Summary:When Annette threatens to bring down the tribunal Kathryn will stop at nothing to destroy her first. However she is knocked for a loop when a confrontation with Sebastian ends unexpectadly.
Authors Note: Hey I know I haven't updated this sooner but the thing is it's twice as long as a regular chapter so it takes me twice as long to write. Anyway I just wanted to address some things people have asked me about in either reviews or emails regarding this story.
(1) Annette will play a much different role in this story that in my others. If you're sick of seeing Annette miserable at the end of each story you'll probably be happy with the outcome of this fic.
(2) This will be a Kat/Seb story but I want to lamment that Kathryn does LOVE Joshua and that just won't go away. Not easily anyway
Chapter 5: Wicked Game
"It's over Kathryn"
Annette stood over her nemesis with her head held high and a confident smile that seemed almost foreign on her pretty face. Not that the blond ever lacked confidence but unlike some of her peers she didn't have the need to reign her ego over others. She was always kind, thoughtful and above all else self less.
But not today.
Today she was putting her need to see the queen bee get what was coming to her, ahead of her morals and values. For once it was Annette who was standing over Kathryn with a phony condescending smile that masked a world of hate and loathing. Ever since they had met three years ago it was always that same bullshit expression of fake friendliness that everyone but Annette bought into. She witnessed as said bitch tore apart people's lives and hearts, including her own, all the while wearing that smile. Oh how she always wanted to smack it off of her! Well now she would and she didn't have to resort to violence to do it.
For her part Kathryn sat seated on the folded bleachers before her looking up at Annette completely serene and calm. Her legs folded under her and her hands resting atop her crisp, pleated skirt. However behind her passive visage lay boiling rage and hatred. First at being summoned to the empty school gymnasium by little miss Kansas, then having to play along with her mind teasers. Kathryn was assuming that Annette did have something up her sleeve but she was hardly concern. After all what could Nancy Drew possibly have on her?
Still she played along with extreme caution choosing to put on her sweet and innocent persona even though she knew Annette saw through it. "What's over with?" she asked keeping her voice curious yet regal. "What are you talking about Annette?"
Her soft blue eyes went hard as she glared at her, hating that patronizing tone in her voice. Kathryn still believed nothing could touch her. Well she was about to be sorely mistaken. Although Annette had planned on dragging out her questioning, she was getting impatient and really didn't want to be in Kathryn's presence any longer than was necessary. Reaching into her small brown leather bag, ironically a gift from Sebastian when he was still courting her, Annette pulled out a carefully stapled set of papers. She smiled down at it before tossing it to the brunette and explaining "this, is what I'm talking about. Should make a good read, huh?"
Kathryn caught the paper as it was tossed at her so carelessly then looked up at Annette sharply before examining it's contents. On first inspection it appeared to be just the latest issue of Manchester's school paper, The Gazette. Then as she looked closer the front headline caught her attention.
*~ The Manchester Tribunal: Myth, Legend, Reality ~*
Their Secrets Exposed Including Their Infamous Ringleader
Under the word ringleader was Kathryn's senior picture staring back at her. For a brief moment as her eyes scanned over the article she remained calm refusing to show that bitch Hardgrove even a moment of fear or anger until she decided if it really was dire as all that.
It very much was.
In the four page article all of the tribunals secrets were there including a step by step description of their initiation process. Every crime they covered up, every high standing official they used was named along with a list of the current members. It was all their before her in black and white. For once Kathryn was completely stunned and speechless.
This had not gone unnoticed by Annette who's smile only widened when she saw how Kathryn's fist was now squeezing the paper and her eyes were wide as saucers. Beaming proudly she explained "I'll be running it in next weeks issue of the paper. I was going to run it in today's but I thought it was much more fair if I got your side of things first Kathryn." Removing the small black tape recorder from her bag she held it in front of Kathryn and asked with all the fake sincerity she could muster, "would you like to make a comment on the allegations?"
At last Kathryn looked up at her, the phony pleasantness now completely gone and replaced with searing hatred. God how she wanted to rip that witch in two but she had to settle for the garbage she had in her hands. Holding the paper up she tore it in two and then tossed it to the ground in disgust. Her eyes now burning into Annette's she demanded "what the FUCK do you think you're doing?"
Annette's expression went innocent as she replied "what, did I spell your name wrong? Terribly sorry" she sighed now openly mocking her. Holding the recorder even closer to her she pressed "comment?"
Unable to hold back her rage a minute longer Kathryn sprang to her feat and in one swift motion knocked the tape recorder from her hand causing it to crash nosily against the hard gym floor. Without missing a beat she lunged at Annette but the blond quickly backed away. Stopping herself from doing something violent and messy Kathryn stood mere inches from her opponent and hissed "who gave you this information?"
Crossing her arms to her chest Annette shot back "what makes you think I didn't get it on my own?"
Kathryn let out a cruel, humorless chuckle "don't flatter yourself dear. We both know you couldn't find your way out of a paper bag with a flashlight. Now who told you this?"
"It's..." she stopped with a cold smile and finished "sorry I'm sworn to secrecy but lets just say it was a mutual friend of ours."
That was all the hint Kathryn needed. As her eyes closed and her body tensed she almost laughed but didn't because it was so obvious. She should have known better, she should have been watching her back and now she might loose everything because of that mistake. Taking a deep breath Kathryn sighed "Valmont."
"Give the girl a prize" Annette replied dryly. "Yes I guess you could call it Sebastian's version of a parting gift. At first I thought it was some sort of set up arranged by you but then I realized no, he just wants to see you taken down as much as I do."
"You have no idea" she muttered turning on her heels, the leather of her loafers squeaking against the gym floor. "Why are you doing this?" Kathryn asked honestly curious. "I mean you're the one with all the good intentions and morals. Why are you destroying these people's lives?"
