Beach Day (working title)

Summary: Even Felina Feral takes a day off.


As Felina Feral killed the engine on her Jeep, a sense of calm flowed to her.

Ditching Enforcer paperwork to have a beach day was a good idea.

Felina took in a deep breath. Sea air and salt water appealed to her worn senses.

For once, she escaped the city and liked it.

Oh sure, Megakat City had its excitement. And that didn't even include the extra stuff-murderous plants, aliens, etc.

But, even she, a trained officer of the law and ex-military trained in all manners of excitement, needed a break. So when the opportunity presented itself to hang out with Callie Briggs and in turn, her mechanic friends, she decided to run to it.

Why get stuck at her desk in a tiny office or even on another fishing trip with her uncle and a bunch of old toms talking up the glory days?

She had picked up Callie at 0800 and headed toward the outskirts of the city.

Moments later, a tow truck pulled up next to the she-kats to reveal the other half of their party.

Callie abandoned her and immediately engaged in a deep conversation with Jake Clawson as they tasked themselves to find a place to set up the umbrella and beach towels.

The deputy mayor and a salvage yard proprietor seemed to find common ground in 18th literature and scientific theory. Felina felt her ears flatten on her head. Now what?

"Watched Litterbin last night?"

That voice broke into her thoughts.

Chance Furlong had appeared next to her after jumping out his truck to join the ladies on this impromptu beach run. He had on a Hawaiian shirt and matching red swimming trunks, his red cap completing his usual aesthetic. Getting to know Callie meant getting to know the two mechanics over a year. And knowing Chance's presence knocked her senses off kilter.

She slid out the driver's seat and shook her head. "Fell right asleep on the couch."

"Same." He stifled a yawn. "You think me and Jake would want to be bored for once. We have enough work."

"No sleeping in for you either?"

"Tried, but the Sure Shot over there convinced me if we worked for a few hours, then we could close early. I really just want a nap."

"Ah. Seems the power of persuasion worked on me too. Callie didn't want to be odd she kat out." Felina bit her tongue. Crud, she sounded ungrateful. "No offense to anyone-"

"Don't sweat it. Not offended." He looked in her Jeep. "Need any help?" He motioned to the cooler and beach bag in the back.

"If you like." She shrugged.

Like grabbing a pillow, Chance tossed it on his shoulder and made his way down toward the others. I see you do work out.

While the outraged suffrage she kats of yesterday would have scolded her, Felina ignored it.

Sure, she could lift that cooler or even offered to carry it with him. But, he offered, why stop him? She was going to take a few hours and be girly like Callie insisted on their drive, even had on the purple tankini to prove it.

Plus, for a tom who fixed cars all day, his arms had very nice definitions to them.

Meow cutie.

With a shake to get back to her senses, Felina grabbed her bag and followed.


"Come on, Felina, we can go surfing." Callie insisted for the third time.

"I'm good. Plus, Chance said he isn't a strong swimmer."

"Pff," Jake rolled his eyes. "No offense, lieutenant, but it is the beach. There's tons of stuff to do that isn't sketching."

"Of course there is." Felina held up her notebook and pencil. "More sketching."

Chance's snickering elicited more groans.

Felina didn't mind the beach, she just didn't want to do beachy stuff yet.

While their counterparts continued to complain Felina only wanted to do stuff at the beach she could have done at home, Chance insisted Jake join Callie for a walk down the beach for more ice. "It's warming up and I figured we'll all appreciate something cold on the back of our throats."

Felina saw why Chance insisted his friend make an ice run "all of a sudden" for drinks already perfectly cold once she looked up from her notebook…

Jake had turned as red as the baseball cap Chance wore when Callie shedded the baggy t-shirt and denim shorts she wore on the car ride to reveal a hot pink bikini underneath.

"Jake, are you ready? We can finish discussing Tommeo and Julietkat." Callie continued her musing, either that ignorant of Jake's embarrassment or disregarding it for propriety's sake.

"You crazy kits go on. Me and Felina will guard the sandwiches." Chance's big grin never left.

