by Ava McKnight
Ryan's gaze traveled over the lush landscape to the patio where Cat stood, looking lost and vexed at the same time. A tall, gorgeous blonde approached her. Ryan's lips curved upward in a knowing, mischievous smile.
"Don't discount me so easily. Elaina is only a means to an end."
Chapter Three
After nearly an hour, Cat was unsuccessful in locating the handsome billionaire. She contemplated her exit strategy. Only a handful of people would notice her departure. Not that many people here knew her well enough to take an interest in her brief appearance at what seemed to be the extravaganza of the year.
"You look like you need a drink.” The sultry voice that teased Cat's ears came from a striking blonde who offered her a glass of champagne.
"Thanks, but I was just..."
"Seriously,” the blonde said. “You are so not enjoying this party."
A soft laugh escaped Cat's glossy lips. “I didn't come here for ... oh, never mind.” She accepted the drink and took a sip. “Now, that's good champagne,” she commented for the blonde's benefit. And because it really was good.
"Ryan serves nothing but the best.” She took a long sip, and then said, “I'm Elaina Peterson. Who are you?"
"Catalina Bellasario.” At Elaina's confused look, Cat added, “Don't rack your brain. I'm nobody."
"Oh, come on!” gushed the beautiful blonde, dressed in a thin-strapped, curve-hugging, red dress. “You can't look that gorgeous and not be somebody!"
"Trust me,” Cat assured her between sips, “I'm nobody."
Elaina suddenly gripped her hand and dragged her across the tiled deck that encircled the enormous swimming pool. Before Cat had a chance to react, Elaina drew up short and thrust Cat forward until she was face-to-face with Ryan Donovan.
"Ryan, tell me who she is,” Elaina demanded. “I can't quite place her. Victoria's Secret model?"
Cat let out a hearty laugh. “Oh, Jesus! Did you pay her to say that?"
Ryan's ocean blue eyes glowed hypnotically as he grinned at her in his half-assed, cocky way.
Damn, he's handsome.
That thought had flitted through her mind at least a hundred times since she'd met him two years ago at a fundraising event for the homeless.
In addition to his billions and his phenomenal professional success, Ryan was cutting-edge hip. He showed off his incredible physique with the latest styles; his thick, dark brown hair was always perfectly coiffed, and he never, ever appeared in a photo without a pearly white smile on his face and a hot babe on his arm. At thirty-four, he was the ultimate catch. If one liked stunning good looks, to-the-nines perfection, wealth beyond one's wildest imagination, and a brain to rival Einstein's.
Admittedly, Cat was smitten with him. What woman in Chicago wasn't?
"You do have that lingerie model look to you,” Ryan mused.
Cat eyed him over the rim of her champagne glass. “Was ‘developing disgustingly evocative charm’ a required course at your prep school? Or is it a natural talent?"
Elaina giggled. “You are too funny. Isn't she funny, Ryan?” The perky blonde hailed a passing waiter and deposited her empty glass on his tray. She snatched Cat's crystal flute from her as well and replaced it with a new one.
Ryan lifted an eyebrow at Cat. “I was under the impression you weren't interested in mixing business with pleasure.” His head inclined to one side and he gave her a very seductive look. “Was I wrong?"
"Because I'm at your party on a Friday night, consuming my second glass of ridiculously expensive champagne?” Cat lifted a shoulder. What explanation was she supposed to give? She couldn't exactly come right out and say that she'd toss all of her scruples out the window to ensure the sale of the Lake Shore Drive property progressed. She couldn't say that she'd party ‘til dawn with the billionaire bad boy every night if it kept Michelle Eaton from ‘snaking’ her.
And, speaking of ... Cat scanned the large crowd, her gaze eventually landing on the pretty heiress who was her nemesis. Michelle was halfway across the vast patio, entertaining a small group of Japanese businessmen. Potential clients, no doubt. Cat made a mental note to find out who they were and what they might be looking for in investment properties.
"Have you seen the entire house?” Elaina asked, drawing Cat from her thoughts and saving her from having to lie to Ryan about her reason for being here tonight.
"I toured the first floor when I was here last year for a charity event,” Cat said.