Her expression suddenly hard Annette waited a beat before revealing "not there's, yours. You see when the truth comes out it won't hurt them, if anything they'll look like just helpless victims of peer pressure. You on the other hand, well you'll look like the devil in carnet which lets be honest Katie isn't that far from the truth."
"Don't call me Katie" she warned.
Annette studied her curiously as if she was examining a Picasso. "Joshua calls you that doesn't he? Yeah he told me that one time" she chuckled softly "he was trying to convince me you had a soft side."
Kathryn's emerald eyes went wide in realization as she stepped closer and sneered "Joshua, you're doing this because of him aren't you? You want him back, I knew it!"
With an amused smile Annette shook her head and replied "I know you like to think that I want everything you have but I don't. The fact of the matter is I got over Joshua a long time ago Kathryn but you're right this does have to do with him. I want to see you pay for all the heartache you've caused not only me but countless others. Now since you obviously don't want to comment on my story I'm going to run it as is."
"Oh like hell you are" Kathryn spat practically trembling with anger. "That piece of shit will never see the light of day. If you even THINK about publishing it I'll not only destroy you but your dear father as well."
She expected that would get some kind of reaction out of the blond but no she just stood there arms firmly planted across her chest and a cool expression across her face. Taking a step towards her Annette told her "do your worse. Go ahead, ruin my life, play whatever games you want because no matter what you do the article WILL run. That copy you tore up a moment ago wasn't my only one and as for my father, he's a lot smarter than you think. He can take care of himself."
This new found confidence in Annette was more than a little off putting to Kathryn. She was use to her backing down and letting her get her way but this time it was evident things had changed. Still Kathryn wasn't about to be scared off, especially not by the so called goody-goody hick.
Keeping her face expressionless she reached out and grabbed Annette by the back of the hair tugging her face close to hers. Just for the briefest of seconds she saw a look of feat flash through her blue eyes but it was quickly replaced with determination. Ignoring it Kathryn whispered in her ear "you just broke an important rule princess."
"Which is?" Annette asked grimacing through the pain.
"Don't fuck with me. Now I'm telling you that article will not run because if it does I won't hesitate to gut you myself."
"I'm terrified"
"You should be because some day very soon I'm going to pay you back for this. Until then" Kathryn kissed her cheek before pushing her away roughly and storming off.
Annette stumbled backwards but quickly found her footing. Wiping her cheek where Kathryn had deposited that phony sentiment, she watched as the brunette charged out through the heavy doors that led outside, her tartan skirt flapping angrily behind her. When the doors slammed shut Annette sighed, relieved it was over with but proud that she had done it.
Kathryn on the other hand was boiling over with rage. She had already come up with various scenarios to stop that article from seeing the light of day but that wasn't enough to calm her. No, someone was going to pay for this and she had a pretty good idea who that someone was going to be.
* * * * * *
Sebastian looked into the goody bag and grinned. It was full of all sorts of fun toys that would help any hot blooded male get his rocks off. Reaching down into the powder blue bag he pulled out a pair of handcuffs and suggested "perhaps we should start with these."
The two blondes who were occupying his bed with him, Nancy and Michelle looked at each other and grinned wickedly. Apparently it was fine by them but then they weren't about to complain. After all it wasn't every day they got to skip out of class early to go to the Four Seasons with Sebastian Valmont. Usually when the girls went on dates with their respected boyfriends it was just some lame movie or dinner before they took back to their over priced cars to screw. Sebastian though was classy, taking them to one of the nicer hotels in the city, and a suite to top it off all so they could engage in a little fun. Kinky fun mind you but neither girl minded much.
"Handcuffs later" Michelle teased suddenly taking chargeas she crawled over to him and pulled her skimpy bra off. "First I want to get my mouth on you."
Sebastian smiled obviously pleased with this new direction. Falling back against the plush pillows he allowed the pretty blond pull his silk boxers off and then flick her wet tongue against the sensetive tip of his errection. He nearly moaned at this but experience had taught him how to stifle his feelings. Sebastian wanted to remain in control at all times, especially in bed.
As Michelle went to work on him he allowed himself to melt into the sensations as his mind drifted off. The reason he had decided to hide out at his suite, which he had been keeping ever since arriving back in the city was simple. He was in desperate need of some privacy. His father's new soon to be wife, who Sebastian had gone to bed with, had now moved into their place permently. Since she didn't work, as far as he could tell, she was always at home and always bugging him. He got the feeling she wanted to fuck him once again but he most definetly wasn't interested. Deciding against putting up with horny step mommy he took off to the Four Seasons.
So instead of staying at his empty suite by himself he invited two of his fellow classmates along. He chose Michelle and Nancy namely because they were hot and because they were both in his sociology class which he was skipping out on, close proximity and all that. Sebastian had heard that they were easy even though they had boyfriends and he was happy to learn that rumor was true.
Looking over at the other blond, the one not currently performing fillatio on him, he noticed her watching them as she absent mindedly touched herself. Picking his head up Sebastian commanded "come here."
Her pretty face wrinkled in hesitation as she asked "why?"
It had become evident early on that Nancy was the more hesitant of the two but when Sebastian was done she would be an even bigger slut than her friend. Rolling his eyes at her he spat "I want to eat you."
"Oh" she exclaimed, a smile curling on her cheery lips. She crawled over to him and then akwardly placed herself over his mouth. When she was immeidatly met with a wet tongue against her sex she let out a soft, throaty moan.
As Sebastian got busy going down on her and Michelle continued her sloppy sucking everybody got so lost in what they were doing they didn't even hear the door open. Sebastian hadn't heard anything, perhaps because Nancy's thighs were clasped so tightly around his ears, until the snapping started. Still he didn't removed his mouth from her snatch until he heard one of the girls exclaim "oh my god!"
