Chapter 14

Catherine's eyes widened and then grew hazy with remembrance. "You remember that night in the cavern?" She asked hesitantly. She'd vowed to keep that secret to herself, fearful the memory might somehow cause Vincent a relapse. Learning he recalled what had happened was a huge relief.

'"Yes." He replied as he softly cupped her cheek. "Some of the details aren't clear, but I remember enough; the way you breathed air into my mouth and the incredible way your lips felt on mine." Tenderly, he brushed his mouth over hers.

"The soft warmth of your flesh." He continued as he nuzzled her other cheek and moved on down to her throat. 'The wonderful scent of you." He inhaled deeply as he buried his nose into her hair. "Oh, Catherine." He breathed softly as their passion flared.

Catherine wrapped her arms around Vincent and drew him closer. For a minute, she wanted to stay that way forever, but knew she couldn't let Vincent labor under an illusion. "Vincent, something did happen between us in the cavern, but it's not exactly what you think."

Vincent froze and pulled back a bit, looking distinctly confused. "Not exactly? What does that mean?"

In spite of the heady desire coursing through her, she had to fight back a smile. "It's just what it sounds like."

Vincent looked exasperated. "Well, perhaps you should tell me what did happen exactly!"

This time, she did grin. "You were right. We did kiss; and we were ...caressing each other."

"How?" He asked barely above a whisper as he moved closer again.

"I opened your shirt and pulled it loose." She continued softly. I ran my hands up your back as you opened my shirt." She exhaled sharply as he resumed his sensuous nuzzling.

"Mmhhmm." He encouraged.

"You began to touch me, stroked me. " Her voice got softer as his knuckles began to tenderly brush the side of her breast. 'And then..." She trailed off.

"And then?" He urged.

Catherine sighed in regret. "You passed out."

"WHAT?" Vincent drew back again, his face flushed with masculine outrage.

Catherine truly tried to suppress her laughter. She managed to keep it to a snicker, but Vincent's comical expression of offended male dignity was simply too much for her own impish sense of humor. She quickly dissolved into a peal of giggles that had her flopping back on the pillows with mirth. Vincent's own sense of humor eventually kicked in as well and he joined her, falling down next to her in the bed.

"Well, so much for my erotic imaginings!" Vincent lamented. Catherine laughed more.

Vincent slid closer and kissed her tenderly. "Truthfully, Catherine, I'm glad our first time wasn't in that cavern. Our first time together should be something special; not some frantic coupling on the dirt floor of a drafty cave like a pair of oversexed teenagers!"

"What did you have in mind?" She asked provocatively as she ran her hands up and down his powerful arms.

"Give me a few minutes and I'll show you." He replied as he rose from the bed and disappeared into the bathing chamber. Curious, Catherine sat up and waited impatiently for him to return. She didn't have to wait long.

"Ready, my love?" he asked and she nodded.

Gently, he picked her up and carried her to the bathing chamber. As he shouldered aside the privacy flap, Catherine was dazzled by the room ablaze with the lustrous glow of a dozen of candles.

'I'm sorry there are no roses, my love." Vincent apologized as he set her on the nearby bench. "It would have been the finishing touch."

"I don't care. Everything is perfect. I have you; that's all I need." She replied earnestly.

Vincent knelt down next to the bench and looked deep into her eyes. "I've waited a lifetime for you, Catherine. I'll never let you go again. I love you and you're mine." He vowed quietly. Such a blatantly possessive declaration from any previous man in Catherine's life would have drawn her ire and disgust; from Vincent, it was thrilling!

"That works both ways, you know." She replied with an impish grin.

Vincent grinned back. "You wish is my command, my lady." But, what she said next was baffling.

"Vincent, take off your boots." Curious, but intrigued, Vincent sat next to her and complied. Catherine stared down at the large feet revealed before her and smiled widely.

Like Vincent's hands, they were covered with a fine down and ended in thick claw-like nails. "Oh, Vincent." She exclaimed. "I love your feet! They're magnificent!" He quirked an eyebrow skeptically.

Catherine wrinkled her nose as she laughed and this time, Vincent couldn't resist kissing it. "I know it sounds silly, but it's true! I have a confession. Ever since the first night I spent Below, my feet always freeze every time I stay. No matter what I wear to bed, they always get cold. For the first time last week, I actually slept Below without my feet turning into blocks of ice and it was because of you keeping me warm. I've never felt so loved or cherished as that morning when I woke up in your arms, Vincent. That's only part of why I love you."

"Catherine." He groaned hoarsely as he moved to kneel in front of her again. Carefully, he removed the brace and unwrapped her ankle before his gaze rose to meet hers again.

"If your injury starts to hurt..."

"You'll be the first to know." She assured him. "Take off your vest." She whispered softly.