Page 76 of Cats Never Fly

“Thereare only a few things left.It’lljust take a jiffy to finish and then we can both relax.”

“Huh,” he said as he looked around the apartment. “Ithought there were more things in here.”

Myliving space was actually sparsely furnished.Thelarge pieces of art had made it seem full because they took up so much visual space.AsIremoved the pieces, one byone, the apartment lost its personality, until it was just a large, empty, echoing room.

I’dexpected to be hit with bittersweet nostalgia, but it hadn’t come.Iwas too invested in what was going to come next for me.ForSimon.Forus.

OnceIfinished with the last of the artwork,Idecided the movers could pack up everything else, except maybe the bed.Ididn’t want it anymore, which was a shame because it was the most comfortable bedI’dever owned.

No.Irefused to think aboutWesleytonight.Itwas time to celebrate, andIknew just the thing to make the night special.Ireturned toSimon, carrying the bottle of red wine. “Wouldyou like some wine?”

Simonsquished up his forehead. “I’mnot much of a wine drinker.Myparents serve wine from a box for special occasions, but even then,Iusually skip it.”

Althoughthe one in my hand was a thousand-dollar bottle,Iwasn’t a wine snob.Iliked whatIliked.Pricedidn’t matter.I’dimbibed wine from a box and enjoyed it well enough.Sure, some of it was horrid, butIdidn’t enjoy every aged and corked vintage either.

Althoughnot the priciest bottle in my collection, it held sentimental value, as it came from my favoriteItalianvineyard.I’dbeen drinking their wine for over five hundred years.I’dtucked a case of this wine into my hoard several years ago, knowing there would come a time whenI’dfinally have something worthy to celebrate.AlthoughIwas excited to open the first bottle tonight,I’dnever force my kitty cat to have something he didn’t enjoy.

Withdeft movements,Iuncorked the bottle before pouring a generous glass for myself and grabbing anotherbeer forSimon.Normally,Imight suggest retiring to the bedroom, but the thought of sleeping in my bed made my skin itch.Evenafter stripping the bedding, the mattress still reeked of strangers and traitors.Theninspiration struck.

“It’sa warm night,”Isaid. “Let’sgo to the roof.Makinglove under the stars is the perfect way to spend my last night here.”

Hisbreath caught. “Outside?Won’tsomeone hear us?”

“Shifterswill hear us whether we are outside or in,”Ipointed out.

Simon’seyes widened, as if he hadn’t considered that before.Butthe people tasked with guarding us were supernatural; the only way they wouldn’t hear us was if we were in my hoard room, but tonightIyearned for something else.Ihadn’t seen my kitty cat in his shifted form yet, and the only time he’d seen me was whenI’dbeen threatening him after he’d blown that whistle.AlthoughSimonwould fit comfortably in my hoard room, my dragon was too big for the space.Itwas one of the few mistakesI’dmade when designing it.

“Beforewe go up, do you have a chargerIcan use for my cell?Iforgot to grab one.Mamawill call in the morning.IfIdon’t answer because the phone is dead, she’ll probably call the local cops to do a wellness check.”

“Ofcourse.”Ibought a new phone every year, soIhad almost every type of charger on the market.

Simondug through my drawer of miscellaneous cords and chargers to find one that’d fit his older model.Ikept my phone with me becauseIhad plans for it later.ThenSimonfollowed me to the roof.

Designingthe rooftop garden had been delightful.Thisarea would be one of the few thingsIwould miss about this place.Thefinished space extended across the full expanse of the building, making it the same size as my apartment.Beingopen to the air and the sky, it seemed much larger.Thesame mage who’d protected my tapestry had created an illusion to hide the area from human eyes.It’dbeen worth the expense because it meantIcould shift in comfort.Ispent more time up here than anywhere else, even in the winter.Buttonight, the weather didn’t disappoint.Heatfrom the day had soaked into the materials and furnishings, so everything radiated enough residual warmth to keep even a vampire toasty.

IguidedSimonto the end of the building so we could overlook the water.Theview was stunning.Darknesshadn’t fully claimed the day yet, so pastel pinks, moody purples, vivid oranges, and crisp yellows streaked across the sky, bouncing in a kaleidoscope of colors over the surface of the lake.Thefragrant perfume of the flowersI’dgrown in pots across the wide expanse of the roof filled the air, but whenSimonwrapped his arms around me, pulling my back to his chest, allIsmelled was him.

Westood at the railing in silence, sipping our drinks as we watched night conquer the day.Asthe darkness grew heavier around us, everything felt more intimate.Itook his beer from his hands and set our drinks down.

Simon’smouth opened in anticipation of my kiss.

Ourgazes met as the last rays of sunlight faded from the horizon.Theambient light from the streetlights below us provided enough of a glow to show me his handsome face.Hewas so young;Ialmost felt wicked evensuggesting he might be my mate.Hiseyes shifted until they seemed to glow in the low light, andIknew he’d changed them to his cat’s eyes so he could see me better.

Iswayed against him, listening to the sweet melody of our hearts in the warm night.Ifished out my phone and pulled up a playlistIdidn’t access very often.Thesongs were romantic and sensuous and just for the two of us.Iwanted to share everything withSimon, even my love of music.Thefirst song to play was “ComingHome” byLeonBridges.Thesong was a lot newer than my usual preferences, but it was perfect for tonight.

Simonstumbled once, but by the end of the first verse, his muscles were relaxing under my hands.Bythe time the list playedEdSheeran,Simonwas leading me around like a dance instructor.Hishands moved me wherever he wanted.Iwasn’t usually a follower, butIfollowedSimon.Iwas beginning to suspectIalways would.

Anticipationfor what would follow whirled through me with each gliding step, each brush of his body against mine, each ripple of his muscles beneath my hands.Foreplaywith clothes, that’s what this was.Hissmile was almost predatory as he spun me around before lowering me into a masterful dip.Iwas completely under his command, which was an unusual place for me, butIwas surprisingly comfortable with it.

“Wheredid you learn to dance?”

“Myparents taught all of us,”Simonsaid as he pulled me snug against his body until we were touching from our chests to our hips.Hisarm cinched tight around my waist as he guided us around in another graceful turn.Histhigh wedged between mine. “Wegrew up watchingPopsspinMamaaround the kitchen or the living room or the back yard.Anywhere, really.Italways looked so magical.Mamainsisted we all learn, saying girls liked to dance with guys who knew what they were doing.Ihaven’t danced with anyone in a long time.I’msurprisedIremember how.”

“Nogirls to dance with?”Iteased.

“Never.”Hislips brushed my ear.Ashiver of anticipation cascaded over me at the soft, warm touch. “Noone, really, until you.”

“I’llhave to thank your mother,”Iwhispered, because itwasmagical.I’dalways suspected dancing under the stars would be nice, although few things lived up to the hype, but withSimonit did, and so much more.Thestars sparkled above us.Belowus, night had settled over the empty downtown streets.Andall around us, the heat from the day still hung in the air.