Page 67 of Rival

“What’s goin’ on here?” I ask with crossed arms, still ignoring the pest currently trying to climb up my pant legs. With a bit of a shake, I dislodge him and smirk when he rolls away, only for him to come back twice as aggressively. “This cat hates me, you know?”

“I’m sorry.” She’s nervously wringing her hands together, then looks up at the sky to blink away her embarrassment over not being able to get up. Not with Austin practically asleep on her.

Lifting my chin toward him, I ask, “Want me to move him?”

“Uhh...” With a quick look at his face, she gives me a hopeful smile. “He’s alright. Unless you needed me to do something? You don’t have to pay me for this hour. I got done a bit early and your mother said I could come out here if I had no place to be.”

That reminds me. “Did you eat lunch with her? I told her you didn’t bring a bagagain. She should have fed you.”

Her cheeks pink up as she looks away. “Yeah, she made me. I’m going to make her cookies again as a thank you. They don’t have to feed me. I’m really fine.”

I’m sure her offer got my mom all thrilled and excited. She’s always been a person to express her love through food and the fact Edith seems to do the same is big in her book.

Austin snorts and bumps his nose against her chin. Reaching up, she strokes his head, and he settles back down.

“Ain’t he too heavy for you?”

“No, not at all. He’s really a sweet boy.” Her eyes are closed as she pets him, and I’m almost certain I’ve lost him to the girl. Peeking one eye open, she sees Billy continue to attack my boots, but I’ve done well enough to ignore him. “You can sit down if you’d like.”

Frowning at my new rival, I shake my head. “No fuckin’ way. He’ll eat me alive. I’d like to talk to you. Think we could take these guys back to the barn so they’re not running havoc around this place?”

She sounds so resigned when she gently pushes Austin’s head away and scoots out from underneath him. “Sorry, sweet boy. The boss says I gotta put the babies to bed, but I’ll be back.”With a kiss to his nose, she gets to her knees before scrambling to her feet.

The kittens are meowing like crazy at her, and Austin seems pissed at being disturbed. He hasn’t gotten up, just laying sprawled out with his eyes following her. Edith scoops up Billy and Buck, but Bonnie is at my feet staring up and waiting patiently.

Edith eyes me and I feel as if I’m being tested.Well, jokes on you, girl. I happen to love animals, as long as they aren’t born from the devil.

Picking up Bonnie, I cradle her against my chest and head toward the barn, knowing Edith will follow. I hold the door open since her arms are filled with purring boys while running my fingers through Bonnie’s fur. She’s rumbling so loudly I’m surprised I can hear Edith over it.

“Let’s set them over here. I brought some canned kitten food today and they haven’t even touched it yet.” Setting her boys down, they attack the plate of food with vigor, so I do the same with Bonnie. She’s probably the only one that actually likes me from the litter, so I pet her a few more times and whisper praises before stepping back and watching along with Edith as they inhale their food.

Instead of waiting for her to say something, I wrap my fingers around her upper arm and pull her toward the back where we have an unused office.

Once the door is shut, I face her, then sigh when I see how unsure she is being around me. Stepping into her space, I surprise her and she stares up at me with wide eyes. “I’m pretty certain I fucked up yesterday.”

Her mouth parts in surprise, but she doesn’t answer me.

“I did. You think I was apologizin’ for fuckin’ you yesterday, but that’s not what I meant.”

“What did you mean?” she asks softly, clearly unprepared for me being so forward. Placing my hands on either side of her face, I brush her hair back so the strands aren’t in her eyes.

“I wasn’t sayin’ I’m sorry for fuckin’ you. I was sayin’ sorry for doin’ it in the middle of the road where anyone could have come up on us. And for doin’ it when I was angry.”

She meets my eyes, then lets them roam over my face. Her breath hitches when she asks, “So, you don’t hate that we did it?”

“No. But I thought of something else I was sorry for.”

“What?” she breathes out.

Tightening my hold on her face, I bring mine closer and murmur, “I should’ve kissed you first. Wasn’t real respectful of me, was it?”

Edith’s teeth dig into her lip and I use my thumb to pull it free. Leaning down, I press my mouth to hers, and smirk when she inhales sharply.

Pulling back, I study her. “I don’t think that was good enough.”

“Mason, you don’t have to—”

I slip my hands further into her hair and thread my fingers through the thick strands, tugging her closer. This time, I kiss her harder and when she gasps, opening her mouth, I slip my tongue inside.