“No, that’s the only thing that’s going on.” Catie lied. Michael frowned and looked Catie in the eyes a few more seconds before sighing and letting her go.
“If you say so… Cheer up, Catie.” Michael said. He wanted to ask Catie to have lunch with him so that he could try to take her mind off of things, but from Catie’s demeanor, he figured that now was not a good time. “If you need anything and I mean anything give me a ring,” Michael said and Catie nodded. She doubted that she’d take him up on his offer even if she did need something, but it was the thought that counted.
Catie hustled back to her office with her copies and closed her door. She really needed to get her head in the news. The stories that Catie had been covering lately was nothing compared to the stories that she could be making about the shapeshifters. Catie took her computer off of sleep mode and did what she did everyday… research any wrong doings by the shapeshifters. She needed to get out of her current rut and Catie also needed to talk to Luke. There were so many things on Catie’s plate at the moment that she thought her head would surely explode.
“C’mon Catherine Ziles… you can do this.”
****
Luke walked into the bar after work like he normally did and to his surprise he found the spot packed. Luke smiled because business was doing well for his pride and made a b-line to the stairs. Luke could have taken the elevator to the ground floor, but even though he had money in the bank, Luke liked walking around instead of taking the easier route.
Luke walked towards the back of the basement to his office away from his office and went straight in. He was just about to shut the door, but Luke felt breasts pressing into his back. Without turning around to face the insatiable woman, Luke already knew that it was Donna.
“You can’t say hi, Luke? You make big time human money and you’re too good for the rest of us?” Donna purred seductively into Luke’s ear. He sighed and moved her hands from around his waist. If he and Catie was going to be serious, he couldn’t allow Donna to hang on to him the way that she did. Luke faced Donna then and saw the shock in her eyes.
“It’s not like that Donna. I didn’t see you when I first came in and I can’t really deal with all of those people up there. I’m kind of stressed at the moment.” Luke said and he thought of Catie and the information that he was withholding from her. Luke was a man that always got what he wanted, but Luke was starting to question whether he wanted to get Catie based on a lie or not. Donna didn’t respond to what Luke said, her eyes scanned up and down his body and soon the beautiful woman started to scowl.
“You’ve had sex. You reek of that human.” Lions had highly sensitive noses so Luke wasn’t surprise that Donna was able to still smell sex on him even though he washed his body thoroughly.
“Sorry, I thought I got it all off.” Luke said sarcastically. Luke knew that Donna was jealous, but he couldn’t help it that he wasn’t interested in her that way. Donna needed to learn to accept that because Luke planned on making Catie an integral part of his life.
“Who is she? You don’t need no other woman when you have me!” Donna shouted. The once playfully flirtatious woman was replaced by a fuming one. Luke sat down and looked up at Donna with eyes warning the lioness to back off.
“Donna… you’re an important member of the pride and I rely on your skills. You’re also a very good friend of mine, and even with all of these great qualities you offer to the pride, I will not let you talk to me like I’m some low ranking cub!” Luke shouted and Donna folded her arms and bit her bottom lip.
“Why don’t you find me attractive? Any man would kill to have me in their bed.” Donna said and Luke couldn’t help but to think that the woman was starting to sound a little desperate. This crush that Donna had on Luke was starting to get out of hand.
“I do find you attractive, Donna. I’m not blind. It’s just that you aren’t the woman that I’ve been waiting for. I’ve found her the other day and I knew that she was the one for me,” Donna frowned at that and averted her eyes from Luke. Donna didn’t understand how Luke could remain so level headed and calm when he was breaking her heart.
“What’s her name? What does she look like?” Donna asked and Luke’s frown deepened. Donna didn’t have the authority to be questioning Luke like this, but Donna wasn’t always one to play exactly from the rulebook.
“Why?”
“I want to know the name of the human and woman who stole you from me.” Donna said without a trace of embarrassment on her cheeks. Luke sighed then and closed his eyes to collect his thoughts.
