Foster Siblings 3: Brokedown Hearts by Cameron Dane

the bundle of fur from across the hood of the vehicle—“and the budding lion a ride.”
    David got in the car without further fuss, and Ben breathed easier.
    As soon as Ben got behind the wheel and buckled up, David whispered, “Thank you. For everything.”
    Ben shifted the car into drive and muttered, “It’s the least I can do for someone I almost killed.”
    “Sorry about that.”
    With a glance at David, Ben took note of the spots of red burning his cheeks. “Don’t sweat it. I was just joking.”
    “Oh.” David kept his focus downward.
    After a moment, when it became clear David didn’t intend to give Ben eye contact again, Ben pulled back onto the road and got them going in the direction of the motel. Unable to help himself, Ben kept sneaking peeks at David, checking on him. On David’s end, he positioned the animal on his lap and ran his fingers over small areas at a time, sifting through fur and feeling around under to the skin.
    “Is the little guy okay?” Ben wondered aloud.
    “I don’t see or feel any cuts or bites.” As David shared, he lifted the kitten in one hand and frowned. “But he’s really skinny. And really dirty, and he has a ton of fleas. I’ll try to clean him up a bit tonight and then take him with me to work tomorrow. Maybe he has a chip in him, or someone might have reported him missing.” Finally, as Ben pulled into the parking area of the motel, David looked up at him and offered a small smile. “I work at a rescue shelter.”
    “Ah.” Ben smiled back. “Then it was fortuitous he ran into your path tonight.” An empty pool stood in between two rows of motel rooms, with parking on either side of the pool. “Which number are you, exactly?”
    “Number seventeen.”
    Once David answered—even though Ben already knew; on his second day of surveillance, he’d shifted down a few rooms so he could be in the room directly across from David’s—Ben eased into the spot in front of David’s door.
    “Thanks again for helping me.” David lifted the kitten a bit and wiggled him. “For helping us.” With another little grin, one Ben read as shy, David climbed out of the car.
    Rather than drive away, Ben leaped out of the car too. “Do you want me to go get you some stuff for the kitten for tonight?” He glanced between David and the animal. “A can of food and maybe a litter box or something?”
    David snapped up to eye contact, his stare wide. “Oh, you don’t have to.”
    Ben growled as his hackles rose again. “I wasn’t implying you were forcing me. I’m merely asking if you would like me to.” Taking a breath, Ben ordered himself to dial down his irritation. Jesus, he didn’t know why the guy’s apologetic manner bothered him so much. Plastering on an easier smile, he added, “Besides, you said you didn’t have a car, so you can’t exactly go get the stuff yourself. Do you want the cleaning bill if the kitten poops and pees the night away in your room?”
    David rolled his eyes and laughed as his cheeks went pink. “Good point. Let me give you some money.” He reached over his shoulder and immediately muttered, “Crap, I left my backpack on the side of the road. I threw it down when I ran into the street to get the kitten.”
    Before David made another move, Ben lifted his hand. “Don’t worry about the money or your bag. Go get an extra key from the office, and I’ll pick up your bag when I pass it on the way out.” After stepping back to his car, Ben paused, his hand on the door. He looked at the too-handsome man in front of him and couldn’t stop words from spilling out of his mouth. “I’m going to grab some dinner first. Do you want me to bring you something to eat?”
    Somehow David’s eyes went wider. “Oh no, thanks, but that’s okay.” He waved Ben off. “I didn’t break for lunch until late today, so I’m still full.”
    “Okay.” Ben couldn’t help grinning again. Damn, the guy made Ben want to give him a hug and make a