Page 75 of Cat’s Guide To Romance

“Wonderful.” Lucien laughs, making me bounce, which makes me laugh.

His hand slides into my hair, and he scratches between my ears. Immediately I start purring, which probably doesn’t help my argument that I appreciate him for more than convenient magic and excellent petting skills.

Neither of us speaks for a while. I don’t know what time it is, and I don’t particularly care. There’s nowhere I need to be. I stretch across Lucien before lifting my head. He’s watching me with a soft expression that makes my stomach flip.

“What?” I ask, propping my chin on his chest.

“Nothing.” He smiles and brushes my hair away from my face. “I like waking up with you.”

My ears warm, and I try not to let the simple admission turn me into a puddle on top of him. “I like waking up with you, too.”

Something occurs to me. I push myself upright again, making Lucien blink up at me.

“What?” Lucien tries to grab me to pull me back to him, but I have to get this out.

“You’ve been taking me on all the dates.” I sit back enough that the blanket pools around my waist while Lucien watches me suspiciously.

His expression clears. “Obviously. I’m wooing you.”

I chew on a nail and refuse to look at him. “Maybe I want to woo you.”

Lucien’s fingers stop moving. I’ve actually stunned him.

“You want to woo me?” His eyebrows lift as if I’ve just suggested something completely absurd.

“Yes.” I nod and it’s probably more enthusiastic than I should be.

“But I’m wooing you.”

“I know.” Laughing, I plant one hand on his chest and lean over him. “I know.”

He still looks confused, which only makes me smile wider. I run one finger down the center of his chest before leaning down to kiss him. Lucien’s hands settle automatically at my waist, and I let the kiss linger before pulling back just enough to meet his eyes.

“You’ve been trying really hard to make me happy,” I say, running my thumb over his cheek. “You don’t have to try so hard, though. I am happy. And I want to make you happy, too.”

That shuts him up. Something vulnerable flashes across his face before he covers it with his usual smile. His hands tighten slightly around my waist as he murmurs, “Darlin’, you already do.”

My purr starts again. I press my forehead against his and close my eyes for a second, letting myself enjoy the warmth of his hands against me. “Still taking you on a date.”

“When?” Lucien asks, his tail sliding lazily over my ankle beneath the blankets.

“Tomorrow.”

Lucien’s tail gives an amused little flick. “What should I wear?”

“Something comfortable.”

Recognition immediately flashes across his face. He squints up at me, and I know exactly what he’s thinking before he says my name in that suspicious tone. “Sparkle.”

“Lucien.”

“You’re using my own lines against me.”

“Yep.”

His grin grows until I can see the tips of his fangs. He pulls me closer and I’m sprawled over his chest again, clearly far too pleased with this development. “I think I like being wooed.”

“You haven’t even gone on the date yet.” I give his cheek a peck.