He briefly thought back to the insulting way he’d treated Roux when they’d first met, and shame squeezed his stomach. No wonder his face bore scars as a result of that meeting. “I--I’ll see if I can make it,” he said, though he already planned to bail on Father. There surely was a very important contract to excuse his absence during the conference.
“Fantastic!” Father beamed at him. “Everyone will want to hear about that kitsune you killed last year.”
But before Jack could tell him that it was actually a Japanese venator who’d sealed that deal, Father was already ordering them dessert. Jack wouldn’t say no to that.
*
Jack loved Paris, and once Father had retired to his hotel room, he was free to enjoy its atmosphere again.
The conversation left him feeling dull on the inside, and he was torn over feeling such discomfort talking to a person he loved. Father had given him a perfect childhood, all the support Jack had needed, and he was always very giving to members of their community. Back then, it was easy to consider him a good person, but Jack was no longer so sure what to think of his conduct.
He was positive Father would have never randomly attacked a creature who minded their own business, physically or verbally, but he did actively seek separation of nonhumans, and lobbied for laws that kept them in an underprivileged position, banning them from human-established schools and professions of public trust. Keeping them in less developed areas of the country. Keeping them separate from human women and children. He didn’t want dialogue, because he was convinced he already understood all there was to know and that creatures would by default lie to people’s faces to get what they wanted.
In light of that, no matter how good of a dad he’d been to Jack, and how much he offered to charities, it was increasingly difficult to see him as a decent person.
But out of the hotel restaurant, in the streets lit by gas lamps where creatures could be spotted among humans, it was easy to blend in and forget what his parentage was and what his family had done to keep various species separate.
It took him half an hour to reach the area around Montmartre, and after seeking directions from a policeman, he found the little bistro Roux wanted to meet at. Its outer walls were painted a dark blue, and despite it being a February night, people sat under awnings outside, sharing wine and stories. Most of them were chats, and upon his approach, he couldn’t ignore the sense of eyes licking his skin. The warm light inside beckoned him closer, and by the time he crossed the threshold, the unpleasant conversation was almost forgotten.
The restaurant smelled of wine, herbs, with a hint of fish. He looked past a uniformed waitress at the elegant yet simple interior with black and white tiles on the floor and posters of beautiful chat ladies hanging on walls.
He’d been in this chat district of Paris two years ago, when he’d been searching for a chat hookup, but he hadn’t actually gathered the courage to enter this bar back then. This time, he’d been invited, yet he still felt like an intruder, and was sure that would remain the case until he found his lover.
Knowing Roux, he was probably wall-flowering somewhere with a cup of milk.-
Jack cocked his head at the sight by the bar. The largest, most muscular chat he’d ever seen stood with his arm around Roux’s shoulders. Silver, with stripes like a tiger and a large, flat nose, he didn’t even look like the same species as Roux. This chat would never be confused with a female. He didn’t even wear a shirt in February! His legs were clad in gray leather pants that emphasized his muscles, and a long, striped tail was teasing Roux’s hand, despite Roux swatting it time and time again.
Chapter 2
Jack took a deep breath and forced himself to relax. Roux wasn’t the cheating type. He would, on the other hand, get angry if Jack went in there and pick a fight with Silver.
Stay classy, Jack. This is surely a misunderstanding.
He approached casually, making sure not to run up to Roux and put his arm over Roux’s slender shoulders. He didn’t fail to notice that Roux was wearing his new jacket, made of bottle green leather that made his eyes stand out and his fur seem even redder. At the store, he’d mentioned he’d wear it for special occasions, so why was he wearing it on a regular outing to a chat bar? Did he want to attract chats like this one?
“We haven’t been introduced,” Jack said as calmly as he could, meeting Silver’s yellow eyes.
The big chat offered a paw the size of Jack’s face. “Tom. Tom Chat-Paris.”
Roux smiled and trailed his nose under Jack’s jaw, soothing some of his anxiety. “He’s an old friend.”
