Ollie stood on his ‘hind legs’ and gently tapped Luis’s stomach through the polo shirt. Out of all the cats, Clove seemed most interested in himself, already licking up his own arm, without even sparing a glance at Luis, but Bounce moved closer to Goran and smelled him loudly.
Goran played along with the madness, figuring it was the best course of action. And he couldn’t deny it. This was fun already. He was a little kid the last time he played like this. Of course, minus the five hunky guys in the room and wanting to fuck each and every one of them. He gave Bounce’s jaw a lick, and the grain of stubble scratched his soft flesh, sending a shiver of pleasure down Goran’s spine.
Bounce pulled on Goran’s ear with his teeth and grinned, but the moment Luis announced it was feeding time, they all followed him back into the house through a different door, which led to a cozy space with mattresses Goran supposed were meant for large dogs and elegant metal stands that would keep bowls at a comfortable height. Now he knew why one of the questions he had to answer was whether he was lactose intolerant.
Some of the cats kneeled in front of the bowl holders, but Ollie and Cinnamon rushed past all the beds, following Luis to a counter where several covered dishes stood on a table.
Goran decided to play it safe and followed Clove and Bounce’s example. He was set on not making a fool out of himself in front of the others. Someone could argue he was already a fool for pretending to be a cat at twenty-three years of age, but since everyone else here was playing along, he didn’t care about the opinion of the world.
Ollie circled Luis, brushing his hot tan body against their ‘master’s’ bare calves, but when Luis picked up one of the dishes and moved toward the beds, both Ollie and Cin quickly returned to their respective places.
“Good boys. I bet you’re starving. We’re gonna have something special for dessert to celebrate the new addition to my cattery,” cooed Luis, pouring some kind of stew into Cin’s bowl with a ladle. The redheaded cat dug in immediately, stuffing his whole face into the food.
For a second, Goran’s eyes went wide, but he supposed a cat wouldn’t care if its fur got a bit dirty. It would just clean itself after. He let out a shy meow when Luis poured the stew into his bowl as well. Goran was used to doing everything himself, and he was torn between happiness at being taken care of and an urge to protest over being treated this way. Sure, his mom cooked when they all ate together every now and then, but this was something different altogether. He wasn’t expected to wash the dishes afterward or pay for the groceries.
The sense of guilt at providing no value in return was so overwhelming that he too pushed his face into the food, trying to work out the best way to consume it. His stomach growled when his taste buds exploded with sensation. Creamy sauce with pieces of chicken that practically melted in his mouth and tender yet bouncy orzo pasta were so good it felt only natural to purr softly. The vegetables added texture, and the spices were used perfectly to complement the main ingredients. Goran kept himself from groaning louder, not to make himself look like a bum who never had any delicious food, but this was some kind of gourmet stuff! And on top of that, the other bowls on his metal holder were being filled as well with chopped tomatoes for easy feeding in one, sparkling water infused with lemon in another, and pieces of meringue mixed with berries and cream in the last one. A true feast.
He didn’t even care that he was getting dirty and stopped watching the other cats, focused only on consuming all the food he was given, dish after dish. He did register a gentle stroke on the back and Luis saying some sweet words to the others, but the meringue was so good he didn’t look up until he licked the bowl clean.
Ollie was among the last to finish his food, and he gracefully licked fresh cream and coulis off his lips, looking around until his blue gaze met Goran’s. He smiled.
Goran froze, pretty sure a mixture of all the foods he’d just eaten was smeared all over his face. How was he supposed to make a good impression? He looked away quickly, hoping the ‘master’ would have a solution. The more he thought about it, the less he minded calling Luis ‘Master’. From the perspective of a cat, it didn’t seem like the role of master was one of power, but one of serving and pampering all his kitties instead.
Clove stretched his wiry tattooed body and licked his lips in broad strokes of his tongue, walking up to Luis, who laughed and scratched him behind the ear. “That was good, wasn’t it, baby?” he asked and pulled a handkerchief out of a box, brushing Clove’s face clean with it while petting him with the other hand.
