The Cruel and Beautiful Series Boxset

by A. M. Hargrove

  “Thank you, Drew. I wouldn’t change a thing. But oh god, it’s a good thing you have another career because you’d go broke as a singer.”

  “Yeah, pitiful, aren’t I?”

  “Never that,” I say conjuring up images of last night remembering how he makes up for the lack of singing skills in other areas. “But the cake?”

  “Just wait.”

  The waiter serves us and it’s an ice cream cake with chocolate cake and oreo ice cream.

  “It’s official. Best birthday ever,” I say around a huge mouthful of creamy, yummy stuff.

  When we finish our cake and all the servers and Michael are gone, I look at Drew and say, “I doubt this birthday could ever be topped.”

  “You sure about that?”

  “Hell yeah. This was nothing but a series of awesome.”

  Only he strikes me speechless when he gets out of his seat, drops to his knee, and takes my hands in his. “Cate Forbes, I knew the minute I saw you that I would be asking you this question one day. You have opened up my heart and soul to a love I didn’t understand, but now that I do, I never want to let it go.” He swallows and I feel the tears begin to well up in my eyes. “Will you say yes to being my better half? I promise to be Louise’s slave for life.” I open my mouth to form the word yes, but all the air has left my lungs. “Marry me, Cate.”

  He has the most adorable look on his face; all I can do is hug him. I’m so surprised by everything he’s managed to do, but when he reaches into his pocket and pulls out the ring box, he looks like that playful, excited little boy again. He places it in the palm of his hand and holds it out for me.

  Finally, words burst from my mouth. “You don’t want to put it on me?”

  “I want you to see if you like it or not. If you don’t, we’ll get whatever you want.”

  “I’m sure it’s perfect, like everything else about tonight.”

  He just holds the box for me to take. “It’s all yours, Cate.”

  I take it, open it, and feel myself smile from ear to ear. I close the box, and throw myself into his arms again. “I couldn’t have chosen anything better.” My body trembles from head to toe. I never in a million years imagined I’d be getting a diamond ring for my birthday.

  “You never answered me.”

  “Huh?”

  “Will you marry me?”

  “Yes! A million yesses!”

  He stands, spins me around, and lets out a huge whoop!

  “When?” I ask.

  “After you graduate and I finish my residency. Next year.”

  “Oh, that’s perfect. Can it be small?”

  “I don’t care if we get married in the Elvis Chapel in Vegas. I just want to be Mr. Cate Forbes.” He grabs the box from me and slides the ring on my finger.

  “Oh my god!” And we both start laughing. Then I sober up. “My parents!”

  “They know. I called your dad to ask for your hand and for his blessing.”

  I put my hand over my heart thinking how sweet that is. “You did that?”

  “Of course! I’m a southern boy, you know. Besides, my mother would’ve killed me if I hadn’t.”

  “And your parents?”

  “They know too.”

  “And?”

  “Can hardly wait to hear your reaction. My mom helped me pick out your ring. Do you like the solitaire?”

  “Yes! It’s what I always wanted. Just a solitaire. How did you know?”

  “Mom asked if you wore a lot of jewelry, and I said no. This is what she said to go with.”

  “Remind me to thank her. It’s so huge.”

  “No, it’s not. It’s two carats.”

  “Whoa. I’ll be afraid to wear this.”

  “Don’t be. It’s insured. I love you. You, Cate are everything to me.”

  “I love you, too, Drew. I can’t wait until you’re Drew Forbes.” I manage to say straight faced before a laugh bursts from me.

  He cracks a smile. Then his lids lower to half-staff and he says, “Let’s dance.”

  “What’s wrong?” I ask, because his mood has shifted.

  “Not a thing. I’m just so damned happy you’ve agreed to make it official and be mine forever.”

  He pulls me into his arms, and it’s here I want to stay. For a lifetime.

  Twenty

  Present

  For some reason I stand in the elevator glancing at my ring-less finger. I want to run, but I promised Andy I wouldn’t. I’ve been given a second chance and I’m ready to take it.

  The doors part and Ted is standing there, waiting. I step out.

