Max

by Terry Bolryder

  She giggled to herself at the thought, drawing a stern look from her new friend.

  “What’s so funny?” Max cocked his head, and she thought he almost looked like a cat himself when he did that with those striking golden eyes.

  “Nothing.” She focused in on the kitten. “So what should we do next? Should we bathe him?”

  Max gestured for her to follow him and took the sweater-wrapped kitten into the bathroom at the end of a long hall. He flicked on the light and grabbed a towel, laying it down in the tub so he could then place the sweatshirt down and slowly unwrap it.

  As the kitten was revealed again, Jackie let out a little gasp. His tiny mouth was barely open, his small, pink tongue sticking out as he panted, and he smelled even worse than before.

  She knew Max had been right, that she shouldn’t be obsessed with the little guy, but she couldn’t help it.

  He was just so sad and sick.

  Max just pulled a small basin out from under the sink and began to fill it with soap and water. “No promises, but I can take a better look at him if we clean him up some.”

  She nodded, then held her breath as Max gently lifted the kitten’s tiny body, no bigger than his hand, and held it above the water, gently pouring some over it.

  There was something breathtakingly adorable about such a big, muscular man being so gentle with such a helpless, sick creature. Watching Max’s stern, handsome face as he removed the filth from the kitten, Jackie felt that if someone made a calendar of this moment, the whole female race would buy it.

  She let out a little sigh, and he looked over at her questioningly. She wondered if, despite his incredible looks and job working with people, he was actually just as bad with them as she was.

  Still, the more time she spent with him, the more she found his grumpy manner endearing.

  As he finished washing the kitten, then wrapped it in a towel and handed it to her, she felt tears well up in her eyes.

  It wasn’t panting anymore, but it was staying very still. She looked up to see Max watching her, a tentative expression in those unreadable gold eyes.

  “I don’t know how I’ll ever thank you,” she said gratefully. “If there’s ever anything I can do…”

  He sighed. “It’s not yours to pay back. It was behind my club. It’s our fault you came across it.”

  “It was my choice to help him,” she said. “And I’ll never forget that you helped us. So anything you want, just name it. I’m good with tech stuff since I work in support. You need a network set up for the club or anything, I’m your girl.”

  At her last words, his high cheekbones took on a subtle flush, and he turned away quickly. Had she done something to embarrass him?

  Surely, a big, handsome guy like this wouldn’t be embarrassed by a super awkward, average girl like her.

  When Max turned back to her, he still looked adorably flustered and took a minute to collect himself. As he folded his arms over his chest, he seemed to regain his tough-guy façade.

  “All I’d ask is for you to come check on him.” He thought about it for a moment. “At least once a day.”

  “I can do that,” she said eagerly. “If it won’t bother you.”

  He flushed again, tucking his hair behind one ear. “It won’t.”

  Wait, was it possible he was just really inexperienced with women? If so, that was pretty much the most adorable thing she’d ever seen.

  He was nothing like she’d imagined when she’d first seen him guarding the club entrance, scary and impervious, and she found herself glad she would have an excuse to come see him again.

  As the kitten currently sleeping in her arms proved, she had a weakness for cute things.

  She smiled to herself, sure this huge man would be utterly offended if he could hear what she was thinking. Still, she would have to think more about him later, because right now, she just wanted to savor the feel of the soft, safe kitten in her arms.

  “He’s not out of the woods yet,” Max said, “just because he’s no longer smelly and cold. Whoever left him out there left him for a reason. His momma cat probably knows more than we do. I just hope he can’t get anyone sick.”

  “I don’t think a lot of cat diseases are zoonotic.”

  “What?” He looked at her in confusion.

  “Zoonotic. Passable to humans. I mean, there are a few, but as different species, not that many.”

  “And how do you know this?”

  “I looked it up once,” she said vaguely.

  He rolled his eyes, looking up at the ceiling. “Let me guess. This isn’t the first time you’ve found a sick animal?”

