Three Meows (Monsters For Her)

Chapter Two

I blinked at the orange cat on my couch. It gave me a slow blink in return. Well, apparently the kitty felt safe and content… That was good.

There was only one little problem: I did not own a cat.

“What are you doing here?” I couldn’t help but ask as I approached slowly and let it smell my hand.

“Meow!” was my answer as the cat butted his head against my fingers, asking for pets.

“Oh, alright, but just for a little while,” I said in what was supposed to be a stern tone but somehow melted into a softer cadence almost instantly when I saw those big green eyes looking expectantly at me. “And then we are going to find your owner.”

The cat huffed and clambered onto my lap when I sat on the couch. It was nearly fifteen minutes later I finally got to my feet to inspect how the cat had got in. A quick check showed me I left one window partially open. As luck would have it, the window led to the balcony, which I shared with my neighbors. There was a partition separating us, but by the wall there was just enough space for the cat to squeeze through.

“I guess it’s time to meet my neighbors,” I told the cat as I picked it up and cradled it against my chest. It purred up a storm.

When I knocked on the door next to mine I didn’t expect the sight about to greet me.

There, in the doorway, stood an Adonis. A sculpted Greek god. A half-naked heart attack inducer if my wildly beating heart was anything to go by.

“Uh…” I said intelligently, staring, before the cat in my arms sank his claws into my left arm. I jumped, then looked sheepishly at the unimpressed black-haired man in front of me. “Hi! I’m your new neighbor! And I think I have your cat…”

The man nodded at me and I didn’t know if I should interpret it as a greeting or an agreement it was his cat… the tension mounted as the man didn’t say anything.

I was starting to sweat, trapped in the clutches of societal expectations of not wanting to seem rude, when I was saved when a second man appeared by the door.

“Ah, I see you have found Cheddar.” The newcomer gave me a smile. Unlike his chiseled companion (who stood there with a naked chest… wasn’t the man cold? And were those scars?) he was made out of softer curves that complimented his gentle demeanor. “Thank you. I can take him off your hands. And sorry for the trouble.”

“It was no problem,” I reassured. “I’m Lisa, by the way.”

“Elijah. And this is Rowan.”

I shook hands with both men. Cheddar chose that moment to jump down from my arms and walk into the flat himself, his tail held high. He gave me a parting meow before he disappeared into one of the rooms.

Aw, what a cutie. I was going to miss him. Shame I didn’t feel like I would have time for a pet or I would get one myself.

My gaze was a bit wistful when I said my goodbyes.