Adam sat up, startled, then
slumped back into the cushions, recognizing the squeak of the pet door. Only
Pip, though even his company would be better than the lonely hour he'd just spent
in the empty house.
He rubbed at his eyes,
embarrassed by his tears when the sleek creature sauntered into the room. Yes,
sauntered. Only way to describe it. Pip sauntered, strolled, strutted, behaved
like he owned the world. He never simply walked anywhere.
They stared at each other and
Adam sniffed, "What, you've never seen a man cry before?"
Solemn gray eyes blinked at him
and Adam ducked his head, his eyes filling again as the ache in his heart
spilled over. The couch dipped and Pip's head rubbed against his thigh. Adam
reached over and lifted the beautiful animal onto his lap. "At least I
have you to love me," he whispered and began to stroke his soft gray fur,
letting the repetitive motion sooth his frayed nerves.
Pip's rumbling purr became
hypnotic, easing the pain tightening his chest.
"That's that," he
sighed, wondering how long a broken heart took to mend. A gentle nip on his
fingers dragged him from self-pity. "Hungry?" he asked. Pip rose and
stretched, tail brushing under Adam's nose, making him laugh.
"Brat." He raised a
brow when the cat didn't budge. "Well, are you going to get down?"
Pip glanced away, yawned, then
jumped to the floor as if it were his idea. Adam shook his head as he crossed
the room to the kitchen. The thought of food nauseated him, so he opened a tin
for Pip, then went to the bedroom and dropped onto his stomach, clutching the
pillows over his head. The bed felt huge without Ken in it, and he rolled into
a ball, pulling the pillow to his chest. God, he longed for sleep.
*
* *
Pip
stretched, careful not to wake the man sleeping next to him. It took hours and
lots of tears before Adam had closed his exhausted eyes. Moving slowly, he
arched his back and shifted into his human form. Adam had never seen him like
this, hadn't a clue his pet was actually a man. Pip smirked and ran a hand down
his lean chest. A very sexy one at that.
Adam
sighed in his sleep and Pip rolled toward him, leaned on his elbow to look at
the guy in the faint glow from the digital clock on the bedside table. What he
wouldn't give to pull him into his arms, kiss the hurt from his heart. He
tenderly brushed the strands of Adam's dark hair off his forehead, bent and
kissed his closed eyes and tasted his tears.
Pip smiled
fondly in the darkness. Adam had found him in an alley last summer, the worst
for an encounter with a vicious Tom. He'd carried him in his arms, so gently!
Nursed him, fed him a bowl of milk, given him a home. Pip had only meant to
stay a few days, but Adam had been so sweet to him. The days had turned into
weeks then months. Even after Ken had moved in, Adam would still find time for
him, stroking his fur while they listened to music or watched a movie together
on the couch.
Pip
blinked at a sting of tears. Maybe it was time for him to go. Find a new home
with someone who didn't stir passions in him he couldn't control and the
longing for something he could never have.
"I
don't believe this. Who are you?"
He jerked
his head up and met Adam's wide gaze. The guy's chest rose and fell with his
quick breaths, but Pip didn't sense any fear, only wonder. How to explain?
Adam
deserved the truth. "I'm Pip."
A smile
curled Adam's perfect lips. "I hoped it was you."
"What
about Ken?"
Pain swept
Adam's face. "I was lonely and thought that was love."
Pip cupped
his face, looked deep into his eyes. "No, this is love, if you can accept
me."
Adam
nodded. "I've dreamed of you long enough." Adam brushed his lips over
Pip's, teasing. "I want the reality of you."
Artwork by Marcel Stevahn -One Good EyePhotography 
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