Chapter 14

“Stay,” he whispered, his mouth creating havoc as he trailed it over her cheek. “You could work from here. I would stay, but I have meetings.”

“I can’t.” She was already feeling the drunken punch of too little sleep and too much activity, her body was not used to. They had slept a total of three hours. She had been jarred awake when he slipped inside her and started rocking slowly. The climax had been gentle, but no less intense.

They could not get enough of each other. Even in slumber, his arms were possessively wrapped around her. “I have a meeting with Monique, and I haven’t been home in two days. Besides, I don’t want your housekeeper to think I am a skank.”

“Skank?” He was taking tiny bites out of the side of her neck.

“A slut. Earl, stop.”

“I don’t want to.” His lips trailed down her neck as he cupped her breasts.

“You are going to be late.” She happened to glance over at the ormolu clock and saw to her shock that it was almost seven. She had some designs to finish and present to Monique and the rest of the group. Pushing him away, she tried to get up, but he snagged her back against him.

“How soon will you have finished?”

“I don’t know and if I don’t go now and I am late for this very important meeting and not prepared, I am going to be pissed.”

“I am hard,” he murmured, bringing her hand down to close around him.

“You are always hard. Damn you, Earl.”

“I love you.” His mouth covered hers and with a shaky sigh, she gave in.

And had to rush out the door half hour later, with her hair streaming untidily behind her.

“I hate you.” She told him as she headed for the elevator. “And I am going to have to rethink the wedding.”

“I will just haunt you until you are standing with me at the courthouse.” He entered the elevator and backed her against the wall.

“What are you doing?”

“Kissing you goodbye and telling you how much I love you.”

“We are going to kill each other.” She moaned. “And I have never been felt up in an elevator before.”

“There is a first time for everything.” He was still kissing her and caressing her breast when the car doors slid open. Lifting his lips from hers, reluctantly, he walked her to her car and opened the door. “What time later?”

“You have that dinner, remember?”

“Oh Christ! I forgot. Come with me.”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“I want you to officially meet my friends and after that, I am meeting your sister and her husband. And I have a wedding dress to make.”

“White?”

“Unless I am mentally challenged, and I most certainly am not.”

He grinned at her choice of words, loving her bluntness.

“What color?”

“I will surprise you. How about tomorrow night for dinner with my friends?”

“Where?”

“My place.”

“Come to me tonight.”

“Aren’t you going to be home late?”

“Or I come to you. I will try and leave early and stop by.” Bending forward, through the window, he kissed her lingeringly and had her wrapping her arms around his neck.

“I miss you already.”

“Please go. I mean it.”

Kissing her roughly, he stepped back and waited until she had left the parking lot.

He walked slowly back inside, not even feeling the icy cold and felt as if he was floating. He had a meeting in thirty minutes, but it would have to be pushed back. A smile wreathed his lips, and he felt as if he was drifting on a cloud.

Taking the elevator up, he went straight to his bed and climbed the steps, staring at the tangled sheets. Her scent was still on them. Sitting on the edge, he drew the sheet up to his nose and closed his eyes as he breathed her in.

He was behaving like a lovesick moron, but he did not care. He was in love – really in love for the first time and he wanted to shout it to the world. Nothing else mattered.

His phone rang just then jarring him out of his daze. Turning it over, he grinned and touched the icon.

“Miss me already?”

“You bet. I am home.”

“About that, I was thinking I could send people to move your things here.”

“I am not giving up my house.”

“You can’t live in two places at once and I am not sleeping a night without you.”

“We need to discuss this.”

“There is nothing to discuss.” He told her firmly.

“Wait just a damn minute…”

“I have to go. I love you.”

“We are not done.”

“We most certainly aren’t.” He loved sparring with her! “Goodbye my sweet. See you later.” He laughed as she started swearing.

Hanging up from her, he called his sister.

“I am getting married on Saturday.” He made his way to the bathroom, shaking his head at the mess they made on the floor. “Make yourself available for Wednesday. I would like to introduce you to my bride.”

