Page 17 of Her Purr-fect Christmas Mate

No! No no no!

“Is everything alright?”

*No!*she blurted out. *I mean… yes! It’s fine. Everything’s fine. Let’s go in now.*With her hiding in his pocket and definitely absolutely no way shifting back into human form because she’d thought too hard about how nice he smelled.

Oh god.

“Very well.” He sounded doubtful. She didn’t blame him.

And as if that wasn’t bad enough…

We’re sneaking!the squeaky voice in her head said.Sneaking! Yes! Tell him we’re sneaking!

No.

Yes!

No! I’m not going to—

“Not going to what? Ah. That was another thing I wasn’t meant to hear, wasn’t it?”

She sighed. It came out an adorable squeak.*My… cat… is excited about sneaking in.*

“Is it always so dominant?”

Dominant?*Uh. Maybe?*She was subordinate to the fluffy kitten of her own soul. Great.

*It’s probably…*Think of an excuse. Any excuse.*… meeting you. The shock? The… it’s big. It’s a lot.*

Was she imagining it, or did he briefly cup his hand around the tiny shape of her through his jacket? “It is.”

She must have imagined it. Mordecai’s gait changed as he began walking up the stairs. That was what she’d felt. Not him touching her.

He didn’t even reach for me when I kissed him.The kiss that had ruined everything.

The frisky, mischievous feeling inside her from her cat faded. And suddenly it was a lot easier to ignore how good Mordecai smelled.

“Leith. There you are. Thought you’d never show up.” One of the owners. Peony went completely still, except for every single hair on her body, which stood on end.

Oh. Right.Thatwas why she was here.

“We’re still waiting on Blanderley. Probably arguing with the driver over his fare, haw haw.”

Ugh. She’d forgotten Hebbings made that noise. Like a laughing donkey.

“It wouldn’t surprise me.” Mordecai’s voice was chilly. “Where’s this private room? Or do you want to talk business where anyone could hear us?”

“We should wait for Blanderley—”

“He can’t find the room on his own?”

“Leith’s right. Come on, Arthur, my throat’s dry. I need something to wash away that rubbish they served at the party.”

“Party? Is that what you call it? I haven’t been so bored in years.”

Oh no. The board smelledawful.All of them. Peony covered her nose with her paws, trying to escape the cacophony of smells. To her horror, the one smell that wasn’t attacking her nose like a swarm of stinky bees appeared to be… Mordecai.

He smelled of leather and wood smoke and something her cat decided, with a wriggle of delight, wasdanger.

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