Chapter 21 : Lying and Cheating

**Cat POV I clenched my fist around the dish towel as Luke walked into the living room. Jason had left the door open on his way out. What the h*ll was I supposed to say to him? Luke had slept with me even though he had a girlfriend. He'd cheated on Victoria with me, and I had stared her down with the knowledge that her boyfriend had been unfaithful. When Luke had said he was having relationship problems, I hadn't thought he still had a girlfriend when he seduced me. "Cat, how did you fare today with work?" he asked cheerily as he came into the living room. I twisted the dish towel in my hands, wringing it like I could squeeze all my anger out of it like water. "It was fine, Mr. Carter," I snipped. I started wiping down the counter with the towel, even though it was perfectly clean. I hadn't cooked in that kitchen at all since I'd arrived. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Luke standing in the kitchen doorway. He had his arms crossed, shoulder leaning against the frame. It was such a casual posture. He was standing there like nothing out of the ordinary was going on. "Mr. Carter?" he asked, arching an eyebrow. "I reviewed all the plans that you sent and came up with some notes. I can send my notes along tomorrow morning," I offered, keeping my voice professional and tight. "Thank you, that would be appreciated," Luke said, his tone dipping into a cool range. I dropped the dish towel and turned to face Luke. How could I yell at him for cheating on his girlfriend with me? After he knew what Aaron and his sister had done to me, Luke was acting like he hadn't done the same thing to his own girlfriend. I'd never be able to face Victoria again, and from the sounds of it, I'd have to because she was involved in Luke's business. I would have to tell her the truth. It would probably cost me my job, and it would probably destroy Luke's relationship with Victoria, but I couldn't lie to her. I couldn't let Luke lie to her. My own relationship ending that way had nearly destroyed me. Especially when I learned it had been going on for a long time behind my back. Luke and I had only slept together one time, but she still had a right to know. "Cat, why are you cleaning the kitchen? It looks like you haven't even used it." Luke asked. I tapped my fingers on the countertop, my nails clicking against the granite. "I'm thinking," I said snappily. "Right," Luke said firmly, creasing his brow. "Why are you here? You didn't have to come over here in person to check on my workday," I said, putting my hands on my hips. "I was being neighborly, but I'm getting that this isn't the right time," he said, his lips in a firm, tight line. "We aren't neighbors, Mr. Carter, I'm your employee," I reminded him. "Certainly. Speaking of being my employee, did you see what I left for you?" he asked. "Um… no?" I asked, creasing my brow. I wanted to put distance between us. Luke had been so nice and welcoming. I had to stop that now that I knew he had a girlfriend. That would make everything easier. "Come on. I have something for you," Luke said. He gestured for me to follow him as he left the cottage. "I don't want to play games, Mr. Carter," I said in a clipped tone. "This isn't a game. It's work," he assured me, grinning at me. I didn't return his smile. This felt like a game. I had learned enough about Luke to know when he was playing with someone. Did he think that my mood was somehow a joke? Luke led me to the living room where there was an envelope on the coffee table. He grabbed the envelope and handed it to me. "What's this?" I asked. "Open it and take a look," Luke said, nodding to the envelope. Narrowing my eyes suspiciously, I took the envelope. It wasn't sealed, so I flipped the tab back and looked inside. There was a pamphlet for the Caribbean island project in the envelope. I creased my brow and pulled it out. Another piece of paper slipped from inside the pamphlet and landed on the living room floor. Bending down, I picked up the paper and turned it over. "Luke…" I was holding an itinerary for a flight down to the Caribbean. "We are taking a trip down to the Caribbean so you can see the new project sight," he told me before I could argue. It was work-related, which meant I couldn't back out. "We'll have a lot of work to do when we are there. The local authorities want to meet with us and make sure we aren't overstepping any boundaries," Luke explained. "It is for three days from now," I pointed out, holding the ticket out and pointing to the date. "Yes, it is. I wanted to make sure you had enough time to pack," he said, nodding. "Pack what?" I muttered to myself. "This itinerary is just for the outgoing flight. I need to be back by the twentieth for my friend's wedding," I