To Hiss or to Kiss (12 page)

I can tell by her tone she isn’t going to let it drop. “Busted. I had help.”

“Gonna tell me who?”

“I’d rather not.”

Another pause on her end of the line. “I can respect that. But, Chloe, be careful. Don’t do anything rash. I know you want to save the dogs, but you also know we can’t save them all. We can only do our best.”

“I know. But I have to try my best.”

Barb sighs. “Just be careful.”

“I will.” I hope it’s a promise I can keep.

“And, Chloe? You sound good. Happy.”

I smile, thinking of Jorge. “I am.”

“Good.”

“Thanks, Barb. And I’ll be careful with the dog situation. Don’t worry.”

“Thanks for the info. Keep me posted if you get anything else, and I’ll let you know if anything happens on this end.”

“Thanks, Barb. Bye.”

“Bye.”

I feel giddy that Barb can hear my happiness. That probably explains why everyone at work has been staring a bit too much at me today. I must be radiating it.

And even though I’m worried about the dogs and distressed that things aren’t progressing much with the authorities, I can’t stop smiling. Good thing I have another five minutes to daydream about a certain jaguar man before I have to get back to work. I don’t even blush at my lascivious thoughts.

Chapter Nine

When I get home a little before five thirty, Jorge’s car is already parked out front. I felt confident after the encouragement from Naomi, but my nerves kick into hyperdrive as I pull into my garage.

When I open the front door, he is leaning casually against one of the posts on the porch. He looks stunning in black jeans and a blue polo shirt. The sun caresses his olive skin so that it practically glows. I look presentable, having worn my favorite dark blue skirt and a flattering floral shirt with capped sleeves. And based on the heated look in Jorge’s eyes, I did pretty well picking out my outfit. Although maybe what I wear doesn’t really matter.

“A bit impatient to see me?” I diffuse my nerves with humor. It doesn’t really work. I’ve got good and bad butterflies all through my gastrointestinal tract.

Jorge gives me a devastating grin, standing up straight. “No use denying it when I’m that obvious.”

Oh, look at him being all smooth. And there goes a stomach flip-flop. “Well, come in then.” I throw the door open, then step back so he can enter. Sashi immediately comes toward him and hisses. “She’s not big on other cats.”

“I get that. She’ll get used to me, I’m sure, if she lives with another.”

“Probably. Just don’t try to be the boss cat.”

He smirks and growls a little in Sashi’s direction, but she stands her ground and growls back.

Jorge chuckles. “I like her spunk.” He reaches down to pet her, and Sashi graciously allows him to. Then she walks over and jumps up to her favorite spot on the back of the couch.

“Enoki will probably surface later. Or maybe on another visit.”

“He orange and white? Cause he’s peeking around the corner there.” Jorge points to the entrance to the kitchen, and sure enough there is Enoki.

“Guess he’s too curious to stay hidden.” I can’t hide the surprise in my voice. Enoki has never come out on the first visit with anyone. Maybe it’s a sign that this really is meant to be.

“Probably already figured out Sashi put me in my place.”

“Well, feel free to bond while I go change out of my work duds.” I head toward the stairway.

“I’d rather come watch you.” His voice lowers and I feel a blush rise.

My stomach starts to flip-flop again, but I just keep walking and don’t say anything. A little surge of power at his obvious attraction almost makes my sudden shyness dissipate. I glance over my shoulder at him and challenge him to follow me with my eyes.

I’m not really all that surprised that he follows me. It makes the butterflies go all aflutter and my pulse jumps. I’m not sure how I manage to make it up the stairs without tripping.

After entering my bedroom, I start pulling out a pair of jeans and a T-shirt from the assortment of clothes in the laundry basket sitting on my dresser
.
At least it’s up off the floor.

Jorge is right on my heels. I wink at him. “I see you’ve got no manners. Oh wait, you’re a cat. Forgot they need to keep tabs on everyone.” As if to prove my point, Sashi sashays into the room, followed by Enoki, who darts under the bed, his safe place to watch the goings on.

“You didn’t say no.” He shrugs, his eyes scanning the room
.

Well now he knows I’m a slob. At least I made the bed today.

He points at the packed overnight bag I left by my bed. “Planning to go somewhere for a while?”

