Billionaires in New York Boxed Set: Billionaires in the City Books 1-3 by Laura Burton (learn to read books .TXT) 📕

terrible person,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. Edward put his arm around her and squeezed her shoulder.

“You? Not a chance. Come on,” he guided Catherine back into the apartment and closed the door. Catherine collapsed onto the couch and hugged one of the cushions.

Edward rubbed his stomach as the aroma of maple syrup came flooding back to his senses.

“I’m sorry to drag you into all this,” Catherine said suddenly, staring at the carpet white-faced. “I did warn you I just got out of a bad relationship.”

Edward joined her on the couch.

“We all have baggage,” he said softly. “It’s okay.”

Catherine looked up at him and her brows furrowed as if she was searching his eyes for information.

“Really? What’s your baggage?”

Now that’s a question.

Edward scratched the back of his neck as he cast his eyes about the room nervously.

“Really? You want me to lay out all the cards on the table?” he asked, studying her face. She nodded resolutely and wiped the corners of her eyes with a sniff.

“I want to know.”

Edward rose to his feet and puffed.

“My parents got divorced when I was a teenager. My mother took half of my father’s… business.” He shot a furtive look at Catherine. It was not entirely true. It was his grandmother’s business. But she had given a portion to his father. When his marriage dissolved, his mother took half of those shares, along with two houses, the Rolls Royce, and several priceless paintings. But to divulge that much information would have blown his cover. Edward swallowed and began to pace the room. “He was devastated. I don’t think he’s ever gotten over it.”

Catherine nodded along quietly as she watched him pace back and forth.

“Go on,” she said softly. Edward dragged a hand across his forehead as his thoughts went deeper.

“I’ve not allowed anyone to get to know me. The real me. Not even my own brother knows who I am.”

“I’m sure he knows you better than you think,” Catherine offered kindly. Edward shook his head.

“We’ve always kept things formal. Since the divorce, it divided us. David is too compassionate, you see. Too trusting. He had sympathy for our mother, and I took my father’s side.”

Catherine tucked her feet underneath her legs as she curled up on the couch and nodded for him to continue. Edward took a breath.

“My baggage? I guess it’s emotional. I don’t let people too close; I’ve never been in a serious relationship. My friends see what I want them to see. All because I –” Edward broke off. Suddenly overcome with emotion. His eyes grew moist and he blinked furiously.

“You’re going to wear a hole in my rug,” Catherine said fondly as she got up and walked over to him. Edward stopped moving as Catherine took his hands. “Why won’t you let anyone know the real you?” she asked softly. Edward’s chest tightened.

“I guess I’m…” he avoided Catherine’s gaze as he finished; “Afraid.”

Saying the word aloud had Edward stripped back bare. He could have been on stage at Sam’s club butt-naked, with only a guitar to keep his modesty, and he would have felt less vulnerable than he did at this moment. Never had he ever opened up to anyone.

“You’re afraid of turning into your dad.” Catherine brushed Edward’s hair from his forehead and reached up to clutch his bicep.

“Not exactly,” he took a step back, breaking contact. “Look at Calvin…”

“You’re not like Calvin,” Catherine said quickly. “I would never –”

“Never what? Because you’ve been giving me pretty mixed signals. One minute you’re flirting with me, the next you’re either running away or telling your family there’s nothing going on between us.”

“Edward, that’s not fair,” Catherine began as she reached for his hand. “We’ve known each other for what, a week? We haven’t made a commitment to each other, what is there to say? And they’re my family. If I tell them how I really feel about you then my mom will –”

Edward inhaled sharply and looked at Catherine with wide eyes. A bubble of hope was rising to his chest. Catherine stopped and her hand flew to her mouth as her cheeks grew crimson.

“How do you feel about me?” he asked, his heart thumping loudly in his eardrums. Catherine opened her mouth and closed it again. Then she hummed to herself, turning away.

“I’m sorry. All this drama with Calvin. It really messes with my head. You could say it’s been a confusing week,” she turned back to him. “Why do you ask? Do you want me to feel something for you?”

“Well, yes.” Edward laughed and took her hands gently in his, grazing his thumbs across her smooth knuckles. “I’ve never been able to open up like this. To anyone.”

“Not even a therapist?”

“Is that supposed to be a joke?” Edward raised his brows and looked at Catherine unimpressed. She snorted with a laugh.

“Sorry.” Catherine’s lips parted, her eyes twinkled, and cheeks lifted. Edward relaxed and took her face in his hands.

“You want to know how I feel about you?” he said in a low voice. Catherine bit her bottom lip with a grin. Edward grazed his thumb across her velvety skin and swallowed. “How about I show you?” he asked, leaning in. Catherine trembled in his arms as he reached the small of her back and pulled her in close. His nose pressed against hers and he tipped her chin up to meet her lips. They hovered barely a hair’s width apart, her breath tickling his upper lip, when it started to feel like the world was moving in slow motion.

What began as a high pitched screech, turned into a smash and something flew past Edward’s head. A gust of cold wind knocked him back and he stared at Catherine in shock as she let out an unearthly scream.

Edward looked to the large pane window that was now almost entirely shattered. He dashed to the ledge and caught sight of Calvin; face red and shoulders rising and falling at a rapid rate. Abruptly, Calvin turned and marched