The Bride Goes Rogue (The Fifth Avenue Rebels #3)(55)
In a flash, Katherine’s hands cupped his face. “No, Preston. That wasn’t your fault. How could it be?”
More like, how could it not have been?
He pulled her close and tried to breathe through the weight of the memories, the sadness that clouded his mind each time he thought of his friend. “I was too busy to notice what was happening until he was deep into his habit. He had new friends, people who hung around because he could afford to pay their bar tabs. Harrison was in Paris, so Kit did the best he could to keep Forrest in line.”
She didn’t speak, just stroked his hair, staying close. He tangled their legs together and enjoyed the feel of her as he told her the rest. “I know the ward boss in the fourteenth from doing business together. He cabled me one night earlier this year, said a friend of mine had been drinking, passed out and couldn’t be roused. Told me to come get him or they were calling an ambulance. I said to call the damn ambulance. If he was that bad off, I didn’t want them to wait.”
“That was certainly the right thing to do.”
“Forrest didn’t think so. He was awake and livid by the time I got to Bellevue, but he nearly died, according to the doctors. When I saw what he looked like, how he started shaking after just a few hours without a drink, I couldn’t leave him alone. I dragged him up to my lodge in the Adirondacks and tried to dry him out.”
Jesus, the things Forrest had said during those two days. Hurtful, cruel words Preston would never forget. Which reminded him—he needed to sell the lodge. Being inside those walls again would bring nothing but bad memories, completely undoing any point of a vacation home.
Katherine kissed his throat. “Of course you did, because you’re a good person.”
He winced. No, he really wasn’t.
A good person wouldn’t have said hurtful, cruel words back to Forrest.
A good person would have reconciled with his father before he died.
A good person wouldn’t have taken Katherine’s innocence without marrying her.
“I need a cigarette,” he said, starting to get up off the bed. “Give me a minute.”
She grabbed his arm. “Stay with me. You can smoke later.”
He flopped back down and stared at the ceiling, his leg bouncing in agitation. Why had he dredged all this up? The night had been perfect up until he started talking about Forrest.
Katherine moved on top of him, her legs straddling his hips. “You don’t like when things don’t go your way, do you?”
Sliding his hands up her thighs, he gave her a half smile. “You’re just realizing this?”
“No,” she said with a tiny laugh, bracing her palms on his stomach. Her luscious hair cascaded around her shoulders, a silky curtain he longed to drag his hands through. She said, “You haven’t made a secret of it, I suppose. But you can’t bend the world to your will all the time, Mr. Clarke.”
“Why not?” He cupped her breasts, molding and shaping them, enjoying the way she looked sitting atop him. He wanted to fuck her like this, with her lithe body riding his cock.
“Because you can’t control everything.”
After licking his thumb, he used it between her legs to caress the swollen button atop her sex. Katherine arched and threw her head back. He kept going, stroking, circling, while his erection lengthened beneath her. “Hmm, but I do know at least one thing I can control right now.”
A pleasure-drunk smile twisted her lips as she began moving her hips. “I’ll allow it.”
And for the next few hours, he showed her exactly the sort of control he meant.
Chapter Seventeen
Over the next few days, Katherine was busy, putting the finishing touches on the art show at the Meliora Club. She avoided another conversation with her father, still hurt that he’d hidden his new relationship from her for so long. So she focused on the exhibition during the day and Preston at night.
Any moment now, guests would arrive for the exhibition opening, and she was a nervous wreck. Would everyone like the collection? Or would they think her full of hubris, arranging this event to foolishly show off her mother’s prized paintings?
Nearly everyone she knew was invited tonight. If no one came, it would be more humiliating than waiting a year on a fiancé who had no idea she existed.
Walking around, she checked to ensure the right cards were placed next to each of the forty-five paintings. She’d done this several times, but once more wouldn’t hurt.
“Glass of champagne, gorgeous?”
Katherine’s head snapped up at the voice. “Nellie!” Relief flooded her. At least one person was attending tonight. “I’m so happy you’re here.”
“I wouldn’t miss it.” She handed Katherine a glass of champagne. “Here. You look nervous.”
Katherine took a grateful sip. “Of course I’m nervous. I’m worried no one is coming.”
“Balderdash. Everyone will come to support you. I swear, it’s like you have no idea how much people adore you.”
Katherine was already shaking her head. “You’re being kind, but thank you.”
Nellie threaded their arms together and began leading Katherine deeper into the room. “I’m rarely kind, but let’s leave that for the moment. The collection looks absolutely stunning, Katie.”