His Foxy Lady

by Kasey Belle

  Nikki chose to ignore her alter-ego’s decree. It definitely wasn’t time.

  Chapter 12

  Nicolette looked as though she had something on her mind but wasn’t ready to share it. He certainly wouldn’t order her to reveal her secrets. The fact that she trusted him today and opened up about her past and Betsy was more than he could ask for. Jim wouldn’t betray her trust by pushing for more. They had time. At least, he hoped they did.

  “That didn’t take long. The Squirt all tucked in?”

  “Yep. She refused story time. She felt it was rude to abandon you.”

  He couldn’t help but smile. He loved the little imp. “She’s such a good kid.”

  “Thank you. I like to think so. Don’t get me wrong, she has her moments of brat-dom. But, most of the time she’s enjoyable to be around. I am dreading her teen years though.” Nikki gave a full body shudder making Jim laugh.

  “Were you bad as a teenager?” He teased. The flash in her eyes told him all he needed to know. “You were. Weren’t you?”

  Her lips twitched before she schooled her expression. “Bad is such a strong word. It’s also a matter of perspective.” Nikki sniffed and inspected her fingernails. Jim assumed it was because she could no longer hold a straight face while looking at him. “There may or may not have been a motto going around our house that went something like, if it can’t be done by Nikki it can’t be done at all.” She gave a casual shrug. “Whether that referred to feats of academia or delinquency, we’ll never know.”

  “Oh, my god.” Jim clutched his belly and laughed. “I can totally see that. I’m also going to go out on a limb and guess ‘they’―” He used air quotes. “―were referring to actions of a reckless and possibly felonious nature. And, the only reason it can’t be proven is you either talked your way out of trouble or you never got caught.”

  She smacked his arm. “Hey,” she admonished while unsuccessfully fighting a grin. “Don’t pretend to know me.”

  He caught her hand and brought it to his lips. He held her gaze as kissed her knuckles. “I like to think I’m starting to get a pretty good idea of who you are,” he murmured against her skin. “I know you are kind and generous. You have a soft heart and a strong will. You’re no frills, take me as I am. Tough as nails. You are a multi-faceted and captivating woman. I know it would take a lifetime to learn all your secrets, Nicolette Hendrix.”

  “You think―” Looking uncertain yet hopeful, she cleared her throat. “Is that something you want?”

  Jim entwined their fingers and held their joined hands against his chest. “Full disclosure?” She nodded. “Ever since I laid eyes on you, you’re all I think about. At first, I just thought it was lust, because you were the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. Then I got to know you and realized that beauty isn’t just skin deep. It flows all the way to your soul. I’m attracted to you and I know you feel the same toward me. I want to give this thing between us a chance and see where it goes. What do you think?”

  Nicolette slowly nodded her head. “I’d like that.”

  Jim didn’t bother to hide his relief as he blew out the breath he’d been holding.

  “You didn’t actually think I’d turn you down, did you?” She asked looking at him as if he were crazy for even considering it.

  Jim shrugged a shoulder. “It crossed my mind. I’m a broke-down cowboy. I don’t have much to offer a woman.”

  “I Googled you,” she blurted then cringed. “Sorry. We were having a moment and ruined it.”

  “You didn’t ruin anything.” The fact that she looked him up and admitted to it? Yeah, that just made their moment that much sweeter. In fact, it made his day. Jim fought the urge to preen like a peacock, but a little swagger never hurt anyone. “You checked me out, huh?” He wagged his eyebrows.

  She poked him in the shin with her foot. “Shut up. I read the articles and watched a few videos.” She glanced at him wearing a playful grin. “They were awesome. Well, except for the last one. When you got hurt. That was fucking scary.”

  “Yes, it was.” Especially since he lived it. “But, that part of my life is over.”

  “Is it bad of me to say I’m glad about that?” She held up a hand to stop him from replying. “I’m not happy you were hurt, just that your days of riding a giant, horned beast as a career choice are over.”