Jack squeezed the chat’s hand. “Jack Addison. I’m Roux’s...”—what. What was he?—“lover.”
Tom whistled so loudly other chats looked back at them. “Got yourself a catch, kitty cat. Always thought you’d need another chat with that temperament, yet here we go.”
“Stop teasing,” Roux got flustered and rubbed his cheek in the cutest way. ‘Kitty cat’? What the hell?
Jack briefly wondered if the two knew one another from school, but then remembered that chats used the name of their town of birth as the second part of their surname, and Tom’s and Roux’s didn’t match.
“So, how do you know each other?” So well at that.
Roux waved his hand dismissively. “Long story. Have you heard your dad’s in town? Better keep a low profile.”
Tom cocked his head. “Who’s your dad?”
Did the guy live under a rock?
A tiny chat bartender with metal studs in her ears stood a bit closer, and Jack had no doubt she’d been eavesdropping. But what was he to do?
He cleared his throat and rested his head against Roux’s. He couldn’t help feeling watched, and as the only human in the bistro, he didn’t want to stand out even more. “Yeah, let’s just not go to the main tourist attractions, and we likely won’t bump into him.”
Tom wouldn’t let it go though. “So who is your father?”
Jack waited for Roux to come up with an answer to these questions, him being the one to mention Father in the first place after all, but in the end he looked at Tom. “He’s an activist. We don’t see eye to eye on many issues.”
Roux nodded quickly. “He’s a specist. But Jack hasn’t talked to him in a long time. They’re nothing alike.”
“Addison. I knew I recalled the name,” said the bartender, as if she were part of conversation. “A total creature-hater. And you’re fucking his son?”
Roux’s fur bristled. “None of your business!”
Jack’s chest sank, and he was on the verge of letting go of Roux. He was certain all the chats present were listening. Judging him, but worst of all—judging Roux. “Don’t talk to him like that. And stop with your own specist behavior!”
Tom nodded. “Give the guy a break. Who wouldn’t fall for Roux?”
The bartender crossed her arms on her chest. “Well, maybe if slutty little chats didn’t fuck around with humans, humans would rethink their attitudes. That Addison guy? He’s so full of himself. I’ve read about him in today’s newspaper.”
Heat exploded in Jack’s face. “He’s not slutty. What the hell’s wrong with you?”
But the bartender just shrugged and sent Roux a sharp glare, as if she wanted to stab him to death with that look alone. “You’re nothing but an exotic conquest. He doesn’t understand us, and he’ll leave you once he meets a suitable female of his own kind.”
“Are you speaking from experience?” Jack asked, poisoning the conversation further. Enough was enough.
Tom hummed and shook his head. “How about we just head off to mine? I live nearby, and no one’s gonna dip their whiskers in our conversation there.”
The bartender hissed. “Yes, how about you just leave.”
Roux squeezed Jack’s hand, but glanced Tom’s way. “Thanks, that really might be for the better.”
Jack wasn’t sure if he should even look at all the patrons who’d chosen not to join the argument. When
he did raise his gaze somewhat, the chat faces expressed a variety of attitudes, but he chose not to engage, and only breathed freely once they were back in the street.
His hand got sweaty and was dampening Roux’s fur, but he didn’t feel like letting go either. “Why did you mention him?” he asked.
Roux was taken aback. “So that you weren’t surprised in case we bumped into him.”
Jack pulled Roux close, breathing in the fresh scent of fur without caring that chats weren’t as open about liking people of the same gender as humans. He was already going against all rules, so why not this one?
“I just… wish she hadn’t spoiled our evening.”
But wouldn’t it have gone exactly the same at any other chat gathering? As the dominant species, humans saw all bars and cafes as theirs, so no wonder chats were protective of their own sanctuaries and didn’t want humans disturbing their peace. Jack wasn’t surprised by this, all things considered, but also worried Roux would end up deprived of contact with his own species if they couldn’t go out together.
He glanced at Tom, who was leading them down the cobbled street. Would Roux be better off with a man like that? One would have to be blind to not notice Tom’s attempts at flirting. He was big, strong, and seemed nice.
