CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
“Such a softie.” Frankie’s voice teases me before she comes into view at the living room entrance.
I couldn’t care less what she calls me when her tits are swaying in my direction. But then sharp claws dig into my leg, reminding me of the trouble I’m in. “Damn thing won’t leave me alone.”
She leans against the arched doorway while eyeing the kitten on my lap. “He’s making biscuits.”
“The fuck?”
Her giggle is mocking. “That’s the kneading motion he’s doing with his paws. Cats do that when they’re comfortable and in their element.”
The urge to shove him away again flexes my muscles. “For what it’s worth, I’m not in my element.”
Her eyebrow quirks. “Doesn’t look like you’re fighting too hard.”
“Pushed him off at least ten times. He’s stubborn.”
“That’s how you like ‘em.”
My hand absently strokes Tux’s freshly washed fur. “I think he’s someone’s pet. No cat I’ve met lets a kid dunk him under water.”
Frankie laughs, but it’s brittle at the edges. “He knows what it takes to survive.”
“Speaking from experience,” I murmur.
She dips her chin. “We’re kindred spirits. That’s probably why Ronnie is so obsessed with him. You’re lucky she wants you two to bond or he’d be making biscuits on her lap instead.”
“What if he has an owner?”
“That cared enough to drop him at the side of the road in this weather? Finders keepers,” she scoffs. “He belongs to this family now.”
“As if I’d survive giving him the boot.”
She clucks her tongue in agreement. “Your daughter would never forgive you.”
My chuckle is low, which has nothing to do with not jostling the kitten. “Is she all tucked in?”
“Snug as a bug in a rug or whatever she taught me.” She swats at the famous rhyme as if it’s a pest.
“You’re great with her.”
Frankie avoids my stare. “Wouldn’t go that far.”
I shake my head. “Those are your own insecurities trying to break you. Deep down, you’re made for this.
It just took a brave little girl to prove it and give you a chance.
Now, there’s no going back.” My exhale is thick as I admire her strength.
“This isn’t just a job for you, menace. It never was. ”
“Okay, Dr. Phil. Didn’t realize this was a therapy session.” Her green eyes sparkle like gemstones in the lamp’s dim glow. “Mind if I take a load off?”
“Not sure what’s stopping you. This pussy won’t bite.” When I scratch behind Tux’s ears, a loud purr rewards my efforts.
“That makes one of us,” Frankie quips while situating herself on the couch next to me.
Her floral perfume and a slew of untapped fantasies float in the air. Arousal is quick to surge through me. I adjust myself, ready to send this cat packing.
“It’s gonna be that type of night, huh?” Gravel and grit scrape off my tone.
“I actually wanted to talk to you.” Her soft voice snuffs out the flame of desire.
“Ah, shit. Here we go.”
When her fist lightly punches my arm, the kitten meows at me for tipping sideways and dislodging him. “Knock it off. This is genuine.”
I rub at the sore spot. “Apologies. Please continue.”
Frankie huffs, but settles deeper into the cushions. “I’ve been on my own for so long. Those dark roads are shitty company. It sucks having no one to miss. I don’t want to be alone anymore.”
My blink is slow. The math isn’t mathing. “But this isn’t about sex?”
She pinches the bridge of her nose. “You’re my boyfriend, okay? I’m making it official.”
“Ohhhh,” I breathe. “You really like me.”
“And for the record, this is exclusive. If you so much as look at another woman—”
“I won’t,” I cut in.
“But if you do, I’ll—”
“Chop off my balls,” I finish for her.
Frankie gives a sharp nod. “Damn straight.”
“Well, if I catch a guy anywhere near what’s mine—”
“I’ll punch him in the throat.” She mimics the action to avoid any confusion.
Offense grunts out of me. “But his balls are safe?”
“Figured you’d do the honors of crushing those.”
“It’s a deal.” I grab her hand, threading our fingers together. “We’re doing this.”
“Afraid so, honey.”
I falter, letting my jaw unhinge. “Honey?”
Her shrug is completely unbothered. “I’m stuck with you, right? Might as well call it what it is.”