  “I know what you meant. I didn’t take offense.” He played with her fingers. The realization that he still held her hand made him smile. “I had more riding in me, but the universe had other plans. I love what I do now, so I’m not complaining.” He sent her a playful leer. “Certainly not now.”

  “I completely understand. The new puppies are kind of awesome,” was her cheeky response.

  She was baiting him. Casey certainly got her sass from her Momma. Jim clucked his tongue. “Brat.”

  Nicolette chuckled. “I try.” The joy in her eyes dimmed a little bit. “Do you really believe you have nothing to offer? That you’re just a broke-down cowboy?”

  “I was raised that a man took care of his family. I know that’s old-fashioned thinking, but it’s who I am.” Jim blew out a breath. Her hand gripped his tighter as he tried to explain. “I have some money saved, so it’s not like I’m completely broke, but I don’t have any real roots. Hell, I don’t even know what to call myself, other than Koda’s critter wrangler.”

  She gave him a patient smile. “It’s a good title, I like it. But, we do need to get something straight. Because, I don’t see what you do when I look at you.” Her voice was resolute and calm. “I see a kind, generous, and loyal man. I see a man who dropped everything to indulge the curiosity of a seven-year girl he barely knew when he could have sent her away because he was busy. A man who took that same little girl under his wing and taught her to care for hurt and love-starved animals when he has other responsibilities. The same man who took a chance and went to check on a PTSD basket case of a woman knowing there was a chance she’d tell him to fuck off. You are more than stellar good looks and a bank account, Jim Halsey.”

  He shot her a crooked grin. “You think I’m stellarly good looking?”

  “Seriously? That’s what you took away from my eloquent speech.” She emitted a disheartened sigh. “That is five minutes of my life I will never get back.”

  “That’s not all.” He carded his fingers through the hair at her nape and pulled her toward him. He gave her plenty of time to deny him. At the same time, prayed she wouldn’t.

  Jim closed the distance between them until his lips brushed hers. He gently caressed her lips with his. Damn, they were soft and sweet. He wrapped his other arm around her waist and deepened the kiss. She opened for him without hesitation. Tongues entwined in an erotic dance as he memorized her unique flavor and the ecstasy he felt in this moment. By the time he pulled away―which was entirely too soon, but necessary―they were both gasping for breath.

  Jim pressed his forehead to hers. “I should go now before my inner Neanderthal throws all my chivalrous intentions out the window and drags you by the hair back to my cave.” He tucked lock of her unruly hair behind her ear. “I don’t want to rush us. We have time.”

  ****

  As disappointed as she was by the turn of events, Nikki agreed. She couldn’t in good conscience invite him to her bed without full disclosure. Once she had him there, she would mate him. She couldn’t seal his fate without his agreement. “We do.”

  “Plus, Casey would be in the next room and that would just be weird. For all I know you could be a screamer.” His eyes widened as if he couldn’t believe he said that out loud.

  “Truth.”

  He cocked an eyebrow waiting for her to expound on that. She refused to utter another word. Let him try and decipher which statement she referred to. Casey? Screaming? Or both? That was for her to know and him to find out.

  She shot him a sly grin and stood holding her hand out to him. He took it and they walked to the door.

  His eyebrows furrowed as he
frowned. “So, you’re not going to…” He waved his hand back and forth between them.

  Nikki fluttered her lashes. “Nope.” She made the ‘p’ pop.

  He wrapped an arm around her waist and tugged. Holding her tight against his body he murmured, “Like I said. Brat.” He gave her one last heated kiss before admonishing her to lock her door after he left.

  Chapter 13

  Over the next couple of weeks, Jim either joined them for dinner at the cabin or took them out to eat. Casey decided she preferred when Jim read to her at bedtime. Jim loved it as much if not more than her daughter did. He was far more animated in his storytelling than Nikki. She was a big girl and could admit his English accent was much better than hers.

  Nikki and Jim didn’t go any further sexually than making out like a couple of horny teenagers. His kisses were addictive, and she wanted them all the time. He didn’t press for more nor did she request it. However, the mating pull was becoming harder to deny. Nikki knew it was time to either divulge her secret or risk mating Jim without his consent, which was something she swore she would never do. She’d known shifters who boasted about doing that very thing. It was wrong and tantamount to assault as far as she was concerned.

