Chapter Ten

Sabrina was surprised to see Paxton waiting for her when she parked her car. He was leaning against the concrete wall, but when she turned the ignition off, he strode to the door and opened it for her. Unlike most days, he wasn’t dressed in his policeman’s uniform. Today, he had on faded jeans, a T-shirt that stretched over his fit chest and arms, and black cowboy boots. If Sabrina wasn’t so caught up in Deacon, she might have given Paxton a second look.

“Good morning, Dr. Bailey. ”

“Please, call me Sabrina. And good morning to you too. I hope you’re not wasting your off day babysitting me. ”

“We are taking your safety seriously, so I don’t consider watching over you a waste of time. ”

Well, didn’t she feel properly chastised? “I apologize. I only meant I hate that you have to spend your day off working. So, tell me; what do you like to do on your off days? ”

“Most days, I volunteer at a local LGBTQ center. And before you ask, I’m bisexual, if you want to put a label on my preferences. Even if I weren’t, I would still help out. It amazes me how many parents disown their kids. I’m doing what I can to make them feel less abandoned. ”

Sabrina had to wonder if Paxton was speaking from experience. “Who you date is your business, but I think it’s wonderful that you volunteer. ”

“It’s the least I can do. I’ve been blessed in my life, and I want to pay it forward however I can. Whether that’s by spending time with kids or making sure you’re safe. ”

Sabrina was blessed, as well. She’d had a rough start, but things had turned out okay. Now, if she and Deacon were to be compatible? That’d make her life even better.

“How many patients do you have today? ” Paxton asked.

“Seven. I need to do some computer work first, and then I’ll start my rounds. If you need to do something else, I can lock myself in my office for the first hour or so. ”

“I wouldn’t mind stopping by to check on Jonathan. But you have to promise to stay in your office. If I’m not back before you’re ready to do your rounds, call my cell phone, and I’ll be right up. ”
While Sabrina was unlocking her office, Paxton pulled out his phone, hit a few buttons, and Sabrina’s phone rang inside her purse. “That’s just me, ” Paxton said.

“How did you get my number? ” Sabrina pressed the “ignore” button and moved to put her things on her desk.

“Joseph gave it to me yesterday. I should have told you. ”

“No, he should have. But I guess it’s better you have it, just in case. ” Sabrina was going to let Joseph know she didn’t appreciate his high-handedness. Yes, he was offering her a bodyguard, but she would like to at least have some say in what was going on in her life.

“Do you need anything before I go downstairs? ”

“No, thank you. I should be ready to make my rounds in an hour. ”

“Okay, I’ll be back, but call if you need to get out before then. ”

Sabrina nodded and followed Paxton to the door. Once he was through, she closed and locked it. She hated being boxed in. Her office wasn’t small, but with the door closed, it felt smaller than usual. The reason she had it locked, though, that was what had her losing sleep the night before. She tried to keep her mind on Deacon and their date, but she kept going back to the roses and the stranger in the hallway. Needing the extra caffeine, Sabrina popped a pod into her coffee maker and hit the start button. While it was heating, she picked up her phone and opened the call from Paxton so she could add his name to the contacts list. She placed her phone on the corner of her desk where she kept it while she was working.

After she had her coffee mixed with some caramel creamer, she took a sip before sitting. Sabrina lowered herself into her chair and reached out to place the mug on her coaster. Sabrina gasped, jerking her hand away from a picture which had been taped to the top of the ceramic square. Coffee splashed over her desk and her hand, tears welling up in her eyes. Instead of grabbing something to wipe up the spill or clean her hand, Sabrina picked up the photo. When she got a closer look, it was actually three photos that had been taped together. One was her standing on her porch. One was Jasmine smiling at someone out of the frame. And the third was of Terrence in what looked like a professional headshot. Why had they only chosen those three? Why not include Jerrick? Unless it was because he was somewhere on the other side of the world in the military. And how had they gotten the picture into her office? The door had been locked.

Sabrina’s doorknob rattled, and she jerked to her feet, her chair rolling back into the filing cabinets. A firm hand banged on the door, but Sabrina ignored it. She grabbed her phone and dialed Paxton. He answered before it rang once.