Felina swore she saw daggers leave Jake's eyes. She shook her head and simply donned her aviator shades from her bag. "Grab some extra drinks too. You look like you need a really frosty drink, Clawson. I'll spot you cash later, Callie."

With a stutter, Jake managed to follow Callie as she led the way.

Once the other half of their party were out of earshot, Felina pinned the larger cat with a stare. "You should be ashamed of yourself. He was being a gentlekat in front of a lady."

"Pff." Chance whipped out a Scaredy Kay comic in one paw and reached for a massive sandwich buried under canned milk in the next. "Jake wants Callie to be anything but gentle with him. I just gave Grasshopper a nudge to be friendly."

She looked at him over the rims of the shades like a teacher scolding a student. "Tsk, tsk, tsk."

"What?" He shrugged.

Felina held her stare. She did sympathize with poor Jake. High school had taught her many lessons. "Have you ever been embarrassed in front of someone you like? Especially with other kats around?"

Chance sighed then took remorseful bites from the tuna and cheese monstrosity. "Yeah, yeah, okay. He did look like he was going to stroke out. That was mean-" In a gentler voice, Chance held the comic to his heart. "I will be better than a church kat on a Sunday for now on."

Such a goof. "Don't get us both struck down by lightning. I would like to draw more."

The smiles were back on his face in full force. "If that is an order, then yes ma'am."


Chance had dozed off in the shade as Felina laid in a chair next to him with her sketchbook opened. Her mom always had her doing something with her paws, so sketching the beach scene before her came natural. She took in the clusters of families, kittens making sandcastles, brass toms and she kats surfing and swimming.

Several moments went by until Chance spoke to her again, "I think we lost Callie and Jake."

"Huh?" Felina looked up, her aviator shades balanced on her nose as she checked her watch. They had already killed two hours here.

Chance pointed, then placed he had his paws behind his head. In the distance, the twosome were engaged in what sounded like a friendly volleyball game with some kats she remembered were friends of Mayor Manx. "Guess they snuck the ice in on both of us. Who are they playing?"

Felina squinted. "Oh, I think those are some of the Ragdollfellas. Old money litter."

"And Jake, that little sneak, just had to play volleyball with them? The same tom who got cut from flag football the next day as a kit."

Felina smirked, enjoying learning these little snippets from two kats who were closer than brothers. "Well, maybe he's trained some since then."

"Trained on looking like a fool in front of Callie."

Or a fool for Callie. "So, we're watching?" She reached into the cooler to hand Chance a second cold drink. "Their game of volleyball is getting good."

"Gotta keep score." Chance smirked.

Minutes went by as Callie delivered serves that cut the competition down.

"Kats alive, she's good." Felina didn't think her friend had an ounce of athleticism in her, such a delicate flower like with her classic blonde looks and emerald eyes.

"The MegaKat Lions always whupped other schools. Callie was team captain." Chance was a local like Callie, unlike her and Clawson it sounded. "Here In MegaKat City, her school is legendary."

"Jake's managing to follow. He got a decent serve in."

"Jake's stupid in love and managing to follow tail." Chance murmured then finished his sandwich off.

Felina smiled. Her detective skills always suspected it was one-sided with the deputy mayor nursing a silly crush on the shorter kat. Furlong had confirmed as much that Jake Clawson had the same feelings.

I should tell her she has a chance.

A quick glance at Chance Furlong made her wonder what feelings she herself was nursing.


"Well, well, well: have all the beautiful angel kats come from Heaven to play outside today?"

A new voice interrupted this peaceful beach moment.

A large white tom with piercing blue eyes stood a few feet from her chair with a collection of other prissy kits she had no interest in talking to.

And Felina hated that she ever had met his acquaintance. "Buffington Ragdollfella, you're blocking my sunlight."

"Felina Feral," The posh highbrow money voice spilled out to scratch her irritation, "Fancy seeing you here and not playing cops and robbers with your uncle."

"Buff, fancy seeing you here still interrupting my day."

