Dangerous Liaisons
Recap: I know it's been awhile since I last updated this so here's a recap: AU the events of CI never happened, instead…Kathryn & Sebastian have known each other since they were children. They were rivals, enemies, and each other's first and eventually they fell in love, to the shock and dismay of nearly everyone. One day Sebastian came home to find an unapologetic Kathryn in bed with his father. After ripping out his heart, she left town for 4 years. During that time Sebastian immersed himself in seducing woman-with the exception of the one he wanted most, his pious stepsister Annette. His life was thrown into a tailspin when Kathryn showed up wanting him back. She orchestrated a series of manipulations & head games that all blew up in her face until she enlisted Annette's smitten brother Steven to make Sebastian jealous. It worked but it didn't stop Sebastian & Annette from sharing a kiss. They were dismayed to find they had little chemistry until they discovered the shocking secret why- Annette was actually his half sister. While Steven left on a mysterious trip to Kansas, Sebastian at last found out why Kathryn slept with his father-she was pushing him away because she had cancer. Sebastian was distraught by this news but Kathryn made it clear she didn't want him back out of pity. After a round of shower sex Sebastian took Kathryn on a mysterious mission…
Chapter 10: What a Difference a Day Makes
"I cannot let you burn me up, nor can I resist you. No mere human can stand in a fire and not be consumed"
- A.S. Byatt
If one was looking for a final resting stop that could offer serene beauty and peaceful tranquility, you really could do no better than the William K. Stanford memorial cemetery. Located two hours outside the city in Saratoga Springs New York, it was the burial ground for many of the wealthy and entitled who either didn't have a family mausoleum to be stored in or wished not to be buried in one of Manhattan's overcrowded and ill repaired cemeteries. With its lush grounds, eye-catching landscaping, and graceful headstone's it resembled a park more than a centuries old grave yard.
It was particularly lovely that early afternoon, with the sun beaming proudly through the large majestic birch trees. The only sound outside of the chirping birds was the approaching footsteps of the cemeteries sole visitors that day, two city kids whose designer footwear was crushing softly against the newly mowed grass.
Kathryn swore quietly as the heel of her Jimmy Choo sank down into the soft grass, still slightly damp for the previous day's rain shower. Yanking her foot back up with an aggravated huff, she looked ahead to see Sebastian still striding purposely forward, not stopping to let her catch up. She shook her head in annoyance before hurriedly following after him. For the fifth time since she got into the car with him that morning Kathryn demanded, "What the hell are we doing Valmont?"
"Looking for someone"
"In the cemetery?"
"Yup"
"Is this 'someone' alive?"
"I sure as hell hope not," he grumbled over his shoulder before suddenly stopping and changing course. Glancing back at her he instructed, "Haul ass sweetheart, I don't want to be here all day."
As she struggled to keep up with his long strides, Kathryn cursed herself for coming along on this little outing. She should have demanded he tell her where they were going before agreeing to come along. It was bad enough she had to endure a long car ride, but she also had to contend with Sebastian barely saying two words to her. When she asked repeatedly where they were heading he would just turn the volume on the radio up and ignore her. Usually she prided herself on being able to read her ex pretty well but she couldn't for the life of her figure out what was going on with him today. What game was he playing?
"Dammit!" She yelled as she glanced down at her shoes only to find her heel caked with mud. Having reached her patience quota with him she bellowed, "Valmont, I want to know what's so damn important that we had to come all the way out to the sticks so I could ruin my fifteen hundred dollar shoes? Answer me or else I'm going back to the car! Sebastian!" Kathryn looked up and realized she was talking to herself, as he was no longer walking ahead of her. Twirling around she called out "Sebastian! Sebastian!"
A twinge of panic ran up her spine when she realized she was standing in the middle of a cemetery alone. "Sebastian?" she called out once more trying to keep the fear from creeping into her voice.
"Over here," he called out at last.
Kathryn followed the sound of his voice down a row of matching headstones and around the corner of one of the many stone lined mausoleums. With his back to her he stood stoically in front of a large, imposing looking granite headstone. Coming up behind him she grumbled, "I know manners are generally lost on you Valmont, but it still is considered bad form to ditch someone in a cemetery."
Sebastian didn't reply, in fact he didn't even seem to know she was there. Instead he stood rooted on the spot, starring daggers at the marble plated memorial in front of him. The look on his face was one of pure hatred, Kathryn had only seen once before and the memory caused her to shiver. She was about to ask what was wrong when she noticed just who's gravestone they were standing in front of.
Edward Richard Valmont
1951 - 2003
Beloved Husband and Father
What is Left When Honor is Lost
As she read the name over her stomach began to turn and she wondered why he had brought her here of all places. She could think of a few reasons and none of them were pleasant. Edward had died a few years after she had left the country, under what she remembered reading in the paper was odd circumstances. For reasons of her own of course, she hadn't shed any tears over it. Sebastian's father was a miserable asshole who in Kathryn's estimation hadn't died soon enough. She had never been to his grave and never had any intentions of doing so. Just the thought of him made her skin crawl and brought up so many memories better left forgotten.
She was about to ask why they were here when Sebastian, who had his fists clenched at his sides, exploded. "What is left when honor is lost? Honor! I cannot believe anyone would have the nerve to put that word anywhere near that son of a bitch's name. Do you know what my father was doing when he got killed?" She shook her head no even though she had a pretty good idea. "He was off cheating on my mother," he roared as he began to pace in front of the tombstone, "he told her he was going to San Francisco on business but instead he went to St. Tropez with whatever fuck bunny he was seeing that week. I thank god everyday for that person who finally put my father where he belongs...rotting in hell."
From what Kathryn could recall, Edward had caught someone rummaging around his hotel suite in San Tropez, likely looking for money or drugs. He came home early, found the thief and was subsequently shot and killed. Whoever it was, was never caught. Studying her ex boyfriend, she noticed he hadn't taken his eyes of the gravestone since they got there. It was as if he was seeing it for the first time. Something occurred to her then. "You've never been here before have you?"
He shook his head, "no. I never got out of the car during the funeral. I couldn't take it, all those people mourning this monster whose sole accomplishment to the world was leaving it."
"Sebastian, why did you bring me here?"
Acknowledging her finally, his eyes darkening and a smug grin replacing his scowl. "I thought it was about time for you two to have a reunion...of sorts."
So he had brought her here for the reasons she first suspected. Valmont wasn't trying to work on his unresolved daddy issues; he just wanted to watch her squirm. This was just another form of payback for what she did to him all those years ago. Well she had paid enough, Kathryn wasn't about to stand around and suffer from anymore of his self righteous bullshit. "Screw you," she hissed under her breath, "I'm leaving."
