Humor Under the Sheets as Samuel the Spider Wakes Part One

Claire had planned the evening down to the last candle. New apartment, new sheets, a bottle of red breathing on the nightstand, and Marcus finally home after two weeks away on business. She slipped into the silk slip he loved, dimmed the lights, and waited beneath the covers with what she hoped was a smoldering expression. When he climbed in beside her, his hand found her hip, warm and certain, and for one perfect moment the world went soft and slow.

Then something brushed her ankle. Claire froze. Marcus froze too, because something had just brushed his. They stared at each other across the pillow, each assuming the other was being playful. That was not me, Marcus whispered. Claire swallowed. Then whose foot is that? Very carefully, he began to count under the sheets. His legs, two. Her legs, two. And then, somewhere near the foot of the bed, a whole lot more.

Marcus threw back the covers with the bravery of a man defending his castle. Two pairs of golden eyes blinked up at them. Biscuit and Pepper, the cats Claire had adopted while he was gone, had claimed the warmest spot in the house and seemed deeply offended by the interruption. Twelve legs, Marcus announced, collapsing into laughter. Twelve legs beneath the sheets, and only four of them were invited.

Claire laughed so hard the candle flickered. She tugged him close, kissed the grin right off his face, and murmured that the evening could still be salvaged. Marcus agreed with enthusiasm, his lips tracing her shoulder as the silk slid lower. Biscuit, unimpressed, stretched across his calves like a furry anchor. Pepper began to purr loudly enough to compete with Claire's soft sighs.

Somehow, between the giggles and the heat building between them, it became the most memorable night of their new life together. Tomorrow, Marcus decided, he would buy the cats their own bed. Tonight, he had far more important things to do.