Summary: When Vincent wants to take Kathryn back to Italy, Sebastian devises a new plan to break them up but he might lose Kathryn in the process.
Chapter 21: No Rest For the Wicked
Two weeks following the dinner party Annette and Vincent found themselves together once again. Actually since that night they had been seeing quite a bit of each other. They had coffee together, visited the Met and the Whitney, and today Vincent had invited her to lunch at Tavern On the Green, which was followed by a boat ride in Central Park.
Of course all of this was done under the guise of friendship. Although they never mentioned her, Kathryn's name hung in the air like an unwelcome storm cloud. They were both in silent agreement that this was a platonic friendship. It would have been completely innocent if it wasn't for their ulterior motives. Yes even Vincent had one. Ever since Kathryn had returned to New York she was becoming more and more distant. She didn't speak much to him and when they did it seemed her head was someplace else. She had also began making up excuses not to have sex. Vincent was lonely for a little female companionship so he treasured his time with Annette.
For her part Annette was still going along with Sebastian's plan. Yet she had begun to grow very fond of Vincent. She hated lying to him and keeping her true motives hidden but she knew he would hate her if she told him the truth. The more they saw each other the more it became harder to lie to him. Usually after their 'dates' she would meet with Sebastian and tell him about their progress but she wouldn't do that today. Annette hadn't told Sebastian about this date and had no intentions of altering him about it. Today was only about her and Vincent. Kathryn and Sebastian would never know.
"Oh enough with the girl scout stories. Just fuck her already" Kathryn hissed while clutching the metallic binoculars to her eyes.
Setting his own spy ware down for a minute, Sebastian looked over at his partner in crime bemused. "Well that's certainly a change. Last week you freaked out when he touched her hand now you're irate because he's not jumping her in public. What gives?"
With a deep scowl Kathryn tossed the binoculars on the grass and jumped off the picnic table they had been sitting on. "I'm sick of this bullshit. I just want it over with already."
"You wanted to do this the hard way" he sighed as he resumed spying. Annette and Vincent were in the middle of the pond on a row boat talking intimately about something. Sebastian shook his head. "I can't believe she thought she could sneak away on a date without me finding out about it. Amateur."
"Yes it seems Dorothy is getting attached. Too bad she doesn't know the first thing about seducing a man." Lighting a cigarette she breathed "this could already be over with."
Sebastian looked back at her. "What's the hurry? It will happen in time."
"I don't have time! It's been two weeks and they haven't so much as held hands for gods sake."
Getting up from the table he walked over to her and demanded "what's this all about? What do you mean you don't have time?"
Kathryn's eyes met his as she shook her head bitterly. Turning around she looked back at the couple and spoke in a cold tone. "You know that party Vincent is throwing on Thursday?"
"Yeah"
"It's a going away party. He wants to take me back to Italy."
Sebastian's eyebrows shot up in surprise. Coming up behind her he said "well tell him you don't want to go."
Kathryn looked over her shoulder at him. "Don't you think I tried that? He's adamant. Vincent thinks it will be good for us." She snickered "I'm becoming distant, he says. I need to get away from the city."
"You mean me" Sebastian sneered standing beside her. He wondered then if it was possible Vincent suspected something was going on between them. Over the past weeks they had been discreet when they saw each other, certainly more so than he was being with Annette. "Perhaps you should tell him the truth" he suggested.
"No" Kathryn answered flatly. "He loves me and Vincent has been nothing but kind to me. I owe him Sebastian, I'm not going to hurt him like that."
Sebastian threw his hands up in the air in frustration. "Since when did you grow a conscience? So what's the plan then? You're going to go back to Italy with him, continue this charade of playing the happy couple when you're in love with someone else?"
Still looking out at the water a sly smile spread across her face. "I never said I was in love with you."
Reaching over Sebastian grabbed her by the face and gave her a hard, fleeting kiss. "You love me" he replied confidently as he strode away.
Kathryn cocked an eyebrow at him and tossed her cigarette aside. "My aren't we cocky in our pretty new suite."
