The Contract (16 page)

I grinned. “It wouldn’t be all that awful, you know. I’m a good-looking man, I know my way around the bedroom, and I can make sure you enjoy yourself.”

“Wow. Hard to believe I’m the only one you ever convinced to marry you. You make it sound
so
great,
so
romantic.”

I chuckled. I did like the way she argued with me at times. “Do you agree to my terms?”

She pursed her lips. “If you agree to mine.”

“Then, Miss Elliott, I guess we’re getting married on Saturday.”

“Saturday?”

“We’ll have the license tomorrow; I’ll sign on Friday—the timing is perfect. We’ll go to city hall, say the words, snap a couple pictures, and the deed is done.”

“My dream wedding,” she murmured sarcastically.

I shrugged. “Wear a nice dress. I bought you lots of them.”

“Well, then, with an offer like that, how can I refuse?”

I held out my hand. “A pleasure doing business with you.”

Tentatively, she grasped my outstretched palm. She gasped when I yanked her close, wrapping my arm around her, pressing my lips to her ear. “I guarantee your pleasure, Katharine. Remember that.”

Releasing her, I sat back down at my desk, laughing as she stormed out.

At least the next two years wouldn’t be completely dull.

Given what she had shared . . . they could prove to be interesting.

RICHARD

IT WAS A NIGHT TO
celebrate. I had done it. I was a certified employee of The Gavin Group. I met with Graham, signed the offer, and much to his delight, I told him I wanted to stay and get started right away. My office was set up, I officially met my assistant, Amy, and Graham had already placed some folders on my desk. I dove into them with vigor, making preliminary notes, jotting down ideas and thoughts as they came to me.

When he told me there was a small gathering after the office closed, I had texted Katharine to inform her I wouldn’t be home, so I was surprised when I saw her walk in carrying, of all things, a tray of cookies. Looking over at the lavish buffet spread out, I wanted to roll my eyes. She brought homemade cookies to an event like this? And why was she here? I hadn’t asked her to come.

The answer became obvious rather quick. Jenna clapped her hands and hurried over to Katharine.

“You came! And you brought the cookies as I asked! You’re the best!” Jenna then proceeded to hug her, making a huge fuss over the fact my fiancée was present.

Schooling my features, I crossed the room, ever aware their eyes were on me. I wound my arm around Katharine’s waist, drawing her close. I nuzzled her hair as I murmured to her.

“You never told me, sweetheart. If I’d known you were coming, I would have been downstairs waiting for you.” I tightened my arm. “You never even answered my text.”

She looked at me, and I could see the apprehension in her eyes. “Jenna insisted I surprise you.”

“I was afraid if you knew she was bringing your favorite cookies, you’d kidnap her
and
them,” Jenna teased.

I smirked at her impish tone. “I’d share the cookies before I shared her.”

Jenna giggled, and I knew I’d said the right thing. She grabbed Katharine’s arm. “Break it up, you two. Mom wants to see Katy again, and I want to pick her brain about your wedding plans.” She dragged her off. I made a big show of pouting, then went and got another scotch. I did take a couple cookies, though.

That was how the evening unfolded. It felt as though I wasn’t even there. I drifted from group to group, chatted with Graham, Adrian, and Adam, all of whom teased me about trying to talk about work, insisting this was a social occasion. Graham grinned as he clapped me on the shoulder and told me he was thrilled I was so anxious, but Monday would be soon enough. I listened to their plans for the weekend, the way they talked about their wives, and their lives, wondering how anyone could be so attached to another person. It seemed to be the same for every one of them. They all watched their respective spouses with adoration-filled gazes. It made me a little nauseous, but I followed their example, watching Katharine as she walked around the room, talking to people, usually with Jenna or Laura by her side. She seemed to be the star of the show. Everyone wanted to talk to my fiancée. Her cookies were a huge hit, disappearing long before any of the other desserts.

When had she become more important than I was? She was the sidekick. I was the star. I was always the one who commanded the room. How had it changed? I frowned as I thought about it. It had been the same last week. When she was beside me, people spoke to me, engaged me in conversation. When we were separated, they were polite, but distant—there was no small talk or personal observations. Instead, it revolved around business. It was what I knew best. Katharine brought a warmth and ease to the interactions. Somehow, she made me more likable; her softness was doing exactly what I wanted it to do.

It was what I needed, yet somehow, it still angered me. It made me feel as if I needed
her
.

I didn’t need anyone.

Graham chuckled. “Okay, Richard, quit glowering at the accounting department. They’re only being friendly to your lovely Katy. No need to be shooting daggers in their direction.”

I dropped my gaze. I wasn’t shooting daggers at
them
. I found myself irritated by Katharine, even though she was doing what I asked. Yet, it also drew the attention away from me, and my ego didn’t like it.

I forced a chuckle. “She draws them like a moth to a flame.”

“She’s delightful. You’re a lucky man, and we’ve kept you apart long enough. Go get your fiancée and have something to eat.”

