Duke's Heart

She called him Ellington just to irritate him, and he called her Caitlin to irritate her. To family and friends, they were known as Duke and Cat. From the first moment Caitlin "Cat" Smith and Ellington "Duke" Howard met, there was an instant dislike for each other. Caitlin disliked his arrogant, superior attitude, but he was Zoey Howard-Bryant's brother and Zoey was her best and only friend. Over the years, and after many disagreements, she somehow foolishly fell in love with the arrogant, overprotective older brother. Love was something Cat avoided, convinced that she could live without it. She had issues in her life that had to be resolved before she could ever consider a relationship with any man, especially one with Ellington "Duke" Howard. Duke Howard knew Caitlin Smith to be stubborn, opinionated and feisty. And he wanted her. Over the years, he fought his attraction because he knew she did not like him, and didn't mind telling him. She loved his sister and his brothers, and only put up with him. After his sister's wedding, they found themselves making love through the night. After the best night of his life, she did what she does best. She ran.