It'll Be An Adventure (Masters of the Shadowlands #15)(49)
Author: Cherise Sinclair

 

Giving Saxon a disgruntled look, Sherlock slunk away.

 

“Ow. Ow. Ow!” Despite the hissing, scratching bundle, Murphy made her way down in a way that indicated she was skilled at one-handed climbing. “Cat, I’m a friend. Ow.”

 

As soon as she was low enough, Saxon reached up, put his hands around her waist, and lifted her to the ground. “Very nice. You have impressive climbing skills.”

 

“Thanks. Look at this little cutie.”

 

As she showed him the kitten, he noticed the long slashes on Murphy’s hand and wrist. “It got you good.”

 

“Aww, that happens with scared little babies.” Ignoring her wounds, she cuddled the kitten to her chest with both hands. “It’s scary to be grabbed like that.”

 

And she would know that how? Saxon frowned.

 

“Poor kitty. You’ll be all right now.” Her soft voice was as soothing to him as to the kitten. And he wasn’t surprised at all to hear a responding purr.

 

Despite her bloody arm, all her focus was on caring for the kitten.

 

And, just like that, Saxon knew all his logical intentions for avoiding her had been shattered.

 

He wasn’t going to stay away. He wanted to know her better. To be with her. To hold her and take care of her and see where it went.

 

Not even realizing she’d just turned his world upside-down, she walked over to her pack.

 

He scooped it up, out of her reach. “You carry the cat. I’ll carry your pack.”

 

“But—”

 

“No buts. First, though, let’s get those scratches cleaned.” He pulled out the small first aid kit and held out his hand.

 

 

 

Cuddling the fuzzy kitten against her breasts, Murphy frowned. “I’m fine. They’re just scratches.” The last thing she needed was Master Saxon touching her.

 

She was far, far too aware of him as it was.

 

“Now, Murphy.” It was the same low commanding tone she’d heard in the pet room.

 

Her hand was in his before she could even think.

 

His fingers curled around her forearm, holding her immobile as he carefully and thoroughly cleaned the long, painful scratches. “Cats have all sorts of bacteria on their claws. Best to be proactive.”

 

After rummaging in the kit, Ben handed over a packet of antibiotic ointment.

 

Ben. God, the first sight of him had shaken her. Three years ago, he’d been the Shadowlands security guard.

 

The last thing she wanted was for him to remember her.

 

After applying the ointment with a gentle finger and cleaning his hands, Saxon ran his knuckles over her cheek. He glanced down at the kitten. “Looks like you got yourself a new friend.”

 

It was sound asleep, and so cute her heart simply melted. Then she shook her head. “I can’t keep it. Do you think you could find it a—”

 

“Why can’t you keep it?” As they started walking, Ben took up position on her other side.

 

“Cats get out. My brothers aren’t very…” Her voice trailed off.

 

Saxon’s lips curved up into a satisfied smile. “Your brothers can’t get into your house.”

 

They couldn’t.

 

She looked down at the kitten. Filthy dirty and scrawny. It’d need all sorts of things. Things that weren’t in the budget. Shots and food and…

 

She didn’t care.

 

“Saxon, you know about cats. Can you tell me what all I need?”

 

His blue eyes filled with approval. “We’ll swing by my house, and I’ll get you set up with what you need to start.”

 

 

 

 

 

In her car, Murphy couldn’t stop smiling. She had a cat. Her very own little kitten was sleeping in Saxon’s soft cat carrier on the passenger seat.

 

A kitten.

 

She followed Saxon’s SUV to an area outside of Odessa where each home had a few acres of land. He turned right, going down a long drive and stopping in front of a stone-and-wood siding, two-story house.

 

Once let out, Sherlock shot out of the SUV to bounce against the front door with excited yips.

 

Carrier in hand, Murphy joined them on the porch.

 

As Saxon opened the door, the dog scrambled across the pale wood flooring and darted from room to room.

 

She grinned. “I’ve never seen so much excitement over getting home.”

 

“I have two cats. Sherlock has to check they’re all right and where they belong before he can relax. He has herding instincts.”

 

She looked around, enjoying the spacious open floor plan. The vaulted ceiling let in light; the high windows provided a view of the surrounding woods. A stone wall contained a long rectangular fireplace with a big television screen above. The built-in bookcases flanking the fireplace made her fingers twitch to check out his reading material.

 

A cream-colored L-shaped sectional and two dark blue recliners formed a cozy grouping. “Books and a fireplace—and television for when you want to be brainless?”

 

He laughed. “You nailed it.”

 

The décor felt masculine without being over-the-top macho and was designed for comfort. The square coffee table was sturdy enough for someone to rest their feet upon, and the seating had end tables where a person could set their drink. She nodded. “You have a nice place.”

 

“Thanks. I bought it a couple of years ago but haven’t had much time to work on it.”

 

Bought it. Big house on acreage? Wow, vet techs made more than she’d figured.

 

“Come this way. I have a room I use for animals.” He led the way through a laundry room into a room with a big sink and a square wood table in the center of the room. The wall shelves were filled with pet supplies. He closed the door behind them, saying, “The kitten doesn’t need to meet Sherlock or my cats yet.”

 

“Sherlock would probably flatten the poor baby.” She set the carrier on the floor and opened the door.

 

Saxon had already dumped some litter into a plastic box and was filling dishes with kitten food and water. “Set your baby in the box and scratch her paws across the litter to give her an idea of what it’s for.”

 

After walking in a circle around the clay litter, the kitten squatted and did its job, covering up the spot with brisk efficiency.