“I think it would be fun, and it might be good to have Gavin there in case you have problems.”
Kiran scowled. “I’m not an invalid.”
Ambar touched his forearm. “Of course you’re not, but Rohan and I worry. Humor us, please.”
The words and Rohan’s intent gaze warmed him inside, and a cautious smile hovered, pushing against his cheek muscles. Somehow he didn’t think people had cared for him in the past. “Okay. I’ll see you later. I’m meeting Gavin at his surgery. We’ll be back around six unless there’s an emergency somewhere.”
Ambar waved and Rohan closed the distance between them, planting a hard kiss on his lips. Kiran’s hands curled around his shoulders, drawing him closer and softening against Rohan. Immediately Rohan gentled his kiss, coaxing instead of demanding. The warmth inside Kiran grew. He really liked this man. Every time they touched, it was magic, making Kiran want to return the sentiment a hundredfold. He could imagine a future with Rohan and that scared and thrilled him.
Rohan pulled back, brushing his fingertips over the bristly stubble on Kiran’s cheek. He winked. “Hold that thought.”
Nodding, Kiran left the store with a smile on his face. It lasted for the entire five-minute walk to the surgery. He pushed open the door to the surgery and stepped inside.
“Good timing,” Gavin said. “Can you give me a hand to carry out this stuff?”
“Sure.” Kiran picked up the two boxes Gavin indicated and followed him outside to a muddy SUV. They loaded the vaccine in the back before climbing inside.
“Before I forget, Saber said we could go for a run on their property. It’s been a while for Rohan and Ambar and they’re keen to go tonight. They wondered if you and your mates would like to come with us.”
“Great idea,” Gavin said. “I can’t speak for Leticia and Charlie but I’m in.”
“I haven’t tried to shift since Rohan and Ambar found me in the hospital. Do you think it will be all right? I can’t remember how to shift,” he confessed.
“You’re probably overthinking the process,” Gavin said. “You’re in good health, apart from being underweight for your height. Don’t worry, the shifting will come back to you.” He turned onto a gravel road, the bumps becoming increasingly worse as they progressed up a hill. The tussock land gave way to pines, the scent of dust to tangy sap and pine.
“I’ve been having lots of dreams. They’re about the same person and I’m in them.” His voice cracked and he had to swallow before attempting to get out the rest. “In my dreams, I’m a sexual slave.” Shame crawled through him at the confession, and he wasn’t sure where to look, how Gavin would react.
“It might explain some of the old scars on your back and the rest of your body,” Gavin said.
Kiran’s face grew hot with humiliation. He didn’t want to mention the embarrassing details from his dreams. The way he’d acted so submissively and done nothing to help the other slaves. “What if these dreams are my reality?”
“That scares you?”
“Hell, yeah,” Kiran growled, finally risking a glance at Gavin. To his surprise, instead of disgust, he saw understanding and sympathy. It encouraged him to continue. “Rohan and Ambar are great. They risked themselves to help me. I can’t help thinking my past is going to bring trouble for them.”
“You’re giving them something back,” Gavin said.
Kiran snorted. “I help them in the store. That’s nothing compared to what they’ve given me.”
“Rohan cares for you. The attraction between you is palpable.”
“But I don’t know my sexual history. I don’t know anything about my past.”
“We all have pasts. They’re what shape us and make us into productive adults. Medically you’re healthy. Safe. You don’t need to worry about spreading anything to Rohan.” Gavin turned into a driveway that was nothing more than a dirt track. If anything, the bumps were worse. They clattered over a cattle stop, driving past a wooden bungalow-style house and came to a stop by a set of yards.
“First stop,” Gavin said.
“What do you want me to do? I don’t think I know anything about animals.”
“Bullshit,” Gavin said. “You’re a tiger. You have instincts.”
“Don’t the animals sense your feline?” Kiran asked, watching the cattle milling around inside the yard with interest. He had no recollection of the countryside, which meant he must live in a city or town. Maybe.