Elaina leaned close to Ryan and whispered something in his ear. He whispered back. Elaina latched onto Cat's free hand. “You're missing out on Ryan's masterpiece! His study. Come. You have to see the second floor!"
Once again, Elaina dragged her across the patio and into the mansion. Cat was irritated for a moment, worried that her departure had just opened the door for Michelle. Would she swoop in and sweet talk Ryan right out of his negotiations with Cat? The contracts weren't signed, after all. Ryan had said they were still going through his legal team. The deal could fall through this very night if Cat didn't do something drastic.
Yet she didn't have the heart to rip her hand from the blonde waif's death grip.
"You need a refill,” Elaina said in her bubbly voice. She exchanged champagne glasses with another waiter. She touched the rim of hers to Cat's. “Cheers!"
Cat mumbled a half-hearted response and sipped her drink as she followed Elaina up the sweeping staircase to the second level. They traipsed down a long, marble-floored corridor. The place looked more like a museum than a house. Antique furniture was strategically placed throughout, and the most amazing, extensive art collection Cat had ever seen graced the tall walls. She glanced up at the domed ceiling and her eyes nearly popped from the sockets. A good twenty feet above them, the ceiling was painted with an elaborate mural that ran the length of the west wing.
Apparently, Ryan Donovan had more money than God. Not to mention impeccable taste.
Cat tried to keep up, but Elaina's legs were much longer than hers. The woman was at least five-eleven. Plus, Cat was feeling a bit tipsy from the champagne. And maybe a bit overwhelmed by the opulence of Ryan's mansion.
"Tada!” Elaina presented his study in a way that made Cat wonder what the blonde's relationship was with the billionaire playboy. She seemed to know him intimately and was quite comfortable in his private space.
Cat admired the enormous study, marveled over the first edition works on the tall bookshelves. Elaina poured them scotch from Ryan's private stash. They toasted the good life and drank. Somewhere along the line, Cat lost track of the amount of alcohol she'd consumed, but she assured herself she was in complete control of her mental faculties. She remained focused on her goal: to deliver fully executed contracts to Seth as soon as possible.
"Come on,” Elaina said, latching onto Cat's hand again. “I'll show you the guestrooms.” They toured six of them. Cat was so turned around in the gigantic house, she wasn't sure she'd ever find her way out. At the end of one long corridor, Elaina leaned close to Cat and said in a conspiratorial tone, “This one is my favorite."
They entered a large suite with sleek, black leather furniture. Sofas and a settee filled the sitting area. An enormous four-poster bed sat in the center of the room. Elaina crossed to it and gave Cat a mischievous look over her bare shoulder. “This whole room makes me think of whips and chains and thigh-high patent-leather boots. How about you?"
Cat swallowed down another big gulp of scotch. “Ah, yeah, sure. I can see that."
Elaina's look turned seductive. “I bet you'd look great on this bed. Tied down, spread eagle, wearing nothing but a black satin g-string."
Cat's eyes nearly popped out of her head. “Excuse me?” she managed to choke out.
"Oh, come on,” Elaina's tone was enthusiastic. “Don't you think this is the perfect bed for sex?"
Cat, unable to grasp the direction in which this conversation had abruptly gone, merely stared at Elaina, her mouth gaping open.
Suddenly,
Elaina stamped a tall heel on the plush carpet and executed a perfect, plump pout. She all but whined as she said, “Ryan, do something!"
Cat turned and nearly jumped out of her skin when she saw the tall figure standing in the doorway, a devilish grin on his too-handsome face. When had he arrived? Had he been watching them the entire time?
Ryan moved into the room. “I told you, E. She's not that type of girl.” He shrugged a broad shoulder, as though dismissing Cat.
"I'm missing something here,” she muttered, still stunned to the core.
"It's very simple, really.” Ryan closed the gap between them. “Elaina took an instant liking to you. She asked me if she could have you, but I told her I didn't think she was your type. I'm not wrong, am I?"
"No.” Cat shook her head vehemently. “Not wrong at all."
His grin was sexy, borderline wicked. “See, E. Cat's not interested."
"Yes, but I want her."
Visions of the spoiled Veruca Salt flitted through Cat's fuzzy mind. “I'm sorry. This is really confusing to me, so I'm just going to ... you know ... scoot on out of here.” She crossed the room on unsteady legs.
