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He continued to watch me. “I’ve known you my whole life and I know when you’re lying. But perhaps I’m wrong. I hope I am.” He looked down at his food and finally dropped the subject.

Cato was wrong about Joey. Joey wasn’t trying to get together with me and didn’t seem romantically interested in me anymore. He was just hurt he was being lied to. I didn’t know what to say so I let the conversation evaporate.

Joey looked over my shoulder then sighed. “Looks like Cato brought backup.”

“Sorry?”

Joey nodded over my shoulder.

When I turned, I saw Cato and his friends sitting at a nearby table. They were all looking this way, casting silent threats at Joey. I faced forward and covered my face. “Oh my god…” This was absolutely humiliating.

“It’s safe to say your boyfriend doesn’t trust me—one bit.”

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I told him we were coming here but I didn’t think he would show up like a freak.”

“And this is the guy you love?” Doubt was in his voice.

I grabbed the saltshaker then threw it at Cato. “You’re an asshole, you know that?”

The salt bounced on the table then flew between Cato and Troy, landing on the floor behind them.

“Well, you just gave us good luck,” Cato said with a smirk.

I glared at him. “You have a lot of nerve.”

“I know I do.” That cocky smirk was on his face. “But me and my boys just wanted to get some food. It’s a free country, right?”

“Exactly,” I said. “And I’m free to do what I want with who I want.”

“Don’t mind us.” He waved me away. “We aren’t eavesdropping.”

The other four guys gave Joey looks of death, threatening him without the use of words.

“I’m so sorry,” I said to Joey. “I’m really embarrassed, if that makes a difference.”

“Don’t be embarrassed,” he said. “Cato is the one who should be embarrassed.”

“I won’t let them hurt you,” I said. “Don’t worry about that.”

“I’m not scared of them,” he said with a cracked voice.

“When it’s five on one, I’d be scared of them too.”

“It’s fine,” he said. “You got a jealous man on your hands.”

“He’s just protective…” I tried to make an excuse for Cato’s behavior.

“Ethan was never jealous,” he pointed out. “And neither am I.”

“I’m not going to compare them,” I said immediately. “That’s not fair to either one of them.”

He sipped his coffee then put the cash down on the table. “Want to get out of here?”

“Please.”

We left the booth then walked right past Cato and his friends.

Cato snatched me and yanked me into his lap. “Hey, beautiful.” He leaned in and tried to kiss me.

I slapped him instead. It was light and didn’t inflict any pain. It was just to make a statement. “Perhaps you didn’t pick up on this but I don’t put up with bullshit. If you act like this again, we’re through.”

“Ouch,” Troy whispered beside him.

“I’m just looking out for you,” Cato said. “I don’t trust that weasel over there.”

“That weasel is my friend,” I said. “And don’t ever insult my friend again.”

He kept his hand on my waist but his eyes burned in irritation. “Call me when you’re done with him.”

“No, I won’t be calling you tonight.” I moved out of his lap. “You can call me when you grow up.”

***

Cato called me a few times around nine o’ clock but I didn’t answer. I let it go to voicemail and didn’t plan on listening to any messages he left. My irritation was at its peak. If he didn’t want to get slapped again, he should leave me alone.

Then there was a knock on the door. “Girl Scout cookies.” It was clearly a male trying to do a female’s voice. And it did not go over well. I didn’t even need to look through the peephole to know it was Cato.

“Go away. I’m not interested in buying anything you have to sell.”

Cato spoke normally. “Baby, please open the door.”

“Stop calling me baby,” I argued. “I’m
not
your baby.”

“Milkshake, open the door.”

“Don’t call me that either,” I snapped.

“Why?” he asked. “It’s such a cute nickname.” There was a smile in his voice and I could hear it through the door. “Come on, open the door. Let me apologize to your face.”

“I’m not ready to hear you apologize.”

“Cut me some slack,” he said. “I’m really into you. You can’t get mad about that.”

“Watch me.”

“I wish I could,” he said. “But there’s a big slab of wood in the way—and I’m not referring to my dick.”

I rolled my eyes. “You think being a pervert is going to get me to forgive you?”

“No. But it’ll make you smile.”

“Unbelievable…” I muttered under my breath.

“Are you referring to me?”

I growled. “Just go away, Cato.”

“Okay, I politely asked you to open the door and I’m getting sick of arguing like this.” The knob started to turn as he picked it. Then the lock came undone and he stepped inside.

“Did you just break into my apartment?” I hissed.