*****

“You are never late.”

Monique made the comment as she poured orange juice into two glasses and brought one over. Cathy was busy stuffing her designs inside her briefcase and gave her a grateful glance.

The others had already left the conference room, leaving the two women to talk privately.

She had been tied up in traffic after rushing home and putting on the finishing touches to the designs and had stood in front of the mirror, wondering what on earth to do with her hair. Earl had gotten it damp while they were taking a shower this morning and she had threatened to kill him because of that.

“It takes hours to get my hair dry and not to mention the tangles.” He had simply laughed and pulled her into his arms, silencing her with one of his sizzling kisses. The man had a lethal mouth and an even more potent penis.

She had cursed him to perdition while she was in traffic.

“I am in love, and it seems I am getting married on Saturday. Also, I have had more sex this weekend than I ever had in my entire life. I am here talking to you, but I am half asleep and deliciously sated.”

Monique stared at the woman she considered her friend in shock, before bursting out laughing. She was accustomed to Cathy’s brutal frankness and found it incredibly refreshing.

“Who is the lucky guy? The one I saw you with at the gala?”

“Earl Drummond.”

Cathy grinned at the blanket shock on her friend’s face.

“I don’t understand. I thought he was with…”

“Diana? He was some time ago, until she cheated on him.”

“But how did you two…”

“Online dating and girl, I was bashing it, but now, I am going to tell the world that it works.”

“How? When?”

Cathy laughed softly and told her everything.

“Unbelievable.” Monique was deliciously entertained and incredibly happy for her.

“Now you are officially one of us.”

“I always felt like I was one of you guys from the beginning.”

“Yes, but now it’s official.” She clapped her hands together. “What about the dress?”

“Here is what I was thinking…”

*****

Justin was the first to receive the news and he did not take it well.

“What’s the big rush?” He asked her bluntly. “This man swept into your life and what? Decided that he wants to get married without taking you out on dates and bypassing the getting to know your stage and you agreed? What the hell is wrong with you?”

“Nothing is wrong with me.” She was stressed, trying to prepare for tonight’s dinner and wished he had decided not to come over. He had called this morning to ask what had transpired between her and Earl and she had told him the news and invited him to dinner.

She had decided to go with homemade stew and a salad and was cutting up the ingredients to put in the slow cooker. Last night had been more of the same. As soon as she opened the door to admit a rakishly handsome Earl, they had proceeded to undress right at the door and made love right there in the living room.

“And if you keep this up, you won’t be invited to the wedding.”

“In a courthouse. Why? Is he ashamed of you?”

She dumped carrots in and sent him an exasperated look. “Hand me the celery.”

He did and plopped down on a stool, his expression belligerent.

“Neither of us want the publicity and the circus. I want to get married with the people I care about attending, not a whole bunch of strangers.”

“Whose idea was that?”

“His and mine.”

“More his, I am guessing.”

“What is your problem? Why are you not happy for me?”

“Normally, I would be dancing around naked, whooping it up and high fiving you for bagging one of the richest men in the world, but I am suspicious. Why the hurry?”

“Because we want to spend the rest of our lives together and we do not want to wait. Now, if there is nothing else, I would like you to leave me in peace to finish the dinner and get ready for later.”

“I brought a change of clothes.” He informed her sullenly. “And I am here to help.”

“Only, you are not doing that. All you have done so far is criticize Earl and his motives.”

“Okay fine.” He threw up his hands and slid off the stool. “The place needs tidying up. Why on earth didn’t you have the maid service come over.”

She stared at him and had to resist the urge to dump the glass of wine he had poured over his head. “They came yesterday afternoon. All that is needed to be done is to set the table. Oh, and Justin? You are behaving like an asshole.”

*****

She should have known that Justin would not be on his best behavior. After she had told him off, he had remained silent and helped to get things ready.

Half an hour before Earl and Teresa arrived, he used the guest bedroom to get ready and approved of the outfit she had chosen. The red and gold cashmere dress wasn’t one of her designs but was something she had picked up on one of her travels to Paris.

