“Who is Heath to you?” he asks.
“He’s protective,” I gulp.
“Yeah. Why?”
“Heath came into my life years ago. He’s my friend, my brother.” I stare at him, not sure I’m ready to explain everything. “He means a lot to me.”
“So, I should be grateful to him?” he asks, and I jerk. “Easy.” He holds me closer.
“I’m extremely thankful for his appearance in my life,” I whisper.
“Alright.” He nods. “I’ll try to understand his reservations about me and be patient.”
“Patience seems to be your strong suit,” I say.
“I was raised by a strong woman and shared a bathroom with my sister. I was outnumbered, and instead of getting angry, I tried to understand their point of view,” he smirks, his fingers caressing my back. “My work requires long hours and planning. I don’t rush, or I might make a mistake.” We sway, and I slide my other hand up his arm and rest it on his shoulder.
“How do you know?” I whisper, my head tipped back. He’s taller than I am, yet I don’t have to strain my neck.
“What?”
“That something bad happened to me.” He makes me feel unsure of my actions. I don’t know how to deal with him or the bond.
“Instinct,” he says softly.
“Why don’t you ask?”
“It’s not the time. You need to trust me first,” he replies.
“Trust is difficult for me.”
“It is for most people.” He brushes his thumb back and forth against my back.
“Yet, you willingly walked into a room, a club with dozens of shifters and vampires.” I tilt my head. “Your heartbeat has been steady since we met. They didn’t scare you, and you faced off with a deadly snake shifter without blinking. Suddenly having a mate didn’t faze you. Are you not scared of anything, or do you not value your life?”
His lips twitch, and it draws my gaze briefly.
“Allie invited me. I trust her, and I know she wouldn’t lure me here to kill me. My mom always said that I didn’t know how to be scared. I took on the bullies and the shifters who, in theory, should have been stronger than me. I don’t give a fuck what type of animal lives inside them; it doesn’t mean they are better than me. I love being a fox. It makes it that much better when they underestimate me. Most who have ideas of how our species should be are the ones who should be scared. I wait and watch. I use my skills to every advantage.” He leans forward. “I value my life, and even more so now. I met my sexy as fuck mate, and now I’m more motivated than ever to stay alive and sneak into your heart.” He tightens his arm.
I lick my lips. “I never wanted a mate.”
His eyes crinkle. “And now?”
“Mmm…” I slide my hand to the back of his neck. “It may have its advantages.” I smile as he laughs.
“Foxy is funny,” he says.
“Foxy?” He can’t know that's my fighting name.
“Do you mind it?”
“No.” Every time I’ve revealed what I do to men, I’ve been either laughed at or looked at with disdain. “Heath owns a gym. He holds fights there, and I am one of his fighters. Foxy is the name I use.” I lift my chin. I suppose I want to see if his dedication will be tested.
“Really?” He lifts an eyebrow, and I nod. “Do you only fight shifters?”
“Yes. There are humans who step in the ring, but he pairs everyone appropriately. I’ve lost once.”
“When is your next fight?”