“Maybe.” I slip off my heels, and then my skirt and blouse. I try desperately not to blush—again—at the way Jorge’s eyes are eating me up. I might be succeeding. He has, after all, seen me naked more than once. But there is something erotic about doing something so ordinary as changing clothes while he watches.

“And you say I have no manners.” He shakes his head in mock disapproval as he sinks down on the bed. His eyes never leave me as I move about. “You didn’t even ask if you could stay over again.”

I smile, making sure my ass is toward him when I bend to pick up the jeans I
conveniently
put on the floor after I pulled them out of the basket. “I figured it was a standing invite after Saturday night.”

“Cheeky. No pun intended.”

I look over my shoulder to see him indicating my ass as I rise, jeans in hand. I’m definitely blushing now, but also feel an additional surge of adrenaline as my pulse races.

“Ha-ha.” I pull up the jeans and then lean for the T-shirt, also
conveniently
dropped on the floor.

“I think you will grow to love my humor.”

I laugh. “And you’ll grow to love my cheekiness.”

“I already do.”

I almost get lost trying to pull the T-shirt over my head
.
Is that the same as saying he loves me? No, probably not. I shake my head as I pull the shirt down, trying to quell my rising panic. I whisper “it’s nothing” and “this is a good thing” to myself in a mantra, even though I’m not even sure exactly what I’m trying to reassure myself of—that he loves me or that I’m reading too much into his words.

I walk over to sit on the bed and reach for the black boots I’d left there haphazardly when I’d gotten into pjs last night. Jorge’s gaze heats my back as I put them on. I stand. “Done being a voyeur?” Damn, that came out a little too bitchy. Just breathe, Chloe.

Jorge grins, obviously seeing through my bravado or lack thereof. “Not hardly.” He stands up and grabs my bag. “I assume I should take this with us?” He arches his eyebrow, and I feel myself melt a bit more. That eyebrow is going to cause me problems.

I nod and head back to the living room. Since I can’t seem to rattle Jorge, I steel myself with a few deep breaths and then bring out playful, almost confident Chloe. It’s like a game. “Are you watching my ass?” I ask cheekily.
Cheeky
just might be my new favorite word.

“Mmm-hmm.” It comes out hungrily, so I do a little sashaying down the stairs.

“I need to refresh Sashi and Enoki’s food and water before we leave.” I head to the kitchen and set to work.

“That I probably don’t need to watch. I’ll just wait by the front door.”

Sashi and Enoki both come running at the sound of food, and I give them a little love while they eat. “I miss you guys sleeping on the bed with me.” I give them each a kiss on the head. Enoki doesn’t mind, but Sashi tries to duck in protest. “Yeah, yeah, yeah, Sashi, I know you hate it when I kiss you on the head.” I laugh as I succeed in trapping her head long enough for a quick kiss. She shoots me her annoyed look and gives me a decidedly perturbed meow as she breaks free, but she’s also purring, so I know she’s not really upset. “I love you, too, Sashi.” She tries to feign indifference but her motor’s still running, so I know better. I let her keep her pride, though. “Love you, Enoki.” I give him another pat, and he purrs too.

“Time for me to go.” I head back toward Jorge. He’s staring out the window and part of me just wants to stop and stare at his fine backside, but he hears my footsteps and looks up.
Bummer
. But his eyes are pretty good eye candy too, so it’s not so bad.

“Ready?”

“Yes, let’s go. I hope you’ve got something great planned for dinner. I’m starving and it’s a very inconvenient thirty minutes to your house.”

He opens the door and gestures for me to go first. “Nothing less than the best for you, my dear Chloe. And if it’s so inconvenient, perhaps you would like to cook for me next, and we will dine here.”

“We already had that conversation. I only do takeout.” I step into the car.

Jorge stores my bag in the backseat before getting in the driver’s side.

“But maybe you could talk me into buying you dinner.”

“Not necessary.” Possessiveness creeps into his voice. “I take care of my own.”

“So you own me now?” I shoot him a warning look.

“Yes.” He starts the car. Then he grins at me. “Gotcha.”

I swat his arm. “That is not funny!”

“I disagree.” He leans over to kiss my cheek, then leans back, his eyes suddenly intense. “But you are mine. Can you accept that?”

