by June Kramin
Dusty put the cage on the table and opened up the door. He was thankful the cat perked up and walked right out. Katie tilted her head and smiled at him. He thought he scored bonus points for the pretty calico.
“So, this is George.”
“Yes. He’s a beauty, isn’t he?”
“How long have you had him,” she said, with an emphasis on him.
“Oh… a year or so.”
She gave the cat a quick exam, then quickly flipped through the chart he filled out. “You say he’s five.”
“That’s about right. I inherited him when a friend moved.” Again Dusty applauded himself for his fast thinking. She went to the counter and picked up the shots. She placed caps on the syringes and returned them to the refrigerator. “What’s the matter?” Dusty asked. “He not healthy enough for shots?”
She crossed her arms. “First of all, George is a girl. Hasn’t anyone ever told you the calico rule?”
Crap. How could he forget that? “No. I mean, yes. I guess I forgot and they must have never checked. I went by what they told me. If he was neutered, there’d be no evidence. Right? No nuggets, so to speak.”
She returned to the exam table, picked the cat up, and cuddled with her. “You didn’t last in the shelter long, Felecia. I’m glad to see you have a home.” She gave the cat a kiss and returned her to the carrier then turned to Dusty. “I’ve known Felecia since she was a kitten. I spayed and declawed her last year. Her owners had to move into an apartment and were heartbroken they couldn’t take her. Her shots were done last week before they turned her in, hoping to give her a better chance at a good home. They’ll be happy to hear she’s found one. Unless of course this was just some ploy to come into my clinic. I can’t think of one good reason why that would be, Mr. Andrews. Would you care to enlighten me?”
“What are the chances of you knowing the cat, huh?” he said, trying to pull off the boyish grin that usually let him get away with almost anything.
“I’m waiting,” she said as she crossed her arms again and leaned against the counter.
“I saw your picture in the yellow pages and remembered the night from college. You were outside of Dicky’s with your roommate. It was the night before your birthday.”
“How in the hell do you remember that?”
He shrugged. “I never forget a beautiful face.” His eyes went to the calendar on the wall. It was a huge tear away, day-at-a-time calendar. The date finally registered. “Today is your birthday. I thought I’d try for another chance.”
Her arms flopped to her side. “You’re unbelievable. You adopted this poor cat to get a date?” She looked at his chart again. “You’re a lawyer. You must have gotten this conniving in school. Another good reason I steered clear of the other campus.” She angrily took the paper off the clipboard and crumbled it up. “Get out of my office.”
He hurried to her and held her hands. “Don’t get pissed. You can’t bust my chops for trying. Come on. How about you don’t hold being a lawyer against me and I hold you against me instead?”
That earned him a slap. Katie called for Karla. The door quickly opened up. “Yeah, Doc. B?”
“See Mr. Andrews and Felecia out.”
“I thought his cat was George?”
“He was mistaken.”
“Wait!” Karla said, excited. “Our Felecia?” She peeked into the cage and spoke to the cat. “Hi, honey! Welcome back!” She seemed to sense the tension in the room. “Crap. What gives?”
“See him out and don’t start a file. Unfortunately for us, we won’t be seeing Felecia anymore.”
Karla picked up the carrier. “Follow me, sir.”
“Wait a second, Katie. I’m sorry. Just give me a chance.”
“Are you going to keep her or will you take her back to the shelter?”
“I’m keeping her. Does that get me a date tonight?”
“It’s my birthday. You think I don’t have a date? I happen to be dating a very nice chiropractor.”
“Wilson? Are you shitting me?”
“You know him?”
“Hell, yeah, I know him. I know him well enough to say you ain’t the only one he’s seeing.”
“Ain’t? Win many trials with that vocabulary?”
“Come on, Katie. Let’s go talk. There are some things I need to tell you.”
“Get out of my exam room. Now!” She harshly strode the few paces to her office, off the exam room, and slammed the door.
“Come on, sir,” Karla said. “You best split when she loses her top like that.” When they were at the door, Karla turned to him. “You really got Felecia just to try to get a date?”
“Sort of.”
“You promise you’ll take care of her and not take her back to the shelter?”
“I will. I gave them three hundred dollars for her. You bet I will.”
“Gee whiz. You’re cute enough. You’re loaded. What gives? Things can’t be that bad out there.”
“Your boss has always owned my heart. You haven’t seen the last of me.”
“I wouldn’t advise showing up again. When her mind is made up, it’s made up.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Good luck to you then.” She held the door as he walked out, then locked it behind him
After getting the cat settled in his home, Dusty returned to the phonebook to look up Dr. Wilson Gregory. The thought of him being with Katie all but made smoke come out his ears. He couldn’t believe in a time where he and Katie didn’t exist as a couple. He called Wilson’s office, but they had already closed at noon as well. He looked up his private residence and found the address. He left for the chiropractor’s home without a plan of what he would do when he reached it.
When there was no answer at the door, Dusty walked around to the back. He found Wilson and a companion by the pool. Wilson was giving a woman, whose top had been unfastened, a back rub. After noticing Dusty, he approached him. “Can I help you with something?”