“Sabrina? ” She couldn’t find her voice as whoever was at her door continued knocking without saying anything. “Sabrina? Fuck! I’m on my way. ”

Tears continued to roll down her face as Sabrina stood frozen. Paxton announced himself as he knocked, so she knew it was him and not whoever had been trying to get in. He must have been right down the hallway, because he was there within seconds. When she unlocked the door, he took one look at her and cursed under his breath. She wanted him to hold her and tell her everything was going to be okay, but the man did the opposite. Paxton took a step back and blew out a breath.

“Did you see who it was at my door? ” she asked.

“There was no one there. Did they not announce themselves? ”

Sabrina shook her head. “There’s something else. ” She picked up the photo and held it out to him. “This was on my desk. I locked my door last night. Deacon watched me. ”

“And I watched you unlock it. ” Instead of taking it from her, Paxton pointed. “That’s you, but who are the other two? ”

“My sister, Jasmine, and my brother Terrence. I have another brother, but last I knew he was in the military. ”

“Do you have an envelope? I need to take the photo in and have it tested. ” Sabrina found an envelope, and Paxton told her to drop the photo inside. “Is there anyone who can take over your patients today? ”

“I’m not letting whoever this is run me from my job. My patients need me, and I have you following me. ”

“Fair enough. Do you have napkins or something I can use to clean the coffee off your desk? ”

Sabrina waved him off. “I made the mess. ” She opened the credenza door and pulled out a roll of paper towels, ripping off several sheets. As she dabbed them over the liquid, the tears returned. She did her best to blink them back, but one escaped.

“Shit, ” Paxton muttered. Sabrina glanced up at him to see he was texting someone.

“What’s wrong? ”

“I… Well, it’s—”

“Sabrina! ” Joseph rushed into the room and pulled Sabrina into his arms. “Are you hurt? ”

“No, just splashed coffee on my hand. ” Sabrina rested her cheek against Joseph’s shoulder and sighed. “Why is someone after me? I don’t have enemies. Well, except maybe Paul, but he wouldn’t do something like this. ”

“Paul? Blankenship? ” Joseph slid his hands down to Sabrina’s and held her so he could look at her face. “Why would you think of Paul? ”

“He stopped by right after I got the roses and mentioned the chief of staff position. ”

Joseph released her hands, stepping back. “That prick. Let me make one thing clear. He’s not in the running, and even if he were to be nominated, there’s no way I’d allow him to run my hospital. ”

Sabrina grinned at her boss. She loved when Joseph called it his hospital. If she took over as chief, would she think of it as hers? Heck, she already did for the most part.

“Can you stay with Sabrina while I run this to the lab? ” Paxton asked.

“Of course, and besides, Deacon is on his way. ”

“Deacon? Why is he coming? ” Sabrina asked.

“Because I care about what happens to you, ” Deacon said as he stalked into the room. There was no other way to describe the way the man made his way to her. When he reached her, Deacon pulled her to him and wrapped his large arms around her. A low rumble vibrated beneath Sabrina’s cheek. “Why does my mate smell like you, Joseph? ”

His mate?

Paxton laughed, and Joseph shook his head. “Sabrina’s like a daughter to me. She was upset, and I gave her a hug until you could get here and do your job. ”

His job?

Something was going on, and Sabrina wanted to know what it was, but she didn’t have time to find out. She had patients to see, and she still needed to get her computer work done. But being held by Deacon was frying her brain. And causing her belly to do flips. And getting her panties wet. Another vibration rose up from inside the man.

“I’m just going to go. ” Paxton left, taking Joseph with him.

“Sabrina, ” Deacon husked.

“Huh? ” Yep, brain fried.

“Look at me, ” he commanded. So, she did.

Deacon dipped his head and ghosted his lips against hers. Oh, hell no. If he was going to kiss her, he was going to do it right. Sabrina pulled Deacon’s head down and showed him the proper way to kiss a woman.