  “Cate, just the woman I’m looking for.”

  I frown and say, “Me?” I place my hand on the hollow of my throat.

  “Yes, I have to reschedule our ten o’clock. I’m hoping we could do lunch instead.”

  I hesitate because I want to see Andy for lunch.

  “I’m actually already late for a meeting. I have to run. Talk to my assistant if you can make lunch.”

  He steps into the elevator and is gone before I can respond. I walk over to the cube I’ve been using. Jeff is standing there flipping through papers. He glances up when I get close.

  “What’s the long face for?”

  I shake my head not wanting to get into the Ted debate with him. “I think this is my last day here.”

  “No, come work for me,” Jeff pleads dramatically.

  I smile. “I’m going to miss you all.”

  “We should do lunch.”

  I give him a tight smile. “I actually have plans. However, it’s not like my office is that far away. We can plan a lunch another time.”

  He leans in for a hug. “I’m going to miss you. I have to run to meeting, but promise you won’t be a stranger.”

  Then he’s off and I sit at my desk and boot up. While I wait to log onto the system, I dial Ted’s extension from the list posted on the wall. After short conversation, I learn that Ted is booked solid for the day and going out of town tomorrow. His only available appointment short of something late in the evening is lunch. The project deadline is tomorrow. I have no choice but to take the lunch meeting.

  Sighing, I make a call to Andy to give him the bad news.

  “Hey, I’m sorry but I have to break our lunch date.”

  “Something came up?”

  There’s hesitancy in his voice. I can’t get mad that he sounds as though he doesn’t quite trust me. I have been running from him the last few weeks.

  “I have a meeting that got rescheduled to lunch. However, that means I can probably swing leaving early. Why don’t I come to your place and bring dinner to make it up to you?”

  “You sure?”

  “Yes, I want to see you again.”

  His voice is more relaxed. “Then it’s a date. See you later.”

  “I’ll call you when I’m on my way.”

  The meeting with Ted turns out to only be two minutes. I end up e-mailing him the document at his request. He tells me he’ll be in touch if he has any questions and apologizes for breaking our lunch date. Our conversation almost seems sterile. Clearly, he’s moved on after my refusal to go to France with him, which isn’t a bad thing. I’m grateful we can remain cordial with no bad feelings either way.

  Ted makes up our missed lunch by paying for me, Jeff and the rest of the staff to go out instead. By the time I get to my office at the firm, Mandy follows me through my door.

  “You don’t call. You don’t write. I thought we lost you to Ted.”

  I turn and hug her. “I missed you too. How are things?”

  She spins in a whirlwind and sits in one of the chairs in front of my desk.

  “How are things? I’ll tell you how things are. Daniel is dating that redhead downstairs from the law office—Tammy. And she’s not good enough for him.”

  I sit on the edge of my desk and face her. “In other words, she’s not you.”

  “Exactly.”

  “I can’t say I blame him. You tota
lly freaked after he spent that one night at your place. Then you pawned him off to other girls.”

  “Whose side are you on?”

  “Yours, but you have to see the part you played in this.”

  I have that déjà vu moment of saying words that have been said to me.

  “Fine,” Mandy says. “We’re going out Friday and finding me a new guy. And don’t say no. I see it in your eyes.” She holds up a finger. “You promised.”

  I sighed. “Fine. We’ll go out for drinks on Friday.”

  She stands and smirks. “I see someone isn’t in a dry spell anymore.”

  I open my mouth. She shakes her head. “Don’t say a word. Tell me on Friday. It will give us something to talk about other than Daniel. Anyway, I’m glad your assignment’s over. We missed you.”

  I spend the rest of the morning making sure my billable hours are in the system and I compose an e-mail to my boss about my two minute meeting with Ted. I currently don’t have any assignments, so I’m able to duck out a little early.

  At home, I take a quick shower and get dressed. When my cab arrives, I finish placing my takeout order to be delivered to Andy’s. The Thai place he recommended says it will be about forty five minutes. The ride to his place is just over thirty.

  I knock on his door and he opens it with grand smile.

