It’s kinda fun trying not to get caught.”

  But eventually Moose would tire of the “fun.” Grayson needed to stop caring what people thought. He really did. It wasn’t as if anyone in town was his best bud. Half the force still wasn’t sure what to think of him, but as long as they followed his orders, they could shove their opinions up their asses.

  You say that now until Roy asks you again.

  Moose let Grayson go. “I’m gonna go for a run while dinner is baking.”

  “Like jogging?”

  Moose chuckled. “You’re so cute. No, in my bear form.”

  Grayson had yet to see Moose transform. When he’d been held captive, Salazar had shifted many times into his lion form just to fuck with him. At first it had been terrifying, but after two days of seeing the guy transform, Grayson had no longer been impressed.

  He might be waffling with admitting to others about his sexual preferences, but Grayson had been built tough, and it took a lot to scare him.

  Crossing his arms, Grayson leaned against the counter. “Go ahead, shift.”

  “Just make sure you don’t shoot me.”

  “Why would I shoot you?”

  Moose shrugged. “I’m a really big bear and you might become terrified.”

  Grayson snorted. “Just shift, moron.”

  “Name calling is not necessary,” Moose said in a haughty but playful voice. “Call me John or Moose or stud muffin but not a moron.”

  Grayson was trying hard to hide his smile. “How about pookie bear?”

  Moose tapped his chin as he looked toward the ceiling. Then he looked at Grayson. “Only when we’re having sex.”

  The tickle in Grayson’s throat grew, and he couldn’t hold his laughter in any longer. Moose joined in. Grayson laughed so hard he held his side as a stitch worked its way through it.

  His mate grabbed his face and planted a deep, soul-stirring kiss on his lips. “And that’s why we’re together.”

  He shifted and lumbered toward the back patio door. Grayson’s jaw dropped, more mesmerized than terrified. Moose grunted, and Grayson scooted past his huge ass and opened the glass door. Moose barely made it through the opening, but once he did, he took off toward the woods.

  The night air was breezy, cooling off Grayson’s skin as he grabbed a beer from the fridge and stepped outside, taking a seat in one of the patio chairs at the table. He unscrewed the cap and tossed it into the small waste can by the grill.

  Aside from the murder investigation, how could life get any better than this? He sat there waiting for the man he loved to…whoa. Had Grayson just thought that? Was he really in love with Moose? He knew his feelings for the big lug had grown by leaps and bounds over the past few weeks, but love?

  But Grayson couldn’t deny how he felt. He’d take a bullet for Moose, which he hoped he’d never had to do.

  Grayson smiled and shook his head. Wow. He truly was in love.

  An hour later Moose returned, as naked as the day he’d been born. He sauntered over to the table, and Grayson couldn't tear his eyes away from the guy’s gorgeous form.

  “I needed that.” Moose dropped into a chair, his naked ass covering the seat as he stretched his legs in front of him and crossed his ankles and then his hands over his stomach. “That was invigorating.”

  “I took the food out of the oven,” Grayson said as he stared at Moose’s long and thick cock, and it wasn’t even hard.

  “Great, because I’m starving. Let me get a quick shower and we can eat.”

  Grayson leaned forward and watched Moose’s rounded ass as his mate walked into the house. Grayson was hungry, but it wasn’t for chicken.

  He got up and went inside, grabbing plates from the cupboard as he listened to the shower running. Unable to resist, Grayson stripped naked and walked into the bathroom.

  Moose’s outline showed through the frosted glass. He walked right into the shower and bumped Moose aside. “Mind if I join you?”

  “Well, too late to ask since you bumped me out of the way.” Moose guided Grayson under the spray and started washing his back. “Next time ask first. I might be naked.”

  He loved Moose’s sense of humor. Aside from the time when Moose and Darren had come to rescue him, he hadn’t seen Moose get mad. Not even when he kept trying to kick the guy out.

  “What ruffles your feathers?” Grayson moaned as Moose slid the cloth down his back and between his ass cheeks.

  “Why, you wanna piss me off?” He deepened his voice and added, “Don’t make me angry. You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.”