"Ryan,” Elaina said. “Make her stay."
Cat's feet seemed to freeze in place. She glanced over her shoulder, taking in the scene behind her.
With those three little words uttered by Elaina, Cat knew she was in trouble.
Chapter Four
Ryan's eyes glowed as he cast Cat an apologetic look. “I have a really hard time refusing Elaina. She's sort of like a pet to me.” His tone was gentle, confirming his affection for the pretty blonde.
Cat didn't have to be a rocket scientist to know the direction in which this curious encounter was headed. Elaina wanted her. Cat wanted the Lake Shore Drive deal. Ryan wanted Elaina to be happy. In their warped little minds, it was a win-win-win situation all the way around.
The time had finally come for Cat to trade her scruples to secure a real estate transaction. At least it was a prime piece of real estate.
The thought did nothing to quell her nerves or diminish the vast amount of disgust that welled inside her. She wasn't the unscrupulous type.
Nor was she into women.
Screwing Ryan Donovan for the property would at least have some added benefit. The man was hot. It wouldn't be the least bit tacky or unpleasant. In fact, Cat was pretty certain she'd come just knowing they were going to have sex.
But Ryan wasn't the interested party. If Cat was going to save this deal, she was going to have to sleep with another woman.
Oh, God.
That surely meant licking another woman's pussy. Could she do it? And would Ryan watch?
That last thought jolted Cat. Her nipples tightened behind the lacy material of her bra and a sharp stab of desire targeted that sensitive area between her legs.
Clearly, she'd had too much to drink tonight, because the idea was an erotically delicious one. Cat lifted her glass of scotch to her lips and sipped her drink as she mentally envisioned the scene. Ryan sitting in one of those big leather chairs, his long, powerful legs stretched out before him. Elaina lying naked and spread-eagle on the bed while Cat licked her nipples and her clit.
How would Ryan respond? Would it turn him on? Who would he fantasize about—her or Elaina? Would he want to fuck one of them, both of them, or just continue to watch them pleasure each other?
Cat shook her head to clear out the erotic thoughts and the all-too-vivid images swirling in her mind.
What the hell was she thinking? She couldn't do this! It went against everything she believed in.
And yet...
Her feet didn't carry her out of the room. Rather, she remained rooted, sipping her cocktail, looking from Ryan to Elaina and back. They were waiting for her response. Waiting for her to acquiesce.
Holy shit.
She drained the scotch and handed the glass to Ryan, who deposited it on a nearby end table.
She could either slink out of here and reminisce the rest of her life about the glorious career she'd almost had, or she could spend one wickedly erotic evening engaging in the kind of hedonistic behavior she'd only read about. Thereby securing her fate, securing her future.
She thought about her dream of owning a home. After so many nights in foster care, feeling like she didn't belong, longing for a bedroom of her own, she knew she would do anything necessary to achieve that dream.
Even if it meant going down on another woman.
It was one night of her life that would impact the rest of her life.
She could endure an evening of gratuitous sex with another woman if it meant she'd get her house. Besides, it wasn't as if Elaina was a dog. Christ, she was the one who looked like a lingerie model, all long, slender limbs, flowing blonde hair and large breasts. It wasn't like Cat would be having sex with some ogre.
But damn it, if she was going to make such a huge moral sacrifice, then she needed to know it was for a good cause.
She turned to Ryan. “Will you sign the contracts tonight?"
He nodded.
"I'll have them in hand tonight?” She had to know for sure she wasn't going to get screwed in the end. At least not in the business sense.
"You have my word."
Cat swallowed hard. She wanted to mentally beg her parents for forgiveness for the enormous sin she was about to commit, but instead she hoped they weren't watching over her at this moment. Perhaps there was a rousing game of Scrabble going on in Heaven right now that precluded them from witnessing their daughter's fall from grace.
Cat turned back to Elaina, who looked as hopeful and eager as a puppy dog in a shop window. Odd. Elaina was one of the most beautiful women Cat had ever met, yet something about her told Cat she'd never really known true love.
Maybe she was a foster care refugee, too. An overlooked child desperate for love and affection.
