Page 22 of Say Yes

CHAPTER 5

SARA GLANCED AT THE HOUSE, but saw no sign of Gavin. She didn’t want him to witness her approach. Stealth wasn’t her forte, but she felt certain if she could only initiate the idea of this particular animal slowly, everything would go better. No way would she give up her pet now that she had chosen. It had loved her on sight, and the feeling had been mutual. This animal was now hers. But that didn’t mean she wanted to fight about it, either.

Her mind whirled with everything the day had brought her way. Throughout her stint at the shelter, her feet had barely touched the ground. She was truly happy. More than that, she was excited. First Gavin, and now her very own pet. And not just any old pet, she thought with satisfaction.

Lugging the heavy box from the back seat, Sara murmured soft soothing phrases to the animal within. Jess and Lou, the couple who owned the shelter, were thrilled when she made her choice. They were also endlessly amused.

That was nothing new, because Jess and his wife had a bizarre sense of humor, a humor that often escaped Sara. But in this instance she hadn’t been nearly as obtuse as they’d assumed. And she hadn’t minded their good-natured teasing, either, not when they’d supplied all the shots and a thorough checkup on the newly arrived animal for free.

It had been imperative that she take the pet, because if she hadn’t, it was a certainty no one else would have.

She’d barely gotten through her front door, huffing with the effort to carry the large box and the weight within, when she heard Gavin approaching. The second she saw his face, she set the box on the floor and stepped in front of it, plastering a bright smile on her lips. “I’m back.”

Gavin looked her over from head to toe as if he’d missed the sight of her. “So I see.”

His voice was soft, and Sara only blinked when he leaned close and gave her a sweet, welcoming kiss. As he started to pull away, she tilted into him and the kiss intensified.

He seemed determined to keep her at a physical distance.

She was determined to make him relent.

He was in her house. He was available. She figured the least she should do, as an enterprising, healthy woman, was take advantage of the opportunity presented to her.

It was amazing the effect he had on her, she thought, deliberately wrapping herself closer. She hadn’t known feelings like these existed until Gavin decided to move in. And since, she’d suffered constant frustration. If he didn’t give in soon, she’d go crazy from unrequited lust. Damn his ridiculous ethics.

His hand had just started down her back, encouraged no doubt by her soft moan, when a loud, rumbling growl erupted from the cardboard box.

Gavin froze, his mouth still touching hers, but his eyes wide-open. “What the hell was that?”

Uh-oh. Teatime. She winced just a bit, then whispered, “My pet?”

His eyes flared even more and he took her shoulders, moving her aside and staring down at the box. “What did you get? A mountain lion?”

“Well, actually…” That was as far as Sara got before the box seemed to explode and a massive streak of mangy yellow fur shot out, like a marmalade cannon blast. The huge alley cat surveyed its surroundings in a single derisive glance, swishing its badly bent tail then giving a vicious shake of its monstrous, square head. A small, lopsided pink bow hung precariously over a damaged ear, an ear that was only half there.

Gavin’s mouth hung open. “My God.”

The cat gave him a look filled with disdain, then strutted past, sniffing the carpet and, for the most part, ignoring the humans.

“What the hell is that?”

Sara forced a cheerful expression, hoping to brazen it out, but her words were too quick and nervous to hide her concern. “My pet, of course. Isn’t she beautiful? The man who dropped her off today said she was expecting.”

“Expecting…what?”

“Kittens!” Sara glanced at the cat, who stared back without a single blink of its large pea-green eyes. Perhaps if Gavin believed the ruse, he’d be more inclined to accept the shabby monster. Surely no compassionate person could turn away an expectant mother. “Her name is Satin.”

Gavin sent her a skeptical, slightly horrified look, and Sara rushed on. “She’s had a few…mishaps, and being as old as she is, the shelter didn’t really hold any great hope of finding her a home. I couldn’t leave her there indefinitely, without hope, without prospects. I just couldn’t.”

The cat chose that moment to give them both its back, walking away with a hunter’s stride and sticking its bent tail high into the air. Again, Gavin’s mouth fell open, then quickly tightened in chagrin. “Ah, Sara? That cat’s about as pregnant as I am.”

She already knew that, but she wasn’t ready for Gavin to realize it. It was her best excuse for bringing the beast home.

She swiveled her gaze back to him, her brows lowered in stern regard. “If you’ve gotten yourself into trouble, Gavin, don’t look at me. You said our night together was innocent enough.”

His smirk proved he wasn’t fooled, or diverted. Walking to the cat, he said, “Come here, fella. Let’s get that hideous bow off your head.”

To Sara’s amazement, the aloof cat halted his exit and waited in regal patience while Gavin knelt down and worked the bow free. He ignored Sara as he spoke with the cat. “Satin, is it? More like Satan, I’d say, given the looks of you. You’ve raised some hell in your days, haven’t you, boy?”

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