Page 17 of Gentle Fox

Granted I wouldn't be staying here for another night. Eight hours was enough for me to know this was a bad idea. Kneeing Owen in the balls and falling naked on the floor withstanding, there was nothing about this situation that would end well.

Owen was attractive, and considering we would hopefully be working together soon, it was better if I pushed that attraction to the back of my mind. The way, way back. Preferably behind a locked door and down a dark well.

I snickered at the thought. There I went with the locked doors again.

I finally rolled onto my knees and pushed myself off the floor. I was going to have a few bruises from that fall. And it was probably a good idea not to hit my head again for a while. I had a hard one but I was really putting it through the wringer today.

My time in the shower was certainly longer than necessary. I blamed it on the fact that I wasn't ready to face Owen yet even though my stomach was reminding me I needed to eat.

Unlike some other people, I usually ate as soon as I woke up. Going this long without eating after opening my eyes was wreaking havoc on my body. My stomach was pissed that my normal routine was thrown out the window by a handsome silver fox with a sexy dimple.

I smacked the shower tap down and gave myself a mental pep talk.

You can do this. So what if you kneed him in the balls and he got a good look at your tits and vagina? He has probably seen tons of them in his life and yours is nothing special.

Worst pep talk ever, but it would have to do.

I looked around the bathroom and mentally slapped myself upside the head. Not only did I forget to lock the door when I first came in but I never thought to ask about a towel. One was hanging up, but from the looks of it, it was used.

Shaking my legs off like a dog, I tried to get as much water off my body before carefully stepping out of the shower. Thankfully I didn't fall on my ass for the second time today. The door was locked and how embarrassing would it have been if Owen had to break down the door to get me.

No, thank you.

I managed to find clean towels in the small linen closet next to the toilet. It was an obvious place to look and thankfully Owen was an obvious kind of guy. I wasn't ready to face him yet.

I took my time drying every inch of my body. I found lotion in the cabinet above the sink and moisturized myself to within aninch of my life. I even brushed my teeth even though I had yet to eat. When it was clear I couldn't stall any longer, I pulled clothes out of the bag I forgot to take out of the bathroom last night.

Small favors.

I had no idea what Owen planned for the day but my choice in clothing was limited to a pair of jean shorts, dress pants, or ratty sweats I’d owned for over fifteen years. I chose the shorts and paired it with my favorite band tee. I instantly felt marginally better and like I could take on the world.

Okay, maybe not the world but certainly Owen.

He wasn't in the bedroom when I walked out but the smell of bacon caught my attention. With my nose in the air like a damn bloodhound, I went in search of the kitchen.

There he stood in the same basketball shorts and shirt he slept in. The shorts hung just off his hips. The t-shirt clung to his muscles like they were a lifeline. It was annoying how good he looked.

Oh, and apparently he knew how to cook because the sizzling bacon was exactly the right crispiness and the pancakes he was flipping on the griddle were both golden and fluffy.

Damn Owen for being near perfect.

He greeted me with, "I hope you're hungry. I made enough to feed a dozen people."

"I am. I'm used to eating before I do anything else." I settled on the stool across from the stove. Everything was laid out buffet-style and he even had time to put out a place setting for me.

"I'll remember that in the future. Dig in. I've been eating while I cook."

I hadn't wanted to be rude, but now that he gave me the go-ahead, I dived in. One thing about me, I wasn't shy when it came to food. Some women hated to eat in front of men. I didn't have the same qualms. I ordered what I liked at restaurants and saidto hell with what others thought. Food was meant to be enjoyed, not picked at.

The second the fluffy pancake and maple syrup hit my tongue, I was in heaven. With eyes closed, I moaned my delight. Owen wasn't just a good cook, he was fantastic. I mean sure it was hard to screw up pancakes, but I've known people who could. These were good enough to give me a lady boner.

I could feel Owen's gaze on me. I popped one eye open and immediately wished I hadn't. Owen wasn't just looking at me or watching me eat.

No, he was devouring me with his eyes. The hunger and heat pouring off him in waves was practically a physical essence that if I was brave enough, I could reach out and touch. That was how intensely he was staring at me.

Casting my eyes back down on my food, I did my best to ignore him. I might be attracted to Owen but that was as far as things could go.

I managed to finish my first pancake before I got the nerve to speak. "What is the plan for today?"

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