Whisper by Tressie Lockwood

had only seen Max the leopard a few times, and by no means did she think she knew every inflection of his beautiful, soft coat, but still, she was almost certain there was something different about him.
     
    The leopard nuzzled its wide head into her cleavage, and she shoved him back with all her strength chuckling. “No, it’s you. Still frisky, I see.”
     
    A frustrated mewl was the response, and then the cat seemed agitated, turning his head a little to the side as if to ask her a question. Whisper couldn’t believe how humanlike he was. Maybe that’s why Alec kept him as a pet.
     
    “Oh, you’re saying you don’t remember licking my butt when you spent the night, huh? Well, keep that tongue in your mouth this time, big boy, or out you go. We won’t tell Alec you stopped by if you leave early. Is it a deal?”
     
    She stood and padded to the kitchen. Maybe she had a can of tuna she could feed the cat while she made dinner for herself. Having him there made her a little less lonely and the longing to see Alec a dull desire.
     
    “Max, do you want tuna?” she asked him. The angry mewl made her glance over her shoulder from the cabinet where she was searching for his dinner. “What?”
     
    He made another protest, and she shook her head.
     
    “Alec gives you better food than that? What, do you eat at the table?”
     
    In answer, the cat jumped up with lithe grace to a chair and sat down. She chuckled, and they sat in companionable silence throughout their dinner. Later, she came to the conclusion that Max the cat didn’t like his name. He kind of growled at her whenever she used the name, so she dropped it with the intention of talking to Alec about a name change for his pet.
     
    In her living room, she forewent pulling a blanket over her while she watched TV and allowed the cat again to jump up to join her. His thick fur warmed her legs, and he rested his wide head on her thigh. She tapped his nose when it ventured too close to her panties, and he settled down. Whisper scratched with absentmindedness behind his ears as she took in a couple of medical drama shows, her favorites.
     
    When the shows were over, she flicked the TV off with the remote and settled back in her chair. A glance at the coffee table reminded her that she’d brought her cell phone in the room, and she chewed her lip. “What do you think about me seeing your owner? Will he break my heart?” she asked the cat.
     
    Slanted green eyes blinked up at her.
     
    “I know he thinks only of what his body wants and never considers the hurt of the other person. Women become attached to men when they sleep together. It’s a bigger deal than just fulfilling the physical needs for us.” She sighed and stared at the ceiling. “Do you know how many times I’ve gotten it wrong?”
     
    The cat growled in protest. She laughed.
     
    “Well not that many times. I don’t dive into bed with every Tom, Dick, and Harry.” The cat let out a puff of air, which tickled her pussy. She rolled away from him. “I can’t bear being heartbroken again. I just don’t want to. Maybe I’m closed off, and I can’t take any man at face value anymore.”
     
    To her surprise tears welled in her eyes and slipped down her face. This was too soon to get all emotional. She’d only gone out with Alec once, but no one understood better than her how hopeful she’d get even with a few conversations. Right now, without any love involved, he could make her sad. How did they do it?
     
    She sniffed and scrubbed at her face. The cat stood and jumped to the floor. He padded over to the exit, and she wiped away the water works the best she could. “Sorry for becoming a downer. You’re ready to go? All right.”
     
    She opened the door and let him out, then returned to her bedroom. Ice cream would help, but she had none in the house. Even though it had grown late, she figured a trek to the convenience store was in order. She dressed and headed out. Maybe she should