Page 165 of One Wealthy Wedding

“You feel so good. Yes—Theo, more.”

“You’re going to make me come.”

“I’m there,” she pants. “I’m there. Come inside me. I need you.”

“Fuck,” I groan.

She cries into my mouth as she clenches around me. I follow, the orgasm tearing through me, bowing my spine and searing me with pleasure.

My hips pump helplessly as she rides the waves of her own orgasm, her face pressed to my neck, her hand against my heart. When we’re limp and trembling, I crush her to me.

My lips against her hair form words she’s not ready to hear.

I love you.

I have always loved you.

We’re laying on the couch in front of the fire an hour later. I rub lazy circles on Cat’s ribs as she stares into the fire. I know she’s not asleep, but she’s relaxed. Her legs are tangled with mine, and her head is pillowed on my arm. I never want to let her go.

“I know you don’t want it now, but did you ever dream of marriage? Even as a little girl?”

Do I have a chance with you?

She’s still for a minute, just breathing in my arms. “I used to,” she says quietly. She turns to face me. I stroke my thumb over her cheek, under her jaw. I can’t stop touching her now that I have the right. “I used to dream about it when my mom was alive. I was young and naive.” Her voice is bitter. “And then I got older and I realized my dad hated her before she died, and did everything he could to control her. I’m convinced—” Her voice cracks and she inhales a shaky breath. “He never loved her and that’s why she wasn’t able to fight the cancer.” Her breaths stutter in and out, each sound knifing through me.

“God, I’m sorry, Cat. I’m so sorry, sweetheart.” I say. I lift my other arm and loop it over her shoulders. She tucks her face into my chest. “I’m sorry I was selfish. Sorry I cared more about my own problems than yours. Sorry I didn’t see what you were going through.”

I line our bodies up, my arm around her back, my leg between hers, until she’s completely cocooned by me.

“It’s okay,” she says. Her voice is muffled against my chest.

“It’s not okay. I never should have left. I should have been there for you. I should have protected you.”

She blows out a gentle breath. “No, Theo. You needed to leave. I wouldn’t have wanted you to give up all you’ve achieved for me. I don’t blame you. We each dealt with things in our own way.”

I still. “I blame myself. I wish I could have saved you from seeing the worst of what people are capable of. I wish I could have proved to you that marriage isn’t all bad.” I pause. “It can be wonderful with the right person, I think. You made me see that.”

She’s quiet. I’m pushing her too far, too fast. I’m not for winning, she said. But I’m still going to try.

“Forgive me for the past,” I murmur into her hair. “Please, forgive me.”

She shifts so she can press her lips to mine. She tastes sweet. Her lips linger, brushing lightly over mine, savoring me. “Of course,” she whispers. “I already have.”

51

Cat

“Theo. What the hell is that?”

We’re in his garage later that week, and he’s uncovering something that looks like a cross between a motorcycle and a helicopter with flat propellers.

“A hoverbike,” he says, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

“It looks like something off the set of a Star Wars movie.”

He laughs and pulls the covering all the way off. “This baby right here is a U.S. Army issue prototype.” He pats the bike, grinning at me. “Want to try her out?”

“Is it safe?” It doesn’t look safe.

---