Never stop, kitten.

  I startle and scan the room, but I’m alone, and my office door is shut.

  You look beautiful today. Have dinner with me.

  Scanning the ceiling, I get the sinking feeling that he’s watching me on some type of video device.

  With a growl, I type back:

  Watching me now, Mr. Hanson? You have crossed the damn line. I’ll own the company when I’m done with you.

  His response is immediate.

  It’s yours.

  A sarcastic laugh rips through my chest. What the hell is wrong with this guy? He makes me want to order all the toys I was perusing so I can punish him with them.

  I drag my hands down my face. He’s making me insane. This isn’t me. I don’t obsess over people. I’m focused, unaffected by emotions. I don’t cry or get worked up.

  No. I get even.

  With Jay, I’ve been deprived of that satisfaction for thirteen years. But now…

  I smile as the perfect punishment formulates in my brain. He wants to watch? Fuck with my mind? I’ll give him something to stare at.

  18

  STUBBORN LOVE BY THE LUMINEERS

  Jay

  I’ve never been good at playing hard to get. Never bothered trying with Cat. Then or now. Since I started at Jolie, I’ve worn my heart on my damn sleeve. No matter how hard I try, I can’t keep the words from tumbling out of my mouth.

  She wants the company? She can have it.

  She wants every dime I have? They’re hers.

  When she accepts the fact that I belong to her, that everything I have belongs to her, that nothing else holds meaning to me, then maybe we’ll get somewhere.

  I’m preparing to leave for the day, to head down to ask her to dinner. We need to get everything out in the open. I can’t wait for Theo to tell her.

  She needs to know that I didn’t willingly walk away all those years ago. That even though I wasn’t with her physically, my soul never left. I have belonged to that girl since the day I met her in the coffee shop. Since the moment she refused to tell me her name.

  I glance down at the computer screen to make sure she’s still in her office, and that’s when I spot him.

  Frank fucking McCabe.

  He’s stalks toward Cat and presses her up against the window. Unable to stop myself, I watch as his hands skate over her hips and she arches into him. Then his lips are on her neck and he’s peppering kisses down to her chest. Cat’s unbuttoning her top and pushing her chest toward his mouth.

  When he slides his hands over her shoulders, her top falls to the floor, and she’s left in nothing but a bra and a skirt.

  Fuck.

  She puts her hands behind her back and unhooks her bra, and his mouth is instantly latched to her nipple.

  “What the fuck, Cat!”

  I rub my forehead and tug at my hair, at a loss for what to do. Do I storm into the office and demand he stop? Do I fall to my knees and beg for forgiveness? Because I’m not above that when it comes to her. I’ll do anything for her, no matter how outrageous or pathetic.

  Do I let her go?

  If she’s happy with him—if this is what she really wants—then yes. There’s no other choice.

  Closing my eyes, I pinch the bridge of my nose, forcing myself to come to terms with what’s happening. Trying to convince myself that it’s really over. But when I focus on the screen again, Cat’s looking up into the camera. There’s a hint of a smile on her face as she stares straight at me. Even while Frank presses her onto her desk.

  She’s not focused on him or what he’s doing to her. She’s looking for my reaction. Thinking of me while he touches her.

  The opposite of love isn’t hate; it’s indifference. And there is nothing but hate in Cat’s eyes right now. Anger. She cares.

  Hate I can work with. Revenge happens to be my specialty.

  She’s not over this. Us. Me.

  She doesn’t want me to leave her alone.

  My little kitten wants to play.

  She thinks she’s playing a game with me.

  She should know better than to hop into the lion’s den, though. I’m going to devour her.

  19

  DON’T START NOW BY DUA LIPA

  Cat

  Convincing Frank to play along with my little game was easy. Sure, we both agreed that this thing between us was over, but with my brother acting like a fool over Grace, I can’t muster the guilt I should probably feel over sleeping with his best friend.

  And Frank? He knows exactly what this is.

