Chapter Twelve #2
“This is beautiful,” Ivy breathed as they walked through the spacious hallway. There were several sitting areas placed beneath glass-blown light fixtures.
He supposed the space looked more like a luxury hotel than an apartment.
“I rented in this building based on the security features alone. There’s an indoor and outdoor pool, a fitness center, and a lounge, but I’ve never made the time to take advantage of them.
” He wondered what she would think of the in-ground hot tub on his balcony.
The private spa was something he rarely used, but lust coiled low in his gut as he imagined Ivy slipping into the hot, bubbling water beside him.
They finally reached his door, and he balanced the purchases while he located his key.
He gestured for her to enter first, then set the litter box down and began sifting through the supplies from the pet store.
“We have some flea and tick shampoo. How about I fill up the sink, and we’ll get the little guy washed up? ”
“Sounds good, although, he might not appreciate being woken from his nap. I don’t think cats are known for their love of water.”
“I think you might be right.” He moved across the dark wood floors and into the first bathroom.
The cat was so tiny, the sink would offer more than enough room to get the animal washed up.
He put the plug in the drain, turned on the taps, then tested the water to make sure it was warm.
Ivy came in with the kitten and unwrapped it slowly from the sweatshirt.
The kitten stretched and yawned. With a curious expression, it wobbled across the vanity and sat by the faucet, batting at the running water.
The kitten let out a shriek and lost its footing, toppling into the water.
Ivy reached for the kitten at the same time he did, and their hands overlapped as they steadied the frightened animal.
Jude removed his hands, then made quick work of opening the shampoo.
He poured a liberal amount into his hands, lathering up the kitten.
It didn’t seem to mind one bit, arching into his fingers as he worked the soap into its coat.
“I thought he might be brown,” Ivy said cupping her hand to rinse away some of the soap. “But it’s starting to look like a mix of white and orange.”
“What are you going to name him?” He glanced at her in the mirror, while she was staring at the kitten.
“Me?” She looked up and smiled.
“Yeah, this is your cat.” The kitten lifted its front paw, tapping at the bubbles on the surface of the sink.
“Hmm…” she mused. “What about Sleepy?”
“One of the seven dwarves?” He shook his head and chuckled. “I don’t think he likes it.”
Ivy laughed and crossed her arms over her chest. “Okay, cat whisperer, what name do you think he’d like?”
Jude eyed the kitten. The wet fur revealed how skinny the poor thing was, but they’d take care of that in no time. “What about Tank?”
She scrunched up her nose. How she could go from drop-dead gorgeous to fucking adorable in one breath was mesmerizing. “Doesn’t look like a Tank to me.”
“It’ll give him something to aspire to.” The kitten looked up at him with bright blue eyes.
“Or give him a complex.”
“Fair enough,” he said scratching the kitten under the chin.
“What about Fluffy?” She cocked her hip against the vanity, eyes sparkling.
He caught his own reflection in the mirror, startled by the appearance of a smile on his face. “What about absolutely not?”
“Okay then.” She laughed and gave him a playful hip bump. “Muffin.”
Jude shook his head. “He doesn’t want to be named after a baked good.”
She tossed her head back and laughed. God that was a sound he could get used to.
“What about Trigger?” he suggested.
“Those all sound like call signs from a military romance.”
He raised a brow. “Read a lot of those, babe?”
She rolled her eyes. “Never mind. What about Peanut?”
“Do you want the neighborhood cats to make fun of him? How about Rocky?”
She shook her head. “Tinkerbell.”
“Now I know you’re messing with me. You can’t name this poor little bastard Tinkerbell.”
She covered the kitten’s ears. “Don’t swear in front of him.”
He laughed harder and the muscles in his cheeks felt sore from underuse. “How about Apollo?”
Her giggles melded with his laughter, and she pitched over, placing both hands on her thighs. When she stood, she was wiping the tears away from the corners of her eyes and he was reminded of the night they’d spent skin to skin beneath the emergency blanket. Lust spiraled through him.
“Pumpkin,” she said clutching her sides.
“Bruce,” he threw out.
“Sunny,” she said through gasps.
“Boris.” He grinned.
She released a long shaky breath, trying to get herself under control. “What about Milo?”
He paused for a moment, considering. “Milo. It fits.”
“Well, thank goodness for that.”
He gently ran clean water over the cat’s fur to rinse away the soap.
