Chapter Twelve

Sabrina couldn’t remember enjoying herself more. Sure, she’d had to listen to the other two women go on about babies, but that wasn’t their fault. The closer to forty she got, the less she felt she’d ever have children. At thirty-six, she wasn’t too old, but she didn’t want to put herself or a baby at risk if she waited too much longer. She had to wonder if Deacon wanted kids. Not that they were anywhere close to discussing those things. Then again, maybe they were. Before they got too serious, they should get all the heavy stuff out into the open. If there were things that would be considered deal breakers, it was better to find out about them in the beginning before hearts were too invested.

She wasn’t going to kid herself; she was already invested in Deacon Wright, and the more time she spent around him, the harder she was falling. Sabrina had heard others talk about love at first sight. Even her boss had admitted to falling for his wife the second he saw her. After Garrison, Sabrina promised herself she’d be more careful who she gave her heart to. But what she was feeling for Deacon was already so much more than she ever felt for her ex.

Deacon was proving to be a gentle giant. One who surrounded himself with good people. The Stone brothers and their wives had accepted Sabrina immediately. Had made her feel at ease and welcome in their conversations. Sophia and Nikolas joked and barbed at each other, but it was clear they were the be-all, end-all for the other. Katherine, the former outspoken newscaster, had been much quieter but no less a part of their little family. Julian couldn’t keep his eyes off his wife nor his hand off her flat stomach as if he could already feel the life growing inside.

Once back at the hospital, Julian got the door panel set up with Sabrina’s fingerprint. He showed Deacon how to program it so he could add whoever Sabrina approved. Several doctors and nurses walked by, but none commented on the fact that Sabrina was having a security panel installed on her door. If they wanted to know why, she’d tell them. Maybe the more people who knew what was going on, the sooner whoever was harassing her would stop. And she did consider it harassment. Sure, it had been flowers and a photo, but she hated roses, and the photo was of her siblings. That was the part she couldn’t figure out. There were only a handful of people who knew about her life before New Atlanta, and of those, Garrison was at the top of the list.

Sabrina only had one more day before her date with Deacon. After that, if all went well, she hoped they spent more time together, and not just him following her around to keep her safe. Now that she knew he could cook, Sabrina wanted nights spent together in the kitchen followed by snuggles and glasses of wine on the sofa. Walks in the park. Many more heated kisses. And sex. Sabrina had a feeling sex with Deacon would ruin her for all other men. And that was her plan. She wanted Deacon, too soon or not. She wanted theirs to be the same connection she’d witnessed at lunch. She wanted someone jealous of the way Deacon looked at her like she hung the moon.

“You okay, Pretty Lady? ”

Sabrina placed her hand on Deacon’s chest. For some reason, she cherished feeling the strong heartbeat beneath the tight shirt. “I am. I need to get upstairs so my patients aren’t waiting around. Not that they can go anywhere, but I try to be respectful of their feelings. I know other doctors do things on their own time, but I’ve never worked that way. ”

“Just another thing that makes you so wonderful, ” Deacon said softly against her lips. “Let’s get going. ”

As they were walking to the elevator, Sabrina was aware of the eyes that watched them. She knew people were talking about Deacon following her everywhere, but she wasn’t going to be bothered about it. She’d ignore the whispers if it meant she was safe. She hadn’t missed the way Paul had leered at them earlier, but she wasn’t worried about him either. If anyone had a problem with Sabrina having a bodyguard, they could take it up with Joseph, since he was the one who insisted on it.

The rest of the day flew by, and when it was time for her to leave, Sabrina wasn’t ready to part with Deacon. “I know we’re supposed to go out tomorrow night, but unless you have something else to do, what do you say we go tonight? ”

Deacon hesitated, and Sabrina said, “It’s okay. I can wait. ”

“I absolutely want to spend time with you, but I have another idea. How about we keep our date for tomorrow night, but tonight, you come home with me and let me cook for you? ”

“I’d love to. I would like to stop home first and change clothes. If you’ll give me your address, I can meet you there. ”

“I am not letting you out of my sight for one second. I’ll follow you home, and then we’ll head to my house. ”

“You’re so bossy, but okay. ” Sabrina locked up her office for the night, and Deacon walked her to her car. When she was tucked safely inside, he strode to his Harley and climbed on. As she drove home with Deacon right behind her, she imagined herself astride his motorcycle, arms tightly wrapped around his body. Sabrina had never done anything exciting, and she thought it might be time to start living a little. Her childhood had consisted of watching her siblings while her mother worked two jobs between husbands. When she went to live with her grandmother, the most fun thing she did was go see a movie a few times a year. She’d had to leave her friends behind when she moved, and the few she made at her new school were into things like the band or sports, while Sabrina had been into reading.