“I will introduce her to the pride soon enough, there’s just some things I need to get cleared up before I do.” Luke said. Luke had to tell Catie the truth about his identity and of his troubled past, he just didn’t know how. Luke could smell it on Catie’s skin that she is the destined woman to be his mate, but all of that could be ruined once she found out that he is the one thing that she hated the most. A shapeshifter. “As soon as I get this straightened up, the pride will know her.”
****
Catie hadn’t heard from Luke for an entire week before he called her on Friday night. Catie was happy and angry at the same time when she got that call. She was starting to believe that Luke’s true intention towards her the night he took her to the Jazz club and the night that they made love like wild animals, was just a hit and quit. But then again, if Luke really felt like that, he wouldn’t have still taken her out after they had sex. Why did Luke go MIA for a whole week?
Luke apologized for the long silence and told Catie that he was very much still interested in her; it was just that he was so busy at work that he barely had enough time to eat or do anything else for that matter. Catie knew that the man had to be incredibly busy, not only was he an Associate Vice President for a marketing firm, but he also owned several businesses with some business partners. Catie could believe his story because Luke didn’t seem the type to lie, but that didn’t make not hearing from him less painful. After what they did, Catie felt that they should at least have a stronger connection because it wasn’t just sex for her.
“But… something’s telling me to be careful around him.” Catie said aloud. Catie had this feeling about Luke for a while now, but it was growing stronger as the days passed her by. Hopefully, it isn’t something that would make Catie regret her decision to make love to him.
Chapter Eight
Luke walked up the front stairs to Catie’s house and paused before knocking on the door. He was nervous. Lucas Curtis, a powerful businessman and the alpha of a pride of shapeshifting lions was terrified of a woman. Well… he wasn’t terrified of Catie; he was terrified about losing her before he had a chance to truly make her his.
“Get your head in the game,” Luke said running his hand through his hair before knocking on the door. Luke already felt a little odd for pretty much giving Catie the cold shoulder for the past week, but he didn’t completely lie when he told her that he was busy. That was true, but the main reason that Luke didn’t call Catie was because after having his way with her, Luke felt bad that he didn’t disclose his true background with her. Luke was just happy that the news reporter was forgiving and even kind enough to offer to cook him dinner when she didn’t have too. Luke’s breath caught in his throat when Catie opened the door.
“Hi Luke,” Catie said blushing slightly when she noticed the look in Luke’s eyes. Catie couldn’t help but to feel a little giddy as Luke gawked at her, it kind of made up for the fact that she was like that with him only a week ago. It was strange because Catie felt like she knew Luke so much longer than that. Catie wore a black dress that had several slits in the sleeve and several just above her breasts. Her back was exposed showing off flawless skin and the dress was so short that if Catie had to bend down, she’d be giving Luke an eyeful. Catie was aware that she was incredibly overdressed just to be having dinner at her home, but she wanted to show Luke what he had missed.
“Wow,” Luke wasn’t embarrassed to admit w
hen a woman left him speechless. Catie was a knockout and Luke was going to let her know that. “You look… wow.” Luke said again unable to get his words out. Catie wasn’t skinny by any means and Luke was sure that the dress that she was wearing was marketed towards slimmer women, but Catie absolutely killed the look. No skinny athletic chick or super model had anything on sexy BBW news reporter Catherine Ziles. Catie grinned pleased by Luke’s compliment and stepped aside.
“Thank you, you look great too,” Catie said as she looked at how professional Luke looked in his tailored suit; then again, Luke was always dressed to kill in her opinion. “You’re a little early, so the food isn’t quite done yet. Can I get you something to drink or to snack on while you wait? Maybe you’d like to watch TV, I heard a basketball game is on tonight.” Luke shook his head and walked through the door.
“I’d like to help you if you don’t mind?” Luke asked finally gaining back most of his smoothness. He might have been wealthy, but that didn’t mean he had maids and butlers on reserve. Luke liked getting down and dirty sometimes and had no problem when it came to cooking food. He hunted for his food as a lion, so he didn’t have a problem cooking as a human.
