Fox

by Tory Baker

  “It’s a free country, so why not.” I shrug my shoulders, but I’m scared to look at him, to see him in nothing but a pair of shorts again. To ask what was on my mind earlier this morning, but we don’t know enough about each other for me to even mention the scar running down from his lower thigh into his upper leg.

  “Are you going to tell me what’s rattling around in that head of yours?” I whip my head around to look at him, my jaw dropping at the sight of him. I’ve seen him dressed in the same thing earlier, but up close and personal, it’s completely different.

  “A little of this and a little of that,” I respond before taking my eyes off Fox, reluctantly.

  “You’ll open up eventually, sunshine,” Fox states, and then he turns his head to gaze at the water as well, leaving us both to our own thoughts.

  9

  Fox

  It took everything in me to not ask her about the guy who’s set her on an emotional rollercoaster, not when she looks at peace for the first time in twenty-four hours. That’s why I’m shocked when Melanie says, “He wasn’t just any guy, you know, the one you accused of not being worth it.” She looks over at me.

  “Could have fooled me the way you were mourning him, sunshine.”

  “I’m sorry if I was loud, truly. It was just something my dad and I used to jam out to. That’s who I’m mourning, not some guy, you know?”

  “Fuck, Mel, come here.” I wrap my arm around her shoulder, trying to give her some kind of support. The way she was wailing with the guitar, her bloodshot eyes, it all makes sense as to why she’s been so torn up. Hell, why she still is. Today I saw a glimpse of her happiness, but I know the ups and downs death takes on you. I had my own demons to battle with after being sent home.

  “I’m okay, promise.” She tries to pull away from me, but I don’t release her. Instead, I move us closer together, smelling the sweet scent of oranges mixed with vanilla.

  “Doesn’t mean I can’t hold you for a minute. When’s the last time you’ve had a hug, Mel?” I ask her.

  “Well, if you count my second dad, it’s been a couple of weeks before that. Several hugs at the funeral, but nothing that really was meaningful, besides from Gene. That was nothing like what my dad would give me, his hugs. He’d wrap me up like he was a teddy bear and just hold me. I miss him so damn much. He was too young. I wanted him to be there for all the milestones in my life. Now he’s not.” Those words sound as if they’re ripped from her soul.

  “Then let me hug you, sunshine. Nothing more. Give me those tears and let it out, at least for now. Then you get up, and fuck do I know it’s hard as hell, but you brush yourself off. If he had things he wanted to do while he was alive, you do those for him. Persevere, even when life is trying to knock you down.” I kiss the crown of her head, already feeling this gravitational pull towards her sunshine.

  “What kind of experience do you have?” This time, it’s me who lets her go. I know what she’s asking, and as difficult it is, I’ll give her those.

  “We lost a few of our own on our last mission, my career was over, and here I am in my late thirties with a knee replacement that I’ll probably have to have again later on in life. Those men, though, they were my brothers in every way of the word except blood. It may not be the same as losing my dad, because I’m pretty sure I’d be in your shoes, hurt, sad, and wanting the world to stop kicking me in the ass. Healing is gonna take time, Mel, so do that, but even though we don’t know each other all that well right now, I’m here for you, just a few steps away.” The sun may be beating down on her body, and fuck what a body she has, but I see her shiver, so I put my arm back around her, rubbing her arm. She lays her head in the crook of my neck, and we sit silently. Melanie says nothing about what I just told her. I have no doubt once she gets her thoughts together, she will.

  “Thank you. I’m sorry I’ve been such a pain in the ass,” she breaks the silence after a few minutes.

  “Nah, I almost went out last night to make sure you were okay. Damn woman had me closing the windows, felt like I was intruding. You’ve got a hell of a voice, sunshine.” Melanie perks up at my compliment.

  “Thanks, you really think I’ve got a good voice? I mean, my dad always told me I did, but he’s my dad so, you know, biased opinion and all.” She moves the hair that’s blowing in the wind across her lips, placing it behind her ear. Shit, this woman has me wanting to do everything I can for her. Peyton, my brother’s now wife, wasn’t wrong. When you fall, you really fucking fall. She’ll get a kick out of this. Not even twenty-four hours in Melanie’s presence, and I know I’ll do whatever I can to keep the smile on her face.

