Catherine's POV
After Dane's call I became very angry and restless, it's unlike me to lose my cool and even after all I have went through I rarely get mad to the extent of expressing it.
I need to learn and practice self control at the face of provocations. That was what I was thinking about until a brief knock sounded on my door.
I had changed into my pajamas and my face was bare, I opened the door to see Gerald by the door. He was dressed in a white shirt that had a few buttons undone and his hair was slightly wet as if he just got out of the shower not quite long ago. His minty musk wafted around my nose again.
"Do you mind joining me for a glass of wine in the garden?" He asked politely and I was pleasantly surprised by his invitation.
We have a lot to talk about and I knew he had taken that into consideration before coming to invite me out for wine.
I accepted his invite and asked him to give me a few minutes.
I went back into my room and thought of changing out of the pajamas for a dress but I changed my mind and picked up a jacket instead.
I have no idea the mansion has a garden and it was by the side of the house, shielded by a tall fence.
We walked there in silence and I was glad I took a jacket as the air had became cooler than it was during the day.
A table and two chairs had been set up for us in the middle of the garden, two bottles of red wine on the table. Two wines glasses and some water.
He pulled out a seat for me and I smiled at the gesture.
I watched him uncorked the wine and poured it into our glasses.
"You said you have a few questions for me. I think this is best time to respond to your questions". He said after sitting down and taken a sip out of the crimson drink.
I took a sip out of mine too and grimaced, although it had a sweet scent and a decent colour it taste pretty nasty and burnt slightly down my throat.
"If you don't like it, I can have them bring another one". He offered, I guess my facial expression had shown the little like I like for the drink.
"No, it's alright." I lied and refused his suggestion.
"So?"
"I…umm
My first question is, what did you do before you retired?" I asked, although with a slight difference in his expression he forced a smile.
"I guess you got curious enough to ask".
I nodded and noticed his hesitation. He took another sip out his drink and I did the same.
If I'm going to be living with someone, atleast I need to know enough about him so I don't get surprised like I did today and was forced to ride with the moment.
"I come from a military family, I have spent over a decade in service before an injury two years ago and I was forced by my father to retire." He explained, his expression cold as he talked about himself as if it was someone else.
"Do you go to war?" I asked, my curiosity winning over the need to ask reasonable questions.
"No, I don't but as you know shit happens". He replied and I nodded.
Indeed shit happens but I could tell he was hiding some things away from me. I didn't press on.
I would have to find out the rest by myself.
"Any other question?" He asked and I thought silently for a few seconds before nodding.
"Yes".
"Why did you introduced me as your wife to your father?" I asked, the word felt weird to say out loud and that made him chuckle.
"Because you are, Or aren't you?". He asked, leaning close and with the closeness of his face I was flustered for a few seconds before he leaned back.
"I also have a question". He spoke in a clear voice.
"What is your plan?". He asked suddenly and that made me take another sip out of my drink.
"You said you wanted to handle them yourself, what is your plan to achieve that?" He asked again and I looked down into my glass.
I want a payback but I don't have a plan, but how do I say that to him.
That I want live for myself and make a name for my myself, where do I even start from?
I had studied business and accounting in school because I wanted to be a perfect part of my father's company and not because I wanted it.
"It's alright if you don't have a plan, yet but let me know as soon as you come up with one." He said and I nodded.
We stayed in total silence and continued drinking the wine while watching the stars scattered around the blue sky. I don't have any idea how much I had drank until my head felt light all of a sudden.
I stood up on wobbly legs and almost fell but he rushed forward to catch me. I fell into his strong arms, he steadied me and I was flustered. I stared into his eyes and maybe it was the alcohol but a crazy thought popped up in my mind.
He looked hot, smoking hot.
"Are you alright?" He spoke and instead of that knocking some sense into me—I found his voice enchanting.
"You sound so sexy". I whispered and that was my intrusive thoughts again.
I gasped and immediately detached myself from him and moved back a few steps to put some space between us. He chuckled and moved closer with opened arms to catch me if I fall.
"I did not mean to say that". I said, trying to apologize for what I just said.
"It's alright". He dismissed, but I turned it again.
"Wow, that's hot". I muttered and he cocked an eyebrow at me.