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“Listen.” She spun back around, brandishing her feather duster at him. Maybe he’d start sneezing and she could make a run for it. “I’ve no doubt you want to talk about that kiss. We kissed. Nothing we hadn’t done before.”
Of course this kiss was so, so much more; it had penetrated to her very soul. Dammit.
“But I’m not the same girl you used to know,” she continued, propping her hand on her hip. “I’m not looking for a relationship, I’m not looking for love. I’m not even interested in you anymore, Will.”
Catalina nearly choked on that lie, but she mentally applauded herself for the firmness in her delivery and for stating all she needed to. She wasn’t about to start playing whatever game Will had in mind because she knew one thing for certain...she’d lose.
Will stepped closer, took hold of her wrist and pulled her arm gently behind her back. Her body arched into his as she gripped her feather duster and tried to concentrate on the bite of the handle into her palm and not the way those mesmerizing eyes were full of passion and want.
“Not interested?” he asked with a smirk. “You may be able to lie to yourself, Cat, but you can never lie to me. I know you too well.”
She swallowed. “You don’t know me at all if you think I still like to be called Cat.”
Will leaned in until his lips caressed the side of her ear. “I want to stand out in your mind,” he whispered. “I won’t call you what everyone else does because our relationship is different.”
“We have nothing but a past that was a mistake.” She purposely threw his words back in his face and she didn’t care if that was childish or not.
Struggling against his hold only caused her body to respond even more as she rubbed against that hard, powerful build.
“You can fight this all you want,” he said as he eased back just enough to look into her eyes. “You can deny you want me and you can even try to tell yourself you hate me. But know this. I’m also not the same man I used to be. I’m not going to let you get away this time.”
Catalina narrowed her gaze. “I have goals, Will, and you’re not on my list.”
A sultry grin spread across his face an instant before he captured her lips. His body shifted so that she could feel just how much he wanted her. Catalina couldn’t stop herself from opening her mouth for him and if her hands had been free, she probably would’ve fully embarrassed herself by gripping his hair and holding him even tighter.
Damn this man she wanted to hate, but couldn’t.
He demanded her affection, demanded desire from her and she gave it. Mercy, she had no choice.
He nipped at her, their tongues tangling, before he finally, finally lifted his head and ran a thumb across her moist bottom lip.
“I have goals, too, Cat,” he murmured against her mouth. “And you’re on the top of my list.”
The second he released her, she had to hurry to steady herself. By the time she’d processed that full-on arousing attack, Will was gone.
Typical of the man to get her ready for more and leave her hanging. She just wished she still wasn’t tingling and aching all over for more of his touch.
Two
Will sat on his patio, staring down at his boat and contemplating another plan of action. Unfortunately his cell phone rang before he could fully appreciate the brilliant idea he’d just had.
His father’s name popped up on the screen and Will knew without answering what this would be about. It looked as if Patrick Rowling had just got wind of Will’s latest business actions.
“Afternoon,” he greeted, purposely being more cheerful than he assumed his father was.
“What the hell are you doing with the Cortes Real Estate company?”
Will stared out onto the sparkling water and crossed his ankles as he leaned back in his cushioned patio chair. “I dropped them.”
“I’m well aware of that seeing as how Dominic called me to raise hell. What were you thinking?” his father demanded. “When you steamrolled into the head position, I thought you’d make wise moves to further the family business and make it even more profitable into the next generation. I never expected you to sever ties with companies we’ve dealt with for decades.”
“I’m not hanging on to business relationships based on tradition or some sense of loyalty,” Will stated, refusing to back down. “We’ve not gained a thing in the past five years from the Corteses and it was time to cut our losses. If you and Dom want to be friends, then go play golf or something, but his family will no longer do business with mine. The bottom line here is money, not hurt feelings.”
