Page 58 of The Wrong Brother

“Looking forward to seeing you guys tonight!” Connor calls after us. I give him a shaka and he waves while I pretend I have even the slightest clue about what is going on.

36

catherine

I’m still not sure what has been up with Rafferty this week but I’m not going to let it ruin tonight. He’ll talk to me when he’s ready. The yacht ended up being great and I want more of the same at the fancy dinner. Being with all of these rich, hoity-toity strangers doesn’t even make me anxious when I have Rafferty by my side. When he’s with me, I don’t second-guess myself or forget what I’m capable of. I feel more myself—the best version of me. How could I succumb to social anxiety feeling like that? He squeezes my hand, leading us back to the car.

“What did Connor want?”

“It was the strangest thing, Raff. He apologized to me!”

“For real?”

“Right? I was not expecting it. He told me he likes you and he’s glad to see me so happy. He was very genuine and sincere. He told me he was sorry for how he treated me in college and embarrassed that he was never a good boyfriend. He said he wishes he had been mature back then and gone about it in the right way. He still regrets that he was the type of guy who cheated and was too scared to admit to me that he wanted to break up. But he does genuinely love Pressley and is happy to be marrying her. Apparently, those times he came to the office, he was trying to work up the courage to apologize. I was holding on to a lot more resentment than I realized. Hearing that makes me feel so free!”

“I’m happy for you, Cat. It also makes it less confusing that he seems like a nice guy.”

“I thought the same thing. He’s grown up a lot. I’m happy to be able to dismiss him as ‘not for me’ without all of the hurt and anger attached. It makes me look forward to tonight a lot more and not dread having to work with him.”

Rafferty tucks me against his side as we walk and I breathe deeply, taking in the scents of ocean air and tropical flowers. What an unexpected, pleasant turn the day has taken.

“I have to tell you, that entire conversation alluding to me needing to be good to your pussy was the most hilarious and sexy thing I’ve ever been a part of!”

“I don’t know what came over me! Pressley was staring at me and suddenly I didn’t know why I was supposed to be dancing around where we had been and what I still wanted. Especially with how she kept staring at you. I’m sorry if it’s an unattractive trait, but I was feeling possessive and I didn’t want to leave any question about whether or not you’re mine.” Rafferty looks like his thoughts are turning inward again. I wish he would talk to me. The last thing I want is for us to slip back into the earlier unexplained awkwardness with the painful distance stretching between us. “We have four hours until we need to be at the Withering’s.”

He slips his warm hand over my thigh, caressing. “Are you sure that’s enough time for me to pet your kitty and get ready for the party?” he chuckles. Long fingers stray, sliding between my thighs and I tip my legs open for easier access. He looks over at me and licks his lips before looking back at the road as his fingers slip inside my suit and stroke.

A small moan escapes and I bite my lip. “I have the utmost faith in your abilities.”

Those four hours are gone before I know it. There is a more than adequate amount of pussy petting, a nap, a shower, and then we get ready. Rafferty looks delicious. His beard is trimmed short and groomed and his hair is down. I take my time fixing my hair and Mina comes over, as promised, to do my makeup. We set up in the dining room, where the light is brightest.

“Why is there what looks like an ass print on your window, Catherine?” Mina’s eyes are wide, the eyeliner in her hand forgotten.

“Uh…” I stammer.

Rafferty answers from the couch, not even looking up from his book. “Obvious answer is there’s an ass print from an ass, Mina. Do you actuallywantmore details?”

“Not from you! I’ll get the specifics of that sexcapade from my sister later.”

He snorts and shoots her a thumbs up. I keep my mouth shut. I’ve avoided sharing the exact details of what Rafferty and I have been up to. I’m not ashamed but I’ve wanted to keep them mine for a while. Besides, Mina has had her hands full with her recovery. As it is, I have to hold the makeup for her as she maneuvers around her cast and sling.

“Keep up that blushing and I won’t need to add anything to your cheeks.”

Once Mina assures me I look fit to be seen, I put on my dress and make the grand entrance from my bedroom my sister insists I need to adequately show off her handy work. It ends up being totally worth it. Rafferty’s mouth hangs open and he drops his book to the ground. He doesn’t even need to say anything. The way he’s looking at me is everything.

“Let me get a photo of you guys together!” Mina starts snapping away, making us pose in the light from the large windows. We stand with his arm around me, holding hands, and then Raff kisses me, making me forget that we’re taking pictures until Mina’s voice breaks through the haze. “Oh, Raff, maybe you should post it to your Instagram. Followers love to see more about the person behind the art.”

“Uh, sorry to break it to you Teeny Meens but I don’t have an Instagram account. I did promise Griff that I’d look into it though. I haven’t made the time yet, but I will.”

“Yes you do, weirdo. I follow you. Me and like five thousand other people.”

Rafferty has that cute wrinkle between his brows and Mina is now showing him the account on her phone.

“So…” I squeeze his hand, “I sort of met with Ka‘eo and Norah and set one up for you. Surprise!” I can’t tell if he’s mad or simply shocked. He takes Mina’s phone and scrolls through what I’ve posted.

“You did this?”

“Yes. Griffin was right, you are too talented to not have as many people as possible seeing your art! I can give you all the sign-in details and stuff later. You’ve gotten some requests for commissions and a lot of very dirty DMs. Maybe you should go ahead and post that picture of us now so they’ll stop asking you to give them things that aren’t on offer.”

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