Beneath the Scars (Masters of the Shadowlands #13)(94)

“Lead the way.” Josie realized Carson wasn’t the only one suffering from a pet craving. “I’d love it.”

The time passed swiftly. After perusing the history and personality information taped to each cat carrier, Josie used the knowledge to match adopters with adoptees. Each time someone chose a cat to adopt, she barely refrained from doing a happy dance.

Returning after another adoption, she glanced around the tent. The shelter staff had brought in more cats as carriers were emptied. On one side, Carson was teaching a youngster how to hold a kitten without getting scratched. A young couple was wandering from carrier to carrier.

An older, battle-scarred cat—the one no one wanted—was out of his cage. Rubbing his cheek against an elderly woman’s chin, he was purring so hard his thin frame shook. Josie pulled in a breath and turned to wipe her eyes.

“Easy, pet.” Holt moved to her side. The man—no, the Dom—saw everything. Wrapping a big hand around her nape, he tucked her head against his shoulder and let her blink away the tears. Sheltering her.

Pulling in his scent, she sighed, wishing she could stay, right there, forever. “Thank you,” she whispered.

“Mmmhmm.” He planted a kiss on top of her head and let her go.

“Sir, I’m taking this cat. What is the next step?” At the call from the elderly lady, Holt brushed his knuckles over Josie’s cheek and went to assist.

As the time went on, she couldn’t seem to stop watching him. Wanting to help. If he needed a hand with a cat, or a ribbon to mark an adoption, or…anything…she tried to be there for him.

When she’d fetched drinks for all of them, Holt had taken the can she handed him, seen it was Mountain Dew, and the smile he’d given her and his soft, “Thank you, sweetheart,” had made her heart sing. She’d always liked to be helpful but doing something for Holt lit a glow in her heart.

As the time for closing neared, there was a lull in the visitors to the feline tent. Stepping out, Josie turned in a circle to see what to do next.

Raoul and Kim—the Shadowlands Master and his “slave”—were busy with the dogs. It was interesting to see Kim watching Raoul, giving him anything he needed before he needed to ask, and responding to the slightest motion on his part.

Josie snorted.

“What’s funny?” Gabi walked over.

“I just realized that Master Raoul watches Kim as intently as she does him.” Josie nodded to where the muscular Master wrapped his arm around Kim’s waist, easing her away from a redneck who was trying to put the moves on her.

“I thought at first it was just me, then just the submissives—and it was overwhelming at first. But you’re right, it’s a two-way street.” The redhead glanced at the table, and yes, Marcus’s gaze was on Gabi. The exchange of looks held so much love and heat that Josie couldn’t help but be envious.

Turning away, Josie looked for her two guys.

Holt stood outside the cat tent, looking in. Looking at…

Face filled with joy, Carson had a big black cat in his lap. Petting it. Talking to it.

Seeing Holt’s tender expression as he watched her son twisted Josie’s heart.

“So…” Gabi grinned and shoulder-bumped Josie. “Are you going to cave in and let Carson take the kitty home?”

Josie sighed. “I can’t believe I didn’t anticipate this.” But she’d been too flustered when Holt had asked them to spend the afternoon with him. Honestly, her brain turned to total mush around the man.

“Holt!” A tall blonde called from outside the fencing. “Holt. Oh, it’s you. Amazing. What are you doing here?” She dodged past two people walking dogs and grabbed Holt’s hands. “I heard you broke up with Nadia. Oh, it’s so good to see you again.”

He smiled down at her. “Di, how are you?”

A bolt of sheer, green-eyed jealousy shot right into Josie’s chest.

Gabi put an arm around her waist. “Go and shoo her off, girlfriend. Let her know he’s not free.”

Josie bit her lip. “But…he is. Really. We don’t have—”

“You have something, Josie. You were talking about how Raoul watches Kim? Holt treats you like a girlfriend and watches you like a Dom with his submissive.”

Josie’s mouth dropped open. “He…what?”

“Would you like to go out for drinks after this event is over?” Still gripping Holt’s hands, Di leaned forward and gazed up at him with big eyes. “I’m free this evening.”

“Lord help us, she’s going do the sexy hair flip any second now,” Gabi muttered. “Go and save him.”

“No.” As Josie shook her head, she realized Holt was studying her.

He obviously knew she and Gabi were watching. He didn’t answer the woman, and he didn’t look away from Josie. When Josie didn’t move, his eyes narrowed. Then he smiled down at the blonde.

Josie’s heart sank. If he made a date with that woman, it would…hurt. But he had that right. She was the one who said she didn’t date. Didn’t do relationships. Hadn’t said she loved him.

Di patted his chest. “We should—”

“I’m sorry, sweets, but I can’t. I’ve fallen hard for a woman, and I’m not seeing anyone else.” Smoothly disengaging, he nodded toward Josie. “There’s my Josie.”