Ollie took a sharp breath and glanced at Goran, his face visibly tense. “What do you mean? You want to be exclusive?”
Goran’s heart dropped, and all of a sudden, he had the feeling that he’d be coming down from this high fast. “Just saying… But you don’t seem very excited.”
Ollie rubbed his face. “No, it’s not that.” He slowly lowered his fingers until his eyes were both uncovered. “Are you sure that’s what you want? Won’t you change your mind in a month?”
Goran rolled his eyes. “That’s a pretty shitty thing to say. If I change my mind, I’ll tell you. And don’t question me, because I’ve already told you what I want. It’s you who won’t speak your mind.”
“It’s a big commitment. It didn’t come out right, but things happen. You feel like someone is your whole world but then they are suddenly interested in someone else,” Ollie whispered, shrugging, as if to say that he wasn’t nearly as nervous as he looked.
Goran ran his fingers over Ollie’s sides. “I don’t get what you’re saying.”
Ollie looked up at him, finally meeting Goran’s gaze for more than a split second. “I really like you. And I’ve never been in any kind of... relationship, and I guess I’m worried that things could end like they did with Luis.”
“Things can always end badly. Nobody’s perfect. But it all comes down to taking that leap and giving someone a shot. I’m not gonna beg you, Oliver. You either want it or you don’t. Or you want more time, but then that’s a sign for me too.” Goran leaned up for a kiss.
Ollie closed his eyes, his arms slowly moving around Goran’s neck as they rolled down on the sofa. His heart thumped so close to Goran he could feel it vibrate.
“I don’t want to see you with the others,” he said in the end, nuzzling Goran’s cheek softly.
“Oh, yeah? You’d be jealous?” Goran took a deep breath, and his lips spread into a smile. He held Ollie tightly, already fantasizing about fucking him again.
Ollie groaned but held Goran’s gaze. “Yes. You?”
“I want you all to myself.” Goran rolled them over so that he was on top and ground his hips into Ollie’s. The soft lips opened against Goran’s mouth, and Ollie’s tongue wickedly teased him into another kiss. His legs opened to accommodate Goran, and at this point, no red flag could stop him. He jumped headfirst.
Chapter 17
The guy sitting on the sofa in Luis’s living room was pretty, with smooth skin, dark eyes, and luscious lips. Ollie liked him. The glint in his eyes hinted at an unruly side that reminded Ollie of Goran. When Goran first moved into the Cattery, Ollie was led to believe that was all the newcomer was: an unruly brat, who’d eventually push the cattery into chaos, but as he was finding out more and more about Goran, the colorful personality was finally revealing itself, with all its quirks and soft spots. There was something unbelievably authentic about Goran, something that made Ollie feel that he could truly be himself with him. He didn’t constantly worry about looking pretty or making appealing noises during sex, and the smiling facade that always hid Ollie’s true emotions was crumbling away with each tender gesture from Goran.
“Ollie?”
Luis’s voice pulled Ollie out of the daydream that was all about Goran in soft sheets. Ollie blinked and gave the candidate they were interviewing a bright smile. Sometimes, he was more than glad that being pleasant in any situation had been a part of his life since he could remember.
“I think that went very well. It’s been a pleasure to meet you, Jason,” he said, shaking the candidate’s hand.
Luis also shook the guy’s hand and they both walked him back to the door. It was the last interview of the day, and Ollie really liked that Luis considered his expertise in being a cat important enough to take it into account when choosing the cat that was to replace Bounce.
“That went well,” said Ollie once he and Luis were alone again.
Luis scratched his chin. “I’m not sure, to be honest. If you were to compare him to a cat, what kind of cat would he be? After Goran, I’m not even sure I know how to pick them anymore.”
Ollie froze, and his heart trembled, but he kept up the neutral smile. “What do you mean? Goran shook up the cattery in the beginning, but the last month was quite idyllic. I think that he just needed a bit more time, since he’s such a free spirit.” Ollie grinned so broadly the muscles around his mouth started aching, but he couldn’t have Luis resenting Goran after all the two of them had been through. “But to answer your question, I think this one would be a bit of a tomcat. He’d be walking around as if he owns the place and believes he deserves all the attention he gets. And he’s a switch, same as Bounce.”
