Page 79 of My Favorite Boss

“So much for the bath,” I observed, my lips pulling into a grin without my realizing it.

“I can clean his paws.” She dug through the bag and got out some other items, then clapped her hands in delight over the little bed. “He’ll love it!” She met my eyes. “What will we name him?”

I rolled my eyes. “How about Goodbye? Because that is where he’s going tomorrow. I’m going to change my shirt.” I left the kitchen, shaking my head.

As if I was going to keep a cat. I had never had a pet my entire life. I had no idea how to care for one or what to do with it.

Now, I simply had to convince Myers of that fact.

Chapter Seventeen

BANE

Iwalked into the guest room, drying off my hair. Magnolia was on the floor, the kitten sitting on her shoulder as she opened a bag of litter, pouring it into a small pan that I had carried home. When the kitten opened his eyes and saw me, he jumped down, running over and climbing up my leg. I hissed as his sharp little claws dug into my skin, and he curled into my chest as I stopped his trek up my torso. He was purring loudly, making Magnolia chuckle.

“He already loves you. He knows you saved him.”

“He’s going to the shelter. I don’t do pets. Or you can have him.”

She stood, shaking her head. “The owners of the house have strict rules. She is highly allergic to cats. I can’t take him. You have to keep him, Alex.”

“I’m too busy to look after a cat.”

“Cats are very independent. He’ll settle in here where he is safe and quiet.”

“And scratch my furniture and destroy my things.”

“You can train him.”

“Shelter.”

She looked sad but stopped arguing.

I walked over to the little tepee thing, lifting the kitten down and sliding him in the opening. He sniffed around, then curled up, immediately shutting his eyes.

“There. He’s safe. You have food for him, a litter thing, and some toys. He’ll be fine.” I stood, holding out my hand. “Bed. Now, Magnolia.”

She walked past me, and I followed.

“Leave the light on,” she instructed.

I did as she asked, even though I rolled my eyes. I did stop before shutting the door, peeking at the kitten. He was curled into a ball, seemingly content. I had an odd feeling as I left the room, but I convinced myself it was simply because I felt unsettled at the thought of an animal in my house.

In my room, I heard Magnolia in the en suite, and I lay on the bed, waiting for her. This wasn’t how I planned the evening to go. By now, we should be on round two. Maybe three. Not caring for a stray and at odds about its future.

Magnolia came out, wearing a shirt I’d left on the back of the door. I patted the bed. “Come here, darling.”

She hesitated but did as I asked and crawled into bed, letting me pull her close. I pressed a kiss to her neck, ghosting my mouth up and down the silky skin. She hummed in pleasure as I flicked her lobe, nuzzling the sensitive skin behind her ear.

“You mad at me?” I whispered.

“Maybe a little.”

“Kitten is safe and warm and fed,” I reminded her. “They’ll find him a home where he is loved.”

“He is so cute. And a ginger.”

“He looks like a hedgehog. His fur sticks up everywhere.”