Page 37 of Riot

“I’d love to.” I kiss the side of her face. “If you want me to come, I’ll be there,Kitten.”

She sighs in relief and that makes me feel about ten feet tall. “What time can we come back?”

I chuckle. “It’s Sunday. So probably later this morning. Enough time for you to get some shut eye. They have a blanket over him, but we can grab him something warm like a coat and a new dog bed. Maybe some new toys?”

Her lips part and I know what she’s going to say next. “Do you think we could keep him?” Then she shakes her head. “I mean…Icould keep him… notus…”

I like how she saidus.

“Let’s just focus on him gettin’ better, babe. He’s not out of the woods yet.” I cup her cheeks, holding her hair back off her face. “But he’s not goin’ to any kind of shelter, that I can promise.”

She’s hanging on every word and I feel it all the way down to my toes. Her vulnerability. This isn’t the tough, sassy woman that I’m used to — not that I mind it one bit. I love that she’s not hiding from me and she’s showing me who she is.

“Okay, as long as you think he’ll be fine for a few hours…”

She’s really latched onto this dog and it makes my heart expand about a thousand percent. “He’s doped up. He won’t even know we’re gone.”

Her shoulders sag like she was waiting for me to say that. I rub them gently. “C’mon.”

We say goodbye to Nina as Cookie rests in the after-care room. There’s no amount of money that will be spared to make sure that he has nothing short of a speedy recovery. I already told the vet and the nurse I’d take care of it and anything else they need. They did come out in the wee hours of morning for this emergency.

Rodeo drops us back at Halo’s and I give him a chin lift, telling him to organize Halo’s car to be driven back here latertoday. I throw him her keys and tell him to text me when they’re out front.

My kitten’s tired as we swipe through her apartment block building, heading to the elevator. She yawns as I pull her into my side, impressed by the plush surroundings. My heart feels a little less heavy knowing that her building is so secure; not that I hadn’t checked it out already, but I wasn't able to get inside.

When the elevator stops, she takes my hand, pulling me this time as I grin behind her, liking how her hand feels in mine. All of our lustful kisses and hands are long gone, but I want nothing more than just to be with her, even if it means having her in my arms while she sleeps.

When we get to her door, she swipes her little fob on the panel and when she steps in, she keys in a code for the alarm.Good girl.

I toe my boots off at the door; this isn’t the kind of apartment that should have my dirty shoes walking over the gleaming, polished floorboards.

Inside is airy and bright. The large windows overlook the street below, and the kitchen, dining and lounge are all open plan. A soft beige colors the walls with marble accents, wooden stools sit under the large kitchen island and about a thousand downlights come on automatically as we walk through the expansive space. Her couches face one another. They’re also expensive looking with fluffy throw rugs neatly placed on each ottoman. A white, wooden coffee table in between them sits on an opulent, fluffy dark blue rug. This place screams money, like seriously.

“Wow.” I run a hand through my hair.

Halo turns to me, throwing her purse on the kitchen counter. “You approve?”

“It’s very you.”

She smiles. “It’s quaint.”

“Quaint? I think the kitchen is the size of my apartment.”

“Would you like something to drink? I might make some herbal tea.”

“Whatever you’re havin’.”

She cocks a brow. “You drink peppermint tea?”

“I haven't, but I’m willin’ to give it a try.” Anything to be closer to her. To make her feel that I can be that guy for her; her second.

I watch her move about the kitchen; filling the kettle, pulling out two large mugs, settling a teabag in each as if she has to keep her hands busy.

“Hey?”

She turns to face me. She looks paler than she did earlier, like all the color drained from her face.

“It’s gonna be okay. You fussin’ won’t help nothin’.”

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