Free Change of Heart by T. J. Kline

slightly soupy. “You think that’s enough?”
    “I have no clue.” He shrugged with a quiet chuckle. “I’m as lost as you are.”
    She brought the food back, setting the bowl on the floor as he put the kitten in front of it. The poor thing must have been starving because he immediately hurried over, lapping at the water, halfway climbing into the bowl, attacking the food with relish.
    “Look at that,” he teased, leaning his hip against the kitchen counter. “You saved him.”
    Leah smiled broadly, her eyes lighting up with pleasure. She leaned over the small island, crossing her arms on the counter, and watched the kitten. Her ponytail flipped over her shoulder and as a few long strands fell forward into her face, she blew them back. For the first time since he’d met her on the side of the road, she looked happy and relaxed.
    “I guess I did . . . well, we did.” Her gaze lifted slowly to meet his. “Thanks for helping me.”
    It was the first concession she’d offered him, and he wanted to believe it was genuine, that maybe they could leave the territory of coexistence and arrive at a place of friendship.
    “Wow, twice in one week. Careful, you might make it a habit.” He gave her a quick wink.
    She straightened and he could see the battle within her. At first she seemed confused, but he recognized the moment she realized she’d let her guard down. And she wasn’t sure whether or not to put it back up. He liked this Leah, the woman beneath the smoke screen. Gage looked back at the kitten, not wanting her to feel pressured into putting her walls back up, and saw him move away from the half-empty bowl of food.
    “Looks like he’s done.” The kitten opened his mouth in a wide yawn and stretched. “And needs a nap.”
    He chuckled and scooped him up from the floor, walking with him to her couch and settling himself into the corner.
    “Won’t you make yourself at home?” She crossed her arms over her chest and stared at him pointedly, her aggravation plain.
    He shot her a sheepish, albeit slightly cocky, grin. “Don’t mind if I do.” As the kitten curled under his chin, against his chest, he reached a hand out and pat the couch beside him. Leah arched a dubious brow his direction and tipped her chin, scowling at him. He smiled broadly.
    “I’m not going to bite, Leah. You’re too purrfect. Get it? See what I did there? Ah?”
    The irritation in her eyes was immediately replaced by amusement, even though she tried to hide it. The corners of her pursed lips twitched as she tried to keep from smiling. “That was terrible.”
    Gage laughed and saw her shoulders relax. “I have a million of them, each one better than the last.”
    She held up a hand. “Please, spare me. Bad puns are my downfall.”
    “I hope you know CPR, because you’re taking my breath away.” She groaned and he laughed again. “I think I’ll keep going until you take a seat.”
    “Fine, just please stop.” She dropped onto the couch but made sure there was an entire cushion between them. “You’re quite the player, aren’t you?”
    Gage stuck out his lower lip, rubbing two fingers over the kitten kneading his shoulder. “Not really. I just like to have fun.”
    “And pickup lines are fun? Toying with women’s emotions is fun ?”
    He was treading dangerous territory with her. He could see it in those whiskey-colored eyes and the way they seemed to be lit from an unseen flame within. She thought she had him pegged but she was wrong.
    “I don’t toy with people, ever. I’m not into teasing women, one-night stands, or meaningless relationships, but I do like to talk to people. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with making a woman feel good about herself and pickup lines are funny. If I can give someone a compliment, even if it’s cheesy, why not?”
    Leah leaned back in the couch, tipping her chin up and looking down her nose at him. It wasn’t difficult to see she didn’t believe him. “You’re a