Page 42 of Cats Never Fly

Whenthe kiss ended, we were both panting.Simon’slips were deliciously plump and pink and wet.Oh, how easy it would be to take his hand and lead him to his bedroom and become lost exploring his body.Iforced myself to step back.

“I’llbe thinking about you too,”Iadmitted. “ButIstill think we should try to get some sleep.”Asudden yawn stole over me, as if to emphasize my point. “Idon’t know whyI’mso tired.Idon’t normally go to bed this early, but it’s been a crazy day.”

“Youlike nights too?”Hesounded surprised.

“Iwork until close every night, butI’musually awake for hours after that.”

Simonsmiled, like our having this one thing incommon thrilled him. “Iusually go into the woods at night, ifI’mnot working.”Thenhis face turned serious. “ButIwon’t leave the apartment tonight, not while you’re here.”

“Ifyou want to go, please go.Iknow someone abducted me, butI’mreally not an easy mark.”

Hedidn’t look convinced. “I’llstay close anyway.Idon’t know whatI’ddo if something happened, but my instincts are in control right now… and that’s…”

“That’swhat?”

“It’sstrange.I’mnot brave…Mybrothers call me a scaredy cat,” he whispered, averting his eyes again. “Istill have all my nine lives.”

Ididn’t know much about cat shifters, althoughIsensed having all nine of his lives at his age was unusual.ButIdid know about bravery.

“Youare brave,”Isaid, brushing my fingers over his down-turned face.

Heshook his head. “Iwas scared.Soscared that you wanted to go back to that cage.Iam happy you didn’t go.Butit’s my fault all those people are still locked up now.”

“Never.Thisis not your fault in any way.Theonly people to blame are the ones who put those supes in cages to begin with.”Iducked soIcould look into his downturned eyes. “Iwas scared too.Beingbrave doesn’t mean not being scared.Idon’t know you very well yet, butIcan think of plenty of times just tonight where you were brave.”

Simon’sforehead crunched up in confusion. “Youcan?”

“Ican.”Inodded. “Likewhen you demanded the alphajoin the meeting.OrwhenIfirst had you wrapped in my coils, and you didn’t pass out or piss yourself.Notmany people can say that.Orwhen you brought me—a stranger—home.Braveryisn’t about jumping into fights or rushing into situations or taking impulsive actions.Don’tunderestimate your own bravery,Simon.Andif most cat shifters your age don’t have their nine lives, but you do,I’dsay you are pretty damn smart.Andyou might not have known what would happen when you blew on that whistle, but you are my savior.Myhero.”

Simonblushed.

“Now, go get some sleep.Ithink tomorrow will be another long day.”

Ihad only just settled on his horribly lumpy couch, curled up under the stale smelling blankets he’d retrieved from a nearly empty hall closet, whenSimonstomped out of his room.Hedidn’t speak.Hesimply leaned over and scooped me up, blankets and all, and carried me to his room.Oncethere, he gently placed me on his bed.Inoticed he positioned me on the side of the bed that was farthest from the door.Thenhe crawled up beside me and wrapped his arm around me and pulled me tight against his purring body.Thegentle vibration was soothing, the soft sound lulling me to sleep like a lullaby.

“Simon?”Iwhispered. “WhyamIhere?”

“Couldn’tsleep with you out there…” he mumbled.

Thenhe pressed his face into the back of my neck and drifted off to sleep.Isnuggled against my kitty cat and let sleep claim me too.

Chapter Fourteen

OGDEN

Simonwas into torture.

Andnot the fun, sexy kind.

Henudged me awake before dawn had even considered making an appearance.It’dtaken a bit, but he finally realizedIwould not be leaving his bed to go to breakfast at his mother’s house.Nope.Nothappening.

Ididn’t care if she servedEggsBenedictwith smoked salmon and capers.

Ofcourse, as soon asSimonleft—since apparently his attendance was not optional—Icouldn’t stop thinking about salmon.I’dnever had a cat in my life before, butIseemed to recall hearing they liked fish.Maybethat was something else we could have in common.And… even better, maybe that would mean he had a tin of salmon kicking around, if only to replenish his magic.Afterusing magic, every supe needed something to balance their energy.Mostshiftersneeded protein, andIbet cats would prefer fish to steak.Hedidn’t seem the type to keep fresh fish around, but canned would work.Itwouldn’t be as good as fresh or smoked or candied salmon, but it’d do in a pinch.

Irolled my ass out of the tangle of blankets and went exploring.Hiskitchen was sadly lacking.Mycat was obviously not a cook.

Thatwas okay.Icould cook for both of us.