Page 3 of Cat’s Guide To Romance

Cat shifters rarely leave sanctuary towns, they’re safer there. They must be from Hex. I can’t imagine someone from the Illinois or Ohio sanctuary towns coming in for my silly little Halloween party.

They’re dressed as a cat which makes me chuckle. How adorable. Clever, really. Dress as what they are. Their fluffy white tail swishes from side to side and their ears flatten a little. Not so much that I want to scoop them away into a quiet room. They’re nervous, but they stay. They nibble their bottom lip and their eyes seem to glow when they get to the favor table. They look around before pocketing one of the thick glow sticks on a string. Their shoulders move as if they’re laughing when they get to the temporary tattoos and the stickers. They snatch a few of each and look around again.

Lars, one of my bartenders, walks up and hands the cat a coupon for a drink. The cat’s eyes go right to Lars’s wolf ears. Lars makes the cat laugh and they both wiggle their ears. Fuck. Now I’m jealous of one of my favorite employees. Who am I kidding? I love all my employees, they’re really more like family.

Lars points out the bar and gives the cat a cheeky grin before strolling back over, giving everyone a nice view of his backside. If Lars had his tail out, it’d be wagging.

The cat’s tail swishes in response.

A ridiculous little spark of jealousy ignites in my chest. Excuse me? Why am I jealous? I don’t even know this person.

That won’t do.

I keep my eyes on the cat as I make my way to the bar top. Lars grins that literal wolfish grin when he sees me.

“What can I do for ya, boss?” Lars throws a dishtowel over his shoulder. His amber eyes seem to glow every time the light hits them.

“Did you get the cat’s name?”

“Ah, that’s what that look is about.” He wiggles a finger at my face. “You want him.”

“Of course I want him. Have you seen him?”

Lars sighs and clasps his hands together before leaning his cheek on them. It tugs his tight t-shirt in all the right ways. The man looks like a god sculpted him to perfection, with thick thighs poured into leather pants. But I prefer more delicate features.

He leans in. “Said his name is Sparkle. How cute is that?”

“Sparkle.” I like it. Suits him.

“He’s here alone. How sad? He should be with his friends.” Lars’s shoulders slump and he backs up when he meets my glare.

“I’ll be the one comforting him tonight, so don’t make any plans.”

Lars holds up his hands as he grins again. “No worries. Just thought he was pretty. I’ll keep my hands and comments to myself.”

I nod and scan the crowd again. The faint tinkle of the collar Sparkle wears allows me to track him so easily. “I won’t hurt him, you know. Just wanna talk.”

“I know.” Lars squeezes my arm. “You’re one of the best guys out there. Little bit wild, but that’s why we love ya.” He blows a kiss my way before winking and going back to work.

“You’re a good guy too, Lars. You’ll find your person.” I pat the bar top twice before making a few slow loops around the dance floor to observe Sparkle.

He’s hesitant at first, but a gaggle of girls takes him in. They’re human, but their partners are supernatural, and soon he’s chatting up the entire friend group. I like that he’s not as shy as he first appeared. He seems to be able to make friends easily.

But the way he moves has me mesmerized. I could watch him dance for hours. He has a fluidity that I can’t imagine others aren’t jealous of.

With every new song, I creep closer and closer. His tail is the most fascinating thing. It’s as if it has a life of its own. It moves perfectly with each of his dances, no matter what he does. My own tail sways to the music.

Soon, it’s my time. He leaves his group of new friends and heads to the bar. Back to Lars.

Sparkle bats his lashes, each one tipped with what appears to be fake diamonds. His lips look so kissable. By the time morning comes, I want to know everything about him. His favorite food. His biggest dreams. What makes him laugh? What makes his tail twitch? And maybe, if I’m very lucky, what makes him purr.

Because somehow, in less than a few hours, this beautiful lonely cat has made me want something I haven’t allowed myself to want in a very long time.

3

SPARKLE

I order a mixed drink and a bottled water, but the sexy bartender doesn’t flirt with me again. My excitement fizzles. Of course, he was just being nice earlier. His eyes keep darting away, and I wonder if someone told him to stay away from me. Or maybe a wolf shifter doesn’t really want to talk to a cat shifter, but he was being polite earlier. I chuckle to myself and shake my head.