Page 30 of Imperfections Forbidden

“You should come out with me and Ava.I guarantee you a good time.”

“I’ll think about—”

“She’s had enough of a good time with Ava already.Both of you at once is way too much.”

She puts her hands on her hips.“You don’t speak for me, Nick, and if I want to go out with them, I will.”

I’m not going to get into this.“She’s not going, and if she does, I’m going to be all over her ass like a stripper’s ass cheeks on a pole.”

“Whatever, Nick.”Turning her back on me, I watch her kiss Gage and I walk him out.

“Man, you and Cat.Does Chris know?”

“No, not yet.”

“It’s going to be likeClash of the Titanswhen he does.”

“It’s not like that with Cat.”

“I hope not.I like Cat.Bro, your track record with women and relationships isn’t good.”

“You don’t have to tell me, I know.Cat’s different, she’s not like the others; she makes me feel things I’ve never felt with any other woman.She makes me want to do things, I want to protect her from any and everything that can possibly hurt her or cause her pain.I want to do everything I can to make her happy.It’s always been like that, but even more so now.”

“Deep.I never thought I would see this.You really care about her.”

“Yeah, I do.Things between us are complicated, so don’t tell anyone you saw her here.”

“I got you.”

“I know you do.I’ll call you later and let you know what’s up.”

I watch him leave and take a moment to breathe in the cold crisp air.I wish I could make things different for Cat.I say things are going to be fine if we go through this together, but the truth is, I don’t know what the hell is going to happen.I’m going to do the only thing I can do today, which is enjoy this day with her before the realities of Monday morning hit.

“Cat?”

She’s not in any of the rooms, and I know she didn’t go downstairs.I go upstairs to the roof and find her sitting on the chaise where she asked me to make love to her, looking at the roses.I put my legs around her and kiss her on the cheek.

“It was nice seeing Gage.He looks so grown up now.He looks more like you.”

“You think so?”

“Yeah, a dark brown-haired, blue-eyed version of you ten years ago.Tall, cute, built body, self-assured, and dripping sensuality.”

I smile at her.“Dripping sensuality?I hope you weren’t checking out my little brother.”

“You can call Gage a lot of things, but little is not one of them.I’m only stating the obvious, he resembles you.”

“And it’s obvious you were looking at my brother with unbrotherly-like affection.”

“Oh, shut up, I was not.I couldn’t point out his resemblance to you without noticing those things, could I?Don’t be jealous.”

“Me, jealous of Gage?I don’t think so.”

“Good, I hate an insecure man.I prefer my men tall, dark, and a little intense.”

“Intense.How intense?”

“Where I don’t know if he’s going to make love to me or assault me in the bedroom.”