She started walking away but Sebastian grabbed her arm effectively halting her. Pulling her towards him, he told her huskily, "I didn't mean it like that. I wasn't trying to insult you." Kathryn stared him down, the intensity of her green orbs burning into his stormy blue ones, demanding the truth. He relented after a moment and gave her a small genuine smile as he circled around and wrapped his arms around her petite waist. "Okay, maybe I did a little bit, but you use to be able to take it. What happened to that thick skin of yours?"
"Take a long look Valmont, there's nothing thick about me."
Moving his hands down her slender frame, he whispered against her neck, "point taken."
In spite of herself, she relaxed back into his arms but her eyes remained on the headstone in front of them. "Tell me the truth; you didn't just bring me here so you could rage at your father's ghost, what are we doing here really?"
"Closure"
"On what?"
"The past," he explained as he broke away from her, "I thought this was a good a place as any to put it to bed."
Kathryn had been anticipating this, the talk. Ever since she revealed to him the entire sordid story behind her betrayal with his father she knew this moment would eventually come. Sebastian, feeling the full guilt of what happened to her and realizing how badly he had treated her since, would cause his fragile conscious, a rare creature but one that did in fact exist, to succumb to what he wanted all along which was to forgive her. This as irony would have it, was not what Kathryn wanted. Sure she loved him and wanted to go back to what they once had, but she didn't want it out of pity or misplaced guilt. She wanted him to forgive her because he truly loved and understood her, the real her, not some newly sainted sickly girl that he had likely already subconsciously molded her into.
With a tired sigh she asked, "Here? You want to do this now?" When he nodded in the affirmative she leaned back on her heels and crossed her arms to her chest in a defensive stance. "Fine, then let's make this quick, believe it or not I do have more important things to do that stand around a cemetery with my ex talking about his dead daddy."
Sebastian raised an elegant eyebrow at her harsh tone, "You sound as if you already know what I'm about to say."
"I have a pretty good idea," she replied confidently.
"Oh I doubt it," he sighed taking off his sunglasses and cleaning them with a handkerchief from his pocket.
In a mocking, saccharine sweet tone she guessed, "You're going to tell me that now that you know my whole sad tale you forgive me for all the wrongs I've committed, you've seen the error of your ways in doubting me and now realize you really are in love with me. You're sorry for the horrible way you've treated me these past months and you want to spend the rest of my life making it up to me blah, blah, blah. You love me, you think I love you so can we please, please go back to the way things were? Is that about it? Oh wait...and my dad's a giant tool. That about sum it up?" Sebastian glared back at her hard, clearly not amused by her little ramble. Kathryn was far from amused herself. "Can I go back to the car now?"
"Look Princess this is going to take me a moment so you're going to have to do me a favor and shut your fucking trap until I get it out, okay?"
Still refusing to believe he had nothing of interest to say to her beyond what she just hypothesized, she rolled her eyes and sighed, "Whatever."
Sliding his glasses back on, Sebastian stood in front of her and gave her an intense once over as if he was mentally trying to imprint her in his mind. Kathryn refused to wither under his stare however, smirking back confident that she knew what was coming. "Kathryn you are...a manipulative, evil, little bitch. You're cold, you're cruel, and you're petty. Not to mention you're a control freak with some serious food issues and I'm sure, if you let him, some shrink could make a small fortune off of you."
Her pretty little pink mouth fell open as she absorbed his words, unable to believe what she was hearing. In a tone filled with impending danger she demanded, "Excuse me?"
"I think you heard me," he replied evenly. "You lie, you cheat and you destroy anything that gets in your way no matter how precious or valuable it is. And as truly sorry as I am that you got sick and had to go through all that crap, it still doesn't change the fact that on most days you're a shitty human being."
"Gee, it's nice to know what you think of me," she replied trying to keep the hurt for her voice.
"Be quiet," Sebastian ordered, his intense gaze never leaving her. "You are all these things I described and more, yet, no matter how much I've tried to ignore it and push it away I do love you Kathryn. Not in spite of all these things I've just said but because of them. I love all those things because they make you who you are, a strong, incredibly complicated and frustrating woman."
Still hung up on all the horrible names he just called her, she retorted, "You know I can think of a few pretty choice adjectives to describe you too Valmont."
"Oh I'm sure you could," he replied as he began to casually pace before her. His voice now taking on a more conversational tone he told her, "Now all these traits I've just described would cause any other half way sane individual to turn and run for their life and yet," he let out a laugh, "It just draws me to you more. Moth to a flame and all that. I suppose any freshman psych major could deduce that it's because I see parts of myself in you. Would you agree?"
"That you're a narcissistic bastard? Sure."
"Now about forgiving and forgetting..."
"Here is comes"
"It's never going to happen."
Kathryn's eyes widened as she felt as if all the wind was just knocked out of her. This was not suppose to be how this all went down; he was suppose to forgive her. She told the truth and he was suppose to forgive her. That's how it went. She realized then that the mocking little diatribe she had recited to him, contained not just what she thought he's say but also what she hoped he'd say. A part, albeit small, wanted him to get all mushy and declare his undying love for her or at the very least, after everything that had happened forgive her finally.
Noticing the way she seemed to visibly deflate in front of him Sebastian's heart went out to her but he didn't succumb. He couldn't do that to either of them. He had to be strong and lie to her if he had to. "Come on Kathryn, you screwed my father and ripped out my heart, that's not something one can easily forgive. You made your choice and we both have to live with it but the important thing is I'm over it. I understand your reasons and I'm ready to move on, put it in the past and leave the fucker there. I'm well aware of who you are, you're a pain in the ass and you've hurt me more than I ever thought was possible. The fucked up thing is I know you're likely to do it again and I still want to be with you."
She looked back at him utterly flabbergasted. Kathryn was...confused. One minute he was declaring his love for her the next hissing painful truths. Wringing her hands in exasperation she exploded, "If I'm such a miserable human being then why do you want to me with me?"
That cocky knowing grin resurfaced on his face as he replied, "Because I love you baby. You are as much a part of me as my left arm. Even when you were gone those four years, I saw you everywhere. You were in everything I did. Every book I read every journal entry I wrote and every girl I fucked was you. And the fact that you thought any girl I've been with, including Annette, could have any hope of replacing you in my life is fucking laughable. Being with you even when I wanted to strangle you, even when I hated you so much I couldn't see straight, was the only time I've ever felt alive. You know that, of course you know that or you would have never come back to New York in the first place." Kathryn stared back at him in surprise a weight seemingly lifting from her shoulders.
Moving closer to her he added, "And I'm not going to beg you to stay because we both know begging really isn't my style, but I will tell you that if you go back you'll never find anyone who understands and appreciates all of you, good and the bad. Cause' I do you know, I love everything about you that hurts."
Biting her lip she averted her gaze from his intense stare and admitted, "Okay, that was a slightly more impressive speech than I imagined." Actually, in all honesty she was more than impressed, for Sebastian had managed to articulate exactly what she wanted to hear. Kathryn was well aware he loved her, even when he claimed otherwise she knew that much still held true. Although it was nice, she didn't need to hear it. What she did need however, was to know that he loved her for herself; he didn't need her to pretend to be better than she was or be someone she wasn't.
