Call Me Cat (Call Me Cat Trilogy #1)(23)

"Bridgette never told me you were as stunning as she. A guy could do worse than the two of you in his bed."

I shot a look at Brig, who laughed like this was normal, so I turned my attention back to the sneering *. "That guy would probably be kneed in his groin if he tried that, so I wouldn't envy him too much." I walked away with a scowl on my face.

I didn't walk right into Ash, though I could have given my mood and lack of focus. Instead, he came up behind me and put his hand on my shoulder, to which I responded by elbowing him in the stomach.

Not on purpose. But after everything that happened recently, I was a bit on edge, and he startled me.

He groaned, and I turned around ready to apologize, but he was grinning. "You sure know how to spread the holiday cheer."

"I didn't know it was you."

"Who'd you think it would be? Because I feel bad for that guy."

"You just took me by surprise."

Something about this man always grated my nerves when we were together, but on the phone or in my thoughts he was much more enjoyable. Looking at him, I couldn't help but admire the way his tux showed off his muscles. It had clearly been tailored just for him. Tonight his hair was pulled back into a rubber band at the base of his neck, the black locks held in place by sheer force of will. It brought out his high cheekbones, sculpted jaw and seductive bedroom eyes.

He took a step closer to me, resting a hand on my arm. "I'm sorry for scaring you. I should have remembered about your apartment. It's no wonder you're on edge."

This close I could smell his cologne, and something else. I smiled. "Cuban cigars again?"

"How'd you know I smoke Cubans? Maybe you're the one stalking me."

I realized that I didn't know. Cat knew. I had to be more careful about keeping my two relationships with Ash separate in my mind. "You look the type to enjoy something benignly illegal, and I can smell the cigar smoke on you."

"If a career in law fails you, you might want to consider the other side of the justice system," he said through a smile.

"The other side? Like being a criminal?"

His smile turned to a laugh. "Like being a detective. You're more observant than the average girl."

"What about the average guy?"

"What about him?"

"Am I more observant than the average guy? Being compared only to other girls eliminates fifty percent of the competition."

He dropped his hand, and my skin tingled where he'd touched me. "You're more observant than the average person—unless that's too limiting because it doesn't includeother sentient species that might have observational powers. And you're far more irritating than most of them, too, but I find myself entirely charmed by you nonetheless."

"I think there's a compliment in there somewhere," I said, smirking.

"There is. There always is."

Jon joined us, just as dashing as his brother but with a very different look: the tidy, boy-next-door look. "Is Ash irritating you? Because I can play the prince and rescue you." He said this with a smile and a friendly attitude.

"I don't need a prince to save me, but thanks for the offer." Someone should just nickname me Ms. Prickly.

A deeper voice boomed from behind me. "Every woman should have a prince, even if she doesn't need one. Women should be treated like the princesses they are." I turned to see a man who looked more like Jon than Ash, but older. His blond hair had silver streaks, but his blue eyes were still sharp and it was clear the brothers got their height and build from their dad.

Ash's smile wavered, turning to something sour. "Dad, this is Catelyn Travis, a close friend of the Beaumonts. Catelyn, this is Ashton Benjamin Davenport the Second. We just call him Dad."

"Miss Travis, it's a pleasure to meet you. I hope my boys are treating you well."

"Like a princess." I beamed.

He chuckled. I could tell this was a man used to getting what he wanted when he wanted, and admired Ash for being able to stand up to him and go his own way, even if he took some hits on the road to his own path.

"You've raised two gentlemen, sir," I said. Whatever I felt about the brothers and their irritating competition for my attention, I didn't want to set them against their father. They didn't deserve that.

"Glad to hear it. Your name—Travis—is familiar to me. Have I met you or your family before?" His eyes bore into mine, as if trying to read every secret in my mind.

"We haven't met, and I doubt you've met my parents. They died many years ago."

I could tell the moment he connected the dots. "The Midnight Murderer. I remember that case. I had some friends in the DA’s office and every lawyer there was biting at the bit for it to go to trial, but the police botched the investigation. Never even had a viable suspect, I believe."

My skin prickled with trepidation. "Yes, that's correct."

Ash stepped in, offering me his arm, which I took. "I was just taking Miss Travis to get a drink. Good to see you, Dad."

"Son."

Ash escorted me away, securing us drinks on the way to the buffet table. "It seems my family will be perpetually apologizing to you for how we each behave."

"He's… " I searched for the right word, "…an intense man."