AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I drove home cautiously, as I usually did. Reid called it granny driving, and I parked on the dark drive. It was nothing special, a simple detached building with a big front and back yard and a white picket fence. Reid threatened to paint it black as a thumbs up to the cliché. The house had a wide space at the side, easily holding four cars. I got out of my car and walked to the front door.
On entering, I nearly tripped over Mr Snuggles, Dad’s Persian. Why on earth Dad had called the egotistical feline Mr Snuggles was a joke only my father had known. The cat wrapped around my ankles, and I bent down and picked him up. Mr Snuggles purred at me and then batted my nose with a pad.
“Hungry Ramses?” I asked. The little nose furrowed, and I got the dirtiest stare the cat had in his repertoire. Okay, so Mr Snuggles wouldn’t answer to Ramses. But I was damned if I would yell Mr Snuggles for my neighbours to hear when he needed to come home. I carried him into the kitchen and put him on the floor, keeping my balance as Mr Snuggles wrapped around my ankles again.
Quickly, I fed him, gave Mr Snuggles fresh water, and then checked the kitchen was tidy. It was a decent size, with an open dining area attached. Thank God it was clean. I stuck my head into the study and closed the door on it. Yeah, Jett didn’t need to see that mess. The lounge was also spotless, thanks to Reid.
Quickly running upstairs, I dumped the costume and grabbed a pair of loose black yoga pants and a tee. I pulled on fluffy socks and dragged a brush through my hair. I paused, wondering whether to put on something sexier and decided I was too worn out. Tonight, I needed comfort. Jett would have to lump it. The doorbell rang, and I hurried to answer it. Jett leaned against my cream-painted porch, juggling a colossal bucket of chicken and a crate of beers. He grinned and strolled towards me.
“Bought a large, didn’t see you eat much. What the fuck is that?” Jett demanded, sounding slightly alarmed as he peeked behind me. I knew without checking that Mr Snuggles had followed me to the door. I bit my lip and wondered how to introduce the cat.
“Don’t judge me,” I told Jett, and his left eyebrow rose. “This is Mr Snuggles. He was Dad’s. I’m trying to get him to answer to Ramses,” I blurted, and Jett’s mouth quirked in amusement.
“What type of feline is he?”
“Blue Persian. Ramses is okay with me but doesn’t like men,” I trailed off as Ramses threaded his way between Jett’s ankles.
“Yup, Mr Snuggles hates me” Jett chuckled, looking behind me at my open door.
“Oh hell, sorry, come in,” I stammered, shooting a glare at Ramses.
“Monty called his cat, Mr Snuggles?” Jett asked, amused still.
“Yeah. Dad claimed Ramses looked like a snuggly ball of fluff when he got him, and Dad didn’t enjoy picking names, so he stuck with Mr Snuggles. For his love of reading, Dad had little imagination,” I answered over my shoulder as I led Jett into the kitchen.
Jett placed the bucket of chicken down and picked up Ramses, who was attempting to haul himself up Jett’s jeans. The minute Ramses found himself in Jett’s arms, Ramses laid himself flat, showing his extremely fat, fluffy belly and expecting a rub. Jett obliged.
“Yeah, Mr Snuggles really hates men.” Jett grinned as a loud purr erupted through the kitchen.
“Ramses,” I snapped, mock glaring.
Jett smirked again. “For most cats, I’d agree with Ramses. Mr Snuggles is just emasculating, but it suits him.”
I dropped the mock glare and glared.
“Ramses,” I insisted, looking at the cat whose legs were splayed wide open, and his head laid back in the crook of Jett’s elbow. “Ramses is a whore; you’re a whore,” I said, pointing at Ramses’ nose. The cat shot me an evil stare and then continued his romance with Jett. I turned my back and pulled out two plates.
“Cutlery?” I questioned, happy to use my fingers. It was the proper way to eat chicken. Jett shrugged, put Ramses down on the floor, and washed his hands as I grabbed plates. He cracked a beer open and offered it to me. I accepted, even though I wasn’t a big beer drinker.
“Follow me,” I said, carrying the two plates and the bucket. With one foot, I kept Ramses out of the lounge as I set them down on my coffee table and, sitting down, I handed Jett a plate. Jett lifted the lid of the chicken, and my mouth watered. Jett nudged the bucket in my direction as he sat down on my couch, and I took three pieces and a bag of fries.
Happily, sinking my teeth into the chicken, I moaned out loud. I’d have to ask where Jett bought it from. It was so good! The coating was crunchy, just as I liked it, and the chicken was cooked through and through. I hated that sometimes you got that wishy-washy yukky chicken. This was good stuff.
“Okay?” Jett asked as he picked up five pieces and two bags of fries. He tipped them onto the plate and pulled out a side of coleslaw and corn on the cob. Jett offered me a cob, and I whipped it out of his hand and bit into it. He watched as I licked my lips intently, making me squirm under his stare.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I’m starving. Don’t think I ate today, and I love sweetcorn. Cobs with melted butter are one of my favourite foods ever,” I said to explain my greediness. Jett slowly smiled at me, and I relaxed.
“Noticed you ran on coffee, which is understandable, but eat tomorrow,” Jett replied. His smile disappeared, and a frown took its place. I blanched at Jett’s high-handed tone and bit into my chicken. Shy and socially inept, I may be, but I wasn’t a pushover. Greedily, I finished the food and looked at my laptop. Jett caught my glance.
“What’s up, honey?” Jett asked as I gave an uncomfortable wriggle.
“I wanted to check how the shop did today. Reid and I planned to check the reports tonight, but he’s run off to get laid.” I blushed as I said the last and cursed under my breath.
“Boot the laptop up, Sin. I’ll help,” Jett offered. Um, that wasn’t what I was getting at.
“Don’t worry, okay? I’ll review it tomorrow,” I replied, giving my laptop another yearning glance. Jett laughed, which made me curl my toes up, and I wondered what was wrong with me. A drop-dead gorgeous man was sitting on my couch, and all I could think of was my figures!
Unhappy with myself, I sighed. I’d not seriously dated, and so the feeling was new and uncomfortable. Yet another situation in which I didn’t understand how to react. Flustered, I shoved the laptop to one side and looked at Jett.
