“No,” Vic said again. “No pets.”
A slight pout made Matt’s chin tremble. “But whatabout—”
“No.” Vic shook his head, adamant. “Be reasonable,Matty. Both of us work full-time, and it wouldn’t be fair to anyanimal to be left locked up in this small apartment all day long.We’d have to feed it, take it to the vet’s, take it on walks—”
“Cats don’t go on walks.” A sparkle lit up Matt’sbright green eyes, twinkling them. “But a dog…now that might be fun.”
But Vic just turned back to his plate, unmoved. “No.We don’t have a yard for it to run around in, and neither of usreally have the time. A pet is a lot of responsibility and you know it. They’re likekids, almost. Kids with fur.”
Matt leaned closer to rest his chin on Vic’sshoulder. Pursing his lips, he blew gently into his lover’s ear, agesture that did wicked things to Vic below the cinched belt of hisrobe. When his dick jumped in interest, it brushed against Matt’sfingertips, causing his lover to push it down playfully. “You likekids,” he purred.
“No, I don’t,” Vic corrected.
“They like you.” Matt lay his head on Vic’s shoulderand snuggled up to him as he watched Mrs. K’s cat. The salmon haddisappeared—all that remained was a circle of half-chewed,discarded pieces that ringed the plate. Bits stuck in the fur onthe cat’s chin and chest. Licking its lips, the cat abandoned itsempty plate and turned its attention to Vic’s instead. Withouthesitation it approached Vic’s arm, then butted its head againsthis wrist in a show of affection that ended with it stretched outbeside him, covering half the newspaper Vic had been trying toread. The glare Vic threw its way went ignored as the cat began togroom itself, noisily licking one paw several times before brushingit back over one ear, then repeating the process.
With a snicker, Matt added, “Animals like you, too.Must be your charming personality.”
Vic gave him a deadly scowl that Matt just laughedaway. “It’s just something to think about,” he said, kissing Vic’scheek. “I’m not saying let’s run out and buy something today. I’msaying let’s not write it off just yet, that’s all. Don’t say nountil we talk it through and decide on it together.”
“My noes always turn to yeses around you,” Vicgrumbled.
That earned him a heady kiss, this one on the lips,with a hint of tongue that promised so much more.
* * * *
After breakfast, Matt cleared away the plates whileVic fought a silent battle of wills with the cat, who stretched outacross the open newspaper, making it impossible to turn the page.Vic tried anyway, covering the cat with the sheet of newsprint, buthe hadn’t begun to read the story on the other side when the catbegan chewing at the paper. “Get off my table,” Vic admonished,slapping the table near the cat’s tail.
The cat stared at him, unperturbed, then resumedwashing itself.
Matt laughed as he sidled up to Vic’s chair. “Is thebig, bad kitty cat bothering you?” he teased, easing an arm aroundVic’s shoulders in a half-hug.
“The big, bad kitty cat’s going to find his furry assdumped on the floor in a minute,” Vic growled.
The cat ignored his threat and sat up a little tobegin licking its belly. One graceful hind leg rose in the air, andthe faint slurping sounds the cat made as it cleaned itself soundedgross. But when Vic made a move to pick up the cat, its muffledpurr turned to a low growl that ended in a hiss seconds before Vicpulled his hands back.
With a look of resignation at his lover, Vic askedMatt, “See what you started?”
“Leave it alone,” Matt said, tugging on Vic’s robe.“We were heading back to bed, weren’t we? Unless you have somethingelse in mind. The shower, perhaps? Or hey, how about here?”
His hand rubbed down the front of Vic’s chest to fistaround the knotted tie that held his robe together. Deft fingersworked the fabric free, then delved beneath the flannel panels totickle over Vic’s muscled belly. Vic sat back in the chair asMatt’s hand danced across his stomach and chest, tweaking onenipple when his finger caught on the hoop pierced through it.Leaning against his lover, Vic wrapped an arm around Matt’sdenim-clad thigh and his hand angled between Matt’s legs to pressup against the seat of his ass. As Matt bent down to claim a kiss,Vic murmured, “You know it’s watching us.”
Matt snickered. “It’s a cat. What, do you think it’sgoing to tell Mrs. K everything it sees once she gets back?”
Vic didn’t answer and Matt leaned into their kiss,pinning Vic back to the chair. His hand dipped down over the slightpaunch at Vic’s abdomen and below his smooth pubic mound to graspat the semi-erect length between his legs. Vic’s meaty cock jumpedinto Matt’s hand, and his lover moaned into their kiss as Mattmassaged his firm length. ::Here’sfine,:: Vic admitted, sinking down in his seat and spreadinghis legs to allow Matt access to his most intimate spot.
But when Matt cupped his balls, Vic froze. Matt’smouth brushed against the side of his lover’s face as Vic turnedaway. “What?”
A furrow creased Vic’s brow. “Mrs. K.”
With a bark of laughter, Matt stood and leaned backagainst the kitchen table, his hand still lost in the folds ofVic’s robe. “Way to spoil the mood, Romeo. She’s not exactly on mymind when we’re getting it on. Is this about the cat? Because wecan still go to the bedroom if you want.”
Vic shook his head. Extracting Matt’s hand frombetween his legs, he raised it to his lips and kissed his lover’sknuckles. “No, I mean she’s headed back. I just picked up on herthoughts as she turned onto the street.”
Matt sighed. “Which means now I have to wait.”
Every Saturday, their landlady went grocery shopping.Before Matt had come into Vic’s life, Mrs. K used to leave thegroceries in her car and stop at Vic’s door to ask if he’d helpher. Now with Vic’s telepathic ability, he anticipated her arrivaland met her at the curb to help carry her groceries up the stairsto her third floor apartment. His super strength made it easy—nomatter how many