After high school, it was college then medical school then work. Sabrina had never been on vacation. Never been to an amusement park or the beach. Garrison had offered to take her away for a weekend, but for some reason, Sabrina wouldn’t say yes. Now, she wanted to say yes to Deacon. Yes to New Orleans. Yes to riding his motorcycle. Yes to whatever adventure he was up for.

When they got to her house, Deacon followed her inside. “Make yourself at home. There’s wine in the fridge, but I don’t have any beer or liquor. ”

“I’m fine for now, ” he said as he settled down onto her sofa. It was all Sabrina could do not to join him. Wanting to see where the warden lived won out over her libido. There would be time for kissing and other stuff later. Because, she had no doubt, alone with Deacon? There would definitely be other stuff. She padded to her bedroom and changed into jeans and her favorite lavender top. She didn’t know whether or not Deacon would ask her to spend the night, and she didn’t want to seem too forward, so she decided against packing a bag. When she walked into the living room emptyhanded, he frowned.

“What? Do I need to change into something else? ”

Deacon stood and rounded the sofa to meet her. “No, you look beautiful as always. I thought you might take some clothes for tomorrow. You know, just in case we fall asleep on the sofa or something. ”

Sabrina shivered thinking about the or something. If they didn’t leave soon, she was going to show him or something in her bedroom. “I can do that. I didn’t know what you had in mind, and I didn’t want to be presumptuous. ”

Deacon moved until he was in her space, crowding her against the arm of the sofa. Leaning over, he whispered, “Where I’m concerned, you can presume all you want. ” His breath was warm on her ear, and her whole body tingled. Deacon’s phone rang, interrupting the moment. “Damnit, ” he muttered. “Sorry. I’ll take this if you want to grab a bag. ” Sabrina righted herself, and as she was walking away, Deacon said, “Hey, Brynna. Change of plans. I can’t meet you tonight. ”

Brynna? Who the hell was Brynna? Was Deacon canceling a date? Granted, they’d just met, and Sabrina didn’t have any right to be jealous, but she was. Had she read their interactions wrong? Read Deacon wrong? Instead of picking out work clothes for the next day, she sat down on the edge of the bed.

“Sabrina? ” Deacon stopped in the doorway. “If you’re having second thoughts, we can go eat and then I’ll bring you back home. Either way, we need to leave soon. My friend Brynna and her boyfriend are stopping by the house to drop off… Well, it’s kind of embarrassing, but I can tell you about it while I cook. ”

“Your friend? ” Sabrina felt like an idiot.

“Yes. Actually, I met Brynna through her brother, Banyan. Her boyfriend, Travis, is the brother of Dante’s assistant, Trevor. So, in a roundabout way, we’re all friends and family. ”

“I’m sorry. I heard you on the phone, and I assumed… Well, let’s say it wasn’t pretty. ”

“Oh, love. I promise you now, there is no one else. Nor will there ever be. Not as long as you want to give us a chance. ”

“You’re too good to be true, ” Sabrina told him. “I’ll just be packing that bag now, unless you’ve changed your mind. ”

“No, ma’am. I haven’t. ” Deacon looked around her room, and when his eyes took in her bed, something crossed his face. It was heated, but then it was gone because so was Deacon. “I’ll just wait in the living room, ” he called out as he walked away.

Sabrina quickly gathered everything she would need for the next day as well as a gown to sleep in. Just in case they didn’t get into or something.

Deacon had to get out of Sabrina’s bedroom before his beast took over. Being so close to her with no one else around was too tempting. They had plenty of time before Brynna and Travis arrived at Deacon’s place, but he didn’t want to linger any longer than necessary. The sooner he got out of her house where everything smelled like her, the better.

His beast not only wanted to bed her, but when she admitted her jealousy over him talking to another woman, it was ready to claim her then and there. He’d quietly explained to Brynna the clothes were for his date the next night with Sabrina, and that she would be at his house. Brynna promised she and Travis would drop the packages and make themselves scarce. The two of them would be alone after that, but he would feel more in control at home. At least he hoped so.

Sabrina returned to the living room with a small duffel as well as a hanging bag. He took both from her, and they left her house. He had already seen the outside the day before, but the inside, while clean and neat, didn’t feel very homey. Sabrina had little in the way of decorations other than some bright pillows on the sofa and a couple of random paintings on the walls. There were no pictures of family. Nothing to show Sabrina had those she loved and missed. Deacon’s walls weren’t much different, but he had been waiting to let a mate fill the home with their own touch. Maybe they’d been waiting for each other.

Since he was on his bike, Sabrina stowed her things in the trunk of her car and followed Deacon out of the subdivision where she lived to the outskirts of town where his home was. While he navigated the backroads, Deacon wondered how Sabrina would react to his home. It was farther out than hers, and it was nestled in the woods with no neighbors in sight. That was for his peace of mind as well as it allowed him to phase and take to the skies with no one able to see him under cover of a dark sky.

