He snagged a pair of soft sweatpants on his way out of the room. Her laughter only made his body harder and he knew she’d used her soft, sexy tone on purpose.

He was laughing when he got to the kitchen. His life had always been grim. He was okay with that. He did his job and he was good at it, and there was satisfaction in taking down criminals. But still, it was a grim life. Even after he’d traveled the world looking for other shifters. After he’d found Drake Donovan and had been introduced to the men who hunted rogues and took down criminals throughout the world. Shifters he could admire. Shifters who taught him the ropes. Even then, his world was grim. Until Cat. Cat changed everything and he didn’t know she’d done it until it was already done.

He looked around his kitchen. It was the same, yet different. There were flowers in a vase on the table. Pots and pans hung on the rack, but they were arranged by size and were sparkling clean. The differences were small, and subtle, but they were there. She’d already put her touch on things, especially the kitchen.

She’d set up a coffee station with the ingredients from her grocery list. Joshua had brought the groceries and clothes he’d requested and she’d been ecstatic. He hadn’t shown her the clothes yet—or the boots he’d ordered—but she’d pounced on the groceries, oohing and ahhing over every object—especially the coffee items. She could make their favorites drinks and when she did, they were every bit as awesome as he remembered from the coffee-house.

He pulled out the deli meat, turkey for her and roast beef for him. Cheese slices, avocado and condiments. He knew the moment she entered, but he didn’t look up. He smelled her—that honeysuckle scent that drove him mad. She didn’t make a sound as she padded barefoot across the floor straight to the coffee machine.

“Want one?”

“Kitten.”

She laughed. “It’s amazing how much you can convey with one word.”

He went to her, silent as well. She didn’t know he was behind her until he was already on her, turning her into his arms, taking a fistful of hair to pull her head back. He took her mouth. Rough. Hard. Possessive. Staking his claim in no uncertain terms. When he lifted his head to look into her cobalt eyes, he saw she got it. She knew his way of talking. He smiled down at her and brushed her lips gently with his. At the same time his hand slid under the hem of the shirt she wore to find her naked bottom. He caressed the firm globes with his palms before stalking back across the room to the center island, putting it between them.

“Our communication seems to be improving.”