Oh. Okay. So Luis would even clean them. That was nice. Goran rushed over and looked up with a pleading meow. Luis’s eyes were warm, almost glossy when he gently wiped Goran’s face with the thick, aloe-infused tissue. “There. You’re such a good boy. You’ll love it here in my cattery.”
Goran smiled, and he got goose bumps over how nice it felt to hear those sweet words all the time from someone who was practically a stranger. Goran didn’t even have to mince his words while flirting. All he needed to do was act… catlike. He bumped his forehead against Luis’s hand.
Luis laughed and pushed Goran back, hand already tickling his belly. “You’re one athletic cat, Smokey. I bet you’ve been through many battles out there, fighting for territory.”
Goran felt slightly self-conscious over the other cats watching, but he nodded and gave in to the petting, comfortable with all this touch after the intimate session they’ve had with Luis before.
Ollie’s meow nearby made Goran shudder, and he squinted to see him without making it obvious. He was already recognizing that sweet tenor. Ollie brushed his cheek against Luis’s knee, dirty from the cream, and Luis quickly brushed the food off his face while still tickling Goran.
Goran was so absorbed with watching Ollie from the corner of his eye, that he didn’t notice Bounce approaching. The guy pounced him, and Goran yelped in surprise, rolling away.
Bounce stretched his back, wiggling his ass in the air playfully before following Goran with a happy-sounding meow. He pushed at Goran’s chest and flattened him against the bed.
“He already likes you,” said Luis, laughing as he watched the first catfight Goran was ever part of.
He licked his lips and pushed back at Bounce, but the guy only held him down again, sporting a wide grin. Embarrassment rolled over Goran when he realized that Ollie was watching him, forming an opinion about Goran. Goran wasn’t as big as this jock-cat, but he’d been in a few fights in his life, and he would not be held down. Keeping in line with the role-play, he hissed and pushed at Bounce’s face, wiggling out from underneath him.
Bounce rolled over, and when Goran pushed him against the mattress, he playfully patted his closed hand against Goran’s cheek. In the background, Luis was cleaning and petting all the other cats, and the whole situation melted into a mixture of emotion that was too much for Goran. It was as if he entered a completely different world. Bounce was looking into his eyes with so much sincerity and joy, as if they’d played together since they were kittens from the same litter.
Goran couldn’t help himself. These guys seemed so… available. He leaned down and gave Bounce a kiss on the lips.
Bounce stirred and brushed his knuckles down Goran’s chest, opening up his mouth and teasing the back of Goran’s teeth with his tongue. Being on top while kissing gave Goran that moment of control he needed in a world spinning out into madness.
Cin whined close by, and a soft hand brushed against Goran’s side.
“I’m so happy you boys are getting acquainted already,” said Luis, and his warm fingers moved down Goran’s bare back. He could just imagine what it would be like to be in bed with all of them, all those hands and mouths, Goran gripping Ollie’s pretty blond curls…
Goran pulled away in the end and released Bounce.
The cat’s black eyes looked back at him sheepishly, and in a moment of confusion, the world turned around, and it was Bounce smiling down at him.
Luis came over and
rustled the athletic cat’s short black hair. “You can do that any time, kitties. I want to show our new friend his bed.”
Goran took the moment of distraction to push Bounce off again, quickly following Luis’s cooing.
Chapter 4
On the way out of the feeding room, up the stairs to another part of the cattery, Ollie purposefully stayed behind to watch the new cat’s toned buttocks and strong thighs. His skin was tan, and it contrasted sharply with his white teeth and bright eyes a similar shade of blue to Ollie’s own. Tall, muscular, but not too buff, he was good enough to eat. His dark hair was a bit of a mess, but it gave him that ‘I’m too cool to care’ look.
Ollie hoped he could sway Smokey’s attentions his way, and he wanted to learn the guy’s actual name too. Luis was likely to have some work to do before he returned in the evening, which would give Ollie plenty of time to get to know the newcomer and lure him in. He needed to know what this guy’s game was as soon as possible.
Ollie’s mind blanked for a moment when Luis looked back and smiled at him, but moments later, their master’s green gaze was focused on Smokey again. This was to be expected. A new toy was always most colorful, and Luis would shower the freshest member of their little community with attention for a few days before settling back into the regular schedule of petting Ollie in bed.
