ALEK SMOTHERED THE LAUGHTER HE felt at Cat's teasing. Instead, he placed a soft kiss on the white skin just above her breasts and smirked when she gasped.

'You know I do.' Before he could chicken out he pulled her back to sitting then spoke, 'Cat.'

He swallowed and tried again.

'Catherine, when we enter the ball together, people will assume something about us. So I wanted to give you the option either way.'

She nodded at him, an expression of concern in ...