  “Hey gorgeous.”

  “Hey you,” I say before lifting on my toes and giving him a quick kiss.

  When he asks me, “How was work?” it feels so domestic it’s as if I’ve arrived home.

  “Boring. I’d much rather have spent the day with you. What did you do all day?”

  He takes my coat and my skin feels electric everywhere he touches me.

  “I went to the gym, did some laundry, picked up my dry cleaning, boring stuff. I would have preferred being with you as well.”

  He kisses me as his hands slide down and rest at the small of my back. He pulls me closer and I can feel how happy he is to see me.

  I pull back far enough to say, “I ordered dinner on the way. It should be here in about fifteen minutes.”

  He grins. “I can accomplish a lot in fifteen.”

  “Is that a challenge or a dare?”

  His eyes twinkle and before I know it he’s kneeling before me. I run my fingers through his blond hair liking his blue eyes radiating up at me.

  We don’t speak. Holding eye contact with me, he pushes my skirt up my thighs. It might have been more practical for me to wear jeans since we didn’t have plans to go out. But I wanted to wear the garters because they make me feel sexy.

  When my skirt is bunched up at my waist, he tugs a little at the garters that hold up thigh highs. “You know I like these.”

  I bite my lips because I remember all too well.

  Then his mouth is on me. First through the fabric, then his breath heats my bare skin before he feasts on me. He’s good, so very good and easily gets me there. I let out an unladylike scream seconds before a knock sounds on the door.

  I cup my hands over my mouth as my eyes widen. My face gets hot as Andy grins at me, still on his knees. I point at him and then at the door.

  He laughs and gets to his feet. My feeble attempt at angry face is a massive fail because I’m flaming hot from embarrassment.

  “Just a minute,” he calls out and heads to the kitchen to wash his hands. He uses the towel to wipe his face and I duck in the shadowy hallway.

  I don’t worry about coming out of my hiding place because I’ve already paid by credit card over the phone. Andy only has to give the guy a tip. When the door closes, his guffaws have me narrow-eyed. He sets the bag down on the counter and comes to the hallway.

  “It’s not funny,” I try to say straight faced but blow it.

  “There is nothing to be embarrassed about. So you like sex. Who doesn’t?”

  “I screamed,” I say, feeling a little silly.

  “So what? You’re vocal about it. I like hearing you scream knowing I can do that to you.”

  He silences further protest with a long kiss. I can taste myself on his tongue as he presses me into the wall. His rigid cock rubs against me and I moan, wanting him inside me more than the delightful smells of the food.

  I reach behind me and unzip my skirt. I let it fall to the ground unceremoniously. Andy is in the process of undoing the button on his jeans when a knock sounds at the door.

  Andy frowns. “Maybe he gave me the wrong credit card copy. Stay right here.”

  I nod. I’m no longer embarrassed by the scream. I’m turned on to the point of not caring who sees me. Andy has a way of doing that to me. I curl a finger into my unders to take them off, ready for what’s to come. A man barrels past Andy.

  “Drew, my boy. I haven’t heard from you for over a week. That woman has you tied into knots. And you need to get out that funk. I brought food.” He holds up a bag. “And beer.” He holds a six pack of Yuengling with the other hand. “We can watch the Capitals play the Blackhawks. Or I have a hook up with a set of twins who live not too far from here if you’re ready to finally get laid. If we hurry, I can make that call and get them over here.”

  The guy finally looks up and even though the hallway is shrouded in darkness, it’s clear I’m not wearing pants. For a moment, I’m the deer and this stranger is hunter. I’m not sure who is more surprised.

  “Oh, you have company.”

  Everything happens so fast; Andy is already moving to block the guy’s sight of me as he was speaking. I have a vague memory of him the two times I briefly caught sight of him. I’m pretty sure he’s one of the friends Andy was with the night I was too plastered to get home by myself and at the masquerade ball.

  I crouch down and step in my skirt while six foot plus of Andy hides me somewhat. I’m so mortified I know I resemble a ripe tomato. When my skirt is zipped, I step up behind Andy. He glances over his shoulder before reaching for my hand and tugging me to step forward next to him.

