Page 80 of One Wealthy Wedding

“Thanks,” I say dryly, but Jonah’s concern warms me.

The charge is for $497.54 from a store called Blushing Beauty. I furtively google it. It’s a boutique on Madison Avenue, and a quick glance at the photos shows wisps of lace and bras that look about as substantial as clouds. There’s a black lace thong with a keyhole back, and I imagine hooking my thumb under it while Cat gasps in surprise.

Fuck.

I shut the site and do my best to focus on the investor meetings we have today. Lorenzo is our prospective joint venture partner, but we still need new investors for the European properties. I refuse to fail, not when I’m already on my back foot.

A second charge comes in between meetings. $156.14.

I text Cat.

Theo

Only $150? The card has no limit.

Cat

I didn’t like the options they had.

Theo

Like what?

I hit send before I can think better of it, and my stomach tightens in anticipation.

Cat responds with a photo of a black bra that is all wire wrapped in black satin, no cups.

Fuck.

Theo

Seems fine to me.

It seems better than fine, actually. It seems designed to make a man crazy. I drop my head into my hands and will my erection down.

When I look back up, there’s another text. Don’t look. But, of course, I do.

Cat

I want better than fine. I want to feel beautiful.

I pocket the phone before I say something stupid, like you are beautiful or show me. Or worse, offer to help her in person.

I stride down the hall to Jonah’s office, where he’s reviewing a document and sipping a sparkling water.

“I need you to punch me,” I tell him.

He puts the paper down slowly and lifts nearly black eyes to meet mine. “It’s three p.m. I try to reserve brutalizing my business partners for after hours.”

“Please,” I say.

His gaze sharpens before he stands and heads into the hall.

“Cancel my three thirty,” he tells George.

George grumbles something about saying please before Jonah and I head up to the gym together.

“What’s going on with you?” he asks, wrapping his hands while I wrap mine. Nervous anticipation rolls underneath my skin.