Chapter 420

The white cat would’ve loved nothing more than to tear into Joshua with a long string of very human insults. And truth be told, it could speak, just not in this part of the world. Here, cats didn’t use human language.

So instead, it launched into a flurry of meows, yowls, and grumbles.

Of course, none of it made sense to the humans.

The study quickly filled with the cat’s indignant meowing.

Shermaine raised an amused brow. “Pretty sure it’s cursing you out, Joshua.”

“Meow.” The kitten let out a sharp reply and continued its rant.

Joshua, expressionless, popped a biscuit into his mouth and tossed a few pieces on the floor. “Let it eat on its own. Spoiled enough already.”

Shermaine shot him a look. “Weren’t you the one who said I should be the one taking care of it?”

“I’ve thought about it,” Joshua replied nonchalantly. “You don’t really have the time to look after a cat. Just let it stay here and fend for itself. It’s smart. It won’t starve.”

Sure enough, the white cat dove at the crumbs, holding them delicately between its paws, munching away with clear satisfaction.

It was, admittedly, a clever little thing.

Shermaine was beginning to grow quite fond of it.

Afternoon sunlight streamed through the windows, pooling on the floor scattered with books, books Kylie hadn’t noticed when she barged in. No one knew what they were made of, but despite the passing of a millennium, the pages showed no signs of aging.

Joshua slipped his arms around Shermaine from behind, his hands resting low on her waist, pulling her back into his chest with quiet possessiveness. “Sheary,” he murmured, “feed me.”

“I thought you hated snacks,” she said, not looking up.

“I do,” he said, voice dipping lower, “unless you’re the one feeding me.”

Shermaine half-smiled, lips quirking. “I’m trying to read.”

Joshua’s lashes lowered, his voice almost a whisper. “Just one more.”

Her resolve crumbled. She picked up a small biscuit and brought it to his lips.

He didn’t devour it like before. This time, he nibbled a corner first, slow and deliberate, before finishing the rest.

Crumbs clung to her fingertips. Joshua took her slender wrist, brought her hand to his mouth, and gently licked the tip of her finger, teasing, unhurried, and unmistakably intimate.

Shermaine shot him a stern look. “Behave.”

He grinned. “Tastes good.” Then he sucked lightly on her fingertip again. Under the blanket, his warm palm slipped beneath her loose sweater, finding the soft curve of her waist.

Moments later, Shermaine found herself pressed gently against the floor, his kisses slow, languid, and relentless.

Breathless, lips flushed a vivid red, she murmured, “That’s enough.”

But Joshua didn’t push it. He hadn’t come with an agenda. He just wanted to hold her for a while, to soothe the ache of too many lonely nights.

“If no more kisses,” he whispered, “then feed me another cookie.”

“Alright, alright. Get off,” she said, gently pushing at him.

He leaned in for one last kiss. “Not unless you give me a kiss first.”

Shermaine laughed, exasperated. “You know, if your employees saw you like this, I think their entire worldview would collapse.”

Joshua arched a brow. “Let them. I’ve been waiting for an excuse to show off.”

“You get one. Cookies or kisses. Pick.”

Naturally, Joshua wanted both. He pretended to consider. “Well, if you’re not offering, guess I’ll help myself.”

The white cat had just finished its biscuit. It let out a contented burp, its blue eyes gleaming. It had clearly noticed the couple was ignoring it, and Shermaine was pregnant, no less.

With a flash of motion, the cat lunged at Joshua, sank its teeth into his shirt, and began tugging furiously. Its yowls rang out again, indignant and unrelenting.

The moment shattered in an instant.

A few minutes later, Joshua looked down at his shirt, now thoroughly destroyed. Just as he moved to scold the cat, it darted behind Shermaine like a child hiding behind its mother.

Joshua chuckled. “You’re lucky Sheary’s here. I’ll let it slide, for now.” He stood, brushing himself off. “I’m going to change.”

Shermaine couldn’t help but laugh. She reached down and scooped up the cat, holding it up to eye level. “You know that shirt costs thousands, right? Selling you wouldn’t even cover the buttons.”