I don’t get to finish my sentence before his lips are on mine, but only for a few seconds. But those few seconds are all my body needs to spark to life. When he breaks the kiss, I take a step towards him, wanting to fall into him. Not wanting him to stop.
“That’s exactly what I needed, too,” he says before letting go of my arm and turning his head to look at his son.
“It looks like he’s found a baby to take home,” I say.
I hear a low rumble come from Ethan’s chest as he turns back around and looks me up and down.
“Him and I both.” He smirks before going over to his son.
I lean back against the counter, the wave of heat slowly leaving my body. I can’t keep my eyes off of him as he takes the tiny kitten from his son. The cat easily sits in one of his hands. He holds it to his chest, scratching it under the chin and giving it a kiss on its head. What is it about a big man with a tiny kitten that makes every bone in my body turn liquid and makes me want to do unthinkable things with him?
Before long, Ethan is filling out the adoption paperwork while his son picks out toys.
“Excuse me miss, can I have some of those cat treats, please?” Arthur asks me.
“Absolutely. Are these for your new kitten?”
“Yes. We have to wait two more weeks until we can bring him home, but I want to be prepared.”
“Makes total sense to me.”
I grab a bag and fill it with cat treats, then I close it and hand it to him. Ethan walks up as I do.
“Getting all the goods, buddy?” he asks his son.
“I sure am. This nice lady got me some cat treats. They look like real cookies.”
“This nice lady’s name is Lily,” he says to his son. “And Lily, this is my son, Arthur.”
I come around the counter, put my hand out and lean down slightly to be on his level. He shakes my hand.
“It’s really nice to meet you, Arthur.”
“You too. Do you own this store?”
I stand up, put my hands on my hips, look around and smile.
“I do. Do you like it?”
“Yeah, it’s pretty cool. Better than the stuff they have at those other pet stores.”
“Well, thank you. I appreciate that.”
“Hey bud. Why don’t you go pick out the perfect bed for the new kitten, okay?” Ethan asks.
“I’m on it,” his son says as he jets away to the other end of the store where we have beds in different sizes.
“He’s very sweet,” I say to Ethan.
“Thanks. I try my best, being a single dad and all.”
“I think you are doing a great job. He was polite and even shook my hand. I’m impressed.”
Ethan looks back at his son before grabbing my hand, keeping it hidden in front of us.
“Listen, I understand if this isn’t what you want in your life. You’re still young, but I would hate it if I didn’t at least try.”
“It’s definitely not a situation I ever saw myself in. But, it’s something to explore.”