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Cat spins to me, her eyes as big as saucers. Then we’re both laughing. I wrap my arm around her and pull her against my chest. “No more public lessons,” I say and press a kiss to her forehead.
She nuzzles against my chest, then pulls back and grins. “At least you got off this time.”
With a look that I hope conveys my sincerity, I caress her cheek and pull her to me again. “You were perfect.”
“Got it right on the first try?” she asks proudly.
I chuckle. “Yeah, A-plus student.”
“Yesss,” she hisses in excitement.
“Now kiss me,” I say before pressing my lips to hers.
37
I GOT YOU BY JACK JOHNSON
CAT
With the cool air nipping at my nose, I don’t even attempt to hide my smile. I’ve never been the kind of person who dreads Mondays. Especially since starting at Jolie. I love the anticipation of jumping into the projects I’ve been assigned and catching up with Sophie. But this buoyant feeling eclipses every bit of excitement I’ve felt over the last few weeks.
After the library, Jay took me shopping for clothes for the week. Normally, I’d never allow a person to spend money on me. In my experience, when money is bestowed upon me, it comes with strings. My compliance, my diet, my independence. But Jay doesn’t try to control me or make me conform to any ideals he may have. He lets me be me.
So when he dragged me down Newbury Street and into one boutique after another, I smiled and let the stylists work their magic. Then we had dinner at his apartment, listened to music, played a few rounds of gin rummy, and made out until we fell asleep. It was perfect.
For the next few weeks, my sole focus needs to be on making every detail of the ball perfect. And when I have time, I’ll work on ideas for the Christmas list. I’m just opening the door to the building, ready to greet the security guard on duty, when a familiar voice echoes through the space. “Cat, wait!”
I turn, brow furrowed and head tilted, to my handsome and very out of breath boyfriend.
“Miss me already, baby?” I purr, closing the door and giving Jay a thorough once-over.
He’s in a navy blue suit with a light blue shirt that is the exact shade of his eyes. A hum escapes my throat at the sight of him.
At the sound, the smirk he normally sports falls into place. “Always, Kitten. I always miss you.”
My hair flies in my face as a gust of wind whooshes past us. With one finger, Jay slides it back into place, then drags his thumb down my cheek, landing at my jaw as he inspects me. “God, you’re gorgeous.”
“Not here, Jay,” I mutter, biting back a smile.
“I know,” he whispers, pulling his hand back.
We haven’t exactly discussed the parameters of our relationship, but I think we both know it can’t be public yet. Not if we stand a shot of making this work. He’s my brother’s best friend, and my brothers are nothing if not dramatic. We might as well settle into this and see where it leads before we dive into that disaster. He hands me the coffee I hadn’t even noticed he had. “Your coffee. Pumpkin spice, just the way you like it.” He says, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a silver device. “And your iPod.”
“Thank you,” I say, bringing the paper cup to my lips. He’s right. It’s exactly how I like it. “You didn’t have to do this.”
He smiles as if he can’t even hold it back. Wide and easy. “I know, but I wanted to. Have a good day, Kitten.”
The urge to grab a hold of his suit jacket and pull him in for a kiss, or even just a hug, is intense. He walks by me instead and grabs the hand closest to him where it hangs at my side, squeezing as he looks me in the eye, and then he’s gone.
I sigh, momentarily floating in a love-drunk haze.
Renewed and energized by the delicious coffee and affection, I head to the door for the second time. This time, the security guard opens it for me. “Good morning, Ms. Bouvier.”
“Thanks, Tim. How was your weekend?”
He smiles as he follows me to the check-in desk, and I slide my card across the reader. “It was great. How about yours?”
Flashes of my time with Jay cycle through my head. The sex club, Jay’s hands, the pool, the library, brunch, shopping, his smiles. “It was epic.”
