“What's her name?” I asked, and Spencer huffed out a laugh. His eyes shone, and he bit down on his lip as he looked at me through those long eyelashes of his. My breath caught, and I fell in love with him all over again.
“Midnight.”
I smiled. It was serendipitous. “Get her.”
“We can’t. We’re not settled yet.”
“Cowboy, it's meant to be. Finding a cat who won’t let anyone except you touch her is one thing. Her having such a similar name as your breakout hit is quite another. You should get her.” I wrapped my arm around his waist and leaned our temples together, then scratched between her ears. “Anyway, a kitten will keep you company while I’m away, and she obviously loves you.”
“She's tiny, but she’s been here for five months.”
“We'll take her,” I said to the volunteer who was watching us.
I filled out the paperwork while Spencer was holding her, and once it was done, I looked around to see where he’d disappeared to. I almost stumbled when I found him. He was standing withKeeley, and Hannah was petting the kitten. Midnight’s big eyes were focused on Hannah, and I heard her meow when Hannah giggled and kicked her legs. Gone was the hissing cat I’d seen only a few minutes ago.
God, the four of them made for one hell of a picture. I’d wanted Keeley the moment I’d met her. But seeing them together made me realize just how much I’d underestimated that want. It wasn’t just the desire to get her naked. I wanted more. So much more.
When her eyes found mine, she smiled and I knew I was screwed.
If it was only the Seals HR policy holding her back, they’d need to change it quick. Spencer and I weren’t going to accept no for an answer.
eleven
Keeley
There was a knock at my door, and before I could even turn around, Miller asked, “Hey, darlin’, you busy?”
I grinned over my shoulder at him. “I am, but I can make time.” I gestured for him to enter. “Come on in. What’s happening?”
He stepped inside and closed the door behind him, enclosing us in the privacy of my office. It had floor-to-ceiling windows down one side of the room with mirror tinting on them to give me privacy, and once the door was closed, it was like a bubble.
He casually made his way around my desk, walking his fingertips over every piece of furniture he sashayed past. He leaned that gorgeous butt up against my desk, right next to my keyboard, and said, “I wanted to thank you for last week. The adoption drive,” he clarified when I furrowed my brow.
I smiled and said, “You took home that black kitten, didn’t you.”
“We did, and Spencer’s completely smitten.” He pulled up the sleeves of his Henley and showed me his forearms. “I’vegot scratches and bite marks all over me, but Midnight loves Spencer. That’s all that matters.”
“You’re a big softie.”
“Shh, don’t tell anyone.” He chuckled and rubbed his smooth jaw. He had something on his mind that he wasn’t telling me.
“What’s going on, Miller? Do you need help with something?” I asked.
“Yeah, but I don’t think you’re the person to speak to. I think I need a referral.”
“Try me,” I replied and sat back in my chair, crossing my legs at the knee and resting my hands in my lap.
“We need to find a new place to live. The hotel apartment is great. It’s easy and central, but people know where Spencer is now.”
Oh, hell. I’d been worried about that exact thing happening when HR told me where they’d set them up.
“The more songs he releases and the bigger he gets, the more people are starting to hang around there. He doesn’t drive here—he’s always saying we’re on the wrong side of the road—so he’s relying on rideshares to get around. He has to walk out the front door for that, so he’s barely going out. I don’t want him to feel cooped up and hate it here.”
“I can speak with HR or the hotel to beef up security—”
“Nah, it’s okay. But do y’all know a good real estate agent? I think it’s time we get something more permanent.”
“Permanent is good. I’ll ask around for some recommendations and let you know later today.”