“Actually, yes. Is there somewhere we can talk in private?”
Wilson squinted. “What’s this about?”
“I’d really rather do this inside,” Dusty said as he shook his head toward the woman.
“Follow me.”
They entered the kitchen through the patio door. “Can I get you a drink?”
“Not so sure if you want to offer me a drink when you hear what I have to say. But I’ll take a beer if you’re feeling gracious.”
Wilson removed a bottle on Leiney’s out of the refrigerator and handed it to Dusty. “So what gives?”
“I take it that lady friend of yours out there is not the one you have a date with tonight.”
“What’s that to you? That’s none of your business.”
“It’s my business all right.”
“You a private dick or something?”
Ohhh. That’s a good one. “Yes. Doc Barrow is a little frustrated with your extracurricular activities.”
“Aw, man. How’d she find out?”
Dusty held his arms wide open. “You aren’t the most discreet, my friend. In fact, you haven’t changed any since college.”
“College?” Again he squinted his eyes at Dusty. “You don’t look familiar.”
“I saw you a few times at Puck You. I overheard you bragging about having a few women on hold at all times.”
“I was the stud even back then, wasn’t I?” He perked up like a proud rooster, instead of being ashamed.
“Mostly I thought you were full of shit. In any case, you can guess your date tonight is cancelled.”
“Dammit!” he ran his hand down his face. “I really liked this one.”
“So why cheat on her?”
“If she put out, I wouldn’t have to now, would I?”
“You’re not sleeping with her?” This news made Dusty very happy.
“That woman has had a nickel between her knees for two months now. She has to know I can’t wait forever.”
“Well, you�
�re free of her now.” Dusty pointed outside. “And there’s a line forming already.”
“Should I call her or something?”
“Definitely not. She’s pretty upset.”
“Shit. No chance I can buy you out? You know. Double what she’s paying you or something?”
“Sorry, my friend. I have standards. Wish I could help you. Really.”
“It was worth a shot.”
“Hey. This may sound funny, but where were you taking her? I could use a good reservation tonight. I have a date.”
“Chez Pauls. Six-thirty. Help yourself.”
“Thanks, pal.” Dusty placed the beer on the counter then extended his hand. “Thanks for the beer. Sorry about this. It’s just my job. Nothing personal, you know.”
“Pffft. Plenty of fish in the sea that want a piece of this,” he said as he grabbed his crotch.
Dusty had to look away to keep from laughing. He never understood the men that did that. After he reached the gate, he quickly snapped a picture of Wilson as he resumed his backrub of the woman, whose top was now lying beside her. He felt bad for a second, but he felt the maneuver was fitting of his new private eye status. The job suited him.
He pulled up at Katie’s at six sharp, wearing the best dress suit and tie he could find in his closet. He knew she wouldn’t be impressed with Armani but hell, he looked good in it if he did say so himself.
Katie opened the door happy enough, but the smile quickly faded when she saw Dusty. She tried to slam the door, but he put his foot out, stopping it.
“Move your foot,” she barked.
“No can do, sweetheart. I need a minute of your time.”
“I don’t owe you anything. What are you doing at my house?”
“I don’t take no for an answer.”
“I already told you I have a date.”
“That, my dear lady, has been cancelled.” He opened his phone and held it up to her, showing her the picture he took of Wilson.
She quickly seized it out of his hands. “When was this taken?”
“Around one.”
“How did you…why…” She closed the phone and pressed it hard to his chest. “Get out of here, would you?” She tried to close the door again, but ended up slamming it on his foot. This time Dusty fell into the house and held his foot as if in pain. He lay on his back moaning.
“Oh my God! Are you okay?” She dropped to her knees and held his foot in her hands, ready to remove his shoe.
Dusty sat up and took her hands. “You don’t actually call me God until we’ve had sex, but that’s okay. I don’t mind.”
“You pig!” she said as she stood. He followed her up. “Get out of my house before I call the cops.”
“And what are the charges? I find you incredibly attractive and decided I can’t live without you and would like to get to know you? I want to take you to Chez Pauls for dinner. Oh no! Not that!” He bellowed out the door. “Quick! Someone call 9-1-1!”
Katie looked as if she was holding back a laugh. “It’s called stalking. Now get out.”
He took a step closer to her and leaned in so their noses almost touched. “One date. I swear I’m harmless, Katie. Give me the chance you didn’t give me all those years ago.” He took her hand and brought it to his lips for a kiss. He could feel her quiver and loved that he could have that effect on her still. Even if it was technically the first time they were meeting. Again. Whatever.
After a brief pause she asked, “Why did I tell you no that night?”
“You said I was cute but too young for you.”
“Were you in high school or something?”
“I was in college. I’m just graced with young looks. Graced in every sense of the word, except when I ask you out.”
“You tried more than once?”
“Technically, no.”
“Can you define technically?”
“I can. Over dinner.”
“Did you keep Felecia or did you take her back to the shelter?”
“George is adjusting well to her new home.”
“You’re going to change her name to George?”
