Taming Beasts | MxM | Petshop

Part 12

After wondering why my choice seating was the ground, then frowning upon my grave state of undress, Ross' friends were now addressing my apparent unwillingness to engage in absolutely meaningless conversation with them. I didn't spare them a glance, focusing my attention on the pets at their sides instead, who were adequately bothered by my presence. Served them right, especially that cripple-eared cat who'd shamelessly tried to claim my – my...

I didn't know what Ross was to me, though the issue was more what I regarded him as. Technically speaking, he was my master and owner. I could also call him a rapist – or slave trader. All these terms applied, yet I saw him his as none of those. All I knew was that he was mine, and I wasn't going to stand by when someone laid hands on him.

If he was touching me, he damn be touching no one else.

His hand reached for my head, and I growled out of habit but stayed still, allowing him to stroke my fur. His fingers slipped behind my ears, coaxing them out of their hiding spot close to my scalp by firmly sliding across my skin. Despite leaning into the touch, I refused to purr for him.

Besides, we had an audience.

Ross smirked. "See? He's not that bad. Once you get used to all the snarling and growling, that is."

I ducked away from his hand at that, shooting him a glare.

Joe snorted, pulling his cat closer by the hip. He toned down his grin but kept looking ready to burst out laughing. "Sure. I can see how much he's loving that."

"You know, not everyone's interested in having a pussycat," Ross pointed out, causing Taz' ears to drop.

The kitten pouted, and Joe pressed a kiss to his temple. He was watching me from the corner of his eyes when he replied, "I remember you enjoying this pussycat a lot last time you dropped by. Didn't you, Vince?"

I narrowed my eyes at the kitten, who flinched appropriately. Honestly, I didn't care whether Ross liked to screw around a lot – because the solution to the trouble was simple. All I needed to do was discourage anyone from engaging past a reasonable distance.

"And I also seem to remember-"

Mike groaned. "Joe, stop it. You really can't read the mood, can you?"

Ross and Joe looked equally surprised, exchanging looks to figure out whether the other was catching on or not. Mike briefly rubbed his eyebrows, then gestured towards me. "You want Taz to die?"

"I don't get it," Joe said with a frown, and Ross shrugged.

"God, you guys are so dense. – You did realize that Taz and Penny are being unusually quiet this evening?"

Ross leaned back smirking, likely because he'd caught on to the fact that indeed, I was the reason that the Spitz dog and the insolent kitten had finally learned their place. For whatever reason, he enjoyed my spiteful attitude if it wasn't directed his way.

Joe hugged Taz closer. "So what?"

Mike sighed. "Just saying you don't have to rub it in that, you know –"

"Vince likes screwing Taz?" Joe offered, staring straight at me. I returned his gaze with thrice the intensity, silently baring my fangs. If not for the restraints keeping me at Ross' side, I'd have charged the bastard and showed him the consequences of messing with me.

When Joe's eyes narrowed at me, Ross decided to join the conversation, though not before putting his hand back atop my head. "Come on, Joe. Weren't you the one telling me to get a pet? So what's the matter now?"

"Yeah, man," Mike agreed. "You were always going on and on about it, so relax."

"Tsk. I just don't like his attitude."

Ross grinned. "You'll get used to it."

And that was it. They finally dropped the topic of Ross' infidelity and switched to business matters. Disinterested, I lay down on the floor, shamelessly stretching out so that my back was resting on Ross' feet and leaning against his legs. He didn't seem to bother though – and even leaned down to rub his knuckles across my stomach.

I purred contently, even if only to show off. Besides, it really was nice to be touched without sexual innuendo. Then again, that thing he'd done to me hadn't felt particularly bad, either. The attention was removed soon after though, and with nothing better to do, I drifted off into a light sleep.