"Pleasant as always."

"More so when you leave."

"Come on, you're not thinking about those silly grade school antics from our Prom-"

"Every second of every day." The ice in her tone could have frozen the city. "And again, my sunlight is being blocked." She grounded out with her teeth again.

Junior year in private school always burned her.

Chance's snickering carried into the breeze.

"I see I am interrupting your slumming-" Bluff sneered, now seeming to notice Chance.

Chance removed his cap and sat up with a yawn... "And yet, rich boy, she just said she doesn't like you." An impassive expression settled on his face. "Oh and 'good morning' works too for us blue collared kats."

Before Buff could say more, a sweet greeting floated in the air. "Why Buffington, come to join our game?"

Everyone turned around to see Callie and Jake walking up to the group.

"Calico! Always a pleasure." Buff turned to find Callie walking toward them with Jake in tow.

Bluff once again bristled at the presence of yet another unknown tom. "And, you are?"

Jake smiled cooly in his blue trunks, shirtless chest puffed out. "The winner of the last game."

Callie gave an inviting smile. "You should join us for the next game. Your cousins were gracious enough to let us jump in."

"Oh yes, your little high school team did win a few times against my sister's prep school."

"Our record still stands even now. I check every now and then when I visit the principal." Callie placed one paw on her hip, studying her nails on the other one. "Unless, you and Buffy are too scared to go up against my little team."

Felina smiled and placed her paw under her chin. Buff was never one to back down from any challenge, even if it meant sure embarrassment. She banked on it like the sun rising in the sky daily.

"Love too. In fact, you way want a few extra players." Bluff pointed at her and Chance. "Unless they can't handle it."

"Tell you what, Bluffington," Felina placed her sketchbook down. "Go a few games against the champ then I'll come later to make sure you take your tail home properly. I have some grayscale technique to work on."

The white tom gave her a smile that further soured her day.


The next game involved Buff and his sister playing opposite Jake and Callie.

Now the volley game engulfed her and interrupted her sketch. She sighed, finally getting her shading correct. Shame. It was turning into such a good picture.

While Callie's side had the advantage, she felt the unease.

Once Jake spiked the ball to win the game, the usual celebration did not commence.

Suddenly, she could hear Chance getting to his feet. "Jake's gonna punch him."

"Excuse me?" Felina wanted to make sure she heard that correctly. Jake? Punch?

"Whatever charming thing Stuffy Paws did, Jake's about to answer back with a fist." Chance cursed. "Crud, I'm normally the hot head here. Do you mind helping me, madam Enforcer?"

Felina frowned. "I am off today."

"My apologies, but we may need the law to stop what happens next." He held a paw out to her to help her to her feet. "Shall we?"

Normally, being treated like a girl bothered Felina to the fullest. But, something about his approach didn't seem dismissive or belittling. Just an acknowledgement of her being a lady sitting in her beach chair too long. She took his hand and hurried across the sand.

Once at the nets, a stand off of sorts went down as they overheard Callie trying to make peace. "Now, gentlekats-"

"I would never cheat-" Buff folded his arms.

Jake shook his fists. "Oh yeah? Gonna pretend you didn't?"

"Boys," Felina put on her Enforcer voice despite wearing her tankini. "What's going on?"

Jake pointed at Buff. "I don't know what he did, but we're going to need a rematch."

"So we play again." Buff looked unfazed, but she didn't hear anything convincing.

"We'll take it from here." Chance interrupted. "Besides, Callie and Jake have earned their breaks." Chance gave Callie a gentle smile. "We'll take your place, madam."

Callie smiled back then guided Jake out the maddening crowd toward their stuff.

"You play?" The other tom scoffed at Chance.

"I don't just slum. I've played the game..." Chance turned his red cap backwards. "Besides, wiping that stupid smirk in the sand will be prize enough for me."

"Well then," Buff tossed the ball to Felina. Hard. "I win and Felina owes me a kiss."

