part0024

“Titus, if this wasn’t so far from the store, I’d move in just for this perk.” I cut into the salmon, taking a big bite.

Titus was lounging on the couch, his right leg over the top. He’d gotten plenty of blood from Jack, apparently, and didn’t need or want any solid food. That meant more for me.

“Is that how I get into your heart? The saying is through your stomach, isn’t it?” He was so relaxed that his foot that was in the air moved to a silent beat. He was on a blood high.

I giggled. He was really cute. I glanced at Jack, who was eating his second steak. He looked tired but satisfied. His hair was disheveled. He’d changed into new clothes.

Billy finished his eggplant parmesan and patted his stomach.

“Man. Sex, a show, good food and drink? I am fat and happy tonight.” He stretched with his arms over his head. He only had shorts on.

I snickered into my wine glass as I watched Jack run his eyes down Billy’s chest. Well. Looked like Billy was probably going to be bottom to both of my other mates. I couldn’t wait.

“Is anyone up for a nap?” Titus lifted his head, blinking owlishly.

“That sounds good to me.” Billy stood, walked over to the couch, and fell onto it. Half his body covered Titus’, who grunted at his weight. “Ah, yes. This is the spot.”

Jack finished his steak, setting his knife and fork down. He looked at me. “Would you like to go for a walk in the woods? Maybe shift and we can play in the snow?”

My fox perked up at the same time I did. That sounded like fun.

“Hell yeah.” I hopped off the bar stool. “I’d love to shift and play.”

Jack started piling the dirty dishes on the tray that they’d been delivered on.

“Sounds good to me.” He offered a small smile at me. “I haven’t played in the snow for a long time.”

Some alone time with Jack? Yes, please. I shifted without taking clothes off. By the time I crawled out from under my shirt, Jack was by the door waiting for me.

“Have fun!” Titus’ voice was muffled where he’d buried his face in the crook of Billy's neck. Billy was already snoring.

As we rode down in the elevator, I batted at Jack’s leg. My fox widened her eyes as we stared up at him. Our tail moved slowly back and forth.

“Yeah?” He squatted next to me, his fingers scratching behind my ear.

Oh. Ooh. That was the good stuff! Scritches behind the ear were closest to sex you could get to.

Jack laughed softly. “Can I carry you out?” He held out his arms.

I hopped up into them and curled my tail. My fox was purring up a storm.

The lobby was filled with people. Good thing he was holding me. Dodging that many feet would have been fun, but distracting. We passed the lounge area where I could see Lance drinking from a tumbler and staring out one of the many windows.

Instead of heading to the entrance, Jack moved toward the back of the room where another large doorway opened up to a patio area that overlooked the extensive vineyard.

It was cooler up on the mountain. My fur kept me toasty. Jack, being the Winter King, didn’t seem to be bothered in the t-shirt and jeans he was in, either.

His long legs took us into the wooded area. The tree branches were heavy with snow. I couldn’t wait to play in the snow drifts.

I was impatient. Starting to wiggle in Jack’s arms, I pushed off his chest with my paws and took off into the wood with Jack’s laughter following me.

Happiness filled me as we flew through the foliage. A blast of cool wind pushed me over, and I went tumbling with a squeak.

“You’re it.” Jack bent over me, his hair brushing my whiskers. “Can you keep up, little fox?” His pupils turned white as wind picked up around him, lifting him a few inches off the ground.

Oh. He could fly because of the wind?

I flipped onto my paws and yipped, my tail going crazy. Let’s do this!

Jack turned, flying off with me right behind. Snow flew around us in flurries as we played tag for what felt like minutes but actually ended up being a few hours.

It was nice being able to just let go and have fun. My worries and stress just melted away. Jack even laughed when I’d manage to jump on him to tag him.

At one point, I’d managed to hide high in a tree from him. He’d looked around for me, calling my name. When he’d faced away from me, I jumped onto his head, clinging to him.

His loud shout followed by his laugh startled some birds nearby. He lifted me off of him, flipped me on my back, and held me like a child. I snapped at his fingers a few times before he started to rub my belly.

My fox caved in a crescendo of purrs. She was a hussy. I was, too.

“I’ve been around since the dark ages.” Jack sat down at the bottom of the tree, the snow cradling him as he continued to pet me. “I’ve seen the horrors that this world has to offer. Humans being the worst.”

I watched his expression. He looked haunted. My tail flicked along his cheek, bringing his attention down to me.

His lips softened, curling up. “I know I’m not nice. I don’t want to be. Titus is one of the few beings in this world that I get along with on occasions. Then you just appear in front of me. All curves, sass, and laughter. My heart’s desire. I panicked.” His index finger scratched just behind my ear. “What I said to you, both times, was cruel, and for that, I’ll be trying to make up for it for the rest of our lives, if you’ll keep me close.”

I licked his palm. He’d more than made up for his assholish ways. I could feel his sincerity.

Jack glanced up at the sky. “It’s starting to get late. Why don’t we head back? We can get the other two up and we can roast marshmallows at one of the fire pits outside on the patio.”

I yipped excited at the prospect but I let him hold me the way back to the room. I was comfortable and content to stay exactly where I was.