I laughed. “I think I want to go to the rescue and see what they’ve got. I don’t want a kitten because I work too much to be able to look after one, but I think an older one might help.”

Her brow furrowed a little. “Help with what?”

“It gets a little lonely,” I admitted. “Until recently—”

“Until we sexted,” she said.

“Until we sexted,” I repeated, trying not to smile too much. “I didn’t really have anyone here and I was lonely. You and I are still at the beginning of our relationship, and while I’m going for a beer with Mason and Maya’s stepdad this week, I think I need a cat.”

“You know they’re assholes, don’t you?”

“Ah, you’re learning the way of the cat. Nice job.”

“Shut up.” Her eyes shone with laughter. “I think it might be good for you. So you want an older one?”

“Nothing too old. Maybe two or three years old. Would you come with me?”

“To the shelter? Have you seen my willpower? I rescued that little shit as a full-fledged member of Team Dog and now he sleeps on the end of my bed.”

“I know. He woke me this morning by biting my toes.” I shot a glare his way. “We have got to get his foot fetish under control, by the way. I’m not dealing with that on a regular basis.”

“Who said you’re sleeping in my bed on a regular basis?”

“Fine. I’ll send you batteries for your vibrator and you can see how well that cooks you breakfast.”

Hannah paused. “Point taken. Until the robots rise up, you’ll do.”

“I’ll do?” Laughing, I pushed off the exam table and walked around it to her. I pulled her against me and kissed her, taking her lower lip between my teeth and dragging slowly.

She let out a breathy moan and sagged against me. “Stop it.”

I released her with one final laugh. “Go now. I have appointments all day and I can’t handle you getting me riled up.”

“You kissed me.” She sniffed and picked up the carrier. “When do you want to go to the shelter?”

“Shall we get dinner tonight and work it out?” I asked, opening the exam room door.

“Sounds good.” She smiled shyly. “See you later.”

“See you later, love.”

Her cheeks flushed pink.

That was the only reason I called her that. She blushed every time, and there was something so fucking adorable about making her blush that way that I couldn’t help myself.

She was going to kill me for it one day, I was sure of it.

She took Lucifer to the reception desk and shot one more look my way, but this look wasn’t the annoyed one she’d given me in the exam room. This one was filled with a softness; a softness I was coming to know and love about her.

Love.

That was such a big word, and one I wasn’t comfortable throwing around freely, but it was the correct one here. I was slowly falling in love with all the things that made her Hannah, and it wouldn’t be long until I knew I’d start falling in love with her.