Raw by Jo Davis

them. Got her fixed.” She named a reasonable figure, and in less than ten minutes Gray had paid the lady and they were on the street with one wide-eyed kitten and a few pet supplies.
    â€œNow what?” she asked, cradling her newest family member.
    â€œWe need a litter box. Let’s pick one up on the way home. That way you’ll be set.”
    As a cab moved up the street toward them, she looked into Gray’s handsome face. “Thank you. He’s beautiful.”
    Leaning in, she thanked him more thoroughly with a lingering kiss that ended when the cab came to a stop and the kitten began to squirm between them. Laughing, they got into the car and were on their way.
    â€œWhat will you name him?”
    She studied his coloring. “Sterling, I think.”
    â€œIt fits. Great name.” Putting an arm around her, he kissed her.
    It wasn’t until later that night, snuggled on the sofa against Gray, with Sterling in a little ball on her lap, that the enormity of this day—this moment—really hit.
    She was in so much trouble here. With this man, she could have a life. Complete with pets, laughter, love. The whole nine yards.
    And as scary as it seemed, it was fantastic, too.
    She never wanted this to end.
    ***
    â€œYou want me to meet your mother?”
    Gray stared at Anna and tried to swallow the sudden surge of panic that threatened to explode in his chest. “I’ve never done the parent thing before.”
    Disappointment shadowed her happiness, and she worried her bottom lip. “Too much, too soon?”
    â€œNo, I was just surprised, that’s all.” He smiled at her to cover his discomfort. “This thing between us is still new, and I didn’t want to push you too hard.”
    â€œLiar,” she stated, incredulous. “You’ve done nothing
but
push since you first laid eyes on me. But I know meeting Mom is different, so never mind.”
    â€œNo, wait. I didn’t say I didn’t want to meet her,” he said, laying a hand over hers. “The answer is yes—we’re on. I’d love to have dinner with you and your mom when you treat her here at the restaurant.”
    Her smile blinded him—and infused him with horrible guilt. The past few days had been the best of his life, spending every minute he could with his lover, falling more and more for her each second. He wanted something real with Anna, but not like this. Not surrounded by lies and subterfuge, pretending to be someone he wasn’t. But he didn’t see a way out of his mess until the investigation was over.
    â€œBeware,” she warned him. “My mother is sort of overwhelming.”
    â€œI’ll consider myself forewarned.” He stood, needing to get out of her office, put a bit of distance between himself and the source of both his guilt and joy. “I have to close tonight, so I don’t know if you’ll want to wait for me. If you don’t, call a cab or I’ll worry about your walking home alone with that mugger still on the loose.”
    Gray, you’re a manipulative bastard.
    She gave a shiver. “I’ll wait for you, if that’s all right.”
    â€œI’m glad.” He paused at the door. “See you in a while.”
    â€œOkay.”
    His shift went slowly, the clock moving as if mired in molasses. He hated this fucking fake job and couldn’t imagine why anyone would want to work for a screaming prima donna like Ethan. Every day he felt like he was trapped in one of those hellacious reality shows, like that one where the chef shrieked at his underlings constantly and turned so red, Gray was surprised he hadn’t had a stroke by now.
    In Gray’s
real
job, if a madman screamed in his face while Gray was wielding a paring knife, said nutcase would get the knife planted between his ribs.
    That grim thought made him smile. Unfortunately, it also earned Ethan’s eagle eye.
    â€œWhat’s so