He held up a paperclip and a knife. “It’s a handy trick. I’ll teach you so you can break into my apartment whenever you like.”

“Because I really want to do that…”

He put the thief tools in his pocket then came close to me. “Here’s my formal apology. I’m sorry.”

“Why did you go down there to begin with?” I demanded.

“I’m telling you, I don’t trust Joey,” he said. “I just wanted him to know that he’s got five pairs of eyes on him, not just one.”

“Are you a child?” I demanded. “Because you’re acting like a high school bully.”

“Hey, I didn’t threaten him or touch him. I just looked at him.”

“And direct eye-contact is a sigh of hostility and danger.”

He looked deep into my eyes. “Or physical attraction…”

“Stop joking around, Cato. I’m not your girlfriend and I don’t put up with jealous guys. It’s annoying.”

“I’m not jealous,” he repeated. “I said this at least ten times now. I don’t trust him. Period. That was my subtle way of telling him I’m onto his plan.”

“And what plan is that?” I crossed my arms over my chest.

“He says he broke up with Amy and now he’s so heartbroken that he’ll never love again. He doesn’t want a serious relationship again, just something convenient. Tell me if I’m hot or cold.”

He was burning hot. And that was a little freaky. “How did you know that?”

“Because I’m not stupid,” he snapped. “He’s trying to make you think he’s over you so you’ll agree to marry him.”

“Even if that were true I already agreed to try to have something with you. So, why do you care?”

“Just because I don’t like the guy doesn’t mean I don’t think he’s intelligent and determined. When someone has an edge like he does, being a good friend to you, he could discreetly manipulate you.”

“Well, he didn’t bring up marriage to me again.”

“Because he’s playing it cool. Trust me.”

“No.” I stepped back and sat on the couch. “I don’t believe that. Maybe Joey does still want me but he would never trick me into something.”

“You obviously don’t understand how crazy in love he is.”

I sighed then stared at the blank TV screen.

Cato sat beside me then moved his hand to my thigh. “I’m sorry and I won’t let it happen again, okay?”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” He squeezed my thigh playfully. “And you are my girlfriend so I am entitled to be a little jealous.” He held up his forefinger and thumb, keeping them less than an inch apart. “Just a smudge.”

His cuteness was weighing me down and I couldn’t fight it.

He leaned toward me. “I see that smile in your eyes.”

“There’s no smile,” I lied. I felt my lips twitch.

He smiled in victory. “Sure…”

I looked away so our faces weren’t so close together.

Cato grabbed my chin then forced my mouth to his. He kissed me hard, claiming me without the use of words. His lips brush past mine with a warm fluidity, and then he slipped his tongue into my mouth, exciting me almost instantly. “Forgive me?” he said as he continued to kiss me. He laid me down on the couch and moved over me.

My hands dug into his hair and moved down his back, feeling every line of muscle.

“Baby?” he asked as he kept kissing me.

I kept going and wrapped my legs around his waist.

He broke our kiss then fisted my hair. He dominated me, forcing me to look at him. “I asked you a question.” There was command in his eyes, and even if I were a Roman soldier, I would obey.

“Yes.”

He kissed me again. “Good.”

Cato

River slid into the booth across from me with his beer in hand. “I got two chicks who are willing to get down and dirty. They are both brunettes and they got gorgeous racks. Am I the king or what?” He took a deep drink then wiped the foam off his mouth.

I had no idea what he was talking about. “What two chicks?”

“For our group fuck,” he explained. “Remember? We wanted to do something different since threesomes are getting old.”

Now it came back to me.
“Dude, you know I’m seeing Katarina.”

“You’re actually serious with this girl?” he asked. “I thought you were just hanging out with her because you’re a weirdo that can’t let go of the fact she doesn’t remember you.”

I gave him a deep glare. “No.”

“You’re sleeping with her?”

“No.”

“Then what is going on?” he asked.

“We’re dating.”

River sighed then took another drink. “Are you trying to put us all on unemployment?”

“She’s not like that. She would never throw us under the bus. That happened one time. Get over it.”

“When my job is on the line, I won’t get over it.”

“I’ll have her terminate the agreement then I’ll escort her privately.”

“Thank you,” he said. “Do it soon. Like, today.”

“I’ll ask her next time I see her.”

“You better, asshole.”

I rested my arm over the back of the chair and looked out the window.

“So, how is it going with her?”

“Good.”

“She still has no idea you already fucked?”

“Nope.” It still didn’t make sense to me. How could she not remember someone she slept with?

