Page 61 of See Me

He walks to the railing and crosses his inked arms over his chest. “Didn’t seem like pertinent information.”

“Right. Don’t worry, I won’t come asking for a cup of sugar. I won’t be here much longer.”

He runs his hand down his face and focuses his eyes over my head. “I meant what I said. It’s yours until you don’t need it anymore.”

I flip my hand in his direction. “Sure, sure. Just didn’t want me to know you were right next door. I get it.”

“There’s nothing to get.”

“Got it.”

“Got what?”

“I’m not starting this again.” I try to pull the kitten away and she digs her nails into my robe. When I remember I’m completely naked underneath, I clutch her to my chest. “I’m, uh, not wearing anything under here and she’s latched on pretty good.”

His jaw clenches and he drops his gaze as he leans forward with his fists on the railing. “Just turn around or something.”

I roll my eyes and turn around. I try to peel her off my robe and she meows and claws at me. I hiss through my teethand plead with her in hushed tones. “C’mon babe. You’re making this really embarrassing.” Luca huffs and puffs behind me like an angry bull. “Look, I’m really trying here,” I say over my shoulder.

“She weighs like a pound.”

“It’s not her weight. She’s latched on like a newborn koala.” I try to pull her away again and she whines and digs in again. “Ouch, geez Louise, you little minx.” I turn around and dramatically drop my hands to my sides. The kitten stays right where she is, hanging off my robe. Luca drops his eyes to my chest and my cheeks flush with heat.

They jiggled.

I know they jiggled.

“Just come over here and get her. I’ll unlock the door.” I move to go inside.

“No,” he says a little too forcefully. When I jump at his tone he softens it a little. “No, it’s fine. Just keep her for the night. I’ll come get her tomorrow. She already ate and used the litter box. She’s almost ready for bed and once you lay down, she’ll curl right up and sleep through the night. She likes to sleep up near your head though, so don’t roll over on her. And if you sleep on your back she’ll lay on your neck and—”

He cuts off when I raise my eyebrow at his kitten daddy speech and clears his throat when he realizes how ridiculously protective he sounds.

My face splits into a grin and I stifle a laugh.

He turns his back on me and heads toward his patio door. “Whatever… I’ll come get her tomorrow.”

I walk through the door cradling the kitten and close it behind me. “You’ve tamed him pretty good, little miss. You’re going to have to show me how you did that.”

She meows in response and leaps off my shoulder onto the back of thecouch.

“You’re right. Probably a bad idea. Forget I said anything.” I scoop her up off the couch and head for the bedroom.

He’s made it abundantly clear where he stands. No more games.

“C’mon girlfriend, I’m ready for bed.”

NINETEEN

THE SEVEN DEADLY DWARFS

What’sa reasonable time to knock on someone’s door and ask for your kitty back? And trust me when I tell you not to googlewhen can I get my kitty back?No one should have access to that stuff at their fingertips. I need bleach to kill the brain cells responsible for remembering those images. Except that one girl.

I didn’t know it was possible to bend that way.

I’ve already been to the gym, had breakfast, and a shower, and the sun still refuses to poke its light above the horizon.

My house is clean, the bar doesn’t open for hours yet, and I refuse to pick up my phone again for fear of mental scarring. I guess the pile of paperwork on my desk will serve as distraction enough until an acceptable time to knock on her door. I should’ve gotten Tuesday last night, but with Ella in that robe,and knowing she wasn’t wearing anything underneath, no good would’ve come from that visit. Well, good is relative, but a bad idea nonetheless.

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