11. River

"Oh, this is the place!" Brighton grabs Indy's hand. "I've been wanting to show you this thrift store ever since you became human again, Peanut."

Indy looks back and winks at me as Brighton tugs him through the glass door, leaving me alone with Akira. Wow, can they be any more obvious?

Akira leans in. When he beckons me closer, I dip my head to hear him whisper in my ear. "I think we are being set up," Akira teases. "Don"t they know we already live together?"

A shiver slides down my spine when his breath caresses my ear.

Up ahead, Brighton squeals as he sees a sparkly pink crop top and holds it up to Indy. "Peanut! We can be twins."

I chuckle, trying to imagine Indy in anything other than black.

"I kind of like that Brighton calls your brother Peanut when he isn't in his cat form," Akira observes. "It's cute. They seem to have an unbreakable bond."

A little pang hits my chest and I rub at the sore spot. "Indy and I used to be like that. Before he went missing. I'm a little jealous, but I'm even more grateful that Bri was there for him over the years. Brighton believed Indy was something other than a cat the whole time. Can you believe that?"

Akira nods. "Makes sense. Seven told me that Brighton is a genius when it comes to illusion magic. How did they communicate all that time, if Indy was a cat?"

"They have their own little language." I chuckle. "Indy even tried teaching me. It involves a bunch of head bops and blinks. I don't know. The whole thing is confusing."

I walk over to a rack of clothing as I study Akira's body. "I think this might be your size. But you might want to try them on."

He eyes the baggy, tan-colored cargo pants that I hold up to his waist with an arched brow. "And you think these will look good on me?"

I shrug. "I'm pretty sure you would look good in anything."

Akira clutches his chest dramatically. "Aww, little fox, are you flirting with me?"

Hmm. "Maybe I am." I shove the cargo pants back on the rack. Yeah, I don't think that"s Akira's style.

"So, I don't really understand. We are shopping for used clothes? Why don't we just buy new ones?" Akira asks as he rummages through the dark shirts. I notice how he pauses over the black shirts most.

If anyone else asked a question like this, I would think it was an insult. But poor Akira genuinely looks confused. "You don't shop for used clothing in Faerie?"

Akira shakes his head. "Not to my knowledge. Clothing is either handed down, repurposed, or thrown out. Maybe given away. But I've never purchased someone else's clothes." He picks up a pair of black pants and I can't help but smile.

Hmm, maybe I should get Indy back over here. Looks like my kitsune has a thing for dark colors.

I blink. Did I really just call him my kitsune?

Akira looks back up at me with a look I can't decipher. "Let's play a game."

"Okay." I chew on my lip. "What kind of game?"

"It was something my sister recommended to me, and I don't know, it sounded like fun. We take turns asking each other questions, anything. And no matter what, we have to answer truthfully."

"So kind of like Truth or Dare, but only with the truth portion," I reply.

"No idea what that is," he chuckles.

"So it"s the same exact thing. We can play with just us, or multiple people. Only we get the option to tell the truth, or to be dared to do something. Anything."

"Well now." Akira gives me a devious smile. "That sounds awfully fun. But I think we should start off with just truths. I want to get to know you more."

My heart flutters. Fuck, he makes me feel like a giddy teenager. I can't remember the last time someone just wanted to get to know me.

"Okay," I beam at him. "You go first. Ask me anything." I walk over to the next rack and find a dark blue shirt that would look good on Akira. As we play the game, asking each other questions back and forth, I gather several outfits that I would love for him to try on.

I pick out dark clothes since he gravitated to them so much, all while picking out things I think would make him look even hotter. I'll have to thank Brighton for bringing us here. Not only do they wash all their used clothes before putting them on display, but it looks like they put out clothes that are stylish and in great condition.

"Do you have any goals or dreams?" Akira asks. "Something just for you. Not for your uncle or Indy."

I think for a moment. "This might be a little cliché, but I actually want to travel. I did a ton of research into multiple Asian cultures and fell in love." There's no way I'm admitting that the reason I did all that research was because of the kitsune from my dreams. When the little creature kept reappearing and encouraged me to find Indy, I became just as obsessed with fox lore—especially the fox spirits from China, Japan, and Vietnam. Even the fox spirit lore from India was fascinating.

Akira sorts through a different rack. There are a few dark shirts in his arms. "Maybe we can travel there together."

"I'd love that." Did I sound breathless?

"Let"s get you to try a few of these things on. I don't know if the fitting room has a limit on how many items you can take with you."

When Akira gets to the dressing rooms, we find out that the store does indeed have an item limit, but luckily he can take in all the clothes we've picked out. I stand outside the door, curious if he'll show me anything he tries on.

The door opens, and Akira is shirtless. He peers out and I notice we are alone. "Come in here, Riv. Help me decide what to keep."

I peer around again before slipping into the room. It's huge and has a large bench on the far wall. I sit down. When Akira begins to strip, I cover my eyes.

Akira just chuckles at me.

Pretending he isn't getting naked right in front of me, I continue our game of Truths. "Last week, when you told me you"re a kitsune, what did you mean you use the daggers to protect yourself? Was it because you were always on the battlefield?"

"Yes and no," he replies as I hear some material drop to the floor. I swallow hard. "My kitsune is rare. Its fur is a mixture of unique colors that represent the magic within my shifted form."

My heart pounds in my chest, and I scratch at my back and the large tattoo that I'm too embarrassed to tell Akira about. "What kinds of colors?"

