Page 129 of One Wealthy Wedding

“Into what?” I’m not playing my part, but I can’t bear to. It would be a relief if the ground opened right now and swallowed me.

“Business.” She winks. “I know it’s just for show for you. You have your business partners for all that. That leaves you able to focus on more…earthly pursuits.” She smiles. I’m sure she thinks it’s alluring, but all I see are sharp white incisors and lips the color of blood.

This is what they think of me.

I look past her to where her friend is staring at us, whispering to another woman. The weight of their gazes presses into me. I’m going to lose it. I want to run. I could leave right now and never do this again, and fuck, Jonah and Miles would be so disappointed. I swallow hard and cover it with a sip of wine.

She puts her hand on my chest. I freeze, my gaze lifting to hers. This can’t be happening. Just a foot from her husband, and she’s coming on to me. She’s touching me. I’m going to be sick.

“Hello, darling,” Cat says. Her hand slips into mine, and she leans into me. An anchor. I stiffen. Cat shouldn’t have to bear witness to this.

Cat’s eyes lower to Katrina’s hand before she slowly tilts her head. “Have we met?” Cat sips her champagne like this woman wasn’t just fondling me.

“I’m afraid not. Katrina Jasper. And you are?” Katrina raises a brow, like she doesn’t think Cat could be competition for her.

“His wife.”

Cat smiles sweetly and places her hand on my chest, right where Katrina’s was. The diamond is so large that it’s twisted to the side of her finger. I know she might hate that stupid ring, but I’ve never been more grateful for it.

“You’re married? I can’t believe—” Katrina shakes her head. “You know he’s been with half the women at this party, right?” She smiles sharply, like she just won a point. Each word is a bullet.

“Practice,” Cat says with a calm smile. “For me.”

“You’re not bothered?” Katrina asks.

“Why would I be bothered?” Cat’s brow wrinkles. “The way I see it, he had his pick of everyone, and he still chose me.”

Shock keeps me rooted in place. Cat is magnificent. She hates public confrontations. She’d never defend herself like this, but for me, she’ll go to war.

She’s not the woman I thought she was.

The thought pings through me, settles in my veins.

I’m falling for her, and she will never, ever choose to be with me.

Fuck.

39

Cat

“We’re done here.” I want to spit in that awful woman’s face, but Theo looks like he’s in shock. “Come on, sweetheart. I want to see the ocean.” I pull Theo through the house, into the garden, and down the steps. We take the stairs down two terraces until we’re right on the edge of the cliff, looking out over the water. The breeze is briny down here, and we’re hidden from view.

I lean against the wall, watching him. He’s staring out at the ocean, hands shoved in the pockets of his tux. He’s sharply masculine tonight, in a way that makes my stomach flip every time I look at him.

There’s a painfully blank expression on his face. I want to hug him or tell him we can escape through the back door, but I’m not sure how he’ll react.

So instead, I say, “Wow. What a bitch.”

He laughs, looking surprised. “That’s putting it mildly.”

“I take it that’s not the first time she’s done this?” I want to stab someone. The look on her face was pure avarice, like Theo was a possession, not a man.

“If you’re asking whether we’ve slept together, the answer is no.”

“No,” I exclaim. “No, that’s not what I’m asking. I’m asking—are you okay?”

“I’m okay.” Theo’s hands squeeze on the railing that keeps us from tumbling into the ocean. “This happens a lot.”

---