Upon hearing such a declaration of love and acceptance, any other girl would have giddily ran into her lovers arms and proclaimed her undying devotion but Kathryn wasn't any other girl. She didn't do giddy. Even though inside her tiny heart was bursting with pleasure and anticipation for what this all meant, she wouldn't allow herself to show it. Instead she stood poised in front of him and in her typical ice queen drawl inquired, "So what happens next?"
Sebastian's eyes bore into hers as explained, "I'm going to ask you to stay...with me." A slow smirk spread across his pouty lips and he added, "And if you're as smart as you think yourself to be you'll accept because really, you're not going to do any better than me."
"Really, you think so?" Her green eyes twinkled in wicked delight as she coyly strut past him, "Because there was this guy in London who-"
She was quickly cut off when he grabbed her and drew her into his arms for an intense embrace. Sebastian kissed her as only he could with such intensity and ferocity he could have knocked her over if she let him. Kathryn's arm swiftly circled around his waist pulling him even closer, while her free hand moved to his face guiding his mouth against hers as she eagerly returned his kiss. While Kathryn teased his full lips with her tongue, she was overcome by the exquisite pleasure that came with the sudden exploding tension between them. The walls that she had surrounded herself with since telling him the truth suddenly began to tumble and with them any resolve she might have been hanging on to regarding him was shattered.
Breaking the kiss, but still clutching him closely she panted, "Sebastian, I do, you know-"
"I know," he cut her off not needing to hear the words he knew all along. Instead he resumed kissing her; keeping his firm grip on her he backed her up against his father's gravestone. She let out a soft mew of pleasure or possibly surprise from the cold stone rubbing against her back. That sound only caused Sebastian to grow that much more excited.
"Sebastian," she murmured through kisses using a teasing tone, "part of you speech, some of it was bullshit wasn't it? You do forgive me, don't you?"
With an impassive shrug her replied, "Hmm, maybe a little bit."
Kathryn grinned, that infamous triumphant smile as he resumed kissing her neck. She had suspected his claim of not being able to forgive was a lie, after all Valmont did tend to have more pride than common sense. He wasn't going to completely hand his balls over to her. She could accept a maybe.
Felling the tent that was forming in his pants, rub against her bare leg she chuckled huskily, "we've done some pretty kinky shit before but screwing in a cemetery in broad daylight might be pushing it."
"Oh, I don't know about that," he responded cheerfully as he raised up her petite body, forcing her to wrap her legs around his waist while he pushed her back against the granite monument. "I think there's some poetic justice in the two of us decimating my father's final resting spot with out...co-mingling."
Her pert nose quirked up in disgust, "You're seriously twisted."
"You love it"
She ran her delicate fingers across his lips and replied with more sincerity that than he thought her capable of, "Yes I do." Laughing she untangled herself from his waist and got back on her feet. "So where to now? I take it our little impromptu road trip is over with?"
"Hmm...not yet. Actually I have another idea, it's not as kinky as cemetery screwing but it's definitely...scandalous. However," he paused for dramatic effect, "I'm not quite sure you'll be up for it."
The somewhat snarky nature of his tone caused her to raise an eyebrow. "That sounds like a challenge."
A mysterious smile tugged at Sebastian's lips as he leaned his body into hers and replied, "That's one way of putting it."
He moved his mouth to her ear, and even though they were the only two souls for miles around he whispered this piece of delicate information into her ear, adamant that she be the only one to hear. What he said caused Kathryn's green eyes to widen in surprise and a smile, one could only call genuine, spread across the face. As she processed what Sebastian was saying to her, the voice in her head couldn't help but laugh at the utter irony of the situation. Kathryn Merteuil was going to get everything she always wanted and all she had to do was tell the truth.
Steven was most definitely not in Kansas anymore.
Actually, as evidenced by the palm trees, sunlight, and billboard advertising a gentleman's club three blocks away, all visible from his hotel room window, he had never come close. Point of fact, he had never gone to begin with.
It had been out of necessity, he had told everyone he was going to. He told Kathryn it was on family business, Annette he told he was going to interview for a potential job for when he graduated this winter, and his father he told the biggest lie of all. He had fed him a story about his childhood friend Anthony getting into trouble with his gambling habit and needing to borrow some money. Jacob Hardgrove had of course been sympathetic and gave Steven the authorization to take the money from his trust fund he wasn't suppose to have until he was 25. He had taken the money and got on a plane to San Diego.
Walking across the elegant suite he sighed warily at the brown leather suitcase resting on the desk before opening it up. Five hundred thousand dollars in crisp, new bills stared up at him. What would be a tempting, irresistible sight to anyone else was just a means to an end for him, for this money represented freedom. Freedom from his past. Freedom from her.
Yes, he indeed had a friend named Anthony, who in fact had a gambling problem but Anthony had moved to Quebec years ago and Steven hadn't talked to him since then. No, he couldn't tell his father what the money was really for or who he was going to see. To say his father wouldn't understand would be an incredible understatement.
Steven shut the briefcase with a loud, resounding thud that shuttered throughout the large room. Without thinking he walked over to the mini bar and pulled out a couple of overpriced mini vodka bottles. With shaky hands he emptied them into a plastic cup and then took a large gulp. He wasn't a drinker, far from it, but he was desperate for anything to take the edge off. He hated lying to his family, to Kathryn, but it couldn't be avoided. He needed to defuse this possibly explosive situation before it destroyed them all. Before she destroyed them.
Thinking of her, knowing any minute she would be knocking on his door, he took another sip. The alcohol burning his throat however did nothing to resolve his tension. A few months ago he would have been chomping at the bit to see her again. Those beautiful blue eyes, that familiar smile, and that ease and comfort she was always able to instill in him, he use to crave it but then something shifted. Someone else stepped into his life, someone just as beautiful, just as exciting, just as tempting. Kathryn Merteuil was all that and more, so much more. Most of all though she represented the idea of normalcy, even if it was just a possibility. Yes, that's what he wanted more than anything. To feel normal...with a girl who was anything but.
Reaching across the desk, he dipped his hand into his carry-on bag and pulled out the framed picture he had taken from home. It was a black and white photo of Kathryn that he had found in his stepbrother's desk one day while searching for his missing copy of The Fountainhead. It must have been taken four years prior when the pair were still together, because she looked younger but still achingly beautiful. She was at the beach, laying out in the sand it a white sun dress, her long dark hair whipping behind her and a carefree smile on her face. Her eyes were practically dancing. During the short time he had known her Steven had never seen Kathryn look like that, so unabashedly happy and light. It made him yearn for her all the more.
