Page 29 of Three Meows

“Hell yeah!”

The food was cheap and messy and the fast-food joint was loud, but it only leaned itself to relaxing me further. It was hard to be nervous when stuffing my face with a hamburger or stealing Elijah’s fries.

The second date was a success as well.

Chapter Sixteen

Icontemplated what to do with Rowan for a while.

Going for some physical entertainment like a paintball game or a climbing wall could be fun if not for my nonexistent stamina. After starting at the University, I found little time for fitness and the combination of behind-the-desk studies and hobbies did me no favors. I made a note to ask Rowan to slowly introduce me to his gym so that I could beat myself into shape in the future, but firmly crossed any exercise off the list of possible date activities.

A diner date didn’t quite make the cut as well because one: Rowan didn’t seem to care for food in the same way Chester or Elijah did, always eating whatever was put under his nose without protest or excitement, and two: while I was fine with shouldering the burden of conversation I felt like there should be something else to focus on than my babbling to make this date a success.

It didn’t help that Rowan wasn’t really a people person. Even when he was a cat, his favorite place to be as Shadow was inmy line of sight but outside of my reach. He was one of those baffling felines who considered sitting in the same room to be social enough.

Would going to a cinema be too much? I had a feeling he would stab anyone who dared to speak during the movie, including me.

“Netflix and chill seems safer,” I muttered to myself only to freeze as an idea hit me.

Mind buzzing with possibilities, I jumped up from my chair to find Chester and Elijah. I had to stop myself from hugging them to death when I found them curled together as cats in one of the plush circular beds that now littered the flat.

“Cats and gentlemen, can I have your attention, please?” I said like an announcer, and Chester immediately perked up while Elijah only swiveled an ear in my direction. “I have a favor to ask… You see…”

Rowan returned from the gym and, as always, took a shower. He was toweling his hair dry with another towel slung around his hips when he felt my eyes on him and looked up.

“…what’s this?” he asked warily.

“A smoothie,” I memed at him.

He huffed and gestured at what was around me, then lifted an eloquent eyebrow.

“Popcorn, chips, salted peanuts, chocolate chip cookies, soda, beer…” I pointed to the things set around the couch but finished by pointing at Rowan. “…my date.”

Rowan made a noise of surprise before a pleased smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

“Night in?” he asked in a low voice.

“The weather outside is dreadful. I wouldn’t let a stray cat suffer this rain,” I waved at the window, where indeed a deluge of water fell from the sky. “And you are very much a domesticated one.”

“Oh, am I?” Rowan asked.

“You are.” I took a piece of popcorn and stood up to present it to Rowan on the palm of my hand.

His eyes danced with mirth when he obligingly ate the treat from my hand.

“I guess you are right.”

He licked at the salty residue on my hand. That, combined with his near-nakedness, made me instantly hot under the collar. A not unwelcome start for a date.

Rowan placed a kiss on my fingers, then my palm, then my forearm…

Oh, boy.

“You know, I had a whole date planned. TV shows, we were supposed to watch our favorite shows!” I squeaked.

“Problem?” Rowan asked as he stepped boldly into my space and dragged his lips over my neck.

“N-no problem. No, sir, zero problem! Not complaining!” I said hotly, and I was rewarded with a bite to my neck that made my breath catch.

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