Reluctantly he pulled his mouth away and raised his head to see someone standing near the bed snapping pictures with what looked like his camera. The flash blinded him momentarily so he couldn't tell who it was. It wasn't until she pulled the camera away from her face that he saw it was a grinning Kathryn. Dressed in her Manchester unifrom she wore the navy blue sweater loosely around her shoulders and her plaid skirt seemed to be a few inches shorter than normally. As she contiuned to snap away she asked "well what do we have here?"
Sebastian let his head fall against the hard head board as he grumbled "I could have sworn I locked that door."
"Oh you did" she explained pleasently. Reaching into the pocket of her white dress shirt she pulled out a plastic door key "the desk clerk was nice enough to give a key. I think he thought I was part of your...party."
He leered at her "well then by all means join us. Why don't you strip down and get to work on Michelle she looks like she could use some...relief."
Barely batting an eyelash Kathryn remained calm and pleasent as she gave Michelle a once over and replied "I don't think so. I rather have you all to myself Sebastian."
Her tone was seductive and suggestive but Sebastian knew otherwise. She was up to something but he couldn't be sure what, normally he would be intrigued but at the moment his main concern was getting off. Not playing head games with Kathryn. Sebastian was about to tell her to fuck off when Michelle did it for him. "Duh! We're in the middle of something" she exclaimed annoyed. "Come back later."
"Yeah" Nancy added for unnecessary emphasis.
Kathryn raised an eyebrow and Sebastian knew then he wasn't going to get laid. If only because she wouldn't stand being talked down to, especially by the likes of these girls.
Smiling cheerfully Kathryn told them "all right, I'll leave you alone. I guess you won't mind then if I get these pictures developed and show them to your boyfriends. Tom and David right?"
"No!" Nancy yelled out immeidatly flying off the bed. "You can't show that to them!"
"Shut the fuck up Nancy" Michelle hissed at her. Turning an evil eye on Kathryn she replied confidently "she's bluffing."
"Am I? Well okay I won't show it to the boys. Maybe I'll just pass them around the school. Then everyone can know what gigantic sluts you two are."
Michelle's eyes went wide, realizing Kathryn wasn't playing. She looked to Sebastian for help but in merly rolled his eyes and sighed. This was Kathryn's fun and he could care less anymore. When she finally got it that she wasn't going to win this battle Michelle got up from the bed and quickly dressed along with Nancy. As she started to leave she stopped in front on Kathryn held out her hand and demanded "the film."
"Oh yes" Kathryn smiled as she opened the camera and showed it to the blond
With a bored sigh Sebastian explained to her "it's empty. She was bluffing."
"I knew it!"
"Bye, bye" Kathryn gave her a final push out the door and then tossed the camera carelessly on the couch. "Alone at last."
"My that was alot of trouble to go to just to get me alone" he told her trying his best to appear uninterested in whatever she was offering when the truth of the matter was he was very interested.
With a seductive smile Kathryn climbed onto the king size bed and slowly crawled over to him swinging her hips suggestively. "Now it's our time to play" she purred resting herself on his lap which was now once again covered in his silk boxers.
She felt good on top of him and the only thing protecting them from each others sexes was two pieces of thin material. With that knowlege sebastian trying his damndest to not get aroused because he knew she was up to no good. Glaring at her he sighed "well actually I was about to take a nap so maybe some other time."
Kathryn pouted then leaned in closer to him until there mouths were an inch apart. "Please" she whimpered.
That one word was enough to make his cock jump but he quickly swallowed his urge to toss her on her back and screw her sensless. Instead he demanded "what are you after?"
"Nothing" she whispered running her hand through his hair. Sitting back up Kathryn noticed the blue goody bag and picked it up. As she peered inside a smirk graced her lips. "What do we have in here?" Reaching inside she pulled out a stiff white dildo and asked in amusement "and what were you going to do with this?"
"Use your imagination" he sneered.
"Hmm" Kathryn began to caress the hard object her eyes glued to Sebastian's. When she saw she had his attention she braught it slowly to her mouth, flicked the top of it before sucking it into her mouth. As he watched her perform a blow job on the object Sebastian once again started to feel a stiring in his pants that this time refused to go away. He tried to look away from her but he couldn't escape the sight.
Finally he relied on his stand by weapon on choice, nastiness. "Well it looks like someone has been practicing. Color me shocked, guess all that practice you get with the headmaster must be paying off."
When she pulled the dildo from her mouth and her eyes narrowed at him he thought he finally won. However instead she tossed the phalix aside and pulled out the handcuffs from the bag. Twirling them around her finger she asked playfully "want to play a game?"
"Absolutly not" he laughed as he sat up and started to move her off of him. However before he could get up Kathryn grabbed him by the back of the head and drew him into a kiss. Unable to resist her seering hot mouth Sebastian kissed her back, wrapping his hands around her tiny frame and pulling her closer.
Kathryn was stronger than she looked. Her mouth still hungrily kissing his, she pulled a hand away and pushed him back into the bed. When Sebastian felt her grab his writs and pin them to the top of his head he right away knew what she was going to do. He struggled only briefly until she began grinding her pelvic against him. All hope was officially lost.
Breaking away from him she sat up and smiled at her handiwork. Sebastian pulled against the cuffs now holding his arms above his head and sighed. "So what's this game of yours."
"It's easy to play actually and quite fun." Pulling her hand back she suddenly smacked him hard across the face. With a satisfied smirk she finished "for me anyway."
The hit stung but it angered him more than anything. "What the fuck is your problem?"
Kathryn hit him again only this time she used her fist. The smile dissapearing off her face she hissed "my PROBLEM is you screwing me over you stupid fuck. Did you honestly think I'd not figure out it was you who sold me out to that little bitch?"