  “Nah, he was telling the truth. Next time you have a jam session, let me know. I’ll bring the bourbon and watch you play. The only reason I didn’t last night was, well, the way you needed to get it out, and I was naked as a jaybird,” I attempt to lighten the mood.

  “Oh, dear God, I appreciate you not coming out, then. You probably would have scared the old lady on the other side of you.” She chuckles while saying this.

  “She’d enjoy it. Don’t let her fool you. Let’s go for a walk. It’ll do you some good and help out my bum knee.” I play it up, wanting to spend more time in her presence but take away the melancholy sharing shit brought out in both of us.

  “I’d like that. I’m ashamed to say I haven’t walked on the beach very much since I’ve been here.” I hold my hand out, offering it to her, knowing damn good and well I won’t be letting it go. Not only that, I’ll be enjoying the view entirely.

  10

  Melanie

  Today was amazing. Well, it was until nightfall, when Fox and I parted ways. Now, here I am, lost in my feelings, drinking vodka and seltzer water, trying to numb the pain. That will happen when one of those damn memories pop up on your social media, knocking you to your knees. It’s taking everything I have not to drag out my dad’s guitar again, but something was holding me back. Before we said our good-nights, because let’s face it, Fox monopolized the rest of my day, including stopping at this little cantina, grabbing a couple of tacos, a margarita for me, a beer for him, and watching the sun slowly fade in the distance.

  In one way or another, he was touching me—it was either his hand in mine or his fingertips grazing my lower back, and I felt that zing even through the bathing suit cover-up I was wearing. A part of me is feeling horrible that I had such a great day when my dad isn’t here to be with me or hear about it. This is the part that fucking sucks, and there is nothing I can do that will help numb the pain. Maybe that’s why I’m knocking back more drinks than I usually would. If I were to get out my guitar and sing, it would surely wake up Fox, and I can’t do that two nights in a row. He showed me a piece of his past today. The dark circles under his eyes even though his smile was shining brightly told me what my singing did to him last night, and I won’t do that again.

  I guzzle my drink down, emptying the highball glass, mix another, and continue pacing the floors.

  “This sucks. I shouldn’t go over there. I definitely should not go over to Fox’s. So, what if he said he’d keep the door unlocked and to wake him up if I needed a friend. I should not and will not go over there,” I say to the quiet house. The television is playing softly in the background, and after a few more rounds around the house and one last gulp of my drink, I decide ‘fuck it’. I don’t even bother changing from my pajama set before I take the path to Fox’s place, our places being only a few footsteps away, barefoot, attempting to creep through the night. There’s no way a former Navy Seal will sleep through me traipsing around.

  I no sooner closed my door than I’m opening his door. “Fox,” I whisper-hiss. He must be asleep. I look around the living room and see there’s no sign of him around. The only light that’s on is the one above the oven, and it’s currently lighting my path. Fox’s beach house is very different from mine. He has more of an open concept that faces the beach, a hallway that leads to the bedrooms, which is where I’m heading.r />
  “I bet I’d sleep great with Fox,” I mumble, looking in at what turns out to be a bathroom, closing the door as quietly as I can before going to the next, finding them empty. I’m beginning to think I’ll never find him.

  “Christ, Mel, is that you?” Fox sits up in bed as I’m leaning against the open doorway.

  “Maybe, maybe not.” I hiccup while saying this.

  “You drunk?”

  “Possibly.” I stumble closer to him before climbing on top of him, wanting his arms wrapped around me.

  “Must have been one hell of a party without me. Come on, wild thing, let’s get some sleep.” Fox somehow maneuvers me, settling me in bed with him.

  “Vodka was involved, but at least I left the guitar in its case. You smell really good.” My body wiggles closer to him, Fox’s arm moving beneath my head, so I can settle into the crook of his neck.

  “Christ, sunshine. You’re not okay. Next time you need to turn to alcohol, don’t. Come to me. We’ll get you through this.”