“Are you sure? I haven’t had enough time to prepare the table. Be gentle with me, Luke. It’s been a while since I’ve treated a man to dinner at my place.” Luke was going to make sure that he was the last man that Catie cooked a home cooked meal for.
“Of course sweetheart, I’d love to help. It’s the least I could do for… well, you know,” Luke said. He had to make up for his actions for the past week. If not calling Catie wasn’t bad enough, Luke made it even worst by not calling her after they had sex.
Catie watched Luke with weary eyes and could tell that a lot on his mind. Luke seemed apologetic for what he did and Catie couldn’t help but to brush the bad vibes that she was feeling under the floorboards. Tonight the two of them will have a proper conversation about what happened, what’s on each other’s mind, and Catie was going to ask Luke flat out where they were heading. They were moving pretty fast, but Catie kind of felt like that didn’t matter anymore.
“My dining room is this way,” Catie said as she led Luke through her house. Luke looked around the house and couldn’t help but to smile. Catie’s house was pretty girly, everything color coordinated and smelled fruity, and Luke was starting to think that maybe Catie would have been happier as an interior designer. “The plates and utensils are on the table, I just been moving back and forth between the kitchen and dining room that I forgot to set the table.” Luke smiled.
“Can I wash my hands? I don’t want to touch your clean dishes with my dirty hands.” Catie looked at Luke and seriously asked herself were there actually times where Luke wasn’t perfect.
“You just want to see what’s going on in my kitchen, but sure.” Catie said and led Luke to the kitchen. The kitchen smelled of seasoning and seafood and Luke started thinking that he was the luckiest man alive. Catie was beautiful and good at cooking.
“Of course,” Luke said smiling as he looked around the modest sized kitchen. Catie walked over to the stove and stirred something while Luke made his way to the sink. “What are you cooking by the way?”
“Lobster tails, shrimp, brown rice, white rice, fried okra and I just made some homemade guacamole to go with some pita chips I picked up from the store.” Catie said without looking over her shoulder. She had to admit that she was feeling nervous, but she was confident when it came to her cooking. She might have been on TV, but that didn’t mean that she never had enough time to learn a thing or two about cooking.
“Dang girl,” Luke said walking up behind her. Luke was so close to Catie that she could feel him breathing. She couldn’t help but to get a little excited about that. “Gorgeous, intelligent, and a great cook. I got to hurry up and scoop you up before some other joker tries to.” Luke said honestly before taking the guacamole off of the counter and walked into the dining room. Catie frowned at that because there were a lot of questions that she wanted to ask Luke, but she didn’t want to spoil their evening. However, Catie felt it was best to just to go ahead and get her questions out of the way. Turning off the stove, Catie turned towards the direction of her dining room.
“Luke,” Catie called out to him as she made her way to the dining room. Luke had already set up the plates and he was busying himself by dumping some chips in a bowl and placing it next to the guacamole dish.
“What’s up? Need help bringing the food in here?” Luke asked and looked into Catie’s eyes. His eyes were that same intense golden hue, but Catie willed herself to not get lost in his beautiful orbs.
“Well… I’m… I’m just going to be blunt,” Catie said and took in a deep breath. Luke gave Catie his full attention at that moment because the way she was acting raised red flags in Luke’s brain. “I know it’s real soon, but… but I like you. If I didn’t like you, I wouldn’t have slept with you and god knows that I never sleep with men that I’d just met.” Catie knew that most slutty women said that despite the fact that they might have had several one night stands, but Catie wasn’t that type of woman. “I can tell that you feel something for me, but I felt… used when we slept together and you didn’t contact me for a week. I even called you a few times and you never responded to my messages. So I guess I’m trying to find out exactly what you want from me.” There… she said it.
Luke wore an unreadable expression on his face and after a few moments of just staring into Catie’s eyes, he finally sighed.
