My Darling Feline (Bill X Fem! Reader)

Chapter Fourteen: Moonlight Sonata

My phone blasted its ringtone, jerking me awake as the loud tune hammered right into my ear. I groaned, stretching slowly beneath the cold, white sheets that felt way too crisp for this late hour. Staying asleep had been impossible after Bill's confession and the nonstop whirlwind of thoughts swirling in my head.

I unlocked my phone and squinted at the harsh screen light stabbing my eyes. Once they adjusted, I blinked at a message from Louis.

"Did you get to the hotel safely?"  it read.

"Yeah. Took us a while, but we made it back," I typed back.

Louis replied almost instantly, "Good. I expect zero funny business. No one better step foot in your hotel room." I could practically see his eyebrows knitting into that fierce scowl of his.

I couldn't resist. "Gee, relax. What's it to you, anyways?"

His response came quick and deadpan. "When you get back, I need to speak with you regarding the festival."

I huffed, rolling my eyes. "You better not stick me on the dance or actors team last minute again!"

"You read my mind," he shot back.

I sighed, half annoyed, half amused. "Thanks for checking in Bambi."

I set my phone down on the nightstand and rolled onto my side, finally starting to get comfortable. Then four soft knocks at my hotel door shattered the silence.

I groaned, swinging my legs off the bed. Wearing nothing but the short black satin nightgown I'd packed from home before moving to Cherryton, I figured it was probably just the dorm matron checking in. No point in making a fuss. Quietly, I shuffled over and cracked the door open.

Bill stood there, looking way too relaxed for this hour.

"I know it's late, but—"

My face instantly betrayed me as heat rushed to every inch of my skin under his amused gaze.

Bill smirked. "You know, if you wanted to seduce me, you didn't have to put on a whole show. Not that I'm complaining." He winked, casually leaning his big frame against the doorframe like it was the most natural thing in the world.

I rolled my eyes. "Please. You couldn't handle all this anyway."

His flustered attempt to hide it was a complete disaster. He shifted awkwardly, and even his words stumbled out a bit.

"Maybe," he said, voice low and playful. "Anyway, I came to tell you to get dressed. We're sneaking out. Since it was only a day trip to the city, I figured we might as well make the night count too."

"But what about curfew?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Bill shrugged, flashing that grin. "Curfew's overrated. Now go get ready. I'll wait out here. Silent as a shadow, promise. Just don't keep me waiting too long."

***

"So, where exactly are we headed?" I asked, curiosity tugging at me as we strolled away from the hotel.

Bill's grin widened. "You'll see. I've got a fun night planned for us. Consider this our very first date."

I couldn't help but wonder how someone so rough around the edges could be so disarmingly charming. The more time I spent with Bill, the more I realized he was hiding a softer side from the world. Part of me felt lucky to get a glimpse of it, while the other part wished everyone else could see it too.