"Truthfully? Yes" he replied smugly knowing damn well how she would react.
Like he thought she once again delivered a series of hard hits. "Do you have any idea what you did? Annette is going to run an article in the damn school paper about the tribunal. If she does everything I've worked for will be lost. My life will be over!"
Sebastian wasn't exactly moved. "Don't be so melodramatic, it won't be over just destroyed." With a smug smile he told her "just like I promised." Anger flashed over her pretty face right before she slapped him hard yet again. Sebastian let out a loud laugh "so is there a plan here or are you going to just keep slapping me for the rest of the afternoon."
"Now that you mention it there is" she told him, her tone suddenly light and airy. Reaching back she grabbed her small purse and looked inside before producing a small but very sharp switchblade.
At the sight of the shiny, dangerous object Sebastian began to tense. It was possible he had finally crossed the line as far as Kathryn was concerned and he wasn't really sure what she was capable of when provoked. Judging my the look in her eyes it wasn't good. Swallowing his fear he asked "what are you going to do with that?"
"Well you see when that article is published not only will I be exposed but also all of the tribunal members as well. When and if I go down I plan on taking every last person with me...including you." Bringing the knife down to his bare chest she let the blade gently caress his skin making Sebastian tense underneath. "Since you've been so reluctant to join the tribunal I guess I'm just going to have to skip a few steps and initiate you myself. So baby where do you want your scar?"
His eyes went wide when he realized what she planned to do. "Don't you fucking dare!"
"Oh are you going to stop me?" Kathryn let out a malevolent laugh "well if you're not going to play I'll just have to find a place for you. Let's see..." Moving down his body she slid the knife along before stopping at the edge of his boxers. Peering underneath she giggled "this could be an interesting place."
"You put that thing near my dick and so help me they'll be bringing your body out of here in a body bag."
"Tsk, tsk" she teased. "Fine if you're going to whine about it I guess I'll just have to settle for your chest." Sitting up on her back legs Kathryn braught the knife up to his pecks stopping right above the nipple. "Now this will hurt only a little...or a real lot."
With a deviant grin she cut into him making a mark nearly three inches long. It hurt a hell of a lot more than Sebastian thought it would. Arching his back he groaned and was about to end this for good until he looked down at her. Leaning over him Kathryn slowly licked the gash on his chest along with the blood dripping down. The sight and the look in her eyes when she did it caused Sebastian to feel strangely...aroused. It was incrediably twisted but he found it sexy and once again started to get hard.
Looking down Kathryn noticed this and a strange look appeared on her face. "This is turning you on? Valmont is into S&M who knew? It's too bad you're such a miserable prick, we could have had some fun. Oh well one more mark and you'll be one of us."
It was those words that finally awoke Sebastian from his lust induced fog. This had all gone far enough and Kathryn had her revenge for the time being. Just as she was about to make the second mark that would complete the tribunal T, Sebastian let out a chuckle. Kathryn looked up at him confused "you find this amusing?"
"Well yes" he admitted "because I know something that you don't."
"I sincerly doubt it" she snickered. "What is it?"
Pulling his hands free suddenly he exclaimed "they're fake handcuffs brain trust. They don't actually lock." Sebastian laughed when he saw the look of fear flash in her green eyes. Before she could jump up and away he slammed her onto her back and pinned her small body to the bed. "Now that you've had your fun it's my turn."
Struggling underneath his grip she screamed out "get off of me! Let me go retard!"
"Why would I do that? Now that I'm finally in the position to pay you back for all the crap you've done to me ever since I arrived."
"What I've done to you?" she exclaimed. "You're the one who's been making my life miserable! If you just joined-"
"I'm not joining your little cult, get it through your thick head Katie! No matter how many cuts you make on me" he snarled as he reached over and grabbed the switchblade from her. "Speaking of which I think it's about time I return the favor what do you say? Where would you like it?"
As her lower mody squirmed desperetly underneath him trying to escape Kathryn called out "HELP! He-"
Sebastian slammed his hand over her mouth "knock it off. You probably put the do not disturb sign up am I right." When a look of regret and anger passed through her eyes he got his answer. Laughing Sebastian pushed her plaid skirt up and ran the blade over her panties. Kathryn's body suddenly went still and she stopped screaming. Now breathing heavily out of her mouth her eyes locked on his.
Pulling his eyes away from her for just a second he looked down at her soft thighs and noticed her T scar on the inside. Grinning he ran the knife over it and asked "perhaps I should put it right here huh? That would probably be hard to explain to all your tribunal buddies." His eyes on her lammented coldly "especially Joshua."
"Don't..." she warned her voice filled with ice.
Sebastian braught the knife down, still gripping her writs tightly with his free hand, and was just about to cut her when he pulled away at the last second. When he saw Kathryn flinch in relief in almost smiled, almost. Instead he moved his hand towards her panties and ran the blade against the smooth material. As he did this she made a sound that was almost like a gasp or possibly a moan. In one quick motion he used the edge of the knife to cut the thin fabric on her underwear. Glancing down at his handiwork he noticed a wetness start to develop against the dark fabric of the silk. It was then he realized with perverse delight that she was getting off on this whole thing.
Smirking Sebastian moved back up her body and asked "enjoying yourself Kathryn?"
"Fuck you!" she snarled "I hate you!"
"Right back at you baby" he whispered just as he bent back down to crush his lips to hers.
Kathryn squirmed under his touch, refusing to open her mouth to him. Then just as he was about to pull away Sebastian rested his palm on her mound. Her eyes shot open and a soft moan escaped her lips. Sensing she was more into it than she acted he pressed his hand harder and ran a hand down her slit, pushing the flimsy material of her now ruined panites away. At that Kathryn began to buck against him and suddenly started to return his kiss.
