Built for Love

“But this is work related. You want the job, don’t you? If you’re here I figure you’ll be able to get it done faster. The quicker it’s done the faster you get paid.” I bite the tip of my thumb thinking. Abel just stares at me. He’s always staring at me.

A loud meow has me turning my head to see a fluffy white kitten coming into the kitchen. Abel bends down and picks the cat up into his arms, flipping it on its back to cradle it like a baby as he scratches the cat’s stomach. It purrs loudly as he continues to pet it.

“You have a kitten?” I’ve always wanted a cat but didn’t think it would be fair. I can barely manage to keep myself afloat. The cute little white fluffball can’t be more than six months old.

“I’m not sure if I have him or he has me, to be honest.” He smirks. I didn’t think he could get any more handsome. I was wrong. Very wrong. “Staying here means you can play with Bear anytime you want. Did I mention I cook?”

“You’re really selling this.”

“Is it working?” Yes.

“What if we see how tonight goes? It’s already getting late.” I inch over closer toward Abel and the kitten. My fingers itch to pet the little fella.

“We can do that.” Able takes a step toward me. “You can pet him.” I reach out and run my hand across his tummy. He lets out a loud purr, making me laugh.

“Okay. I’ll stay,” I agree. One night isn’t going to hurt me. I mean, he promised me dinner, I’m in a beautiful home with a handsome man, and there’s a kitten. Give me a break. One night is not going to kill me. I hope.

7

Abel

I should’ve ended the tour in the bedroom and not the kitchen, that way, Pepper could be lingering over the sheets and not the measuring cups. I’d be one step closer to getting her clothes off. Instead, I’m making steak fajitas and Mexican street corn—not that this shit isn’t delicious, but my mouth would rather be busy eating her pussy at this moment.

“What’s your dream house?” I ask as I mix the cheese into the cooked corn.

“Lots of natural light, warm woods, cozy feel.”

I glance around the kitchen. It’s big with its two islands and double ovens, but the overstuffed sofas in front of the television in the adjacent family gathering area fits her description. Like I said earlier, it just needs finishing touches from the woman in my life.

“Can’t wait to see what you do to this place then.” I pop a piece of seasoned steak into my mouth and then place one in hers when she parts her lips to protest. I know she’s not ready to slide the ring on her finger and say “till death do us part” but she also doesn’t need to manifest her “no”s so often.

A mewling by my leg reminds me I need to get Bear a treat. “Hold whatever thought you have until after Bear gets some milk in his tummy. We don’t want to upset the baby, right?”

While Pepper chews on that thought and the steak, I get the whole milk out of the fridge and pour some into a small stainless steel cup for Bear. Pepper finishes her piece of meat about the same time as Bear finishes lapping up the milk. She bends down and scoops the baby cat into her arms. It’s easy to envision her holding a real baby and not just a kitten. It’s as if this place was made for her. Maybe it was. I built it with a family in mind and now I’m going to fill it with a wife and kids and pets. Bear and Pepper are the start.

“You have a very satisfied look on your face,” she comments between bites.

I wash down my fajita with a half of a bottle of beer. “I’m imagining you here every morning. It’s a good fit.”

She scrunches her nose. “I knew I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“Hey, give me some credit. I edited out the dirty bits.”

“I think I’m done here.” She gets to her feet and starts gathering the plates.

I make a zipping motion across my lips. “I promise to keep my mouth shut.”

From the sink, she eyes me skeptically. “For how long?”

“At least an hour.” I grin. The phone rings, saving her from a response.

“Abel here,” I say into the receiver.

“Boss, your new place is a wreck,” says my foreman Dale.

“I know. It’s why I bought it.” I shove the plates into the dishwasher. “Good location and big upside.”

“The only big thing happening here is a water leak. It’s flooding everywhere and there is some old electrical wiring here. I think you should come and take a look. The power company won’t shut the power off unless you give them a call and I’ve got a half dozen anxious residents.”