Thank you so so much for the reviews and for your appreciation! After last episode I'd say everybody is really happy about how things are going for our ship, I totally am! Some of you asked me to write about the night Catherine and Ian shared at the hotel but if you read my last chapter carefully you know I couldn't; after their "encounter" in the bathroom she run away so… but I promise this chapter won't disappoint you. Read and review, thanks!
PS: Guys, start writing about this couple! We need more fanfictions! :D
Bickman was out of town for personal business and Catherine felt relieved. After the shooting something changed but she wasn't still ready to admit it with herself. She has been afraid to lose him and it wasn't some kind of joke, he could have died and… she couldn't let herself to think about it, thank goodness it didn't happen. Their hug in her office was still so vivid in her mind, she could still feel his strong arms holding her tightly, his head on her shoulder and so many unspoken words lingering between them.
She sighed, his departure was a good thing, they needed to put some distance between them and working together every day made it quite impossible.
That weekend she had to fly to the city of angels to give a speech at the Los Angeles Neurological Institute, there would also have been a gala and two days of conference. It reminded her months before in San Francisco when she skipped the meds… she bit her lip, she couldn't do it again, absolutely not!
…
Los Angeles was exactly like she remembered: alive, noisy and beautiful in its own way. From the cab's window Catherine watched the sun shining upon the city, the buildings and the immense streets, they were stuck in the traffic but everybody seemed so calm, not like in New York where people yelled and honked: they were two amazing cities and yet so different. She was glad to be there, far from everything and everybody, doing her job and anything else, breathing a different air and enjoying the city.
She was staying at Beverly Wilshire hotel, a Four Season Hotel, courtesy of The Cube. As soon as she arrived the porter helped her with the luggage and the clothes hanger, inviting her to follow him inside.
The marbled lobby was in all shades of beige and brown, four columns dominated the space, there was a table with several vases of white roses in the middle of the room and above that a gorgeous chandelier.
Dr. Black passed the entrance heading to the reception where the concierge welcomed her to Beverly Wilshire hotel and sent someone to accompany her to her suite. The Rodeo Studio had a spacious living room, a comfortable king bed and a fantastic view of Rodeo Drive, it was a cozy and elegant space, she was sure she'd have enjoyed her stay. After giving the tip to the guy, Catherine just laid down on bed stretching, she was tired but only had a couple of hours to get ready, to take a shower and wait for the make-up artist and hair stylist the hotel provided her.
She sighed and started stripping.
Two hours later…
Catherine Black loved fashion but she wasn't used to wear formal gowns at all.
She usually had on comfortable outfits at work, nothing too fancy and that was the reason why she was looking at herself in the mirror with an expression of genuine surprise. Her red locks were styled in a soft braided side bun, her impeccable smoky eye and nude lip make-up made her feel so sophisticated but the "wow" factor was represented by the dress: a dark blue cap sleeve velvet gown with a sexy deep V-neckline and thigh high slit featuring a beaded encrusted belt following an open back. She matched it with a pair of Giuseppe Zanotti crystal-embellished ankle cuff black sandals and a clutch… She was simply stunning. She put the key room and her phone in the clutch and headed downstairs.
As soon as Dr. Black stepped out the elevator, a hostess escorted her to the ballroom. She entered the room taking a glass of Champagne a waiter offered her and took a look around: beautiful centerpieces with white roses were placed on the tables, she eyed the white fine linen of tablecloths, crystals glasses and sterling silver flatware. Everything was lovely arranged by the hotel staff.
Lost in the train of her thoughts, she didn't even notice the glances every man in the room was casting her, everybody knew her – her fame and work preceded her – but they were certainly not used to see her shine like that. Catherine smiled reaching her table – her flirty nature coming to surface – and sat down. She was prepared to another boring event: the usual dinner, speech and finally bed but she couldn't be more wrong.
During the evening Dr. Black enjoyed the seven course meal chatting politely with the other guests next to her and at last gave her brilliant speech, which was well-received by the audience. She watched the time, it was still early, she snorted ready to head to her room but apparently all the guests were being escorted to the next ballroom… such a weird and unexpected thing. An orchestra was playing smooth and relaxing songs and people started dancing in their beautiful and expensive gowns, Catherine looked around amused, it was quite interesting seeing all these well polished men and women, scientists, letting themselves go for a night. She had no interest in dancing, on the contrary she was thinking to go changing her clothes and go out to enjoy the city, she was about to turn around when a strong arm encircled her waist.
"What…"
"Shall we dance Dr. Black?"
Ian Bickman in his black tie tuxedo was there, just in front of her, keeping her in his arms.
"What are you doing here?"