  They were on the couch kissing and cuddling together. Jim pulled back and gazed into her eyes. His expression was soft and filled with love for her. He tucked an errant curl behind her ear. “I love you, Nicolette Hendrix.”

  She’d known it was coming but was still shocked when she heard the words. The feeling of utter peace and joy rushed through her. Those five perfect words settled around her heart like a warm blanket. “I love you too, James Halsey.”

  He snickered. “Sorry,” he said with a sheepish expression. “It’s weird hearing you use my full name. My mama is the only person who calls me James and I’m usually in trouble with her when that happens.”

  “I bet it happens a lot, too.”

  “Maybe.” He shot her boyish grin. “As much as I know I should, I don’t want to leave you tonight.”

  Nikki froze. She thought she’d have more time. She hadn’t even worked out her speech yet.

  “He’s our chosen one. It will be okay,” Fox whispered.

  “What if it’s not?”

  “The universe wouldn’t have given him to us only to take him away,” Fox assured her. “You got this.”

  “Hey.” Jim watched her with concern. “I wasn’t pressuring you.”

  “I know. I want you to stay, too. But, we have to talk. I need to tell you something.” She pushed at his shoulder and he moved off her without hesitation. His watched her with wary eyes. “It’s nothing bad. At least I don’t think so.”

  She opened her mouth, but the words wouldn’t come. “It would probably be easier if I just show you. Saying it out loud without a visual will just make me sound like a lunatic. Promise me you won’t leave until we have a chance to talk after. Please?”

  “You don’t have like twelve heads in your freezer, do you?” He asked with a playful reproving scowl. His teasing helped lighten the mood a bit.

  Nikki breathed a laugh. Even though there was nothing remotely comical about the situation, she bantered back, “No. I only have six in there.”

  “Well that’s normal. Anything more would make you a psycho.” He tugged on one of her curls then let it go. A boyish grin curved his lips as he watched it spring back to a corkscrew. “What do you need to show me, Nicolette?”

  “You swear you won’t leave?”

  “I swear. Although, all this build up has me a bit nervous.”

  “Sorry.” She pushed herself up from the couch and pushed the coffee table to the side. “One last thing, I’m not a danger to you and I don’t bite.”

  “Nicolette,” Jim said her firmly. “More show. Less tell.”

  “Right.” Nikki closed her eyes and called on Fox.

  One of the good things about being a fox shifter was she didn’t have to get naked to protect her clothing from damage before she shifted. Her small size allowed for easy shift and go. Bones snapped and reshaped. Skin became fur. Her features changed from woman to fox. She briefly considered calling the whole thing off when Jim’s expression went from shocked to horrified. But, too late to back out now. There was no putting Pandora back in the box.

  Nikki wiggled her way out from under her shirt and took a few tentative steps toward Jim.

  “What the fuck?” He muttered as he pressed his back into the seat cushion. He rubbed his eyes. “Am I hallucinating?”

  She shook her head.

  “Jesus.” Jim swallowed hard. “Nicolette is that really you?”

  She nodded then yipped.

  “This is crazy. Unbelievable. Yet I’m looking right at you and you’re a… a… fox?”

  She jumped onto the couch next to him hating like hell when he jumped and leaned away.

  “That’s normal, right? I mean he’s human we should expect a level of wariness?”

  “Yeah.” Nikki blew out a breath. “At least I hope so.”

  She edged closer, then nudged Jim’s shoulder with her nose. When he didn’t shake her off or run away, Nikki leaned up and licked his cheek.

  “Oh, he tastes good. Do it again!”

  “No. We’ll freak him out.”

  “You mean more,” Fox snorted. “He’s already freaked out.”

  Nikki sat back on her haunches giving him time to adjust to the turn of events. She took it as a good sign when Jim reached out a hand and ran it over her head. She closed her eyes enjoying the sensation of his fingers running through her fur.

