Well. She had a protector. Apparently, fish was the way to the tom’s heart.

“New roommate,” she said lightly as the pair glared at each other, each poised to thrash the other. “He’s still learning his manners.”

“I’ll say.” Damon eyed the cat with suspicion.

The cat glared at Damon with even more.

“It should be illegal for there to be so much testosterone in the air,” she said and Damon flicked a glance at her.

“Does it attack everyone?”

“Him, not it. I don’t know. I’ve only had him since Thursday. He doesn’t even have a name yet.”

“Ninja,” Damon said through his teeth.

Haley stifled the urge to laugh. “Maybe.” She bent and, for the first time, the tom came to her, winding around her ankles, then sitting on her foot. He continued to glare at Damon, his tail flicking and his ears folded back.

“You can’t have chosen him for his looks.”

“I think he’s beautiful. Look at how sleek and black he is. Like a little panther.”

Damon snorted. “He looks pretty beat up.”

The cat hissed at him.

“They said he was in a fight and they had to patch him up. I think it’s his attitude that kept him from being adopted for so long.”

“He’s not exactly a charmer.”

“He defended me.”

“From me.” Damon shook his head and exhaled. “Of course, his attitude wouldn’t stop you.”

“What does that mean?”

“That you like to bring home strays.”

Haley chose not to be insulted. “There’s nothing wrong with helping others.” She reached down and rubbed the cat’s ear and he actually purred a little. “I thought he needed somebody.”

“And so you stepped up to be that person.” Damon frowned. “What about what you want, Haley? What about what you need, as opposed to what everyone else needs from you?”

“Oh, that’s why I brought you home,” she said. “You were going to give me an orgasm. I could use that.”

Damon gave her a look that reminded her so perfectly of the tom’s expression at the shelter that she laughed.

“What’s so funny?”

“I thought he reminded me of you. I promise I won’t call him Damon, though.”

“What?”

“Oh, come on. You both have attitude. You’re both grumpy and uncooperative. You’re both spoiling for a fight.” Her voice faltered but she continued anyway. “And you’re both beautiful, powerful, honorable males.”

Damon met her gaze. “Beautiful?”

Haley nodded, her mouth dry. “Gorgeous.”

He smiled and closed the distance between them, looking like a predator on the hunt. She was more than ready to be his prey. He cupped her face in his hands and drew her to her toes, his gaze searching hers. “No one’s called me that before.”