Ginger tugged the sheet up to cover her bare breasts. “Are you expecting someone?”
“Don’t move.” I staggered to my feet and pulled on my pants. Within seconds, I stood in front of the door and pulled it open.
“Six!” Ruby stood on the other side of the door with a small basket in her arms. “I was starting to get a little worried.”
“Sorry. I was, uh, busy.”
Her gaze drifted down my bare chest. “I see that. Is now a bad time?”
“No, not at all. Come in.” I took the basket and peeked underneath the blanket. “Thanks for doing this, Ruby. I really appreciate it.”
“My pleasure. The rescue was thrilled to have a home for this little one. She’s the last one left from her litter. Have you told Ginger?”
“Told Ginger what?” She stood in the doorway to the bedroom in a pair of sweats and one of my t-shirts that hung long and loose over her smaller frame.
“I’ll leave the two of you to discuss.” Ruby set a shopping bag she’d been carrying down on the ground. “Have fun!”
“What’s she talking about?” Ginger crossed the room as the door clicked shut behind Ruby.
“I got you a little something.” Holding the basket out to her, I peeled back the blanket to reveal the tiny kitten underneath.
“A kitten?” Ginger reached for the ball of striped orange fluff. “What possessed you to get me a kitten?”
“You said you’d had a cat when you were younger and it sounded like you missed it.” I shrugged, hoping I hadn’t fucked up by gifting her a live animal.
“That was weeks ago.” Her eyes softened at the edges as she held the little cat up to her cheek. “I can’t believe you remembered that.”
She’d never understand how deep my love for her went. I remembered everything she’d ever said to me, the good and the bad. And I’d spend the rest of my life making sure she had everything she wanted, from the simple things like her favorite brand of coffee, to the big life things like a house full of kids, all sporting her gorgeous red hair.
“What should we call her?” I rested a hand on Ginger’s shoulder and stared down at the helpless ball of fuzz.
“What about Blossom?” Ginger’s cheeks pinked as she met my gaze. “I feel like that’s what your love has done for me… made me blossom and bloom. Is that too corny?”
My heart swelled at the mix of worry and tenderness in her eyes. “It’s fucking perfect. Hi, Blossom. This is your new mama and I guess that makes me your papa.”
The little kitten opened its mouth and let out a softmeow.
“I think she might be a daddy’s girl,” Ginger said.
“Is that so?” I chuckled.
“I think I might be a daddy’s girl, too.” She set the kitten back down in the basket. “Do you think she’ll be okay while I come up with a way to properly thank you?”
Eager to get my hands on Ginger and my cock back inside her, I nodded. “I think she’ll be just fine. Before I forget, there’s another part to your gift.”
“You didn’t get a puppy, too, did you?”
“No.” I shook my head as laughter spilled from my lips. “I got you an appointment with the guy at Priest’s shop tomorrow. You said you wanted to talk to him about covering up that tattoo.”
Her smile faded as she glanced down at her breast. “It’s hideous. I can’t wait to get rid of it.”
“Hey,”—I nudged her chin up and held her gaze—“You’re beautiful just the way you are.” Though I wouldn’t mind not seeing a reminder of the trauma she’d gone through every time I looked at my woman, I would support her decision whether she decided to laser it off or cover it with something else.
“I’m going to see if he can turn it into a deer. That’s your name for me and will be a constant reminder of the connection we share. What do you think?”
“I think I need to get one to match.” My arms circled her waist, and I nudged her toward the bedroom. “You amaze me, woman of mine.”
“Woman of yours… I like the sound of that coming from you.”