  Revenge. Pure and simple.

  And if there’s anyone who understands revenge, it’s this man.

  “Fuck, Princess, you’re dripping. Does the idea of him watching get you this turned on?” he teases as his fingers skate over my underwear, which are, in fact, drenched.

  I won’t lie. I like being watched.

  But the idea of Jay watching me? Knowing that I’m punishing him? It makes it almost impossible to breathe.

  When the phone on my desk rings, I can’t help but giggle. I know exactly who’s calling. I glare up at the ceiling and ignore it.

  Frank peers up at me wearing a smirk. “You’re enjoying this entirely too much.”

  “Am I not supposed to enjoy when you get down on your knees for me?”

  He chuckles against my thigh, then slides my panties down my legs just as the intercom beeps. “Pick up the goddamn phone, Cat, before I send someone in there to pick it up for you.”

  I have to press my lips together to keep from laughing too loud. He’s such a fucking baby. The cell phone on my desk rings, and this time I accept his FaceTime request. The timing couldn’t be more perfect, because at that moment, Frank flattens his tongue against my sensitive lips, making me moan, despite my best efforts to stay quiet.

  “Fuck, Kitten…” Jay says, his eyes flaring on the screen.

  I lay the phone flat on my desk, refusing to stare at him.

  “Pick up the phone,” he growls.

  “I answered like you demanded, Mr. Hanson. What can I do for you?” My eyes roll back as Frank sucks me long and hard. Another moan escapes.

  “You’re doing this to hurt me. I get it…I-I understand.”

  Fuck. I pick up the phone and glare at him. He’s ruining this for me. I don’t want his sadness or defeat.

  I want anger. I want fire. I want him to be enraged like I am. Jealous. Seething.

  I want him unhinged, because clearly that’s my default setting these days.

  I’m sprawled across my desk with my brother’s best friend’s face between my legs while he watches. All I want is a damn reaction.

  Seeing the photographs of him with Grace has made me lose my mind.

  I don’t bother to respond. Instead, I flip the camera to face Frank. He’s on his knees between my legs, and he doesn’t let up. Ensuring the camera captures every move, I grasp his hair with one hand and press him closer.

  “Fuck,” Jay grits out.

  “Yup,” I laugh, “he’s doing an excellent job of that. Now, if you’ll excuse me…”

  “Use two fingers. She likes that,” Jay instructs.

  With a gasp, I stare down at Frank, dumbfounded. Frank smirks up at me as he works his tongue on my clit. He only pauses momentarily to acknowledge Jay. “I know what she likes. She’s come on my tongue quite a few times, Hanson.”

  Jay growls, “Tell him, Kitten.”

  I squeeze my eyes shut, hating that he’s right. “Please,” I whisper.

  Frank smiles. “Whatever you want, Princess.”

  When he adds the second finger, I moan loudly.

  “Bite that lip, Kitten. Don’t let anyone but us hear your cries.”

  “I’m trying,” I pant.

  “Try harder, or I’m gonna come down there and stick my cock in your mouth to keep you quiet.”

  I turn the phone back to face me and glare. “You wish.”

  His expression softens as soon as he sees me, and I squeeze my eyes shut to cut the connection.

  “Open your eyes,” he rasps. When I don’t, he says it again. “Please, open your eyes.”

  When I finally steal a glance at the phone, he’s got his turned to face down. I watch in fascination as he strokes his hard, throbbing cock.

  Fuck, that’s hot.

  “I know you want it, Kitten. I know you miss the feel of me sliding inside you.”

  Frank laughs against my clit, snagging my attention. The sight of him between my legs, the feel of his tongue moving in circles while Jay’s dirty words fill the air and he strokes his cock, all of it, elicits a growing wave of hot, intense desire that crashes through my body. I bite down hard on my bottom lip to keep my sounds from escaping.

  As I come apart, Jay curses, and spurts of cum shoot out onto his hand. I can’t help but watch in fascination.