“I know. I know that I handled that wrong. I used work as an excuse to why I couldn’t contact you sooner, but that isn’t the full truth.” Catie figured as much, but she didn’t want to call the man out on it.
“Then what is it, Luke?” Catie pushed forward and Luke looked away from Catie’s questioning eyes. Nobody has made him ever break contact in a heated stare off, well nobody until he met Catie.
“I felt bad… for not telling you something that I’m pretty sure you’d like to know about me.” Luke said quietly and Catie frowned. That definitely did not sound good.
“What? You’re seeing someone? Oh god, you’re married aren’t you.” Catie was wondering why she had bad vibes whenever she spoke with or was around Luke, but she wasn’t expecting it to be that.
“Of course not, I’m a one-woman man, and I was hoping that you’d give me a chance to become your man, but I know I need to tell you something first.” Catie’s face went hot when Luke said that he wanted to be her man, she was happy, but she couldn’t be completely happy because of this ‘secret’ Luke was keeping from her. She listened to Luke take deep breaths as he prepared to tell Catie what he was keeping from her. The longer she waited for Luke to speak, the more terrified she got.
“Come on, Luke. Just tell me,” Catie said and Luke brought his golden eyes back to her. It was now or never.
“Catie… I’m a shapeshifter.” Catie’s eyes flew wide open in surprise as she felt all of her sense of dread wash over her.
Her heart momentarily stopped beating.
Chapter Nine
Catie opened her mouth, closed it, opened it, and closed it again. Words could not form on her quaking lips. Luke bit his lip and sighed as he looked at the woman literally falling apart in front of him. He knew that this information was probably going to be the end of the beginning for them, but he didn’t want to live a lie.
“Catie…” Luke said and reached his large hand out to clutch Catie’s face. Without even thinking about it, Catie slapped Luke’s hand out of the way before he could touch her.
“What did you say?” Catie asked out of breath. Maybe she heard him wrong because there was no way that Luke just told her that he was a shapeshifter when she told him just the other day how much she detested them. “What did you say, Luke?” Catie asked again louder when Luke didn’t respond to her,
“I can change into a lion, Catie. I’m a shapeshifter.” Luke said elaborating. Catie looked at Luke then like he had lost hi
s mind. Catie placed her hand to her head as emotions of sorrow and hate fought for dominance. “Please say something, Catherine.” Catie’s eyes went from left to right as she tried to process what Luke had said to her. This had to be a dream, this couldn’t be reality, but the throbbing pain from Catie’s incoming headache told Catie otherwise. In pure anger, Catie balled up her fist and threw it towards Luke’s perfectly chiseled face.
“I invite you into my house, I gave you my time and even slept with you and you’re telling me you’re one of those monsters?” Catie screamed in anger. She’d spent all this time agonizing about how Luke felt about her and marveling about how gorgeous and kind he was and he was the thing that she hated most.
“I am not a monster, Catie. I will never intentionally hurt you or anyone else.” Luke said and moved closer to Catie as she moved back.
“What did you do to me?” Catie shouted as tears started forming in her dark eyes. She always stood by what she believed in and the fact that Luke was standing there in her home made her a hypocrite. Catie was supposed to be exposing shapeshifters for the monsters that they are, not sleeping with them.
“Catie, I haven’t done anything to you. I’ve never hurt you or lied about my intentions. I know it’s real soon, but I care for you. I want to be with you, Catie. I’m only telling you this because I don’t want to start our relationship off with a lie.” Luke said and walked closer to her again. He wanted Catie to hear him out, not push him away.
“Don’t touch me! Get the fu…” Catie bit her lip and looked around quickly. She walked over to the still hot lobster tails and started throwing them at Luke. Anything that was in Catie’s reach was thrown at Luke. “I don’t like your kind! You’re a menace to society! You’re murderers!” Catie screamed as she hurled everything that was within arm’s reach at Luke. Being a lion, Luke dodged it without any problems, but it still hurt. It hurt to have the woman that he cared about react this way to him.
Romance: My Stepbrother's Plaything Page 25