He stood up, never taking his eyes from the photograph, and reclined back on the bed. God, he would sell his soul to the devil himself for a chance with that girl. He knew she still had unresolved feelings for Sebastian, and they weren't likely to disappear anytime soon but his stepbrother had made it more than clear he didn't want her back, a fact that Steven found completely mind boggling. Then again he couldn't understand half the things Valmont did.
He just needed a chance, and Kathryn had promised to give him one. They were going to his stepmother's ball together and he was anticipating that would be it, the night she finally gave in to him. No, he wasn't just after sex, though of course he wasn't about to turn down the possibility if it arouse. After all he had ruined many sets of his stepmothers expensive sheets, waking up from wet dreams with just the thought of getting inside Kathryn's tight, petite little body...but that wasn't his ultimate goal. What Steven really wanted was for Kathryn to look at him, even if it was just for a moment, the same way she looked at Sebastian. Desire, respect, and love, all those things fused into one potent look.
Love, most of all he wanted Kathryn to love him and his desire for her had grown to a point where he would do anything to get it. He would even say good-bye to the one person in this world who truly knew and understood him.
Steven's intense thoughts were interrupted by a repetitious tapping on his hotel door. Taking a deep breath he rose up from the bed and hesitantly walked to the door. He knew who it was before it even opened, he could just feel her. Letting his hand linger on the brass knob a moment he thought about what he was about to do and reminded himself to stay strong. If he wanted a chance with Kathryn he would have to let go of his past first.
Opening the door, there she stood looking even more beautiful then he remembered. Even though she was considerably older then him, age hadn't tainted her beauty in the slightest. Her eyes were still that amazing shade of fierce blue, her long blond hair hung around her face like some sort of wondrous hallo and her tall, lithe body was as elegant and tempting as ever. Her features lit up when she saw him, "Oh Steven, it's been so long!"
Smiling warmly he greeted her, "Hello Felicia."
Stepping forward into the room she pulled him into a tight embrace and whispered huskily in his ear, "I missed you honey."
"I know," he sighed as he broke away and closed the door, the voice in his head screaming at him to put as much distance as possible between them. "I'm glad you could come, there are some things we need to discuss."
She let out an easy chuckle, "Well of course I came. It's been months since we last saw each other." Running her hand through her curly, wild, tresses she looked out the window and told him wistfully, "You know if you moved out here, we could see each other all the time. Just you and me, like old times."
"I can't," he told her firmly, "You know that."
"Yes, your family I know. How are they?"
Steven shook his head, "Not good, Dad's distraught and Annette...her whole life just imploded. I'm really worried about her."
"She'll deal, your sister is a strong girl," she told him not sounding too terribly concerned.
"Look Felicia, I didn't really come here for a visit. I came here to tell you that I think it's time you left the country and go back to Europe at least for a little while. You need to keep a low profile or people are going to start getting suspicious, start asking questions..."
Staring back at him incredulously, her bright eyes went wide in alert, "You expect me to just up and leave? I have a life here you know and I can't just-"
"You don't really have a choice!" Steven barked at her angrily. When she recoiled back from him, he instantly regretted his tone, "I'm sorry, I don't mean to be harsh but I'm just trying to look out for you. You have to leave or else-"
Holding up her hand she cut him off, "I know, okay I get it. Where am I suppose to go? With what money?"
Smiling he walked past her towards the suitcase sitting on the desk. He opened it up and the contents caused her eyes to go as big as sand dollars. "It's five hundred thousand dollars. I'll get you more if you need it, but for right now I need you to take this money and get out of town. Tonight."
Staring at the money she bit her lower lip as if contemplating something, then met his gaze. Her hand came out and brushed against his coyly. "I'll go tonight under one condition, you come with me."
Pulling away he shook his head adamantly, "No, I can't. I can't just up and leave my family, for one thing they'd get suspicious. Not to mention I have school starting up again in a couple months and..." he trailed off thinking for a moment about Kathryn. "I have other responsibilities that I just can't abandon."
"Other responsibilities?" Felicia stared at him questioningly for a long moment before he gaze shifted to the photo still resting on the bed. Walking over she picked it up and studied it. Running a delicate finger over Kathryn's picture a kaleidoscope of emotions swept across her face. "I take it one of these responsibilities is her? She's very pretty."
"Yeah," he admitted looking away from her, "her name's Kathryn Merteuil. She's amazing, I like her a lot."
Her eyes met his again. "I can see that." Her pretty mouth set in a deep frown, she dropped the picture frame to the floor, with even with the plush carpet underneath, the glass cracked. Ignoring the mess she made Felicia charged up to him, the hurt radiating out of every pour, "So that's the real reason isn't it? You just want me gone so you can be with her, this Kathryn person."
"It's not like that"
"Oh, yes it is, I can see it in your face. You don't love me anymore, you love her! After everything we've been through to be together, you're going to up and leave me for her!" She punched her fist against his chest, demanding answers he couldn't give her. Her anger soon gave way to tears and she crumbled into his arms asking her, "Why?"
Wrapping his arms around her Steven did his best to sooth her, "Shh, I'm sorry. Don't cry, please don't cry. Of course I love you, I always have. That will never change."
"Promise?" she whimpered, her face buried against his chest.
"Yeah I promise"
Pulling her head up, her mouth lingered below his, tempting and titillating him with the forbidden. Before he could think to put a stop to it, Felicia drew his mouth to hers in an irresistible kiss that for a moment made him completely forget all about the girl waiting for him in New York. Pushing him back towards the bed, their legs hit the matress and they eventually toppled back, clinging to one another needily. Breaking the kiss for a moment she asked, "This girl, have you slept with her yet?"
Steven swallowed thickly and admitted, "No."
Felicia smiled obviously pleased with this answer and pushed him flat on his back. She quickly straddled him, as if she feared he might soon come to his senses and resist her but they both knew he wouldn't. He never could, not even for a girl like Kathryn Merteuil. "I'm glad to hear that baby," she purred as she unbuttoned her top. "Because I was your first, and I fully intend to be your last."
He didn't argue with her, he simply pulled her back down for another kiss all the while telling himself that this would be the final time. After today he would say goodbye to her forever then he would move on to his future: the beautiful, desirable, untouchable Kathryn would be his if it was the last thing he did.
It was three hours later on the other side of the country, when Sebastian came barreling into his favorite guest bedroom at his Aunt Helen's estate with the woman he loved in his arms and a bottle of Cristal in his hand. Kathryn let out a short yelp on surprise, which quickly gave way to laughter when he used in foot to kick open the heavy old door and carried her inside. Her arms wrapped around his neck she teased, "You drop me, it's your balls Valmont."
"I rather like the sound of that." He took her over to the large antique sleigh bed and tossed her down with little delicacy and drawled, "There you go your majesty."
Kathryn took the bottle from his hands and ordered, "Strip."
