Part Two: The Exile

Chapter Ten

The four of us made our way down the dimly lit street. Just as we were about to turn the corner, I heard a voice calling after me, "Red!"

I turned to see Macavity walking towards me. Despite my anger, that familiar feeling of longing began to pulse through my body like a shockwave when I saw him approaching. He towered over me by at good three inches, making me feel intimidated and intoxicated all at the same time. He seemed to acknowledge his effect upon me, for his mouth curled into a sardonic smile. He stepped forward, our bodies almost touching, and he gently slid his paw up my arm, "Listen, Red, I'd really like to continue our card game. Perhaps you could come back tomorrow?"

"I doubt it," I forced a smile and turned to leave. Macavity caught my arm again, spinning me to face him and making me catch my breath. "Don't leave like this, Red. Say you'll come again."

"It depends. If Marco wants to come again, then I will."

Macavity chuckled lowly, "As if that wimp would keep you from doing whatever you wanted to."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Macavity grinned, "Admit it, Red, you're one of those queens who knows how to work most toms."

"Most?" I scoffed. "Give me a little more credit than that. I know how to work them all."

"That's a pretty big claim." Macavity gave a smooth smile.

"Yes, well," I took a step closer to him. "I have the proof to back it up."

Macavity gave another low chuckle, "So you really think every tom you meet is instantly attracted to you?"

"Not instantly. There are a few tough ones--sometimes it takes a second glance," I admitted with a smile. "But usually they fall at first sight."

"So do you think I'm attracted to you?" Macavity stood a little straighter, his broad shoulders filling me with an intense desire to hold him.

"Well you don't act like you are," I said, my mouth curving into a wry grin, "But let's face it, Mac, you're better at this than most."

"I'll take that as a compliment," Mac said, his raspy voice dipping into a low, seductive tone. "So, when will you come see me again?"

"Well, as you so kindly stated earlier," I said in a voice that held steel. "It's much too dangerous for a helpless feline like me to walk these streets alone."

"You wouldn't be alone," Macavity said huskily. "I would be with you."

"That," I said, jerking myself free from his grasp. "Is not very reassuring."

"So that's a no, then?" He asked with a smile. Hot anger coursed through my veins at his condescending tone. I shot him a dark look. He sighed, "Well that's just too bad."

"Yes, it is," I stepped forward boldly. My face was just inches from his. In my most enticing voice, I whispered, "Take a good look, Macavity. This is the last time you'll see this queen again."

I turned to leave. I could hear Macavity reply, "Such a shame. It's such a wonderful thing to see."

I didn't dignify his comment with a reply. I strode down the street with the confidence of a tiger, never looking back.

Macavity had just lost out on the greatest catch of his life.

~*~

The rest of the walk home was made in relative silence. George was too drunk; Marco was too busy helping George walk; and Nefertiti was too preoccupied with her thoughts. I was too busy fuming over Macavity.

To think that I was attracted to him! As much as I hated to admit it—I still was. Even I couldn't give myself a plausible reason why I found this cat so alluring. It didn't bother me that he was a criminal or that he frequented places of ill-repute—but he had patronized me, he had made me seem weak, and that was unforgivable.

I knew he only said those things to spark my temper. I could tell by the way his eyes shone that he found me quite captivating when I was angry. Still, he had gone too far. He had implied that I was nothing more than a defenseless, stupid kitten who didn't know how to take care of herself. As if he couldn't look at me and tell that I knew how to handle any situation. I pushed all thought of him from my mind and lost myself in the joy of the bar-hopping holiday season.

~*~

The next few weeks became a blur of activity. Nefertiti had seemed to forgive me; she now asked me to go out with her almost every night. We visited every hot-spot in the neighborhood—sometimes we took the guys, sometimes we made it a queens-night-out. Despite my anger at Macavity, I still looked for him whenever we hit a place that had a poker game.

One night, Macavity did appear. He sidled up to me as I sat in a corner, watching my friends as they partied away.

"Well, well, well," he leaned in, whispering in a husky voice. "If it isn't the Queen of Poker herself."

"What do you want?" I asked, not even turning back to look at him. He sat in the seat behind me, "You."

I felt a rush of heat. I had forgotten how seductive his voice was. Still, I hid my feelings carefully, "Too bad, Mac. That chance is long gone."

"So you do admit that I had a chance, once upon a time," he surmised. Damn. He'd caught me. I shrugged nonchalantly, "I suppose. Although, I must admit, you aren't my usual caliber of cat. But occasionally, I do engage in charity work."

I knew that one hit its mark. He shook his head, laughing softly, "You really are a firecracker."

"Too bad you'll never find out," I replied, looking over my shoulder to smile at him for the first time that evening.

"Yes, too bad," he whispered, his claw gently tracing its way up my arm, to my shoulder and collar bone. I could feel myself melting, but I kept the urge at bay, "You'll have to do better than that, Mac."

"Like what?"

"I don't know," I shrugged. "I don't think there's much you could say that would make me change my mind."

"You look exquisite." He said, his breath hot on my neck.

Oh, he was good. I had heard pretty and beautiful, but never exquisite. Still, I kept my tumultuous feelings at bay, "Flattery isn't going to work."

"How about 'I'm sorry'?" Mac asked in a low tone. "Would that work?"

I sat up and turned to face him. His ruggedly handsome features softened a little, "I didn't realize how much my comments upset you."

"Did you even care?" I asked. He gave a small smile, "Not at first. You were just another cat. But then," he moved in closer. "I couldn't get you out of my mind."

His voice took on that silky-smooth cadence that entranced me; his hand wrapped around my torso, "I kept thinking about you…how your eyes flash when you're angry…how you move. How your little mouth smiles mischievously when you've got a winning hand. How your eyes dance. How you smell." He kissed the back of my neck, "How you feel. How you taste."

Despite my best efforts, I could not stop myself from trembling at his touch. All my reasons for being angry went out the window. Gone were my excuses; gone were my inhibitions. All I could think about was the way he touched me, and how electrifyingly wonderful it felt. My whole being seemed to pulse with adrenaline and desire.

Then Marco appeared.

"Bomba."

I sat up quickly; Macavity's hand disappeared from around my waist. Apparently, Marco did not notice that we had just been locked in a very passionate embrace. The grey and white cat continued, oblivious to the glorious moment he had destroyed, "Nefertiti says she's ready to go. Her people will be home soon; she needs to be there before they get back."

I smiled, still breathless from my brush with Macavity, "Of course."

I stood and turned to Macavity. He smiled and took my hand in a friendly fashion. My senses thoroughly under control once more, I whispered to him, "You're still not forgiven, Mac. This cat can't be won that easily."

He just shook his head and laughed, "You are quite a challenge, Red."

I flashed a provocative smile, "So they tell me."

With that, I turned and walked away. Despite his obvious victory over my emotions, I wasn't ready to end the game just yet. Macavity still had some atoning to do, and I still had a few good tricks up my sleeve.

"When will I see you again?" He called after me. I turned, my face lit with mischievous excitement, "Whenever you find me again."