Page 28 of Filthy Sweet

“Dressing up is kind of fun,” I admit. “But maybe this is giving the wrong impression. If I’m looking for a boyfriend eventually, shouldn’t I dress more professional or something?”

Fox arches an eyebrow. “Professional?”

I laugh. “Okay, maybe that’s not the right word.” I swallow and catch his eyes flitting down to my nipples. “You’re never looking for a relationship, right? You just like casual sex?”

I turn away. I can guess his answer, but I think I need to hear him say it.

A couple seconds tick by before Fox replies. “Casual sex is easy. It’s simple. And since my life has been complicated, there hasn’t been a lot of room for anything else.”

I look back, and our eyes lock. The shadows have returned to his expression, and I offer a gentle smile. “I’m sorry that your life has been complicated.”

Fox returns the smile, although the sadness lingers in his gaze. “I’m happier than most.”

I notice that he hasn’t really answered my question. There wasn’t room for a relationship in his life, but that was in the past. A couple of weeks ago, I definitely would have just let this drop. But I’m feeling so comfortable with Fox, I actually push it.

“If you’re happy now, and if your life is straightened out, does that mean you’ll look for a partner eventually?”

“We’ll see,” Fox answers immediately, then throws it back to me. “What about you? Are you going to get those shorts that show off your ass?”

I resist getting hung up on the fact that Fox is talking about my ass. “Maybe I will get them. I’m interested in dating more than having casual sex, though.” I glance down at myself and realize my nipples are growing hard against the sheer fabric, which makes my cheeks warm and my cock harder. “I don’t know. Some things sound fun in my imagination, but would they be fun in real life? Maybe some fantasies are better as fantasies, and I should shift my expectations, look for something tame and comfortable. I might be too in my head to enjoy casual, anyway.” I swallow, aware that I’m started to ramble. “What do you think? Can I really pull this outfit off, or am I just fooling myself?”

Okay, maybe I’m fishing for compliments a little. But they feel so fucking good coming from him.

Fox licks the back of his teeth. “Honestly? I think you look hot.” He turns to the rack and grabs another garment. “And I think you owe it to yourself to have a little fun. Don’t you?”

I take the flowing pink dress shirt he hands me. He makes casual sound so simple and easy, and I think it probably is for him. But with every word that passes between us, I fall harder for Fox.

I want him to be everything to me. Casual hookups and sweet dates and deep, committed romance. I want Fox to drag me into a sweaty, filthy world I’ve never known, and once we’re there, I want to drag him back with me, into something lasting and loving and more.

I want that all so bad, I somehow almost convince myself it’s possible.

“Yeah, I do,” I answer finally, the shirt dangling in my hand. “I think I owe myself some fun.”

Chapter Ten

Fox

“It’s calledthe Pacific Flyway. Do you know what that is?” Owen asks.

We’re walking to the party from a nearby lounge, where I took him for a quiet drink to start the evening. There’s a cool breeze on the late summer air, and the hilly side street is quiet.

“Pacific Flyway. I don’t think so.”

Owen waves his hand in the air, and the perfectly fitted sleeve of his pale green suit jacket stays comfortably in place. “It’s like a bird highway. Over a billion birds travel it yearly, always taking the same routes from Arctic tundra down through Mexico and stretching from the coast to the Rocky Mountains.” He shoves his hands in his pockets. “Anyway, that’s why there are so many different birds here. Seattle is right on the flyway.”

I hum under my breath. “Bird highway,” I say. “That’s nice to think about.”

Owen laughs warmly. “Yeah, it is.” He glances at me as we walk. “What do you like about it?”

“I don’t know. Everything being on the move, but still being reliable.”

“Yeah, that is nice,” Owen agrees. “You can even predict the day that different birds will return every year.”

“Really? What birds are passing through now?”

“Oh.” Owen laughs and adjust his glasses. “I’m new here, so I haven’t learned the specifics yet. But I’m really excited for the hawk migration this fall.”

I grunt.

---