Page 42 of Property of Fox

“Someone was moving outside your room while you were gone. I say she’s up.”

“Let me go talk to her first, then I’ll come get you.”

“Okay, but only if you promise to hurry back,” he retorts, a teasing glint in his eyes. “We have plans for this bed, firefly.”

I can’t help but chuckle at his persistence. "You're impossible."

“You have no idea, Brea. Go tell your friend. I’ll be here waiting for you,” he smiles, patting the empty spot that I had occupied. “Naked.”

With one last glance at the sprawled mass of man before me, I walk toward the door, heart pounding not just from nerves about Keira's reaction but also from the undeniable draw I feel toward this biker who’s managed to worm his way under my skin faster than any romance novel could suggest.

Stepping out into the living room area, I find Keira is indeed awake, curled up like a cat on the couch with a book in her hand, reading quietly. How do I approach this? It’s not like this hasbeen commonplace for me. Actually, I can say without a doubt that I have never brought home a guy in my entire life. Will she blow a gasket? Doubtful, considering how happy she was for me when she helped me get ready, but I did bring him back here without talking to her first, so there’s no way to really know how she’s going to react. As I make my decision to rip off the ‘I brought a guy home’ band-aid, Keira peers up from her spot.

“When did you get back?”

“Last night,” I admit with a slight blush.

“How did you get here?” she inquires, her lips curving into a smile. “You said you’d call me from the front desk when you needed a ride.”

“Fox ended up giving me a ride instead.”

“Did he now?” Keira shifts the book from her lap. “Do tell. Tell me everything.” The way Keira leans forward in her seat instantly makes me aware I'm dangling the freshest gossip on a hook, and I’m not quite sure how much I want to share.

I roll my eyes before glancing at the door leading back to my bedroom.

“Oh my god. He stayed over last night. Brea Lynn Quinn! You brought a man home,” she shouts with glee. “I didn’t know you had it in you, woman!”

I wince at her volume and quickly shush her, gesturing toward the bedroom as if the walls have ears. “Keep it down! Yes, Fox is here but?—”

“No buts! You’re finally breaking out of your shell!” She beams at me. “I am so fucking proud of you. When do I get to meet him?”

“Um, maybe before you leap out of your skin at the idea that he’s in there. How about I grab coffee and then you can meet him?” I suggest trying to buy myself a moment or two to gather my thoughts about how to introduce Fox.

“Sure, but I want details first. You can’t just say, ‘I brought home a guy’ and expect me not to interrogate you.” Keira raises an eyebrow like she’s ready to challenge me.

“There’s nothing to tell. We went on a date, and we came back here. End of story.”

“Like hell it is. You fucked him, didn’t you?”

“Jesus, Keira. Can you say that any louder?”

“What? It’s a simple question that you didn’t answer.”

“Can I just get some coffee? Then you can proceed to embarrass the shit out of me in front of him.”

She raises her hands in surrender, a triumphant smile lighting up her features. “Fine, fine. But you owe me big time for this.”

With a resigned sigh, I turn towards the kitchen area, my heart still racing at the thought of Fox waiting for me. The coffee pot gurgles to life. I can’t help but glance back at Keira, who is watching me with an amused expression while she hums ‘I Just Had Sex’ by The Lonely Island under her breath.

“Stop it,” I order her, but she begins to sing the lyrics out loud. “Brea just had seeeex and it probably felt so good.”

“Really, Keira? Is this necessary right now?”

“Absolutely,” she answers. “I will keep singing until I get to meet him.”

I can't stop the grin tugging at my lips. Keira's excitement is infectious. “Fine,” I scoff. “But please don’t sing that in front of him.”

“No promises.”

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