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“What, just because you suck at this game?” The wine has loosened my tongue, and I smirk at him. “Maybe you just don’t like being bested by a puny-ass human, huh?”
“I am certain that is part of it,” he grumbles. He releases my hand, his fingers stroking over my skin in an almost-caress. “Very well, then. Take your foul winnings. I will not let such a thing happen again.”
I gather up the cards, giggling, and as I do, I realize I am hella drunk. I’m having too good of a time to care, though. The wine makes me feel good, I’m safe for the first time in what feels like forever, and I’m playing cards with a friend.
Totally don’t hate it.
We play another round, and I win the stack again, his hand landing over mine a split second too late once more. Just like last time, his hand lingers over mine. And it happens again. And again.
After the fourth time, I give him a suspicious look. “Are you losing deliberately just so you can touch me?”
“I would never.” He huffs, but his neck-mane doesn’t puff up like it does when he’s truly irritated.
I just roll my eyes. “You’re a bad liar.”
“And you are very drunk.”
“Not too drunk to kick your ass at Slapjack!”
He grins, looking feral and strangely attractive. “This is true.”
We play for a while longer, but I fully admit I lose track of time. I talk a ton of shit to Nassakth and laugh far too much. He’s got half a glass of wine left, and I keep trying to drink my empty one, so he switches with me and I finish off his drink. After a while, my eyelids get heavy and my reflexes slow down, and then it’s my hand landing on top of his big one, and I stroke the furry back of it with a yawn.
“Now I officially think I’ve had too much wine,” I announce. I push my chair back and jump to my feet, and immediately wobble.
Nassakth reaches an arm out and catches me, chuckling. “Where are you going?”
“To bed, of course.” It makes perfect sense in my foggy mind, and I peer at my unfamiliar surroundings. Hmm. Lots of green. I squint. “Where is bed again?”
He rumble-purrs with laughter, a sound I like very much. “Come. Let me show you.”
Instead of taking me by the hand, though, he scoops me up into his arms like I’m a bride he’s about to carry over the threshold. The world spins around me, and I close my eyes and bury my face against his furry neck. He’s soft and touchable, and I decide I like his mane. It reminds me of a lion, but like…cuddlier. “Nice kitty,” I whisper, petting him.
Nassakth just sighs. “Very, very drunk. I must be more careful giving my little human wine.”
“But it was soooo yummy.” I’m not even mad.
He carries me through the house and I vaguely recognize the room he stops in. “Oh right. The pizza bed.”
“Pizza…bed?”
“Like a lonely pepperoni,” I say as he sets me down atop the fluffy mattress. I crawl into the middle and flop down as he stands by the edge, looking for the divot where he normally sleeps.
“Do I even want to know what a pepperoni is?”
“Only the best pizza topping ever, duh.” I lie flat on my back, wiggling, and my eyes are so, so heavy. It feels good to lie down, and I feel around for the covers. When I don’t find any, I squint one eye at him. “Where’s my blankets?”
“I do not have any.” He gestures at his body. “I have fur. There is no need for a blanket.”
I shiver. How can you have this kick-ass bed and no blankets? It’s criminal! “Well how am I supposed to sleep if I turn into an icicle?” Now that I know there are no blankets, I feel colder by the moment. I roll onto my side and look at him. He’s blurry thanks to the wine, but he looks warm and inviting, so I pat the mattress. “C’mere, kitty.”
“Kim?” There’s a question in his voice.
“You’re gonna be my blanket. Get in this bed.” I pat it again.
He hesitates, but only for a moment. Then, he strips off his fitted tunic and belt, kicks off his shoes, and climbs into bed next to me. Nassakth lies on his side, watching me. “Better?”
I nod, yawning, and scoot over the rest of the distance between us. I tuck myself against his fluffy mane as if he’s a pillow, curling my hands in his fur and pressing myself to his chest. I push one knee between his and worm my way against him until I’m completely warm and comfy. Oh yeah, much better.
“Kim?” he asks, voice a husky whisper.
“Shhh,” I tell him drunkenly. I reach up and put a finger on his mouth, even though it takes a few tries to find it and I mostly stab him in the face with my finger. “Now we sleep.”