She had finally found the time to go to the salon and her hair was brushed sleekly back from her face, into a single braid at the back of her head.

She was also nervous. She wanted the man she was in love with and who would soon be her husband to get along with her friends, especially Justin. Just was her best friend and sibling all rolled into one and his opinion meant the world to her.

She could never bear him not liking the man she was in love with.

“You look good enough to eat,” Earl murmured as soon as she opened the door to admit him.

“I think that’s the stew you are smelling.” Wrapping her hands around his neck, she settled into the kiss that had her molding herself against him.

“How soon…”

“Darling, you need to close the door, you are letting the heat out.” Justin drawled behind them. “And dinner is getting cold. Drummond.”

“Moncrieffe.” Earl’s hands tightened around her waist, his expression turning cool.

“Teresa is already on her second glass of wine. We should stop her while she is halfway sober.”

“I heard that, you pile of… Oh! Hi.” Moving forward, Teresa, held out a hand towards Earl.

Without letting go of Cathy, he gripped her hand in greeting and smiled charmingly.

“Let’s go into the dining room.” Cathy suggested.

She had seated Justin to her right and Earl to her left, next to Teresa to avoid the usual fireworks between the two, but for the first time, Justin had found a new target.

His animosity towards Earl was subtle, but evident. And he used his misplaced jealousy by excluding both Earl and Teresa effectively as he brought up stories of when they were living at the group home.

“Remember Lacey?” They were diving into the delicious stew when he started.

“Yes, I do.”

“Lacey was one of the so-called mothers assigned to our age.” He informed the others loftily. “She insisted on us calling her ‘mom’ and when we refused, she would mete out her own form of punishment.”

“And that would be?” Earl asked him tightly. He really resented the man as he realized how much he was monopolizing Cathy’s attention. He could not talk without touching her intimately.

At one point, he had leaned over and whispered something in her ear, kissing her on the cheek and staring at her like a lovesick puppy. Earl wanted to smash his fist into the pretty face.

“She would withhold TV privileges, as if there was anything of interest on that basic cable anyway.” Dismissing Earl, he turned to Cathy, his expression softening. “We had our own entertainment, didn’t we darling?”

Cathy knew what he was doing, but aside from calling him out, there was nothing she could do. “We did. Teresa how was the party?”

“Wonderful. Byron was such a blessing and an entirely good sport, even when he lost at cards.”

“Cards!” All eyes turned to look at him in surprise. “That’s what we would do to entertain ourselves.” He touched her hand, fingers trailing over her wrist. “You would make me win most of the times.” He turned golden-brown eyes on Earl who was vibrating with temper. “Did you know Cathy is a whiz at poker?”

“No,” he clipped.

“Have you told him how adept you are at tennis?”

“We haven’t discussed that…”

“How odd.” He shook his head. “It seems as if you two really do not know each other at all, do you?”

“We know enough,” Earl told him coldly.

Pushing back her chair, Cathy put down her napkin. “Justin, may I see you in the kitchen?”

“I am not finished with…”

“Now, please.”

“I think I am in trouble.” With an unperturbed look on his face, he followed her from the room.

She did not have a door to close and the dining room was too close to the kitchen. Taking his hand, she practically dragged him out and along the passageway until they were inside her office. Slamming the door shut, she turned to face him, her hands on her hips.

“I would like you to cut out the crap right now.”

“I don’t know what you are talking about.” He avoided her eyes by examining the manicured perfection of his nails.

“You are insulting Earl and pissing him off.”

“Well, if he cannot take a little joke…”

“Enough!” Walking over to the desk, she sat on the edge of it. “I get that you are jealous- “

“Oh please!”

“But I am in love with the guy and come Saturday, we are getting married, with or without you.”

She watched as he turned and walked over to the window, his shoulders hunched. “He is taking you away from me.”

