Page 15 of Collars & Kittens
Chapter 9
DALTON
When I crawl into bed at 2 a.m, I groan as my head lands on the pillow. It’s never a good night to be called in for an emergency surgery, but interrupting my first date with Olivia was bad timing. I guess I should be happy it didn’t happen before we both had orgasms.
Olivia was so sexy, her naked body sprawled on the bed, and the look on her face was a mix of bliss and disappointment. It’s nights like tonight that make me wish I weren’t the only vet in town, but I still love this job even with being on call during first dates. This also gave me an excuse to invite Olivia out on another date—not that I needed an excuse, but somehow, I feel better this way.
When I’m with her, the rest of the world fades away and she becomes my entire focus. Thoughts of Olivia spread open on her bed seep into my mind. Fuck, she’s addictive. I want to see her and be around her again—and not just for sex.
There’s something about Olivia that sets her apart from all the women I’ve dated since my divorce. There’s a depth to her that enthralls me, but I wonder if it’s too early to tell how deep her layers go. I don’t know, but I need to sleep. The clinic opens early, and I can’t afford to be distracted by thoughts of our date.
I punch my pillow in frustration, trying to force myself to fall asleep and push aside these conflicting feelings.
I wake up with a sense of anticipation, eager to see Olivia again. Yet as I think about her, an uneasy feeling washes over me and I can’t quite pinpoint the cause. I need to figure out what’s bugging me so that I can enjoy tonight with her. Hell, what if she’s no longer interested after my abrupt departure? What if I’ve scared her away?
The morning feels never-ending, and I constantly have to dodge questions about my date with Olivia from everyone who comes into the office. It’s a slow morning, and I only have four appointments, but with each inquiry, I grow more and more irritated. If I actually did want to pursue something with her, there would be no privacy at all. It’s like I’m living in a fishbowl, constantly under scrutiny from all these people who want to know about my personal life.
The only relief comes from Sue, who understands my need for privacy. But even as she avoids asking me questions, I can sense her curiosity lingering in her sidelong glances. It’s both a comfort and a frustration knowing that someone is watching out for me but also wanting to keep my secrets hidden.
The only person I want to talk about it with is Travis. He’s always got good advice. When I’m finally able to escape to my apartment upstairs and call him at lunchtime, I still haven’t worked through my unease.
Travis hoots loudly after hearing what happened. “Wait, you didn’t make it to dinner?”
I chuckle and sit on the couch in my living room, hoping to eat quickly and get back to work.
I can practically hear his eyebrows rise over the phone. “Wow, you’re not wasting any time.”
It’s a fair statement. I don’t date often, and most of my encounters are one-night stands or at a kink event. This isn’t how I would approach arelationship if I was hoping for a love connection. So what does that tell me?
Is Olivia a one-night stand? Last night was amazing, but the more I think about how it went, I don’t think Olivia would want to be my submissive—not in how I want one. She talked a good game in her application about being obedient, and the way she went about asking to be called Kitten was fucking adorable, but is she going to want to be spanked and called a dirty little slut? The Olivia I met last night was sweet as candy and all about rainbows and stuffies—not ‘I’m going to spank your ass red if you don’t obey me’.
“Dalton?”
Oh yeah, Travis. “Sorry,” I mumble, realizing I’ve been silent too long.
Travis sounds reassuring when he responds. “Don’t worry about it. You must have a lot on your mind.”
I groan softly. “Yeah.”
“Listen.” He pauses, and I can tell he’s choosing his words carefully. “Don’t overthink this, man.”
Damn him, I hate how well he knows me sometimes. I grunt in agreement, unwilling to say more and give him something to analyze.
When the silence grows, Travis continues. “It‘s great you two hit it off and had chemistry, but there’s no need to rush. Just have fun and see where it goes.”
If only that was the case, but damn it, this is a small town and the gossip mill is strong. “We’re already the talk of the town. If I don’t properly date her, people are going to judge me.”
“Ignore the gossip,” Travis says with a firmness that almost makes me laugh.
Travis and I have always been able to be brutally honest with each other. So, while the words are blunt and unsympathetic, they aren’t mean spirited.
Still, I’m not sure I can ignore everyone gossiping like he thinks I can. “You say that, but—”
Travis cuts me off. “I get it, but what’s the big deal? Take the heat and roll with it.”
I rub the bridge of my nose and sigh heavily. “Trav, I’m not in the mood for bullshit. Besides, there’s nothing to really say. Last night was enjoyable, but I could be worried about nothing. Olivia might plan to come over here and tell me she’s not looking for anything more.”
Travis is quiet, and the silence hangs heavily between us. When he speaks, he sounds calm but serious. “Well, it’s not like you’re planning to propose. You could date casually while knowing she’s not the person you’ll be with forever.”
