Chapter 42 – cat
CAT
Iset my coffee and almond croissant down on the conference table, taking my seat between two men in Armani suits. I’m definitely the only person at the board meeting not wearing a blazer.
Still, the energy in the room is good. Most of the board members have known each other for a long time, and they’re taking the chance to catch up before Nate makes his quarterly presentation.
A few people are flipping through the profit report folders.
There are no frowns, and plenty of pleased looks.
You’d never know Eleanor Walsh threw a chair through the conference room window three months ago.
I wasn’t there myself, but Nate told me everything.
She was furious when the board voted to remove her, and she didn’t exactly take it lying down.
When throwing the chair didn’t scare anyone into taking back their vote, she took a detour to the staff kitchen where she smashed half the coffee mugs.
Nate didn’t have the heart to call security on his own mother, but he didn’t have to.
Susie sent her packing with nothing but a few harsh words.
For a week after that, I half expected Eleanor to storm into Nate’s apartment at any minute, screaming at me about how I ruined everything.
Thankfully, she never showed. At the end of the day, Eleanor likes to deal with problems in her family by not talking about them. As far as I know, she’s still sulking in the Walsh mansion, pretending the whole thing never happened.
The conference room door opens and Nate strides inside.
As always, he’s wearing an impeccable suit, accessories today with little Eiffel Tower-shaped cufflinks.
I bought them for him as an impulsive present about a week after we got back together.
I wasn’t sure he’d wear them, since they’re just sterling silver, and his stylist didn’t pick them out.
I’ve been happily surprised to see them at every big event we’ve gone to since.
He walks along the conference table, shaking everyone’s hand in turn.
When he gets to me, he gives me a kiss on the cheek.
Nobody bats an eye. We’ve been dating publicly since Christmas, and eventually, everyone got over the whole situation.
I haven’t seen my name in the Toronto Tea in months, except for a single post from Peppermint.
They retracted some of the things they wrote about Nate, ending the post by wishing us both the best.
Of course, that hasn’t stopped them from writing about the rest of the guys.
James, Luke, Beau, and especially Ryan fill up the Toronto Tea headlines most days.
I would email Peppermint again to complain on their behalf, but none of the reporting has been wrong yet.
Ryan really did sneak into James’s apartment with three French ballerinas to use his steam room. James still hasn’t forgiven him.
I refocus my attention as Nate stands at the front of the room and clears his throat. “Good afternoon. If you’ve had a chance to peek at your folders, you already know that UPS just finished our best quarter yet. The Edmonton acquisition brought in a dozen clients…”
I take a bite of my pastry while I watch the presentation. Even though Nate’s frowning the whole time—some things never change—business is good, so the money guys are happy.
And so am I. The whole atmosphere at UPS has shifted since Eleanor was fired from the board and Nate appointed me in her stead.
I begged him not to nominate me—if sleeping with his former assistant looked bad, then I can’t imagine appointing her to the board would look much better.
But he argued that I deserved the job as the new head of the Walsh Foundation, UPS’s new charitable arm.
Apparently, the board agreed. They unanimously voted to let me join. I hear that a letter of recommendation from Susie went a long way toward convincing them I was the right woman for the job.
“And I’ve got some exciting news,” Nate says. “We just closed a deal with the University of Toronto. We’re now the exclusive security provider for all of their campuses.”
I gape at him. This is huge—he’s been trying to get that contract for two months. Since he didn’t mention it at breakfast this morning, he must have wrapped up negotiations right before the meeting started.
Most of the questions at the end are related to the new deal. When the meeting finally wraps up, Eric Hernandez, the chairman of the board, approaches me.
“I’ll see you at the gala next week, Cat,” he says, clapping me on the shoulder. “My wife is crazy about the Paris theme.”
“I’m excited to meet her!” I tell him warmly.
I’m excited for every part of the gala, honestly.
We planned it to belatedly celebrate the Walsh Foundation, so donors could see what we’ve done with our money so far and be plied to contribute even more.
I’ve worked myself to the bone planning everything before Nate and I hop on a plane to London for some UPS business.
The gala’s being held the night we get back.
Eric walks out with some other board members and Nate shakes his head. “I can’t believe you charmed that man, Cat. Eric has done nothing but scream at me since I became CEO.”