Deacon lost all thought of keeping Sabrina safe when she kissed him deeper. He’d only wanted to get her mind off the photo and whoever was stalking her, because he was convinced whoever was leaving items for her was doing just that. Now that he had her in his arms with their tongues dancing the sultriest of tangos, all Deacon wanted was to strip her down so he could feel her silky skin against his. Bury his cock deep within her body and claim her as his mate. But he couldn’t. When Deacon broke the kiss, Sabrina sighed and pressed her forehead to his chest.

“Sorry, ” she muttered.

Deacon tipped her chin up so he could see her eyes. “I’m not. ” He wasn’t sorry for the kiss, but he was sorry they were in her office at the hospital where they weren’t really alone. “There’ll be plenty of time for more of that later. Right now, I want you to concentrate on your job. ”

“What about your job? Why did Joseph say I was your job? ”

Deacon couldn’t tell her the truth, so he got as close to possible. “I feel a strong connection to you, and as such, it is my job to protect you. ”

“Why did you call me your mate? ”

“Because of that connection I mentioned. I know we’ve only just met, but I’m drawn to you, and I want us to have a chance to see if this connection might lead to something deeper. More permanent. It’s fast, and we don’t know each other, but I want us to get there. ”

“I feel it too. Is that weird? I’ve dated, sure. And I have to be honest. When I first met you, I was scared of you, but now I feel safe. ”

“Good. I want you to feel safe. These items that are being left for you mean someone is getting into your locked office. My boss’s cousin is a security expert, and he’s going to figure out who is doing this. In the meantime, you will have someone watching you twenty-four seven. I wish it could be me with you at all times, but that isn’t feasible, so I have friends like Paxton helping me until whoever is doing this is caught. ”

“Do you think that’s really necessary? ”

“Absolutely. Your safety is the most important thing to me. Now, are you ready to make your rounds? ”

“Not yet. I still need to make some notes in my computer, and I’m running behind. ”

“I’ll wait in the hallway if you’d like. ”

“That would probably be for the best. If you sit in here, I won’t be able to concentrate. ” Sabrina moved her hand from behind his neck down his chest and left it over his heart. Deacon clasped her hand in his and brought it to his mouth where he placed soft kisses on her knuckles.

“I’ll be right outside. ” Leaving his mate was hard, but it had to be done. She needed to work, and he needed to call Julian.

When he closed the door behind him, Jonas was waiting. “Paxton left to take the photo to Julian. He’s going to talk to him about added security around Sabrina’s office. ”

" I’m sorry about earlier, ” Deacon said. “I know you have no designs on my female. ”

“I may have growled at someone getting close to my own mate a time or two hundred. Truth be told, I still do it, after all these years. I would say it gets easier, but it really doesn’t. Our connection to our mate is deep and everlasting, especially after you complete the bond. Your mate is as much of you as your shifter is. ”

Deacon couldn’t imagine how Sabrina could become any more ingrained in him than she already was, but he’d been around the others enough to know the connection would get stronger. That scared the shit out of him.

“Gregor has given me time away from the Pen until we figure out who’s behind this. I told Sabrina she’d have someone guarding her at all times, and I plan on introducing her to Lorenzo later so she’s not surprised to see him watching her home. ”

“I’m surprised you aren’t moving in with her, ” Jonas said.

“Don’t think it hasn’t crossed my mind. But we haven’t even had our first date. ”

“Then you better make it a doozy. ” Jonas winked, and Deacon groaned.

“I’m not the world’s most experienced dater. It’s been a long time, and even then, it wasn’t anything serious. I said yes because the female wore me down. It was dinner and nothing more. I’ve waited on my mate to come along, and after four hundred years, here she is. ”

“Trust in the mate pull. Sabrina won’t be able to stay away from you, especially now that you’ve kissed. ”

“How…? Never mind. I got so caught up in it, I forgot anyone was around. But I think you’re right. What I felt from Sabrina was promising. I’m taking her to dinner tomorrow night, and if all goes well, that will be the end of it. Or the beginning, I should say. ”

The door opened, and Sabrina said, “I’m ready. ”

Deacon knew she meant she was ready to make her rounds, but he prayed she was ready to give them a chance. The smile on her face told him she was.

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