Page 52 of Earl

Barely finding the strength to close and lock the door, Cathy bent her head to the solid wood and closed her eyes, her body still shaking.

*****

She had no idea what made her open her eyes, but when she did, it was to fly upright against the headboard to see Justin lounging next to her, fully clothed with his shoes on.

“You have got to stop doing that! And get your shoes off my Egyptian cotton sheets.”

“You were so sound asleep; I did not want to wake you.”

“Ever heard of the phone?” Her head was throbbing, a reminder that she had gotten just short of three hours’ sleep. And her eyes were swollen from crying, something else she could contribute to Earl Drummond.

“I did call, several times. Last night and this morning. Poor Byron has been beside himself with worry and that skinny bitch, Teresa, has been plaguing me to come and find out if you were either dead or being ravished by our unfriendly billionaire.

I was hoping for the latter. Imagine my disappointment to see that you are all alone.” He peered at her. “I am going to kill him. What did he do this time?”

“Nothing.” Lifting her hands to her tangled hair, she realized she had left it loose and there was going to be hell to get the tangles out.

“Why were you crying?” He demanded.

“I…, nothing.”

“I am not going to stop until you talk, and you know what a nag I can be. What did he do Cat? He bombarded me for your address, and I thought I was doing the right thing here. If he has done something…”

“He wants a relationship!”

Justin blinked and went still. “That bastard! How could he do something so downright dirty?”

“You don’t understand,” she whispered hoarsely, leaning her head back.

“Of course I do, darling. A gorgeous multi-billionaire wants to start something with you and you are right, I do not understand. What is the problem?”

She cast him an irritated look. “He is Earl Drummond.”

“Yes, I am aware. Again, what is the problem?”

“We are not in the same league.”

“That is pure BS and you know it. The guy is obviously into you in a big way. I saw the way he looked at you. He had that hungry and hopeless look about him that clearly said that he wanted to jump you. I am surprised the air around the two of you didn’t combust. What happened when he came?”

“He…” She closed her eyes as the potent memories washed over her. “We…, we kissed.” Her hands flew to her throat. “Oh Jus, I am in so much trouble.”

“What happened after that?”

“I sent him away.”

“Oh, Cat.”

She shrugged self-consciously. “He hurt me, and I was certainly not going to just jump in his arms and behave as if it was okay for him to do so. But I wanted to. I told him I needed time, and I do.”

“What did he say?”

“I asked him for two weeks and he gave me one.”

Justin eyed her thoughtfully. “What are you really afraid of darling?”

“You have to ask?” Shoving back the sheets, she swung her legs off the bed and stretched, trying to work the kinks out. She spent last night tossing and turning and, in the end, had to get up and take some sleep aids. Which had not done a damn thing. She had lain there staring up at the ceiling and recalling everything he made her feel.

“He is powerful and rich, and he said the reason he stopped calling was the fact that he had been hounded by women because of his money.”