I shrug. “Have you tried being nice to him?”
His lips twitch—his not-quite-a-smile that he does more and more often these days. “It doesn’t work as well for me.”
When the last person walks out the door, Nate grabs my hips and pulls me close to him, nuzzling my neck. “You did so well, Kitten. All our projections for the next year are up, thanks to you.”
I laugh. “Don’t be ridiculous. I didn’t do anything, other than my job.”
“Exactly. You gave us all this good press with the Walsh Foundation, and it’s changing the UPS reputation. Our head of sales told me this morning that half of our new clients from this quarter chose us because of our company values. That’s all because of you.”
“I couldn’t do it if you didn’t give me the money in the first place,” I point out, tracing his lapels with my fingers. “You like changing the world just as much as I do, Nate Walsh.”
“Oh, I like changing the world, but it’s all thanks to you. You’ve made me a better, more selfless person. You know I’d do anything to make you happy, Cat Daniels.” He wraps one of my curls around his finger, a little habit he’s picked up that makes my heart skip a beat.
“I know you would,” I murmur.
“So give yourself some credit. We have contracts with companies I’m genuinely grateful to be involved with, thanks to you. I’m so glad to have you in my life, Kitten.”
I grin, basking in his words. “I’m glad I have you too.”
He kisses a sensitive spot under my jaw, making me gasp. “I want to show you how much I appreciate you.”
Once, I might have stopped him, insisting that someone else might need the conference room.
Now, I don’t argue. Nate’s helped me to stop feeling guilty when I put myself first. He’s so obsessed with spoiling me, that whenever I resist, he flirts shamelessly until I give up and let him.
I still can’t believe how cherished he makes me feel.
His mouth moves expertly over my neck, sending sparks through my blood. I can feel my face and chest heating as they start to flush. I glance over at the door, which is still open to the office.
“How about we take this ‘discussion’ upstairs?” I say breathily.
“I can’t wait that long,” he growls. He lets go of my hips and prowls to the conference room door. He shuts it, and I can hear the lock click into place. It sends a shiver of anticipation through me.
And that’s nothing compared to how it feels when Nate turns to stare at me. Instinctively, I take a step back so my ass is pressed up against the conference table.
Nate’s eyes travel from my high heels, up over my knees and my pencil skirt, the pale pink blouse that fits tight against my breasts. It’s the one piece his stylist picked out for me that’s a smidge too small, but I kept it anyway.
Mostly because I love the way Nate’s eyes glaze over when he looks at it.
“Fuck, Cat,” he groans. “If you keep dressing like that, I’m never going to make it to the end of a board meeting. I’ll end them all early just so I can peel your clothes off and kiss every part of your gorgeous body.”
I bite my lip. “That’s not much of an incentive for me to change outfits.”
His gaze darkens as he strides toward me, but I hold up a hand to stop him.
“Wait. You just finished a meeting you’ve been preparing for for weeks. You must be exhausted.” I smile sweetly. “How about I make some decisions for you this time?”
His eyes glow with surprise. “Go ahead, Kitten.”
I beckon him forward and weave my fingers into his dark hair. “Why don’t you start by taking your clothes off?”
He doesn’t hesitate. He starts with his tie, pulling it off and tossing it to the side.
His fingers move quickly as he undoes his shirt buttons and cufflinks.
I can tell he doesn’t want to sever the connection between us, so I keep stroking his hair and brushing my body against his as he pulls off his jacket and tie.
Those end up on the floor next to his tie, and I raise my brows.
“Don’t you want to fold those?”
“No.” His voice is rough as he undoes his pants. “I don’t want to wait any longer than I have to.”
Then he’s naked, his cock standing long and proud in front of him. I lick my lips in anticipation. I’ve watched Nate stay up late the past three nights, fine-tuning the presentation. I even heard him mumbling “profit margins” in his sleep.
He needs some relief, and I love that I get to be the one to give it to him.
Still fully clothed, I sink to my knees in front of him. His hard cock twitches, and I know how pleased he is with the view.
Wrapping my hand around his base, I stroke him gently. His hips jerk involuntarily at my touch, making me feel drunk with power. I haven’t even used my mouth yet, and he’s desperate for me.