Francine put her sack on the dining table, opened the kitten starter kit and retrieved the cozy kitten bed. She placed the red-and-black plaid oval on the far edge of the dining room, leading into the living room area. She then got the kitty litter box ready.
Grabbing the rug to place beneath it, she said, “Follow me.”
“Delighted to,” he said.Oh my.His sexy voice registered low in her belly with every single word he spoke.
Francine carried the litter box to the half bath off the hallway with the garage door, at the end furthest from the kitchen. It was the perfect place for the litter box. She usually left that bathroom door open anyway. She placed the litter box and the litter mat down on the far side of the pedestal sink, in the corner.
“Put her down inside the litter box, please,” she said, stepping back to give him room.
Raphael used two hands to scoop Angel off his chest and place the black ball of fluff in the kitty litter box. Angel walked around in a circle twice, sniffing here and there, squatted, peed and covered it up quickly and efficiently with her tiny paws. She hopped out of the litter box, sat on her haunches and said, “Mew.”
“Good little Angel.” Francine bent over and patted the kitten on the head, then scratched under her chin. She picked her up and carried her to the bed next to the living room, placing her in the center of the cushion. Angel walked around, sniffing the space.
“She won’t pee in there, will she?”
“Nope. You show them the litter box and then that’s where they go.”
“Oh? That seems too good to be true.”
Francine shrugged. “My landlady has two cats. She said I should get one and told me all about the care and feeding of cats, in quite a bit of detail.” She smiled at the memory. “I thought it was useless information, as I hadn’t intended on getting a pet, but now I’m grateful.”
She went back into the kitchen to put out bowls of water and food. Angel abandoned the bed to sniff out the water, taking a few laps, sniffing the food and taking a bite or two before heading back to the bed.
Raphael put a hand on her shoulder, sliding it along her back to the other shoulder, pulling her into his warm frame. “I’m glad you have a new kitten.”
“Why?”
“Because I witnessed the very beginning, when you two first met.” He hugged her against his side as they watched Angel prance around the bed before settling at one side, curling in a ball and closing her eyes. She’d never heard of such a well-behaved kitten. Not that she was an expert or anything.
Francine put her hands on Raphael’s solid chest and looked into his eyes. “What are you going to do next?”
“I don’t know. What do youwantme to do?”
Kiss me. I want you to kiss me like you did before we got interrupted.
“I liked the kiss earlier,” she said candidly, gazing into his darkly sensual expression.
His eyes narrowed. Smoldered with passion. “As did I.”
He didn’t make a move toward her, which was surprising. She expected him to make a move. Perhaps he wantedherto make the next move.Fine with me.
Francine wanted him with a hunger she’d never felt before. She wanted another toe-curling kiss. She lifted on her tiptoes and kissedhimthis time.
He made the low, growling sound in his throat and his hands slid around her middle. Encouraged, she stepped things up a notch and licked his bottom lip.
Chapter Three
Raphael wanted to kiss Francine more than he wanted his next breath of air, but didn’t want to presume. He was in her private domain, therefore, he decided not to instigate anything. If she wanted a repeat, she could kiss him, and he’d oblige.
He was so glad she did. Her luscious body pressed into his, her lips slid sensually over his mouth, parting to engage him in an even deeper kiss than they’d shared in the parking lot. His arms encircled her waist before he even realized he’d touched her. It was much easier to hold Francine without the kitten between them.
Francine’s arms slid around his neck, locking into place as they kissed and kissed and kissed. He was lost in seconds, tightening his arms around her middle, lifting her to make the passionate kiss easier to negotiate, pressing her perfect body even closer. He couldn’t seem to get close enough. Raphael heard her moan. Or had he made the noise? Either way, he tightened his grasp on her, tilting his head to kiss her harder, deeper. The best kiss ever.
One of her legs, now dangling a few inches off the ground, lifted to wrap her ankle around the back of his leg. They were molded together from lips to knees and he never wanted this heavenly experience to end. He could die happy right here and now.
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
