Fat Cat Liar

I listened to him, knowing he was right as I put my plan in motion. Greer was easily swayed to spend an impromptu weekend away. She was even more excited when she found out we were coming to my family home in Connecticut. The minute we drove up, I knew I’d made the right choice to bring her. The look on her face mixed with Clay’s words replaying in my mind, and I decided to stop holding back.

“Lawson, can you come back here?” Greer calls from the bedroom.

I grin to myself, hearing a familiar silky tone that I’ve become obsessed with. It’s filled with playfulness, and my dick lurches in my jeans. Dinner can wait.

When I enter the bedroom, I stop mid-stride. She’s still fully dressed and staring at a frame on the wall. Her eyes come to mine, loaded with questions.

That damn picture. I forgot all about the fucking thing. I approach her slowly, never breaking our gaze.

“Did you draw this?” Her fingernail taps on the bottom right corner of the glass where ‘L. Hall’ is scribbled on the final design for this house.

I nod, my heart racing wildly.

“It’s phenomenal. The scale and ratio is exact and precise.”

“I know.” My throat goes dry when her eyes grow wider.

“Only a trained architect could produce this kind of work.”

“I know,” I repeat as beads of sweat pop on the back of my neck.

“Are you going to explain?”

I close my eyes and breathe deep, trying to find my words, then open them and make a decision. No more lies.

“I studied Architecture and Design at NYU. My minor was Construction Management.”

I brace for her reaction, knowing that, at any second, she could figure out who I am. Instead, her face lights up.

“You are gifted, Lawson. This is proof. It all makes a little more sense. Your love of architecture, the residential rebuilds, the family business… Do you help with the redesigns?”

“My company does a bit of everything.”

“You’re being modest.” She pivots on her heel and launches herself at me, catching me by surprise. Her lips land on mine, and she places closed mouthed kisses everywhere.

“Not that I’m complaining, but what’s this for?” I mutter, tightening my hold.

“I’m impressed. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.”

Guilt curls in my gut. It takes all I have to suppress it from clawing its way to the surface. Now’s the time to start putting my plan in place.

I thread my hands into her hair, placing my forehead against hers. “Actually, that’s one of the reasons I brought you here. I’m thinking of making some major changes in my career. I want to leave the family business and go out on my own.”

Her breath hitches, and she leans back to scan my face. “Why?”

“There are many reasons I can’t explain right now. But, since meeting you, I’ve become a different man.”

“What does that even mean?”

“It means I’ve done some very callous things, Greer, things that would escalate my career, and I did them without thinking of the consequences. Things I’m not proud of. Now, I want a different future for myself.”

“You’ve lost me.” Her hushed voice is laced with apprehension.

“I need to be a man worthy of your love.”

“You are a man worthy of my love,” she barely whispers, every word lodging deep.

“God, I hope you always feel this way.” I don’t give her a chance to respond, dipping my mouth to hers and kissing her with everything in me.