Page 40

Chapter Sixteen

Something soft brushed against my ankle, making me jump. I opened my eyes to see the dainty black cat rubbing up against my ankle. He weaved in between my legs, rubbing up against the other ankle.

Bright green eyes blinked up at me adoringly as he started to purr.

“Pretty boy,” I cooed as I lowered my hand from my stinging face.

I squatted down, brining myself closer to the little beast. His bright eyes watched me with an intelligence no animal I’d met before possessed. I rubbed my hand over his soft fur, scratching behind his ears and making him purr louder.

“He likes you,” Dash said quietly from behind me. I didn’t jump or flinch at his sudden appearance.

“He’s a cute kitty.”

A zip lock bag filled with ice cubes appeared in front of my face. I took it from him with a mumbled thanks and pressed it to my cheek. The cold made me flinch, but I didn’t pull it away. I didn’t want a swollen cheek for the rest of the day or all of tomorrow.

“He hates Abel and Addison.” He shared with me. “I don’t know why but when those two come over he goes into hiding. He doesn’t like Damien, either. He doesn’t hide when Damien comes over though, instead he comes out and makes a point to hiss at him.”

I would have said the adorable little cat probably didn’t like people who sucked but the Salt and Pepper twins didn’t suck. However, Damien did.

“What’s his name?” I asked as I continued to scratch the cat behind the ears.

“Binx.”

I paused in petting his cat so I could tilt my head back and look up at him.

“Like the cat from Hocus Pocus?” I asked in a surprised voice. When he nodded I couldn’t help the giggle that escaped me. “You named your cat after a cat in a witch movie.”

“It’s a Halloween movie, actually,” he replied. “And that cat kicked ass.”

I agreed with him a hundred percent. It was still kind of funny.

“She should never have touched you,” he cursed under his breath. “If she wasn’t such a bitch, I might feel sorry for her.”

“What do you mean?” I questioned him. She didn’t get her cards read and Quinton had wrestled her out the front door and that had been that. Right? That didn’t sound like something to feel sorry for her over, she’d had that coming.

Dash looked at me oddly, like he’d never seen me before.

“I like this,” he blurted.

I tilted my head to the side and frowned. “Like what?” I asked in confusion.

“This,” he declared as he waved his hand towards my body, making me catch my breath. “How sweet and innocent you are. I haven’t had a lot of sweet and innocent in my life. I’m thinking my luck has finally changed and I couldn’t be happier about it.”

I gaped at him.

He liked me?

Dash? Dash Flynn liked me?

Could this day get any weirder?

Answer: yes. Always. I should never ask that question. You would think I’d know better by now.

Binx rubbed his head against my still hand, demanding my attention once more. I gave his head a little pat and stood up.

Dash hovered over me, too close for comfort. I took a step back. He took a step forward, invading my space.

“Do you like it here, in my home?” He demanded to know.