Mystery Lover
Page 14
“Don’tyou care?”
“I always care about you, love.”
“Aren’t you going to do anything about it?”
“Tell him to move,” she mumbled.
“I tried that.”
“Wha‘ happened?”
“He licked my ear.”
She smiled into her pillow. “Tha’s a good sign. Means he likes you.”
“What would he do if he didn’t like me?”
“He would never have let you near my bed. He’s a trained attack cat.” She finally opened her eyes and had to bite her lip—hard—to keep from laughing.
Chad was on his stomach, his head buried in his pillow. Sam had obviously taken the wide expanse of bare back as an invitation to stretch out, which he had done. Now Sam lay sprawled on top of Chad, occasionally reaching out enough to lick Chad’s exposed ear.
While Jennifer watched, Sam waved his bushy tail regally in the air.
“It’s no longer your bed, Sunshine. It is now our bed. Do you think you could explain that to him? I have just as much right to be here as he does. ” Since Chad was facing the other way he didn’t know that Jennifer was now awake and enjoying the sight of him taking up a good-size portion of her bed.
“He knows that. See how willing he is to share with you?” she pointed out with a grin.
Jennifer stretched and almost fell off the bed. Maybe they should consider purchasing a king-size one for their new home.
“No way.” Those words were the first ones he had spoken that morning. The sound so startled Sam that he leaped off the bed and ran into the other room.
Jennifer moved closer to Chad’s side and began to rub the wide expanse that Sam had just vacated. “What do you mean, no way?”
“No king-size bed. I like being close enough to find you without hunting all over the bed.”
“I see. You may not be able to find me one of these days after you’ve nudged me over the edge. I’ll have to end up sleeping on the couch.”
He turned his head and saw her watching him, her smile gentle. “Do I really crowd you so much?” he asked, concerned.
“Well, let’s face it. Neither one of us is used to sharing a bed.” She paused for a moment with a look of inquiry on her face. “At least I’m not.”
“You know damned well I’m not. I’ve lived practically my entire life as a monk, just because of you.” He grinned. “I was always afraid of what you might be able to pick up and I didn’t want to shock you, particularly when you were so much younger.‘’
“I find that a little hard to believe, you know. Especially after that weekend in Vegas, not to mention the demonstration of your expertise these past several hours.” They had gotten very little sleep the night before. Jennifer was a little surprised that she felt so marvelous this morning. She shook her head in mock concern at his relaxed position. “It’s no wonder you’re exhausted.”
Chad turned over so that he was facing her. He slipped his hand along the nape of her neck and gently tugged. She fell against him with a breathless chuckle.
“You are a very apt student, you know,” he admitted a few minutes later.
She raised her head slightly, enjoying the relaxed and contented look on his face.
“Do you really think so, Mr. Cameron? I appreciate those kind words, I really do. Does this mean I can expect my usual end-of-the-year bonus?”
Chad grabbed her and rolled over so that she was pinned to the bed. She started laughing at the look on his face. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. It was just a joke, you know, a little fun and—”
“So you want a bonus, do you?”
His nonverbal response involved the total attention of them both for an extended period of time. Sam, peering through the doorway, was disgusted by the lack of attention he was receiving from his roommate. He stalked into the kitchen and waited by his empty food dish, feeling totally ignored.
Sam wondered if he could convince them that he deserved a friend of his own. Eyeing the door to the bedroom speculatively, he thought he might give it a try.