lap. Killian had sneaked out on him. Hell, they’d had sex that could move the center of the universe, and Killian just left. Shit! Maybe he should give this cat to the next person to walk in the building and ask them to give the feline to Killian.
“Merwaow.”
He looked at Aloysius. This wasn’t the first time the cat had seemed to reply to a question he hadn’t spoken out loud. He shook his head. Losing it. Coincidence. “I know you’re a bright cat, but not that bright.”
The crossed blue eyes looked up at him… brightly.
“Hey, you’re a smart cat. What should I do?”
“Merwaowr.”
“On the one hand, I seem to crave the guy like… well, like catnip. On the other hand, he doesn’t seem to think much of me.”
He rested his head on Al’s back. Silky soft. Vibrating. It hurt like hell that Killian didn’t want him. More than he would have believed possible a few weeks before. The man seemed wrapped into Blaine’s DNA. Visceral, essential. “I’m tough, Al. But I can’t take the hurt. Each time he runs away, the wound opens a little farther. For a while it was fun chasing him, but this time? I barely know why, but I care for him too much.”
He saw a woman approaching the building on the sidewalk. He waited. Sure enough, she turned and started up the steps beside him. “Excuse me, ma’am. Do you know Dr. Killian Barth?”
She smiled. “Yes, of course I do. That’s his cat, isn’t it?”
The doorbell buzzed. Killian couldn’t remember the last time that buzzer had sounded. After all, he could deliver his own pizza. It buzzed again. All right, for gods’ sake. He got up, clothed only in sweatpants and his long, loose hair, and headed for the door. He paused. Maybe it was someone from the university. Buzz. Closing the distance to the door, he ripped it open. And stared.
“Excuse me, did you lose a cat?”
That gorgeous face. Shaggy hair fell around his prominent cheekbones, and the glasses outlined the brilliant green eyes. He stood with his arms behind his back.
Stop, stupid heart! Quit hoping. Want something else. No use. Killian wanted to hurl himself into the human’s arms. “How did you find me?”
Blaine brought one arm forward, full of shiny black fur. “He brought me. Wouldn’t come without me.” He gave a half smile as he folded the more than willing cat into his arms. “Clearly he likes me a lot more than you do.”
Killian sighed and walked away from the door into the living room, leaving Blaine to decide for himself what to do. “It’s complicated.”
He heard the door slam. Which side of it was Blaine on?
“Complicated? Shit. Why is it complicated, Killian? You and I had some of the best sex ever shared by two men—hell, by two humans—and I wake up to find you missing and a cat in your place.” Killian had reached the living room couch by now and threw himself on it with Blaine hot on his heels. The beautiful human stood over him, still holding Aloysius. “Why is it complicated?”
Too much. He curled into a ball. “Don’t yell at me.”
Blaine knelt beside him instantly. Al must have jumped away, because the man had two arms to gather Killian into. “Oh, baby, I’m so sorry. I’m not angry at you… exactly. I just woke up all warm and longing for you, and instead I found this big-balled feline.” Killian was covered in his own hair, so he couldn’t see the exchange, but Blaine must have looked at Aloysius. “I love you, Al. I do. But you understand you’re just not my type.”
How could he tell Blaine that he was no more his type than the cat? He couldn’t. That simple. Telling Blaine he was a witch was not an option. Killian unfolded from his tight ball and sat partway up, still leaning on the arm of the couch. He spoke softly. “I’m getting married.”
Blaine reached over to pet Al, who had settled on the back of the couch. He grinned. “Yeah, right.” Killian stayed quiet. Blaine looked up, and his grin faded. “You’re serious?”
“Yes.”
A flash of pain crossed the man’s face. “I don’t understand. Who is he? How could you have sex with me when you’re marrying another man? Why?”
“Blaine, it’s not a man.”
“What the fu—you’re marrying a woman?”
Killian nodded.
“But you’re gay!”
“The marriage is a family obligation. She and I have been intended for each other for a while. Family union and all that.”
Blaine jumped up.