  “I’m sorry, Fox,” I murmur, my lips kissing the collar of his neck, my legs wrapping around the one closest to me.

  “Those are two words I don’t want to ever hear leave your lips, Mel.” Those are the last words I hear before passing out, feeling warm, safe, and the most comfortable I have since my father passed away.

  11

  Fox

  This woman, Christ, she wears her heart on her sleeve. Isn’t afraid to shed tears for someone she loves and comes to me for a place to fall apart. And I’ll take everything she’s willing to give me. Even if she’s wrapped around me, clinging to me like her life depends on it, and my cock is rock hard.

  Last night was definitely a sleepless night, especially when she rolled over, taking me with her. Melanie’s tight ass backing into my cock. And that’s what made it a sleepless night, well, that and her coming to me drunk. That doesn’t make me happy at all. I know she’s grieving, but something is going to have to happen.

  Melanie has been squirming for a few minutes now, and though I have a lot of shit to do at the surf shop today, there’s no freaking way I’d ever leave her in my bed and alone.

  “I don’t think I’m in my bed.” Those are the first words she says. I lean up on my elbow, moving her hair off her face, trying not to laugh my ass off.

  “No, sunshine, you most certainly aren’t.” She rolls onto her back. I’m practically hovering over her, wanting more than ever to be between her thighs, feeling her silky skin against my own.

  “Please tell me you got some kind of sleep?” Melanie closes her eyes, her face turned up to the ceiling.

  “I’m good, sunshine. How are you feeling?” I counter.

  “Like I was hit by a Mack truck, with the headache the size of Gibraltar, and a mouth as dry as the Sahara Desert.” She smacks her lips for emphasis.

  “Why don’t you go grab a shower. I’ll set some clothes out for you, bring you some aspirin and water. We’ll see how that goes before we take on breakfast.” As soon as I get her in the shower, I’ll call Sloane to tell her I won’t be in. Of course I’ll owe her, big time. She’s being left to deal with Slater. He’s a pain in the ass, but she can deal with him. It’s not like Jax is coming in and I have to threaten to fire her, something I’d never do. But that guy, he does something to her that makes her want to strangle him. I’m sure it’s more than what meets the eye with those two.

  “I can go home. I’ve been commandeering all your nights and days lately.” Her eyes open, showing me those baby blues of hers.

  “Stay, just for a while. I want to make sure you’re okay, not sick from the hangover at least.”

  “Oh, I can do that. Thank you, Fox, for taking care of me, being here for me, and letting me sleep in your bed with you. Hey, maybe we can be sleeping partners?” Her eyes light up, and I’m not sure if she’s serious or joking. I move my hips so she’ll feel exactly what she does to me.

  “It won’t always just be sleeping, sunshine. But sure, we can pretend we’re sleeping partners.” Melanie does the exact opposite of what I thought she would do, moving to her side, hiking her leg over my hip.

  “I’d like that. A lot.” Last night, before I slipped into bed, I made sure I wasn’t naked in case something like this happened. So, now there are two pieces of fabric hindering us from fully feeling one another. In a way, I’m glad. I want her clearheaded when things go further, because believe me, they will.

  “Next time you get in my bed, you do it without liquor, naked, and I promise you’ll more than like it.” I grind cock into her covered pussy, feeling the heat even through the layers.

  “Is that a promise?” Melanie must not have much of a hangover by the way she’s moving against me.

  “Fuck yes, it is.” I grab the back of her smooth, silky thigh, flipping Melanie over, my body wedging between her thighs, my arms caging her in.

  “Are you ever going to kiss me, Fox?” she asks.

  “Oh yeah, I am, but not right now. When I do, you won’t have to ask. Now, get your ass in the shower before we start something and neither of us leaves this bed today.” I kiss her forehead, move off her, not caring that she can see the clear outline of my hard cock. Our first kiss, first time having sex, first anything, I want her mind on us, and not anything else.

  “Fine, I’ll go now.” Melanie climbs out of bed, those tits of hers bouncing, nipples teasing me as they caress the fabric of her shirt.

