Tell Me True (Call Me Cat Trilogy #3)(6)

I didn't hear Bridgette approach, only felt her hand rest on my arm as she sat next to me. She'd found time to change into jeans and a blouse, something I wish I'd thought of doing. My wedding dress tightened around me like a corset, fighting my lungs for space.

Bridgette's beautiful face, normally pale, looked even more so now. She'd washed the make up off, so instead of streaks of black down her cheeks, she just had red-rimmed eyes.

I held her hand, squeezing it. "Are you okay?"

She shook her head. "No. What am I going to do, Catelyn? It's just… too much. I loved him, you know? Like, really loved him."

I nodded, unsure what to say.

She turned to me, her face serious. "I know what your mom's notes say about the Davenports. I know you had issues with Jon. So I need to know, as your best friend, I need to know the truth. Did you kill Jon Davenport?"

I pulled aware from her. "Of course I didn’t! What kind of question is that?"

Needing an escape from the smell of burning flesh, from the accusations and pity in the eyes of those around me, I fled to bathroom but stopped cold as I entered the ballroom where we'd planned our small reception. Over the enlarged wedding invitation resting on a stand, its cream paper dripped with red stains that stopped my heart.

Ash is next. The Davenports will pay for their sins.





Chapter Four


A Hole In One


FOUR MONTHS AGO


SPRING FLOWERS WERE in full bloom and the grass gleamed with that brilliantly perfect green that only golf course grass could pull off. Jon and I walked to the first tee-off. He picked a driver and hit the ball across the fairway.

I pulled out my club and did a few test swings, then squared my shoulders and swung. "I remember my dad taking me golfing when I was little. He'd let me drive the golf cart and even bought me a miniature golf set so I could play with him. I wasn't very good, but they’re some of my best memories with him."

We walked to our balls and Jon took another swing at his. "I'm glad you could come today. I'm surprised Ash didn't give you a hard time about spending the day with me."

I didn't reply and instead hit my ball closer to the hole as I thought back to my fight with Ash yesterday.

***

We'd had the gym to ourselves in the afternoon, and Ash had continued teaching me self-defense. "I can't believe we're getting married in four months," I'd said, as he blocked my kick.

"You’re giving away your moves with your body. Keep it tight and fast, like this." He demonstrated the kick I'd just failed at and I tried to block, but his kick was faster than my block. Then he leaned over and kissed me. "I can't wait to be your husband."

His dark hair fell around his face in a messy just-had-sex kind of way and I wished we were having sex instead of sparring. "I'd like to get to know Jon better. He invited me to go golfing tomorrow and I agreed. It would be nice to get out and golf again. It reminds me of times with my dad, and I know you don't really enjoy it, so I thought it would be a good activity for me and Jon to do together."

Ash's stance became more serious and he pushed his offense more strongly. "Why?"

"Because he's about to be my brother-in-law," I said, trying to fight off his attack while countering with my own.

"He's an *. A jealous * who would love to have you for himself."

I punched him in the arm. "That's an overstatement, I think. I don't know why you two can't work things out, but I assure you I am yours regardless. It's just an innocent game of golf. Besides, you're going to be busy all day tomorrow with an investor's meeting."

He grunted and then blocked my attack, throwing me to the floor and pinning me. We stared at each other, faces inches apart. I struggled and tried to free myself but his weight kept me pinned.

My breathing came fast, my chest rising and falling against his. And as our bodies rubbed together, I felt him harden, his cock pressing against my abdomen.

"You're leaving yourself too open," he said.

I wrapped my legs around him. "Only for you." I kissed him and he didn't hesitate to respond, digging his fingers into my hair and pulling my head closer as he deepened our kiss.

His free hand rode up my shirt, cupping my breasts and squeezing my nipples alternately as he pushed himself closer to me.

"Too many clothes," I said, between kisses.

He nodded and tore off my sports bra and yoga pants, pulling his cock out enough to shove into me. No foreplay—our sparring had been that—just hot, messy, needy, hard sex. We f*cked deeply, wildly, his cock filling me completely and making me desperate for more. I scratched and bit at his skin as he pounded into me. Then I rolled him over and rode him as he flicked my nipples and grabbed my hips, pushing himself into me as I bounced on top of him until we both came fast and hard.

In the end, while he didn't like me spending time with Jon, he knew he didn't have a say—and he knew I'd always be his.

***

As I focused back on golf, Jon came up behind me and repositioned my hands on my club. "Keep them like this and twist your hips this way a bit. It will help your aim."

"Thanks." I swung and found that it did in fact help my ball go in the correct direction. "What's up with you and Ash, anyways? Why aren't you closer?"