Luis nodded and petted Ollie’s hair absentmindedly. “But Bounce is chilled out. It’s enough that I have Cinnamon, who craves attention, and Smokey, who’s bossy. Are you sure you’re getting along with him now?”
Ollie squeezed his notebook and looked at Luis’s handsome face. Something had changed, because as attractive as Luis was, it wasn’t he who made Ollie’s blood pump faster just now but a simple fantasy about Goran. There was something so distinctly different about those two that Ollie couldn’t really understand how he could have been enamored with them both at different points in his life. Then again, he never really gave being in a relationship a try before meeting Goran, so he didn’t know that confidence and a no-nonsense attitude were something he’d appreciate so much in a partner.
It’d been three weeks since he and Goran decided to be together, and it had been the most ecstatic time of Ollie’s life. Drunk on the constant attention and little gestures that Goran made to express his feelings, Ollie was over the moon. Even Cin’s presence was easier to bear. Still, Ollie decided to take Luis up on his offer and sneaked out of the cattery every other day to help Luis with the scouting for a new cat.
It was odd to be in a cozy home that had been designed around the owner’s personality, because the cattery was more like a high-class modern hotel. Meeting new people so frequently made Ollie anxious, and each time he had to steady himself not to appear nervous, but ultimately, he knew he had nothing to fear in Luis’s house. It was a good way to transition into going out more.
“After that last argument, we had an honest conversation, and it seems that we just didn’t understand each other before. He really is cool.”
Luis exhaled in relief and nudged Ollie. “And hot too, isn’t he? He made me nervous when I first met him. That’s why I knew I had to coax him in. I don’t feel that way about Jason. We’ll keep looking.”
Ollie squeezed his hand into a fist. Did he hear that right? Was Luis more attracted to Goran than anyone else? His brain pulsed with nervous thoughts, but he just nudged Luis with his elbow. “You? Nervous? I don’t believe you.”
“I was!” Luis laughed and pointed Ollie to a large table where he had some food ready and some more being brought by Jerome as they entered. “He was so fearless. Like he didn’t care. It was exciting. Especially that most guys come here desperate to please me. I’m not looking for puppies.”
Ollie sat down in one of the chairs, avoiding Jerome’s gaze. His presence here was a secret, and it made him uncomfortable that someone other than Luis knew about it. Especially someone who was friends with Cin.
“Yes. He is that. He always says what he thinks. An enviable trait,” Ollie said, thinking back to waking up with his cock in Goran’s mouth. It had been glorious. And yet, despite their newly blossoming relationship being so perfect, the shadow of the finite contract that Goran was under kept bothering Ollie as soon as he was alone. Yes, Goran made him feel amazing in every way, but he would eventually leave. And once that happened, he would trample Ollie’s heart and go back home. Ollie didn’t know the language of Goran’s home country, and he knew no one there. He didn’t know the laws, and he wasn’t even sure whether they drove on the left or right side of the road. He couldn’t possibly follow Goran, even if Goran’s invitation was sincere.
Luis grinned and put
some salad on his plate. “He’s definitely a handful, but I enjoy the challenge. I didn’t like seeing you two fighting though. It’s different when it’s just play, but the last thing I want is actual conflict in my cattery.”
“Then what you want now is someone more laid back? Like Clove?” asked Ollie, picking some grapes and placing them on his plate.
Luis frowned for a moment. “But playful like Bounce. He’s got all this positive energy. I like that. No two cats are ever the same, and that’s great, but I want some kind of balance. Can you keep a secret?” he asked, but Ollie was sure the question was more of a formality.
He nodded and put two grapes into his mouth, relaxing to the sweet taste. Did Luis like one of the other candidates they spoke to?
“I’ve been looking at other kinds of pet-play. It’s all a bit intimidating so far, but I was considering bringing a puppy into the cattery for the odd day. I met a man who claims he owns one, but I haven’t built up the courage to meet up with him yet. Do you think this is something the other cats would be open to?”