  “Is this the one?” the guy asks. “She looks like the one we ran into twice. It’s her isn’t it?”

  “Yes. Mitch, meet Cate. Cate, this is Mitch, one of my friends from undergrad.”

  Mitch is slightly shorter but broader than Andy. He’s a decent looking guy with deep set dimples. However, he stands as if he has a chip on his shoulder. I’m not quite sure if he has a problem or if that’s his personality.

  “Nice to meet you,” I say reaching out a hand to him.

  Mitch just looks at it. Awkwardly, I drop my hand back to my side.

  “Cate, the one that left you in Charleston. Cate, the girl you came to Baltimore to forget. Cate, the girl you just happened to run into in DC. That Cate?”

  Even if he hadn’t said those words, the way he looks at me says he’s not my biggest fan.

  “Mitch, don’t start.”

  The guy looks dumbstruck. “Seriously? We don’t hang out much since undergrad. You show up in DC needing a place to stay for a while. Dave and I get you good and drunk and we hear this whole story about a girl who up and left you high and dry in Charleston. It takes a while to get your head out of your ass and move on, only for you to run into that girl again.”

  I should be insulted he’s calling me a girl, but everything he’s saying about me is true.

  “Now, she’s leading you around by the balls. If your mood is shit, I know she’s playing games with you. If you are in a good mood, then I knew she’s leading you around by your dick.”

  “That’s enough, Mitch. What I choose to do with Cate is my business.”

  “No, he’s right Andy,” I say.

  Mitch’s brows shoot up into his hairline. “Andy? What the fuck is up with that?”

  “Drew,” I say instead. “Maybe I should go.”

  “You should,” Mitch says.

  Andy cuts in. “No Mitch, you should go.”

  I don’t want to be the cause of problems with his friends. Mitch has a right to be angry. “No, I have work in the morning. I should leave.”


  “Unfortunately, nobody is going anywhere. Some freak storm that was supposed to miss us is pounding DC and headed to Baltimore to ram us up the ass. Maryland has declared a state of emergency. I’d already taken the exit off the highway when the snow started. I turned off Sirius to listen to local radio station and knew I was fucked. You’re stuck with us both.”

  I walk over to the window and I’m surprised by the amount of snow on the ground. It has only been less than a half an hour I’ve been here and the roads are already coated. Under the lamps that line the street, you can see that its coming down so thick it will be nearly a white out situation.

  “There’s a hotel in walking distance,” I hear Andy say, as I watch the snow with fascination.

  “So that’s how it is now. I put you up when you first get into town and you’re sending me to a hotel.”

  “I’ll pay for it.”

  I turn from the window. “No, Mitch should stay. I’ll go to the hotel.”

  “No fucking way,” Andy growls.

  Mitch and I both stare at Andy. It’s not often I’ve seen him angry. His stubborn jaw has nothing on the narrow eyes he gives Mitch.

  “Look,” I begin. “Mitch, you’re right. I made some poor choices with Drew.”

  “You’re damn right.”

  I breathe and let Mitch’s comment go for the sake of Andy. “I don’t want to be the cause of a disagreement between you two. Friends before lovers,” I offer like a peace pipe.

  “Bros before ho’s you mean.”

  “Fuck Mitch, stop being an asshole. Cate’s not going anywhere. If you want to stay, you’re going to be nice to her. You should start by apologizing. I’m a big boy. If I want Cate to keep my balls for me, that’s on me.”

  His words might have been comical if not for the tension that’s created a wall between Mitch and him.

  “I’m not wrong, so what am I apologizing for?” Mitch declares.

  “You’re right. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry to both of you.”

  I head toward the bathroom because I have nowhere else to go and I’m not crying in front of Mitch. I won’t give him that satisfaction. And If I leave the apartment, I will be running again and I promised Andy I wouldn’t run. I close the door and stare at myself in the mirror. I want to cry, but I won’t. If I plan to be with Andy, this won’t be the last time I have to deal with hard feelings. This will be only the beginning.