“Movie?” Tristan asks after we go over a few things we need to get done this week.

“Sure, you pick something. I’m going to grab some popcorn and candy—and pee.” I hop up and head into the bathroom while Tristan looks for a movie.

“Someone’s at the door,” he yells to me.

“Can you answer?”

“Sure thing, hot stuff.”

Knock.

“Someone’s at the door,” I hear a fucking dude’s voice say.

No motherfucking way.

“Sure thing, hot stuff.”

I’ll kill him.

My whole body locks up ready to beat the ever-living fuck out of whoever is in her house. I don’t give a fuck if she’s happy with him. He’s done.

Time’s up.

He opens the door and I puff myself up taller. His eyes widen as he looks up.

Yeah, that’s right, douchebag. Now test me. I fucking dare you.

“Can I help you?” He smiles and I push forward through the door. “Hey asshole!” He calls to me but I couldn’t give a shit.

“Catherine!” I yell and he grabs my arm.

Without a second thought, I grab him and push him up against the wall. Holding him there with my forearm.

“Where is she?” I ask and he holds on to my arm trying to make sure he has access to air.

“Can’t. Breathe. Dying,” he barely gets out.

I lean in and my voice is cold as ice. “If I wanted you dead, you’d be dead. Where the fuck is Catherine?”

“Fuck you,” he says and I push harder on his neck.

The questions swirl in my head. Did he see her naked? Has he seen her face when she comes? Has he known what it’s like to sink into her and bury yourself so deep you don’t know where you begin and end?

My eyes narrow into slits as he tries to push against my arm.

“Jackson!” Catherine calls out and is already at my side trying to pull me off. “Put him down! Now!” she screams and pushes me.

“You’re fucking kidding me.” I let go and he slumps to the floor, gasping for air.

“You idiot!” She pushes me and goes to his side. “He’s my assistant!”

Ohhh, so this is her “not old” assistant, Tristan.

I stand there seething, ready to punch something, someone. I can’t fucking believe this. It’s been one month. One. Not a year, but a month and she’s already moved on. She’s already fucking someone else.

“Seems you moved on pretty easily.”

I’m too late.

“Unreal. You’re unreal,” Catherine says as she stands up after checking on him. “I haven’t moved on, you asshole!” She pushes me forward and her touch wakes every part of me. “He’s my assistant. Not my lover. You haven’t called, or anything, in weeks, and then you show up and almost kill my only friend here.”

“There’s a fucking guy in your apartment! What did you expect me to think?” I ask as she pushes me back again. I stumble, walking backwards, as the rage practically steams out of her head.

Nice. I’m retreating from a five-foot-two woman. I’m a pussy.

“Wait, this is Jackson?” the assistant says from the floor. He’s not a small guy by any means, but I’ll lay his ass out if he touches her.

Catherine glares at me and turns to him. “Tristan, can you give me a minute with my friend?”

“Can I watch?” he replies but his eyes stay fixed a beat too long. My fists flex unconsciously.

“No!” Catherine yells.

“Damn, he’s hot. Be careful, hot stuff, and call me in the morning.” Tristan kisses her cheek and I growl.

This woman is going to be the death of me.

Tristan smiles at me and then looks at Catherine. “Logan’s going to love this story.” He turns to me and extends his hand. “I’m Tristan, by the way. Her assistant. Her very gay assistant.”

Motherfucker.

I suddenly feel like I’m going to be laid out.

Or she’s going to kill me.

I extend my hand and grip a little too tight. I may have figured out what an idiot I am, but that doesn’t mean shit. “Jackson. Her …” I trail off not knowing what to call myself.

“Dead ex-boyfriend,” Catherine replies and glares at me.

“Nice to meet you.” Tristan looks me up and down, but I’m smart enough to keep my mouth shut and nod.

She walks him out the door while I stand there waiting for the wrath to begin.

Five.

Four.

Three.

Another two heartbeats pass and I anticipate her fury.

But instead she stands there with her back against the door. Waiting for God knows what.

Not sure if I should speak or keep my fucking mouth shut, I just wait.

“Want something to drink?” she asks sweetly lifting her brow.

I’m so fucked.

“No, I’m fine. Look …” I start to backtrack. “Think about how this looked for me.”

“Hmmm,” she says as she pours herself a glass of water.

“You’ve been gone a month. I fly here and some guy opens the door.” I keep going because if my foot is this far in my mouth, I might as well lodge it all the way in. “He’s calling you ‘hot stuff’ and I snapped.”

“Mmmm hmmm,” Catherine hums as she puts the glass to her lips and looks at me over the rim.

I start to make my way over to her. There’s no way I can keep standing here without touching her. “You would’ve lost it if I was with another woman.”

“Would I?” she asks, standing her ground as I stalk her.

I smile at this game we’re playing, stepping forward. “I think you would.”

Her lip slips between her teeth and I’m instantly hard. I need to get it under control.

“Why are you here?” she asks and her eyes drop to her glass.

Moving quickly, I’m in front of her in an instant. My finger pulls her chin up and my world stops. She doesn’t see it.

“For you.”

“Jackson,” she sighs and tries to step away, but I grip her and pull her closer. I breathe her in, and when her hands grab my arms, I feel her tremble.

“I had this speech planned out but nothing with us ever goes as planned.” I chuckle and she looks up.

Her brown eyes pin me and I need to touch her, taste her. I crash my lips to hers.

They mold to mine and I kiss her like a man dying of thirst. I need more. My hands move up and hold her neck in place. She sighs and my tongue delves into her mouth.

Heaven.

Every piece of her is heaven.

Catherine moans and I forget about everything but her. The sound she makes leaves me desperate for more. I want to taste her skin and sink deep inside her. I want to make love to her for hours until neither of us can move and then do it again.

She breaks the kiss and pulls back. “I can’t do this again. I can’t go through losing you anymore.”

Good, because that’s not happening ever again.

“I’m here for you. I’m not leaving.”

She looks up and narrows her eyes, “I haven’t heard from you in weeks.”

I walk towards her as she takes another step back. She’s not running from me ever again.