Roux kissed Jack’s jaw. “Me too. But Tom has a house just around the corner, and we can talk in peace there. Some chats are assholes, just like humans. That’s life.”
Jack sighed, squeezing Roux’s hand more firmly as they passed through an inner yard where a couple of chats hid away from prying eyes on a small bench, and they walked into a staircase, which led them to the top floor.
“Welcome,” Tom said when they entered his apartment, and winked at Roux. “Make yourself at home, kitty cat.”
A herby aroma hung in the air. The ceilings were quite low and the walls covered with dark-hued wallpapers, which created a cozy atmosphere. It seemed rather large at first glance, and as Tom led them into the living room, which had windows that stretched all the way up from the floor, Jack wondered if he lived here alone.
Or what he did for a living to afford such a house, for that matter.
Chapter 3
“Tom, have you heard of JUSTICE?” Roux asked, seated in an armchair which was more like a gigantic pillow than a conventional chair.
Tom stretched out in another one, comfortable while Jack struggled with the way the filling of the giant fluff bag constantly shifted, forcing him to adjust his position. But he kept his face straight and squeezed his hands on the glass of vodka cream Tom had served them.
Tom grinned, showing off his white canines, and his thick tail swept through the air. “As in criminal justice? Roux, we chats don’t always stick to the rules.”
Roux huffed and drank more alcohol. “No, no, it’s an organization that fights for creature rights and intervenes when harm is being done. You have so many contacts in Paris. I thought it would be great for everyone if you joined.”
Tom leaned closer with a grin and grabbed Roux’s tail. “Oh? What do I get in return?”
Jack remained silent as anger simmered beneath his skin. So Roux had planned to meet up with Tom in order to discuss JUSTICE, yet had failed to mention it to him? What the hell was up with that?
“He won’t hate you completely. That’s how it worked with me,” Jack said, wanting to stifle Tom’s flirting in the bud.
Roux’s ears perked up, his attention back on Jack. “You want to actually join us too?”
Tom smirked at Jack from behind Roux. What was the fucker playing at? It was best to ignore him for now, because the last thing Jack needed was another argument with his chat.
“Oh… you know, I don’t need to be an official member to help you out,” Jack said, meeting Roux’s gaze above a wooden coffee table.
Roux’s shoulders sagged and pulled Jack’s mood with them.
“I get it,” Tom said quickly, “Being an Addison you might not want to get too involved. But I’ll sign up, Roux. You know I’m always up for helping a kitty out.” His canines glinted in the predatory smile.
The innuendo was clear, and Jack would get to the bottom of it! Right after he murdered Tom Chat-Paris.
Roux took a deep breath and got up. “I don’t want to push anyone. It’s just that with the symposium in Versailles, we could use the numbers. It’s always good to have a list of creatures who are willing to give aid or shelter in times of need. May I… use your restroom?”
Tom snorted. “Of course, silly. It’s still on the left behind the bedroom.”
Roux was off, but the word still rang in Jack’s ears like the bells of Notre Dame.
He could sense unspoken animosity hanging in the air and wanted to approach their host, but the shape of the seat made it impossible to do so in a halfway graceful fashion. Red-faced, Jack rolled out of the pillow-chair and walked toward Tom, his heart beating faster when he was confronted by a sly yet level gaze. This fucker was testing him on purpose!
“What’s your problem?” Jack whispered.
“You’re my problem. The fuck are you doing with my kitty cat, huh? He needs a chat, not a human.” Tom rose, and Jack had to begrudgingly acknowledge that Tom did that more gracefully.
Fucking chat flexibility.
The sudden honesty was wood to the fire of Jack’s anger, and he stepped closer, balling his hands into fists. “I don’t see him chasing after you. He’s not interested, so quit calling him ‘your kitty’, you ignorant, lecherous tomcat!”
