I patted him on the head and he leaned into my touch like a dog would.
“I just want to be your friend, Harley. I have Nicky, but he’s not one of us.”
“One of us?” I scratched behind his ear and he sighed in relief.
“Yeah. A pet.”
It was strange to be included in a group. Most puppies preferred to keep to their own kind, and kittens definitely weren’t welcomed, but Kwan considered me one of his friends, and my heart squeezed in my chest. That’s what I wanted too. A friend.
“We can be friends. I won’t act like that again, I swear,” I whispered, leaning my face against the bars until they hurt my cheeks and chin. “You’re good, Kwan. Any owner would be lucky to have you.”
“That’s what I think.” Brad’s voice startled me. I hadn’t even heard him come through the door.
I reared back, snatching my hand away from where I was scratching Kwan’s head, and he whined in sadness. “Master.”
Brad smiled, those charming crinkles forming around his eyes and mouth again. “I heard you apologize, Harley kitty. I’m proud of you.”
I flushed, my cheeks scalding with heat, and dropped my head. “I’m sorry, Master. I was horrible and my actions were uncalled for.”
“They were.” Brad crouched beside Kwan, but he didn’t look at him. His focus was on me. His topaz eyes twinkled. “But I see you’ve learned your lesson, and in—” He checked his watch, such a weird thing for a man to have these days. Everyone I knew preferred to check the time on their phone, me included. “—fifteen minutes. That must be a new record.”
I winced, not needing a reminder that Brad had been with other pets. Dogs. Okay, so maybe the jealousy hadn’t completely disappeared, but I could handle it. “I don’t like this cage.” It came out as more of a whimper than I’d meant. “I’m claustrophobic, Master. I hate small spaces.” The reminder of where I was made me tremble.
Brad swore and moved quickly, unlocking the door to the cage and nearly dragging me out. He wrapped his arms around me, and I collapsed into him, making him fall back on his ass. I didn’t care as I crowded into his lap and curled up tightly against his chest. “I’m sorry, kitty. I forgot.”
I nodded because if we’d ever spoken about this, I didn’t even remember myself. We couldn’t know everything about each other yet. “I hate flying on planes, too,” I whispered against his shirt, which I’d clutched between my fingers in my attempt to get closer to him. “I’m known to vomit once or twice before a flight. It’s that confined-space thing. It’s okay if it has an opening, like an open box, but I can’t handle being locked up for long.”
“Oh, kitty, I’m a horrible owner.” He ran his palm over my head, kissing my temple and down my cheek.
“No, I was a brat. I’m not usually like that, but I’ve never met someone who made me want to be jealous, until you.” I glanced up at him and bit at the corner of my lip. His thumb tugged at my mouth and I released it.
“Don’t do that. You’ll ruin your pretty smile.”
I laughed and sighed at the same time, which I didn’t think was possible until I did just that. “You make me want more. How? I haven’t even known you for a month yet?”
“Because sometimes connections happen, Harley cat. We’re not professing our love, but we’re allowed to be inexplicably attracted to each other.” Brad’s eyes twinkled and he kissed me gently on the lips. I leaned into him and his kiss, groaning quietly.
Kwan made a noise behind us and we both glanced at him. “Keep going. I don’t mind,” he said, chuckling. “I’m just thinking about how much I want what you two have.”
“You’ll find your owner, Kwan, a man who’ll treat you right.” Brad cuddled me closer as he spoke, and I buried myself against him.
He nodded. “I know. I’ll leave you two alone.” He stood, winking at me before he turned and nearly bounced out of the barn.
I watched him go, considering him. “Do you know any other owners?” I asked.
Brad exhaled. “No, not ones who aren’t already taken, but I have no doubt he’ll find his man.”
“Me too. He’s cute.”
Brad raised his eyebrows at me. “Should I be the jealous one now?”
I laughed and it felt good—weird, but still good—like pent-up anxiety that was finally released into the world. “No. Dogs aren’t my thing.”
“Good.” He slapped me on the ass gently. “I truly am sorry about locking you up, kitty. You should have reminded me you were claustrophobic.”
“I deserved it.”
“Maybe, but I would never use your fears against you. Ever. Do you understand?” He stared intently into my eyes, mouth firm and serious. “A good owner does not scare his pet to make him do what he wants.”
