“Are you going to buy something or let the rest of us have a look?”

The voice that comes from near my shoulder is familiar, and it breaks me out of my thoughts.

I’ve been staring at the jewelry case, but it’s Catherine’s face I saw. The deep hazel eyes that locked onto mine and didn’t look away. The full lips that I know would feel like heaven wrapped around my cock. And an absolutely luscious ass. A woman like Catherine—independent and fiery—will love some of the things I’d like to do to that ass.

Even if she’d never admit it.

It’s Christian’s friend, Jessica. He set us up once upon a time, but she canceled at the last minute. It’s probably for the best. Things would be awkward at the Swan if she got it into her head that we were in love.

“Excuse me,” I tell her with a casual nod. “No. I’m not going to buy today.”

“Too bad,” she says, glancing down at the case. “They’ve got lots of gorgeous pieces.” Then she laughs. “But you wouldn’t need any of these. Not unless you had a girlfriend.”

I let out a hiss of a laugh. “No point in worrying your head about that.”

“I never worry,” Jessica says absently. “But I would like to look at the necklaces here, if you don’t mind.”

“Not at all.”

I step aside and make my way to the door. It’s a private showroom, and the security guard holds the door open for me when he sees me approaching.

Why did I come here, anyway? I’m not buying any pieces for Catherine, though I can see her with these jewels around her neck.

It was something to do.

Something to take my mind off her.

A distraction.

It’s a dangerous game. I need to up the ante.

* * *

Peter drives me to the penthouse, my mind more filled with Catherine by the second. This little venture was meant to cure that.

What a colossal failure.

I feel like a lovesick teenager, though I never remember feeling this way as a teen. Who would have made me feel this way? Not any of the girls at school.

I change into exercise clothes. What other option do I have?

I do have one option.

But I’m not going to go there yet.

Yes, my cock is throbbing from thinking about her. Yes, it would be easier if I could whisk her away somewhere private, have my way with her, and move on with my life. But that kind of thing isn’t on the schedule for today. It’s not on the schedule ever.

The machines in the gym hum. They’re ready, waiting.

I start with a run.

One mile, two, three. They disappear beneath my feet while I watch the sun travel over Manhattan. Four. Five. Six. I’m not much of a runner, but it has to work at some point. There’s be a magic number of miles that will let me focus on something else. Anything else.

I stop after eight, my legs aching.

It didn’t work.

Weights.

I move through every machine in the gym, a massive circuit that makes my shoulders burn and my abs light on fire.

Still, her face floats up into my mind. The way her ass moves underneath her skirt. The way she holds her head so high, the way she would look if…

I stand up from the leg press and stalk over to the towels.

This is ridiculous.

I thought maybe if I got physical my brain would reset. I thought I would realize that Catherine is as dispensable as any other woman. I should be over it by now.

Cleansing breaths. This should not derail my entire afternoon. This is exactly the kind of thing that leads to a disaster. Runaway emotions. Forbidden relationships. I want nothing to do with it.

I want a shower. That’s what I want, and nothing else.

The master bathroom is a cavernous space—I could have an orgy in here, if I were so inclined—and every detail has been engineered to my exact specifications, from the Raindance Royal shower heads to the shade of the marble countertops. I turn the shower on full blast and step in.

The water runs down over me, almost too hot, and I run my hands through my hair. How would it look running over Catherine’s?

That single image has my cock standing at attention.

This time, I give in, wrapping my fist around my length, bracing one hand against the wall. I set my mind free. I let it wander over every one of her curves. Those eyes. Those lips. Those legs…

Finally, finally, I get release.

My mind calms.

For five minutes.

By the time I’m out of the shower, I’m already thinking of her.

She’s got to get out of my head.

Or else…