Raising an eyebrow in faint amusement he asked, "We've only begun this new phase in our relationship, what? Five hours ago, and you're already giving me orders? Perhaps you're confusing me with my half wit step brother, and if that's the case you can consider this new union of ours null and void."
She let out a throaty, seductive laugh, "Watch your tone darling, you're starting to sound like a jealous boyfriend. Now I have had an extremely long and tiring day and I have come up to this room with you to get thoroughly ravaged, thoroughly satisfied and thoroughly fucked."
Tossing his jacket off, Sebastian mouthed the word, "Ooh."
"Now get naked pretty boy," she order as she leaned back on her elbows, licked her lips at him and uncorked the bottle.
He did as he was told, a playful smile on his face while he undid his tie and unbuttoned his shirt, his eyes never leaving the beautiful creature on the bed. It was all a little too surreal that this was happening; that he was back here with her again and it felt as if nothing had changed between them. It was hard to comprehend that just yesterday he thought it was very probable he would never see her again, that their relationship was over for good. It was amazing the difference a day makes. Not to mention a few hard truths.
"You know," he sighed as he removed his crisp white shirt and tossed it to the ground carelessly, "we're bound to get bored with each other eventually, the sex is only good for so long."
Taking a sip off the bottle she seemed to ponder this. "Hmm…you have a point. Perhaps I should start lining up other lovers now."
"I plan to"
Kathryn raised her stiletto heeled foot and pressed it into his chest warningly, a scowl on her face. Sebastian laughed as he kissed her ankle then began removing the delicate shoe from her foot. "Now who sounds jealous?"
Shaking her head she looked around the beautiful ornate room, filled with dark browns and reds with a touch of gold accents and sighed contentedly. "I do love this room. Tell me, will auntie be put out we're borrowing her house?"
"Auntie is out of the country for the next few months so we have the place to ourselves." Reaching under her white wrap around Chanel dress, he pulled off her lace la Perla panties and threw them over his shoulder. Sebastian bent forward, pushed her dress up to her waist and moved her legs apart. "Feel free to scream all you want."
"Feel free to make me."
They shared matching grins before he gripped her ass and drew her pelvis towards his mouth. Kathryn let out a soft whimper of pleasure as his delicious mouth and clever tongue set about granting her wish. Arching her back, she stretched her hands over her head and dropped the nearly full bottle of champagne on to the floor, not giving a damn that it was likely causing a huge mess.
Valmont teased and tormented her, bringing her so close to that edge she was dying to go over before pulling her back. As he pulled away she groaned and gave him the same pout she use to give her mother when she denied her a toy. Sebastian simply smiled while he undid the tie on her dress unwrapping it like he would a present. He groaned when her pale, flushed skin came into view.
"Ooh, just like Christmas." Moving on to his side he whispered into her ear, "Roll over."
Kathryn gave him a quizzical look before doing as he requested. She laid on her stomach and started to get up on all fours when he told her, "no lay down." She rested her head on the pillow and felt as he shifted so he was hovering above her, his weight resting on his elbows. Feeling his strong hand caress her ass and squeeze her hip a shiver ran through her. "Arch your back," Sebastian instructed.
He was more than a little amazed when she complied with his request and the feeling of being in control only served to make him harder. Teasing her now exposed nether lips with his cock, he delighted in her frustrated whimpers and her useless attempts to draw him into her. Sebastian continued on with his teasing but only for a moment, as he was fearful he wouldn't last much longer, until he at last pushed himself inside her. Groaning he shut his eyes tightly and allowed himself a moment to enjoy the velvety tightness of Kathryn's cunt before he began to move inside her.
While using one hand to hold his weight, his other kept a tight grip on her waist so he could control their pace. He could tell by the way she was gripping the plush pillow under her head and the gasps of pleasure the angle of their position was giving her, that Kathryn was enjoying this as much as him but wanted it faster. Sebastian refused. They would go at his pace and in the end it would be very much worth it.
Leaning forward he kissed and sucked her neck, a million memories floating to the surface as he tasted her skin. Kathryn reached her hand back and tugged on his hair while guiding his mouth to that section of her neck that she loved him to touch. As her head turned their eyes met and it was like a sudden shot of electricity, Sebastian could actually feel his cock twitch within her. Their mouths soon met in a series of kisses that alternated between tender and demanding.
He moved his hand from her waist and slid in under her body, squeezing her supple breasts before moving lower towards where they were joined. When she felt his fingers on that most sensitive area she gasped into his mouth and shuddered.
"Do you like that?" he whispered, still moving his hips maddeningly slow.
"Ah…mmm…god yes," Kathryn panted her voice now taking on that husky, raw quality that it always did when she was verging on an orgasm. "Sebastian, oh, please…"
"You're so cute when you beg"
Yanking his hair painfully hard she hissed in his ear, "you fucking bastard."
Knowing she was close he removed his hand out from under her and put it in her own, his wet fingers squishing against hers as he squeezed her hand. Sebastian's thrusts came quicker as he felt his own cum fast approaching. Kathryn moved her hips quickly against him, desperate to reach her peak. She bit down on his lip, nearly drawing blood and let out a very un-lady like squeal as an intense orgasm rocked her petite body.
Gripping her hand tightly he let out his own undignified and very un-Valmont like cry of pleasure before tumbling over that ledge right along with her. One, two thrusts and he was done for, his body went rigid and shuddered, all the while he tried his damndest not to crush the woman under him. With his face still buried in her neck he let out one low final whimper of pleasure when he heard her softly whisper to him, "Sebastian, I love you."
Rolling onto his back, he sighed contently and told her, "Perhaps I was wrong."
Kathryn lifted her head up and inquired, "About what?"
"The sex, I'm pretty sure this could never get boring." Laughing, she got up and straddled him causing Sebastian to groan in protest. "Oh baby, you're going to have to give me a moment before we begin round two."
"That's alright, I wanted to take this moment to straighten out a few things with out the possibility of you getting distracted."
His eyes swept over her body and he smirked, "Kathryn you're sitting on me naked. You could be telling me the meaning of life and I'll still be distracted."
Rolling her eyes she reached over the side of the bed and picked up his white dress shirt. She put it on, buttoned a couple buttons and asked, "Better?"
"Not really, but go ahead."
"Okay I think this is the perfect opportunity for us to set a few ground rules regarding this relationship."
Shutting his eyes, he squeezed the bridge of his nose where his eyeglasses usually rested trying to figure out where she was going with this. "Ground rules? What the hell are you talking about?"
"Rules Valmont," she explained like she would to a five year old, "Are a set of guidelines one uses to-"
"Yes, I know what rules are thank you very much," he snapped irritated. "I've just never seen the use for them, especially in a relationship. I thought we were on the same page with that."
Kathryn sighed, suddenly serious. "I just don't want what happened last time to happen to us again."
"Well baring an incurable disease and or you taking up necrophilia, I don't think it will be a problem." When she just responded by staring at him stonily he relented, "Okay fine, let's here these rules."
