Page 34 of Meowy & Bright

“I thought we could make some hot chocolate, talk by the fire, and then work on knitting, though I can’t find your knitting needles anywhere.”

She shoots a guilty look at the sofa cushions. “That’s strange. They must’ve been thrown away by accident.”

“Mm-hmm.” I pull her closer. “Sounds legit.” Her mouth is a lure I can’t resist, so I kiss her as the kittens use their tiny claws to climb up my shirt. One’s purring in my ear when I break the kiss. “Are you sure we can’t give one of these to Laura?”

“I’d love one.” She takes a huge bite of an apple.

Ariadne jumps. “Where did you come from?”

“Snow’s melting just a little. Road’s clear.” She takes another big bite. “Well, I’m off.” She steps back.

“But you just got here.” Ariadne frowns.

“What?” Laura reaches down to pet a wayward orange kitten. “I’ve been here for hours.” She finishes the apple, then disappears out the kitchen door.

“Are you sure she’s not imaginary?” Ariadne asks.

“I’m sure.” I kiss her cheek as the kittens find a new toy—their mother. Mrs. Claws is lying on the comfy kitty bed, and the babies are all snuggling up for a snack.

I move to her mouth, sucking on her bottom lip as I lay her down on the warm rug in front of the fire.

She stiffens a little.

I pull back. “What’s wrong, angel? Did I hurt you?”

“No.” She takes a big breath and lets it out. “But there’s something I want to tell you.” The glow from the fire dances in her eyes as her hair spreads out around her like a halo. Like my angel.

“Tell me.” I run my lips along her throat as I unbutton her pajama top. “I’m listening.”

“Okay, well.” She gasps as I lick one nipple and then the next.

“Yes?” Hooking my fingers in her bottoms, I pull them and her panties off, then drop kisses on her perfect pussy.

She tenses again, so I return to her face, my body resting between her warm thighs.

“What is it?” A sliver of worry creeps through me, because she never has trouble communicating with me.

She nods. “I can do this.”

“You can do anything,” I agree.

“So, you know how I’m on meds for my—” She points to her temple. “Right?”

“Yes.” That doesn’t bother me. I suspect the majority of people are on meds, but they just don’t talk about it.

“I’ve been weaning off them.”

“Okay.” I cock my head to the side. “Why?”

“Have you noticed any differences in me?”

“No. You’re still my angel.”

She lets out a relieved breath. “Good.”

“That’s what you wanted to tell me?” I nibble her neck again and free myself from my pajama bottoms.

“No.”

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