Ruby
I stand in Athena’s kitchen, locked in a standoff with twenty pounds of spotted feline attitude. Zeus sits on the countertop, his golden eyes narrowed to slits as he tracks my every movement.
“Listen,” I say, pointing my chopsticks at him. “We’ve talked about this. The counter is off-limits.”
Zeus blinks slowly, a gesture I’ve come to recognize as his way of saying he acknowledges my words but has absolutely no intention of obeying them.
I’m exhausted after a day of back-to-back client meetings, but I’ve been leaving the office earlier this week—worried that Zeus might be lonely despite his apparent disdain for my company. He tolerates my presence at best, but something about his regal solitude tugs at my heart.
“Don’t give me that look,” I mutter, arranging the sushi, sashimi, and miso soup from Nobu onto a plate. “You just had your dinner.”
Zeus stretches languidly, extending one massive paw toward my plate.
“No. Absolutely not.” I move the plate away. “You’ve had premium cat food, which, may I remind you, is imported from Japan and costs a small fortune.”
His tail swishes once, twice. I suspect it may be a warning sign.
As I reach for a piece of salmon, Zeus makes his move. With lightning speed, he swats at my chopsticks, knocking them from my grip. When I bend to retrieve them, he seizes the opportunity, snatching the salmon.
“Hey!” I yelp. “That’s mine!”
Zeus doesn’t even bother to retreat. He simply raises a paw while he chews, claws extended, and gives me a look that says, Try me, human.
“Are you even tasting that?” I ask. “Because that’s top-quality salmon, and you’re gulping it down like it’s kibble.”
A soft laugh from the doorway freezes me mid-lecture. Athena is leaning against the frame, arms crossed with an amused smirk. She’s wearing white jeans and a simple white shirt, her hair loose under a white fedora.
My heart stutters at the sight of her. “How long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough to watch you lose an argument with my cat.” She holds up a bag. “Lucky for you, Mom made me bring this over.”
“Your mom?” I blink in surprise. “That’s so thoughtful, but there’s no need. I already have dinner.” I gesture to my half-eaten takeout, now carefully guarded by Zeus.
“Trust me, refusing isn’t an option. She insisted.” Athena strides into the kitchen, placing the bag on the counter. “Apparently, you made quite the impression.”
Zeus immediately abandons his sushi conquest and pads over to Athena, stretching up on his hind legs toward her. The transformation is startling—from fierce predator to needy house cat in seconds. He makes a small mewling sound I’ve never heard before.
“Hello, little prince,” Athena coos, lifting him into her arms. Zeus settles against her chest, his purr rumbling loudly enough that I can hear it from where I stand. “Have you been terrorizing Ruby?”
“We’ve reached an understanding,” I say dryly. “He gets whatever he wants, and I pretend I don’t mind.”
Athena laughs, scratching behind Zeus’s ears. He closes his eyes in bliss, looking smug. “How’s it been? Living here?”
“It’s been nice,” I admit. “Though the bed situation was a challenge.”
“Let me guess—he takes up most of it?”
“All of it. I moved to one of your guest rooms.” I begin unpacking the containers from the bag Athena brought. Inside, I find pastitsio, stuffed filo pastry, and salad. “This looks amazing. Please thank your mother for me.”
“I will. How’s work?” Athena asks, still cuddling Zeus, who has now draped himself across her shoulder like a fur stole.
“Busy. I’ve just signed a new major client.” I glance at her. “What about you? How’s it been with your family?”
Athena sighs, gently placing Zeus back on the floor. “It’s great to see them, but also draining at times. I can’t be entirely myself around them.” She chuckles. “Plus, I can’t find anything in your house.”
“Same here.” I laugh along. “They’re lovely, by the way,” I say. “Your mother and sister.”
“They like you too.” Athena meets my eyes. “Mom thinks you’re sweet, smart, and polite.”
“High praise from a Greek mother. I’ll take it.” The tension that’s been simmering between us intensifies in the quiet kitchen. It’s been days since we’ve been alone together, but now, with only Zeus as witness, the pretense feels impossible to maintain.
“I should put these away,” I say, gesturing to the containers, but making no move to do so.
Athena nods, and when I reach for the containers, her hand covers mine. Her thumb traces the inside of my wrist, and I forget what I was about to do. She’s standing close, her eyes holding mine with unmistakable intent.
Without warning, she steps forward, backing me against the refrigerator. Her hands find my waist, and then she’s kissing me fiercely. My hands instinctively tangle in her hair, pulling her closer.
Her mouth moves against mine with a ferocity that leaves me gasping, and I lose myself in the sensation of her lips, her tongue, her hands that are everywhere at once. When we break apart, breathless, she keeps me pinned against the refrigerator, her forehead resting against mine.
“Fuck. I did it again,” she whispers.
“I’m not complaining,” I murmur, my hands still wound in her hair.
Zeus makes his presence known again, meowing loudly at our feet. He stretches up against Athena’s leg, demanding attention.
“Someone’s jealous,” I say with a breathless laugh.
Athena reluctantly steps back. “Timing was never his strong suit, but it’s probably for the best.”
“Yeah…” I straighten my blouse that’s become wrinkled, and we stand in silence for a moment, eyes locked, chests heaving.
Athena’s gaze lowers to my lips again. She looks like she’s fighting an internal battle. She takes a half-step forward before catching herself. “If I start again, I won’t stop,” she says. “And I don’t think either of us wants that complication right now.”
She’s right, of course. But wisdom seems increasingly irrelevant when she looks at me like that. My body responds to her stare, a rush of heat between my thighs that makes me press them together.
“I’m sorry about that,” she whispers. “I shouldn’t have—”
“You’re not sorry,” I interrupt, feeling bold. “And neither am I.”
Athena reaches out to trace the line of my jaw. “I’m so fucking hungry,” she says, cupping my chin.
Behind us, Zeus knocks a container of pastitsio to the floor, as if reminding us that in this house, he decides when—and if—we feast.
I want her to take me, to rip my clothes off and do with me as she pleases, but she shakes her head and smiles. “I’d better head back before Mom comes looking for me. Don’t be a stranger. She insists on seeing you again before they leave.”