“I don’t think that matters. That sounds like more of a sex thing.”
“Well, yeah.” Damon thought about her and sighed.
“Ew, stop thinking about my best friend naked.” Jeff grimaced. “Focus, Damon. Hmm. Marlie loves her family. She might not like them all the time, but she’s loyal to the bone.”
“She’s great. I get it.”
“She’s also a sucker for Christmas, food, sweets, and animals.” Jeff brightened. “And I have just the thing to help you out with door number four.”
“Huh?”
Jeff walked him to an area in the back of the office, where a few familiar furballs and their new friends lay in wait.
7:05, Monday night at Marlie’s house
“Hold on. Are those the kittens we rescued?” Marlie stared in shock at the pet carrier Damon walked into her house.
He nodded, pleased she remembered. “Jeff found a home for the pregnant calico and two of the orange ones. But the foster couldn’t take these two. They need a place to stay for a while. Since I’m on the mend, I can take care of them while I’m here.”
“At your parents’?”
“Well, no. See, that’s why I need you. I can’t have them underfoot at my parents’ place because it will stress them out, and they’re still healing. I’ll be the one taking care of the cats though. But here, I can take care of them and take care of you at the same time.”
“Explain that.” She crossed her arms over her chest, not so amused anymore.
“What did I say?”
“Why do I need to be ‘taken care of’?”
“Well, obviously you don’t. I just meant as payment for letting me use your place for the kittens, I could take care of your house and cook for you since you’re busting your ass working and getting stuff graded before the holiday. You have finals coming, more office hours, teaching, coaching, and games, right? That’s a lot.”
“But you have your parents to help and physical therapy.”
“That’s easy. Well, not my parents. They’re a handful. But they’re mostly better. I’ll still be checking on them. But this way I can crash here, taking a break from them. I promise to stay out of your way. Unless I’m feeding you or dicking you, I mean.”
She blinked. “I’m sorry. What?”
“Feeding you or dicking you. You know, giving you orgasms.”
“Oh, well.” She blushed. “That’s okay then.” She shot his crotch a sly grin.
“See? We’ll be perfect roommates. This way you can get to know me better, and I can know you better. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
Please say yes.
Seeing her teeter on a decision, he pulled out the big guns and removed the two tiny kittens from the carrier. Two stark white kittens with blue eyes, little matching snowflakes.
She immediately softened. “What are their names?”
“Your call.” He put the larger of the two in her hands, and the adorable fluff ball meowed at her.
“So soft.” She snuggled him. “Well, okay. We’ll foster them here. But you have to do all the heavy lifting. I really am swamped with finals coming.”
“I’ll cook and clean and take care of everything. You go to work and come home for sex and kittens.”
“Merry Christmas to me.” She laughed as the kitten climbed over her and shimmied down her pant leg. Then she held out her hands for the other one. “Are they boys or girls?”
“I think one of each.” Exactly what he wanted from his future wife. He smiled.