  Moose was about the size of the Hulk.

  Grayson elbowed him. “I’m being serious.”

  “I dunno. I’m an even-tempered guy. I have to really be pushed to unleash my anger.” Moose knelt and scrubbed the back of Grayson’s legs. “Now turn around.”

  Grayson did as Moose requested, and his cock was right in the guy’s face.

  Moose was a big-ass tease. He washed Grayson’s legs, but when he got to his groin, he became mechanical, as if he were washing a car and not a cock. Grayson waited for Moose to make a move, but his mate rose to his feet and washed Grayson’s arms and chest.

  “Rinse off and scoot out of the way.” He gave Grayson a quick kiss.

  Just for leaving him horny, Grayson took his time under the water, moving in slow circles, brushing his body against Moose, although there was plenty of room in the shower.

  Moose was strong, just like Grayson, but his mate was so much more. He was a big, kind man who could probably crush a person with one hand, yet he was so caring that all Grayson wanted to do was wrap himself in Moose’s arms.

  A gentle giant. His very own life-size teddy bear.

  Grayson took the cloth from Moose and created circles on his mate’s chest, lathering suds over his pecs and neck. Grayson was moving slowly, enjoying the ripples under his palms.

  Moose’s eyes closed as he let out a tiny breath, standing still as Grayson washed the man’s arms, paying attention to each finger on his hands. Moose curled his hand in Grayson’s for a moment then let Grayson go as he spread his legs, giving him a silent invitation to go lower.

  “Is that some kind of hint?” Grayson teased.

  “I’m all sweaty from my run. You gotta make sure my junk is clean.” He opened his eyes and grinned. Fuck, Grayson really was in love with him.

  Instead of washing his mate’s “junk,” Grayson went for his stomach, gliding the cloth over Moose’s ripped abs. Moose squirmed and laughed, and Grayson had just discovered his mate was ticklish.

  “Stand still.” Grayson played along, pretending that he was serious. With another swipe, Moose was in a fit of laughter. He curled his arms around his midsection and lifted one leg as if that leg could stop Grayson’s fingers.

  “Stop!”

  Oh no. Not when Grayson had discovered his mate’s kryptonite. He attacked Moose, dropping the cloth as he tickled every open spot he saw. Moose tried to get out the glass door, but Grayson spun him around and pinned the guy to the shower wall.

  “You’re not getting away that easily!” Grayson declared before he tickled Moose again. When Moose turned red, Grayson relented and picked up the washcloth. He gave Moose a chance to catch his breath as he stood under the water, letting it cascade down his body.

  When Grayson tried to wash him again, it was Moose who attacked Grayson now. Yep, he was ticklish, and Moose took full advantage of that. Grayson was squirming, screaming uncle, and threatening his mate’s life if he didn’t stop.

  The next thing Grayson knew, they were kissing, rubbing their hands over naked, wet flesh, groaning as the steam filled the bathroom.

  Moose flipped them around, and Grayson was the one with his back against the tiles, lapping at his mate’s mouth as he fisted the man’s cock. Moose hissed into Grayson’s mouth, greedily sucking at Grayson’s lips and chin, trapping his arms to the wall with his hands around Grayson’s wrists.

  He bit Moose’s bottom lip, not hard, and drew out a long, rumbling moan from his mate.

  When Grayson released it, he said, “Let me finish washing you before the water runs cold.”

  Moose’s eyes were filled with hunger and need, but he let go of Grayson’s wrists. He turned like an obedient boy, letting Grayson wash his large back. Grayson’s right hand had the cloth in it, gliding it over his skin. But he was also using his left hand, skin on skin, amazed at how expansive Moose’s back was, and memorizing every inch of him.

  With a smirk, Grayson washed Moose’s ass crack. He wanted his mate to laugh again, but Moose pressed his hand against the wall, groaning as he spread his legs. The sound sent shivers through Grayson. He lowered himself to his knees and washed between Moose’s legs, soaping up his balls as the water washed the suds away.

  Dropping the washcloth, Grayson spread Moose’s cheeks and sucked at his hole, reaching between his legs to grab his cock.