“Maybe she has some sort of medical condition.”

“I don’t think so,” I said. “She’s never forgetful about anything else.”

“Hmm…” He rubbed his chin while he remained in thought.

“She used to be married.” I hadn’t told any of the guys this, but if my relationship was going to go somewhere I had to tell them. I didn’t want them to make a bad joke about the Army or widows and make her upset.

“Say what?” he asked, leaning back. “When?”

“Five years ago.”

He started to count on his fingers. “How old was she? Twelve?”

“Nineteen. They weren’t together for long.”

“People who get married young usually divorce.”

“Actually, she’s a widow.” It made me sad to think about. Losing someone you loved must be unbearable. Fortunately, I’d never experienced anything like that. “He was in the military and he was killed in the line of duty.”

“Holy shit.” He leaned over the table and remained quiet for a few moments. “I’m not trying to be insensitive but are you sure you want to get involved in that? She probably has a lot of baggage.”

I shook my head. “I really like her, River. I just do. I don’t know why because she doesn’t even remember me but I do. When I’m not with her, she’s all I think about. It’s not ideal to be with someone who’s already been married but…it is what it is.”

“If you’re sure…”

“He’s been gone for five years so she’s moved on. She’s not crying every other minute, and when she talks about him she actually smiles. It’s not like she’s still grieving.”

“I guess I just assumed when I settled down with the one, I would be the one to her too,” he said with a shrug.

It was difficult for me to describe my relationship with Katarina because most of my thoughts couldn’t be explained in words. Most of the time there were just feelings. “I think I could be the one to her.”

“Wouldn’t her husband have been the one?” he asked.

“He might have been but…she was really young. I’m sure they loved each other but she and I…we have something special. Our conversations flow like water, and we have this natural reaction to one another…I can’t explain it.”

“Yeah…you can’t.”

“I just feel like we’re a perfect match.”

“How so?” he asked.

“Because we met two years ago, in a crowd of millions of people in a tiny area. I was there at the right place and the right time. So was she. And then…she becomes my client. Seriously, what are the odds of that?”

He gave me a serious look. “You know I love you, man, but you’re talking crazy right now. I sincerely hope you aren’t putting in all this effort for this one girl solely because you already slept with her and she doesn’t remember. Is this about your pride?”

“No,” I snapped. “It’s not. When we hooked up I felt something then too. I wanted to see her again, to take her on a real date. That’s never happened to me before, and now I have another chance. I know it doesn’t make any sense but that’s the truth.”

“What? Are you saying she’s your soul mate or something?” Skepticism was heavy in his voice.

“No…but I think we’re meant to be together.”

River sighed and I could tell he made his best effort not to roll his eyes. “Come on, Cato. When did you start pulling all this shit out of your ass? This girl is turning your world upside down.”

“I’m being serious. What are the odds of us meeting twice? She didn’t even live here the first time we met.”

“But she doesn’t remember you.” He said each word slowly, trying to make each word sink into my brain. “How can she be meant for you if you’re so forgetful?”

“There’s got to be a reason why she doesn’t remember me,” I said. “And it has nothing to do with me not being memorable. I had a great time that night. There’s no way she didn’t.”

“If she did, why didn’t she leave a phone number?” he questioned.

I shrugged. “She said she would never date again and she was abiding by that rule. I think if she had an open mind about me, she would fall hard. And I’m pretty sure she’s starting to.”

River was still incredulous but he didn’t repeat his argument. “So, no group fuck?”

“No. Sorry.”

“Lame.”

I chuckled. “Ask Jett. He’d do it in a heartbeat.”

“Yeah, maybe. But I figured if I was going to see one of you guys naked, it would be you.”

I cocked an eyebrow. “Should I be worried…?”

He chuckled. “You just seem like you’re more open-minded.”

Even if Katarina wasn’t in my life I wasn’t sure if I could do that. Threesomes and foursomes were fine but with another dude…not exactly appealing.

River rubbed the back of his neck. “Weasel still sniffing around?”

I really disliked that guy. “I know what he’s doing but Kat won’t believe it. She says they’re too good of friends. I’m not buying it.”

“Well, she’s never wanted to date him before so I doubt she’ll change her mind,” he reasoned. “Unless he holds her down and—”

“Don’t say that.” It made me sick to think about.

“Don’t stress about him,” he said. “That’s all I’m trying to say.”