He smiled arrogantly as he ran his hands down the arms of the dark blue silk jacket. "You like? Annette helped me pick it out."
"Don't try and make me jealous" she warned. Standing in front of him Kathryn straightened his tie, making it perhaps a tad bit tight. "This isn't high school and I don't consider little miss muffet competition. I know you're not sleeping with her or anyone else for that matter."
"How do you know that?"
Kathryn ceased her hand movements. "Are you?"
"Are you?"
This wasn't the first time Sebastian had brought this up. On more than one occasion he had hinted around trying to find out if she was still sleeping with Vincent. Kathryn refused to give him an answer. Smiling secretly at the question she answered it with one of her own. "What do you think?"
Sebastian responded by pulling her forward into a kiss. Her small hands pressed against his chest but she didn't resist. It was tentative at first but Sebastian's need quickly grew more urgent and demanding. She was right, he wasn't sleeping with anyone else. He wasn't sleeping with her either. Kathryn had actually followed through on her vow to not go any farther than kissing with him. When ever Sebastian tried to push things further she pulled away, leaving him frustrated. He wondered now that they were running out of time, if she would perhaps bend her rule a little bit.
He pulled her even closer to him, deepening the kiss. Then he let his free hand roam down her body and grope her breast. Almost immediately Kathryn pushed him away. "Sebastian" she groaned trying to break free. "Stop it."
Sebastian didn't back down right away. He continued to crush his lips to hers until finally she pushed him back with surprising strength. Falling back on the picnic table he panted as he looked up at her with a mixture of lust and anger. "Kathryn" he breathed.
She shook her head no at him and straightened her skirt. "I'm not about to go back on my word. Especially is a public place."
"Well that's very admirable of you" he replied sarcastically as he sat back up. "But I'd like to remind you that we only have a few days left. We might not get another chance to be alone again."
"Then you better think of something quick then, hadn't you?"
Rolling his eyes Sebastian sighed "that's easy for you to say."
Kathryn stepped closer to him and rested her hands on his knees. "If you want to be with me, you'll think of a way to keep me here and quick." She smirked and added "I have faith in you Sebastian."
He scoffed "well that makes one of us."
* * * * * *
Sometime later Sebastian sat in his study trying to think of a new course of action. Obviously this whole plan to use Annette to distract Vincent wasn't working. He wondered why he ever thought it could. After all Annette was as likely to steal another girl's boyfriend as Kathryn was to join a convent. Then again considering her new found vow of celibacy maybe that wasn't so unbelievable. Throwing his head back against the leather chair Sebastian let out a frustrated groan at his lack of ideas as to how to solve this latest crisis.
There was one thing. It was something he had considered awhile back but never brought up to Kathryn. At the time there really was no point in mentioning it and now as he thought back to it Sebastian was glad he never said anything about it. In order for this possible plan to work Kathryn would need to be completely out of the loop. A place she was never pleased to be.
Then again maybe he wouldn't have to resort to that. Maybe things weren't really so dire yet. Perhaps Annette could persuade Vincent away from Kathryn. Then he wouldn't have to-
"We need to talk" Annette exclaimed as she burst through the heavy double doors.
Spinning his chair around Sebastian gave her his most devastatingly charming smile. "Hey just the person I needed to speak to. How are things going with the Italian stud?"
"I want to call it off"
His smile fell. "Call what off?"
"It's over with Sebastian. I can't do this anymore." Looking away from him she sighed "I'm not going to see Vincent anymore."
Rolling his head he let out a pained groan. "God you have shitty timing." Clutching her by the arms he pleaded "Annette you can't do this to me, not now."
Her features wrinkled in concern. "Why not now? What's going on?"
Sebastian let go of her and leaned against the desk. It occurred to him for a second that if Vincent hadn't told her about his traveling plans yet perhaps he had a change of heart. "Vincent is planning to leave for Italy after his party. He's taking Kathryn with him."