said, tucking the sheet back into the pamphlet. As much as I didn't want to take a one-on-one trip with Luke, I was the lead architect on the project. I had to be there at the sight to help set everything up. I had to make a relationship with the local authorities because I'd be working with them on this project. "Yes, your friend Barbs, correct? She's the one getting married?" Luke asked, crossing his arms casually. He sat on the couch and put his feet up on the coffee table. "Y-yes. That friend. How do you know that?" I asked, putting my hands on my hips. The envelope and plane ticket crumpled in my hand. "Her fiance is an associate of mine," Luke said casually. I scoffed and shook my head. No wonder Barbs had been at the investor event. She probably knew Luke before I ever did. As mad as I was at Barbs, she was still my best friend and I would be there for her on her wedding day. By the time the wedding came around, I would probably already forgive her for how she'd talked to my mom and Aaron behind my back. "Of course, you know them. That's just perfect," I muttered, shaking my head. "I'm just going to support a friend. Just like you, I got my invitation before we ever met," Luke said, his tone even and smooth. "You have every right to be there," I stated firmly. Luke's brow furrowed, and he stood up. He took a step toward me, and I took a step back. His brow furrowed deeper, and he crossed his arms again, pursing his lips. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, his phone went off. Buzz. Buzz. Buzz. Luke pulled his phone out of his pocket and shook his head. I could see the name "Victoria" on the screen. How perfect was that? His girlfriend was calling while he was talking to me, the woman he'd cheated on her with. My blood boiled in my veins. I couldn't stand it! I clenched my hands around that little envelope, my whole body shaking like my bones would break out of my skin. Luke sighed and shook his head. He ignored Victoria's call. My mind reeled with all the times Aaron hadn't picked up when I called him. I started to wonder how many of those times he'd been with Fiona. "You're just going to leave her hanging?" I snapped. Luke looked up at me, eyes dancing with confusion. "I can call her back when I'm not talking to you." "That's not how you should treat her!" I snapped. "Cat, is there something you want to talk about?" he asked, cocking his head to the side. I shook my head and turned away from Luke. I couldn't look at him, not when he was using me as an excuse not to talk to his girlfriend. My stomach lurched. I thought I'd get sick right there on Luke's new, perfectly polished leather couch. I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to soothe my raging stomach. I blinked tears back and swallowed a sniffle. I wouldn't let Luke see me cry and be upset. "Is this about Fiona, still? I'm sorry for what she did and the trouble she's caused," Luke offered, his voice soft. "Yes, that's what this is about," I grumbled sarcastically, rolling my eyes even though he couldn't see. "I'd like to try and make it up to you. If you'd let me, I could take you out to dinner, my treat," Luke said. I heard a small smile in his voice. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I whipped around, throwing my arms out to the sides. "You want to take me to dinner? You're asking me to go on a date? Are you insane!?" I snapped. Luke took a step back, eyes wide. "Did something happen today?" "No, it wasn't today, it is every day that we are here together!" I cried, shaking my head. "I don't understand, Cat. If this isn't about Fiona… where is this coming from?" he asked, his eyes soft with concern. "We just need to keep things professional, okay? We're not friends. I'm your employee. You're my boss," I stated firmly. "Okay," Luke said, nodding but still looking confused. "So, I work for you. At the end of the day, I leave work over there in the office and go home to my own life, which doesn't include you, okay?" I asked. He was looking at me funny like he still didn't understand where I was coming from. It didn't matter whether he knew why I was mad or not. I wasn't going to let him use me the way Aaron used Fiona. Victoria wasn't my favorite person, but I wasn't going to let her get hurt the same way I did. I couldn't let anyone get hurt that way. "So, we're clear. This is all professional?" I asked again with a sharp nod. "Yes, Miss Walker, we can keep this professional," he said, his voice turning cold. "Good!" I said sharply. Keeping my eyes on Luke, I collected the travel information he'd given me and left. Now that he knew where I stood, hopefully, he'd stop playing games and doing me favors. As long as this was just business, I wouldn't be in the way of his relationship.