Page 61 of From the Embers

He pulls me into his arms and we hold each other for a long time, before he pulls back he cups my face. “Permission to kiss you?”

I smile softly. “You always have permission to kiss me.”

You don’t have to tell Denver twice. His lips find mine in an instant, dusting over me, soft at first, controlled. But as I press my body to his, we quickly become intense. We may be new to this, but kissing him feels like everything I never knew I needed. It feels right. Everything with him does.

He pulls back to look at me. “That’s better.”

“It sure is. I’m glad you came over, D.”

“Thank you for not slamming the door in my face.”

I’m about to reply when a big meow breaks our little reunion and makes us both laugh. “He’s getting impatient,” I say. “And for the record, I’d never slam a door in your face.”

“Phew for that.” He gives me a cheeky wink and unzips the pet carrier. It takes a second or two for a little furry head to peek out. “Come on, Bodes, come say hello to Adelaide.”

I giggle watching him. It’s pretty darned cute, the two of them. Now they’re here together, I can totally see Denver as a cat dad. “He’s a little shy,” I observe. “It’s understandable in a new place.”

“Once you get to know him, he’ll love you.”

“Hopefully he won’t hiss at me like he did with, um—her.”

Denver shakes his head. “No, I don’t think he’d ever do that to you. I think she saw Bodhi as a bit of a nuisance. Cats pick up on vibes like that.”

“No way.” I lean towards the pet carrier where Bodhi is taking a curious look around. His shiny, dark eyes rest on mine like he’s trying to figure me out. “You could never be a nuisance, Bodhi-boo-boo.”

A laugh erupts from Denver that I wasn’t expecting. “What did you just call my cat?”

I repeat the Bodhi-boo-boo, and Denver laughs again, just the same as before.

“I think he likes it,” I say, testing the waters and reaching my closed fist to him so he can smell it. I know you’re supposed to do that to dogs rather than trying to pat their heads, but I’m not sure if it works the same with cats. Bodhi sniffs my hand and then gives my knuckles a little lick.

“See!” I can’t contain my smile.

“Maybe you’re right.” Denver sits back on his heels. “Do you want to come out, Bodes? Don’t be shy now.”

There’s no movement still so Denver reaches in to pull Bodhi out and snuggles him to his chest as I watch the two of them. It’s so, so cute. “Hello, I’m Adelaide,” I say.

Denver waves his paw. “I’m Bodhi,” he chimes in a funny voice, making us both laugh.

“He sure is a cutie.”

“Just like his dad, clearly.” Denver winks.

I roll my eyes with amusement. “Can I pet him?”

“Yes. He won’t bite your fingers off, I don’t think.”

I give Denver a shove in the shoulder. “He looks pretty placid to me.” I gently reach out and give him a little rub under the chin. He seems to like that as he watches me.

“He’s pretty chill,” Denver says.

I advance to stroking him on the head after a minute or two, and he really does seem to like it. Maybe I have the knack after all. “What would you and your dad like to do?” I ask, my eyes flicking up to Denver. Right away I see there’s a little fire in those beautiful irises.

“Anything with you,” he replies with a mischievous smile.

“Why don’t we set Bodhi up comfy on the couch and we can have a glass of wine and watch some TV or a movie?”

“Sounds good.”