Annette's eyes filled with sympathy as she crossed her arms to her chest. "That is a problem but Sebastian I can't continue on with this. I'm sick of lying to Vincent and going along with this lie that-"
"Yes, okay I get it" he sighed exasperated. "You want out. Fine, you're out but first you have to do something for me."
She rolled her eyes and shook her head. "No, Sebastian I'm done with the scheming and manipulating."
"You won't have to do either" he assured her. "In fact all you have to do is tell the truth. I want you to tell Vincent everything you know about Kathryn's past."
"Excuse me?"
Sebastian nodded "just tell him about your history with her. Tell him you don't want to see him get hurt by her."
Annette didn't bother to hide her surprise at this. Slowly she strode over to the desk and stood in front of him. "Sebastian even if I did...he won't believe me. He'll probably just assume I'm trying to break them up."
He shrugged "it doesn't matter. You don't need to convince him. You only need to plant a couple of seeds of doubt in his mind about her."
"What are you up to?" she asked warily.
"I have one last card to play" he explained. "I was hoping I wouldn't have to use it but it looks like I have no other alternative. Kathryn's not going to like it."
Annette nodded in agreement. "What ever this card is, it better be good."
"Not it, she."
* * * * * *
Something was up, Kathryn could feel it. As she stood in the ballroom of the Four Seasons where Vincent was currently hosting his party she thought back on the last couple of days. It had been three days since she last talked with Sebastian in the park. During that time he hadn't so much as talked on the phone which was strange since they usually talked at least a few times a day. At first Kathryn was nervous that perhaps Sebastian was blowing her off or worse found someone else. However that scenario seemed somewhat unlikely seeing as she knew he did honestly love her. No she suspected he was avoiding her because he was up to something.
Tapping her manicured nails against her wine glass anxiously Kathryn smiled pleasantly at the guests but didn't stop to chat with anyone. He was planning something she could just feel it. When last they spoke Sebastian vowed to make sure she stayed in New York with him and when Sebastian wanted something he usually got it. Kathryn did believe he loved her but she also knew Sebastian viewed her in many ways like he did his jag. It was a beautiful, expensive thing that he viewed as his. Although they made no sort of official commitment, he very much saw her as belonging to him. Sebastian wasn't exactly notorious for sharing. He would do everything in his power to hold on to what he saw as rightfully his.
This is what made her nervous. She knew Valmont to be somewhat impulsive at times and she worried he might be planning something stupid. Her mind whirled with various scenarios and none of them were good. Then she looked up across the room and she saw Sebastian had finally arrived. He was alone but he definitely looked preoccupied. Kathryn waited for him to notice her and when he did he simply nodded hello and then looked away. Oh yes he was plotting something.
Kathryn watched him maneuver around the party for a little while, seemingly talking to everyone but her. She knew then if she wanted answers she was going to have to go straight to the source. There was really only one way to make Sebastian talk and Kathryn had no problem using that method.
As he was heading over to the bar she came up quickly behind him and grabbed his arm. Without a word she pulled him out of the ballroom and back in a tiny alcove that was near the coat check. Seemingly unfazed Sebastian sputtered in amusement and asked "what are you-"
She cut him off with a fierce kiss silencing him right away. Just as she suspected he didn't seem to mind in the least. Sebastian's arms circled around her crushing her body into his. When his hands started to move down her body Kathryn didn't stop him as she had become accustomed to doing. Instead she egged him on, taking his hand and pressing it up against her breast. Pulling her mouth away from his breathlessly she began to attack his neck and ear, a sensitive spot.
Sebastian let out a pleasure filled whimper as his hand got tangled in her hair. "Kathryn, not that I'm complaining but what about your sacred no-fooling-around rule?"
"I'm retiring it for the time being" she explained.
"Okay, why?"
Sebastian might be enjoying what she was doing to him but he wasn't an idiot. Kathryn would never attack him in such a way, well at least not in such close proximity to a public place, if it wasn't for a specific reason. Pulling away from his neck her green eyes met his blue ones. Reaching down she gripped the zipper on his pants and slowly brought it down. "Why do you think?"