  She shook her head. “I have a talent for it. Mostly back in high school.”

  “How many?”

  “A few, but I always found homes for them,” she said softly. “I’ll find a place for this one, too. If not, I might have to change up my apartment arrangements. Move somewhere that can take pets.”

  “That’s a lot of change in your life for an animal you’ve just met.”

  “Sometimes life involves changes.”

  He cocked his head to the side. “You’ve got to be the most naive, idealistic person I’ve ever met.”

  She shrugged. “Maybe.”

  Max pulled out his phone and searched something for a moment before letting out a growl. “No vets open now. Not even emergency ones.”

  “Dammit,” she said. “Do you think he’s hungry?”

  Max palpated the kitten’s tummy, then shook his head. “Surprisingly, I think he was fed recently. Which is odd since he was left behind.”

  “I wonder what happened,” she replied. “Still, he looks perfect, doesn’t he?”

  “I suppose.” Max rubbed the back of his head. “You know, since there’s nothing else we can do for him tonight, perhaps you should just head home before the weather worsens?”

  She sat up abruptly. “Oh, yes. You’re right.” She looked reluctantly at the kitten, not wanting to leave him, and nodded. “I’m sure you’ll take good care of him.”

  “I will.”

  She stood, carrying the kitten with her as she moved to the doorway, wanting to hold him as long as possible. Then she handed him over to Max, who went to lay him on the couch.

  When she went to protest, he opened the door for her. “Look, I’ll be right back to him, but I need to get you to a cab safely first. Trust me on that, okay?”

  “All right.”

  She called an Uber, and Max waited with her on the other side of the street, watching quietly until the car pulled up. As he opened the door for her, she felt a shudder of electricity as she brushed by his hand.

  She put a hand over his, shyly. “Max, thank you for everything. I almost forgot. Do you want my number?”

  He nodded, looking flustered for forgetting, and exchanged her number for his.

  Then he shut the cab door behind her and watched her pull away. She looked back to see he was still watching, all the way until they turned down a street and moved out of his view.

  Once they had, she slumped back in her seat, thinking of the kitten and the man and the adventure they’d gotten into.

  Chapter 4

  Jackie woke with a groan and rolled over, vaguely recognizing the buzz of her alarm. Her head pounded as she groped for the phone she’d left under her pillow, and when she found it, she saw a text on the screen.

  Meet me at Apple Creek Vet at 9.

  She cursed, seeing the time on her phone, and hurried to get ready. When she couldn’t decide what to wear, she simply dragged on a pair of yoga pants and another of her beat-up hoodies, threw a coat over the top, and rushed out of the apartment, grabbing her purse on the way.

  Her roommate, Chad, sent her a glare as he watched her run through the living room, but she ignored him entirely, as she always did.

  Chad lived in a different world than her, and if she’d known more about him, or if there had been any other places close to work available, she never would have rented a spa
re room from him.

  Jackie texted her boss, telling him she needed to take a personal day, and got in her Civic to drive to the vet. Apple Creek wasn’t one she was familiar with, and it was across town, so she settled in and tried to use the ride to calm herself down.

  When she finally arrived, she parked next to a giant truck and jogged for the building, almost forgetting to get her purse.

  As she entered, a pretty blond receptionist smiled at her and pointed to a door at the end of the lobby. “Are you here for the kitty?”

  Jackie nodded eagerly, glad there was no need to check in.

  “Just down there and on the left. They’re waiting for you.” The receptionist’s expression was warm and reassuring. “That was a super nice thing you did.”

  Jackie wanted to answer, but she simply gave a hurried nod because she was too eager to see the kitten. What if they had to put him down? What if—

  She knocked briefly before pushing the door open and was startled to run right into a hard, muscled chest.

  She looked up to see Max staring sternly down at her and cursed herself for being in such a rush. He’d clearly been about to open the door for her, and she couldn’t even wait for that.