As they kissed and he started to move his figers within her Sebastian tried to figure out what the hell was going on. Just mere moments ago Kathryn was swearing she hated him and felt nothing but disgust towards him now she was mewing in pleasure over his touch. If he lived to be a hundread Sebastian wouldn't be able to understand this girl.
She was now practically dripping as he fingered her. Pulling away from her mouth he asked "would you like me to stop now?"
"Would you like me to remove your balls now?" she shot back. "Ahhh!"
Sebastian dipped down and kissed her neck as he let her hands go free. He did it not even thinking she would try to get away but of course she did. Almost immeidatly after he let her go Kathryn pushed him away with surprising force then hit him hard across the face. As she sprang up Sebastian turned and grabbed her by the arms tossing her back to the bed. Kathryn let out a loud squeal, ducked him and pushed him back on the bed. They wrestled like this until Kathryn eventually ended up on top, straddling Sebastian's waist with his errection pressing firmly against her sex. With only the soft, thin silk seperating them she gasped in obvious pleasure.
Sebastian wasn't sure what she was going to do next. As usual she took him completely by surprise when she started to gyrate and grind herself against him. Watching Kathryn moving above him in obvious arousal was almost too much for him to take. If she didn't stop her movments he would come right then. Sebastian realized he had to have her now.
Grabbing her by the waist he quickly tossed her onto her back and mounted her. Kathryn's eyes went wide in surprise but she didn't stop him. Infact when he reached up and pulled her skirt up around her waist and pulled his boxers down she only opened her legs widder to him. Sebastian looked down at her wishing he had fully undressed her first but he couldn't wait any longer. He had enough god damn foreplay for one day.
In one swift beautiful motion he entered her and from there on in everything was a blur of feelings and emotions. This was a first for Sebastian seeing as usually he could remember every thrust and position but looking back all he recalled precisly was the way it felt.
Tight, wet, and hot. Warmness all around him as he pumped endlessly inside her. Kathryn's legs had been around him as she let him ride her. Occasionally their eyes would meet and immedatly she would pull him into a kiss. Sebastian wasn't sure how long it laster but he knew she came first and he followed not long after, emptying himself inside of her.
Normally he would pull away then, maybe have a smoke but instead he continued kissing her, rubbing her. It shocked even him when only a few minutes later he was hard once again. As soon as Kathryn noticed this she pushed him onto his back and then straddled him. Guiding him back inside her she held him there as she reached up and violently ripped her shirt off followed by her bra. That alone was enough to make him come but he stopped himself and let her ride him
They fucked for what seemed like hours, never saying a word to each other the whole time. The only thing that mattered to them was getting off and neither wanted to think about the reasons behind it. For his part Sebastian didn't want her to leave his bed, he didn't want to leave her and that was a first for him. Needing anyone or anything was a completely foreign concept and not one he was at all comfortable with.
When at last he could go on no more he pulled out of her and rolled over to his side. Sebastian was sweaty, tired and soar from the beating he had taken earlier but he hadn't wanted to break away from her. He convinced himself it was a game and whoever tired out first was the loser. Apparenly though in this game they were both losers because Kathryn too was resting on her side tired and exahusted.
For a long while the two stayed like that, completely lost in their own thoughts. When he realized that she hadn't said anything and hadn't even looked at him Sebastian reached out and touched Kathryn's back with surprising gentleness. "Are you okay?"
She turned back to him a confused expression on her face and muttered "yeah, I'm fine." Sitting up suddenly Kathryn gattered one of the white sheets around her naked body and sighed. "I have to get going."
Sebastian sat up on his elbows as he watched her get up and start to rummage around the room for her clothes. Her movements were quick but akward, not her usually graceful self. After studying her a moment he asked "where are you going?"
"Home" she replied simply as she buttoned up her blouse.
"You don't have to go." Sebastian wondered why he said that, he never asked them to stay afterwards. He certainly didn't act as if he cared because of course he never did. Why was he doing this? He should just keep his mouth shut.
Kathryn shot him a quick glance as she grabbed her purse and replied "yes I do." Turning on her heels she took a few quick steps towards the door and then stopped. Swinging back around she faced him, her expression not hard. "This never happened, understand?"
Normally he would tease her at this point but he didn't this time perhaps because he didn't have the energy. Instead he simply nodded dully and told her "fine, whatever you say."
Kathryn nodded solemly and looked like she had more to say but quickly shut her mouth and left. As he heard the heavy hotel door close Sebastian let out a sigh and collapsed back into the messy bed. He would think about what just happened later. Right now he needed some sleep.
* * * * * *
"God I hate him" Kathryn exclaimed later that night as she fell back on the antique lounger.
Marcus who was sitting across the room from her at her parents piano stopped the soft melody he had been playing. Looking over at his friend with a semi amused smile he remarked "I take it you're referring to Sebastian again. Is he still rubbing you the wrong way?"
"What?!" She nearly shouted as she bolted suddenly upright, nearly falling off her couch at the same time. Damnit her corrdination was all off today! Ever since...well she didn't want to think about that but she did want to know what Marcus was referring to. He didn't know about what happened between Sebastian and her in the hotel room, at least to her knowledge. Straightening herself up she demanded "what do you mean by that?"
Marcus laughed "calm down, I just meant things must have not gone well when you went to see him today."
Her anxiety increasing she asked "how did you know I went to see him?"
"Andy told me about how he gave Annette the information on the tribunal and you went to confront him. How did it go?"
Kathryn immediatly calmed down at this then chidded herself for getting so worked up to begin with. Of course Marcus didn't know what happened between her and Sebastian. He couldn't know and if it was up to her he never would, in fact no one would.
Attempting her typical confident smile she explained "it went fine. He of course admitted to doing it and then we...faught but it didn't really accomplish anything."