She nodded and began, "First thing, I don't want you coddling me or treating me as anything less than I am. I know what you said earlier, but I also know you Sebastian and I know there is a part of you, a small one, as evidenced by your creepy interest in your whiny sister, that is just itching to play hero. Well, I don't need you or anyone else to take care of me."
"Are you done?"
"I'm serious Valmont, if I see you even for a moment looking at me with that 'poor-pitiful-you' look I will walk out on your ass so fast and hurt you so bad it will make what I did to you last time look like a day at the beach, got it?"
"Oh how I've missed these little pillow talk sessions of ours," he deadpanned as he began unbuttoning her shirt.
Slapping his hand away she continued on, "Secondly I need my space and sometimes I might do things that you don't always agree with and when I do, I don't want you jumping down my throat about it. I'm a-
Interrupting her, Sebastian narrowed his eyes knowingly at her and demanded, "Oh Christ, what have you done this time?"
"It was a hypothetical!"
"Why don't I but that?" Shaking his head he made a mental note to investigate what the little bitch was up to when they got back to the city. "Okay, are you finished? Because as it so happens I thought up a few demands of my own."
Kathryn looked a little uneasy about that. "Such as?"
"For starters don't try to manipulate a manipulator sweetheart, especially one who has a keen bullshit detector when it comes to you. If you're up to something or have done something, which I'm thinking is pretty damn likely, I will find out about it so it's probably best just to come clean now."
With her expression unreadable as ever, she shrugged and replied nonchalantly, "I have nothing to hide."
"Right," he replied obviously not convinced, "which leads to my other rule. Under no circumstances are you to sleep, fuck or blow ANY of my relatives…including those by marriage."
Kathryn rolled her eyes, apparently knowing that this topic would eventually come up. "I'll deal with Steven when he comes back from Kansas, alright?"
Reaching over Sebastian picked up the receiver of the antique bedside phone and handed it to her. "What's wrong with right now?"
She considered it then hung the phone up. "I'm not doing it over the phone Valmont. It can wait till the weekend." When he slumped back against the headboard and scowled angrily at her she smiled coyly back. "You know your step brother really isn't that bad. He was very good to me."
"That's touching," he spat coldly. "Now get rid of him before I do it for you."
Wrapping her arms around his neck she moved closer to him. "Alright fine, but I hope you appreciate what I'm giving up for you." A particular cruel smile spread across her lips as she added, "that boy could eat pussy like you wouldn't believe."
Sebastian's eyes went hard and his body stiffened underneath her. In one quick motion he tossed her backwards and she tumbled off the bed, smacking loudly against the hard floor. He waited a beat before peering down at her. "Did that hurt?" he asked more curious than concerned.
"Yes," she muttered weakly before quickly popping back up, lunging at him and pulling him back down on top of her. With her mouth to his ear Kathryn whispered tauntingly, "Do it again."
The sun had given way to storm clouds and heavy rain the following morning, when Annette's beige Volvo pulled up to the heavy iron gates that surrounded the Rosemond estate. Leaning out the window she hit the intercom button and was greeted by a burly English accent, "Hello, can I help you?"
"It's Annette Hardgrove, I'm here to see my ste-my brother Sebastian."
The large, ominous gate doors slowly opened and the man instructed her to come through. As she pulled her car up the long drive she thought about the change she was going to have to make regarding how she associated herself with Sebastian. He was no longer her step brother, he was her brother, just as much as Steven was. The thought was far from comforting for a few reasons.
The fact that Edward Valmont was her actual father was a piece of news that still had yet to completely register. Actually, if she was being honest it was something she didn't want to accept. The man, who had so carelessly betrayed and damaged his own son, was nothing more than a monster to her and the idea that she has his blood running through her veins made her skin crawl.
Annette had decided that DNA or not, that man was NOT her father and he never would be. Edward might be her biological father but there was no way in hell she would ever think of him as anything other than the degenerate scumbag he was. Jacob Hardgrove was her real father, he was the man who raised her and loved her all her life. Nothing in this world could ever cause her to turn her back on him.
Of course, it had taken her awhile to come to this conclusion. After hearing the news she was so distraught she couldn't stand being around any members of her family. Annette ended up wandering the city for hours trying to comprehend how this could be true and how her mother, who she had always seen as the most loving and forthright woman when she was alive, could keep such a secret from her. It made her wonder if she ever really knew her mother at all.
Her wandering had eventually taken her to the doorstep of a friend where she stayed for a couple of days, desperate to clear her mind. Eventually, knowing she couldn't hide out forever she left and went back home to find her father waiting. He embraced her, told her he loved her and would support any decision she wanted to make, Annette assured him she had no intentions of changing anything and that blood or no blood, Edward was nothing to her.
After they had a long talk something else occurred to her, namely Sebastian. When she asked about him her father told her he had called the previous night and told Natasha that he was staying at his Aunt Helen's country estate and probably wouldn't return until school started up again. Annette knew that the real reason Sebastian was in hiding was because he was likely freaking out over the fact that he had been lusting over his half sister for over a year. She vaguely recalled how horrified he had been upon hearing the news. As unflappable as he was about some things, even Sebastian couldn't be blasé about this.
Thinking back to the kiss they shared she was filled with both horror and relief. Obviously it was disturbing that she had made out with her own brother but she thanked god things had never gone further. Annette supposed she had Kathryn to thank for that, as terrifying as that notion was. If she hadn't been around, playing her mind games and doing everything in her power to insure that they stayed away from each other something horrible very well might have happened between them. As Annette climbed out of the car she shivered at the rain and the thought of being intimate with her brother.
Thinking about Sebastian up here all by himself, likely driving himself crazy with thoughts of their near incestuous coupling, troubled her greatly. She considered calling him and assuring him that nothing had to be weird between them, he could come home. However, this seemed the sort of conversation that needed to be done in person so she borrowed her father's car and took the long drive down to Long Island to see him herself.
As she entered the stately mansion she was greeted by one of Helen's downstairs servants who informed her the older woman was on her yearly pilgrimage to Italy and wouldn't be back until December. The fact that Sebastian truly was all by himself in this beautiful but lonely house, made her that much more worried. Her brother had a tendency to be overly dramatic at times, such as locking himself in his room for two weeks when Kathryn came back to town so she worried what he might have done to himself now.
When the maid told her Mr. Valmont was staying in his room Annette headed up to the second floor to find him. Having been to the house several times she knew the layout fairly well and knew he always stayed in the same room. As she approached the door she hesitated a moment, fearful what she might find. Visions of
Sebastian passed out drunk, amid a torrid mess of dinner trays, book, and god knows what else clouded her head. When she opened the door what greeted her was much worse.
