My Fox Mate (shifters and partners, #22) by Hollis Shiloh

Author:Hollis Shiloh
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gay romance, gay shifter series, fox shifter romance, wolf shifters, sweet gay romance, gay romance mm, paranormal gay romance, law enforcement
Publisher: Spare Words Press
Published: 2019-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

"You must be Julia. I'm very pleased to meet you." Frankie shook her hand, giving her a gracious smile. It was weird to notice that he wasn't much taller than she was. He seemed to take up so much room sometimes—at least in my thoughts—that it was hard to remember he actually wasn't very big.

The handshake Julia got was gentle. But Andrew got a very firm sort of handshake, and they stared at one another for long, intent moments while it lasted. It felt like a distrustful stare, taking each other's measures, neither wanting to back down. I edged in between them, subtly coughing, and directed a question at Andrew. They let go of each other's hands at last, and Andrew gave Frankie a brief, tight smile before turning to answer me.

Not normally being a fashion person myself, I was surprised how many complicated feelings I had about Frankie's clothes.

He'd dressed in a deep purple suit so dark it was nearly black, with a complicated, flower-patterned dress shirt underneath. He'd done something with his hair that made it harder and sleeker. He looked like somebody from a magazine shoot. His dress shoes looked like they cost more than my whole wardrobe. None of it by itself was overly butch, but somehow all together it made a hard, masculine look I didn't associate with Frankie.

At least he wore a touch of eye makeup, probably eyeliner. I didn't know enough about makeup to tell for sure. Whatever it was, it made his eyes look intense and really pretty.

I'd never really known much about fashion, and certainly wasn't an expert on androgynous looks, but for Frankie, I had opinions already. I liked it when he looked softer around the edges, and not like he was trying too hard to be macho.

He had a strength and beauty all his own, a life strength that would seem crushed and constrained if forced into only boring "masculine" clothes. I liked seeing him look pretty. If today he looked a bit too tough, professional, and unapproachable in his clothes, at least the eye makeup and the colors he wore showed he wasn't trying to change his essential expressions of himself, just alter them a little.

I still wished he'd dressed softer, though. I knew it was awfully opinionated of me to think that. We were still getting to know each other. I couldn't just assume I knew how he should dress or act. But I couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't quite him, and I didn't want him to change himself for me or anybody else.

His smile was warm and real, at least, and he looked glad to see me, not reproachful that I hadn't gotten him out of this. I got a hug rather than a handshake. Even in the stiff suit, he felt very good in my arms. He smelled clean and nice, with that spicy hint of fox, and man, and the one that called to me most of all: mate.

"I'm glad you could make it," Andrew told Frankie, but it sounded like a challenge.

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