Page 51 of Tempest

He cupped the sides of his sweet cat’s face. How had he gotten so damn lucky? “Of course that would be alright. You know I adore him.”

“He can be kind of cranky when his pain flares up,” Cash warned him.

Ore arched his brows. “That’s fine. What’s your excuse?”

An evil twinkle lit up Cash’s eyes, and that was the only warning Ore got before he pretended to drop him, letting him slide a few inches down before hiking him back up.

Gasping, Ore slapped at his chest. “You jerk!”

“What was that?” Cash asked, loosening his grip a little on Ore’s thighs.

With a laugh that carried across the water, Ore wrapped himself around Cash as tightly as he could. “I take it back. You’re always sunshine and rainbows.”

Chuckling, Cash pinched his butt. “Let’s not get carried away.”

He pressed his smile into Cash’s neck, letting himself get lost for a minute in the coolness of the water as it fought against the heat radiating from Cash. There was the softest of breezes, ruffling his hair and the leaves in the trees back on shore. Cash held him close, a rumbly purr vibrating his chest.

It was a perfect moment.

“Have you remembered anything else?” Cash asked softly.

Back at Fern’s, the only thing he’d known for sure was his parents. Not all the details about them, but their faces, scents, and voices. There were other things that had popped up when Fern had finished—people and places, snapshots without much context. He still couldn’t remember where he’d been or what had happened to him before he’d arrived in Silver Oak.

When he’d expressed his frustration before he and Cash had headed home, Fern had assured him that it would in time. She’d finished rebuilding the bridge to his memories, and now they just had to ease across.

Personally, he thought she was overdoing it with the analogy, but he supposed it made sense.

“I have three sisters,” he said, tracing the edge of Cash’s ear. “I only remember one of their names,” he added with a grimace. “Hannah. She’s the youngest.”

“Where do you fall in the order?”

“I’m pretty sure I’m the oldest and that they still live with our parents, but don’t hold me to that.”

Cash stroked up his back, then back down to his ass. “I won’t. Be patient with yourself.”

“I know. It’s just hard. It feels like everything is right there, just behind a curtain, but the more I tug at it, the more stuck it gets.” Ore sighed and snuggled closer, determined not to let his annoyance ruin their romantic night.

“Stop tugging at it, little bit.”

Smirking, Ore kept his face hidden as he said with innocent confusion, “But that’s not what you said the other night.”

Cash snorted and gripped his cheeks tighter. “Brat.”

He snickered, lifting his head and nuzzling against Cash’s cheek. Birds weren’t usually so affectionate, but it felt amazing when Cash gave him little touches and strokes, scenting him whenever he got the chance, and he knew his cat liked it when he returned the gestures. All he ever wanted to do was make Cash happy, ease some of the burden of all of his important responsibilities.

“What am I going to do with you, troublemaker?”

“I have some suggestions,” Ore said, wiggling closer and rubbing his hard dick against Cash’s belly.

Groaning, Cash tightened his hold, preventing him from continuing to grind against all his delicious muscles. “I didn’t bring any supplies for that.”

Ore pouted. “None of these magical tattoos can automatically lube your dick? Seems like a missed opportunity…”

Cash barked out a laugh. “I’ll let Jorge know. Maybe he can come up with something.”

He stroked a finger over the one that glowed right below his collarbone. They were so beautiful, but that wasn’t why he liked them so much. “I’m glad you have extra protection to help keep you safe. I suppose that’s good enough.”

Face softening, Cash leaned close and rubbed his nose against Ore’s before pressing a soft, lingering kiss to his lips. “You don’t need to worry about me being safe, little bit.”

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