“Wow,” I whisper.
“Th-thanks,” Cat says, shyly.
I look around to find all the other women staring at me with wide eyes and curious smiles, including Dagen. I gulp as sweat begins to bead under the brim of my hat. I didn’t mean for others to hear what I said but at this point, I really don’t care anymore.
“Aunt Cat!” Dagen quickly ditches me and runs to Cat who envelopes her in a warm hug.
God, what I wouldn’t give to be able to hug and kiss her right now. The best I can do is a small hug and kiss on the cheek like I gave the other ladies, which is how I always greet them. I step nervously towards her and feel my breathing speed up. Like a kid about to ask a girl to dance for the first time, my hands shakes and the adrenaline starts rushing through my veins.
“Happy Thanksgiving, gorgeous.” I wrap my arm around her and kiss her cheek then whisper, “I want to rip that dress off of you and lick every inch of your beautiful body.”
I pull back to see the color drain from her face and it gives me satisfaction knowing she will now suffer just like I do.
“Let’s go.” Once again I’m tugged away by Dagen and I stumble along.
My eyes stay glued to Cat until the door closes behind me and I’m forced to turn around, but my thoughts remain dreaming of her all throughout shooting with Dagen, and through dinner with our family. Even with the heavy cloud weighted by the problem between Phoenix and Bishop hanging over our heads, I can’t stop feeling like I’m the luckiest guy in the world.
For a moment, my thoughts wander to the turmoil and I can’t help but think we could be facing a second hurdle when the truth about Cat and I is revealed. But that would never happen. Could never.
Could it?
11
CATHIA
For a second day, we find ourselves at Cami and Vaughan’s, but this time all of our friends have joined us. All but two.
Bishop and Anais aren’t here and their absence only amplifies the tension. Nix and Viv try to act like everything is fine, but we can all tell just how much they are truly hurting. I tried to distract them by suggesting we get started on the Christmas decorations since Cami is going to need help. Vaughan barely lets her walk upstairs much less on a ladder to hang ornaments, so extra hands are definitely welcome.
It goes smooth for a while, but the conversation always seems to lull when a memory that includes Bishop is brought up.
“Cat.” My name is called and I blink out my thoughts. “Are you okay?”
Hayes steps down from the ladder and takes the mistletoe from my hands. Everyone was tasked with various chores and when Hayes heard hanging mistletoe, he quickly volunteered both he and I.
“Yeah. Just thinking about Bish. It doesn’t feel the same without him.”
Hayes smooths his hand over my hair and runs his knuckles across my jaw. “I know. He and Nix really made a mess of things. Nix more than Bish. All he did was fall in love with a girl.”
“But sheisjust a girl. One who is strictly off limits,” I remind him.
He nods. “True, but the heart doesn’t know age when it finds its match.” He stares into my eyes and I feel like something is coming. “I know a little something about his heart because mine is feeling the same.”
“W-what do you mean?”
He takes two steps closer, bringing us nose to nose, and his hand finds the back of my head. “My heart has found its match, and it’s you. I love you Cat.”
I lose my breath as well as the English language because the only thing that comes out of my mouth sounds like a car running on a flat tire.
His face becomes a blur as he leans in close, bringing his lips to mine. My eyes flutter closed and I inhale, always loving the way he smells like leather and whiskey. I can feel my body tingle and the way I grow wet between my legs. It’s the same thing every time. Lights, camera, action, and boy does my body take the queue well. His kisses are a full screen worthy production.
Footsteps sound and I push him off of me, taking a step back. He seems shocked but promptly puts on a passive face when Vaughan appears from around the corner.
“There you two are. Did you get the mistletoe hung?”
“Workin’ on it,” Hayes says and scurries his way back up the ladder, holding the mistletoe above his head. “You comin’ in for the first kiss?”
“I hope you’re talking to your brother, Jolly Rancher.” The name spills from my mouth so fast there’s no way of stopping it. My nerves have me word-vomiting without a bag to catch it.
