Page 48 of Keystrokes and Kittens

“Oh my God.” Sam rubbed his eyes. “Tell me she did not just say that.”

“They adults, Sam. They’re going to have sex. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Now, if you want them to stay in separate bedrooms while they’re here—”

He groaned. “Why did you invite them?”

I shut the laptop and switched off the camera. “Do you not want them here?”

“Uh…” He opened his eyes. “I really was trying to say you’re my friend. Because you are my friend. And we haven’t defined this relationship.” He gestured between the two of us.

“Do we need a definition?” I shrugged. “Look, I did marriage and traditional and prescribed roles, and that didn’t work for me. Now I’m willing to try something less…structured. Unless you need more—”

He shook his head. “This is enough.” He pointed to the kittens and then waved his hand back and forth between the two of us.“I don’t think I can take on any more than I’m already coping with.”

“So, don’t. Although you might want to bring some more clothes. Another six weeks is going to go by in a blur. Before you know it, the kittens will be litter trained, eating solid food, playing with Tibby, and your niece will be here with her boyfriend.”

“Don’t remind me.” He rubbed his forehead. “This…feels like a nightmare.”

“It feels like Quinta is growing up. Look, it’s so clear to me that she’s a well-rounded and articulate woman who knows herself. Now, some of that is probably genetics. And her parents would’ve been influential in her early years. But how she deals with life now? That’s entirely you.”

He blinked at me. “You think?”

“I know. I’m pretty sure Desiree agrees with me.” Sam had relayed their conversation to me as I’d set up the camera, and I’d been in agreement with the woman’s assessment of everything—including Quinta staying in LA.

A chuckle escaped him. “Desiree is thinking very highly of you these days.” He gestured toward the kittens. “I think they like you too.”

I smiled. “I’m not sure they have an opinion. I feed them.”

“You do more than feed them.” Sam leaned against me. “You take care of them. You take care of me. That can’t be easy.”

Gently, I wrapped my arm around him. “Easiest thing in the world. You are an uncomplicated man to care for.” I almost saidlove, but I didn’t figure that would go over too well this early into the relationship.

He gazed down at me. Just that couple of inches made a difference. I hadn’t often been with guys who were taller than me. I’d usually taken the role of comforter rather than the one being taken care of. That had always been fine with me.I was strong. I didn’t have trauma in my past that made me vulnerable. Some people created outer shells to protect themselves from having to endure pain again. Whether because of Quinta—or just because of his inherently gentle nature—Sam wasn’t like that at all. At least with me, he wore his heart on his sleeve. “You ready for bed?” I held him a little closer.

“Could we, uh, cuddle for a bit?”

I blinked. “Of course. Why don’t we move the crate back to the great room? You and I can cuddle. And watch an episode. Or not. Then you need to head to bed. I’ll walk Tibby and then take care of the kittens.”

Slowly, he nodded. “I feel like I should be doing more.”

“You’re doing everything you can, Sam. Which is all anyone can ask of you. We’ll get through this.” My confidence was increasing by leaps and bounds. Not just because Peaches and Jack were making such progress, but because Sam was opening himself up to me. To my subtle shows of affection. I didn’t want to test boundaries. That was up to him. I just wanted to let him know that the option of more—however he envisioned it—was on the table.

And as we snuggled together, and watched another episode of our British crime drama, relaxation overtook me. The sense of rightness in our situation. I wanted him to feel he could always come to me. That I’d hold the trust he bestowed and would take care of him.

Slowly, inch by inch, I was envisioning a future for us. I had no idea what that might look like. I figured I had until the Fourth of July to convince him that we were meant to be together.

Chapter Thirteen

Sam

The next couple weeks passed in a blur of feedings, cuddles, work, and…something less describable.

Soren was the model of patience. Since the kittens were getting bigger, we were able to spread out the feedings a bit more. Their eyes had opened, with the bluest of blue, and Soren cooed over them all the time. His love for them was so clear.

Probably as obvious as my own.

As I’d accepted Quinta wasn’t coming home, I’d placed an online ad for a couple of part-time employees. Or a full-time one, if that was possible.

Cody landed in my lap.