"Who are you attracted to?" Josh asked. He knew that Harland was already mated, so it couldn't be his cousin. From what Aunt Renee had told him, Jed was mated as well.

So it had to be either Clayton or Bryson.

"It doesn't matter." Sparrow's jaw tightened. "Now let's get moving. You have to see the judge."

Josh took a step back. "I'm scared. What's he going to do to me?"

"He's going to make you pay the fine, unless that shotgun comes back dirty."

"But it wasn't mine." He argued the point once more, feeling like a broken record. How many times did he have to say that before Sparrow believed him? Josh was getting light-headed and the room began to spin. Bile rose to the back of his throat while he gripped the wall to steady himself.

"Whoa." Sparrow grabbed Josh by his upper arms and eased him onto the cot. "Are you really going to pass out? I thought bears were tougher than that."

"You're an ass." Josh breathed in through his nose and out through his mouth. He hated the fact that his hands were shaking. He hated everything about being here in this cell. All he wanted to do was go home. "Not all bear shifters are badass."

"Even the smallest of your kind can intimidate any human." Sparrow squatted in front of Josh and did something unexpected. The sheriff brushed his fingers over Josh's jaw as his deep, dark eyes softened. "Relax, Josh. Like I said, he'll only make you pay the fine."

"The shotgun."

Sparrow's hand dropped away. "The report already came back. The shotgun is clean and registered to someone. I've got my deputy getting a hold of the owner."

Josh sat there stunned for a moment and then red-hot anger filled him, singing through his body as he clenched his hands into fists. "You asshole!"

"I was trying to teach you a damn lesson," Sparrow argued. "Maybe next time you'll think twice before picking up a hitchhiker!"

Josh lifted his fist, ready to knock the large man on his ass when Sparrow grabbed his wrist, holding it firmly. "Don't add assaulting a law enforcement official to your charges."

"I should kick you in the balls for making me agonize over that shotgun." Josh yanked on his wrist, but Sparrow had a tight hold on it. "I damn near passed out from fear."

"Good," Sparrow said with a hard, rigid nod. "Then lesson learned."

In a moment of pure insanity, Josh leaned forward before Sparrow knew what he was doing and planted a kiss on the man's lips. The scent inside his cell was so overwhelming, his relief so fierce, that Josh found himself turning his anger into madness.

He groaned at the taste.

Sparrow snapped his head back. "What are you doing?"

"Kissing you, moron." Josh leaned forward again. Sparrow moved back but didn't go far, so Josh moved just a little closer. When the sheriff didn't move again, Josh licked his tongue across the man's full bottom lip, teasing it before plunging his tongue deep.

Sparrow grabbed a handful of Josh's hair, tilting his head back roughly before he began to kiss back. His scalp tingled from the roughness. His body came to life. Josh groaned. The man tasted sweeter than honey. His tongue was rough, intrusive, and Josh opened wider to allow the sheriff to take over. The cell suddenly became too hot as the air all around them singed with electricity.

Sparrow tugged Josh's hair a little harder as his lips left Josh's mouth and traveled over his jaw. Josh was aching to have the man kiss every inch of his body. At this point, if Sparrow wanted to strip Josh naked, he'd let him.

Josh's cock thickened as he whimpered. Sparrow gave a low growl, as if the sound of Josh's throaty pleas turned him on. He parted his lips, trying to pull in more air. Sparrow released Josh's hair, his hands traveling down Josh's back. His touches became softer, gentler.

Josh started to lean back as Sparrow lifted from his squatting position, hovering over Josh while his lips traveled even lower, sucking the skin over Josh's neck.

"Hey, Sparrow!" someone called from down the hall.

Sparrow quickly released Josh, standing there panting as his eyes skimmed over Josh. The sheriff cleared his throat before he turned and shouted, "Back here."

This time Josh was trying to calm down from the raging hard-on he had. He wanted another kiss. Hell, he wanted more than that. Josh was glad for the moment of reprieve when Sparrow walked out of the cell. He needed to pull himself together.

"Let's go," Sparrow said as he turned back around but didn't look at Josh. "I need to get you out of here."

The man wanted Josh gone. But Josh knew this wasn't the last time he was going to see the sheriff.