  “Bend over, Princess, and hang up the fucking phone,” Frank grits out.

  My eyes go wide at the desperation in his voice. “I thought we weren’t—”

  He places his hand against my lips, silencing me. “You two aren’t the only ones getting off. Now bend over so I can fuck the shit out of you.”

  I smile at him, thrilled that he’s giving in. God, I need this.

  “Cat, if you hang up that phone…” Jay warns.

  I laugh as I take in his beet-red face. “Why don’t you give Grace a call? I’m sure she could help you.” I hit End before he can reply. Then I laugh as Frank spins me around, knowing Jay is still watching.

  20

  MERCY BY SHAWN MENDES

  Cat

  Avoiding thoughts of the shit show that is my life, I head to James Liquors to visit my brother a few days after my little stunt with Frank. Cash has a date tonight, and I want to make sure his married matchmaker hasn’t talked him into canceling it.

  I don’t trust that woman, and I don’t want her anywhere near my brother.

  Voices carry through the corridor as the elevator doors open at reception. The receptionists look at one another nervously but don’t try to stop me when I stride straight to my brother’s office.

  “Well, they should be nervous. We have contractors backing out left and right. I’m telling you; Hanson is behind this,” Chase urges as I throw the door open.

  “Hanson is behind what?” I ask, plopping onto the couch beside him.

  All three of my brothers are here, and each one’s face is redder than the last. Obviously, I walked in on one hell of a disagreement.

  “Cat, what are you doing here? You have a job, and it isn’t in this company,” Carter says, though there’s no heat behind his words.

  Going for aloof rather than letting on that I’m losing my mind over the possibilities of what Jay has done now, I pull a nail file from my bag and focus on my nails. “Well, I’m starting to think that I should be working here. What are the rumors I’m hearing about Forester?”

  I haven’t actually heard any rumors. But one of my brothers said the man’s name moments before I walked in, so it’s as good a place as any to start.

  I look up at Cash and raise my brows, waiting for his response.

  “I’ve got it under control,” he mutters.

  Beside me, Chase sits up straight, the movement shifting the cushion beneath me. “No, he doesn’t. Until he agrees to show his face in Bristol and prove that the company is continuing in Gramps’s stead, our suppliers and contractors are going to fear that we’re going under.”

  Caught off guard, I stop filing my nails and gape at Cash. “You’re thinking of going back to Bristol?”

  His eyes go soft, and he presses his lips together as he studies me. “You don’t have to come. But yes, we are going to spend some time there. Landry likes to do business with local companies, and while we used to be one, we haven’t made our presence known there in quite some time.”

  I don’t know a lot about the family business—my ignorance on the subject being 100 percent intentional—but my brothers have mentioned a deal with a man named Charles Landry before. He lives in Bristol, the town where we grew up, and the boys have been working to gain his favor so they can expand the business by partnering with him.

  While I try to spend as little time in Bristol as I can, this expansion is huge for my brothers, and I’d do anything for them. “If you guys can do it, so can I.”

  Cash moves from his position behind his desk and sits next to me on the couch. “But you don’t have to, Kit Cat.” He pulls me close. “This isn’t your problem.”

  “I’m a James too, ya know. Just because I’m not a man doesn’t mean I can’t be of use in this company,” I argue. The idea that they don’t see me as an equal has my blood going hot.

  “Cat, you’ve never expressed interest in the company,” Cash says. He’s focused solely on me, his expression genuine. He’s never judged me for that choice. “If you want a seat at the table, I’ll grab you a chair. Hell, I’ll build a bigger table. Whatever you want, it’s yours.” He holds out his hands, motioning around the room. “You tell us what you want, and we’ll go along with it.”

  Chase and Carter both nod in agreement. They’re willing to let me in. Let me work alongside them in our family business. Relieved, all I can do is sigh. While the business has never interested me, it is nice to be wanted.

  “When?”

