His Stolen Princess - MINK Page 0,18

stop thinking about my little lioness. I follow her every move, and I always know what she’s doing. Even when she’s avoiding me, I can still feel her. She’s sunk her claws into me, and I never want to stop feeling the pain and pleasure of such a woman.

When I peek into Carter’s room, they’re both lying on the rug, their heads touching as Carter tells her about the time his father tried to ride a donkey but wound up nearly impaled in the vineyard.

She laughs, her peals of joyful giggles infusing the air with a warmth I hadn’t known was lacking until this moment. “That sounds like him.”

Little Carter turns onto his side and stares at her, then reaches out and touches her face. “You look like Daddy sometimes.”

She takes his hand in hers, her eyes watering, and kisses his fingertips. “So do you.”

I ponder leaving quietly instead of interrupting, but the hellion in my palm won’t be ignored. She lets out a wild mewl, and Apollonia and Carter both turn to me.

“Is that a—”

“Kitty!” Carter squeals and scrambles to his feet.

Apollonia rolls over and sits up, her eyes on the furball in my hand.

“I was going to toss this rude thing out the door, but I thought perhaps you might want to see her before I did.”

“Don’t you dare!” Apollonia jumps to her feet and hurries over.

Carter reaches out and rubs the kitten’s head.

“Careful, she bites, and her claws are like little needles.”

“She’s an angel.” Apollonia sounds offended. “Here.” She holds out her hands, and I transfer the squirming fuzzball to her.

The kitten immediately climbs up her shirt and nestles on her shoulder under her hair.

“She likes you.” Carter jumps up and down. “Can I hold her?”

“Of course you can.” She gently pulls the kitten away and hands her to Carter. “Be gentle. Always gentle. Like this.” She demonstrates with light strokes along the now-purring kitten’s back.

“Like this?” He mimics her.

“Good.” She nods as he sits on the floor and cradles the kitten in his arms.

“What’s her name?” She looks up at me, and right then I have the overwhelming urge to kiss her hard until she’s out of breath.

Perhaps she feels the same, because her gaze darts to my mouth.

I lick my lips. “Well, as the lioness around here, I suppose you should do all feline naming.”

Her smile lights up my world, my heart, my life. And it’s then that I know, with no doubt whatsoever, that Apollonia and I are meant to be forever. That every moment has led us here--from the second I pulled her to safety as a child to the moment I caught her when she fell at the funeral—she is meant for me. And I will do whatever I must to show her just how certain our destiny is.

11

Apollonia

“We have to find her.” Carter pleads with me, his eyes filling with tears and threatening to break my heart. I know in this moment I’ll take this house apart brick by brick until I find the kitten for him. I’d do anything to wipe that sad look off his face. He’s had enough sadness for a lifetime already.

“I’ll find her.” I sit on the side of the bed next to him. “She’s a cat. I’m sure she’s only exploring. This is a big house, and cats are curious.” I try to put him at ease.

“Yeah,” he agrees, looking to the door of his bedroom that’s cracked open a little. “I didn't mean to leave the door open.” His bottom lip starts to tremble. I want to throw my arms around him and comfort him. Or maybe it’s me that needs the comforting. I can’t stand to see him this upset. I can’t even imagine how hard it was for Cato to have to tell Carter about my brother's death.

“It’s good for her to go out and explore. I’ll find her in no time unless she beats me to it by coming back for food.”

He nods but doesn’t look convinced.

“Don’t worry. There are too many people around here. There’s no way we won’t find this kitten.”

“I don’t want her to leave and never come back.” Those sad eyes look up at me. I didn’t think it was possible for my heart to break any further, but those few words have proven me wrong.

“No one is going to let anything happen to her. She’s coming back.”

“That’s true. Cato can do anything. He’ll protect her,” he says proudly. I believe him with the way Cato dotes