They entered the bedroom, and its bright walls and delicate white curtains immediately softened the edges of Ollie’s heart. He rushed straight to the nook where his own bed was. The prettiest of all the pieces of furniture in the cat space, it looked like a miniature canopy bed with spiral columns and rich velvet curtains to feel cozy behind. A perfect space to read a book or take a nap when it was too hot outside.
“Here you go, precious. This will be your bed,” Luis said to Smokey, who gave him a wary look. The guy seemed tense even as he crawled into the lovely fresh bedding.
Ollie had seen the new bed brought in by maids earlier today. A simple pine frame and lots of cream-colored pillows. The house was warm enough for them to sleep under only a sheet, so that was provided as well.
Luis scooted next to Smokey and petted his hair. “You be good now, play nice with the other kitties, and I’ll be back tomorrow. I have some business to attend to, but I’m sure you’ll be fine.”
Ollie blinked and jumped out of bed, crawling over the soft, latex-covered floor. Luis wouldn’t be here tonight? He whined, pushed his head under the warm hand, and questioned Luis with his gaze.
“I know, darling, I know, but Daddy has to do some work, so he can buy you more treats.” Luis scratched Ollie behind the ear with a sigh.
Ollie licked his fingers and sat back, waiting for him to go. It’d been several days since Luis spent the night at the cattery, and he was itching for some time with him. And now with the new cat around, he had no idea when Luis would be ready to dedicate a few hours to him only.
Luis gave him a kiss on the forehead and left to his high-pitched whines of protest after tangling up Clove’s long hair.
The silence was overwhelming for several seconds that lasted until Bounce opened his unstoppable mouth.
“Dude, we’re home alone. We should have Jerome bring us some booze!”
Ollie sighed. Always the same thing with him. Bounce was interested in four things only: food, alcohol, sex, and sports. Not necessarily in that order. On top of that, he’d even try to incriminate their cook with his plans. No matter how many times Bounce tried, Jerome never broke the rules, and no alcohol was ever allowed in the house. Ollie hoped the new cat would be more sophisticated than Bounce.
“So what’s your name?” Cin was first to ask the newcomer.
“Goran. What about all of you?” The handsome brunet looked bewildered, glancing at them from behind his bangs.
Ollie chewed on his lip. That was one sexy name, and the guy had an accent that made his words sound razor sharp.
“Jason,” said Bounce and gave Goran a firm handshake.
Cin was Finn, and Clove refused to give them his real name, as he always did. He claimed the nickname went with his personality and that he’d use it even after leaving the cattery. Well, good luck on that. Maybe the guy wanted to become a pole dancer.
When Goran’s blue eyes turned toward Ollie, Ollie leaned forward and nuzzled the newcomer’s sweet-smelling neck. “Oliver.” His body hair bristled in excitement when he noticed Goran gasp at the touch.
“So… I guess we just all live here now? I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it.” Goran slowly placed his hand on Ollie’s shoulder. His fingers were so warm Ollie wanted to close his eyes and purr.
“You’ll be fine, bro,” said Bounce, stretching his thick neck. “I thought so at the beginning, but it all works out fine. I’m kinda sad I’ll have to go once the term’s over. It’s all play and no worry. Who wouldn’t like that?”
Ollie pushed the side of his body against Goran and smiled at him, knowing this was exactly the time to capture his attention. The guy was far more to Ollie’s taste than the other cats currently at the cattery, and he was intent on leaving a permanent pawprint on that well-sculpted chest.
“You will fit in here in no time. Luis is such an amazing guy. He takes good care of us. There’s nothing he’s refused us so far.”
Goran’s gaze followed Ollie’s every move, and it only made him want to stretch and present his body in all its flexible glory. “I mean… don’t get me wrong, he’s hot, but I’m not sure if amazing is the right word here.”
Cin sat back and crooked his head. “What do you mean?”
Goran frowned. “You know. He’s not doing any of this for us. It’s his pleasure to pamper five prostitutes pretending to be cats. If he were a masochist, he wouldn’t be doing someone else a favor to have them spank him.”
