Page 42 of Catnapped

I cock my head at her, slowly parsing what she’s saying. “May, you’re it for me. I don’t know any other way to put it. I’ve never met anyone like you. I’ve never opened myself up to someone the way I have with you. I’ve never–”wanted forever. That’s what I want to say, but I don’t want to scare her with too much too soon. I’ve probably already said more than I should have.

“Really?” She nibbles her bottom lip.

“Believe me, baby.” I take her hand and place it over my heart. “Please.”

Her smile is a revelation, and she leans into me, resting her cheek against my shoulder. “I guess I kind of jumped to the wrong conclusion.”

“I get it.” I hug her, loving the way she fits close to me, her body soft and warm. “But you don’t have to worry with me, okay?”

“I don’t?” She sighs.

“No.”

“I worry anyway.”

I stroke her hair. “About what?”

“About you breaking my heart.”

Breaking her heart? Does that mean she’s in love with me, too? I clear my throat. “May, I–”

“Seriously?” May turns quickly and stares at Mousey, who’s perched on my dresser next to the perfume box. “She can smell it. She says that’s the one!”

24

MAY

Your weird is my perfect.

Those words keep playing over and over again in my mind. I never imagined that hearing that I wasweirdcould melt my heart and make me fall in love with the person who said it. As a romantic at heart, I’ve always dreamed about falling in love. What it would be like to have the man I fall for tell me those three special words that every girl wants to hear. I mean, he may not have said those exact words, but it’s a close second, for sure.

For the first time in a long time, I feel seen by someone. I peek over at Carson, who’s rooting through his closet for some clothes. He wants to do some more investigating at Mrs. Farrol’s place, especially now that we have a possible suspect in mind. I’m sitting on his bed, a tad disappointed we didn’t get to use it. Maybe when we get back. Maybe … maybe this doesn’t have to end once we find Fitzy, after all.

Can he really believe that I'm his kind of perfect? We come from two different worlds. He is not only a fancy retired FBI agent, but he’s also wealthy. I’m just me. Nothing special. Except hedoesn’t agree with that thought. I’m special tohim. And not because I can talk to cats. It’s like that’s just an extra part of me that he’s cool with, but he doesn’t treat it like a parlor trick. I keep probing and prodding into my thoughts about him, about the way he treats me, and the more I do, the deeper I fall.

I’m still staring at him when his phone chirps. “Damn, she got my message and already has her private plane fueling up at the airport.”

“Mrs. Farrol?” I blink out of my fog. “But we haven’t even followed up yet.”

“She’s on fire, if the quickness of her texts are any indicator. Yeah, says Sorcha owns a chateau just outside Paris.” His phone chirps again. “Jeez, she’s already on her way to the airport. We have to meet her. She’s certain it’s this woman.” He shakes his head, chagrin in his eyes. “I would’ve liked to run down the lead a bit more.”

Of course, because he’s thorough. And, I fear, totally perfect for me. In every way. I can’t stop looking at him and thinking about what all this could be leading to. My heart thumps against my ribs.

As if he feels my eyes on him, he glances my way, busting me watching him. He winks at me. Like a virginal dork, I blush, ducking my head to make my hair hide my reaction. Well, I guess I should say ex-virgin.

“Baby.” Carson's hand comes to my chin, guiding me to tip my head back to meet his eyes. He towers over me. The man is easily twice my size. It should scare me, but it only turns me on and makes me feel safe.

“Yeah?” I lick my lips. They are still tender from all his kisses, and I love it.

“We good?”

“Yeah,” I repeat.

“I’m getting better at reading you.”

“I really am good. Too good.” I admit. “It can be scary.” Carson drops down in front of me. “I know. It’s fine really. I don’t need another pep talk.” I’m starting to come off needy. Why can’t I play it cool?

“Don’t give a shit how many pep talks I have to give you, but I’ll do as many as I have to until you get it. Until I chase away all those doubts other people have filled your mind with about you.”

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