“There are towels in the closet behind me.” Ivy stepped past him, and he watched her reflection in the mirror.
Full breasts were outlined by a modest long-sleeve cotton shirt, and her jeans hugged her perfect ass as she leaned into the closet.
When she turned back and caught him staring, a blush rose on her cheeks.
“Just toss the sweatshirt on the floor and I’ll throw it in the laundry.”
She nodded and pushed it to the side before laying out the clean towel.
Jude lifted the tiny kitten out of the water.
The feline was like a frail baby bird in his hands.
So small and vulnerable. He could see each rib separate when the animal drew in a breath and knew it needed hydration and nutrients.
If Ivy didn’t spot Milo behind the dumpster, it probably wouldn’t have made it many more days on its own.
Ivy folded the thick towel around Milo, quickly rubbing her hand over the makeshift swaddle to warm the kitten.
It opened its mouth wide in another yawn, clearly exhausted.
“The kid from the pet store thought he might need a bottle of formula instead of typical cat food based on my description.”
“I think that’s a smart idea. Even if it can eat solid food, the milk might be easier on his tummy.” She smiled.
“Okay. I’ll go make up a bottle, then we can see about getting something delivered for us. I’m ashamed to say I usually grab something on my way home from work. I’m not the best cook.”
“Me neither. I’m sure Ash thought he’d died and gone to heaven when he tasted some of Jess’s Crock-Pot meals. When we fend for ourselves, we usually just do takeout, too. Sometimes, Jess takes pity on us and makes something to put in the freezer. She really is an angel.”
“Do you think they’ll get married someday?” He drained the sink and reached below the cabinet for some cleaning supplies to remove the dirt and fur from the basin.
“Ash has been looking at rings a lot lately, so I think there’s a good chance.” She was holding the kitten like it was a baby, slowly rocking back and forth.
Ivy was a natural nurturer. “Will you lose your roommate?” he asked spraying the sink with cleaner and wiping it with a towel.
“Maybe.” She planted a kiss on the kitten’s nose.
The tiny thing was on its back, front paws angled so they rested on its chest. The animal’s eyes looked sleepy and content.
“But I’ve already gained a sister so it will be okay.
Jess owns her condo so it would make sense for Ash to move in with her. ”
“So, you’ll be looking for a new roommate, then,” he stated and tucked the supplies beneath the sink.
“Why, are you interested?” she asked, stepping out of the bathroom and into the hallway.
“Might make sense. You know, until Junior here grows up and moves out of the house.” If Red and Sully could hear this conversation, they wouldn’t be able to recognize him.
That’s what Ivy did for him. Lifted all the heaviness.
Allowed him space to test long-forgotten emotions like contentment and joy.
No matter what happened between them, he’d always feel grateful for this reprieve.
In a couple of days, she’d given him more peace than he’d had in years.
Ivy laughed and the sound resonated through the apartment.
It struck him that the space hadn’t seen a lot of laughter since he moved in.
When Sully and Red visited, it was usually because of pressing business.
If they met up for fun, they usually went to the bar across the street.
His existence was lonely. He spent so much time pushing others away, he’d become a recluse.
Spending time with Ivy, Jess, and Ash had underscored that isolation.
What would it be like to come home to someone special and share their days?
What would it be like to make plans beyond tomorrow?
To look forward to things because you had someone to share it with?
His line of thinking was dangerous—he knew that.
Ivy might not be looking for anything serious, and he wasn’t either.
His stomach lurched at the thought of letting her go, but his lifestyle was fast and hard.
He was rarely ever home. When he was, he usually fell asleep with the images of the horrible shit he’d seen playing through his head like a movie reel.
She deserved a man who could work a nine-to-five job.
Who could take her on whirlwind vacations.
Who could buy her a house in the suburbs and raise the family without the fear that they’d be slaughtered some October evening.
Thoroughly annoyed with himself, he stalked into the kitchen and opened the can of cat formula.
He poured it into the bottle, wishing that, somehow, things were different.
He moved back to the living room and handed her the bottle, intent on putting some space between them.
Not because he didn’t love seeing Ivy in his apartment, but because he was thinking of what was best for her.
Then she tilted the bottom of the bottle and the kitten eagerly latched on, drinking deeply.
He had to admit the little fur ball was fucking cute, and watching Ivy tenderly feed and hold Milo had warmth bleeding through his chest. It was one nice memory to filter around the much darker ones that resided alongside it in his mind. He’d cherish that.