Felina had to swallow various curse words as she ran up to Buff. "You wait one da-"

Chance managed to snake her by the waist and pull her back to him. "We'll see about that. Just remember she gets to name her reward once you eat sand."

"Remember, Felina," Buff dripped in arrogance. "I win. I get rewarded."

She swore she could hear a growl slipped from Chance. "I make sure the winning champs continue their reign."


Felina and Chance battled it out with Buff and his sister, Buffy, as a partner in a two-on-two match. What was a friendly game turned into a war of the net.

Chance held his own with her serving the ball, but the Ragdollfellas were closing in on their lead.

"Crud, we're tied." He said after placing his paws on his knees. "They're wearing us down."

Felina guzzled a bottle of cold water. "Sorry I am the third best player in MegaKat Prep."

His smile smoothed her wounded pride. "But, not the third cutest."

With a wink, Chance gave the ball back to the Persian kat sister and cleared his throat. "Winner takes all after this match."

"Is that so?" Buffy, the quieter of the two siblings, insisted.

Buff folded his arms on the other side of the net, looking very interested.

"You're gonna take up space or are you gonna play?" Chance challenged.

"My serve then." Buff got in a ready position, making kissing faces at Felina.

Rolling her eyes, she got ready for the ball.

Three hits later and Feline knocked the ball over the net and into the ocean.

"Yes!" Chance did a ridiculous happy dance as the small crowd watching cheered on.

"Well, well, the tables have turned." Felina tried her best to look humble as she and Chance ducked under the net to shake the paws of the competition. Both of the aristocats grudgingly shook his paw back.

When Feline stepped in front of Buff, she shook his paw then placed her paws behind her back. "I was going to ask for a kiss after I won, Buff. You never gave me a chance to name my prize."

Buff blinked. "You were?"

"Yeah," Feline gave Buff a flirty smile.

Buff held his face out and puckered up his lips.

Felina pushed Buff out the way and slid right up to Chance. "From him."

Buff balled his paws into fists after he opened his eyes and didn't feel anything happen.

The orange tabby had the decency to blush. "Umm, Felina, you don't have to-'

"Buff was bold enough to ask." Pressing a quick peck on Chance's cheek, she grabbed his arm and pulled the baffled tom away. "But, Chance, you actually earned it."

With a wave, she led her choice by the socialite. "Good game, Bluff."

Without another thought, Feline walked with Chance toward their friends.


"Welll," Jake grinned as if he caught the proverbial mouse. "Need any ice?"

"Ummz... well…" Chance swallowed as he sat back on his towel.

Felina shook her head and sat in her chair, curious. Was Jake on to the little scene from earlier?

"I think we all should take a break in the shade." Callie offered gently, placing a delicate paw on Jake's shoulder.

Felina saw the way the shorter kat swooned, angry diffused by the other she kat. Seems like all her touches affect Clawson in some way.

"Great game, Callie." Chance offered both Callie and Jake a cold drink.

"Same to you and Felina. I saw how heated it got."

Felina slipped her water in deep introspection. Somehow, the car ride was gonna be a long one back.

"That was for Prom Junior year by the way, Felina." Callie winked.

"Prom?" Felina felt her fur stand up. "You know about that."

"A cautionary tale for public and private schools alike."

"How many kittens in the Tri City area know about that night?" She sighed. "Did they juice it up? Add all types of details?"

"Nope, just fair warning that all the Ragdollfella toms are jerks."

"Ahh."

The ladies noted the burning stares of the males, so they switched subjects.

"So while I was defending my high school title, what did you sketch?"

Felina looked at the heavens as if for the right answer. "Just a little scene inspired by the nice day." Of course, she wasn't gonna tell them exactly what it was-a picture of Callie feeding Jake grapes carelessly as he laid with his arms behind his head.

Jake cleared his throat. "Now, my stomach's being inspired by whatever you have in this cooler. Got any mondo peppers?"

Chance managed to shake off the shock of her kiss and return to his happy-go-lucky self. "This kat! Ladies, let me tell you how he tried to fake me out in a pepper eating contest."