Getting up from his seat at the piano bench Marcus moved over towards her. The whole time his deep brown eyes studied her intently wondering just what it was she was hidding from him. As he sat down beside her he asked "did anything else happen?"
As soon as he said it Kathryn flashed back to earier that day. Being in bed with him, letting him inside her and the way he touched her as they fucked. It all seemed so real, so vivid, and so very intense.
Too intense.
Shaking her head of the memory Kathryn suddenly got to her feet forgetting for a fleeting moment that Marcus was still in the room. She couldn't beleive she had gone to bed with him. It was incrediably stupid and reckless seeing as Sebastian was possibly one of the most dangerous enemies she had ever had. He already was causing so much distruction to her life with the promise to do more. Kathryn should be destroying him, not allowing him to fuck her brains out.
"Kathryn?" Marcus called to her. "Kathryn are you okay?"
Breaking from her thoughts she turned to him and once again forced a smile. "Yes I'm fine just a little tense. I think I'm just going to take a valium or something."
As she walked to her bathroom and started to rummage through the medicine cabinete she heard Marcus footsteps behind her. He stopped in the doorway and continued to eye her curiously. "I think I know what your problem is" he said at last.
Kathryn dropped the bottle of pills in her hand causing them to scatter into the sink bellow. She realized her hands were shaking and that if she didn't knock it the fuck off Marcus would figure out something happened if he hadn't already. Taking a breath she asked him slightly irritated "oh? What's my problem?"
Marcus stepped futher into the room and came up beside her. Placing an arm around her waist he replied "you miss Joshua don't you?"
This should have made her feel better that Marcus guessed the wrong reason for her tension. However it just made her feel worse. Ever since her and Joshua had gotten together they had an unspoken rule that they each could sleep with whomever they wanted so long as the other person didn't object. Well Joshua didn't even know Sebastian so she doubted it would matter much to him if he found out they went to bed together. And yet Kathryn felt as if she was carrying a weight of guilt around with her which was a completely foreign feeling to her.
She always enjoyed the men she fucked and yet they were never like Joshua. They couldn't touch her like he could or make her feel like he did. There were something even when she would be fucking a guy and she would pretend it was Joshua. Sex with Sebastian though had been different. Kathryn hadn't thought about Joshua once during it, only after when they were laying in that large bed together and she had the urge to roll over and fall asleep on his chest. The guilt had hit her then that she had enjoyed it so much. Now she was craving Sebastian just like Joshua and she hated it. Christ she hated him.
Looking up at Marcus she admitted "yes I do miss him. I would give anything for him to come home..."
"Well if it's any consulation I'm sure he feels the same way"
Kathryn snickered "please something tells me he has plenty of girls to occupy his time at Yale."
Marcus gently touched her face and forced her to look over at him. With a reasuring smile he told her "but they're not you. Come on Kathryn every one knows how he feels about you. As much as you two like to skirt around the issue, you love each other. No matter who comes along they'll never get in the way of that."
Looking off into the mirror Kathryn stared back at herself and smiled faintly. He was right no one could come between her and Joshua. Not some airhead sorority girl and certianly not Valmont. Holding her head up she replied "you're right Marcus and it's time I stop worrying about this. Besides I asked you over here for a reason."
"What's that?"
Walking back to her bedroom Kathryn pulled out a cigarrette and lit it as she laid back on her bed. "We need to make sure Annette doesn't run that article. Now I've been stratergizing all day how to save out collective asses and I belive I came up with a solution."
Taking a seat on her couch Marcus leaned forward and inquired "and what is that? Something legal I hope."
"Completely" she assured him. "I've decided that the best way to get to the little bitch is to send someone to get close to her. So close in fact that he could convince her not to run the article."
"He?" Marcus asked with a raise of his eyebrow. "So then I take it by close you're not talking about friendship."
Kathryn nodded with a decidedly wicked grin on her face. Moving closer to him she slid a hand up his pant leg and whispered "something tells me you're just the man for the job. You're charming, intellegent, not bad on the eyes-"
"And Annette knows I'm friends with you. She'll know it's a set up" he argued.
"Yes but she also knew Sebastian was a player but that didn't stop her from going to bed with him. Come on Marcus" Kathryn cooed in his ear. "You know you're the only guy who can make this work."
With a smirk Marcus ran a dark skinned finger down her mouth and whispered back "what's in it for me?"
The seductive smile on her face seemed to widen as she moved even closer to him. As her hand rested on top of his burgonning groin she replied in a sing song voice "oh I'm sure we can come up with something?"
* * * * * *
Sometimes, while meditating on these things in solitude, I've got up in a sudden terror, and put on my bonnet to go see how all was at the farm
Annette kept reading that line of her book over and over again but couldn't seem to concentrate. It was one of her favorite books about an ultimately doomed love affair, a topic she seemed to have vas experience of. Usually when she had no problem getting lost in the story but today she just couldn't do it. The strange thing was she didn't have any other distractions in her life so their should be nothing else occupying her thoughts.
She was just bored. There was really no other word for it. Sure she was thankful that she was healthy, her father was well, she was doing good in school and had a bright future as a doctor to look forward to but that all seemed so far away. Right now there was nothing in her life she was excited about. Well there was one thing, seeing Kathryn taken down next week but even that did nothing for her. Annette thought when she finally got the best of Kathryn it would make her feel happiness, pride, something. It just didn't seem to matter anymore.
Earlier Annette began to examine this feeling and wondered perhaps if she wasn't over Sebastian yet. She had liked him alot and enjoyed the little time they spent together but no that hadn't braught on these feelings of depression. After all in she was honest with herself she would admit she barely knew Sebastian and you can't really miss someone you don't even trully know. At least she couldn't.