“Some of the animals do. I’ve been at Middlemarch for a while now. The ones I visit on a regular basis are used to me. There are lots of feline farmers around here so the animals don’t know anything else.”
A harried woman appeared from the direction of the farmhouse. She carried a bawling toddler on her hip. Another child clung to her leg, peeking around the baggy sweatpants and sucking her thumb at the same time. “Frank has been held up in Mosgiel and won’t be able to get back to help. He asked if you could let the cattle out and come back next week.”
Gavin glanced at Kiran. “I have an assistant with me today. We can cope and that will save Frank having to worry about mustering again next week.”
“Really?” A smile of relief and quiet gratitude lit up the woman’s tired face. “That would be wonderful. I’ve made scones. Stop by for a cup of tea when you’re done. Just let the cattle out into the paddock once you’re finished. There’s plenty of water and enough feed until Frank gets home.”
“Will do,” Gavin said.
Kiran waited until the woman left. “Assistant?”
“Yep. We’ll put a few head in the race at a time, inoculate them and repeat the process until we’re done. No sweat.”
“Whatever you say.” The other feline’s matter-of-fact assumption that he’d help and do a good job boosted his confidence. How hard could it be?
Harder than Kiran thought. The cattle were plain skittish, resisting entry to the race. Frustrated by their obstinate natures, on the fourth attempt Kiran started talking to them in his mind. It’s only a race. All you need to do is go through, and we’ll let you out the other end.
To Kiran’s shock, thoughts flashed in his head, thoughts he hadn’t put there.
Pain. Sore.
A cow mooed, a low, complaining sound. The others joined in with the first.
Hurt.
A quick injection. It will stop you from getting sick, he replied in his thoughts.
“That’s weird,” Gavin said. “I’ve never seen them act like this before.”
Kiran cast them a quick glance and checked on Gavin. “Maybe it’s me.” Do you want to get sick? Have your calves get sick? You need the shots.
One cow walked over to him and rubbed her head against his chest. He stood motionless, smelling the dirt beneath their feet, the pines and the animal scent of the cattle. He stroked his hand over her shoulder, she made a snuffling sound and turned toward the race, walking calmly inside and waiting at the gate at the other end.
Each of the cattle walked up to Kiran and rubbed against him before following the lead cow. When the race was full, the rest waited in line.
“You gonna start soon?” Kiran asked.
“I don’t believe it.” Gavin shook his head and blinked once then again. He frowned at the line of cattle. “That was the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen. You’d better shut the gate at this end of the race.”
Do I need to shut the gate?
The lead cow mooed. Kiran turned back to Gavin. “I don’t think you’ll need to do that.”
“Whatever you say,” Gavin said, sounding bemused. He grabbed the vaccines and started work. The cattle stood quietly for him. When he got to the end of the line in the race, he paused. “I’ll let them out of the race.”
“Why don’t you try injecting them here? They’re all standing quiet,” Kiran said.
Ten minutes later, they’d finished, and Kiran opened the gates for the cattle to exit the yards.
Gavin watched them go, many of them rubbing against Kiran befor
e they left.
“Okay,” Gavin said when the last animal left the yards. “How did you do that?”
“I started muttering to them in my thoughts and suddenly I could hear what they were thinking.”
Gavin spluttered a laugh. “You can talk to the animals?”
Kiran lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “Crazy, huh? I didn’t know I could do that.”
“What did they say to you?”
“It was more like single words rather than complete thoughts.”
“Man, that’s crazy. I wish I could do that. It would make my job a lot easier.” Gavin picked up an empty box, now full of discarded vials. “It’s getting to the stage when I could do with an assistant. Not many felines train as vets, and I’ve been reluctant to hire a human because of some of the sensitive stuff in my lab at the surgery. You’re a hell of a find. What do you say to working with me?”
“But you don’t know anything about my past. I haven’t told you about my dreams yet. They’re not pretty.”
“I know enough to see you’re great with animals. That’s all I need to know because animals are great judges of character. If you want a job with me, you have it. Part-time if you want. I can’t afford to pay much.”