Afternoon came and the foursome decided to wind things down.

"All good things must come to an end." Callie's pout summed up the group's entire mood. "It's five o'clock."

"I guess we should head out." Jake ventured. Clearly, he didn't want to leave.

Felina began to pack her belongings. Even she couldn't let this moment slip away. "Well, we could grab dinner later."

"That's a great idea." Chance perked up, "Five alarm chili, eh?"

"I value my stomach today. Sweet offer, but maybe something else?" Callie began helping Jake shake sand from the towels. She looked around. "So, what would we all be in the mood for later? Chinese? Italian?"

"There's a little seafood place I saw before we hit MegaKat City." Jake suggested. "Looks rundown, but smelled like Heaven."

"Fish does sound good." Chance grabbed the cooler as Felina folded the umbrellas.

"Chance, I'll follow you." She looked at Callie and Jake. "Do you two mind?"

Callie waved them off. Felina and Chance made a silent trek back to her Jeep in the parking lot, this time she walked next to him to avoid staring at his tail.

Not that she was trying to stare.

Back at the Jeep, they unloaded the stuff.

"Welp, that's everything, sans the lovebirds-" She announced when she felt a paw slip into hers. She looked up into Chance's dark eyes. His whole mood was like a summer storm, serious and abrupt. "Is everything okay?"

"Felina, you do know that I wouldn't demand something like a kiss from you, right?"

She studied how carefully he held her paw with both of his own.

Felina placed a paw on his chest. "I know."

"Then why did you say that to him-?" Visible frustration played on his face. "If you and the rich boy were a thing or wanna be-."

"Viper could eat me first. Buff was and is a pain in my tail."

"So you spend your off time giving out kisses just to get a rise out of other toms?"

Ouch. It never occurred to her she had hurt him in any kind of way.

"Chance, I am so sorry for making you think I would use you to make Buff jealous. That wasn't never my intention." She looked down for a moment then forced herself to look him back in the eyes. "And he was wrong to say I was slumming with you. It was down right mean."

He nodded, exhaling. "Ok. I'll give you that. I did feel a little green at Stuffy Paws."

She exhaled, relieved. "Thank you."

"Felina, I don't mind you putting him in his place, but I've been on both sides of that ball with other girls and it's not fun."

"But?" She sensed he still had his doubts.

"Why did you kiss me? I don't think I earned anything like that."

Felina felt her mouth hang open. The answer dancing on her tongue. Maybe the sea air or the fact she still had not dropped her paw from his chest had something to do with it. "I wanted to."

Blinking, he studied her, his eyes narrowing and running over her.

Felina had to calm her fur down. Why did she say that? How stupid was she?

"So, could I ask you for something? Since I earned it."

"Yeah." Her heart caught in her throat. Is this the part where she bit off more than she can chew?

"Would a kiss back work? Like an apology for being angry and stupid and male?"

"What do you mean?"

He leaned down, tilting her face toward his. "I'll show you." A sense of hesitation crossed his face. "But, that means you gotta trust me."

"When have I said I don't?"

Chance leaned in and showed Felina he was a pretty decent kisser.


When she finally opened her eyes, Felina saw the permanent grin on Chance's face.

His voice was low and smoky. "Purple's a very distracting color, lieutenant."

Had it been that long, dumb dumb? He just kissed you and you're acting like you're on that catnip. Nothing else has happened.

"Huh?" Felina blinked then realized he had been referring to her tankini. Back to reality, she finally dropped her paw from his chest. "Callie suggested it."

Chance, however, did not let go of her waist. Why wasn't she pushing him away?

"Your new outfit is working, especially when every other tom on the beach seems to agree."

"What are you talking about?"

"Callie wasn't the only pretty she-kat here."

"Now, you're just flattering me-"

"Don't do that." He gave her waist a small squeeze, but his voice regained his edge.

"What?"

"Think you're not as good-looking or talented as another kat. Buff certainly thought so."

"Buff chases anything female-"

"And this outfit is clear evidence of the female wearing it."

