Page 26 of The Crowned Garza

I’m setting the mug down on the coffee table, ready to go investigate, when the door swings open and a fluffy white cat with mismatched-colored eyes saunters out. A little over the threshold, it stops and cocks its head in curiosity, squinting at me with those pretty eyes. One’s a bright sea-blue, the other a burnish orange.

I don’t know much about cats—not a pet person—but this one’s too pretty to be a he. Definitely a she. And maybe I’m tripping, but I think she’s glowering at me.

As if guarding entry to the room, she plops on her fluffy butt in front of the door and splays her front paws.

Is there someone inside there?

Curious, I amble to her, cooing, “Hey there, pretty girl.”

When I stoop down and reach out to pet her, she hisses and swipes at me, her clawsalmostmaking contact with my skin.

“Jesus,” I squawk, jumping back. “What’s your problem?”

Another threatening hiss.

“Okay, fine, whatever, I get it. You don’t like me.” I straighten up. “No need to be so violent about it.”

I try to peek inside the room, getting a quick glimpse of a miniature bed, miniature sofa, a plush round thingy, and all kinds of stuff mounted on the walls, before she swipes at me again, chasing me off.

“Why’re you so mean?” I snap back at her. “Isn’t your kind supposed to be all warm and fuzzy and cute?”

Her response is another sharp hiss mixed with a drawling purr, which is probably more of a “growl” for her, as if to warn me one last time before she attacks me for real.

“All right, all right, I’m backing up.” I surrender, hands up. “I’ll leave you alone.”

I finish my tea and wash the mug at the sink, then fetch my phone from my purse. I’ve just settled into one of the leather couches, gearing up to check in with Dom, when Saint strides out of the bathroom, sans glasses, a black towel slung low around his hips.

Holy demon wings…

Okay. Um.Wow. Nothing could’ve prepared me for the freakingartthis man is. My brain glitches as it processes the sight before me.

Ink. So much of it.

Taut. Everywhere.

Defined. Every line, every cut, every inch.

Happy trail V.Uh-huh, and now I need an oxygen tank.

Sweet Mary, Joseph, and winged baby angels.That’s what’s been hiding under his bow tie-suspenders getup all this time?

How is he even… I can’t even…

My punani has no business self-lubricating right now, not after the night it’s had.

Hey, girl, cool it down there. Remember how horribly painful getting dicked was?It sucks. Not worth the hype. One star, do not recommend. So simmer down, you cock-hungry fool.You’re not ready for this “grown” life.

Saint’s attention is on the cat, who’s back on all fours and meowing bossily at him.

“Look who decided to show her face,” he says to the cat. “You need me now, huh?”

A female. I was right.

She meows back at him, and I swear she does it with a sassy neck roll.

Saint snorts as if he understands cat speak and crouches down in front of her. When he goes to pet her, she swipes at him.

Ha! So it’s not just me, then.