Page 57 of Scandalous Contract

“No. But I’ve also never met any of your girlfriends. Have you ever had a girlfriend?”

Not really. I’d dated. But none of them had mattered enough to meet my family or be labeled as a girlfriend. It was easy to get women. I was a Cattaneo. Most women adored the name more than they adored me.

Plus, the men in my family weren’t that lucky in the love department. I’d been against relationships until the day I laid eyes on Stefanie Adams.

“I don’t think you’ve ever had a real girlfriend,” Aubrey continued. “Until I found out you were stalking Ms. Stefanie, I kind of thought you were gay or maybe a playboy who dated so many women you couldn’t bring any of them home because they may find out they weren’t your one and only. Just so you know, if you do like men, I won’t judge you. Love is love.”

I sighed. “You read too many drama-filled books. I’m not gay, brat. I just don’t have time to date.”

“But you have time to stalk Ms. Stefanie?”

Yeah. “I’m not stalking her.”

“If you look up the definition of a stalker, you’ll find your picture.”

True.“Mind your business.”

“Can I give you some dating advice?”

“I’m not taking dating advice from an eighteen-year-old.”

“I’m serious, Julian.”

“What, brat?”

“You should tell Ms. Stefanie the truth. If she finds out what you’ve done to get close to her...”

“She won’t find out,” I insisted, a sense of dread creeping over me at that thought.

“Like Mom says, what’s done in the dark always comes to the light. One day, she may find out everything you’ve done. And if she does, she may think you’re some kind of pervy stalker. I guess that kind of makes me a stalker, too, because you’ve had me spying on her through India ever since we became roommates. You’ve turned me into your partner in crime.”

I rubbed my hand down my face. I wasn’t entirely proud of the things I’d done to ensure that I crossed paths with Stefanie. The way I’d positioned myself in her life hadn’t exactly been coincidental.

And yes, I forced my sister to be my partner in crime. It was Aubrey who let me know that Stefanie was coming to get India for Spring Break. She’d also let me know that Stefanie was looking for a house in the area to rent for the week.

I’d known this was my chance to finally approach the woman I hadn’t been able to get out of my head for months. So, I marked the property I owned down to half price, a Spring Break sale. Then I had Aubrey show it to India, who couldn’t wait to show it to her Mom.

Of course, to spend time with Stefanie, I’d needed my sister to ask India to go home with her for Spring Break. Fortunately, before that happened, another student asked them both to stay with her for Spring Break.

It had seemed fate was on my side. Everything had fallen into place smoothly, except for our initial meeting. Apparently, my charm and looks hadn’t been enough to get her attention. Though things got off to a rocky start, I’d been determined.

A determined Cattaneo never gave up. I went as far as putting audio recording equipment in the rental property before she arrived so I could know her plans for the week. That’s how we both ended up at the club.

The dance sealed the deal. I finally had Stefanie in my arms after making sure every man and one woman who approached her got turned away real quick. She was mine. And I didn’t share, neither did I play nice with others.

I wasn’t proud of the way I’d orchestrated our meeting. I wished it could’ve happened naturally. But I didn’t regret it because it brought me to her. To my sweet, guarded Stefanie Adams.

My short time with her was even more amazing than I’d imagined it would be. I loved watching her smile. I loved how excited she got and the way her eyes lit up when she discussed things she was passionate about.

I loved the way she blushed when I talked dirty to her. And her pussy, well, I’ve never experienced anything like it. Men who said all pussy was the same had never gotten a whiff of that life-changing pussy, the kind that hooked you after one sniff, one taste, one touch. I was hooked. And I wasn’t ashamed to say I needed this woman.

“Did you hear me, Julian?”

I blinked, dragging myself back into the conversation. “What?”

“Don’t let Stefanie know I was a part of this,” Aubrey repeated, her tone more serious now. “I don’t want to lose my friendship with India. And even though she wants her mom to start dating again, I’m not sure she’d be okay with her datingyou.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” I snapped, jaw tight. “What exactly is so wrong with me that she’d be against it?”