Her other romantic options weren't too promising. For whatever reason Sebastian hadn't announced to everyone that he had taken her virginity so Annette was still seen as a viable commodity on campus. She was still getting asked on dates but no one was held her interest so she usually declined. However now she was wondering if perhaps she was too rash to dissmiss them.
Picking her book up again she started to once again try to loose herself. She had just about succeeded when a voice behind her asked "Wuthering Heights, one of my favorites."
"Yeah it's mine as-" Annette stopped in mid sentence when she looked up and saw Marcus James standing beside her. Dressed in his crisp, clean Manchester uniform that fit like it was designed for him and with a smile that made nearly every girl on campus swoon he appeared as the very picture of confidence. Marcus had always intrigued her for one reason or another. Not just because he was gorgeous but because he seemed to give out an air of intellegence about him much like Sebastian did. He also, much like Sebastian had a reputation of being a player. Not to mention he was friends with Kathryn.
It was because of this last fact Annette eyed him cautiously before asking "can I help you with something?"
He laughed softly as he sat down beside her on the ground and took the book out of her hands. Looking at the back jacket he smiled as he explained "we studied Bronte last semester and I completely fell in love. Anyone would could mix that sort of passion with that amount of heartache, it's just breathtaking."
"I agree" Annette replied taking the book back from him. "Now stop dogging my question. What do you want?"
"Are you always this paranoid?"
She shook her head "no I like to give people the benefit of the doubt. Except when it comes to friends of Kathryn and tribunal memebers. I happen to know you are both so forgive me if I don't want to sit around and discuss books with you." Taking a deep breath she looked away towards a crowd of students sitting at a table laughing. "You can do back to Kathryn and tell her I'm running the article, no matter who she sends to change my mind."
Annette expected some sort of proffession of innocence so she was genuinly surprised when he said "do you have any idea the ammount of trouble you're going to bring down on yourself and your family if that article runs? Look you're right I don't know you and I am a friend of Kathryn's but that doesn't mean I want something to happen to you."
"Look threatening me is not-"
"I'm not threatening you" he replied softly in a hushed tone. "I'm just explaining the facts. When and if the information about the tribunal comes out Kathryn won't be the only one paying the price. In case you haven't noticed families with their kids in this school care very much about reputation. Now if you threaten that they are going to get angry and their going to attack. The first person they're going to start with is your father and then they'll move on to you. You're planning on going to Cornell next year right?"
"How did you know that?"
"Never mind" he sighed. "If you do this I guarantee they'll make sure you don't attend that school or any place else that isn't a community college. These people Annette take their repuations very seriously and they won't stand to see them smeared."
In all honestly Annette had never considered that, she just assumed Kathryn would be the one to pay the price for the tribunal. Although she wanted to see her taken down a peg or two Annette didn't want her father to pay for her retaliation. Then again at the same time she didn't want to back down just because a bunch of rich people couldn't handle the truth. "I don't know Marcus, I worked hard on that article and I think the people have the right to know."
His dark eyes burning into hers he asked "even if it harms the wrong people?"
Looking away she muttered "I'll think about it okay?"
"Hey, that's all I ask" he replied placing a hand over hers.
Annette didn't throw his hand off of hers but she did ask him "was that all?"
Marcus smiled charmingly "well no, I have two tickets to the symphony for Friday night. Want to go?"
Not bothering to hide her surprise she asked "you're asking me out?"
"Well yeah" he laughed. Sensing her obvious hesitation he asked faux indiginity "what, you're not into black guys?"
She laughed "that's not it. It's just...um.."
"Yes?"
There must have been a million reasons why agreeing to go out with Marcus was a bad idea but at the moment she didn't care. As soon as he arrived all feelings of bordom and emptiness had vanished and to Annette that was as good a reason as any to say yes. With a sly smile she responded "okay, I'll go. Pick me up at seven. I take it you know where I live."
Nodding his head he laughed "as a matter of fact..."
* * * * * *
"What do you say to a June wedding Sebastian?"
Looking up from his viel Sebastian glared at his father with annoyance and replied "I'm not the one good getting married." Glancing farther to his left his eyes landed on his soon to be step mother who was smiling poilitly as she unbenownst to his father caressed Sebastian's leg under the table. Kicking her away he finished "you are DAD."
Nina looked back down at her dinner and pouted like a school girl who was denied the boy she had a crush on. His father, clueless as ever put an arm around his fiancee and rambled on "I think we can rent out the Plaza or perhaps the Carlton. What do you think dear?"
As the two of then rambled on about wedding plans Sebastian tuned them out wondering why it was he couldn't figure a good excuse out of this dinner. When he could no longer hide out at the hotel any longer he came home just in time for his father to insist that he accompany them to dinner. Reluctantly he had agreed and now here he sat trying to fend of the unwanted advances of his step mommy while trying to appear interested in their so called wedding.
Looking over at the happy couple Sebastian's nose turned up in disgust and he suddenly looked anywhere around the fancy reasteraunt that wasn't at them. In doing so he noticed a familar face sitting a few tables away. It was Marcus who was sitting across from a petite, beautiful blond. It came as no surprise to Sebastian when he saw the girl was Annette.
In the span of only a few weeks Annette and Marcus had become Manchesters hottest couple, not that Sebastian kept up with that sort of crap but it was a little hard to escape it. Everyone was talking about how known womanizer Marcus seemed to have the virginal Annette wrapped around his finger or that she had him wrapped around her finger. Either way it was the consensus of most that he had already popped her cheery. This alone was enough to annoy Sebastian seeing as he was the one who really held that honor.
Another interesting development which seemed to be somehow attributed to the new couple was that the tribunal had yet to be exposed. Earlier Annette had devolged to him that she was going to use the info he found for her in news article for the school paper. At the time Sebastian found it a little tame but left it in her hands. However the article had yet to be published. The other day at school he tried to ask her about it but Annette quickly blew him off sighting she had a meeting to get to.