With a smile I hoped was real, I made my way toward Katharine. She saw me coming, and to her credit, she looked happy to see me. When I held out my hand, she took it and let me tuck her close. I’d had enough to drink; I lowered my mouth to hers, nuzzling her lips, and murmuring against them. “Sweetheart, you’ve been too far away for too long.”

She giggled a little, cupping my face easily. It was obvious, she’d had a few glasses of wine herself, and she felt loose and relaxed in my arms. “I was wondering when you’d make your way over.”

“Don’t worry, my lovely, I was watching you.” I buried my face into her neck. I had to admit, she always smelled enticing. It was light and feminine, not overpowering.

And it was true—for some reason, even when I didn’t want it to happen, my gaze drifted to where she was in the room.

Jenna laughed. “The two of you can’t keep your hands off each other.”

I lifted my head. “Can you blame me? I had to hide it so long. It feels good to be able to show my affection.”

Her face creased into a frown. “That must have been difficult.”

Nodding, I pulled Katharine tighter. “You have no idea.”

“Well, I hate to do this to you, but there are other people who want to meet your lady.”

I couldn’t resist. “They don’t want to meet me?”

Jenna shook her head. “They know who you are, Richard. And you’re welcome to come along, but Katharine is the star tonight.”

She tugged on Katharine’s hand, and dutifully, but silently, I followed. My mood had gone from irritated to downright pissed off. Jenna had summed it up perfectly.

I signaled for another scotch, ignoring Katharine’s warning look. If she were to be the star, then I’d be at her side.

The adoring fiancé—who couldn’t keep his hands to himself.

She’d hate it.

“Richard!” Katharine warned, moving my hands from her ass again. “People are looking!”

I grinned against the soft skin of her neck. She really did smell good. “Let them look.”

She turned, glaring at me. She leaned up on her toes, and I bent my head down to hear what she had to say. To anyone looking at us we were trading secrets, lovers whispering sweet words to each other. The truth was far different.

“You aren’t paying me enough to let you grope me in public all night,” she hissed into my ear.

I smirked as I yanked her tighter to my side, my arm like a piece of iron around her waist. “I pay you to act like a loving fiancée—so play your part. If I want to grope you, I will.”

“You already got the job. Why are you trying so hard?”

I forced her closer. “I want to keep it—act as if you can’t wait to get me home and fuck my brains out, and we can leave soon.”

Her head fell back, her eyes startled. Up close, I was amazed to see the rim of gold around her irises, small flecks of sunshine in the blue sea. Her hair was loose again tonight, and I buried my hand in the thick tresses. “You have great hair,” I murmured.

“Wh–what?”

I dropped my face lower. I could sense the stares all around us. “I’m going to kiss you now.”

I didn’t give her a chance to speak. I crashed my mouth to hers, holding her head tight in my hand, kissing her hard. Because I was angry and she was the cause, I deepened the kiss, slipping my tongue inside and stroking hers.

What I didn’t expect, was the burst of intense heat that flared between us—or how her hands slipped up my arms and around my neck, holding me just as tight. Nothing prepared me for the flash of desire, or the desperate wish that we were alone, not surrounded by a group of people watching me kiss my fiancée. Hastily, I drew back, my gaze finding Adrian’s and Jenna’s amused expressions. I shrugged, kissed the end of Katharine’s nose, and stepped back, releasing her from my iron grip. She stumbled and gasped a little, and my arm shot out, holding her upright. I steadied her, looking down with what I hoped was a concerned expression.

“Sweetheart?”

She glanced up, her mouth pink and moist from my tongue, cheeks infused with color and her eyes dazed. At my amused face, she shook off my hold, smoothing back her hair.

“I think we need to go home.”

I winked at her. “I’ve been waiting for you to say that.”

She glared, and I wanted to laugh. Whether she knew it or not, she had just made certain everyone thought the same thing.

My plan had worked.

“Oh, no, you aren’t leaving for another hour.” Jenna shook her head. “It’s not even nine. Mom and I still haven’t finished talking to Katy about the wedding. She won’t commit to anything! I swear she’s hiding something!”

“Fine,” I acquiesced. “You have an hour, then she’s mine. All mine. Understood?”

She muttered something about selfish, impatient bastards, and dragged Katharine off. I watched them go, feeling a little off-kilter myself.

Adrian caught my eye and winked. I returned his with one of my own and went back to the bar.

Scotch was the answer.

I couldn’t drive. I was smart enough to know that. Katharine had taken a cab, so Graham insisted on sending us home in his car, and I didn’t argue. I wasn’t drunk, but I was well on my way.

I’d had far too much scotch. It helped soothe the burn I felt every time I heard Katharine laugh. Saw her smile. Watched as she made—yet another—instant friend.

I didn’t understand why I cared, or why it bothered me. She was charming people. If they liked her, they would give me a chance because no one would believe someone that good and kind could be in love with the bastard my reputation upheld.

Except it did.

All the way home in the car, she was quiet, yet watchful. She made sure I got out of the car without trouble, and wrapped her arm around my waist. When we got inside, she helped me off with my jacket, looking concerned.