Page 65 of One Wealthy Wedding

“That one,” Cat says, interrupting my thoughts. She’s pointing at the plainest SUV I own.

“Too boring,” I say.

“I’m boring,” she shoots back.

“No you’re not.” I shake my head and move to the rack of keys on the wall. “You’ve never been boring. You’re secretive.” Damn secretive, if the little piece of her list that tore off in my hand is any indication. All I saw were the words lingerie I like. There’s another side to that list. One she’s been hiding from me, and now my brain and my body can’t stop wondering what’s on it.

“What does that mean?” She gives me a puzzled look.

“You know.” I shouldn’t have gone down this road. I flip the keys and avoid looking at her.

“I really don’t,” she says as she follows me to the baby blue Bugatti behind the SUV.

“Fishing for compliments?” I tease.

“Not on your life,” she mutters as we slide into the car’s leather-scented interior. She holds herself carefully in the seat as I start the car, and something about her wariness makes me want to tell her anyway.

I sigh. “You’re mysterious.” I put the car in drive. The engine hums happily under me. I fucking love this car. “It’s sexy.”

She makes a choked sound. “No, I’m not.”

I glance at her before I pull out of the spot and onto the ramp that will lead out of the garage. She’s wearing another one of those lace-edged tops she likes to sleep in, and the delicate lace against her skin keeps catching my eye.

“Don’t believe me?” I ask.

Her cheeks are pink. “I’m not mysterious. I’m sheltered. There’s a difference. Besides, I’m not nice enough to be sexy.”

I snort. “Sexy doesn’t mean nice. You’re sharp and guarded, and you have secrets. Men like that. There’s something to discover.”

“Huh.” A smile pulls at her mouth. “I never thought of it like that.”

I don’t respond. I’ve thought about it way too many times. And now I’m thinking about Cat moving through the world with newfound confidence. I want to stomp on the gas, but I guide us carefully onto the ramp that will shoot us out onto Madison Avenue five blocks north. I can floor it in the tunnel. It’s three cars wide, and I’m the only person with access.

“You have a tunnel? What is this, Batman?”

“Stick with me, baby.” I wink and push the pedal to the floor.

Cat whoops. As we race down the tunnel, my hands are tight on the wheel. To keep the car steady. Certainly not because I’m picturing some other guy with his hands on Cat and his voice in her ear, telling her all the things I just did but actually being able to follow through with them.

Not me.

Never me.

Fuck.

My bad mood eases slightly as we leave the city and head into New Jersey. Traffic isn’t terrible for a Saturday afternoon, and the car glides fast and smooth down the roads. Highways soon give way to neat subdivisions and small towns.

“Where are we going?” Cat asks. She’s been looking out the window the entire time.

“Somewhere far enough away that you can drive with no cars on the road. A rural area.”

“An abandoned field, maybe?”

I snort. “You’re not taking this car in an abandoned field. I love this car.”

She smiles. “I can tell. You’ve always loved cars.”

“Don’t say it,” I warn, but I’m fighting a grin.

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