Page 62 of Naughty Irish Liar

My belly started to churn and I kinda wished I’d stayed at home in bed, warm and oblivious to whatever this was.

Had he played me for a favor? I wouldn’t put it past daddy, he’d been on at me for more than a year how he wanted me to train in taking over the business one day.

I looked at him, this man I’d spent every waking moment with for the past few weeks, hopelessly falling in love so deep and trying to get him to fall in love with me and it was like looking at a stranger. His face blank. His voice silent.

What else was I meant to think if he wouldn’t defend my accusation?

My heart hiccupped.

“You’re talking crazy, Catherine,” he said finally, advancing toward me.

“Am I?”

Was I?

Then why did the guilt in his eyes make me want to vomit and cry at the same time?

Was I a favor? It wouldn’t be the first time a guy tried to get close to me in order to gain favor from my rich daddy.

It might not be money orientated … Ronan had plenty of his own, but it was something. Something I wouldn’t like.

Was teaching me how to pleasure him just a side benefit to whatever schemed cooked between him and my dad?

“You’re both a pair of shady liars right now. I tell you what, when you both have your story straight you can let me know.” I turned on my heel and tried to keep the tears on the back of my eyes for just a minute longer.

Glass smashed in my chest. It felt like I was swallowing spikes.

Oh, man. I felt for sure we’d been something real. Love really was a killer.

“Catherine, wait.” Ronan called out.

Almost colliding with my mom in the hallway she beamed a surprised smile and asked what my rush was. “Ask your husband, he seems to know everything.”

I knew nothing and that’s what hurt the most.

CHAPTER 18

Ronan

“What did I tell you? I’m fucking it up.” I sighed raking both hands through my hair watching her stalk out. She didn’t head for the front door, instead she took the staircase, so I didn’t immediately chase after her.

“Okay, what’s going on in here and why does Catie look like one of you just ripped out her heart?” The red headed woman striding through with her two-piece white pants suit fitted to her slim figure and diamonds around her neck asked in a tone that meant business. I could see where Catherine got her take no bullshit attitude.

“Jonathan?” She faced her husband.

“It’s not actually my fault, Emmy.”

I snorted. “Way to toss me under the bus, Jon.”

My mentor and friend didn’t so much as appear repentant as he rose and pulled his wife into his arms. My own arms felt empty—heavy without Catherine nearby.

My lies had come home to roost and as much as I wanted to blame someone else, it was my doing.

That look of confusion hastily replaced by hurt was my fault.

And up to me to fix.

“I swear men are thick as they are handsome. Didn’t I tell you this would all blow up in your faces?” Emma chastised her husband behind me who grumbled again that it wasn’t his fault. “Ronan?”

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