  “Nice to see you,” she said, following him into the room.

  “So you’re the one who found him?” The vet, who had coppery hair, brown eyes, and a warm smile, turned the kitten onto his back, examining him.

  “Yes,” Jackie said.

  “Well, the good news is he’s going to be fine. I don’t think he was alone long. He has a bit of diarrhea, which is enough to make a mother cat think he won’t make it. The bad news? He’s going to need some help. And a lot of supervision, at least at first.”

  Jackie nodded. “How much?”

  “I mean, someone should be around him at all times pretty much. Or at least have a camera on him. He’ll need feedings every few hours.”

  Jackie bit her lip, knowing her boss really wouldn’t like it. “I’ll figure something out.”

  Max let out a huff. “I already said he could stay at my place as long as you come over in the evenings to help.”

  Max’s hair was tied back today, and it only placed more emphasis on his harsh, perfect features. That stubborn jaw, straight nose. Full lips. Wide, expressive eyes that changed from light brown to gold depending on the light.

  He was wearing a leather jacket over a tee shirt and jeans that hugged muscular legs all the way down.

  Jackie gulped. “Yeah, but you didn’t know how much work it was then.”

  “Based on his age, I expected it. Besides, I’m not a man who breaks commitments.”

  “I’ll give you two a moment to discuss it,” the vet said. “When you’re ready, we can check you out in front.”

  When she left, the room went silent and tension seemed to thicken the air.

  Max tucked a stray hair back. “So are you willing to come over in the evenings? Because I can take care of him in the day, but not when I’m working.”

  “Of course,” she said eagerly. “Anything.” She would owe Max for this forever, and she would definitely find some way to pay him back.

  “Don’t look at me like that,” Max said gruffly, lifting a carrier off the ground and opening its door. She handed over the kitten reluctantly.

  Max closed the crate and headed for the door. “Did you think of a name for him?”

  She hadn’t. She looked over at him through the grated door of the carrier just as he let out a big yawn that looked like a tiny roar, complete with poky little teeth. “Lionel?”

  Max blinked. “What? Why?”

  “Because he’s like a little lion. He’s got so much fight in him.”

  Max cocked his head and pursed his lips, his thoughts unreadable, and then nodded. “If that’s what you want.”

  “It is.”

  They walked out into the early morning, which was cloudy with bright sun jutting through in silver streaks.

  Max put a hand up to shield his eyes, staring skyward. “Looks like it’ll rain soon.”

  “Yes,” she said, standing there awkwardly. Maybe she could go to work still. Or maybe she’d go buy supplies for the cat or catch up on sleep.

  Max shifted the carrier to his other hand. “So I’ll see you tonight, then?”

  “Sure, what time?”

  “Can you do six today?”

  She nodded.

  “Then we’ll both see you then.” His tone was so businesslike it made their arrangement seem almost normal.

  “See you tonight,” she called as Max walked to a van on the other side of the parking lot. It was white with a sliding door, and she wondered what a guy like that would use it for.

  She’d expected the big truck in the lot would be his.

  “And Max?” she called after him.

  He looked over his shoulder expectantly.

  “Thanks for everything.”

  He put up a casual wave with those beautiful fingers she’d noticed the other night and disappeared into his van.

  So Jackie shook herself out of the trance she’d been in while watching him and resolved to go about her day.

  The next morning, Max was regretting asking Benny if he could bring the kitten in to sleep at the club while he cleaned.

  He’d taken it out of the carrier and deposited it in a soft little bed on the edge of the bar, far from the taps or the bar snacks.

  Lock was currently poking at it.

  Max let out a growl and stalked over protectively, batting Lock’s hand away and wincing at Benny’s laugh.

  “You know, if you wanted a kitten, there are plenty of human women who would be willing to give you one,” Lock said.

  “It would be a cub, dumbass, and you know I’m not interested in human women.”

