"Right now sounds like a good time to me," he said, handing her over.
"Oh my," I repeated. "She's so tiny and fluffy."
"She's the runt of the litter and the last one to be claimed."
"I know nothing about cats," I objected, knowing it wouldn't be fair to take her when my future was so uncertain, and yet, I wanted her with a sudden passion that shocked me. Maybe it was her soft purring or the way she snuggled in my lap, but she already felt like mine.
"That's the wonderful thing about Google. Any questions you have are at your fingertips. She's already been fixed and given a clean bill of health from the vet."
"When did you set all this up?" I asked, stroking a hand down the kitten's back.
"I went and picked her up yesterday. She spent the night at the vet and is ready for her new home."
"What should I name her?" I asked, holding her up so I could look in her cute squished face.
"Whatever you want. She's all yours."
"What's your cat's name?"
He laughed. "Fred."
"Fred?"
"Yeah, like Fred Flintstone. I'm a huge Flintstones fan."
"I've heard of the cartoon, but I've never seen it," I admitted.
"That makes my heart weep," he said, clutching his chest dramatically. "I will have to rectify that."
"Okay, so what's a girl name from the show?"
"Fred's wife's name is Wilma."
"Wilma?" I asked with disbelief. "Are you a Wilma?" I asked the kitten who gave a plaintive meow.
"Sounds like she likes it to me."
"Wilma it is," I said, setting her back on my lap.
"I'm going to go get the rest of her stuff; that way she can explore the cottage and know where her litter box is," Nathan said, patting Wilma on the head before heading back outside.
We had a little time before we had to leave, so Wilma and I got to know each other. She was a smart kitten and showed off by using her litter box as soon as I placed her in it.
"We better head out," Nathan finally said, glancing at his watch.
"Is it okay to leave her?" I asked worriedly.
"Cats are amazingly sufficient. I bet she'll sleep the whole time we're gone and then keep us up half the night trying to play," he said, wrapping his arms around me from behind. "Besides, if we don't head out, I may have to dine on your appetizing neck," he said, placing a kiss there. >"Hey, what is this?" Nathan asked, sitting up and pulling me onto his lap. I tried to answer him, to tell him I was just being stupid, but the tears made talking impossible. Everything I'd been bottling up for the last four months flowed out of me in a torrent. I had to give Nathan credit. He didn't run for the hills like most males would have when faced with an inconsolable sobbing mess. Instead, he rocked me in his arms, rubbing my back. Eventually, the tears slowed and the cold and dampness from the snow began to seep through our clothes. I stood up, keeping my eyes averted from his, knowing he'd want answers, and I was ready to tell him. He deserved the truth, but before I did I wanted one more night in his arms where he didn't look at me with contempt for my cowardice, or worse yet, with pity.
Neither of us talked as we entered the cottage. Nathan stripped my damp clothes from my body so the fire could warm my skin. After removing his own clothes, he swept me up in his arms and carried me to bed, where he climbed in next to me. Wrapping his arms around me, he rolled onto his back, dragging me with him so I was lying on top of him with my body flush against his. Desperate to forget everything that stood between us, I tangled my hands in his hair and ground my mouth on his. The intensity of my feelings roared through me as I hungrily searched and found his tongue with my own. Maybe he sensed my need or his own desire equaled mine, but he tangled his own hands in my hair, pulling me even closer. Our lips smashed together with bruising intensity as we both fed our hunger. My movements on his body matched our kiss as I moved against him, fueling the fire between us to a frenzied high. Wanting more, I broke the kiss and ran my lips down his jaw, nipping his scruff-covered chin before trailing down his neck and over his pecs. His hands once again grabbed my hair, but I completely took control. I felt possessed, forcing both of his arms above his head. My mouth continued to travel down his body and still it wasn't enough. He groaned, trying again to use his hands on me, but I forced them back once more. I continued even lower with my mouth, finding the destination I knew we both wanted. I showered the same amount of attention on him as he had earlier on me. I couldn't help feeling satisfied as he moaned my name. I allowed him to pull me back up to straddle his body, but that was all the control I would give him. This was my turn. I guided him inside me, rocking backward until he filled me completely. I was in charge of controlling the pace, and I marveled at the power I held just by moving my hips one way or another. Move fast and his eyes would glaze over with desire, never leaving my face. Move slower and I got to feel him hold himself rigid inside me as I moved. Enjoying my power, I tormented him with my movements, placing my mouth back down to his. His tongue entered my mouth as I placed my hands on his chest. I set a new pace that matched the movements of his tongue in my mouth. Close to the edge, I pushed my pelvis down against him until he was buried in me deeper than he'd ever been. My movement sent us both over the edge and he shouted my name as he pulled me down hard against him one last time.
I collapsed on his chest, breathing heavily. All the energy I'd felt just moments ago had drifted away like a kite on a windy day. "Sorry," I said, trying to catch my breath.
"For what? Oh my god," he replied, running his hand over my bare back.
"So, you liked it?" I asked.
"'Like' isn't even close to the right word," he replied. "Hey, not to change the subject after something as unbelievable as that, but do you want to talk about what happened outside?" he asked, continuing to rub my back.