Call Me Cat (Call Me Cat Trilogy #1)(24)

"Ha! That's one word for it."

My nerves settled as the party became livelier and some unexpected guests arrived.

Professor Cavin had polished up well, if not quite as high end as some of the other guests. "What are you doing here?" I asked, offering him a glass of champagne.

"The Beaumonts are old friends, and their version of sending out Christmas cards is inviting people to their annual party." He didn't have quite the same confidence here that he had in the classroom, which I understood. Even a Harvard law professor could be intimidated by some of the names at this party, including a few well-known celebrities that I'd worked hard not to go all fan-girl over.

"I'm glad you're here," I said.

A waiter walked up holding a tray of hors d'oeuvres,and I did a double—take. "Lucky?"

He smiled. "I got a gig with the catering company when I couldn't land a spot at the mall." He glanced down at himself. "I ain’t never felt this fancy before."

"It suits you."

The music, the food, the buzz of champagne running through my veins, all of it took the edge off the stress I'd been carrying for weeks. I laughed and danced and enjoyed myself. In an odd sort of duel, each of the Davenport men asked me for a dance, starting with their father.

Mrs. Davenport looked on kindly as I walked to the floor with her husband. I felt no sexual intentions, but I did feel judged, as if my dance skills would be used to determine if I was good enough for either of his sons.

Dancing with Jon left me happy in the kind of way a pleasant day at the beach might.

And then I danced with Ash.

"Saving the best for last, I see," he said, slipping his arm around my waist and pulling me closer to him, my breasts pressed against his chest.

"Is there something going on with the Davenport men?" I asked.

"One thing I will say about us, we appreciate a beautiful woman. And you have stolen this party tonight."

His hand dipped down to the small of my back as he leaned in to put his mouth near my ear, his lips brushing my earlobe so gently I almost didn't feel it. "I'm tired of waiting for other people or fate to bring us together. Have dinner with me this week."

I didn't know what to say. He made my body throb for something I'd never had before. He made me want to do bad things all night long, and then rinse and repeat. He made me wish there were fewer clothes between us, because suddenly dancing felt like vertical sex and I just wanted to feel him inside of me.

Dancing with Ash scared the hell out of me.

Seeing him again. On purpose. For an actual date. I didn't know how that would work. The song ended and we stopped dancing, but still he held me close. "I'm not letting go until you answer me."

"I'm in the middle of a big mess in my life. You don't want to be a part of that."

"Let me decide what I want to be a part of."

"Maybe. That's all I can offer you for now. Maybe."

"Then let this inspire you to make the right decision." His head dipped down, arms pulling me closer as he found my lips with his. Without regard for who was watching, Ash kissed me deeply, taking his time to explore my mouth, his tongue dancing with mine. When his hand gripped the back of my neck, my body relaxed into his and I gave into the kiss, giving as much as he did, building the passion between us until we made our own music and everyone else disappeared.

When he stepped back, my knees were weak, and I felt flushed.

"Thank you for the dance, Miss Travis. I look forward to your answer."

I pulled away from him and found the nearest bathroom to lock myself in, my heart hammering. I needed to talk to Bridgette, who I knew would encourage me to go for it. Maybe that's what I needed. Someone to talk me into doing what I really wanted.

My head spun with music and the noise of those around me laughing and talking and enjoying the party. I searched for Bridgette, a new nervousness building in me when I couldn't find her. Her parents hadn't seen her, but Lucky said she'd looked tired and maybe a little drunk and might have gone upstairs.

I was about to go look for her there when the butler brought me the house phone. "Miss Travis," he said with a frown—of disapproval or concern I couldn't tell— "the phone is for you. They were quite insistent that you take it now."

I did.

"You don't look lonely anymore, Kitty Cat."

My heart stopped, and I almost threw up expensive champagne. It was him. The Midnight Murderer. He had the same Darth Vader voice the night he killed my parents.

"What do you want?" I panicked, looking around for someone to help, but I couldn't see anyone I knew. I ran upstairs to find my cell phone and dialed Detective Gray's number while I put my stalker call on speaker.

"I want what I've always wanted," hissed the Midnight Murderer. "I want you. You got away that night, and my life won't be complete until I own you the way I owned your beautiful and so very tight mother."

The detective's phone was busy. Damn it. I left a message, muting the stalker. "Detective, I have my parents' killer on the phone. Call me so you can hear him."

I unmuted the killer. "Why? Why are you doing this?"

"The problem of modern society is everyone wants to know why. We've become so whiny in our need to understand everything that we can't just live and enjoy. I'm only calling to tell you how beautiful you look tonight. Red suits you. It reminds me of your mother's blood. I don't like that you danced with so many other men, though. So, I've helped a friend accomplish something he's wanted to do for a long time."