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The most adorable I’ve ever seen.
And judging by her pretty pink collar, she’s a precious girl. The kitten looks up at me, her striking green eyes instantly making me think of him. The right side of her face is a light ginger with a faint dark brown circle running through it, the left side, black. The division of color runs right down the center of her nose. The rest of her fur is mostly black with patches of ginger.
She’s absolutely adorable. And tiny. So tiny. She’s barely bigger than my closed fist.
I look up and down the hall for whoever has delivered her but there’s no one around. I don’t bother asking Caesar if he knows who it was. Is she mine? To keep forever or just to visit with for my stay? I picture her curled up in my feather duvet at home, a sweetheart to snuggle with at the end of the day, the perfect roommate.
“Hey there, precious.” I bend over the basket, getting closer to inspect her without frightening her. She’s so young. Where was she found? Does she have a mother? She blinks, her little nose twitching to catch my scent. “Where did you come from?”
She gives the tiniest “meow” in response. The sweet sound makes a tear blink in my eye.
“You’re just too cute, aren’t you?” I can’t tear my gaze from her. “Let’s get you settled.”
I carefully grab the handle of the basket. “Did she come with any instructions?” I ask the large man at my door.
He gives a shake of his head.
“Goodbye, Caesar.” I bring the basket into the room, quietly closing the door behind me so I don’t startle her. I settle us on the bed, then pull her from the basket.
She gives the most heartwarming “mew” sound. I place her on my lap. She does a little circle before settling down in the soft folds of my robe, clearly tired from this morning’s adventures. I stroke her silky fur, whispering soft nothings to her. She nestles down further into my robe, giving a sigh of satisfaction, eventually purring herself to sleep.
There’s a knock at the door, much harder and harsher than the sound of the earlier one. It’s got to be him. The hairs stand up on the back of my neck, just knowing he’s close.
I smooth a hand over my sleep-mussed hair. I don’t want to get up and wake the kitten. I call out, “Come in.”
The tension between us is palpable. He moves around the edge of the room, almost as if to avoid breathing in my air, any memory of our hot sex from last night forgotten. He takes a seat in the chair furthest from the bed, crossing his legs, ankle resting on his knee.
He’s cool toward me. Treating me like the stranger that I am, though I’ve had more intimate moments with him, been more bared and vulnerable to this man, than I was to my boyfriend of one year.
The faint scent of last night probably still hangs about me. He glances over at the window. Admiring the view? Or remembering taking me up against the table a matter of hours ago? Having him in this room creates the perfect condition for a head tornado, whipping my mind up in a frenzy of thoughts.
I wait for him to speak. Luckily I have the kitten to comfort and distract me, easing the tenseness of the moment.
Finally, he clears his throat. “I see you got the cat.”
“Yes.” I smile at him. “She’s lovely. Thank you very much. I can’t believe you found a tortie.”
“There were plenty to choose from.”
“Maybe so but you’ve brought me what has to be the very cutest one.” I thank him again. “I really appreciate it, thank you.”
“Apollo will be by later. He’s bringing everything you’ll need for her.” At least he’s calling the cat a “her” and not an “it.”
“Okay,” I say, keeping my eyes on the kitten.
“Her mother left her,” he says, looking away. Thinking of his own mother? “She has to be bottle-fed.”
My heart skips a beat. I get to bottle-feed a kitten? Every cat lover’s dream come true. “Will Apollo show me how?”
“I’m sure he will. He’s just as smitten with the little thing as you are.”
I sneak a glance at him. He’s still staring out the window, a stony look in his eyes. He’s so hard and harsh. Completely annoyed by my presence, rightfully so, I know, but he makes it seem like he hates me.
Then why bring me this precious kitten?
I have no idea of the motive behind the gift. Or if she’s even mine to keep. I don’t ask if I can keep her. I don’t have the heart to hear him say no. I’ll just enjoy her for now, assuming that she belongs to the Parrish. Thinking of her future on the island makes me think of my own.
He’s not yet said when we’re leaving.
