Page 14 of Finding His Fox

I owed him a debt of gratitude, although he had no knowledge of it.

Unable to resist, I closed my hand on the back of Nate's neck and kissed him back.

Nate even parted his lips slightly, allowing my tongue to explore his mouth.

He was intoxicating. One taste and I became captivated by him, by his scent.

"Nate thinks you're just a stranger," a voice in my head reminded me. It made me pull away.

Nate frowned, but if he was disappointed by my reaction, he didn't show it. He simply moved away and opened the door.

Concerned for his safety, I quickly unbuckled my seat belt and stepped out of the truck.

I moved swiftly to catch Nate before he stumbled onto the gravel. I held onto his shoulders.

Nate giggled and placed a hand on my arm to steady himself. Once he regained his balance, Nate let go of me.

"Thanks, handsome," Nate said.

"What did you just call me?" I asked.

No one had ever called me that before. My white-gold hair and solid frame usually terrified most people.

Giant freak. That's what the non-supernatural kids in school used to call me.

I ignored them, pretending their words meant nothing to me. But words could hurt, even if we tried to deny it.

"Handsome," Nate carelessly repeated.

The audacity of this human. Was he flirting with me? I couldn't understand him at all.

"I'll walk you to the door before you trip on your own feet again," I said firmly.

Nate started to protest, but I placed a hand on his back and gave him a gentle nudge forward.

"I can't read you. One moment you're hot, the next you're cold as ice. Make up your mind," Nate said, shaking his head.

We reached Rory's porch without any further incidents.

Thankfully, Nate didn't attempt to kiss me again. If he had, well, who knows how I would have reacted?

Both of us stood in front of the door, staring at it blankly for a few seconds.

"Key," I growled under my breath.

I didn't like how this human was affecting me. The slight tilt of Nate's lips indicated he was smiling at some private joke he didn't care to share with me.

Maybe I was intoxicated as well, but not with alcohol. It was Nate who had me captivated. Wow, that sounded cheesy and unlike me.

"The key's in the back pocket of my jeans," Nate said.

I reached for it, but Nate swatted my hand away. What was his problem?

"Don't slap my booty. I know it's delicious, but you have to take me out on a date first," Nate remarked.

He wagged a warning finger at me, as if I were a child caught with my hand in a candy jar.

Stone-faced, I stared down at him, my glare having no effect.