Blackmailed by the Billionaire Brewer by Rachel Lyndhurst

watched her silently, leaning back against the end of the
     single bed, his hands gripping the brass work behind his back so that his torso formed
     a perfect triangle. “I don’t think I ever really loved him, or him me. Looking back,
     everything was kind of toxic. Too much, too young, too fast.”
    “Sounds familiar.” The gap between his dark eyebrows narrowed as he studied her. She
     wondered what he was thinking, and what had happened to him to make him say that.
     But she wasn’t going to ask, didn’t want to start an emotional journey down an exciting-looking
     road that led nowhere. Another dead end.
    “Anyway, that’s enough of me being miserable and self-indulgent. What’s done is done.”
     She forced a bright smile. “I think she could use some breakfast.”
    He tickled the cat’s back. “I’ve fixed something especially for you, Princess Aspen.”
    “We can call her Princess if you’d like,” Piper said before her rational brain could
     engage and stop her. “Seeing as you’re paying the veterinary bill,” she added quickly,
     and hoped her cheeks wouldn’t betray her by going tomato red. “Although, maybe I should
     pick it up, now that I think about it.”
    “I said I’d pay the bill even if she is your cat,” he said with an enigmatic smile. A smile that was also conciliatory, even
     pitiful maybe, not surprising as she’d just come off so needy. “But I might just call
     her Princess anyway.”
    “I’m sure she won’t mind one little bit.”
    He looked awkwardly from side to side. “Your clothes are dry. Where do you want me
     to put them? I’ll start breakfast while you’re getting ready.”
    “I’ll get them if you tell me where they are.”
    He sighed. “It really isn’t a problem. I’ll put them in the bedroom, so if you want
     a shower—”
    “Thank you, I will.” She rubbed at the corner of her eye. The fatigue and the stress
     of the last few days were taking their toll. She glanced at the towel around his hips
     again and felt a flash of shame as he caught her doing it. “Give me a holler when
     you’re dressed and out,” she added quickly.
    It was a relief putting her own clothes back on; she couldn’t cope with wearing his
     clothes any longer. His sweatpants slithered down over her hips whenever she walked
     down the stairs, for goodness’ sake. When she stepped into the kitchen, she saw Matt
     crouching over Aspen, stroking her and cooing as she scooped up her breakfast like
     a backhoe loader.
    “You’re spoiling her,” she said. “She’ll think she really is a princess at this rate.”
    “It’s just a little chicken breast,” he said quietly and ran his large hand down her
     narrow back. “She still seemed hungry after her canned salmon.”
    Piper giggled. “Double breakfast? If she’s sick, you can clean it up.”
    “She won’t be sick. She’s eating for at least two.”
    “I wonder how many babies she’s got in there? Maybe they’ll be able to tell us when
     she has her operation.”
    “Maybe.” He stood up and stretched. “She made the funniest noise while she was eating
     earlier.”
    “Like she was saying nom nom?”
    “I’ve never heard a cat do that before.”
    “Yep, she’s definitely an odd creature.” Piper kneeled down to pet her. “Makes a barking
     noise sometimes, too.”
    “For real?” He poured hot coffee into two cups. “Are you hungry? There’s toast, eggs,
     bacon, and cereal.”
    “I’m still stuffed from dinner,” she said as she accepted the cup of steaming liquid.
     “And I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m eager to get out of here and back to real life
     again.”
    “I looked around outside and I think we can make it to the main highway if we take
     it nice and slow, but I’m not letting you out of my sight until I know you’re completely
     safe.”
    “I’m a big girl these days,” she said with a frown. “Been on the planet twenty-six
     years, I think I can look after