Even Bounce’s smile faltered, and the silence that followed Goran’s words was so loud Ollie stopped breathing and his whole body filled with burning hot sensations that ended up in a chokehold around his throat.
“Why would you say that? We are not prostitutes,” he said firmly, gazing around.
Clove cleared his throat. “I mean... no one likes that word, but if he said that we’re ‘sponsored partners’, that would be correct.”
“Clove, that’s disgusting!” hissed Cin, and Clove rolled his eyes, folding his arms across his chest.
“Prostitutes come in all shapes and forms. You don’t have to stand by the road waiting for truckers to be one.”
“Well, if you have a problem with it, maybe you should leave.” Ollie pulled away from Goran. “It’s so disrespectful!”
Goran shrugged, and sadly, his frown didn’t make him look any less handsome. “I’m just saying it like it is. What Clove said. I’ve never done anything like this before, for full disclosure, but I’m pretty honest with myself about it. It is what it is.”
“No, it’s not. I am not in it for the money,” hissed Ollie, not wanting to even touch that deliciously warm skin by accident. “Luis is helping us all out, and you repay him this way? This is fucking gross!”
Goran opened his eyes wider and looked to Bounce, who ignored him and walked away. “Repay him? I’m repaying him by pretending to be a cat and being available whenever he wants. Are you in love with him or something?” He laughed. The cruel bastard actually laughed.
Ollie got up, fuming with rage. “You should leave. No one wants you here!”
Clove squinted and—being the traitor that he was—patted Goran’s shoulder.
“Yeah, it’s a shitty thing to say…” Cin said, but it sounded half-hearted.
Goran got up as well, as if he wanted to show off his amazing body. So what that he was a bit taller? Big deal. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Ollie almost stepped back, but he caught himself in the last moment and stood his ground. “You are not worthy of Luis’s interest. He is a good person and thinks others are the same, and now he let in a snake into his cattery!”
“I just want to get my money an
d have fun like everyone else.” Goran spread his arms.
Clove slowly pulled himself up, and he showed both his palms, as if trying to calm them down. “Come on, there’s no reason to be so agitated over this.”
“I’m gonna tell Luis what you really think about his home,” hissed Ollie and pulled on Cin’s arm. “You will leave, whether you want it or not!”
Cin nodded quickly. “Exactly. You’ll be out in no time.”
An ugly smirk appeared on Goran’s lips, and he crossed his arms. “I’ll just deny it. I can make an innocent face if I want to, and it’s your word against mine. You’ll just look like a jealous, prissy kitty.”
This time, even Clove frowned. “Everyone was right here. Would you claim we’re all lying?”
Ollie smiled in triumph, even though deep inside, discomfort was settling in. “Come Cin, we’re going,” he said and rushed out of the room. A lovely face and a nice body could deceive even him. He was disgusted with his earlier sexual fantasies that involved Goran even though they shouldn’t have.
Goran started saying something, but it seemed that even Clove ignored him now, as he walked out mid-sentence and left Goran alone with his own ugly personality.
Prostitutes? The bastard had no idea what Ollie shared with Luis!
“This is unbelievable,” growled Ollie, rushing past the pool, where Bounce was quietly sitting under a tree hugging a ball. “Even that happy-go-lucky idiot is upset. This new guy is gonna destroy everything we’ve built here.”
Cin nodded quickly. “I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone this rude. And after you were so nice to him as well!”
“We’ve all been nice. Just imagine if Luis heard that. It would have broken his heart,” muttered Ollie, already worrying about the process of presenting Luis with evidence. Luis didn’t deserve to have something this harsh thrown into his face, and with his heart soft as marshmallows, he’d always want to see good in Goran, no matter how out of control the guy was.
“I know, right?” Cin seemed so overwhelmed with it all, he pulled Ollie in for a hug. “I put a note in the kitty mailbox not too long ago. I wrote to him how lovely it would be to have a cat tree. A giant one. And a few days ago, I’m pretty sure he hinted that he was making it happen. I don’t want him upset.”
The Cattery (M/M contemporary sweet kinky romance) Page 4