I sighed.
While I knew Anthony was joking, he was serious when he said he was concerned, and I didn't blame him for being so. I was obsessed with Catalina, and this was the only time I'd ever used my men for personal business. They didn't know what she meant to me, but they knew how I normally went after something I wanted, and this wasn't it.
I understood how odd my behavior was, especially to Anthony. But she was worth it.
Catalina wasn't just some woman. She wasn't an itch I was trying to scratch or someone I'd lose interest in once I had her. She was myeverything.
My phone chimed with the message I'd been waiting for.
Anthony
She’s arrived at her office and is heading to the top floor
I put the car in drive and sped off, trying to ignore the way my heart raced at the thought of being near her. I didn't just want to see her again, I wanted her to acknowledge me, toseeme, andfinallyshe would.
Pulling into a parking spot, I checked myself in the mirror, smoothing my ruffled long brown hair. I made sure the collar of my shirt was perfectly folded and adjusted the cuff of my blazer before leaving my car.
I stepped into the building, thankful for the cold air blasting my face, then used the security card my hacker made for me and took the elevator to the top floor.
Crossing the threshold, I saw her assistant, Olivia. Like Catalina, she was incredibly proficient and not one to be trifled with.
Putting on my most professional smile, I stepped up to her desk, and leaned against it. "Hi, I'm here to see Catalina Salazar."
Olivia barely spared me a glance before checking something on the computer. "Do you have an appointment?"
"No, but I have urgent information I need to discuss with her."
"I'm sorry, but without an appointment, I can't let you through. Ms. Salazar's schedule is fully booked for the next several weeks."
I glared at her. Olivia's tone was as frigid as the Arctic Circle, and she was full of shit. There was no way Catalina was that busy; Olivia was stonewalling me.
"I understand and I won't take much of her time, but thisisimportant. I need to speak with herimmediately. If you could just squeeze me in?—"
"As I said, she is fully booked." She glanced toward a clipboard on her desk. "You're welcome to leave your contact information and I can pass along the message to her."
Don't shoot her. Do. Not. Shoot. Her. Catalina won't like that.A muscle ticced in my jaw as I clenched my teeth and bit out, "Then I'll wait."
"Sir, that will not be possible. You can either pass along your contact information to me and leave, or I will be forced to call security."
Good. Them I can shoot."You do that."
I turned just as a door opened and my heart stopped.
Catalina.
She snapped a binder closed. "Olivia, could you—" She froze. And for a single moment, neither of us took a breath.
"You," she whispered, and the single word hung between us, tethering us together.
The air charged. Every hair on my body stood up at her attention. She was a vision in a black satin blouse and red pencil skirt. Strands of her hair gently flicked over her neck and shoulders, and her dark brown eyes were dilated.
Pleasure soared down my spine that she'd responded to me,rememberedme. I'd caught her off guard and she hadn't been able to hide it. I was honored.
I held her gaze, then smirked. "It's been a while, Catalina."
8
Catalina