“She likes it.”
Katie finally let her laugh go. “One dinner, no dessert, no coffee, and you’re out of here.”
“Deal.”
Katie rolled over and pressed her back into Dusty’s chest. They had finished a great first date and every rule Katie laid out hadn’t stuck. They returned to his place after dinner, dessert and coffee, commencing in sex shortly thereafter. He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close. “You’re incredible,” he said with a kiss to the back of her head. “I also happen to like the way we fit.”
“Not too bad yourself,” she said with a moan. She reached back and ran her hand down his back and thigh.
“Don’t kill me for asking, but how come you didn’t sleep with Wilson?”
“It never felt right. I kept waiting to be attracted to him, but it never happened. Even drunk I turned him away.”
Dusty laughed. “You did have to get drunk to go out with him.” He said it a little too matter-of-factly, but Katie never caught it.
“No. I had a few drinks the first time we hooked up, but I still couldn’t go through with it. He seemed nice enough, so I wanted to give him a chance. Something was missing.” She turned back around to face him. “How did you know I never slept with him?”
“He sort of complained about it this afternoon.”
“That asshole.” She went to sit up but he gently pulled her back down.
“This wasn’t a quest to see if I could boldly go where he hadn’t, Katie. I meant what I said to you over dinner. I’ve watched you from afar off and on. My only goal was to have you.”
“So now you’ve had me. What now?”
“Have you again and again for about the next eighty years.”
She laughed. “Do I get the wedding invitations out?”
“I’m open next Saturday.”
“You’re a nut job.’
“A nut job that is madly in love with you.”
“Whoa.” Katie sat up.
“What?”
“Love? After one dinner and sex?”
“Great sex. I’m pretty sure the neighbors will refer to me as God from this day forward.”
She gently slapped at his chest. “Even after I pulled the pillow over my face?”
He chuckled. “’Fraid so, cupcake.”
“Argh. That proves it. I can’t date someone that uses pet names like that.”
“Bet you can and do.”
She flopped back down. “I don’t usually do this.”
“I know.”
“You really pissed me off. I don’t know how you got me here after that stunt you pulled.”
“You like the way I prepare caviar.”
She leaned over and gave him a gentle kiss. He kept her there, turning it into something that lasted much longer. Within another moment, round two began. Dusty again wondered why he was brought forward to this time, but right now he didn’t care too much.
Chapter Twenty-Three
It was seven the next morning when the two of them began to stir.
Katie gave Dusty a quick kiss. “Mind if I hop in the shower?” Dusty only grunted in response. She was finishing rinsing off when hands reached from behind, cupping her breasts. She jumped and let out a soft scream that turned into a laugh. “Dammit, Dusty. You scared the crap out of me.”
“Sorry, my sweet. I missed you.” She spun around and he gently kissed her lips. “You staying for a while?”
“I think I’m letting you make me breakfast this morning.”
“Wise decision,” he said as he kissed down her neck. “Food, Dusty.”
“Damn,” he said with another kiss. “I do believe I can scrounge up enough to make eggs benedict.”
“Seriously?”
“You bet, doll face.”
“Gah. Never mind. If you can’t can it with those names, I’ll drive through McDona
lds.”
“No, you won’t.” He kissed her again and stepped back out. “I put a pair of pajamas out for you. As much as I love that dress, I don’t think you need to lounge around in it today.”
“Oh, I’m staying today?”
“Of course you are. I make a mean cup of coffee. Before I went to your house yesterday, I made sure that there wasn’t a drop of cinnamon in anything in this house.”
The water for the shower shut off. She opened the sliding glass door and quickly removed the towel he placed on the rack for her and covered herself. “How do you know about that?”
Crap. “You mentioned it last night.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“You did, too. Over dessert.”
“No, Dusty. I didn’t. And even if I did, you said you took care of it before you came to my house.”
Shit. “Maybe Wilson told me?”
“Wrong. He didn’t know either. What the hell is this?” she shouted. “Goddammnit! I just had sex with a psycho stalker.” She began to pace the floor of the bathroom. “Please put a towel on for heaven’s sake.”
He rushed to her side. “I’m not a psycho stalker. Please stop freaking out.”
“Towel!” she again shouted, motioning to his lower half.
He reached in the cabinet and removed a towel, then wrapped it around himself.
“Then explain it, Dusty.”
“Can I explain it over breakfast? I’m starved.”
“Talk.”
“I’ll explain over cooking. How’s that? You have to let me finish and you have to eat before you split.”
“No deal.”
“That’s the only deal you’re getting.” He walked to the bedroom and picked up her dress and shoes. “You’ll get this back after we’ve eaten.”
“What makes you think I won’t go home in your pajamas and my coat?”
“I drove you here.”
“Shit!”
“Come on, Katie. One meal.”
“Last time you said that, we had sex.”
“I accept.”
“Dusty!”
“Okay,” he said, holding his hands up while he still held her items. “Truce. Just come down when you’re ready. There’s a hair dryer under the vanity.”
“Leave me my clothes.”
“That’s not part of the deal.”
