Page 18 of Deadly Cravings
Fur tickled my leg and I sucked in a startled breath. Looking down at the largest, strangest colored cat I’d ever seen rubbing against my leg. It released a vibrating meow and pressed the front of its head to my leg, rubbing hard.
It was dark blond—a coloring I’d never seen. Her piercing blue eyes met mine and her tail flicked. She looked like a Maine Coon.
I lifted my hand and hovered it near her face to make sure she was okay with me touching, and when she did nothing, I touched my fingertips to the back of her neck. She arched and grumbled, stepping toward me and rubbing against my side.
I dragged my nails through her fur and she climbed in my lap. She seemed docile, so I pressed my fingers under her little joints and tested lifting her. When she didn’t freak out, I held her over my face, checking her genitals just to make sure.
A boy. He hissed and lashed out, claws raking across my arm. I gasped, and dropped him as carefully as I could. Blood dripped down to my elbow.
“Okay, okay, my bad,” I murmured. He didn’t have a collar, but he seemed clean and healthy.
It happened often that families left cats behind because of moves, and I wondered if this was one of those instances. I ran my fingers gently over his body. Everything seemed intact.
I removed my touch lest he slice into my arm again. He grumbled throatily.
“You hungry?” His bottom flattened to the ground, tail lashing out behind him as his incredibly blue eyes peered back at me, framed by blond little lashes.
“Let me get you some turkey.” I padded inside, slippers shuffling across the uneven floor.
A meow stopped me in my tracks, and I looked over at the entrance where I’d left the door open where he’d waited, looking directly at me. So cute, it was like he was waiting for an invitation.
“You want to come with me?” The cat meowed as if answering. “You’re a smart one,” I cooed and crouched. “Come here.” He hopped over the entrance, tail swishing as he pressed into my fingers.
I laughed at the desperate way he asked for head scratches.
“Are you touch-deprived, little guy?” I hummed and gave into his demands. “Let’s go get some food.”
Fortunately, the prior renters had left their stove and refrigerator. I’d had little time to get food, but the ice chest I carried on my drive held all the makings for a sandwich. Pulling out a plate, I set it on the counter and cut up some thick turkey.
Crouching, I placed it in front of him, but he hissed at it. “Is this not good enough for you?” I grinned, scratching the top of his head. I snatched my vibrating cell phone and answered.
“Catalina? It’s Elsa, from St. Helena’s Animal Shelter.”
“Good morning.”
There was a brief pause on the other end and then she cleared her throat. Was this more bad news? I wanted to groan, but I stifled it since I was on the phone.
“I’m sorry, we’re having a few issues with the volunteer scheduling. We won’t be needing you until next week.”
This worked in my favor, considering I may be long gone by then.
“No worries, see you next week.” I finished, though I’d heard the click while I was mid-sentence.
I squeezed my eyelids shut, slamming the phone down on the counter, then sucked in a breath and lifted it, making sureI hadn’t broken it. There was no way I could afford another expensive phone right now. Fortunately, it was fine, so Igentlyset it aside and pressed my palms onto the surface. Blood tickled my arm, and I grabbed a napkin to absorb it. I hissed at the touch of the paper towel grazing the scratches.
My volunteering was the only way I left the house and experienced a little socialization, but at this moment, it would have been a distraction since contacting my agent was at the top of my to-do list. The throbbing had worsened, and it was slowly spreading down my neck. Nausea swirled in my stomach, and I pressed my fisted hands to my eye sockets. Hopefully, Erin could get me my advance a sooner.
If that didn’t happen, I was screwed. I needed to come up with sixty thousand dollars, next quarter’s tuition, and living expenses. Even if I obtained a second job, there was no way I’d come up with that, it’d take me a decade. God, why was I freaking about this, it was highly probable I would be dead soon.
Swiping to Erin’s information, I called her. It rang once and her voice crackled through.
“There’s my favorite paranormal romance writer,” she announced, forcefully cheerful. “What can I do for her?”
“Is it possible to get my advance sooner?” I didn’t bother beating around the bush. She had many clients and was always doing something. The line went quiet.
“Sorry, Catalina, there’s nothing I can do. The publisher has you scheduled in four months.”
The edges of the cell dug into my hand, and I puffed a breath out and the hair framing my face fluttered around my cheeks.