Sebastian was sleeping soundly and completely naked in bed, with an equally naked brunette wrapped up beside him. Their pale white limbs were tangled around each other making them appear like some ancient Greek statue that she once studied in an art history class. Annette was about to back out when she realized just who that girl was her. Slumping back against the door frame, she let out a louder sigh then she meant to. Sebastian's head popped up and he looked back at her startled and sleepy. "Annette?"
"I-I'm sorry" she muttered before turning away and shutting the door.
"What the hell is she doing here?"
Sebastian, who had quickly hopped out of bed following his sister's sudden departure, regarded a now fully awake and annoyed Kathryn. Covered by only a white sheet, her dark hair was considerably mussed, and she was scowling in a most unappealing way and yet she was still achingly beautiful to him. However, his libido was going to have to be put on hold for the time being until he dealt with Annette.
Searching around the room, which was now strewn with discarded clothes, food trays, a couple of Kathryn's 'toys' and a tipped over bottle of champagne, he looked for his pants. "I don't know," he sighed distractedly, "but I have to go find out. I haven't talked to her since my stepfather dropped that bomb on her."
The petite brunette sighed; clearly she didn't give a damn about any of Annette's problems. "She'll be fine. She just has to learn to deal and get over it."
"Oh really," he huffed, "and how would you feel if you found out Edward Valmont was your father?"
"Well obviously very concerned considering I would have fucked my father and my brother," she snickered. "Now come on, she has your mother and your stepfather to look out for her. Come back to bed.
"Your concern is overwhelming Kathryn," he spat back sarcastically. At last locating his pants, Sebastian pulled them on and explained to her, "Look, I'm really concerned about her. Finding out something like this could really fuck a person up, especially someone like Annette."
Sitting up Kathryn huffed, "Oh please, someone like Annette? Little miss sweetness and light probably cried about it for an hour then shook it off and went on right doing whatever boring losers like her do. As we all know the sun shines out of her ass, she there's no problem that can't be overcome from hug or a plate of cookies," she mocked in a high pitched tone. It quickly changed over to her typical annoyed drawl as she added, "She's as peppy as a girl scout strung out on speed. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if cartoon birds helped her get dressed this morning."
Sebastian tried to hide the smile that tugged at his lips upon hearing Kathryn's little assumption. "You're horrible"
She didn't smile back at him however, her face held a serious expression as she asked, "What are you going to tell her about us?"
"Nothing," he sighed, "it's nobody's business."
"Something tells me they won't see it that way."
He had a feeling she was right but he didn't want to talk about it now. Bending down he kissed her forehead and assured her, "I'll be right back."
Kathryn grabbed him by the arm before he could leave. "Wait, do me a favor. Don't tell her about me being sick. The last thing I need is her of all people feeling sorry for me."
Sebastian nodded, "No problem, I won't say a word."
He kissed her hand then quickly left the room to hunt down Annette. Luckily he didn't have to go far as she was sitting behind the desk in the study across the all, staring out at the rain. Standing hesitantly in the door way he called to her, "Hey, are you okay?"
She looked up at him and offered a weak smile, "Yeah I'm fine. Sorry, I should have knocked. I just wanted to see you…seems sort of silly now. I wanted to know how you were handling everything." Annette got up from the desk and walked around to greet him. She was going to hug him but stopped realizing he wasn't wearing a shirt and they weren't quite that comfortable with each other yet. Sighing she smiled awkwardly, "So how are you?"
"I'm fine I'm more worried about you right now. Where did you go?"
"My friend Samantha's, I'm sorry I just took off without saying anything but I just had to get out of there. I needed to clear my head I guess."
Sebastian nodded in understanding, "I don't blame you. Look, Annette I'm really sorry about-
"Wait, why are you apologizing? Sebastian you did nothing wrong, you didn't know anything about this…," she eyed him warily a moment before asking, "Right?"
He let out a humorless chuckle, "Trust me had I know I wouldn't have devoted a better part of last year trying to get you into bed. In fact I'd like to take this opportunity to apologize for any disgusting or sleazy remark I might have said to you during the past year."
Annette laughed for the first time in three days. "It's okay Sebastian, you were just being…you. And anyway we should probably be grateful nothing ever happened between us. I guess there was a reason that kiss felt like kissing my-
"Oh, hey, can you do me a favor and never, EVER, mention that again," he cut her off trying desperately to push away the memories her words evoked. "Can we pretend it never happened?"
She nodded in agreement, "Deal, I'll never bring up the fact that you made out with your sister again." When Sebastian winced she laughed and he relaxed, glad that she didn't seem as freaked out as he thought she would be. Perhaps Kathryn was right after all.
"So, tell me the truth," she asked. "How freaked out were you?"
Leaning against the desk, he picked up a sterling silver letter opener and twirled it in his hands. "Well after the initial vomiting was over and I raged at my father for an hour or so, I was okay. I mean I could think of worse people to find out I'm related to. Steven for example."
Ignoring his last comment, Annette studied her brother with a worried expression. "I don't think you're handling it to well."
"What do you mean?"
"What do you think I mean? Do you just want to ignore the pink elephant laying in your bed across the hall?"
Sebastian smirked, "I don't think Kathryn would take too kindly to you calling her an elephant."
"I don't really give a damn what Kathryn feels. I do however care about you." With a tired sigh she exclaimed, "Sebastian she's exploiting what happened to get you to come back to her. I mean come on this is KATHRYN; the only person she cares about is herself. You told me that remember? She's manipulating you."
"No she's not," he told her intently. "What happened to you had nothing to do with this."
Annette shook her head disbelieving and spat sarcastically, "Sure it didn't. Just tell me you're sleeping with her and that's where it ends."
"I love her"
"Sebastian-
Walking over to her he placed his hands on her arms and forced her to look him in the eye. "Annette I know what I'm doing. Look, I found some things out a couple days ago about why Kathryn did what she did. Needless to say we talked, and we fought-
"And you had sex"
"That too," he admitted with his typical lascivious grin. "I can forgive her what she did and I want to start over with her. This is the first time, in a long time, that I have been happy Annette. I feel as if a hundred pound weight had finally been lifted. I don't expect you to be happy for me but please, please don't shit on my parade."
In spite of herself she smiled at his turn of phrase. "The expression is 'rain' on my parade and…" She was about to argue her point further when she saw it. She had been so wrapped up in her own problems she hadn't noticed the sudden brightness in his eyes and the fact that he hadn't stopped smiling since he walked into the room. "Oh God, you really do look happy. Alright, then far be it for me to ruin things for you. If you want to be with Kathryn I won't stand it your way. Just promise me you'll take things slow with her and won't rush into anything."
He studied her a moment and then exclaimed out of seemingly nowhere, "I love you. I mean, you know, in a strictly brotherly non incest kind of way."
"I know, I love you too," she laughed leaning in to embrace. Any awkwardness had seemed to finally disappear. As she broke away she sighed, "I'm exhausted, I'm going to take a nap then head home, leave you and the dragon lady to get back to whatever it was that you were doing."
