Ash’s gaze shifted from where he was leisurely stroking Poe’s back to my face. The smile on his face was soft and fond, the cat already forgiven for scaring us both.
“Cade, bud. This is my little Potato. Or Poe, for short. He’s a true menace, but once you get to know him, he’s pretty good at cuddles.” He grinned like the proud cat-dad he was.
“I haven’t really been around animals that much. Can I pet him?”
“For sure. Go for it.” Ash gestured with his chin, giving me the all clear to touch Poe.
My gut fizzed with nerves, not wanting to get nipped by sharp cat teeth, but also wanting the little guy to like me.
It would be a super fucking awful way to start off a relationship if his cat hated me.
Ash’s gaze moved between Poe and me, checking on both of us.
Whatever he saw must have satisfied him because he shifted even closer to me to wrap his arm around my shoulders.
“Is this okay?” he asked before letting his hand touch the T-shirt I wore.
“Yes, please.”
I tipped my head onto his shoulder as he pulled me in against his body. It reminded me of the day in his office when I’d been so embarrassed for falling asleep on him. I’d never imagined that I would have the chance to be held by him this way again.
He leaned down, pressing his nose into my hair. “Not going to run on me this time?” he said, echoing my thoughts.
“Definitely not. I’m right where I want to be.”
twenty-three
ASHER
Poe had decided that Cade was a good bet for a new friend and stalked the half-cushion’s worth of distance between our bodies to stand on top of Cade’s chest and abs before settling down with his head on Cade’s chest.
“Holy shit,” he whispered, slowly bringing his hand to rest on Poe’s back. Deciding he liked Cade’s firm pecs and toned stomach as his newest cat bed, he started purring, surrounding us with a rumble that was not unlike a micro jet plane engine.
I refused to be fucking jealous of my cat getting to put his body on Cade.
“There you go, Cade. Looks like you’re one of the select few that he likes. Congratulations. I feel like I should have a certificate from the feline vibe check society to offer you.”
The adorable “O” that formed on Cade’s mouth was almost my undoing. The image of those plush pink lips around my length lit up my brain like a 4D IMAX film. My cock was definitely not getting the message that we weren’t allowed to jump the guy less than five minutes after he walked through the door.
I pushed those thoughts right to the back of my mind. My hands were still fisted against my thighs, so I used them to pushmy lower body into a position angled slightly sideways, hoping to hide the evidence of my half-hard cock from my guest.
“It does feel like a big deal. Maybe not a certificate, but you could at least have some buttons printed to have on hand,” Cade smirked.
I liked the hint of cocky Cade coming out now that he was more relaxed.
“Well, I have good news and bad news, buddy.” I arched a brow in his direction as he angled his head slightly, his gaze not leaving mine. “The good news is this little tyrant really seems to like you. The bad news is that your new best friend there is going to be pissed if I disturb him just as he’s decided you make a good cat bed.”
“I don’t mind,” Cade chuckled, slowly smoothing his hand over Poe’s fur. “Let’s give him a few minutes to make up his mind.”
“I can’t believe I’m being cock-blocked by my own cat.”
I gave the oval-shaped ball of fur on Cade’s chest a hard look.
“Hopefully not for too long,” Cade whispered, his eyes heating with desire.
Cat be damned. I tugged Cade tighter into my body. Shoving my face into his neck, I mouthed the skin with my lips and tongue.
His skin held the slightest trace of salt, being so fresh from his shower. While still rubbing my lips against every spot I could access, I pushed my nose beneath his ear, keen to gain a lungful of his heady scent.
