Page 27 of Kitten Kisses

He smiled, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. He had been so scared, so unsure of what would happen when the tiger broke free, but now he felt a strange sense of calm. It was as if the cat had somehow sensed his fear and had done everything in its power to put him at ease.

A wave of relief washed over him, followed by a surge of affection for this fearsome creature who had shown him such gentleness.

Trying to find the right words, Alex took a deep breath. “I think I’m starting to really understand what it means to be Slater’s mate,” he said as he continued to pet the cat.

Alex felt a thrill at that thought—that this powerful beast trusted him enough to let down its guard.

But as quickly as it had come, the moment passed. The tiger pulled away, its amber eyes still locked on Alex’s as it stepped back, swayed, then closed its eyes and slammed to the floor.

Panicked, Alex didn’t know what to do. Slater said he needed to let his tiger out to heal, but he never said anything about sleeping, so Alex wasn’t sure if something was wrong.

He yanked out his phone then stopped. Who in the hell could he call? A vet?

He dialed the only person who might be able to help.

“I’m still at work, sweetie,” his mom said.

“Do not let anyone see you panic,” Alex said as he crawled over to the cat. “I need you to come to Slater’s. It’s an emergency. I’ll text you the address.”

“I’m smiling so widely my face hurts.” She sounded as if she was talking with her jaw barely moving. “Can I know that this is about, sweetie? Is it your father?”

“You don’t have to smile that wide.” Alex groaned. His mom had never been able to fake her way through anything. “Please, just get here. Tell your boss…hell, I don’t know. I’ll text you the address.”

Alex hung up and set his phone down, moving to the tiger’s side. Its breathing was deep and steady, overshadowing the sound of Alex’s own panicked breaths.

“I just called someone who might be able to help.” He rubbed the tiger’s fur, still feeling like none of this was real. He’d convinced himself earlier that what he had with Slater was simply a physical attraction, a fleeting moment of pleasure.

Until he’d come to the door and overheard the conversation, realizing then that nothing could have been further from the truth. But it was the look in Slater’s eyes when he saw Alex standing at the door. Pure heartache.

It was the same torment that had consumed Alex when he’d called it quits with Slater—an anguish he could never forget.

In that moment, everything had become clear for him. Slater truly cared about him, and this was where Alex belonged.

The minutes ticked by slowly, but eventually, Alex heard the sound of his mom’s car pulling up outside. He quickly got up and ran to the door, opening it just as she was about to knock.

He flung open the door, barely giving his mom enough time to knock before dragging her inside.

“Quick, get in here!” Alex urged, before slamming the door shut.

“What is going on, Alex?” She turned, and her gaze landed on the tiger, then she shrieked. Her jaw dropped, her eyes wide in shock. She pressed her back against the door as if trying to escape through the wood. “Why is there an oversized feline sleeping on your boyfriend’s floor?” Her gaze slid to the wall before focusing on the tiger again. “Did that tiger put that hole in the wall?”

“It just passed out, and I need you to...do something,” Alex pleaded. “And Slater’s doing some renovating.”

“What do you want me to do, Alex?” She stared at him like he’d lost his mind. “I don’t know anything about tigers.”

“But you have two cats!” Alex argued.

“Housecats!” she retorted, turning to face the majestic tiger sprawled on the floor. “That does not qualify as a housecat, Alex! And I only brush and feed my cats. You act like I’m a veterinarian.”

So much for hoping his mom could help. Now they were both standing there clueless.

“Why isn’t he taking care of his own pet?” she asked. “Where is Slater?”

On the floor right in front of you.

“He’s…not here,” Alex said.

His mom stared shockingly at him. “He left you alone with a dangerous exotic animal? What if it attacks you? You haven’t known Slater that long! Why would he leave you with ten-thousand-pound tiger?”

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