Cathy felt her heart turning over as she stared at him. Ever since they were little, it had always been the two of them. Even when they went their separate ways, when his modeling took him to different parts of the world, they were always in touch.

Easing off the desk, she went to stand behind him and wrapped her arms around his narrow waist. “No one, absolutely no one, will ever do that. I love you; you damn idiot. You are in my life for the rest of it. Loving Earl does not mean I am going to be abandoning you. How can you think that?”

He had stiffened when she hugged him and refused to turn around. She could see his reflection in the window and felt her heart twisting at the desolate expression on his beautiful face.

“I am a model. My face is all over the world, on billboards and magazines. I have been to palaces and several chateaus and have been to more places than I can count.” He turned then his hands going around her shoulders.

“But you are home. I always come back to you. Now you are getting married and I…” He shook his head. “I am afraid of losing you. I can deal with anything, bad breakups and losing all my money, but I cannot bear losing you.”

“You never will.” Tears brightened her eyes. “And if you don’t know that by now, then I am sorely disappointed in you.” She stared at her quizzically. “All your money?”

He smiled shakily. “Well, maybe half.”

“Sounds more like you.” Framing his dear face, she kissed him on the lips. “Getting along with Earl is important to me.”

He nodded. “As long as he never hurts you.”

“He won’t. Not intentionally. He loves me, Jus.”

“I can see that.” Wiping a tear that had trickled down, he hugged her. “My Cathy.”

*****

He was quiet for the time it took them to head on upstairs. He had brought a change of clothing with him and was spending the night. Justin had apologized, albeit grudgingly and gave his blessing, but there was still tension between the two men, something both she and Teresa had tried to get rid of.

Cathy had seen the way Earl tensed up when Justin pulled her into his arms and kissed her on the lips. He had not said anything to her as he helped her put the dishes into the dishwasher and now, they were inside her bedroom, and he was taking off his clothes with the intention of going to bed.

“Would you like some brandy?”

“No.”

“Wine?”

“No.”

She had changed into a slinky lime green nightgown and had brushed her hair until it shone. Leaving it loose, was a trial, but she knew he loved it like that.

He slid in next to her and folded his hands behind his head as he contemplated the ceiling.

“Earl…”

“Yes?” He did not look at her as he continued to stare at the ceiling.

“Will you please talk to me?”

“Have you ever slept with him?”

“No. I already told you that there is nothing romantic between us.”

He turned his head to stare at her. “You two have a very strong bond.”

“We do, and you know why.”

“You had to look out for each other.”

“Yes.” Propping her face in her palm, she gazed at him, begging him to understand. “I am all he’s got.”

“And he is damned possessive, so am I. That apology was just a way of appeasing you, he did not mean it.”

“I love him.”

He turned his head away, but she caught the tormented look on his face. “And if I said anything against that, I am going to sound like a son of a bitch. I cannot compete with the years you spent with him, and I know he is gay, know that he is just looking out for you, but I have only known you for weeks. I feel as if I am coming between you.”

“Please don’t say that.’ Her hand on his chest had him turning to look at her. “He is family.”

“I am about to become your family.”

“I know.”

“When he touched you, when he kissed you, I wanted to tear his head from his body.” His voice had become hoarse. “I have never been jealous in my life, and this is a new experience for me, and I don’t like it.”

“There is nothing for you to be jealous of!” She cried. “You are the man I am in love with, and Justin is my peep – he is my family. We were there for each other through the most tough times of our lives.”

“Something he was quick to remind me of.” His face was tense, his lips tight. “I have no history with you. Therefore, no substance. I never went through hell the kind he went through with you.”

She stared at him in exasperation. “Are you serious? We just met each other, things happened fast where we are concerned. We will have the rest of our lives to experience traumas together. There will be times when we suffer heartaches and fight and make up. Be patient, trust me, we will get there.”

“I am jealous of the times you spent with him, and I know it sounds ridiculous, but I want to be the most important man in your life. I hate sharing you with anyone.”

Her expression softened as she melted in his arms. “Let me show you how important you are in my life.”