Page 41 of Catnapped

I try the door. Locked.

“May, I need you to open the door. Please, baby.” I press my forehead to the wood.

“I just need–”

“Me.”

“Hmm?” she asks, her voice still with that choked quality.

“You need me, and I need you. Please open the door.”

It takes what seems like an eternity, but I hear the lock click. As soon as I do, I let out my breath and open the door.

Her eyes are watery as she looks up at me, and Mousey is sitting on the sink, her pupils just slits as she glares at me.

“Are you okay?” I pull May into my arms, clutching her tightly, everything else forgotten. I can only see her, think of her. “What’s wrong? Did I hurt you?” I hate even saying the words. “I’m so sorry. I was rough. I-I should’ve controlled myself. It was just so hard to–”

“No,” she says softly. “It’s not that.”

The boa constrictor in my chest eases a little, but only a little. “Then, what is it? What’s wrong?”

She sniffles. “Nothing.”

“May.” I drop to my knees in front of her, forcing her to look at me. “Whatever it is, tell me. I’ll make it right.” I reach up and swipe the tears from her cheeks. “Please.” I can’t stand to see her cry. Fuck, it’s like a knife between my ribs. Worse, even, since I’ve actually been knifed like that before, and this pain is on another level.

“I embarrass you?” A whisper as another tear slides along her cheek.

“What?” I don’t understand.

“You wanted me to go away. You wanted–”

“No!” I almost shout it, then force my voice lower. “No. Not because ofyou, babe.” I get back to my feet and scoop her up, carrying her to the bed. Sitting her in my lap, I take her chin and turn her beautiful face toward me. “You couldneverembarrass me.”

Her eyes widen a little.

“Oh, May.” I kiss her tear away, savoring her taste. “You’re a goddamn miracle, just the way you are. Don’t you know that?”

She shakes her head slowly. “I am?”

“Yes.” I cup her cheek. “And you’re mine. All fucking mine. I don’t even want another man looking at you. Especially not that guy.” I jerk my chin toward the front door.

“So you were … You were jealous?” Her tone brightens.

“I wasprotective,” I amend. “I want to get this straight between us.” I press my forehead to hers. “You are perfect. Got it? You could never embarrass me.”

She sighs. “I know I’m weird and–”

“No.” I kiss her softly on the mouth. “You’re perfect. Just like I said, May. Not weird.”

She wrinkles her nose a bit. “I mean, I am alittleweird. I talk to cats.”

“Your weird is my perfect.” I shrug, refusing to give in. She has to know how special she is, how brightly she shines.

She closes her eyes. “You say the sweetest things.”

“Only to you.”

“Only me?” She looks at me again, as if searching for some sort of answer.

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