What the hell am I doing?
As Claire led Nick toward the cat B&B, he had to take a few bracing breaths.Not because he was scared of Mortimer, although frankly hewasa little scared of Mortimer.It was mostly because his conversation with Claire had excited him in a way nothing had for a long time.
When her cheeks had reddened and she’d stumbled on her words, he’d wanted to drag her into his arms.And when she’d touched his biceps with that sweet look of hunger on her face, he’d almost lost it right there.
Something was happening here.Like wildfire, it nipped at his heels, scorching his skin.And he wasn’t sure he had the ability or the desire to try to extinguish it.
Even now, as she walked ahead of him, he could barely breathe for all the pressure on his chest.Why did she have to look so cute all the time?Her hair was up in its customary bun, with the odd strand falling around her face.He was dying to get his fingers in those soft strands.She wore another pair of ass-hugging jeans, so hot he almost got whiplash every time she walked by.Every day, she wore a different T-shirt with a slogan.By the second or third day on the job, he’d realized he looked forward to seeing what shirt she’d have on the next day.This time, her tee had a seventies vibe with a sparkly rainbow.It said,Spread a little sunshine.
He wanted to spread something, all right.
Shit.Why was he doing this?
It was not a good idea to think about getting Claire into a bed, removing her clothes and teasing those gorgeous legs apart.Not a good idea at all.
Things were improving for him.He was about to start an incredible new job, one that would finally show the world that Nick Zorn could do it on his own.His brothers were excited for him.His parents were proud.And there was no way he was going to let any of them down.His family had endured enough hardship over the past couple of years.He wouldn’t add to it.
Besides, he didn’t want to let himself down.He needed to keep his head on straight and do the job because he was so grateful for this opportunity.
Unfortunately, his body had other ideas.
Today, he’d awakened with the most raging case of morning wood ever.And he knew it was all because of Claire.He couldn’t get her off his mind.He’d even started having sex dreams about her.Last night, his dream had involved him taking her on her Hemnes dresser, which made no sense at all.The dresser was too high.He knew, because he’d analyzed its dimensions with that exact thought in mind.
In a way, Nick had been relieved to wake up with an erection.That hadn’t happened since his early days with Kristy.
Frankly, he’d barely glanced at his little buddy since that fiasco.He was glad to know his dick hadn’t given up the ghost completely.
“The best time to visit with Mortimer is in the morning,” Claire said, rousing Nick from his stupor.She opened up the B&B door.“He loves morning cuddles.”
“Don’t we all?”
She looked over her shoulder, a nervous smile tickling her mouth.
God, Nick.Stop.She’ll think you’re a weirdo.
As Claire walked in, all the cats rose in recognition of their den mother.They greeted her with various meows and that funny chirping noise some cats made.He knew the noise well.It was usually a signal that Pickle or Angel were gunning for him.
“Good morning, my lovelies,” called Claire.“Who’s ready for nibblies?Where are all my hungry boys and girls?”
Several cats pawed their kennels.Nick thought a couple of them gave him the stink eye, but he wasn’t sure.Cats pretty much always looked like they were giving someone the stink eye.Grandma Ingrid used to say that was one of the things she loved about them.
Come to think of it, they did have somewhat of a badass appeal.He could respect that.
“Now,” said Claire, bringing him off to the little side room where their food was prepared.She pointed to a printout that had been taped to the cupboard above the counter.“This is a list of everyone’s particular feeding instructions.Some of our friends are on diets and we have to be really careful which food they receive.Most of our donations go directly to food.I try as much as possible to serve the good stuff.My friend Adele is our vet.You’ll meet her on Saturday at the party.Whatever she recommends, I buy.”
“Okay.Boy, Lacey will be mad she missed this.”
“Oh, she’s already filmed me doing a feeding.We’re good.”She chuckled.“Come to think of it, Lacey’s filmed me doing pretty much everything.”
“Sounds like Lacey.”Nick elbowed Claire gently.“Don’t look over your shoulder.She might be watching us right now.”
Claire did a funny humming thing and looked at his elbow.She then blinked and turned back to the counter.“Anyway, as you can see, we already have a bunch of fresh bowls ready to go.There’s a measuring cup you can use.If you wouldn’t mind measuring out some of the food for urinary health for the cats highlighted in red, that would be great.Those cats have urinary tract issues, so they need special food.”
“The ones in red.Got it.”Nick filled the bowls in question, careful to double-check the amounts on the reference sheet.
As he worked, Claire filled her own bowls with a different food.“You’re doing great.”
“Thanks.”