  “Oh, fuck,” Moose moaned.

  Grayson looked up and found Moose’s chest pressed against the wall, his ass stuck out for whatever Grayson wanted to do. Moose was a fucking sight, all wet muscles and sexy looks.

  Using the tip of his tongue, Grayson pressed it against his mate’s hole and breached it, jacking Moose off at the same time. He’d never been this daring with his ex-wife. He’d never rimmed anyone before, and Grayson got into the act.

  He sucked and licked as the water helped keep things wet, stroking Moose’s cock with a frenzy that was quickly building inside him.

  Moose’s thighs went rigid. His toes curled. He wiggled against Grayson’s mouth as he cried out. His hole clamped around Grayson’s tongue as his cock pulsed in Grayson’s hand.

  He jerked Moose off until his mate collapsed against the wall. Then Grayson rose to his feet, grabbed the waterproof lube from the shelf, and lathered his dick.

  Having sex in a shower wasn’t as easy as it sounded. Grayson had to place a hand on Moose’s shoulder and pull him down to where the head of his cock meet Moose’s hole.

  Biting his bottom lip, Grayson drove deep inside Moose, hanging on as Moose squeezed his ass cheeks tight to the point that Grayson thought the guy would break his dick off.

  But Grayson didn’t stop. He didn’t give Moose time to think about…anything. Grayson pounded into him, hissing at how tight his hole was, at how it gripped his aching cock as he placed his hands on Moose’s hips and thrust hard and fast, desperate for his own release.

  This was the first time Grayson had put his cock into someone’s ass, and from the way it felt, it wouldn’t be the last. His buildup came fast, sending him over the edge as he shouted, his fingers digging into Moose’s hips.

  Grayson shuddered and gasped and had to hold on to Moose for leverage because his knees turned into wet noodles.

  He eased out of Moose and wrapped his arms around his mate’s waist, pressing his cheek into his back. “I need sleep.”

  Moose patted Grayson’s hands, which were resting against his stomach. “And I need to stand before I fall over.”

  “Oh, yeah. Sorry.” He’d been squatting so Grayson could fuck him, and his back was probably all out of whack now.

  Grayson let him go and washed up quickly then handed Moose the cloth. Moose kissed him, gave Grayson a little growl, and washed his body before cutting off the water.

  Moose dried Grayson off once they were out of the shower. Grayson loved that Moose was pampering him. No one had ever done that for him before. Grayson laughed and squirmed when Moose tried to dry off his balls.

  “I think I can take it from here.” Grayson gave him a peck on the lips.

  Moose kissed Grayson’s bare shoulder, and it went on like that the entire time the two dried off—sharing stolen kisses and smiles.

  Before Grayson knew the words had formed, he blurted out, “I love you.”

  Grayson went ramrod straight as he stared at Moose. Those three words had jumped from his head and out of his mouth without his consent, although Grayson really did love him.

  Ever so slowly, a grin formed on Moose’s face. His eyes sparkled as he tossed the towel aside and pulled Grayson into his arms. “For real?”

  That was what Grayson loved about his mate. Moose just glided along on life’s waves, never crashing into the shore. He hadn’t batted an eye at Grayson’s declaration. He just ate it up with a goofy smile.

  “For real,” Grayson said.

  “Are you sure?” Moose asked. “I mean, you did try to kick me out multiple times.”

  Grayson swatted his mate’s chest. Moose laughed.

  “I love you, too, my grumpy old man.” Moose kissed him so softly that Grayson’s breath was stolen from his lungs. “I fell in love with you the moment I saw you tied to that chair.”

  “But I was beat to hell.”

  “And you were still the sexiest guy I’d ever seen.”

  “You’re deranged.” Grayson pulled away. “The food is probably cold by now.”

  “And I’m starving. I haven’t had someone fuck me that good in a long while.”

  Taking Moose’s hand, Grayson led him to the bedroom where they could get dressed, and stole more kisses.

  Chapter Ten

  “You have to hurry up and get here,” Jeremy said into the phone.

  “What’s wrong?” Moose asked.

  “I…I have to show you something before…before I’m killed for it.”

