AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The hum and near burn of contact darkened my mood even further. I quickly snatched my hand out of his, swung my bag over my shoulder, and stalked for the door.
A huge window took up most of the front of the building. It was decorated with hearts and flowers in colorful window paint. Balloons decorated the door and were also tied to one of those chalkboard sandwich boards. A rather realistic drawing of a kitten peeked from the corner with an invitation to come inside for the speed dating event.
I could feel him looming behind me, so I glanced back. “I suppose it’s only natural they need to use animals to help humans hook up.”
Preston’s eyebrow lifted, but he just gave me an amused look. And again, he managed to get around me to open the door, dammit.
The little clinic was bustling with people. The air was a bit antiseptic with a soothing overlay of lavender. As a mystical sort, I approved of the soothing use of essential oils, especially for something as nerve-inducing as meet and greets.
Secondary approval for the fact that lavender was one of the few essential oils safe for cats. It was amazing how many people could poison their animals with the essential oils craze that had taken over the world.
A short line of people were waiting to be checked in, and little pens were set up with blankets and toys for the supposed meet and greet areas. Before I could open my mouth and ask more questions, PMS took my hand and we wove around to another desk lined with pamphlets, fancy cat food adverts, and various medicines that I’d never heard of.
“I’d like to check in, and I’ve got a plus one.”
The woman behind the desk gave him a wide smile and fluttered her astoundingly fake lashes at him. Her friendly factor dimmed a few notches when she noticed me.
“Of course, Mr. Shaw.” Her fingers flew over her keyboard.
They knew him here? Just how many times had he done this kind of thing?
“I am not your plus one. How does that even work with speed dating—” I stopped short.
No way would he be into that… Or would he? How well did I know him, after all?
I swallowed and refused to assess the quick prick of sweat forming between my boobs. “Look, I’m open-minded, but I’m not really into the poly thing.”
The woman glanced up from her computer, her mouth dropping open.
Preston cleared his throat. “Do you have another application, Tracy?”
“Yes, of course.”
He handed her his sheet and the card he’d somehow whipped out when I wasn’t paying attention. “You can put both on my card.”
I lifted my chin. “I told you I can pay my own way.”
“It’s fine. My treat.”
I elbowed him out of the way as I dug into my bag. “I don’t need you to.”
He blocked me with a clipboard. “Fill that out.”
Seething, I grabbed the board and automatically filled in my details. It was a pretty clever questionnaire, to be honest. “Wait, what does this mean, ‘are you willing to take on a special needs kitten?’”
He snatched the board out of my hand and scribbled something on it in that slashing way he had. He smiled at Tracy and took my hand again. “We’ll just wait over there for things to start.”
“Right.” Her huge, overdone eyes kept darting between us and narrowed at our joined fingers.
I almost shook him off, but something wouldn’t let me. I didn’t have time to psychoanalyze my reaction before he hustled me to the side of the room near the windows. Now that I wasn’t huffing across the parking lot, I noticed cats of all different types and ages were climbing, playing, and sleeping in the little atrium. The most elaborate cat tree I’d ever seen filled the entire room.
“Pretty amazing, aren’t they?” His arm slid along my back as he braced himself behind me.
I looked up automatically. Preston’s face was too close, but there wasn’t much room since everyone in the room practically had their noses pressed to the glass. Our height difference yet again had my stupid hormones doing the samba. And the stupid ocean-tinged scent he wore was distracting as hell.
And why was he getting all up in my business anyway? He was the one who wanted us to strictly remain in our boss-employee roles. At least I thought it was mostly his idea. Okay, and I guess it had been mine too.
Except we kept kissing, and that was not entirely my fault. Then he dragged me here to this damn dating thing, and now he was definitely encroaching on my freaking personal space.