  “Grab some clothes. Top drawer should have something that fits. I’ll be back with your water and medicine.” If I don’t leave now, I’ll be climbing in that shower with her, and the eyes she’s giving me lets me know she’d like exactly that.

  12

  Melanie

  Watching Fox flee his own bedroom because I was basically half dressed is one of the reasons I’m giggling like a schoolgirl when I get out of the shower, smelling uniquely of him after using his body wash, forgoing my hair because he has no conditioner. Men have it so easy, I swear. I slide on a shirt of his I grabbed out of his dresser, forgoing the boxers that I could probably wear by rolling them up, but my ass would most definitely strain in them.

  I’m walking down the hall to the kitchen, where I can hear Fox on the phone. “Yeah, Jax, I’ll still be participating in the tournament this weekend. No, you’re not gonna pester Sloane. It’s bad enough she’s dealing with Slater for me today.” I don’t hear the other end of the conversation, but now I feel awful that Sloane is once again at The Wet Spot and Fox is spending time with me.

  I make a motion that I’m going to just leave, but Fox does what I least expect. “No, you walk into the shop, and I won’t play this weekend, end of discussion.” He hits the end button, throws his phone on the couch, and swoops me up in his arms.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” His arm bands around my middle as my back meets his chest.

  “Letting you work. I never wanted you to miss work for me, and you clearly have things you need to do before this weekend.” Fox mentioned he plays beach volleyball for fun.

  “Sloane is more than capable. I just wasn’t going to make her deal with two assholes in one day. I’m not that much of a jerk.” His lips find the nape of my neck, my hair up in a bun giving him the access he needs. Fox’s other hand is on my thigh, pulling the shirt that I’m wearing up, his fingertips moving north until he realizes I’m not wearing anything underneath.

  “Fox,” I moan, my head tipping back, wanting to finally feel his lips on mine.

  “Sunshine, you’re gonna wreck me.” His hand slides around my front, and his lips meet mine, neither of us caring about morning breath, each of us wanting to finally share a kiss that I feel like I’ve been waiting a lifetime for.

  “Will you please kiss me?” I murmur when he doesn’t deepen the kiss. That’s when he goes at me. His teeth nip at my bottom lip, making me gasp, and his tongue snakes in, dominating me in every way imaginable. It’s when he drags a finger through the lips of my pussy that my knees alm
ost give out.

  “Easy, sunshine. I’m going to make you feel good, right here, just like this.” His lips slam against mine, and two fingers sink inside my center, my own wetness giving way to how hot I’m burning for him.

  “Fox,” I moan, already on the brink of orgasm, the palm of his hand giving me the added sensation as he grinds it on my clit while his fingers tunnel in and out of my pussy.

  “Christ, next time I make you come, you’ll be in my bed, naked. My mouth sucking on those pretty nipples I felt all night long.” My ass pushes back into him, wanting to give him something but not being able to in this position. He never stops working me over, his words only pushing me further. When his lips leave mine, his teeth nipping at the nape of my neck, that’s when I explode, an array of fireworks blasting behind my closed eyelids.

  “God, Fox,” I pant through my orgasm.

  “Feel better?” His fingers leave my core, spinning me around to show me that he’s licking my essence from them.

  “Much.” I’m just about to drop to my knees when my phone ringing in the distance interrupts me. “I don’t even remember bringing that with me last night,” I grumble.

  “Sunshine, you were pretty toasted. Go grab your phone. I’ll make us some breakfast while you deal with it.” He kisses my lips softly before leaving me to deal with what I’m sure is Gene and the sale of my childhood home.

  13

  Fox

  There was nothing better than feeling Melanie fall apart in my arms. I only wish it were around my cock, but I knew she wasn’t ready for that. Hell, to be honest, I’m not sure I am either. That probably has something to do with knowing that once I sink my cock inside her, I won’t leave her. That thought doesn’t scare me quite like I thought it would. I’m finding that I’m already looking forward to having her back in my bed, and not just for the sex alone, which I know the two of us together, the chemistry we already have, her firecracker personality, it’s going to be out of this world amazing, and I’m ready for it. I just hope she is, because there’ll be no letting her go after.