Kathryn suddenly thrust her hand inside his pants and gripped his semi-hard cock. Looking down at her hand then back up at her face he stuttered "I-I don't know." Actually he might have but at the moment his brain was too clouded with lust to think.
Her hand now wrapped firmly around this throbbing member she moved in even closer to him. Kathryn let out a throaty laugh as she leaned in and whispered in a singsong voice "liar, liar pants of fire."
"Kathryn" he groaned his eyes now shut as his jaw tight with tension.
With almost pain staking slowness she began to stroke him. "Sebastian, what are you planning?"
His eyes suddenly opened. So that's what she wanted. "What makes you think I'm-ow!"
Sebastian winced in pain as Kathryn gripped his balls with her free hand and squeezed. "I know you better than anyone remember that" she reminded him. "Now you've been avoiding me these past days and I want to know why."
He snickered "maybe I'm screwing someone else."
"Maybe you're in love with me."
"Oh Kathryn" he groaned trying to ignore the sensations in his groin. "Whatever I did, it's for your own good."
She ceased her movements and pulled her hand away. Narrowing her eyes she asked "what's that suppose to mean?"
Reaching up Sebastian caressed her face with the back of his hand. "Trust me" he told her soothingly.
Before Kathryn could demand more information a familiar, high pitched giggle caught her attention. It sounded like a mix between a ferret and one of those annoying little dogs. Without even turning around she knew who it was.
"What the fuck?" Kathryn muttered as she moved away from Sebastian just in time to see Cecile Caldwell come shimming up to the ballroom door with Court Reynolds of all people on her arm. The sight was enough to cause Kathryn to have an immediate flashback to the last time she saw them together. It was two years ago at a party very much like this one.
There was no way in hell she would have ever invited either of them and there was no reason for Vincent to invite him. The only explanation she could think of for their presence was it was part of Valmont's grand plan. "What did you do?" she hissed at him.
Sebastian only responded with a careless shrug. Rolling her eyes she stalked off towards the couple determined not to let them into her party. Grabbing Cecile by the arm she pulled her back from the door and demanded "where the hell do you think you're going?"
Cecile tried to pull her arm out of her grip. "Let me go freak! I was invited!"
"Oh, by who?"
"By-"
"Never mind" Kathryn sneered "I already know. Well seeing as it's my party I'm uninviting you, so get out. Both of you."
"You can't do that!" Cecile wailed still sounding like an immature child. As Kathryn gave her a quick once over she realized she still dressed like one too. The bright pink creation that she was currently wearing looked like a refugee from Britney Spears wardrobe.
"Kathryn grow up" Court sighed. "We were invited so just move aside and let us go in."
Yes Court was still a pompous prick, no surprise there. Kathryn eyed him not bothering to hide her disgust. He had put on a few pounds since last time she saw him. No doubt on account of the twelve step program he was currently enrolled in. "Fuck off waste of space" she barked at him. "What are you two doing together anyway? I could have sworn Court you dumped the little blow job queen."
"Court and I are together now" Cecile emphasized by lifting there joined hands up. "Just as it was always meant to be. Before you got in the way."
"I got in the way?" she repeated incredulously. "Excuse me honey but he was my boyfriend before his sudden craving for virgin meat."
Court rolled his eyes "oh that's right Kathryn, I forgot you were the victim. You did nothing wrong, right?"
Kathryn snickered crossing her arms to her chest confidently. "No I'll gladly admit to what I've done." With malicious glee she eyed Cecile and revealed "destroying your innocence and turning you into a slut was one of the best thing's I've ever done. Not to mention one of the most amusing. Poor Cecile so in love with that simpering fool Ronald. It was so easy to get him into bed. Almost as easy as turning you into a tramp. Forcing Sebastian on you, stupid child never had a chance. The best part though was letting everyone in on what a brainless, useless whore you really-"
"Kathryn!"
The sound of her name was never said with so much anger. It shocked her into silence. Slowly she turned to find Vincent standing behind her with an angry and tense expression. Shaking his head he demanded "what have you done to my niece?"
Final Chapter Coming Soon