Page 131 of Steal My Heart

I burst into laughter. “Angelo Calvani, you cannot control luck.”

“I beg to differ.”

I grab a piece of cake and smash it in his face.

He wipes the powdered sugar and green sprinkles off his nose with the back of his hand, a playful glint in his eye. “The birthday girl went from having her pussy eaten to having her ass spanked.”

Angelo lunges for me, and I squeal a laugh, hopping out of bed.

“No, wait!” I cry, but he easily catches me and scoops me up and over his shoulder in one smooth motion.

“Maybe I’ll spank this ass, and then eat this ass because you’re such a bad girl.”

Would I be into that?

My pussy flutters with an enthusiasticyes.

Angelo

“What’s that noise?” Remi shouts over the buzzing of a drill as I lead her down the hall and to the sunroom.

“Nola’s getting an enclosure.” The cat bumps up against my leg and circles my ankle as I roll out the blueprints, showing Remi the architectural plans. “She’ll be able to access it from this room without someone having to leash her and take her out. I’ve read up on Savannah house?—”

I pause, catching myself. “Savannah houseguests.”

Remi giggles.

“Her breed is one that needs more mental and physical stimulation, and this enclosure will be something to help with that while keeping her safe.” As feisty as Nola is, she’s no match for the alligators that call this area home. “The structure is open air, but with the press of a button, the roof retracts, so she can come out here, even if it’s raining. There’s a suspension bridge; a waterfall with a shallow pool, not too deep…but now that I think about it, I’ll add a jute escape mat just in case.” I make a notation. “Climbing ledges. And a wheel she can run on that will dispense a treat if she reaches certain targets. And if naturecalls, she can handle her business on this side of the enclosure, in the large sand box or grassy area, her choice.” I point out each feature.

“Angelo.” Tears well in Remi’s eyes.

“If you don’t like it, I can make whatever changes?—”

She rises to her tiptoes, pressing her sweet lips to mine. “I love it. Thank you.”

“What do you think, Nola? Your throne will be here.” I point to the highest perch.

Shemeows, and I pick her up, giving her a little scratch behind the ears that she likes.

“Nola, are you trying to steal my man?” Remi playfully eyes her cat.

My lips lift ridiculously at Remi’s possessiveness.

“Nola, do you mind if I show your human her birthday surprise?”

“There’s more?” Remi asks with wide eyes.

“Of course.”

Nola hops down, and I take Remi by the hand, leading her to the living room, with Nola following us.

Remi hurries to the large gift draped in gold paper, but gets sidetracked by the framed photo positioned on top.

“Angelo, this is so perfect,” she gushes, examining the stealth photograph I took of her playing the concert grand in the music room, with Nola perched regally on top.

She gently places the frame down, lifting the paper up and over her next gift.

“Is this—” Her hands cover her mouth before she drops them, running a finger over the faded butterfly sticker.