But the seeds of doubt had been sown. Maybe Tom was right. Maybe the relationship with Jack would rob Roux of the natural contact with his own species? Maybe the compatibility that had brought them together was only skin-deep?
Tom laughed. “Me and Roux go way back. I was there for him when he needed a friend. Funny that you don’t seem to know about me. But I’m guessing Roux didn’t want to intimidate you. Us chats… well, we can do certain things for each other that humans can’t.”
“Like what?” Jack growled as insecurity clawed at his brain. He could do whatever Roux might want him to, even lick him clean, if Roux found that pleasurable. He was always so pristine anyway.
“I’m not about to tell you the details of chat sex lives. But when Roux’s in heat… well, he needs a lot more than a human dick can give.”
Jack’s face flushed at the thought of this chat giant on top of Roux.
Did that actually happen? Was Tom that kind of friend? After all, Roux had mentioned something about a slutty period in Paris.
Jack hated Tom. Hated him.
“That’s bullshit. If he wanted a chat, there would be plenty to choose from. Maybe he’s just not that into you.”
“Everyone’s into me, Jack. Probably even you. How about we have a threesome and find out who can do Roux better?”
Jack’s brain did a backflip. Which one of them did Tom want to fuck? Both? Just Roux? He hated both of those options with a passion. He shoved Tom back without thinking. “Take your dirty paws off my chat!”
Tom spoke through bared teeth, and his tail swung through the air behind him like the metronome of aggression. “I’ve been gentlemanly so far. If I put my paws on Roux, you’d be just a memory.”
The door shutting in the corridor had both of them on high alert.
Jack felt a bead of sweat roll down his back and listened to the soft, beautiful sound of Roux’s footsteps. Everything about him was perfection. Jack had courted him for so long, and what… couldn’t he just settle into the comfort of knowing they’d be together forever? He’d given up all other lovers, only to be confronted with the fact that he wasn’t the only one in their relationship who had options.
“What did I miss?” Roux smiled, oblivious to the war of stares between Jack and Tom.
Tom smiled. “I was just showing Jack my collection of brushes,” he pointed do the wall where many colorful brushes hung from hooks, in a display promising a chat hours of pleasure.
Jack’s thoughts went to the one old
brush Roux used for his hair. He likely hadn’t replaced it to save money and help his family, and Jack had been oblivious to the fact that his lover might want a new one. One that had a silver handle and fresh natural bristles.
“They’re nice,” he said, somewhat flatly, because his brain was preoccupied with the idea of Tom wanting to steal his Roux.
“Oh, you’ve added quite a few,” Roux said with a smile, and ran his pads over the bristles of a red-handled brush in a way that made Jack’s blood boil. Were chat brothels filled with such implements? Jack could just imagine Roux spread out on a bed and brushed by several chats while another licked his cock.
Tom chuckled. “You know I’m a fiend for pleasure.”
“Yeah, you told me. The threesomes and all that,” Jack said in a carefree tone, but felt hot all over when he saw Roux’s whiskers twitch.
“What threesomes?” Roux asked, but they were interrupted by an angry rapping at the door.
“Open up! This is the police!”
The smirk that had previously floated over Tom’s features dropped. “Merde.”
“The police?” Jack asked, already directing his footsteps to the source of the noise. Was there a danger in the neighborhood?
Roux grabbed Jack’s sleeve and pulled him close with eyes wide like saucers. “Jack, we need to run. I’ve got catnip on me.”
“You wh—?” But Jack didn’t get to finish his question. When someone beat on the door even harder, he followed Roux, ignoring Tom, who was frantically collecting metal tins off shelves. “Where to?”
Chapter 4
Jack’s brain still rattled as Roux led him to a tall window. Why the hell did Roux have catnip? He’d told Jack that he didn’t use it and always acted so high and mighty about any stimulants.
Roux struggled to open the old window. The wooden shutters wouldn’t budge no matter how much he strained his back. “Fuck, fuck, fuck! Come on, Jack, help me!”
Jack Addison vs. a Whole World of Hot Trouble - The Complete Series Page 30