"Glad to see you too" he answered ironically
Bickman started their dance and she simply followed his steps, she didn't imagine he was such a good dancer. Was there something he wasn't capable of doing?
"It's not funny Bick, you weren't supposed to be here"
"Is it bothering you? By the way you look gorgeous" he smiled
Catherine looked at him, he was really handsome in his tuxedo and the smell of his cologne and their closeness confused her a bit, like a shot of something too strong for her to handle.
"You want me"
"I don't!"
"Yes, you do" he whispered in her ear "And you want me to pleasure you all night"
She held her breath "Is this why you're here?"
His hand at her waist started wandering on her spine "Would you mind it?"
"Yes, because I came to Los Angeles for work"
"I did it too"
"Please don't insult my intelligence"
"I wouldn't dream of it" he mocked her
The song ended and she freed herself from his embrace leaving the room but he followed her. Catherine pushed repeatedly the elevator button hoping the car would have been there before him and she was about to jump in when he stopped the doors and stepped in. They were at the other opposite sides looking at each other and he had that sneer on his face, God he was so irritating! She wasn't ready to deal with him, not there and not after what happened in New York, she felt still 'fragile', the moments they shared were too emotional to her and she couldn't have him around, especially not the way he wanted to be.
"Interesting location, isn't it?"
"Stop it. What do you want, Bick?"
"I'm sure it's not hard for you to imagine it…" He put the effort on that word and she shivered
"I'm sorry for you, but whatever you had in mind coming here it's not gonna happen!"
The elevator reached the floor and she run away from him again looking for the key in her clutch
"Catherine wait!" He grabbed her arm "I traveled 2450 miles just to see you"
"No, you did it to fuck me!" she hissed
"It's not just that..."
"And what is it then?"
He exhaled.
"I'm sure you'll let me know once you clear your head. Goodnight Bick"
She tried to enter the suite but he stopped her.
"Don't go"
"Bick please"
"God this is difficult for me"
"Don't do it then"
"Please let me in, I need to talk to you"
"Talk?"
"Yes, just talk. I swear"
She did what he asked closing the door behind them. She took her heels off and put her clutch on bed before going to the bathroom, when she emerged from it she had changed her gown into a long silk purple nightie.
"Don't look at me like that, you're here to talk so talk"
Bickman loosened his bow tie and took his jacket off. As soon as he arrived to the hotel just showered and changed his clothes before going to the ballroom, he didn't have a minute to rest after the long flight but no matter the tireness he needed to see her. He heard her speech from a hidden corner, he didn't want her to notice his presence, not yet and she was so beautiful, so self-confident on that stage telling the world about her work, talking about how unique each black box wasand how it needed to be respected. He clapped his hands, that was the woman for him, they spoke the same language, how could she not understand it?
"I'm waiting"
"I…" he started pacing back and forth "I don't know how to say it, damn! You're the most maddening, challenging, frustrating woman I've ever met and I can't stop thinking about you! I crossed the country to be with you this weekend and this is not about sex, Catherine. You… you changed me, I had never believed in monogamy, I had never even wanted it but I want you"
"Bick…"
"No, let me finish" he got closer to her "I almost died and that put everything into the right perspective.
You and I… we've something special and we also have so much in common, how can't you see it?"
She saw it, she saw it very well, she just pretended the contrary because trusting a man like him was pure craziness, like believing in magic or destiny, she couldn't risk and then she was still engaged. Reading her thoughts he continued "Give me a chance Catherine, I know I don't seem trustworthy but I can prove you I've changed, I'm a different man now"
"'No obligations, no strings', it's your motto but you keep changing your mind and I..."
"I told you a lot of bullshits! It was easier telling you about the man I was before you than admitting how much... You gave a sense to everything"
She was about to crumple so decided to keep talking "The world doesn't spin around you, Ian. I've a relationship with another man, I love Will and…"
"And I love you!" he yelled at her
The bomb exploded and the truth was revealed and now was floating in the air between them. Catherine seemed to forget how to breathe, the connections between the 100 billion of neurons of her brain just went haywire. Did he really say the "L" word? Was he the same Ian Bickman, famous neurosurgeon, well-known latin lover and stubborn bastard? Maybe she became deaf, it must have been that way then why was her heart beating so fast? Why did every part of her want to believe him? She didn't even realize she was plunging the nails in her palms until he took her hands closed in fists and kissed them gently, every inch of them, every mark she caused herself with such a sweetness as if he kept telling her those words over and over again with his gestures. She was stunned by him, by his confession, by everything that was happening in that suite so many miles away from home, it was like a dream, something surreal, people were already going to work in New York, they were still in "the past".
"Say it again" she whispered
"I love you…"
He didn't hesitate that time, he said those words looking her directly in the eyes knowing very well that was their turning point. Now or never again.