Page 10 of Cuffed By the Wolf

“Thank you.”

“And Sasha, I want to see you in the bar tomorrow night. First round's on me.”

“I’ll be sure to tip you well.”

He grins, then it fades. “I wish you all the luck with grumpy Sheriff Drake. He’s very rough around the edges.”

I chuckle. “I’ll see if I can spruce him up a bit. Make him more tolerable.”

We both laugh, then say our goodbyes as I exit the rear door of the sedan.

The heat is manageable this morning. How I long for a shower. Good thing I brought a week’s worth of clothes. I had hoped to wrap up this issue within a day or two, but planned to stay a week if needed.

Fitch was a delight to talk to this morning. I could tell he wanted to ask me out on a date, even in my haggard state. But he didn’t. Which is good because I’m not here to date. I only want to find out who ruined my life.

I drive to the nearest hotel down the street. Once I’m settled, I’ll walk around the city. This time I’ll get to know each shop owner and the employees before I probe about the wire transfers. I hate to admit Sheriff Drake was right. It could’ve been any shop owner on the main street. It was presumptuous of me to target the antique shop. I hope I never see Everett and Breann again. But in this small town, I don’t think that’s logical. The second I hit the end of the parking lot, the cold air pours out from the vents. It feels so good.

I didn’t expect to hear from Sheriff Drake this morning after I left the station. He wants to interview me for the secretary position. That’s great. I know he wasn’t offering me the job, but it felt good getting under his skin. All I need is a good night’s rest and I’ll be ready to take on the burly sheriff.

Rolling my suitcase through the hotel lobby, I approach the front desk.

“Good morning,” the front desk attendant greets.

“Good morning,” I reply.

“Welcome to Lupton Hotel. My name is Shamera. How may I help you?” she asks.

“I’d like to reserve a room for the rest of the month.”

I rather book the hotel for longer than I need. Just to be on the safe side.

Her long, skinny mocha fingers fly over the keyboard. “Let’s see what I have available. The summer is our busiest time of year. We’re always booked up.”

Her jaw drops. “We only have tonight available.”

“What?”

“There’s one other hotel and a motel in town. I’ll call them on speaker and see what they have available.”

“Shamera, thank you.”

Where will I stay if the hotels are booked? Maybe they have Airbnbs.

Fifteen minutes later, I walk into my hotel room. Can’t believe this is happening to me. I’ll figure out where I’ll stay for the rest of the month after a hot shower. I refuse to think about the sheriff while I shower because it will only make me want to do naughty things to myself. I’m not in town to fuck the sexy sheriff either. My eyes close briefly and I imagine his large hand curl around my neck as his green eyes hold mine. ‘You’ve been a very bad girl.’

I bite down on the corner of my lip, and my eyes slowly open. I notice my finger circling my taut nipple of its own free will. Just because his scent drives me mad doesn’t mean I have to give into him. No, Sheriff Drake and I can never be. I’m returning to Charleston as soon as I can get my life back on track.

The man smells delicious — forest floor, chocolate, and toasted sugar. I sniff the air: melted caramel, lavender, and sea salt. Great, my aroused scent has returned. Better take my scent suppressants. I don’t want any alpha catching wind of me. And certainly not the sheriff.

Clean clothes never felt so good against my skin. I sit in Spout, a quaint coffee shop down the street from the hotel. While sipping a cappuccino, I comb through the Airbnbs in the area. They cost a small fortune. I might have to stay in Lunnerville, the next town over.

“Evan, any luck renting out your camper for the summer?” I hear someone ask.

I peek up from my laptop in the comfy chair near the window. Two men stand in line dressed in t-shirts and khaki shorts. They look to be in their late twenties.

“Nope. It seems like only kids are interested. Can’t have anyone destroying my baby while I’m away.”

I wonder what kind of camper it is. I consider leaving my laptop on the chair. My eyes move around the semi-crowded shop. Never know who’s a thief these days. I pack up my belongings and march to the two men.