  “Killed for what?” Moose tucked the phone between his face and shoulder and yanked some underwear on. “What’s going on, Jeremy?”

  “Just hurry.” Jeremy hung up.

  Was the guy drunk? He hadn’t slurred. In fact, he’d sounded stone-cold sober.

  And petrified.

  “What’s going on?” Grayson asked as he pulled off his pajamas and grabbed for his jeans when he saw Moose doing the same.

  Moose wasn’t going to stop Grayson from coming with him. Jeremy might need the law, and since Moose was a civilian, Grayson might come in handy.

  But Moose also didn’t like taking Grayson into an unknown situation. Had the killer broken into Jeremy’s house? If he had, why hadn’t Jeremy called the cops?

  Something wasn’t adding up, so Moose made quick work of getting dressed and putting his boots on as he told Grayson about the phone call.

  “I’ll call it into the station.” Grayson reached for his phone, but Moose stopped him.

  “My gut tells me to leave the cops out of this.”

  “But the killer might be at Jeremy’s house,” Grayson argued. “My deputies can get there faster than we can.”

  “No cops,” Moose repeated.

  Grayson looked like he wanted to argue but nodded. “But if something happens to Jeremy before we get there…”

  Moose didn’t want to think about that. He’d come to care about Jeremy, and if the human was afraid…Moose was gonna kill whoever had put that fear into him.

  He swiped the keys from the counter on their way out, giving the baked chicken a glance as his stomach growled. If this hadn’t been so urgent, Moose would have thrown some of the food into a bowl and taken it with him.

  Instead, Moose grabbed a brand-new box of honey buns and took them out the door. They might be empty calories, but at least they were something he could eat on his way to town.

  Before they got into the truck, Moose stopped Grayson and pressed his hands on the sides of his mate’s face. He still couldn’t believe that his grumpy old man had said that he loved him. His heart swelled and beat faster as he placed a chaste kiss on Grayson’s lips.

  Grayson smiled, but he also looked confused as he got into the passenger side. Moose took the wheel, driving over the speed limit as he raced to Jeremy’s house.

  When he entered town and pulled to Jeremy’s curb, the man’s lights were out. Moose hadn’t imagined that call. He hadn’t imagined Jeremy’s panicked voice, either.

  They got out and silently made their way to the front door. It was unlocked. Moose’s gut twisted as he pushed the door open and entered.

  The house was dark and quiet, but the air all around him felt alive with energy. Moose closed his eyes and listened. There was a very faint panting noise coming from down the hallway. He opened his eyes and pressed his finger to his lips.

  Grayson nodded and pulled his gun from its holster around his waist. His mate was dressed in street clothes, but he hadn’t left his utility belt behind.

  In the belt were also a night stick, mace, a radio, and a set of handcuffs. Moose hoped they didn’t need any of that, especially the gun.

  He suppressed a shout at the last second when Jeremy’s cat brushed past him. Moose didn’t even know the guy had a cat. The gray furball meowed and then purred as she rubbed against Moose’s pant leg.

  He tried to shake the little gal off—and Moose knew it was female from lack of balls dangling behind her—but the cat wouldn’t leave him alone.

  Every time he tried to shoo it away with his foot, the cat batted at his boot but stuck by his side, rubbing and purring.

  Moose decided to ignore her as he made his way toward the soft panting noise.

  He and Grayson entered a large-sized bedroom. Moose closed his eyes again and listened for the sound. It was coming from under the bed.

  Moose opened his eyes and got to his hands and knees and found Jeremy hiding under there. He was clutching something to his chest.

  “Is anyone in the house?” Moose whispered.

  “I-I don’t think s-so.” Jeremy was bug-eyed, his breathing labored.

  “Then come out. You’re safe.” Moose got to his feet as Jeremy squirmed his way from under the bed. He was clutching a thin book to his chest.

  “Now what was that phone call about?” Grayson asked.

  “You brought the cops!” Jeremy dropped, as though he was about to crawl back under the bed, but Moose grabbed his ankle and pulled as the cat rushed to his owner and rubbed against his head.