After stopping and speaking into the security box, the gate swung open, and Deacon drove the rest of the way down the drive. He pushed the remote on his bike that opened the garage and rolled in to park beside his truck. His four-wheel-drive was a newer model, so he wasn’t embarrassed by it.

Sabrina pulled her fairly new sedan to a stop and got out, looking wide-eyed at his home. Deacon held his breath as he waited for her to say something. When she did, he exhaled and smiled inwardly.

“Wow. Deacon, this is stunning. ” She turned in a circle, taking in the trees and plants that had been growing for many years. Wildflowers edged the woods, creating a colorful barrier. His home was a two-story mixture of stone and dark wood. He loved it, and he hoped she did as well.

Deacon walked over to her and grabbed her hand, because he couldn’t not touch her in some way. “Let me get your things, and then I’ll give you the tour. ” After retrieving her bags from the trunk, Deacon led her through the garage and into the house via a hallway just past the mudroom.

“Your house is amazing. ” Sabrina took in the kitchen before moving on to the living area. Deacon tried to imagine it through her eyes. Did she see a home? Or was she seeing the same thing he had at her place – somewhere to sleep at night with no real ties? When Sabrina caught sight of the double French doors leading to the backyard, she took a step in that direction then paused.

“Let’s take a look, ” Deacon suggested. He dropped her bags on the table before holding open the door for her. “I sometimes have a large vegetable garden, but I’ve been busy this year. I didn’t plant one only to have it wither from lack of care. ”

“You’re full of surprises, ” Sabrina whispered, but Deacon caught the words. Several hummingbirds were hovering around the feeders, and Sabrina stood silently as they buzzed back and forth. “If I lived here, I would never want to leave. ” Her words were music to Deacon’s ears. He wanted her to love his place, because if he had his way, she’d be living there with him soon.

“It’s peaceful. I prefer it to a busier area. I have forty acres, and the nearest neighbors are half a mile on either side. ” He didn’t tell her who his neighbors were, but several of the Stone Clan lived close by.

A car engine sounded in the distance, and when it slowed, he waited until it moved closer, coming down the driveway. “Travis and Brynna are here. Let’s go say hello. ” Deacon held out his hand, and Sabrina took it. He slotted their fingers together as they walked side by side. He knew he should take things slow, but he couldn’t help wanting to touch her every chance he got. Just as they reached the living room, the doorbell rang. Sabrina dropped his hand and remained by the sofa. Deacon opened the door to a grinning Viking princess and a shy Travis who was laden with shopping bags. Brynna bypassed Deacon, going straight to Sabrina.

“Hello, Dr. Bailey. I’m Brynna, and it’s a pleasure to meet you. ”

“Please, call me Sabrina. It’s nice to meet you as well. ” Sabrina’s greeting as well as her smile were genuine. Any jealousy from earlier was no longer present.

Deacon took the bags from Travis. “I’m just going to... ” He hurried up the stairs and tossed the packages into his closet, then rushed back downstairs. He didn’t know Brynna well enough to leave her alone with Sabrina, but when he found them in the kitchen, he relaxed. Travis was explaining some of the projects he was working on with Rafael while Sabrina and Brynna listened. All three had a glass of tea.

“I hope you don’t mind, ” Brynna said, holding up her glass, “but I’ve grown quite fond of sweet tea. ”

“Not at all. I’m quite partial to it myself. It took a while, because up north they don’t sweeten it. ”
Deacon poured himself a glass, taking the last of it. While they stood around making small talk, he pulled several tea bags out of the pantry and put them in a boiler on the stove.

Brynna drained her glass. “I hate to drink and run, but Travis and I need to go. We’re meeting Urijah and Banyan before we all head out. ”

“Are you going to Norway? ”

“Yes. Now that their new house is finished, and spectacular I might add, they have asked Travis to get started on the new one there as well as the remodel. ” Travis blushed at Brynna’s praise. “And I’m tagging along because I want to show Travis my homeland. ” Brynna was careful about how she phrased everything.

“Thank you again for the packages. ”

Brynna took both hers and Travis’s empty glasses and put them in the dishwasher. “Don’t thank me. I love shopping. Travis is the brave soul who put up with hours of me dragging him around the mall. ”

“I didn’t mind, ” Travis replied softly, the love evident on his face and in his voice. Deacon had a feeling it wouldn’t be much longer before the two of them made the bond complete.

“Then I thank you both. When you return, we’ll have you over for dinner. ”

The four of them said goodbye, leaving Deacon alone with Sabrina. “Let me see to the tea and then I’ll get started on our meal. ” Sabrina watched everything he did, and it felt right having his mate in his home.

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