  Carter pipes up with the details. “The party is in a month. But we should start showing up around there before then. I’ll start next week. Cash, you handle the party since you are who needs to be the face of all of this. Chase can handle another one of the weeks, and, Cat, you just tell us when you want to join.”

  “Thanks. I’ll try for the event.” I drop my nail file back into my bag and check my watch. “Don’t you have a date?” I ask Cash. “That’s why I’m here. I wanted to make sure you were dressed appropriately.”

  Chase guffaws, and Carter brings a hand to his mouth to hold back his own laughter.

  Cash glares at all of us. “I’ve dated women before, Cat. I’m pretty sure I can handle this.”

  With a smirk, I drop all pretenses. Whether he likes it or not, he needs me to give it to him straight. “Yes, it’s not so much women that concern me. It’s the woman that is arranging the date. I want to make sure she isn’t the one showing up. Ya know, another setup.”

  “You act like Grace is this conniving person. She’s not like that.”

  “I did hear she showed up here the other day out of the blue,” Carter mutters.

  Ha. I knew that woman wouldn’t give up. It’s a good thing I came today.

  Cash massages the back of his neck, avoiding my gaze. “She delivered the list of women. That was all.”

  “And she couldn’t do that via email?” I ask. There’s no point in hiding my incredulity. He knows she could. He’s just being a damn fool about her.

  “Listen, I can’t control her actions. I can only control mine. I took the list, and she left. I’m moving on. I’m going out with someone new tonight. I know how to date. I think I’m dressed all right.” He waves a hand up and down, motioning to his outfit.

  I must admit, he looks fine. My brothers are all stupidly good-looking. They really don’t need help in the women department. If I didn’t loath the woman he’s fallen for, I wouldn’t be concerned about his dating life at all.

  “You look fine,” Chase grunts.

  “Okay, well, now that we have resolved the company’s crisis and my dating crisis, can we adjourn this family meeting?” Cash asks with a roll of his eyes.

  “Yeah, I’m out.” Chase stands from his spot on the other end of the couch. “Good luck, bro,” he says, then he’s gone.

  Cash breathes out a sigh of relief. “Geez, that was a close one.”

  Carter laughs. “He gets overly worked up. Have fun tonight.” He lifts his chin in Cash’s direction, then stops in front of me and offers me his hand. “Want to grab dinner, sis?”

  Tossing my arm around Cash’s shoulder, I give him a hug goodbye. “I know I’m hard on you about Grace, but I just want you to be happy.”

  He kisses the top of my head. “I know. And I am. I’m completely fine. Promise.”

  I follow Carter out of Cash’s office. “Sushi?” he asks as he slows so we’re walking side by side.

  “Yeah, that works. So what’s the deal with Hanson?” I hedge.

  Carter quirks a brow in my direction as we pass the reception desk. “Don’t worry about it. The less you have to do with that bastard, the better.”

  I laugh, but there’s no humor behind it. “He’s my boss these days, Carter. I’m kinda forced to deal with him on a daily basis.”

  “No fucking way,” he grumbles as we step into the elevator. “Dickhead. Has he been bothering you?”

  I keep my head down as I press the button for the ground floor, making sure to avoid even looking at the button for the penthouse. But even without looking, memories of years past flood my brain, just like I knew they would. Will there ever come a time when I forget that man and all the things we did?

  What will it take for me to really move on?

  “I can handle Jay,” I say coolly.

  I affect an unbothered expression as my brother studies me. He doesn’t need to know that I’m, in fact, not handling Jay well at all. I’m playing stupid games with the man, and there’s no way I’ll win a single one.

  “Be careful. I’m pretty sure he’s making a play for our company with Pa out of commission. He thinks Cash is an easy target. He’s trying to exploit what he sees as our weaknesses right now, and I don’t want him using you to do it.”

  Biting the inside of my cheek, I keep my emotions at bay. “Got it. Don’t trust Jonathan Hanson. That’s easy enough.”

  Now if only I could stop thinking about him too.

  21