"Thank you"
Annette headed down the hall to find another guest bedroom and Sebastian went back to bed with 'the dragon lady' pleased that things with his sister were now settled and they could perhaps go back to some sort of normality. As he reentered his bedroom he found Kathryn wearing his dress shirt yet again and chatting animatedly on the phone. "Yes, its fine…Steven I'm okay really…"
Sebastian stopped as he got half way to the bed and glared at her. "Steven?" he demanded loudly.
"Shh," Kathryn hushed him sternly before going back to her phone call, using that phony tone of hers.
Rolling his eyes, Valmont slowly crawled into bed beside her and situated himself so he was resting on her legs. As Kathryn chirped away on the phone to his stepbrother, he pushed her shirt aside exposing her bare breasts. Tweaking her nipple between his index finger and thumb he watched with perverse interest as Kathryn's face flushed in pleasure and she tried to ignore him.
Sebastian however would not be ignored. Leaving her breast he moved his hand down between her legs and ran his fingers down her slit. "Ooh baby you're wet," he teased not bothering to lower her voice.
Kathryn swatted his hand away and mouthed, "Shut up." Returning to her phone call she said, "Okay, well I'll see you then. Have a nice trip, bye Steven." Her smile fell away as she hung up the phone then finally turned her attention to him. Smacking his arm she teased, "You're like a goddamn five year old."
"Did you do it?" he demanded.
"Do what?"
"Knit a sweater," he hissed sarcastically. "What the hell do you think I mean?"
Rolling her eyes she sighed, "No I didn't tell him we're back together."
"Why the fuck not?"
"I told you, I don't want to do it over the phone. It's going to have to wait until he gets back which according to him won't be for at least a week. We were suppose to go to your mother's Black and White ball but it doesn't look like he can make it."
"Good," Valmont replied his festive mood returning. "Then we can go together."
Kathryn shook her head, "No that's not going to work. If we go together it will get back to him before the end of the night and I don't want him finding out like that."
Sebastian sat up, suddenly agitated and exclaimed angrily, "Why not? Since when do you give a shit about this guy? Don't tell me you're growing a conscious Kathryn. I would be seriously put out and disappointed in you."
She sighed, "It's not that, it's just…trust me okay? I have to do it in person; I have to be gentle about it. I'm just asking for this one thing Valmont, please? Look, we'll go separately to the party and then we sneak away later and have a little of our own fun."
"Oh goody," he deadpanned, "It'll be just like high school." Kathryn ignored his sarcasm and stared him down, determined to get her way. Finally he relented. "Okay, fine but I swear to god Kathryn you better tell him the minute he steps back in New York or I will and I promise I will be anything but gentle."
That blinding, beautiful smile of hers that he loved so much spread across her face as she grabbed him by the neck and pulled him into a searing kiss. Breaking away she breathed, "Thank you and I promise I'll make it worth your while."
"You damn well better," he sighed running a hand through her chestnut hair.
Jumping up from the bed she tossed off his shirt and threw it at him. "Alright, I'm going to take a nice long bath. Care to join me? I'll let you scrub all my hard to reach areas."
"Like you need to ask," he sighed. "I'll be in, in a minute I just have to call Blaine about something."
Kathryn crinkled her nose, "You rather chit chat with Tuttle then watch me take a bath? Should I be concerned?"
Sebastian reached out and smacked her on the ass, "Go, this will only take a second."
"Okay," she relented tossing him one last seductive grin before disappearing into the bathroom.
After waiting a moment to make sure she was indeed running the water and likely couldn't hear him he reached for the bedside phone. Instead of dialing Blaine's number like he told her however he hit 69. It was all well and good that Kathryn was concerned about Steven's feelings; it was even slightly reassuring to know that she could care about someone other than herself. Valmont, on the other hand had no such concerns and no matter what he promised, he wasn't about to roll over to protect his loser stepbrother's feelings.
For the past couple months he had to contend with Steven's smug smile and not so subtle hints about his relationship with Kathryn. The fucker seemed to thoroughly enjoy rubbing Sebastian's nose in the fact that he was spending all his time with the only girl he ever gave a damn about. It drove him crazy and now that he was in a position to return the favor he was going to be damned if he let it pass him by. Payback was definitely in order.
After copying the number down that 69 produced he dialed and on the second ring a polite male voice answered, "Good morning, Grand Hyatt San Diego, how may I help you?"
Sebastian was about to answer when he realized what the guy just said. San Diego? What the fuck, wasn't his step-loser suppose to be in Kansas?
"Hello?"
"Yes, hello, sorry about that. I don't suppose you have a guest staying there by the name of Steven Hardgrove do you?"
"One moment sir…yes, we do have a Steven Hardgrove staying here. Would you like us to patch you through to his room?"
For a moment he was tempted to say yes, if only so he could then bust Steven on lying to everyone. However, he had a greater mission at hand. "No, that's alright, I'd just like to leave a message if I can."
"Of course sir."
"Thank you, um," he paused a moment before dictating his letter, "Steven, I've changed my mind. After our phone call this morning I've made a decision that I think you will be pleased about. It's imperative that you come home in time for the ball. I have something very important and special to share with you. Love," Sebastian paused savoring the word, "Kathryn. Got that?"
"Yes sir, I'll make sure Mr. Hardgrove gets it right away."
"Thank you"
As he reached over and hung up the phone, Valmont allowed himself a smug satisfied smile. Steven would no doubt salivate when he got that note and he knew he would rush home just as Kathryn 'asked'. She had after all trained him well. Sebastian was well aware that when she found out about his little trick she would be beyond pissed but he really wasn't fazed any. After all the shit she had pulled on him over the past couple months, surely Kathryn couldn't begrudge him a little fun of his own.
Sebastian languidly got up from the bed and strolled over to the bathroom, eager to join his love in a nice hot bath. Pushing open the door he called out, "Alright you little tart, move that beautiful ass over. I'm coming in."
- to be continued (Please Review)
A/N: Behold my astonishment when I came to this site to see if anything was updated and couldn't even find my own stories. I thought they had been removed for a moment! I was insanely pleased to find the plethora of new CI fics and writers as I've always enjoyed reading stories more than writing them. I'm so happy to find that others have picked up the CI writing mantle while I was gone.
Sorry about my lack of updates (or, okay complete abandonment if you will) but my schedule this semester has prevented me from getting my head back into the CI world. Now that I have some free time, I want to work on this story, possibly finish it but seeing as it's only half way finished it might take awhile (though, hopefully not another year)
Anyway, concerning this chapter, it feels overwritten to me and too long but it's necessary for what's to come. The next chapter will have more plot developments and will essentially start the second part of this story which is considerably different then the previous ten chapters. It involves more characters, but should still make all the K/S shippers happy. I don't think I've ever done something like it before so hopefully it will be interesting. Until then…
Next Chapter 11: R.S.V.P