“I’ll try.” I took a long drink of my beer then looked out the window. “Kat doesn’t appreciate my protectiveness and jealousy. But she needs to understand—” Across the street, I thought I saw Joey lurking behind a car. He held a pair of binoculars to his eyes and he was scoping me out through the bar window.

Did I really just see that?

River waited for me to finish the sentence, and when I didn’t, he followed my gaze out the window. “What’s up? What do you see?”

“That fucking weasel.” When I realized my mind wasn’t playing tricks on me, I snapped. I wanted to turn the table over, break it into pieces, and then chase him down with a long stick of wood.

River narrowed his eyes. “He’s watching you?”

“He’s behind the blue Volvo. He’s wearing black.”

“Fuck, it is that weasel.”

I slid out of the booth. “Now I’m breaking his face.”

River followed me, ready for a fight. “I’ll hold and you punch.”

“That won’t be necessary,” I said with a clenched jaw. “I want to do both.” I jogged across the street and heard the sounds of horns from the taxis and cars. River was right behind me. When I reached the sidewalk, Joey realized what was happening. At a sprint, he took off down the sidewalk.

“You’re dead!” I chased after him and fantasized about what I would do when I snatched him. The sidewalk with packed with a crowd, and maneuvering through them was difficult. Joey was twenty feet ahead, and he reached the corner of the street then waved down a cab.

“I don’t think so, motherfucker.” I kept running, needing to get to him before the cab took off.

I didn’t make it. Joey shut the door and then the cab pulled onto the street.

“Fuck!” I punched a nearby pole and cursed again.

River caught up to me, out of breath. “Why is he tailing you?”

“I have no fucking idea.” I ran my fingers through my hair, distressed. “But it can’t be good. He’s trying to get dirt on me. I can’t think of any other reason.”

“We should have ripped his arms and legs off in that diner.”

“It’s never too late,” I said darkly.

“Are you going to tell Kat about this?”

I should. She should know that the man she considered to be her best friend was a fucking psychopath. He was so obsessed with her that he was borderline crazy. But I knew that would be pointless. “She wouldn’t believe me anyway.”

***

When I arrived at her door, she gave me a bright smile that reached her eyes. It was clear she wasn’t still upset with me over my fiasco with Joey, and all was forgiven. If I brought up my last encounter with him, it would certainly spoil the evening.

My hands moved to her waist and I gave her a hard kiss on the mouth. She reciprocated with the same enthusiasm, and her hands went to my chest. She touched it often so I assumed it was her favorite feature. That was fine by me. My favorite feature was the same area, just on her.

I slowly pulled away and looked down into her face. “Did you take a professional kissing class? Because you’re good at it.”

“I guess I’ve just had lots of practice,” she said with a smile.

I grabbed a handful of her hair then yanked her head back, exposing her throat. I placed a few kisses on her neck and listened to her moan. “And why does your skin always taste so sweet? You practice that too?”

“I guess I eat a lot of fruit.”

I released her hair and towered over her. “Ready?”

“Uh…sure.”

I smirked. “What’s your hesitance?”

“Well, when you kiss me like that I don’t want to go anywhere.”

I chuckled. “Let’s save the fooling around for later. Otherwise, we’ll never get out of here.”

“Good point.”

We left her apartment and headed to Beautiful Entourage.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“I need you to sign some termination papers.” I held her hand as we walked up the sidewalk, like a regular couple.

“Termination papers?”

“I can’t escort you anymore, not when we’re romantically involved like this.”
              “So…what will I do?” There was fear in her voice.

“I’ll do it for free. Don’t worry about it.”

“But, you can’t pose as my husband if you’re dating me. That could get weird.”

I shrugged. “I have to do this, baby. The guys are really concerned about it.”

She nodded. “I guess I understand.”

“We’ll figure it out though,” I said. “And maybe I shouldn’t pose as your husband at all. Let’s just see where this relationship goes first.”

“Okay…” There was a deep sadness to her voice.

“What’s wrong?” I watched her face.

“I just…nevermind.”

“Tell me,” I pressed. I pulled her further into my side.

“I’m not sure if I ever want to get married again—for real,” she said. “It’s just…I don’t know.”

“How about we just take it slow and see where this goes?” I asked. I noticed that when we talked about her hesitance, it made her more hesitant. But when we just lived in the moment, she was more accepting to change.

“Okay.”

We went inside the office and she signed all the paperwork. Once that was done, I was a free man. I was no longer legally prohibited from sleeping with her. I wasn’t planning on it anytime soon anyway, but it was still a relief. Now I was just her boyfriend.