Page 62 of Catch Me
“You must be Ms. Shelby.” I squat to let her sniff my hand before petting the top of her head.
I chuckle when she meows.
“I think she likes you,” Ivy’s voice floats to my ears, sending a chill down my spine.
My eyes find her sock-covered feet first. I drag my gaze up the length of her body, prolonging the moment that I locked my gaze on hers.
“I hope she’s not the only one.” I read the smile on her face as a good thing, but there’s confusion in those coffee brown irises.
“What’s that look in your eyes?”
Her forehead wrinkles for a beat. “How can you tell what I’m thinking already?”
I shake my head before responding. “I can't, which is why I asked. But I can see you’re confused about something.”
She chuckles, but it’s devoid of humor. “You think?” Ivy spreads her arms and looks around, indicating the rest of my home. “This is a little insane, right? Me being in your house. Your massive home, by the way.”
Her eyes narrow. “And the fact that you basically kidnapped me to get me here.”
“Kidnapped? Me?” I press a hand to my chest in mock offense. “All I did was have a driver pick you up in a luxury vehicle because youhatedriving, especially in rush hour traffic.”
She lifts an eyebrow. “The part about traffic is true, but you forgot to mention Spencer’s a trained security guard. Did you know he has federal governmental clearance?”
I did in fact know that, but I keep that to myself for now.
“On top of that,” Ivy continues, “you conspired with my best friend to get into my apartment to get Ms. Shelby.”
I stoop down to pet the cat who’s now rubbing her side body against my leg. “That was a nice touch, huh?”
Ivy’s eyes narrow but there’s a twinkle in them.
She pushes out a harsh breath. “Ms. Shelby can be tricky when it comes to new people.”
“I’ve heard,” I say, grinning as the aforementioned cat purrs in satisfaction while I stroke the top of her head.
“Animals are supposed to be a good judge of character.”
“Did I fail to mention that all pets love me?” I rise to my full height and take a step closer, coming within arms’ reach of her.
“True story?” She tilts her head sideways in a move that’s so damn cute my heart squeezes.
“I get it from my dad. Animals love the guy.”
“Your home is beautiful.” She looks around. “I peeked in your library. It’s impressive. I bet your mom’s proud. How many books are in there?” she asks, referring to the home library I’ve built up in the past three years I’ve lived in this condo.
“Not a lot. About five hundred,” I say with a shrug.
“That’s not a lot?” she asks sarcastically.
“It’s nothing compared to the library I plan to build once I buy a house.” A home library is a must in any home I live in.
Grinning, she shakes her head. “I bet it’ll be stunning.”
I move in and cup her face with both of my hands. “Enough of the pleasantries.”
When she doesn’t resist or pull back, I bring her lips to meet mine. A total body sigh releases from me as our lips meet. A tension I’ve been holding onto releases.
I sense the exact moment Ivy falls into the kiss.