Ollie leaned back, squeezing his hands as the visceral reaction in his body awoke every cell inside him. Would they eventually be expected to become puppies? Was that it? He wasn’t a puppy. He was a cat. A cat. “Um... I’m sure they would like to make you happy. Why the puppy?”
Luis laughed and scratched his nape. “I thought it could be fun to see two different animals interact. I don’t know if I want to branch out myself, but it would be interesting to meet other people who are into this kind of thing. I’m just not big on all those clubs, and the… you know, the scary stuff. I don’t want to hurt or dominate anyone. It’s not my thing.”
Ollie smiled in relief. “I know. I guess that’s fine as long as this kind of play isn’t involved. Who doesn’t love puppies, right?”
Luis laughed. “Exactly. And his master would be here as well. I’d probably ask the other cats first anyway. I don’t want things to get uncomfortable. I’m asking you first because you know what they actually think.”
Ollie ate some more grapes. “I think the only one who could be weird about it is Cin, but I think you should just ask him yourself. I can’t imagine Goran or Clove minding a nice puppy around from time to time.”
Luis nodded. “Good, good. It will still probably take me weeks to get in touch with the owner. How are you finding leaving the cattery? Is it okay?”
Ollie relaxed immediately. It was nice to see that Luis still cared for him. In fact, he felt better about their friendship since they could talk like normal people again. “It’s a bit overwhelming sometimes, but nice. I’m thankful that you’re taking such good care of me.”
Luis stroked Ollie’s shoulder. “How could I not take care of my first kitty?”
Ollie laughed, but his thoughts returned to Goran. So far, they hadn’t been found out. No one knew they were secretly together, at least no one really mentioned it in his presence, but he needed to keep his head clear. This idyllic period would eventually come to an end. The least he could do was to enjoy it while it lasted.
“I have to go in ten minutes. Thanks for keeping me company. You can stick around and surf the web if you like.” Luis got up and kissed Ollie’s temple.
Ollie shook his head. He’d been toying with the idea of contacting his family for the first time in two years, but it didn’t feel right. They said their goodbyes, and Ollie discreetly returned to the cattery after leaving his clothes in the laundry basket in Luis’s bathroom. The moment of crossing the gate between the two parts of the garden was stressful, as there was always a risk that he’d be discovered, but once again, he was in luck and walked toward the beach house in confident strides. There was a familiarity to the cattery that he wasn’t ready to give up, and despite Luis doing his best to be Ollie’s crutch, the truth was, Ollie wasn’t sure what he would do with his life when he finally leaves. The concept of looking for his own apartment and applying for jobs overwhelmed him so much he got stomach cramps just thinking about it.
Music was blasting at the pool, so he went into the house first to change into his blue swimming shorts and apply some more SPF cream. When he stepped outside, and his feet curled over the burning hot stairs leading to the pool, his eyes instantly sought out Goran.
Something wasn’t right. The splashing in the water became urgent and almost violent, Clove screamed through the music, and Ollie was sure it was Cin’s red head somewhere in the water, joined by Goran’s black mane.
He gasped and blindly rushed toward the pool, ready to intervene, to jump in and help Goran. The world slowed down as he leaped down the last four steps, only to stop at the edge when Goran pulled Cin toward the shore, keeping him afloat with professional ease. Cin coughed, and despite all the recent animosities, Ollie kneeled by the water and reached down to help him out.
“Did you get a cramp?” yelled Bounce, running around the pool to join them. He hauled Cin by the other arm, and they all managed to get his limp body out of the water.
Goran didn’t wait for anyone else to act and kneeled next to Cin, expertly positioning his head for the CPR, but when he leaned down to Cin’s mouth, all of a sudden Cin’s arms shot up, and he grabbed Goran’s neck, pulling him down for a kiss.
Ollie’s knees became heavy as he watched Cin’s fingers spread in Goran’s hair.
Goran’s eyes went wide, and he managed to free himself from Cin’s arms. “What the hell? I can’t believe this shit! Water is not something that should be played with this way!”
“Were you pretending?” Clove uttered, getting flushed as his mouth twisted into an ugly grimace.
