Page 2 of Catnip, Claws, and Chaos

Oh. My. God. It’s taken twenty-two years, but He finally heard my prayers.

Superman is here!

Maybe I hit my head without realizing it because standing before me is the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. Besides Henry Cavill, of course.

At least six feet tall with broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist. His wool coat can’t hide that he’s built like a Greek god. Strong jaw, perfect nose, and eyes so green they glow in the darkness. Thick, dark blond hair, slightly tousled, and full lips pressed into a thin line.

“My hero,” I whisper as tears fill my eyes and my pulse quickens.

“Poor kitten, are you okay?” His deep voice carries on the winter air, wrapping around me like a caress.

“What?” I don’t mind that he’s already using a pet name, but isn’t it a little soon? We barely know each other.

His large green eyes rest on mine, and he runs a hand through his hair. A small wrinkle appears between his brows. The warm puff of his breath hangs between us like a question mark.

Is he worried about me? My heart races as a dumb smile spreads across my face. But his expression remains undecipherable. Fear? Concern?

I blink, trying to focus. Then the truth dawns. He’s not concerned about me. He’s pissed off at me. The gentle creasebetween his brows deepens into a scowl. So, not Superman. My brief fantasy crashes to the pavement alongside my dignity.

“What the hell?” he barks. His voice is deep and masculine, the kind that makes you melt even when the words are harsh. “Be more careful next time!”

My eyebrows shoot up to my hairline. “Are you talking to me?” I stammer, looking around like an idiot, as if someone else might be there. Of course there’s no one. Just him, me, and the stupid cat. The cat that, at this precise instant, rubs itself against my hero’s ankles. What the fuck?

The corners of his mouth soften as he glances down at the feline, a flicker of gentleness crossing his features before they harden again. He bends over and gathers the little monster in his big, capable hands.

I’ve never hated anyone as much as I hate that cat. He strokes it, lifts it, and examines it. The crease in his forehead deepens as he runs his fingers along its back and legs. Taking a deep breath, he holds the cat tighter, turns around, and heads back to his car.

“You can’t just leave me here!” I yell after him. Tears threaten to spill again.

He ignores me, opens his SUV, and puts the cat inside. I hear him fiddling around with something. I close my eyes. What’s the point of looking? I just lost Superman to a cat.

“Can you get up?” His voice is severe, but when I open my eyes, he’s extending his hand toward me. His fingers flex slightly, impatient but not unkind.

I blink as he stands before me again. So now he’s worried about my health. I glower at him, cross my arms, and nod.

“Well, come on, then. Hurry!” he barks over his shoulder as he heads toward his car.

My jaw drops. “No!”

He stops mid-step. “No?” He turns back. He wasn’t expecting that answer. His frown deepens. “Would you prefer I call the police?” he challenges.

At the word police, the blood freezes in my veins.

“Um, what?” I stammer.

“I’m sure they’ll have something to say about speeding and running red lights. Oh, and that you hit a poor animal on the street.”

“I didn’t hit him!” I reply indignantly.

He shakes his head and exhales an impatient sigh. “You’re either coming with me, or I’m calling the police.”

For a few minutes, we engage in a Mexican standoff. I’m confronting one of those alpha males from my romance novels. The first to look away loses. I have to be strong.

His eyes hold mine. They’re not just green but flecked with gold around the pupils. He raises an eyebrow in silent challenge. He’s telling me I’ve already lost.

That I sneeze, getting snot on my uniform collar—as if I haven’t humiliated myself enough—only proves even the universe is against me.

I wipe myself clean with my jacket sleeve. He wrinkles his nose in disgust, then looks away, though I catch a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth. Is he trying not to laugh?

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