Page 25 of Cider
“Bellissimo.” Titus’ voice sent delicious shivers through me. “Billy was just catching me up on what happened. I spoke with little Snowdrop earlier as well.”
“Mmm.” I was still in that blissful sensation when you wake up and feel like you’re floating.
Titus chuckled, his voice softened. “Still not awake, my fox? Do I need to come over and wake you up with my tongue in your pussy?”
Okay. I was awake for that. I pushed off against Billy’s chest, making him grunt.
“That was not fair.” Hissing into the phone, I ran a hand through my hair that was standing up on its own. I snagged on some of it.
“Oh, but it was worth it.” Titus was down right gleeful. “Now, I’ve got my supplier delivering emergency stock to the stores in the rink, minus Darcorp. Billy told me what you needed.”
“What? How did you manage that? How much is this supplier?” I was doing okay at the store, with a little saved up, but I didn’t have a lot of extra savings to pay for an out of town supplier.
“It won’t cost you a dime, my sweets.” His voice was distracting.
“I’m not letting you pay for my stock.” I stood from the couch. “That’s not how this relationship is going to start out with.” I started pacing.
“Told you.” Billy’s voice was loud enough for Titus to hear through the phone.
“Now, Cider.” His tone was chidding. “You’re running a business. You can’t really pick and choose if this helps you not lose out on business.”
I could feel the twitches start coming on. “Yes, I do. You didn’t even ask me if that was okay for you to do!”
There was a brief moment of silence.
“Forgive me, Cider. I’ve not had a lover in a long time where I actually wanted to take care of them and love them as I do you. I’ve just had my daughter to care for the past few years. I overstepped. Will you please allow me to assist in this matter?” His apology made my fur stand down.
“Well, when you put it like that.” My shoulders slumped as Billy started covering his laughter by coughing. “I might have overreacted.”
“No, sweet fox, you’re an independent woman. And have been for some time.” I heard the smile in his voice. “It will be interesting to see how we butt heads, as it were, in the future.” He certainly had a silver tongue. I guess that made sense because he was a silver fox.
I snickered to myself at the horrible joke.
“Now, about this Samuel.” Titus interrupted my internal monologuing. “I am curious to find out how he found out that information. Billy said that you don’t have it written down anywhere? What about accidentally writing a list down for shopping? Notice any new scents around the house?”
My head cocked to the side as I thought over the last few days. I hadn’t noticed anything out of the ordinary. Billy shook his head as he looked at me.
“No, neither of us.”
“How intriguing.” Titus was now mumbling to himself. “Let me see what I can find out.”
“Oh! Titus, before you hang up.” I needed to tell him.
“Yes, my sweet?”
Damn his voice was smooth and velvety over my skin.
“Jack asked me out on a date tomorrow night.” I looked at Billy as I said it so that he knew he was included in the conversation.
Billy frowned but didn’t say anything. There was clapping from the other side of the phone.
“Thatta boy. Finally got that stick that he’d shoved up his ass loose. Enjoy your date tomorrow. If you need me, you have my number. I’ll see you soon.” Titus said his goodnight so that Billy could hear and we hung up.
“Are you sure about that guy?” Billy crossed his arms across his chest.
Shrugging, I moved so that I could flop down across his lap. “Yeah. I think there’s more under the cold exterior that he was hiding. Whatever Titus did, it seems to have snapped him out of whatever funk he was in.” I turned to look at the television. “How about a movie before bed? This time, I won’t fall asleep, promise.”
“Yeah, right. You always fall asleep.” Billy picked up the remote and handed it to me anyway.
