The Soldier's Roommate

Chapter 19: Black.

Alice

I can't believe it.

A cat diner.

He brought me to a cat diner! I always thought those only existed in my dreams. I mean, a diner full of cats running around freely? How awesome is that?!

"You like it?" Elijah asks when I'm not moving for a minute, my wide eyes just taking in the interior of this place.

"I love it!" I return with a smile.

"That's good. You said you loved cats but didn't have the time for one, so I thought this might be something you like."

He actually remembered that. I thought I was at the rambling stage when I told him that, but no. He actually listened to me. That fact alone shows that he's not the tough, closed-off soldier he seems to be; He's a good and caring person at heart.

And I guess that's why my body moves on its own when I basically throw myself at him, my hands circling his neck while his fingers dig into my hips as I get on my toes to press a kiss on his lips. He instantly replies, his hand wandering up my back until he grabs a fistful of my hair, pulling me even closer to him.

A quiet moan escapes my lips as our tongues dance, fire raging in my veins as we just keep on attacking each other in the middle of this damn diner. But he suddenly pulls back, his hot breath traveling down my neck when he whispers into my ear, "If you keep making these noises I will have to carry you home right now, do you understand that?"

He leans back, the raging fire in his eyes instantly setting my soul aflame. I'm so close to just letting him do whatever it is he wants to do with me, the way he looks at me right now definitely does something dangerous to me... But I remember that we're supposed to take it slow. Get to know each other before we jump into bed together.

"Alice... Do you want to see the cats?" Elijah asks, amusement and heat in his voice, and I instantly nod my head, knowing I have to get my act together now.

"Yes... Yes, I do," I whisper, and Elijah just responds with a kiss on my head before he pulls me into one of the booths. It only takes minutes after we sit down for one of the cats to jump into my lap, the sudden action almost making me squeal.

Almost.

"Oh my god, Elijah, it's so cute!" I say without even looking at him, my fingers running through the fur of the white-red cat in my lap.

It rubs its head on my stomach and nudges my hand, showing me to pet it already. And of course I give in, scratching its ears and head while it purrs under my touch. I can feel Elijah's eyes on me, but I really don't mind. It's kind of cute when he watches me like that.

We order some coffee and ice cream and play with some of the cats, and I have to admit my jaw almost drops to the floor when Elijah actually manages to lure an old black cat with one eye into his lap.

"Yeah, buddy, you're unique, aren't you?" he asks, and I almost melt at those words, my heart soars when I see how he looks at the cat, ruffling its fur with a smile on his lips.

Elijah is such a beautiful man, it's a shame he doesn't smile more often. Because his smile makes my world stop, and I definitely want it to stop spinning if it means he keeps looking content like that. I really thought he couldn't look any better - but petting a cat on his lap and with that damn smile on his face... It's almost unearthly, really.

"What are you smiling about?" His question rips me out of my thoughts and I shake my head in an attempt to regain my focus, the cat in my lap looking up at me with wide eyes.