“Damn, that’s almost sweet.”
She plops a kiss on my cheek. “You’re welcome, honey.”
“Gotta admit, I don’t hate it.”
“That’s a first,” she laughs.
“Never hated you,” I grumble.
Her palm squeezes mine. “You have a weird way of showing it.”
“A man has to protect himself when attacked from all angles.” I glance at a lump along the seam of her leggings, willing to bet there’s a knife stored in a secret compartment.
“Seemed too good to be true.” Frankie hums thoughtfully and studies me for a moment. “I never thought I’d have this.”
My heart strums to a faster beat. “I didn’t plan on ever having it again.”
She gazes at me like her wheels are spinning over something heavy, but it’s not ready to be spoken aloud quite yet. “What’s something you’ve always wanted to do, but haven’t had the chance?”
I grin at the choice of topic. “Ride a motorcycle.”
“No way!” Her loud blurt startles Tux, but he just curls himself into a tighter ball. “You’ve never been on a motorcycle?”
“Thought about buying one when I was younger. Once Ronnie was born, it didn’t seem practical.”
“Such a good dad,” she croons.
“Babies and bikes don’t mix.”
Frankie rolls her eyes. “Depends who you ask.”
“How old were you?”
“Too young to remember. Like Ronnie and her horses.”
“We’re all a bit reckless in our own way,” I chuckle. “Okay, your turn. What’s something else you haven’t done but want to?”
She chomps on her bottom lip. “Promise not to laugh?”
“I’ll do my best.”
Her gaze drops to our clasped palms. “I’ve never had someone hold me without expecting more. Could you do that for me?”
My tongue swells and I can’t get a word out. “You want to… cuddle?”
“For fuck’s sake. Forget I asked,” she growls. “We’re about to have a bad misunderstanding and those never end well.”
Before she can leap off the couch, I’m cinching an arm around her waist and tucking her into my side.
The cat screeches, turning into a damn loofah.
He darts off in a hissy fit that would usually impress Frankie.
But instead, the feisty redhead is deathly still against me.
I’m not even sure she’s breathing. Her rapid pulse is a spooked animal about to flee.
My hand coasts along her rigid frame, trying to ease her into it.
A sputtered exhale loosens in the strain in her limbs.
After another minute of sturdy coaxing, she slumps against me.
“Are you good?”
Frankie’s next breath is raspy. “Yes.”
“Is this okay?”
Her nod is slow but noticeable. “It’s… nice.”
“What you wanted?”
She swallows audibly. “Even better.”
My grip tightens slightly. “I’ll hold you whenever you allow it.”
“Might happen often if this is how it feels.” She tilts her head back until our eyes connect. “Don’t tell anyone about this.”
“Wouldn’t dare, menace.” I reach for the remote and hand it to her.
“Smart man.” Frankie snuggles closer while changing the channel. “Just soak it in, stud.”
Some cheesy dating show appears on the screen. Not that I’m paying much attention one way or another. My focus is consumed by the woman in my arms and the dreamy smile curling her lips. I toy with her fingers just to touch her in more places.
Her sigh of contentment might as well be a siren’s song. “Who takes care of you?”
“Are you offering?” I shift us lower on the couch into a more comfortable position.
She hums her approval and nuzzles against me as if I’m her pillow. “Thinking so. This feels right.”
My chest expands on a long inhale, filling my lungs with relief. “Does that mean I get to take care of you?”
“That’s up to you, honey.” Frankie pats my abs, which flex under her caress. “But I’ll tell you what. I could fall asleep like this.”
And then my cheek rests on her forehead, connecting us at another point. “Don’t let me stop you.”
When I wake up in the morning, I’m by myself on the couch and the house is too quiet. Even the animals aren’t making any noise. It reminds me of the desolate months when happiness didn’t bounce off the walls. I’d become accustomed to the silence and assumed that’s how it would remain.
But now, my heart lurches in the stillness. I can’t wait for my girls to get home. Their near-constant eruptions of chaos are the only cure for my battered soul.