Felina's eyes popped open. Chance had been checking her out?

"I wanted to slam that arrogant bastard in the sand for thinking he was entitled to any parts of you." The growl came back strong. "Kats alive, he was undressing you with his eyes right there."

"And you know this how?" She asked. What was his real motive? She had already dealt with enough toms in heat only thinking about something physical. "Did it take one to know one?"

"He wasn't the only one that was guilty." Chance released her from his hold. "Felina, I'm not goanna pretend I was the angel here either. A beautiful she-kat kissing me isn't something I'll turn down." He ran a paw across his face. before speaking again. "I feel something for you, not just 'heat.'"

Her ears rung. In observing Callie and Jake, she had completely missed Chance's attraction. To her.

Nope, her mind scolded, you're the scaredy kat here. You're the one with feelings.

With one last piercing stare, he added. "And I hope it's mutual."

Felina placed a paw on her chest.

The beach air had done something alright.

It had turned them crazy.

Whatever spell captivated them, it also released them when Felina heard footsteps.

"So, are you two ready or did we change our minds about where to eat?" Jake had his arms folded, now wearing a different pair of shorts and a clean shirt. "I changed in the cabana while Callie made a phone call so we're ready to go."

"They're holding a table for us. Got an hour to kill though. Saturdays are busy." Callie appeared next to Jake in a sundress and sandals.

"Guess I should change too." Felina looked at Callie. "I forget playing volleyball on the beach has sand. Lots of it."

"Come on, I'll show you where the showers are once you get your stuff. The boys can make sure we have everything in order."

A shower. Felina reached for the beach bag yet again. That's exactly what she needed after her mind started calculating what else Chance was good at.


Back in the driver's seat, Felina felt like she was in control again. The shower at the cabana gave her perspective. In a fresh pair of olive green shorts and a black tank top, she could now tackle the rest of the day.

She and Callie made their way back to the Jeep. The tow truck wasn't there.

"Uh-oh. Did work interrupt them?

Her heart snuck. Did she run him off?

"They're holding our table."

"Oh." Instant relief. "Smart."

"Felina, can I ask you something?" Callie climbed in the passenger side and fiddled with her seatbelt.

"Shoot."

"I don't think Jake likes me. Does he?"

Felina slammed on the breaks before they could leave the parking lot causing a few angry car horns her way. "What?"

"I'm smitten as a kitten." Callie commented. "But, if we weren't talking shop or literature, then he was silent. I mean, it was good silence. But, not when you don't think a tom is interested in you."

Turning into traffic on the highway, Felina had to keep her laughter down. "He was silent because your beauty left him in awe. That bikini left him speechless."

"You really think so?" Callie fiddled with her paws.

Callie nervous? Felina had seen this she-kat go up against crime lords, corrupt politicians and crazed time-traveling wizards.

And she is sweating a crush?

Felina described Jake's reaction to Callie through the whole day. "Callie, a blind kat could see it. He likes you. Another kat didn't dare dream about looking your way because they saw Jake watching you. He was about to put Buff on his back, defending your honor."

Mercifully, the restaurant came into view and they pulled into the parking lot after a few minutes.

"Really?"

"Really."

"I feel so much better."

"Happy to help."

"Thanks Felina!" Callie smothered her in a hug.

"Umm..you welcome." Felina really was not feeling all this touching today...


The lights in MegaKat city twinkled in the distance. Instead of heading back right away, the group allowed darkness to catch up with them until Jake offered to drive Callie back to her condo in the truck.

She drove Chance to the junkyard in her Jeep.

"We are alone again." She mentioned.

"Looks like it."

Feline sighed. "I think we should talk-"

"Okay-"

"I'm trying to be cautious when it comes to this..." She motioned between the two of them.

"Oh?"

"Can I tell you about my junior prom?"

Chance sat back. "I'm all ears."

"Once my parents stopped wanting to uproot a bunch, they moved here. I went to MV Prep junior year. And immediately, Buff had me on his radar. After a few weeks, I relented. Sure, he was a cute guy with a little money. I can't deny that. So, we did the whole Prom thing."

