Page 21 of The Cat's Dom

“I’ll take you to the one I’ve gone to. The food is always delicious.”

“Do I have to go in?” she asked.

He glanced at her at a STOP sign and then shook his head. Her face was still red and puffy, and the last thing she needed was for people to stare at her. “No, I can leave you in the truck while I go order it.”

He watched her relax as he pulled up outside the restaurant and parked. “What would you like, Baby?”

“I like anything.”

“Okay, I’ll get a few different things for us to share. How’s that?”

She nodded.

“You keep the doors locked, and if anything scares you, I want you to honk the horn.”

“I will.”

He cupped the back of her head and kissed her. He didn’t deepen it because he just wanted her to get used to it.

Macy locked the truck doors and walked into the restaurant. He turned back before the door closed, and his heart felt like it would pound out of his chest. She looked so tiny in his truck, and his protective instincts were in overdrive as a Dom and warrior. He knew he would do anything to keep her safe and make her happy.

Macy ordered the food and then waited. He kept looking out the front window to ensure she was okay. He was a few feet away from her, but it still felt too far. His tension eased a bit when he was able to get back to her.

“I hope you like what I picked.” He set the food on the seat between them.

“It smells amazing,” Cat said.

They got to his apartment building and parked. He grabbed the food and then walked around to the other side to open her door. He helped her down and took her hand after locking his doors.

He caught her looking around. “Remember that this is only temporary. Just until we get our condos done at the club.”

“I think this is fine, too.”

He’d lived in worse places before on his own, but he wanted a safe place she felt comfortable in. “I want to take you to the upstairs part of the club. The construction is going much faster than we anticipated, which we’re thrilled with. But we’re going to need help deciding on paint colors, furniture, and everything pretty much sooner than we thought we’d have to. Can you help?”

He loved the way her face brightened.

“I’d love that.”

“Great. I’ll tell the guys tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

“I want our place to feel like a home, so I want you to choose pictures, towels, stuff like that. The guys will ask if they want help.”

“Ourplace?” she asked.

“I will, eventually, when you’re ready, want you to live with me.”

He watched as she thought about it but didn’t say anything. “So, you’ll help?”

“Yes. I’ll help them. I can still paint and help, right?”

“Of course,” he said and set the food on the table. “With restrictions.”

Her mouth turned down.

He cupped her face. “Baby, one of the most important jobs I’m going to have is keeping you safe.”