Page 35 of Cat’s Guide To Romance

Stefan pouts as he gets to his feet. “You don’t even know what I want.”

“You came here instead of calling.” I drop into my chair and spin it toward him. “That means I don’t want anything to do with it.”

“Maybe I simply wanted to visit my dear baby brother.” Stefan wanders toward the shelves and drags one finger across a row of decorative bottles.

“Bullshit.”

“Perhaps I wanted to hear the song.”

My fingers freeze halfway to the keyboard.

Stefan’s grin widens.

“What song?”

“Oh, Lucy.” He puts a hand over his heart and tips his head back dramatically. “Morning comes and there you are, brighter than the morning star.”

“You finish that verse and I will remove your tongue.”

“Seven verses.” He shakes his head sadly and drops onto the couch. “A higher demon of the second ring reduced to singing about jingling bells and tummy rubs.”

I turn my chair fully toward him. “How the fuck do you know about that?”

“I have my sources.”

My eyes narrow, but Stefan only stretches his legs out in front of him like he plans to stay all day.

“Centuries of life and you’re writing love songs for a cat shifter who keeps telling you no.”

“He didn’t say no,” I whisper.

“Oh, forgive me.” Stefan presses a hand to his chest. “He simply doesn’t have time for you.”

“Correct. There’s a difference.”

“Sure. And then you spent hours lying on his roof.”

I point at him. “That was for his protection.”

Stefan laughs and sinks farther into the couch. “I haven’t even gotten to the best part.”

“I don’t want to know what you consider the best part.”

He pulls out his phone.

Every bit of irritation drains out of me.

Sparkle is curled up in bed, fast asleep. His white ears peek through his messy hair, one smashed against the pillow. His tail curls over his legs, and he clutches a blanket against his chest. He looks soft and warm and completely unaware that someone stood in his bedroom taking a fucking picture of him.

Something cold settles inside me. “Delete it.”

Stefan’s smile falters. “Don’t be dramatic. I didn’t touch him.”

“You entered his bedroom.” I push out of my chair and hold out my hand. “Delete it.”

“He didn’t even know I was there.”

“That makes it worse.” I step closer until Stefan finally stops smiling. “Delete the fucking picture, Stefan.”