She stared ahead during this part of the story. "I actually thought I had him wrong by the time we left and drove up to the hill."

Chance coughed. "Make out point city."

"Been there once or twice?"

"No comment and please continue."

She bit back a smile. "Yes, I did know where we were going. Foolish me thinking he was a nice guy." The sting of what occurred hit her. "Buff did not just want a kiss goodnight and I did not want to do more than kiss goodnight."

He leaned over and touched her cheek. "Felina, you don't have to finish this part-"

She shook her head. "Let's just say breaking his nose changed his mind somewhat. You know-Enforcer uncle, military dad, only girl grandkitten." Looking into the distance, she leaned back into her seat. "That did not help my social standing at MK Prep nor my family's."

"I'm sorry."

The apology warmed her. "My mom was pissed. She gave the school Hell for suspending me. Once I was back in school, then the popular kits gave me Hell. The rumors were-"

He finally moved his paw from her face, "Awful."

"Yeah. Didn't matter how much of a good student I was, one rumor ruined everything. I had to do homeschool senior year until I went to training at North Point."

Felina watched Chance jump out her Jeep. "Okay. Now, I'll kill him."

"Chance, don't say that." She jumped out and followed him.

"You're right. I'll drive to the financial district in the morning then I'll kill him."

"That's not why I told you the story." Felina sighed. "I haven't really dated since. It was just easier to let my studies or my career or even my art swallow up my time. I've always had to deal with toms like Buff and it gets tiring."

"I don't go for force or demands for she-kats. A lady can speak up for herself about what she wants." Chance hit a random pile of junk with his fist. "He had no right to hurt you."

"My pride only got hurt the worst." Felina took one of his paws with hers. "So, yes, I get suspicious when someone shows a sudden interest."

"My interest isn't sudden." He countered.

"Neither is mine."

Chance promptly shut up.

"When Buff asked for a kiss, it took me back to all the shame of high school." Felina continued. "With you, I feel something. Scratch that, I feel lots of different things around you. I am scared to admit it, because that means I know it's there. It's real."

"Not a one-sided kiss then?"

Curse his sexy yet lazy smile. "Over this last year I've gotten to know you, it's been building. Today just confirmed it." She made a face. "I don't want this to be a one night thing."

"I've guessed that much."

"So, I am moving with a ton of caution."

"I respect that."

"You don't seem to be scared off."

"What's scary about it? I asked what you wanted, you told me and I plan on doing it."

"Most toms get intimidated."

"Secure toms don't mind a strong she-kat telling them what to do." Chance mused. "When I listen, we both get what we want."

Why did her face feel like it was on fire?

Felina leveled her face with his. "Conceited much?"

"Nope. Just confidence." He folded his arms.

"Shouldn't we slow down a little more here?"

"Fast or slow, you tell me."

She wanted to slap him. Or kiss him. Or both. "As much as I enjoy mincing words, I don't do toms in heat."

"You made yourself perfectly clear." He turned a bit more sober. "I respect you."

"I don't just want respect. Being Lieutenant Feral gets me that. Being Commander Feral's niece gets me that. I want...more."

"Okay, do you want me to say I respect you long enough to get your upstairs or show you I respect you because that's sexier in my opinion?" Chance shrugged. "I'm honestly not trying to make it a one-night anything. I like you, Felina and I definitely like this." He motioned between them. "You are as stubborn as you are gorgeous and I am willing to wait for whatever that decision is."

He exhaled. "Just-just don't overthink us, okay? And don't undermine yourself. It kills me to see you shirk down for someone else's shine. I'm not looking to take you down a size. Grow with me." Before she realized it, Chance had her back in those strong arms close to him. "Grow for me. Be a stubborn flower in my garden."

"You mean a weed?"

"Jake is much better at poetry words than me." He said exasperated. "I just flirt."

Felina slipped an arm around his neck and pulled him closer, repeating their kiss from earlier.