Page 332 of Small Town Firsts
Preston frowned, but he couldn’t stop stroking those long fingers down the cat’s head and neck. “I shouldn’t.”
I crouched outside the pen and hung my arm over the side to pet the cat. My fingers tangled with Preston’s, and the cat’s bright green eyes widened before his purring intensified.
Quickly, I pulled away my hand and stood. “Well, let’s get you two home.”
Andmehome, preferably into an ice cold shower.
THIRTEEN
I was going homewith a cat.
And my assistant. I wasn’t sure which was more troubling.
In truth, my assistant wasn’t coming to my house. I was just driving her home. That should’ve been a safe endeavor.
At least in theory.
The problem was we had entirely too many hormones bouncing around between us. On top of that, I had never given April rides home or anywhere else. I also hadn’t invited her to a “working lunch” the first day of her employment. We had never kissed or fondled glowing hunks of rock or attended speed dating events. That Ryan and I weren’t being matched with each other hardly seemed to matter.
I couldn’t keep my hands off her. And it didn’t even matter if that overly smiley vet Thorn was lurking around. My hand seemed to be magnetically drawn to the small of her back.
Before the speed dating event, Luna had reminded me I had no business entertaining the possibility of anything with Ryan. Too bad I couldn’t seem to remember that when we were alone.
Or even when we weren’t.
She was like oxygen, and I’d been starving for air for far too long.
Now we were walking out to the parking lot, my hand between us carting the carrier holding my new charge, and I could feel her gaze lingering on me. She made an attempt at light conversation, commenting on different things about the event, but the weight of her stare was a physical thing.
Being alone with her in my car was not a smart plan.
I smiled as an idea took form. I would take proactive steps to protect her virtue.
Luna would probably approve.
Before Ryan could stop me, I rushed around the car to open her door.
One black brow winged up. “What’s with this new chivalrous side?”
“What do you mean, new? When have I ever been anything but a gentleman?”
“When you groped me every time you saw Dr. Thorn.”
“I hardly groped you.”
“You touched me in a way to indicate possession.”
I reached up to run a finger under my suddenly too tight collar. “You are my temp. That indicates a kind of...employment possession.” Even I knew that was ridiculous.
She rolled her eyes and got into the car. Then she stuck out her fingers to touch the cat in the carrier. “You’re such a good boy. Just sitting there quietly while your daddy says nonsense.”
“It’s not nonsense,” I muttered. Then I frowned. “Daddy? Me?”
“It does seem like a biological impossibility, but that sweet cat doesn’t know the difference.”
I stepped back as she pulled the door shut. Then I rounded the vehicle and opened my door before leaning in to try to fit the carrier on the console area between us.
“What the hell are you doing?”
