Harlequin Romance March 2021 Box Set Cara Colter (the mitten read aloud TXT) 📖

She was floating on clouds…

And then the clouds darkened. She wasn’t dealing with reality.

She pulled away from Red and she met his questioning gaze, trying to unravel her jumbled thoughts.

What was she doing? She was totally out of her element. Red was single, free and had said he didn’t want kids, or something to that effect. So he was obviously just attracted to her physically.

But it wouldn’t be right to encourage that attraction, or succumb to it. There was too much at stake. She had a kid, and playing around with a multimillionaire bachelor whose lifestyle was totally different from hers was not something she could allow herself to do. Her first priority had always been Andy…and she had no intention of doing anything that would change that. Even a little.

She stood up and raised her chin, shooting him a frosty look. “Let’s forget what just happened.” As she strode to the glass doors, she glanced back, adding, “Being this high up must have depleted the oxygen to my brain.”

Making me lose my common sense and respond to your kiss, she added silently.

* * *

The limo stopped at the Eaton Centre. “I’d better come with you,” Red said, and leaped out before Ronnie could reply.

“I’m pretty sure I can handle this by myself,” she said, once he had come around to where she stood.

“I’ll be there to make sure that you don’t get all soft when you see those little fur balls, and decide to adopt more than one. I wouldn’t want to have too many feline claws ready to strike in the limo,” he added with a smirk.

Ronnie raised an eyebrow but chose not to reply. He followed her quickened pace with a leisurely stride, occasionally sweeping an appreciative gaze over her. She seemed not to notice the heads that turned to glance at her…

Minutes later they were watching the antics of half a dozen kittens in the enclosure. “That’s her!” Ronnie said excitedly, pointing to a kitten that had pounced on a sibling and then scampered away with a triumphant meow.

“How can you tell?” Red frowned. “They all look the same to me. But maybe you should pick out a kitten with a more subdued character.” He pointed. “Look, she’s tormenting her other sister. Or brother. Maybe you should consider changing her name from Ginger to Tiger.”

“A mother can always pick out her own,” she retorted. “And I want a kitten with a little spunk. She’ll be great with Andy.”

“Ah, I see there has already been some bonding,” he chuckled. “Okay, Mama, is there anything else you need to pick up before we head back? A carrier, food, litter box, protective gloves, face guard?”

Her jaw dropped. “Really?” She rolled her eyes. “It’s all taken care of and put aside for me. I paid earlier. I just need to get Ginger.” She waved over an employee, who reached for a carrier and a leash behind the counter and headed their way.

“Aw, are you Ginger’s daddy?” The employee grinned as he approached. His gaze shifted to Red’s hair. “Looks like you’re the perfect match!”

“Indeed,” Red replied dryly. “I just hope she takes to me as well as she took to her mama here…”

* * *

Red was relieved that they had left the midafternoon city congestion and were now just past Barrie on the 400 North, heading back to Parry Sound. A little over an hour to go. Ginger had initially expressed her displeasure at her new confinement, mewing incessantly for the first half hour, but was now napping.

Since they had left the penthouse, and for the last hour, Ronnie had been quiet—actually, more like aloof—and had directed most of her communications to the kitten, which she had finally released from her carrier and snuggled in her arms, murmuring to her as she stroked Ginger’s fur. And after Ginger had fallen asleep, Ronnie had avoided his gaze, preferring to look out the window, when not glancing down at the puff of orange in her arms.

Ronnie was obviously not happy that he had kissed her. And maybe she was upset at herself for having responded.

He should be upset, too. Kissing Ronnie had been an impulsive and dumb thing to do.

Exciting, yes; it had ignited a flame that had begun to sizzle through his nerve endings in the most provocative way…but still dumb.

Although the silence was awkward, he decided it was best to try to focus on something else. He snapped open his briefcase, and at that moment Ginger woke up with a plaintive meow. And wouldn’t stop.

“Okay, Mama, can you do something to pacify your little one? I’m sure she’ll sense your motherly empathy and experience and settle down.” His brows furrowed. “I don’t know if I can take this the whole way back home.”

“I suppose I could try to give her some milk from the carton I bought,” Ronnie said coolly.

“Well, do whatever you think will work,” he drawled. “Or I’ll be needing a drink from the minibar. Or two.”

“I can understand why you wouldn’t want kids,” she said, not bothering to conceal her disapproval. “It takes a lot of patience to be a parent.”

His frown deepened. He had no intention of getting into a conversation about kids. Or parenting. “That’s why you’re adopting the kitten and I’m not,” he said lightly. “And hopefully she’ll get used to your place quickly and not keep you up during the night…”

Ronnie blinked at him but didn’t reply. She put Ginger back in the pet carrier and reached for the carton and bowl from one of the bags on the floor beside her. She poured a small amount of milk in the bowl and carefully unlatched the carrier. “Well, hello again, little darling,” she crooned, stroking the kitten’s head and back. “No need to fuss. Drink your milk and we’ll be home soon…”

Red felt something flicker in his chest at the tender scene. Despite the current friction in