A strange feeling settled over Cat, one she'd never experienced before. Suddenly, Elaina became a kindred spirit. Unexpectedly, Cat took on the role of aggressor. She crossed the room to where Elaina stood, patiently waiting, yet visibly fretting over Cat's decision. As though she feared rejection.
Cat smiled at her. “I'm flattered you chose me."
Elaina looked relieved. “I'm glad you stayed."
Cat wouldn't tell her the obvious: that she was only here because of business. Somehow, she sensed this interlude meant something to Elaina. As though it was a validation of the younger woman's worth. As distressing as that was for Cat, because she genuinely liked Elaina and thought the girl had a lot of potential, she didn't say a word. Instead, Cat's fingers glided gently over Elaina's prominent cheekbone.
She was a beautiful girl. So perfect, she may as well have been sculpted by an artist. Elaina's pale green eyes glowed and she let out a long breath, seemingly exhaling the sigh of longing she'd kept within since she'd met Cat. Her body leaned toward Cat, as though gravitating toward her of its own volition. Her plump, glossy lips parted and her eyelids fluttered closed as Cat tilted her head and bridged the scant gap between them.
Her lips just barely grazed Elaina's. A whisper of a kiss.
"Mmm,” Elaina said in a low, throaty tone. “That's nice."
Drawn to her for some unfathomable reason that eluded Cat, she brushed her lips over Elaina's once again then pressed her mouth more firmly against the other woman's. Elaina's lips parted further and her tongue eased past her teeth to meet Cat's.
Shock registered first in Cat's mind. She was momentarily taken aback by the ease with which she and Elaina were engaging in such an erotic kiss. But her surprise was quickly replaced by desire. It swirled low in her belly, crept slowly up her spine. Cat's fingers laced with Elaina's, but their bodies did not touch. Their tongues tangled and teased, their lips lightly touching until Cat deepened the kiss. Sealing her mouth to Elaina's, she delved deep inside, her tongue aggressively seeking, tasting, pleasing.
Elaina's soft moan heightened Cat's arousal. But no more so than the k
nowledge that Ryan watched them. She could feel his presence, could hear his whisper-soft breathing. She could also sense his arousal; it mirrored her own.
Drawing slowly away from Elaina, Cat glanced over her shoulder. Ryan's eyes had turned dark, his gaze smoldering. He stared at her, as though mesmerized. Taking a few steps closer to Cat, he stood behind her and placed his hands on her waist, then eased them forward, wrapping her in a warm embrace. His lips grazed the side of her neck.
"You like her, too. Don't you, Ryan?” Elaina's quiet voice barely penetrated the hum in Cat's head. Her entire being seemed to vibrate with a mysterious energy she'd never felt before.
Ryan did not answer. Rather, his long fingers went to work on the tiny pearl buttons on Cat's blouse. One by one, he released the buttons until the material fell open. He slid the blouse down her arms and discarded it. Cat's eyes drifted closed just as Elaina reached a hand toward her. The other woman's fingertips pressed to her collarbone then slowly swept lower in a featherlike touch. They traced over the swell of Cat's breast, and down to the center that had grown hard upon that first kiss.
Elaina's fingers grazed Cat's nipple a second before she bent her head and swiped her tongue over the hardened point. Cat let out a low whimper. Her insides clenched, and an ache of need and desire throbbed between her legs. Elaina continued her task, her tongue and the rough material of Cat's bra wreaking havoc on the over-sensitized bud.
Ryan's mouth worked over her exposed throat, and Cat felt the sharp scrape of his incisors. She gasped, the feeling so erotically delicious she suddenly wanted him to devour her.
"In time,” he whispered.
Cat started. Had she spoken aloud? Her eyes fluttered open and she glanced down at the top of Elaina's head. The girl diligently licked and sucked Cat's nipple while the fingers of her other hand pushed aside the lacy cup covering her other breast. Elaina teased the nipple with the pad of her thumb.
Her disconcertion over Ryan's comment vanished. Cat's fingers twined in Elaina's silky blonde hair, wending their way around the plump curls. Ryan's hands eased over her hips then slid around to her backside. He worked the zipper of her skirt down its track and pushed the material off her hips. It dropped to the floor, pooling at her feet.