"My fur is a mixture of blues, purples, teal, and gray."

Blood rushes in my ears, and for a moment I can't hear anything. My mouth drops open in surprise. There's no way. Could it be possible that my tattoo looks like Akira in his kitsune form? But how?

I clear my throat. "Will you show me sometime?"

Akira is quiet for a moment. "Yes," he says finally. "I don't show anyone. Ever. Or at least not on purpose. Every time someone has seen my fur, they've tried to capture me. Everyone but my sister and my best friend."

"Who, Sorren? Seven's brother?"

"Yup. Sorren has only ever treated me like an equal. He was my person, my safe place in Faerie. But I'm used to everyone else trying to take advantage of my magic, or hunt me for my fur."

My heart breaks for Akira, and I make a silent vow to myself that I will make sure I'm added to the small list of people he can trust.

Another piece of material drops to the floor, and I'm pretty sure I hear him pick up the leather jacket I chose for him.

Keeping my eyes closed to give him privacy, I know I have to at least tell him I'll keep his secrets. "I promise you can trust me, Akira. I can be your safe place here in the human realm." The crazy thing is, I mean it. I want to be here for him. I want to be his person. I've felt this pull since meeting Akira, but getting to know him these past several weeks has only made that tug even stronger.

"Open your eyes, little fox." His voice sounds husky. Deep.

The command shoots a zap of lust through me. I do as I'm told and open my eyes. Once my eyes adjust to the light, I can't look away. I watch as Akira twirls in a slow circle, showing off his outfit.

The black pants he's wearing hug his round ass perfectly. I notice he's wearing the skintight tank top I picked out. But what really makes the outfit is the leather jacket. It's unzipped and form-fitting enough to show off the bulk of muscles in his arms. The jacket also complements the broad expanse of his shoulders.

Fuck.

In all honesty, he looks like a devilishly hot bad boy, and the sight of him like this turns me on.

"You look good," I whisper, unable to form any other words.

His nostrils flare, and his eyes darken before turning into sharp slits. "Stand up." His voice is commanding. So much so that my body reacts before I realize what I'm doing.

Akira stalks forward. It's only four or five steps, but it's enough to make my half-chub turn full mast.

Akira clasps my chin in a delicious grip that causes me to whimper. He leans forward and licks my bottom lip. "I'll show you—soon."

"Hmm?" What is he talking about? His clean bergamot scent surrounds me, making me dizzy with lust.

Akira smirks. "My kitsune."

He licks my lip again. "I'll shift for you at the next location."

Another lick. "Seven told me it"s a safe spot. Others, like August, feel safe shifting there." Akira nibbles my lip.

My knees go weak.

Akira holds me up, trapped between him and the wall behind me. "I'll do it then. I'll show you my fox form."

He gives me another disarming smile and my heart thunders.

"Thank you for offering to be my safe place. It means the world to me, River. The. Fucking. World. But I'll let you in on a little secret," He whispers the last part against my lips. "You already are my safe place."

I move first and slam our mouths together, taking his lips with urgency. I clutch at his leather jacket as his hands snake around to my ass. Then I do something I've never done in my entire life. After his silent encouragement, I wrap my legs around his waist before he cups my ass with his powerful hands.

Despite our size difference, Akira holds me up with ease. I might be significantly taller than him, but he has paranormal strength.

It's so fucking hot.

I suck his bottom lip into my mouth and he growls. The sound goes straight to my dick, causing me to grind and whimper against him. He deepens the kiss, and our tongues meet, caressing, stroking, thrusting.

This isn't anything like our first kiss in the forest. This is what I was expecting. He's kissing me so roughly now, I feel like I might burst.

I know I should be more careful, resist him, be patient, and pull away. But fuck, I don"t want to.

"Please," I whimper, leaning my head against the wall and exposing my neck. "Akira, please."

"What do you want, Riv?" Akira grinds against me. "That pretty begging of yours will be my undoing. You keep pleading like that, and I'll give you anything you want."

"More, please."

"You are so good. So needy. I love it."

His praise revs me up even more.

Akira growls in my ear. "Tell me what you want." He bites my neck, hard enough for me to feel the sharp points of his canines. Holy shit. That's a hot surprise.

I moan.

My eyes bounce to the big crack in the door when I think I see movement. Suddenly, I'm distracted. "What if someone is outside?" My gaze trails back to the same spot. "What if they hear us?"

Akira follows my gaze and places my feet back on the ground. "Don't think about it, little fox. Focus on me."

I try to, but my eyes drift back again.

"How about this?" Akira says, pulling a silk ribbon from his pocket. "I have an idea."

"What's that?" I eye the pretty fabric in his hands.

"It's faerie silk and it's spelled to mask my scent from anyone hunting me." He shrugs. "Seven says I don't need it here, but it's comforting to me."

"Okay," I nod. "What will you do with it?"

"First, you'll have to trust me. No one is outside of our fitting room. If they come any closer, I can tell with my kitsune hearing." He holds up the silk ribbon. "I'm going to tie this around your eyes, so you can't see. Is that okay?"

I nod eagerly. Probably too eagerly. "I love sensation play," I confess.

His lips part. I think I shocked him. A part of me should be embarrassed that I just admitted something so personal, but by the heated stare Akira is giving me, I'm going to assume he likes that confession a lot.

"Fuck, you're perfect." Akira gives me a wicked smile. "We'll explore more of that later. But we have to make this quick if you want to get off."

Right. I nod. "I trust you."