Page 39 of The Catch

"You do?" Ames asks. "The piano, I mean—"

I nod. "All of it is true. I even have an expert booked to come in later today to do maintenance. Make sure everything is taken care of."

"That's sweet," she says. "Let me make dinner for you tonight—"

Dom clears his throat.

Aidan crosses his arms. "I'm right here."

"— for you all tonight," she amends, ignoring her ex. "It will be lovely."

"Please." Aidan scoffs. "Don't try to make me jealous. Saint can't stick to only one woman."

The comment is a blade to my chest but ignore it.

"And you could?" I challenge. "Because we're here for a reason. At least I would never cheat."

"It was barely—"

"'Barely'nothing, Aidan," Ames says. "It was a betrayal. A kiss or sex is only part of the issue. The real problem is that you didn't respect me or our relationship enough to do things right."

I surround her waist with an arm and give her a small squeeze. It's a reminder that she's not alone. If I'm honest with myself, it feels better like this to me, too.

"That's right, Ames." I kiss her temple. "You tell him."

Ames gives me the most beautiful smile I've ever seen. I bring her a little closer. The soft curves of her body come in contact with the hard planes of me. Her eyes sparkle, and I could fall to my knees if this means she enjoys being so near to me.

"Really?" Aidan's voice is more than skeptical. It's acidic. "You and Saint? You think I'm going to believe that?"

"Why wouldn't you?" I act as if I am at her feet— in my mind, I am. "I can't imagine a better fate."

I take her free hand and kiss her knuckles. It lingers. I never break eye contact with her.

She gasps. There's a true reaction in her eyes— heat I hadn't seen there before. That sweet, sweet pink tints her face again.

I drop my head closer, until I can see the subtle changes in the shade of brown in her eyes. Her pupils dilate.

I'm pushing it, but it's a chance to show Aidan what he lost. Even if it torments me with what I wish could be mine.

"Who knows what will happen now that you're staying with me," I tell Ames.

"If you start… flirting with me…" she breathes.

"I'll flirt with you," I say. "See what happens next."

A whirlpool shows up in my chest. My cock twitches. Is she interested, or is this pretend? She would have to be one hell of an actress.

The thought that this could be real wrecks through every reason I've listed for why this would be a bad idea. Right now, I don't remember a single one.

Damián is the one to clear his throat. Like we need to be reminded we're in public.

Aidan's words come at the wake of the sound. "I get it, Ames. You're angry. No need to make a spectacle—"

She stills in my arms. She stays close, but she glares at Aidan. "It's not up for debate. Whatever happens between Saint and me, it's for us to know. What I do with my life is none of your concern anymore."

"Okay, I apologize." Aidan lifts his hands as if claiming innocence. "I'm sorry you're angry. Let's talk. I just need a chance."

She shrugs. "You lost your chance when you kissed someone else."