Not by a long shot.

Not after that toe-curling kiss. The sheriff might claim he hated bear shifters, but he'd just proven to Josh that he wasn't as averse to them as he claimed to be.

Clayton leaned against Harland's truck, his ankles crossed, watching the door for Josh. They were still at the station waiting for the little blond to see the judge.

"He shouldn't be much longer," Harland said from where he was sitting on the tailgate. "I still can't believe that prick made him see the judge."

Clayton started to agree, but frowned when he found himself wanting to defend the sheriff instead. His bear didn't like Harland insulting Sparrow. The heat must be frying his brain.

Pushing from the truck, Clayton headed toward the door. "I'm going to check on him."

"I'll wait out here," Harland said.

Clayton stepped back into the cool interior of the station, nodding to Harold as he headed toward Sparrow's office. Josh came out of one of the doors down the hall, appearing a bit shaken.

His arms ached to pull Josh close and comfort the man. "How'd it go?"

Josh gave him a wobbly smile that lit up Clayton's heart. "I'm not going to prison."

Clayton smiled. "That's a good thing."

When Sparrow appeared further down the hallway, Clayton narrowed his eyes at the sheriff. Sparrow turned away and began to talk to one of his deputies.

"Let's get out of here."

"I'm all for that," Josh said as he exited the station.

Clayton gave Sparrow one last look before he followed that fruity fragrance, his eyes landing on Josh's ass.

Josh might be Harland's cousin, but Clayton planned on getting some of that sweet little bear.

Josh moved close to the window in the backseat of Harland's truck, soaking in the sun's rays. He was glad to be free, able to smell the fresh air. He never wanted to see the inside of a jail cell again.

As Harland turned into a long, curving driveway, Josh's lips slightly parted. The Triple-B ranch came into view and he was amazed at the beauty of the place.

The two-story Victorian home was set back far from the road. Dark-blue shutters adorned the windows of the pristine-looking white home.

When Harland said he owned a house with his best friends, he failed to mention that it was more like a small mansion. White fences lined the drive and there were horses grazing here and there. The air smelled fresh and clean.

There were white-capped mountains in the background that made the picturesque setting seam unreal. The place was just too perfect.

"Well, what do you think?" Clayton asked from the front seat.

"It's simply breathtaking." Josh had been in the wilderness of Maine many times, but there was something awe-inspiring about a horse ranch.

"Glad the shotgun came back clean," Harland was saying and Josh knew he was in for a lecture. "But what I want to know is how your brain decided that picking up a hitchhiker was a smart thing to do?"

"I know. I know," Josh said as he sat back, thinking about Sparrow's own lesson and that hotter-than-hell kiss. "I can promise you that it won't happen again. I've learned my lesson." The pricey speeding ticket was enough to make him balk. But what could have happened if the shotgun hadn't come back clean was enough to give Josh nightmares.

Thank goodness everything had turned out okay.

"Bryson is going to get Greg's car later," Harland said as he parked and got out. "I didn't want you around that sheriff any longer than you needed to be. He seemed to have it out for you."

"Because of you," Josh said as he hopped out and gazed around. He wasn't telling anyone about what he and Sparrow had shared in his cell. His cousin would probably flip if he knew Josh had been making out with the same guy who'd arrested him. "As soon as I said I was your cousin, his whole demeanor changed."

Harland sighed. "That's because he saw my mate giving birth."

"So, where are my little cousins?" Josh hurried toward the porch, ready to meet Harland's kids and to see his Aunt Renee. She'd been gone for months and he missed her dearly. He was also ready to change the damn subject.

Josh planned on going back to the station just as soon as Greg's car was returned to him. Sparrow had sparked something inside of him that Josh wanted to explore further.

He came up short when he entered a house filled with kids. There were five in all, screaming and running around. The skin under his left eye twitched at the noise level. Clayton walked up behind Josh. He was so close that he could feel the heat on his back.

Josh wasn't sure what to do.

Clayton had been making passes at him since they'd met. He liked both men and felt greedy for wanting to get to know Sparrow and Clayton better.

"Welcome to the loony bin," Clayton said, his warm breath tickling Josh's cheek. God, he felt like such a slut. Josh had never been shy when it came to sex or flirting, but two men? Really?

