Page 34 of Wild Pitch
I checked my phone to find a text from my father and Lily.
Dad: Hope you had a good night.
Me: Good morning. I did. I’m headed straight to Lily’s before I go home to get my keys.
Dad: It’s not just Lily’s anymore…
Me: I know! I keep forgetting!
Switching to my thread with Lily, I smiled when I read her text.
Lily: See you soon! I can’t wait!
Me: See you soon! Is there any chance I can borrow some shorts? I can’t do the walk of shame in men’s shorts and a T-shirt…
Lily: Luc?
Me: Yup.
Lily: I’ll buy the wine. Get ready to dish.
Luc paid attention to every move I made, and I could tell by his reaction that he was dying to know what I was texting.
“Letting everyone know you’re alive?” he asked.
“Yes, but I won’t be alive much longer without that breakfast you promised. I’m starving.”
It was then that I noticed a fluff ball the size of a small dog had taken over half the bed.
“Who is that?” I asked.
“Liam, my cat.”
“Shit, he’s the size of a small dog,” I said as the large gray cat stared at me before meowing.
“He’s trying to get your attention,” Luc said.
“Where was he hiding? I didn’t notice him until now.”
“I’m not sure, but we were pretty focused on other activities. He likes people, but not the commotion, and last night was…”
“Commotion…” I finished for him. “Can I pet him?”
“Sure, he’ll let you know if he’s not interested.”
I approached Liam cautiously and held my hand out for him to sniff. He immediately nudged my hand, his loud purrs interspersed with chirps.
“How do you manage him when you’re on the road?” I asked.
“My neighbor Denise comes over and visits and takes care of him for the longer stretches. Maybe next time you visit, he’ll be more social.”
I watched as Luc got dressed. His fitted dress pants and dress shirt accentuated his athletic build, and when he went to tie his tie, I moved in to take over.
“Where’d you learn that?” Luc’s stare heated as he watched me deftly tie his necktie, almost as deftly as he’d tied me to his headboard this morning.
“My grandmother would always tie my grandfather’s tie for him. She taught me and my sisters,” I said as I ran my hands down the front of his chest and took a short detour across hiswaist. My hands followed my gaze as I failed to resist devouring him any way I could.
“Let’s eat,” he said, and spun me around, pressed his palm on my lower back, and ushered me towards the hallway. “If you keep looking at me like that, we won’t make it out of the house.”
