k and restless. Inside, the room was warm and cozy, the fire in the

acing circles on his chest. "Sebastian, wasn't today the day you were supposed to get the marri

ed carelessly across the back of the sofa, posture

and the second I threw her a bone,

nd her knowing how to keep in line, I wouldn't even

usement, but on the surface,

my fault. If I hadn't gotten hur

r, voice tense with frustration and guilt. "If it weren't for her, you would

your expense. So tell me, what ri

t about it, the mo

eaking gently, "Let's not talk about her anymore.

*

f the apartment she had lived in for years,

dn't turn. A warm, firm hand suddenly cover

he door

, close enough that his bre

hat, nervous to come home? Need

She stepped away quickly and walke

cozy. A cat was napping lazily on the armr

noticing. She crouched down, reachi

d hopped down gracefully, brushing

tryway cabinet, watching the woman and the ca

talgic with a hint of tenderness. "So it's

soft fur, glancing up at him, an unexpected fl

across from her, reaching out tentatively to touch Plum

eaningfully, "Back when I gave her to you, she was skin a

key, suddenly unlock

lace in a plain white T-shirt, sweat-damp hair stuck to his

crisis and he was about to be forced

d by reality, leaving behind only sharp e

nonchalant. "Here. Found it by the street, no one seemed to want it. Fig

that warm, tiny life

about the cat. Maybe..

in her chest, forced a bright smile, and said, "Thank you, Elian. I'll tak

uttering a low "yeah," then turned around

ry, the air seemed laced

n, and the kitten purred contented

o a teasing grin. "You know, Clarissa, you took in this cat, and now married

leaning forward just slightly

heeks blazing red. Flustered and annoyed,

locked onto hers, intense enough to pul

an intensity that made the a

ike crazy. She tried to sound firm, but his nea

oses almost touched. His voice dropped to a murmur, intimate and

and swirling with emotion she couldn't qui

outh but couldn'

ff, neither backing down, yet inching closer and closer wit

can I...

ith hesitation and vulnerability. As he l

ke she'd been snap

ring, fumbling for words. "

slammed the door behind her like sh

ng room, broken only by a

he shut door. The heat in his eyes dimmed, slowly re

window, staring out at the city lights.

illed hi

eave all tho

just stay no

r, a little more certain, maybe

ow could he have let that bast