He sits in his chair, elbows cushioned by the plush arms at his sides. His fingers feel the fibers of the paper at their tips, while his eyes devour the words before them. Ever the voracious reader, he cherishes the full sensory experience of his pastime. The soft rustle soothes his ears as he flips to the next page of his novel. The scent of pressed paper, ink and must wafts over him and he is transported to his childhood spent in his mother's library. Afternoons and evenings tucked away in an overstuffed chair with all manner of books, and Mynx. That lovable furball would always be twining around his legs, curling up at his feet, or purring softly on his lap.
Like all cats, she was a representation of yin and yang. She was equal parts lovingly tender and viciously playful. One moment she would be contently cuddled on his lap. The next second, she would dig a claw into his thigh drawing a yelp and a jump. She was as capable of peacefully lying at his side, as she was batting at the book in his hands if she wanted attention. She could be the biggest pain in the ass, but he wouldn't have had it any other way. The sounds of scratching at wood and the jingling of a collar return his mind to the present.
He resists the urge to glance over his book at the kitten across the room. There is not the slightest doubt in his mind that she is restlessly fidgeting, hoping her sounds will draw his attention. The moment he gives that attention, she will perk up, and that will be the end of his peace this morning. While he certainly wouldn't mind a little petting and play, he is deeply engrossed in his story and relishing the quiet. Furthermore, he cannot let her dictate what he will do. He is her Master and she is his pet. Letting her exert that manipulation over him will only reinforce bad habits. So, he resolves himself to continue his reading.
A couple more pages into his book, the sound of claws ticking on the floor ping like sonar in his ear. He smiles to himself at the impatience but will not concede his focus so easily. Instead, he not so subtly clears his throat, a minor rebuke of his kitten's attempts at distraction. From across the room, he swears he hears a purred whimper in response. He chuckles softly, but not softly enough. Without any reservation, he immediately knows that he has brought himself trouble.
Almost the instant the quiet laugh left his lips, it is met by the ringing of the jingling tags at his pet's throat. He sighs deeply as he knows his tranquil respite is soon to meet its end. Dipping his book slightly, his intense, dark-brown eyes peer over its binding and confirm what his ears had hinted. Gliding along the floor, the most beautiful creature he had ever seen begins her approach. The long black tail sways behind her as she meanders toward him. Her hips sway with each exchange of her paws on the floor. She looks up at him with radiant eyes, sparkling with mischievous playfulness, and a tinge of hunger. He raises his book to the level of hiding his eyes. He mentally resigns to the finality of his reading. Despite his hatred at leaving a chapter unfished, he doesn't even attempt to read the words hovering in front of his face. However, he will relinquish his attention to her so easily. No, his pet will have to earn his consideration.
She sidles up to him, giving a quick sniff of his leg before rubbing her head and shoulder against his calf. The feeling of the warm weight against his leg is accompanied by the sound of a soft purr that spills forth into the surrounding silence. He feels her move at his feet, the length of her side rubbing along his shin as she turns her body to move to his other leg. As with the first leg, she presses her head, followed by her shoulder, into his calf. This time, though, he feels her rise a little between his legs. Just before he can move the book to see what she is up to, he feels teeth playfully clamp down on his inner thigh.
"Fuck!" He exclaims, snapping the book shut with one hand. The dull thud of the leather-bound novel fills the air. It is quickly chased away by the sharp smack of his hand upon her ass. She jumps, startled by the sudden impact, and quickly paces out of the range of his arm. He glares at her moving from him as he rubs the mildly tender spot on his thigh. No doubt it was just a teasing bite to get his full attention. She could have, and has before, bitten him much harder. Still, he cannot let the offense stand unpunished.
His deep brown eyes burrowing a hole into her, she can feel the intensity of the unseen gaze. Curling around, she inclines her head, fuzzy ears flopping around her face, and regards the stern look. "Listen hear bratty Little Mynx," his commanding tone fills the space between them. "We will have none of that," he says, extending his arm to point to the corner of the room. Across the room, her collar jingles as she shakes her head in defiance of her punishment. Arm unwavering, he maintains his direction to the corner, narrowing his eyes. Looking away, she licks her forepaw and rubs it against the side of her head and face, as if he didn't exist, in response.
Kittens will be kittens, but the disregard was a disrespect he would not tolerate. With remarkable quickness, he leaps from the chair whilst snatching the leash on the table at his side. She tries to scurry away, but he is too fast and too sudden. The distance closed in the blink of an eye, he snatches her by the back of the neck. She mewls a protest as he latches a leash to her collar. Yanking the leash tight, he heads off. As he moves, she practically tips over from the tugging at her neck, before scrabbling and following her Master to the corner. Attaching her leash to a fixture on the wall, he shifts his attention to her.
Blue-grey eyes look up at him with remorse. Grabbing her by the shoulders, he forces her up onto her knees. Placing a hand on either side of her head, he bends forward so they are face to face. Glaring into her eyes without blinking, he spits, "Pet. What are you?"
Lips trembling, she replies, "I am yours. I...I am your pet."
"You damn well better be something else!" His voice steady but raising in volume. Holding her firmly, he waits for the right answer.
"I am sorry, Master," she responds. He raises an eyebrow to her, and she continues, "I am sorry, Master, for disregarding your command."
Sternly he says, "Oh, I think you know this is not my reaction for mere bratty disobedience."