Gavin’s job offer left him speechless. Kiran stared at the feline for an instant then nodded. “I need to talk to Rohan and Ambar first.”
Gavin slapped him heartily on the back, his grin holding warmth. “There’s no hurry. Let’s go and have our cup of tea.”
By the end of the day, Kiran had worked out he could communicate with most four-legged animals. The flock of geese at the last farm had hissed at him and attacked. Gavin had about killed himself laughing as they chased Kiran across the paddock.
“See you around eight,” Kiran said when Gavin dropped him off outside the store.
With a wave, Gavin drove off, and Kiran walked into the store.
Ambar wrinkled her nose when she saw him. “Eew, did you bring half the farm back with you? You stink.”
Rohan smirked, remaining at a safe distance. “She’s right about the stinky part. Maybe you should go back to the house and grab a shower. Ambar, I’m gonna take a break.”
“It’s almost closing time anyway,” she said, “but if a group of single men come in all bets are off. I’ll ring for help.”
“Deal,” Kiran said, holding the door to the store open for Rohan. “We’ll protect you.”
“You’re in a good mood,” Rohan said. “Did you have a good time?”
“Yeah.” Kiran released the door and fell into step with Rohan as they headed for the house. “Gavin offered me a job as his assistant. He said I’m a natural.”
“That’s great,” Rohan said, beaming. “You’re gonna take the job, right?”
Kiran halted to wait for a car before crossing the road, his shoulder bumping against Rohan’s in comfortable companionship. “I said I’d talk to you and Ambar first. You’ve been so good to me. I wanted to check to see if it’s okay to keep staying with you here in Middlemarch. I mean I could always find my own place if you didn’t want me around.”
“Why wouldn’t we want you around?” Anger blazed on Rohan’s face, all the more noticeable because he usually bore a smile. He jerked away from Kiran and glared at him. “Fuck, Kiran,” he snarled. “How can you ask that? I want you. I can’t be much plainer than that. I want to mate with you formally. I don’t give a flying fuck about your past. All I want is today and tomorrow. A future. I’ve been trying to go slow, holding back because I didn’t think it was fair to push you. Surely you must have realized the way I feel about you?”
Only then Kiran realized the tension he held in his body. Rohan’s words eased it away, leaving him full of anticipation. Every time Rohan touched him he went up in flames. Every time he looked at Rohan, he wanted to move closer, to touch and taste. Kiran’s breath eased out in a hiss. Oh yeah. Tasting was on the menu.
“Well, fuck you,” Rohan snapped, his face contorted in fury and underlying pain. He opened the door to the house and stomped inside.
Kiran grabbed his shoulder and whirled Rohan around to face him, halting his departure. “I’d like to.” He didn’t smile or cajole, just stared at Rohan, memorizing the angles and curves of his face. When Rohan continued to glare, Kiran sighed. “I’m sorry. I’m not handling this well. My past worries me. I know my English is good, I’m reasonably educated, but every gut instinct tells me my background isn’t pretty. What happens if my memory returns and I change. What then?”
A derisive snort emerged from Rohan, but at least the rigidity left his body, his shoulders relaxing beneath the light blue cotton polo shirt he wore. “I’m not an expert but I don’t think a person’s basic characteristics change. They might pretend, but after a while their true self shines through. You’re a good person, Kiran. I wish you’d accept that. Besides, what happens if your memory never returns? Are you going to go through life terrified to take chances because of a past you don’t remember?”
“It’s easy for you. You’re not the one with the problem.”
Rohan placed his hand on Kiran’s shoulder. “This is getting old. I want you, both the good and the bad. For God’s sake, no one is perfect. I’m no prize. You should hear Ambar detail my many faults. I don’t want perfect. I want you.” His gaze was earnest, full of pleading. “Please, Kiran. I’ve never responded to another person, male or female, like I do with you. Can’t you give us a chance?” His golden-brown eyes beseeched Kiran, adding to the power emanating from his words.
How could Kiran resist?
