Page 83 of Titus

“All overseas events for now,” she confirmed. “Everyone appears to understand, and the planners taking them over for me are allowing me to pick up their local events.” She shrugged, “We’re sort of trading business, so I can stay in Southern California.”

“You truly are an amazing woman, Ms. Veléz, and your sister appears the same. I see you are more loyal to family than business.”

“I never knew it until my family needed me,” she half-laughed at herself. “No matter how much it costs.”

I smiled. Fuck. This woman was going to be my undoing.

“Forgive me for prying, but will this be a burden financially?”

Shit. Why would I ask that? Of course it would. During the summer months, all of us elites had our events and galas overseas. Not in Southern California. She would be lucky to host an event once a month.

“I will be fine, Mr. Hawk,” she said, becoming more formal because I was speaking as if I had somehow earned this woman’s trust.

“Of course you will,” I said, glancing at the blueprints in her bag. “I see you may already have an event planned?”

“Lowell Jameston is hosting an event next weekend,” she replied.

I immediately felt every nerve in my body tighten. Of course, that piranha would be first in line to secure her, since she’s not going overseas for events.

“Perhaps there is something you can do as a favor to me,” I said.

I swear on everything that is holy that I am innocent of schemes at this moment. I just don’t want that greasy bastard anywhere near you, I thought.

“Okay,” she said, almost as if waiting for the punchline.

I wanted to tell her to cancel on Jameston, but that was the selfish side of me she already knew. I wanted to secure her for as long as she wanted to stay in Southern California and host all my events here this summer, just so she wouldn’t take the financial hit.

I had no idea why the sudden urge to pull this woman into my arms hit me so hard. Maybe it was because beneath all her ambition, composure, and beauty, Cat loved with the same fierce loyalty my mother always had.

Family before everything. Even herself.

Instead, I smiled and said, “You can treat me to dinner tonight if you’re available.”

“Dinner?” she said, as if I’d lost my mind.

“If that’s too awkward, I can take lunch with you,” I chuckled.

“You confuse me so much,” she laughed. “I imagined something else after everything you’ve been trying to do to secure me as your planner? But, no, you don’t want that; you want lunch or dinner?”

“I would take breakfast too,” I winked, took her hand, bent to gently kiss the back of it, then rose. “But no, Ms. Veléz, I won’t be taking advantage of you by doing the one thing you’ve fought hard not to do.”

“And that is?” she asked, breathless, and I loved it.

“Allowing me to cut to the front of the line and have you cancel on a client for my events.”

“Titus, you sent your jet and your drivers. You stayed at the hospital until John told you to leave. You used…”

“I know,” I said. “Tell me. Will you feel better if I asked you to dismiss a client so I could hire you?”

“No,” she laughed.

“I didn’t think so. That’s why my only request is to have dinner with you. I would prefer to take you myself, though I don’t believe you would allow it.”

“Fine,” she arched an eyebrow at me. “If you’re comfortable with a woman driving you around,” she smiled, and that fire in her eyes was back, damn if it wasn’t doing something to me right now. “Then I’ll pick you up at eight tonight.”

“Very well, I’m planning to be here until then,” I said, stepping back. “You can pick me up here, and perhaps tonight you and I can discuss something that doesn’t involve contracts for once.”

Her eyes widened, but in a good way.