Page 30 of Purrfectly Outfoxed
“No, you really don’t.”
“Maybe I just hate that you’re right.”
“Now, that’s part’s true.”
“I hate that I can’t stop wanting you.”
“And I love that about you.” I stand, lifting her with me. “Because I’m nowhere near done with you yet.”
“Where are we going?”
“Guest room. I noticed there’s one down the hall when I was snooping around last night. And it has a lock on the door. So this time, I’m taking my time with you.”
She wraps her legs around my waist and buries her face in my neck. “You’re going to get us both in trouble.”
“Maybe. But at least we’ll be trouble together.”
Chapter 9
Tabitha
“Now, where did I put that ribbon?” Bea mutters, rummaging through her craft supplies spread across the kitchen table. Halloween candy bags in various stages of completion surround her like a colorful army. “Ah! There it is.”
I’m curled up on the couch with Jasper, his fox body warm against mine, his tail draped over my back. To anyone looking—specifically Bea—we’re just two contented pets napping together in the evening light.
The reality is very different.
‘Your tail is on my face,’I think at him.
‘Your ass is in my ribs.’
‘That’s because you’re hogging all the good cushions.’
‘I got here first.’
‘I live here.’
‘So do I. I’m a very tame fox, you know.’
I resist the urge to swat him and instead stretch, repositioning myself so my head is resting on his flank. He’s surprisingly comfortable as a pillow, all warm fur and steady breathing.
“Look at you two,” Bea says, glancing over with a fond smile. “My little best friends. I’m so proud of how well you’ve bonded.”
‘She has no idea,’ Jasper’s mental voice is smug.
‘I love how excited she’s been over how fast her training has worked.’
‘Hey, I’m an excellent student. I sit when told. I stay when told. I only destroy things when you frame me for it.’
‘That was one time!’
‘And I’m never letting you forget it.’
Bea continues making her candy bags, humming the tune to ‘Monster Mash.’ She’s been in high spirits all week, thrilled that her fox ‘training techniques’ have been such a success. If only she knew the real reason Sox has been so ‘well-behaved’.
It’s been a little over a week since that first night on the couch, and there hasn’t been a lot of sleeping ever since. By day we play our roles as devoted pets, and by night?—
Well.