Page 33 of Three Meows

Straight to my panties which were still laying on the floor.

Well, damn.

Chester wolf-whistled and I tried to pretend I didn’t exist by hiding my red cheeks behind my hands.

“I see… the date went well?” Elijah said faintly.

Rowan snorted, still sprawled on the couch and utterly unbothered. That was so not fair! He should be burning in hell of embarrassment along with me! He returned my glare with the softest of looks.

“Shower?” he suggested.

Okay, so maybe I wasn’t going to rip him a new one because that was a good idea.

I practically ran to the bathroom and groaned when the door shut behind me, the lock giving me a moment to collect myself. A quick shower later, I felt more at ease but I still didn’t want to make a big deal out of the fact I slept with Rowan nor talk about it so I skulked back to my bedroom, changed into my pajamas, and firmly shut off the light.

I half expected Chester to crawl into my bed and do his usual octopus routine, but, to my surprise, the redhead didn’t claimpossession of my bed. Instead, a sleek black cat jumped on the covers.

“Mrrrgh?” Rowan, no,Shadow, made a questioning sound. As if I would say no to the elusive kitty joining me at night.

“Not afraid of your nightmares?” I asked as I pulled a corner of the comforter up, inviting him under.

Shadow lifted his black paw and looked from it to me as if to say being in this shape changed things.

That was fair. I wasn’t sure if being a cat eliminated the bad dreams or if Rowan decided he was less of a risk as a small cat than he was as a trained soldier with a big body, but, either way, I was happy to have the black cat curl next to me.

When those yellow eyes closed in a slow blink and Shadow let himself fall asleep next to me I was filled with utter contentment.

Chapter Seventeen

“Sooo, you did the horizontal tango with Rowan.”

I sighed and put my notebook away to face Chester. It was dumb of me to even hope the redhead would let it go. He didn’t know the meaning of the word tact.

“So I did. What’s it to you?”

“I want that too!” Chester whined.

My eyes narrowed.

“What, you think you are entitled to fuck me just because I’m your girlfriend?”

“Of course not!” Chester said, looking offended. “I’m just offering. I want you to let me work for it. To make you feel good. I want to get on my knees for you, baby. Let me worship you. I will do anything!”

“Anything?” I asked.

“…yes?” Chester answered hesitantly, already sensing the trap.

“Great, thank you for volunteering to help me plan our budget!” I beamed at him, showing him what I was working onin the notebook. There were columns, and rows, and numbers. So many numbers.

Like a true artist, Chester looked at the analog spreadsheet with horrified eyes. To his credit, he had gathered himself quickly and nodded, even if he looked like he wanted to cry. Guess what? I hated such mind-numbing work too, so I decided we were going to suffer together. This was the ultimate couple’s experience!

“Elijah insists you three are going to contribute to the household and I need the numbers to talk him down from paying three-fourths of all the expenses,” I explained.

“You want me to help you work out how I can pay you less?” Chester asked.

“Got it in one!”

“Damn, alright. I can respect this grind. Let’s do it. Do you think he will accept I just want to be your sugar baby?” Chester teased.

---