Marie Harte - Outfoxed

And speaking of asses… He gave the waitress a nod and glanced at the back of the diner. Wouldn’t she be a lucky girl? As fortunate as Stacey and her pretty little sisters were going to be once he found them and dragged them back home, where they belonged.

“Good luck.” Lex disconnected, and Ronnie tucked his phone away.

He ordered another omelet and headed for the restroom. Before he reached it, he ducked into the utility closet where the hot young blonde waited for him. He glanced at her nametag. Right. Becky. When Becky smiled and opened her blouse, he smiled back. What a beautiful day.

Monday evening, Grady found Gabby downtown at her shop on Main Street. Gabby’s Greats, a sewing place that seemed to thrive, catered mostly to folks—women—needing curtains and alterations. But men generated a bit of her business as well. He nodded to a few male foxes leaving the store with frowns and did his best not to grin. She’s mine, assholes. Get lost.

One of them curled his lip at Grady. Instead of returning the sentiment, Grady winked and let him pass.

“Lousy cats,” the fox muttered.

Grady knew the bastards were jealous Gabby had gone to live at the pride. If the foxes hadn’t been so snooty, she probably would have stayed with her clan. But too many of them preferred full-blooded foxes to half-breeds. Burke didn’t give a shit what you were, so long as you had decent sense and a backbone to defend the pride. In that he truly respected his brother.

He stepped through the front door and caught her scent without even trying. The moment his feet hit the tile, she swung from a customer to face him. Her face turned a pretty shade of pink before she smiled down at the older raptor fingering a bolt of fabric on the counter between them.

“There you go, Millie.” Gabby’s husky voice aroused him every time. Sex and sin all wrapped up in a redhead with a smile to die for. “Now remember, I give you this, I get free ice cream through the summer.”

Not a bad deal. Millie owned the local ice cream parlor, and with the weather finally heating up, it was a bitch fighting all the kids to get a cone. He cleared his throat and nodded in Millie’s direction.

Gabby didn’t quite smother a smile. “Oh and a free cone for Grady too.”

Millie turned to look at him, no doubt remembering all the trouble he’d caused when younger. Damn Dean. As usual, he’d have gotten away with a helluva lot more if his little brother hadn’t been tagging along all the time.

“Grady Chastell, eh? This big galoot hasn’t been bothering you too much, has he?” The old bird had a twinkle in her eye that meant trouble.

He gave her a wide smile and sidestepped a few older she-bears with big ears and roving hands. Fortunately they seemed to be leaving, so only Millie remained. “Now, Millie. Is that any way to talk to a man who’s had a crush on you since he could walk?” He took her frail hand in his, kissed it and pressed it to his heart, aware of Gabby watching him with wide eyes. “You gave me my first peppermint stick. How could I not love you?”

Millie flushed and shoved him away, but not before squeezing his hand in hers first. “Oh please. Boy has less sense than looks, I can tell you that. But those looks, whooee. Gotta love those cat eyes, eh, Gabby? And he’s got that strong Chastell blood.” She turned to Gabby and in a conspiratorial tone said, “Everyone thinks Burke is the dangerous one, but Grady’s the one to watch. He’s tricky, like a fox. He’ll ease his way into your confidence, then pounce.”

“And then it’s too late.” He wiggled his brows and had both women laughing. “You need help with that, Millie?” He pointed to the fabric.

She shook her head. “No. I’ll leave it here and have someone pick it up for me tomorrow. You kids have a nice night. Grady Chastell, behave yourself.” She gave him a stern frown, but the smile in her eyes took a great deal of the sting from it. “Bye, Gabby.”

“Millie.”

He and Gabby stood in silence, watching Millie take her sweet-ass time leaving the store. Grady had to grin. He’d seen the older woman move like lightning when she wanted to, despite her advanced years.

When she finally departed, he turned to see Gabby watching him, that blush still riding her cheeks.

“So you—” he said just as she said, “How was your—” They laughed together.

God, could she get any prettier? Gabby wore her silky hair pulled back in a ponytail. Wisps had escaped the band and framed her face, making her look like a tired pixie who wanted to have mischief on her mind but hadn’t the energy to do much. He swore he could see her fox sizing him up, then her cat taking his measure. He wanted to go hunting with her, racing through the woods as cats and then watching her shift into her fox form, all sleek and silver and red.

“You first,” she said softly.

“Oh um. Yeah.” He felt like a fool, unable to think of anything else to say but, “You’re pretty.”

“Thanks.”

They stared at one another. He wondered if she remembered how good it had been between them. If only that was all he could remember, he could have chalked up his attraction to chemistry. But everything about her made him soft inside. Hearing her laugh, seeing her interact with Millie, watching her eyes light up with joy when she pleased others…

“What’s wrong?” She frowned. “Are you okay?” Gabby glanced away from him, then back. “Is it Joy?”

Joy. Fuck. The truth swam between them, an ugly reminder that he had the situation with Joy to make right. Gabby had just handed him an opportunity to wipe the slate clean.

But as he stared into her whiskey-brown eyes, he couldn’t do it. Not yet. Not until he’d made them strong enough as a couple to withstand the small fib. “Ah, no. Not at all. I just don’t want to screw up my chances with you.”

She raised a brow. “Chances?”

“For a movie and dinner. That’s all.” He put on his best smile. “I swear. That’s all.” Unless you want more. “I was thinking we’ve been living in the pride together for three months but we don’t know each other too well. And I owe you for Saturday night.”

“Excuse me?”

Christ. Every time he opened his mouth around her, he insulted her without meaning to. “Gabby, I’m usually pretty good with words. Just give me a minute.”

“Your note yesterday morning was nice.”

“Yeah, well, maybe I should go outside and write you another one. Then you could read it and we could go out. On a date. Together.”

She said nothing, probably waiting to see how far he could shove his foot in his mouth.

“I’d like to get to know you. In bed, sure. I’m not stupid.” He chuckled. “But out of bed too. I think we’d like each other if we knew each other better. And about the other night…” He had to get this right. “Let’s just forget all about Joy and Dean and everything, okay? Pretend they don’t exist. Because you and me, that was never about them. It was about us. You were there for me when I needed you, and I’ll never forget it.” He gently rubbed her shoulder, constantly amazed at the delicate grace of her build and the strength of muscle within.

She coughed into her hand but didn’t step away from him. “I… So you’re not upset about what happened at my place? I felt really bad that I’d taken advantage of you.”

The woman had to be joking. “No way. I didn’t want you to think I took advantage of you . You know, you being all generous and then I make a move. Joy isn’t…” What you think she is. She’s a conniving feline like my devious brother. “She’s not important, Gabby.”

What looked like relief flitted over her features. “Okay then.” She stepped back, and he regretfully let her go. “I’ll get my purse and jacket and we can head to dinner.”