Ollie bit down on the inside of his cheek, barely holding himself in the background. At least Goran had the sense to pull away from that lying mouth in time.
“Oh, come on, it’s harmless fun when there’s a sexy lifeguard around.” Cin laughed and stroked Goran’s thigh.
“No, it’s not. This is very dangerous. You fucking scared us,” hissed Bounce. “Goran isn’t here to deal with your pranks!”
Cin rolled his eyes. “Okay, okay. I guess I could have thought it through a little better. It’s not like anyone died.” He slowly looked up at Goran, but his eyes grazed over Ollie, and the gaze burned Ollie’s bare skin like hot irons. “Look, I’m sorry, Goran. How about I make it up to you? Suck you long and hard like I did in your first week here.”
Ollie inhaled a big gulp of air, his head fizzing, and he didn’t even think before he descended on Cin, shoving him back to the ground. “You are gross! Just say sorry and stop doing stupid shit like this!”
Cin hissed at Ollie. “Who are you to say? Since when is a blowjob gross, huh? You changed your mind about them since this morning?”
Goran snarled. “Are you fucking spying on us? And no, I don’t want your mouth on my dick. What are you thinking?”
“You are gross because you want to blow someone to say sorry for the stupid shit you’ve just done!” Ollie stepped away, and he itched to grab Goran and lead him away, but he didn’t dare to do it with others watching.
Cin snorted. “Sure. Hoard him all to yourself. It’s five of us here now, but I only get to fuck two guys lately.”
Ollie hated seeing Bounce look away. They were all onto him and Goran. The air seemed to become stale despite them being so close to the beach.
Clove sighed and put on a pair of sunglasses, which only made him harder to read. “Cin pulled a stupid stunt, but he’s kinda right. Who doesn’t want a blowjob? It’s weird. You haven’t let me get close either.” That argument must have been pointed at Goran, because Clove hadn’t tried to approach Ollie sexually since the whole night out drama. And despite feeling like a bug on a flat hard surface while there was a slipper hovering over it, Ollie couldn’t help the sense of relief over Goran keeping his end of their secret exclusivity pact.
“Come on, guys, sex isn’t an obligation,” Ollie said in the end, desperate to change the topic. He looked at Bounce and snorted. “Unless you lose at a
game.”
Bounce frowned. “It’s not funny. And since you’re pushing it, I’m gonna come out and say it. You two act like two swans or whatever. It’s against the rules of the cattery.”
Clove snorted. “Gollie.”
Goran got up with his eyes wide under his wet bangs. “What?”
“That’s your couple name. Gollie,” Cin said with a snigger.
Ollie couldn’t believe his ears. “Christ, you guys are dumb. Who says this kind of shit?”
Clove grinned. “Like... everyone? I’m shipping you two.”
Goran spread his arms. “This is un-fucking-believable.”
But Cin continued. “I’m not shipping you, because I know this is like one of those holiday flings. Goran will leave, and that’s that.”
Bounce slid into the pool with an inflatable mattress, which splashed their legs when it hit the water. “Sometimes, I imagine what my couple name would be. Like, with Clove, it might be Clounce. But that sounds almost like clowns.”
Clove turned his head to follow him with his gaze. “You sick fuck. You know I hate them.”
But Ollie wouldn’t listen anymore, as Cin’s words echoed in his head over and over, only confirming his own fears. He really wanted not to care, but being once again reminded of the miserable future was like having a rusty nail stuck in his heart. “That’s none of your business.”
Goran kicked Cin’s ass, and it was so abrupt, and so full of actual rage, everyone went silent, only Cin whining like the little bitch he was. “You know nothing about what’s between me and Ollie. Keep your stupid-ass comments to yourself, and try not to drown, because next time I won’t come to the rescue!”
Ollie exhaled so suddenly it must have been audible to everyone around them. He grabbed Goran’s hand and immediately entwined their fingers. It was as if he was absorbing raw energy through this physical link between them. Together, they could somehow make it. He didn’t have to constantly worry what others thought as long as he had Goran by his side.
The Cattery (M/M contemporary sweet kinky romance) Page 16