“Yes.” Kiran broke into a smile, bursting with pleasure inside, with belonging, and for once the dark chasm of the past didn’t seem insurmountable. He had people here in Middlemarch, people who cared about him. He felt useful, maybe even loved. He dragged in a deep breath, his nose wrinkling at the fragrant scent of cow manure. Retracing his steps, he toed off his boots and peeled off his socks, leaving them both at the door. “I need a shower.”
“Is that all you’re going to say?”
“Until I have a shower.” In the bathroom, Kiran stripped off his borrowed T-shirt and the jeans. He reached into the shower and flicked on the water.
The click of the door closing attracted his attention. Rohan stood inside the door, his hands rapidly yanking off his shirt. He removed his sandals and unfastened his jeans without taking his gaze off Kiran. The intensity of Rohan’s steady look seared straight through Kiran’s body, bringing tension of an entirely different sort. His cock started to lengthen.
“You joining me in the shower?” The husky cadence of Kiran’s words gave away his feelings on the subject. Nothing he’d enjoy more.
“Try and stop me.” Rohan’s grin, the edge of lust and anticipation it contained tightened Kiran’s body even more. “Never doubt I want you. I’m not going to push for marking yet, but know I want to claim you. I talked to Saber the other night about the mating process and know how it works now, what to expect. I want you to wear my mark so every other feline knows you belong to me. I’m giving you time to accept me and the life we’re gonna lead here in Middlemarch. When you’re ready, tell me.”
Rohan’s certainty was a revelation to Kiran. He didn’t think he’d ever had anyone believe in him. Rohan’s gaze branded him with love and positive affirmation. Longing surged in him and he shivered, his emotions close to the surface, prickling behind his eyes.
Vulnerable.
He disliked that part of the equation, but he’d already learned to trust Rohan. Both brother and sister bore an innate goodness that shone through despite their strict upbringing. There was none of the resentment Kiran would have expected. They’d loved their parents yet hadn’t been blind to their faults. If Rohan could accept his parents’ faults, then his words about acceptance meant something.
But Kiran still stressed, still held fear close to his chest.
Swallowing his nerves, Kiran stepped under the water, standing to the side to allow Rohan room to enter.
His lover moved into the gap and closed the shower door, confining them in a private world. Kiran picked up the soap and lathered his hands.
Rohan grabbed the bar of soap from him and rubbed it across Kiran’s chest. “Let me get rid of the animal scent first then we’re gonna have some fun. Do you want to take the job with Gavin?”
Kiran nodded. “I like working with you and Ambar, but I’d like to feel as if I’m contributing financially. Every item of clothing I own belongs to you. I want to buy things of my own.”
“I can understand that,” Rohan said. “Part of the reason Ambar and I decided to move was to start over without our parents’ ghosts looking over our shoulders.”
“I don’t think I’ll be earning much, but I liked working outdoors and helping Gavin.” He decided not to mention the communication with the animals because he needed to wrap his head around the fact first. “Gavin says I can start as soon as I want.”
“You should do it.”
“Even if it means working odd hours?”
“I can deal with anything as long as I know you’ll return home to me each night,” Rohan said.
Silent messages flowed between them. Kiran took in Rohan’s broad shoulders, the bulge of his biceps as he stroked the soap over him. Rohan’s dark eyelashes looked spiky with the steam and water, delicate fans above his cheeks. Unable to resist, Kiran lifted a hand to trace Rohan’s full lips. They looked good stretched around a cock and felt great moving against his own.
Without skipping a beat, Rohan took one of Kiran’s fingers into his mouth and sucked hard. Kiran gasped as the sensation echoed in his dick.
“Damn,” he whispered on a moan.
Rohan licked his finger and released it with a loud smacking noise.
“You make me hot,” Rohan said. “I love touching you, the way you shiver and moan. It’s sexy.”
The steam from the hot water filled the shower stall, along with the clean scent of citrus soap. Rohan dragged the soap over Kiran’s pectoral muscles, rubbing it over his nipples until they hardened to tight nubs. Kiran fought to remain silent, the moan that burst forth bringing a victorious grin from Rohan.
My Cat Nap Page 9
