Page 80 of Tangled Kisses
“Sure about that?” I move closer and scratch Chowder behind the ears, noting the bolts used to assemble the piece. “Okay, cat, here’s what we’re going to do. You are going to move to a safe spot, and I’m going to fix this for you.” I lift his pudgy orange butt off the platform and settle him on a chair before turning to Reese. “I’ll be back.”
I grab a few tools from my truck and head for the cat tree, tightening the loose bolts and ensuring the cat condo will live tosee another day—and that Reese’s feline friend won’t knock the damn thing over trying to use it.
As I crouch with a wrench, Reese watches from the lounger, her cat by her side. “You see that, Chowder?” she murmurs, scratching his ears. “This big, handsome cowboy is taking care of it for you. He takes care of everything. Maybe we should keep him close, huh?”
Her words land square in my chest, knocking the air clean out of me. She has no idea what that does to me.
“That should do it.” I stand up and give the cat tree a shake, ensuring it will withstand Chowder’s aggressive pounces.
Reese pushes up from the lounger, brushing her hands over her thighs as she crosses the room to join me.
“Is there anything you can’t do?” Reese asks, giving me a gentle hip check before sprinkling catnip on one of the scratching posts. “Chowder and I thank you.”
“Not a problem,” I murmur, fighting the grin tugging at my mouth. “Happy to help.”
We leave Chowder on a safe perch and stroll down the hallway toward Reese’s room, the striped bag dangling from her fingers.
“Better be careful, Griffin,” Reese jokes as she unlocks her door. “You keep showing off your myriad of skills and you’ll wind up with a trail of eager candidates for the role of Mrs. Topete.” The smile drops from her lips. “No doubt there are already tons of women vying for that role.”
Do I deny it? Claim I’m immune to their stares? Their whispers? Hell, their brazen offers, promising me a life of luxury if I’ll submit to their demands?
Both Reese and I know the truth. At least, thatwasmy truth until I left that world.
“They didn’t want me. They wanted their fantasy.”
“What if you are their fantasy?”
I shake my head and close the door behind me. “I’m not. Not the real me, anyway.”
“Their loss, then, because the real you is wonderful. Greatest man I’ve ever met.”
And this is why Reese is endgame for me.
“I’m not that special.”
“Hey, if I have to admit that I’m the cat’s meow, so do you.”
Raising my hands in surrender, I chuckle and sink onto her couch. “Fair enough.”
She chews the inside of her cheek as she plops down beside me, folding her legs beneath her. “I have to ask. Do you ever miss it?”
“No.”
“The money, I mean.”
I clear my throat, tossing my hat onto the table. “The money was good, but it cost me everything. I’m working my ass off now, doing contracting gigs, taking whatever jobs I can.”
Reese tilts her head, studying me like she’s trying to see through the walls I’ve built. “So you really stopped?”
“Yeah.” My voice is low and steady, without a drop of hesitation. “Let’s just say I finally had a reason to.”
Her brows knit, and I know she wants to press for details, but her insecurities hold her back.
She probably wouldn’t believe me anyway if I told her she was the catalyst.
But she will.
I brush my fingers over her wrist, letting the warmth of her skin ground me. “I’m not saying it’s easy. But I’d rather sweat through a hundred-hour week than go back to my old life.”
