The hue of neon lights gave the small apartment the fuzzy feel of velvet. Warm, seductive, dangerous, it pulsed red. The curtains billowed in and out of the opened window, breathing in sweet rhythm with the night air.

Curled in a tight ball on her enormous bed, she waited. Stretching lazily, she rolled onto her back extending her limbs in opposite directions. The sound of key turning in the latch broke the silence. A look over her shoulder revealed a man’s figure entering quietly.

The man opened the door, locking eyes with her immediately. She turned back towards the wall, disinterested in whatever he had to offer. The sound of his rubber boots crossing the wooden floor was only mildly annoying and hardly worth comment from her.

Up the steps he wandered, regarding her position in the bed with frank interest. Yawning deliberately, she tucked her head further beneath the covers, hoping he would exit as he had entered - unwelcome.

His weight on the bed caused her body to roll towards him. The barrier of bedding, gingerly pulled back revealed her exposed belly to him. His voice caressed her even as his fingers drifted back and forth over the softness of her belly. They stopped only briefly to ensure that sounds of pleasure vibrated from the back of her throat.

His words and demeanor belied his tender touch, emanating instead a sense of uneasiness. The feeling vicariously shifted to her as if his fingers were physically displacing the negative energy. The hair on the back of her neck raised, and his stroking fingers stopped abruptly. He rolled off the bed, leaving her bouncing in its wake. The creaking springs groaned, echoing her hiss.

Lifting this and that, he suddenly seemed intent on finding something. For the most part though, he ignored her totally.

Stalking into the living room, she assumed her most indignant position aware that she could not stop this intrusion. Satisfied with his lack of discovery, he helped himself to a drink. Soon the drumming of his fingers on the table sounded out a dissonant melody, harmonizing the discord between them.

Once again she attempted to converse, louder this time, more insistent. She brushed against his leg, arching her back against him, she waited for his touch. With an indifferent sigh he allowed one hand to cup her chin, gently stroking back and forth. A small victory won, she closed her eyes, purring.

She and man, both started at the sound of the opening door. The orange tabby circling the man’s feet wasted no time in greeting the stumbling, fair-haired beauty. The man remained seated.

The tabby meowed, wrapping her tail around black leather boots and purring her greeting.

Fingers reached down, wrapping around a full belly. “Kitty” the friendly voice proclaimed, nuzzling fuzzy fur against soft skin.

Kitty purred, retracting her claws and glorying once again in the feeling of flesh across fur. The slightest hint of shrimp still covered the woman’s fingers. Kitty lapped furiously at the members, sanding them with her rough tongue.

The grip around her belly tensed as the woman locked eyes with the man. Claws emerged, sticking the soft-skinned forearms. But just as the woman’s body went rigid, it relaxed.

With swaying motion the woman traversed across the apartment depositing Kitty atop the wooden landing outside the bedroom. The man, who had not bothered to speak until now, growled softly at the woman. The woman growled back. Settling in a discarded sweater, Kitty pushed and prodded making herself a perfect nest in which to sleep. Humans could be so uninteresting sometimes.

The sound of the refrigerator door opening, however, brought Kitty running. The woman was pouring milk into her mouth.

They observed the woman- the man at the table, the tabby on the floor. A sigh escaped the woman’s lips, and Kitty licked her own with anticipation. A ring of white liquid coated the fine hairs above the woman’s lips. Turning to look at the man, the orange tabby realized that he too was entranced by the frothy stain. His eyes tracked the stain with great prowess.

Kitty skidded to the side as the sounds of loud music filled the small apartment. The woman was growling again. She seemed tired, her gait unsteady, her voice deep and low.

The man wanted the milk.

Kitty licked her paw, disinterested in the dialogue that transpired between the humans. The sounds of a zipper jarred the quiet. Kitty’s head jerked nervously to track the sound. The fabric covering the woman drifted towards the floor like a falling balloon, landing in an audible breathe. She dipped out of the puddle of clothing and walked to the door.

The man wanted the milk.

At the door the man regarded me briefly - perhaps in shame over our shared experience or perhaps in fear of what secrets a tabby might reveal.

He could not look at the woman.

She could not look away from him.

Settling in the abandoned dress, still warm from the woman’s body and still fragrant with her perfume, the tabby attempted sleep. Opening one eye, she confirmed - the man had never gotten the milk....

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