"That's Markey." Harland pointed to a short blond-haired child with the prettiest blue eyes Josh had ever seen. "And that's Austin trying to keep up with his older brother."

The infant was half wobbling and half running. If one could call that running. There were three more children with Austin, one in his cub form.

"Tyler likes being a bear more than he likes being human," Clayton explained. "He and his sisters are triplets."

Josh's eyebrows shot up. Twins were rare, but triplets were like winning the lottery. And all five children were cute as a button.

"Let me show you to your room." Harland guided Josh upstairs and showed him to the third door on the left. "Supper will be ready soon. My mate is a damn good cook."

"I'd like to meet him." Josh was feeling a bit overwhelmed. It had been just him and his brother for the longest time. After his uncle passed away, Josh and Greg had pretty much been on their own. Then Greg had joined the service, wanting to serve his country, and that had left Josh by himself.

Now he was in a house with so many people that he wasn't sure what to do. Harland took him back downstairs and gave him a tour of the house. The inside was just as impressive as the outside.

The living room had plenty of open space, two couches, three recliners, and a large-screen television. The room was decorated in a modern style.

There were also toys strewn about everywhere. He could tell this place was well used and well loved.

Harland took him to the kitchen next. Josh gazed around. It was a typical country kitchen, but with updated appliances and a large wooden table in the middle. The cabinets were yellow and white, the walls as well. The spacious room was accessorized with an apple motif.

"And this is Dresden," Harland said as he kissed a very good-looking blond. Clayton had rejoined them, and was now standing directly behind Josh once more.

Josh moved quickly away, feeling guilty for wanting two men. Even if he fancied the idea of being with both guys, what if one turned out to be his mate? How could he look his mate in the eye after sleeping with the other man?

Clayton frowned, but didn't say a word as Josh moved across the room and shook Dresden's hand. "You have two very handsome sons."

"Thanks," Dresden replied. "Two sons who are a handful."

What Josh wouldn't give to have a family of his own. He'd grown up in a small one but wanted a large one with his mate-whenever he found the guy. Although, seeing those five kids together made him wonder if he could handle so many.

"Come on," Clayton said, grabbing Josh by the hand. "I'll show you the rest of the place."

Josh didn't argue. He let Clayton drag him out the back door. Once they were alone, Clayton spun on him, pinning Josh with an icy glare. "You want to tell me why Sparrow's scent is all over you?"

Chapter Four.

Clayton was spitting mad. He'd been trying to get with Sparrow for a while, and now Josh showed up smelling like he'd bathed in the human's scent?

He was livid and didn't care if it wasn't his place to question Josh. It ticked him off that he wanted Sparrow and the sheriff wouldn't give him the time of day, but the guy would make out with his damn prisoner.

It also ticked him off that he'd been attracted to Josh from the word go and Sparrow had moved in on the guy. He wasn't sure if it was shitty-ass luck or if the sheriff was just out to piss Clayton off.

"If you've forgotten that quickly, I was just released from jail...where the sheriff happens to work." Josh folded his arms over his slim chest, jutting his chin out in a defiant manner.

Clayton could tell that Josh was lying to him. He didn't know the guy, so he backed off. Clayton had no right to be angry with this man. It was Sparrow he needed to have a word with.

Spinning on his heel, Clayton went to his truck, got in, and took off toward town. He wasn't sure what game the sheriff was playing, but Clayton wasn't going to let the man get away with it. The sheriff knew damn well that Clayton was interested in Josh.

He parked outside the station and walked in, right past the front desk and straight into Sparrow's office. He slammed the door closed behind him as Sparrow looked up from some paperwork.

"Sure, drop in anytime." The man sat back, gazing at Clayton like Clayton was in the wrong.

Clayton jabbed a finger toward the sheriff. "You knew I liked him."

"Who?"

"Don't play innocent with me." Clayton moved closer and inhaled deeply, smelling Josh all over the bastard. "What'd you do, grope him in his cell?"

Sparrow shot to his feet, his face a mask of anger. "Be very careful of the words coming out of your mouth, Clayton. The next ones just might get you locked up."