  “You really ought to rethink that,” Benny said, leaning with both elbows on the bar so he could reach out to tickle Lionel’s chin with one finger.

  Max moved to bat him away, but Benny raised an eyebrow at him, and Max stopped.

  Benny was the one being nice to him about this, after all.

  “No human is good enough for him,” Lock said. “Not that I’m one to settle down either.”

  “Anyway, Max, you’ve been in the human world for a good while now,” Benny said. “Maybe it’s time to put down roots.”

  “I’ll listen to you about that when you take a good look at Harley,” Max retorted.

  It was Benny’s turn to look abashed, and he flushed, the red making his hazel eyes greener. He had dark hair, pale, olive-toned skin, and the classic lumberjack-handsome features of most bear shifters.

  Even if he was nothing like them at all.

  “You and I are in different situations,” Benny said patiently. “You know why you can take a mate and I can’t.”

  “No, I don’t,” Max said. “Look at Dare. If that monster can take a mate, then why—”

  “It’s different,” Benny said, suddenly uncharacteristically sharp. Benny was the type to get along with everyone, a pleasant smile on his face that belied the ferocity lurking just beneath.

  Benny had been rejected by his family some time ago, and as a result, he went around trying to build a new one wherever he went.

  Which was nice and all, but sometimes Max wished Benny would stop being a busybody and just deal with his own shit.

  “What about the little lady who found this thing?” Lock said, boldly poking the kitten once again. His dark-reddish hair was pushed back by a leather band, and his handsome face was mischievous as he watched the kitten let out a little mew.

  Max scooped Lionel up in his arms, guarding him from the other shifters. “If you two don’t behave, I’m going to have to take him home. And then good luck cleaning up the bar.”

  Lock leaned with one elbow on the counter, making his leather jacket creak. The man liked to look like a rock star, but Max guessed that underneath all the flash, he was more like a serial killer.

  Just bad right down to the bone.<
br />
  “It’s rich, you know, an elite lion from Pride Island cleaning up the shit of a tiny, worthless kitten just because of a human. You usually detest them. It’s almost like she’s special to you.”

  “No,” Max said. “I’m not elite. Not anymore. I’m banished, remember?”

  “Yes, but it wasn’t your fault,” Benny said. “Unlike me, there’s nothing wrong with you.”

  Except Max wasn’t from this world and would never feel at home here.

  Jackie was beautiful. He could admit that. He was intrigued by her and lonely, so he wouldn’t mind spending some time with her.

  So in the end, Lock was right. Max was doing this for Jackie. But as he held Lionel close, stroking a fingertip over his little wet nose and enjoying the way Lionel pushed into it, he knew that wasn’t all of it.

  Lionel, with all his sick helplessness and inability to give back, had introduced something new to Max’s life that he hadn’t felt in a long time.

  Hope.

  The feeling that he could make a difference in the world, no matter how small.

  “How about Lock and I finish cleaning up here and you can take Lionel home?” Benny said helpfully. “It was fun to see him, but I think you could both use some rest.”

  “Lionel?” Lock asked incredulously. “Seriously? You named him that?”

  “It was Jackie.”

  “Ah, Jackie,” Lock said. “Interesting. Think she can sense something is up? She named him after you.”

  “She said he reminded her of a lion,” Max said grumpily. “And yes, I do want to go home.”

  Lock rolled his eyes. “Fine, but this is pointless. And don’t think you’re getting out of work every day.” He stalked off to the back office, leaving Max and Benny alone.

  “Thanks, Benny,” Max said. Then he gathered up Lionel and his things and headed out the club’s door.

  He had a hungry kitten to feed.

  Chapter 5

  After work, Jackie could hardly wait to pull out her phone and text Max about how Lionel was doing.

  It was odd sending a text to a guy in general, but to one who looked like Max, who was a bouncer at a club… It was something she’d never imagined.