  “That’s really you in there, huh?” Awe replaced the earlier trepidation in his voice. “Wow, you’re soft and very pretty.” She licked his hand when he pulled it back. “It’s time for the tell portion of the show, Nicolette.”

  Nikki jumped off the couch. She glanced down the hallway then back at Jim. She yipped, hoping he understood she’d be right back. As much as she wanted to be naked with him, now wasn’t the time. She ran to her room, shifted back, and threw on a pair of yoga pants and a t-shirt. She was back in the den in less than two minutes. Jim was still sitting where she left him.

  “That was a pretty neat trick.” He arched an eyebrow. The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife.

  “Yeah,” she responded dumbly.

  He blew out a frustrated breath. “Talk, Nicolette.”

  “I’m a fox shifter. That’s not like a werewolf or anything. I don’t change people or attack and eat them. I was born this way as were my parents.”

  “Is Casey like you?”

  “No. She’s human. But, any biological children I have would be shifters.” Why she was explaining that at this point was beyond her.

  “But she knows?” Nikki nodded. “Does Koda know?”

  “Um, yeah.” She shifted her weight from one foot to the other. She didn’t mind outing herself, but outing Koda was another matter.

  He narrowed his eyes in suspicion. “What?”

  She refused to lie to her mate. Koda would understand. If not, he’d get over it. “He’s one of us. I mean, not a fox, but a shifter. A wolf.” Nikki rolled her eyes. She sounded like a babbling idiot.

  Jim’s mouth dropped open. “Are you shitting me? You’re telling me Koda changes into a wolf?” She nodded. “Is everyone around here lying about who they are?” He spat.

  Nikki winced. Okay, that was harsh. Not wrong, but still. “No. Koda’s the only shifter at the sanctuary besides me.”

  Jim nodded. The muscles in his jaw flexed as he pondered his thoughts. She would give anything to know what he was thinking right now. Unfortunately, she wasn’t privy to his thoughts and had to not-so-patiently wait on him to voice them. “I need to know one thing, before this goes any further.” His low, serious tone punched her in the gut.

  “What’s that?”

  He leaned forward and placed his elbows on his thighs. He stared at his clasped hands for a moment before he spoke. “This thing between
us?” He looked up and pinned her with his gaze. The vulnerability in his eyes made her heart hurt. “Is this real or were you just toying with me?”

  “No! I mean yes. Shit.” She rushed over and dropped to her knees in front of him. She took his clenched hands in hers. “Yes, it’s real. No, I wasn’t toying with you. I love you. You are my mate. The one the universe made just for me. That’s as real as it gets, cowboy.”

  “Just for you?” The corner of his mouth kicked up.

  “When we first met… do you remember what happened when I shook your hand? How it felt?”

  “I’ll never forget that.” Jim huffed a self-deprecating laugh. “I almost came in pants like a teenager.”

  “That was your body recognizing its mate.” She gave him a tender smile. “My fox wanted me to tackle you to ground and claim you then and there.”

  “Claim me? You need to explain that.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m totally fucking this up. Aren’t I?” She explained how they would make love and she would bite him, claiming him as her own.

  “Biting me is like marking your territory?”

  “It’s more than that. Once a shifter claims their mate, they are blessed by the universe and one with each other forever.” She assured him it wouldn’t hurt. Then, Nikki explained how her saliva would enhance his senses, his ability to heal, and slow the aging process, but wouldn’t make him a shifter. “You need to know and understand that if you agree to our mating, there is no till death do us part. The mating bond unlike wedding vows is eternal.”

  He pulled a hand away and ran it through his hair. She knew that mannerism well. He was trying to get a handle on the situation and needed to process it. As much as she didn’t want to, she had to give him time.

  “Hey. I get it if you need to think about this. It’s not every day you find out the woman you just said I love you to is a fox shifter.”

  “Truer words, right?” He shot her a pensive grin. “I’m gonna―” He gestured toward the door. Nikki clamped her jaw together to stop herself from begging him to stay. “Baby.” He cupped her cheek. “I’m not saying goodbye for good. I need to take a step back and process everything. To be honest, I have a real hard time thinking around you.”