Page 51 of Shifting Sands

“Are you sure?”

He raises an eyebrow. “You’re not jealous of two little kitties, are you?”

“Maybe a little.”

I sit beside him carefully. So as not to disturb Felix.

Brew glances down at Felix, who has now gently placed his paw on Brew’s hand. “He seems very affectionate.”

“Don’t be fooled. He’s darkness wrapped in cuteness.”

Felix meows pointedly at me.

“Oh, you hush. You’ve had it out for me since day one.”

Snowflake stretches languidly across Brew’s lap and yawns.

“Maybe I’m just irresistible.”

I narrow my eyes. “Maybe.”

He laughs. “You’re welcome to curl up in my lap.”

“I might.” I glance down at the furry pile pinning him to the couch. “If I can get past the guard cat.”

He picks Snowflake up and sets her on the arm of the couch, and she lets out an unhappy meow.

“Come here,” he says, patting the spot she just vacated.

Something in his tone makes me glance at him.

We’re not joking now.

Not fully.

He smiles, slow and soft.

And I feel it—that warm little flutter in my chest that keeps showing up when he’s near.

Snowflake purrs louder.

Felix stretches.

I fold my bare legs beneath me and lay my head in his lap. He releases my hair from the tie and runs his fingers through it, causing my entire body to relax.

Although I have only known this man for a short time, the level of comfort I feel in this moment is as if we were old friends.

Old friends with intense chemistry.

We fall into a comfortable silence as a movie starts. I sit up, grab a throw, and pull it over me as I snuggle against his bare chest. My body tingling with quiet energy. My knees are pulled up, bare toes grazing the edge of the blanket, and Brew looks totally at home—his arm stretched across the back of the couch, fingers absently stroking the curve of Snowflake’s sleeping back like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

“So,” I say, trying to sound casual, “when am I finally going to see your place?”

He glances at me, and there’s a flicker in his eyes—quick, subtle. If I’d blinked, I might’ve missed it.

“My place?” he repeats, drawing out the words like he’s buying time.

“Mmhmm.” I nudge his side. “You’ve been to Aunt Ida’s twice now. It’s only fair.”

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