Learning to Love Cats

By KM Mahoney

It isn't exactly a match made in heaven.

Mike isn't much of an animal lover, but his sister insists that every little boy needs a pet. Which is how Mike finds himself sitting in a veterinary office, trying to explain the facts of life to his four-year-old nephew while holding a dead hamster in a shoebox. It's not one of his finer moments. So, of course, that's when he encounters the cute, shy and utterly lust-worthy Riley Laytham.

When they meet up again, the chemistry is explosive. Even cat scratches, rampant allergies and siblings with incredibly bad timing aren't enough to deter Mike. Riley is worth any amount of trouble, and Mike is going to prove it to him.

Riley is pretty sure Mike is unique. Whether that's good or bad is still up for debate, although he does have to admit that the sexy man's persistence in the face of adversity and embarrassing situations is oddly endearing. Riley believes love takes time to grow, but maybe for Mike he'll make an exception...even if Mike staunchly declares that he doesn't like cats.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pride Publishing
• Release date: Jul 19, 2016
• ISBN: 9781786514608

KM Mahoney

Born and raised in the middle of the Midwest, I have always been a dreamer. More often than not I could be found with my nose buried in a book (many of which I had to sneak past my parents). It wasn't long before I started trying my hand at writing more of the stories I loved. After years of penning tales that rarely left the hard drive of my computer, I discovered M/M romance. As with all genres, it wasn't long before my own characters started to take shape. There is little I love more than wandering new places and, on occasion, entirely new worlds with my characters. They can range from cowboys to Victorian noblemen, accountants to shapeshifters, and everything in between. I write mainly m/m romance, usually with paranormal or fantasy elements. I willingly follow my characters wherever they decide to go, sometimes with unusual results. I have little control over their actions—any naughty behaviour is all their doing!

Book preview

Page

Learning to Love Cats

ISBN # 978-1-78651-460-8

©Copyright KM Mahoney 2016

Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright June 2016

Edited by Rebecca Scott

Pride Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Pride Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Pride Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2016 by Pride Publishing, Newland House, The Point, Weaver Road, Lincoln, LN6 3QN

Pride Publishing is a subsidiary of Totally Entwined Group Limited.

LEARNING TO LOVE CATS

KM Mahoney

It isn’t exactly a match made in heaven.

Mike isn’t much of an animal lover, but his sister insists that every little boy needs a pet. Which is how Mike finds himself sitting in a veterinary office, trying to explain the facts of life to his four-year-old nephew while holding a dead hamster in a shoebox. It’s not one of his finer moments. So, of course, that’s when he encounters the cute, shy and utterly lust-worthy Riley Laytham.

When they meet up again, the chemistry is explosive. Even cat scratches, rampant allergies and siblings with incredibly bad timing aren’t enough to deter Mike. Riley is worth any amount of trouble, and Mike is going to prove it to him.

Riley is pretty sure Mike is unique. Whether that’s good or bad is still up for debate, although he does have to admit that the sexy man’s persistence in the face of adversity and embarrassing situations is oddly endearing. Riley believes love takes time to grow, but maybe for Mike he’ll make an exception…even if Mike staunchly declares that he doesn’t like cats.

Dedication

For anyone who’s ever been owned by a pet.

Trademarks Acknowledgment

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

Coke: The Coca-Cola Company

Scout: Boy Scouts of America

Chapter One

The cat was giving him a disdainful glare.

Mike shifted uncomfortably under the intensity of those unblinking eyes before deciding the thing to do was glare back. Next thing he knew, he was locked in a staring contest with a damn cat. And worst of all, he was losing.

They freak me out, too.

Huh? Mike blinked at the guy holding the cat carrier on his lap. The guy flushed. Oh, cute. Dark hair, dark eyes, nice build. Just Mike’s type.

Cats. I’m not a fan. But the wife thinks the stupid thing walks on water.

Mike tried to keep his deflation from being visible. There was always a wife these days, wasn’t there?

Uncle Mikey. Uncle Mikey.

The tugging on his sleeve distracted him from Mr. Cute and Married and his psycho cat.

What, squirt?

Dully isn’t moving anymore, Uncle Mikey.

Shit. If the damn hamster died on his watch…

I’m sure he’s just sleeping, Mike said, lying through his teeth to the four year old. The hamster was suspiciously still inside his shoe box.

But—

Don’t poke at him. Mike snagged the little hand. Then he took the cardboard box away for good measure. I’ll go see if the vet is ready to see us yet.

Mike approached the front desk, dead hamster in hand, with no clue what to do next. He plastered on a smile for the lady behind the counter. Hey. I don’t suppose you keep spare hamsters lying around?

The look he received in return made him feel about two inches tall.

Mike shrugged. They all look the same to me. He’s only four, how’s he gonna know the difference?

It’s his pet. He’ll know, she informed him sharply.

Mike wasn’t so sure about that. The thing was small and brown and looked like every other hamster Mike had ever seen. And…well, four. The kid still thought it was hysterical to take off his pants and tear around the front yard in his skin. And that sticking vegetables into various orifices was a good way to disguise that he hadn’t eaten them.

God, that had been the weekend from hell.

Anything I can do to help?

Mike turned. Damn, forget the clubs. He would just start hanging out at the vet to pick guys up. This one wasn’t as cute as Cat Guy, but he was close. Damn close. And that shy smile was definitely something special.

Not unless you have a hamster in your pocket. A live one, he added with a rueful glance at the box.

Sorry. Ever thought about a pet that was a little less…fragile?

Not my call. I would have gotten him a puppy.

Puppies are a lot of work. Cats, on the other hand—

Riley, you can’t possibly be trying to pawn off a kitten already.

A man in a white lab coat came up