Page 96 of Knot For Keeps

I chuckled. “I’d hope you know what that is. You’re the one that went to school to be a veterinarian.”

“Whose is it?” he asked, gently sitting up and cradling the kitten to his chest, scratching behind its ear and grinning when it rewarded him with a purr.

“Yours,” I smirked.

His head whipped up to look at me with disbelief. “No, I—”

“I got him for you. You said you wanted a pet.”

“B-but the brain injury,” he stammered.

“When’s the last time you were unstable?” I asked pointedly. He had been the picture of calm and reasonable for months. Anytime he felt even slightly off he would seek me out for comfort and would feel normal after a few moments between my scent and purr. He would always suggest some sexual therapy, and sometimes I indulged the request, because who doesn’t love copious orgasms?

“I don’t want to hurt him,” Theo whispered, looking at the tiny animal with pure adoration in his eyes.

“You won’t, I trust you—we all do.” I sank onto the couch next to him and rested my head on his shoulder, watching the kitten as it played with the string of Theo’s sweatshirt.

“He’s beautiful,” Theo kept his voice quiet, unable to take his eyes off his new pet. “Is he a Ragdoll?” he asked.

“Uh, I think so?” I bit my lip. “He’s cute and fluffy. That's all I needed to know.”

“Can’t you get DNA test kits for pets?” Archer asked, smiling over from the chess game.

Theo’s face somehow broke into an even bigger grin. “You can!” he cried. “I’ll order one right away, I want to seeexactlywhat this little guy is. My bet is mostly Ragdoll, just look at these fluffy little ears!”

“I’m glad you like him,” I grinned.

“I love him—how the fuck did you get a cat without me knowing?!” He turned to me, confusion evident.

“Gage drove me to town to pick him up early this morning. You were still dead to the world.”

Theo smirked. “Is that why you were so intent on tiring me out yesterday?”

“It wasn’t, but I’m not complaining.” I plucked the kitten who was wriggling out of Theo’s grasp and gave him a quick cuddle myself before letting him down on the couch.

“He’s going to scratch up all the furniture, isn’t he?” Kane asked, with a shake of his head.

“Oh for sure.” I laughed. “But it’ll be worth it, just look how cute he is!”

“We needed a mascot around here,” Gage laughed from the other end of the sofa. “What are you going to call it?”

“Dahmer!” Theo exclaimed, looking between me and the kitten eagerly.

“As inJeffery Dahmer?” I cried with a laugh.

“Of course, it suits this family!”

“I don’t know true crime, but I do know who Dahmer was—I like it.” Kane said, moving a chess piece.

I laughed, leaning up and pecking Theo lightly on the lips. “Dahmer it is. I’ve ordered all the bits you’ll need for him and they’ll be arriving later today.”

“You’re pretty perfect, you know that, right?” Theo asked, looking at me with pure, unadulterated happiness in his face.

“I’m far from perfect, but Iamperfect for this family.” I beamed.

“You know what this means?” Archer asked with a smirk.

“What?”

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