She called him Ellington just to irritate him and he called her Caitlin to irritate her, but to family and friends they were known as Duke and Cat. From the first moment, they met Caitlin "Cat" Smith and Ellington "Duke" Howard had an instant dislike for each other. Caitlin dislikes his arrogant, superior attitude, but he is Zoey Howard-Bryant's (A Player's Heart) brother the best and only friend she has. Over the years and after many disagreements somehow she 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 brother's and only putting up with him; until the night after his sister wedding when they found themselves making love through the night. After the best night of his life, she did what she does best. She ran.