I look at him for what feels like forever. Can I? Part of me screams
yes
but the fear still whispers
no
in the back of my mind. I break eye contact. “We should probably go.”

Jorge sighs, but he starts to drive. “I’m not giving up.”

Part of me wants to drop my shields to see what’s going on in his head. I can feel his emotions swirling, as I’m sure he feels mine. In the end, I can’t bring myself to be that vulnerable, so instead of dropping my shields, I place my hand on his thigh. His body heat warms my hand, a contrast to the air-conditioning swirling around the car. He moves his hand on top of mine, squeezing gently. His palm is slightly roughened; his touch sends shivers through me. My heart thaws even as my fear-created wall cracks open a little bit wider. I swallow slowly, pushing out the panic that threatens to erupt.

He starts to caress the back of my hand with his thumb. I close my eyes and drift with the sensation. His unique smell of scotch and heather and man floats to me as I take a few deep breaths. Eventually I open my eyes and watch the scenery pass out the passenger window.

Once we’re on the freeway heading out of the city, Jorge brings me out of my reverie, his thumb still stroking softly. “So what did your humane society contact have to say?”

I shake my head a little, blinking a few times to clear my thoughts. “Barb says they are waiting on a warrant to allow more surveillance and evidence gathering. They don’t have enough to make any moves right now. Not even sure they have enough to get a warrant at this point.”

“That is unfortunate.” He squeezes my hand.

“Indeed. I passed along the info about the security system and what I could glean about the basement holding area from Gracie.”

“And will Barb be able to do anything with this info?”

“I honestly don’t know. I trust her with my secrets, so I know she won’t just spill them to anyone. She is intelligent and determined, so who knows what creative reason she’ll come up with to introduce the ideas into people’s heads.”

“Hmm…”

Silence rises between us. His eyes narrow in thought, a slight frown marring the smooth line of his cheek and jaw. I want to reach up and stroke his face, ease the frown away, but I can’t bring myself to move. Any bravado I had has deserted me. I am lost. How do I help the dogs? How do I have a relationship? Why do I even want a relationship? What is this man doing to me?
Fuck
.

Mercifully, he breaks my errant thoughts. “I hope your assessment of her talents is accurate. But I stand by my suggestion that we don’t rush into anything
.
”

I cling to the soapbox that is my conviction to save the dogs. I know how to do righteous indignation and stubborn willfulness. “But what if there is another fight? I can’t
not
do something if that happens.”

“I understand, but is your life worth exchanging for theirs? And would you even be able to make a difference?”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence.” I narrow my eyes at him and wonder if he feels my now icy glare.

Jorge sighs. “You know that’s not what I meant.”

After a pause, I blow out my breath. “Yeah, I know. I’m no covert operative.”

“We will keep our eyes open. Maybe we will see something that will help move the investigation along.” He squeezes the hand I haven’t managed to move from his thigh. “And you should keep talking to the dogs. You never know when you might get through to the others or trigger something in Gracie’s memories.”

I appreciate his optimism despite the bleak outlook. “Thanks.”

“In fact, I’ve been thinking about your range.” He steers to take the exit. “I think we should practice increasing the distance. If you can create this with your cats, then it stands to reason that you have the capacity with any animal.”

“You think? It’s never worked before.”

“I know, but have you ever explored any exercises or practices to enhance your psychic abilities?”

“Are you going to go all New Age on me?”

“More like old age. There is a long history of psychic arts, you know.”

“What, like witchcraft, voodoo?”

“Or Hinduism, Buddhism, Sufism, Christian mysticism. Pick a religious tradition and you’ll pretty much find something.”

“Hmm. I guess I’ve generally just eschewed religion. I’ve got no basis to even talk about this stuff.”

“Well, are you interested?”

“Maybe.”

“That was convincing.” He laughs.

“Yeah, yeah. So maybe we can start small. What do you suggest since I have no plans to become a religious scholar anytime soon?”

“How about some centering meditation?”

“How long do I have to do that for?” I groan, picturing myself seated with my legs crossed, index fingers curled to meet thumbs as the back of my hands rest on my knees. I’ve never been able to sit idly and quiet my thoughts. They invariably overrun my brain with things I’d rather not think about. It’s hard enough to fall asleep.