Read Online Purrfect Protector by SA Welsh - Free Book Online

defend himself.
    Kale had actually taken it really well, despite the putrid smell of fear. The guy hadn’t run from him screaming—which was a lot more than some had done when faced with his cat.
    If Kale did run, Aleksi would be there to protect the human from the other predators in the woods. If not, he would apologize in the morning.
    Guarding the house, Aleksi settled his big head on his front paws.
     
    * * * *
     
    Aleksi plated up the apple pancakes and glanced for the hundredth time in the direction of the stairs. It was a little past nine and Kale still hadn’t come down, despite Aleksi having heard him get out of the shower an hour ago.
    Just as he was ready to go up and get the man, he heard the top step creak.
    He busied himself with making tea as he pretended he wasn’t listening to Kale coming closer and entering the kitchen.
    “Morning.”
    “Morning,” Kale answered.
    Aleksi stirred in enough milk to take out the natural bitterness of the tealeaves and removed the strainer, setting it aside. He turned and offered Kale one of the cups.
    With a gasp of pleasure, Kale quickly took it and smiled gratefully. “How did you know I preferred tea to coffee?”
    He hid his smile behind his cup as he blew across the surface of the hot liquid. “I didn’t. I prefer it myself.”
    Kale blushed beautifully. “Oh. Thank you for sharing some.”
    “You’re welcome.”
    They settled into an awkward silence and moved to sit at opposite ends of the table in the kitchen-diner, not looking at each other. There were few things Aleksi hated more than apologizing for doing something wrong. It was easier when he knew he was right, because he could just fake it.
    “I wanted to apologize for scaring you last night. I was wrong.” The humble pie burned going down. Aleksi stared into his mug, watching the steam swirling in patterns on the air above the hot liquid. When he didn’t get any kind of a response, he steeled himself and raised his head.
    Kale was looking at him with a strange expression. “Thank you. Something tells me it was my mouth that struck first.” He shrugged sheepishly. “I’m sorry too.”
    Aleksi dropped his gaze to Kale’s lips and his cat stirred. He knew Kale had noticed he was staring, but Aleksi couldn’t seem to look away from the pink lips that were blushing red as Kale bit the bottom one. Apologizing didn’t seem easy for either of them.
    Aleksi inclined his head. “I suppose I’m sensitive about certain topics.”
    “And sometimes I’m a bitch. I didn’t realize how much I’ve changed since becoming a successful model. I must have let the hype get to me. I’ll rein it in. Whatever I said, I’m sorry.”
    The humor of their situation struck him and he laughed, finally able to look away from Kale’s mouth. “Are we arguing about who was an ass first?”
    Kale smiled back, relaxing his shoulders. “Yes, I guess we are. Truce?”
    Aleksi didn’t hesitate for a second before grasping the hand Kale held out to him. He let go then motioned to the pancakes he’d made earlier. He was starving.
    “They should still be warm. Dig in.”
    “No, thank you. If I eat even a quarter of what’s there, I’ll have to work out like demon before the Paris shoot the day after tomorrow.” Despite his words, though, Aleksi could see the longing for the sugary goodness of pancakes, bacon and syrup.
    “Can’t you treat yourself?”
    “My career is my looks, and fashion designers are always demanding skinnier models. I’m established, so I get a little leeway with my weight as long as the muscles don’t get too big or too small. But no sugar or fatty foods for me until I retire, I’m afraid.” Kale sent another wistful look in the direction of the pancakes before grabbing a granola bar from his pocket with a sigh. Even the packet looked unappealing. No sugar, fat, color or flavor. Now that was the way to sell a product.
    “That sucks. I don’t get why they think bones are hot. Eat your