This along with the bizzare new relationship led Sebastian to beleive that one person was behind both of them, Kathryn. The queen bee was livid when she found out about the article and it would hardly be beneath her to send one of her favorite minions, Marcus, to cozy up to Annette in order to prevent the article from seeing the light of day.
Thinking about Kathryn yet again made him shift uneasily in his seat. Ever since their romp in the hotel a few weeks back Sebastian had felt on edge. Every time he got close with another girl he would flash back to that day and he couldn't figure out why. Yes it had been amazing and hot but he had better. Hadn't he?
To top it off Kathryn seemed to be making it a point to actively avoid him. No longer was she cornering him, threatening him, trying to get a rise out of him. Instead whenever they saw each other in the hall she would get a weird look on her face before she scowled and turned away.
Maybe it was because he always wanted what he couldn't have that he suddenly craved her. For the past two weeks he'd been ignoring that feeling or pushing it away all together but he was sick of doing that. Sebastian wanted a repeat performance and he was going to do everything in his power to get it. There was only one real way to get Kathryn's attention and that was to piss her off.
When he noticed Marcus excuse himself from Annette, Sebastian did the same only he didn't bother to explain his dissaperance to the happy couple beside him. Getting up he followed into the men's room and found Marcus taking a piss. He looked up and smiled cordially when he noticed him enter. "Hey Valmont"
Sebastian pretended to study his reflection in front of the mirror and he smiled back "hello Marcus."
"I didn't see you out there. Who are you here with?"
With a sigh of disgust he grumbled "my father and his soon to be ex fiancee. I saw you're with Annette."
"Yeah I am" he replied zipping his pants back up. Glancing at him cautiously Marcus tensed slightly as he inquired "um, you're not, you know still into her are you?"
Sebastian let out a genuine laugh "no, of course not and if it's any conselation to you I'm pretty sure it's mutual."
Marcus laughed back "oh trust me she is."
As he turned to leave Sebastian waited until he was almost to the door before calling out, "so tell me how long did Kathryn tell you to date Annette?"
Stopping in his tracks, Marcus's body stiffened at the question. Slowly he turned to him with a weary smile and replied "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Right" Sebastian snickered tossing a used paper towel in the trash. "You just happen to start dating Annette right when she's about to publish an article that's going to expose all the secrets of you're secret society. You have to admit that's a hell of a coinsidence."
Marcus smiled confidently "there's no such thing as coinsidence."
"Especially when you're dealing with Kathryn."
Looking around as if to make sure they were alone, Marcus then stepped closer to him and the smile dissapeared off his face. "You know Valmont none of this would have been necessary if you hadn't minded your own business."
No backing down an inch Sebastian responded "yes well your illustrious leader really didn't give me any other choice. Do me a favor and save your threats, okay? I heard enough of them from Kathryn. It seems the only way she shuts up is when she's on her back."
Sebastian honestly didn't mean to say anything, the comment just slipped out. In face he didn't even realize what he had said until Marcus asked him sounding complelty floored, "wait a minute, did you fuck Kathryn?"
Closing his eyes he shook his head and sighed "does it matter?"
"I'm guessing if she's keeping it a secret it is." Turning away from him Marcus looked at his watch and remarked "I have to get back to Annette, she's probably wondering where I went."
There was something in his tone that made Sebastian stop him and ask "you really like her don't you?"
He nodded "yeah I do, Annette's cool."
Sebastian snickered "oh that's going to go over well with Kathryn."
"What are you talking about?" Marcus sighed "Once Annette is no longer a threat Kathryn won't care who I date."
Squinting his blue eyes he scoffed "you can't honestly be that nieve?"
"Whatever" he grumbled "I have to go."
Before he could press the issue further Marcus was out the door. Sebastian followed behind him and watched as he rejoined Annette who was already slipping her coat on to leave. As Marcus paid the check Sebastian couldn't help but notice the guy beside him doing the same thing and the whole time keeping one eye on the happy couple. Curious he approched the guy and purposly bumped into him, causing the twenty something young man to stumble. "Hey watch it" he sneered before turning his attention back on Marcus and Annette.
As they left the guy followed in hot pursuit and as he did Sebastian caught sight of the bag it was carrying. He noticed it because he had one just like it. It was a camera bag.
It was very curious that a man with a camera was tailing Annette and Marcus off all people. Then again Sebastain could think of one person who would want compromising pictures of the couple. With a knowing grin he muttered "Kathryn what are you up to?"
* * * * * *
It was a miracle she didn't get struck by lightning. As Kathryn stood under the umbrella currently being held by the doorman she cursed loudly "I'm getting soaked! Just open the god damn door!"
"I'm sorry Ms. Merteuil" he mumbled desperetly trying to open the door for her. When at last he got it he smiled proudly and held it for her "here you go."
She rolled her eyes at him as she pushed past into the dry foyer of the luxurious townhouse. She had just spent a semi pleasent evening at an outdoor party thrown by William Tyler. It was being held on his new yaht but when the skies opened up and it started to storm everyone rushed inside and the seemingly big boat suddenly appeared very tiny and cramped. No longer having any fun Kathryn had left for home where she ended up having to stand out in the thunder and lightening while the bubling doorman figured out how to opperate the new electroinc door. Fucking idiot.
Now safely and dryly enconsed in her house Kathryn headed down the long foyer towards her bedroom. She started to climb the large staircase that led to the second floor when a voice behind her called out "does it bother you at all that the people in this house think you're the antichrist?"
Spinning around Kathryn found Sebastian lounging across the antique sofa sipping her fathers vintage scotch. She had spents precious minutes over the past weeks figuring out ways to best avoid running into him and now here he was. Sitting in her living room as if he belonged there. Using her chilliest voice possible she demanded "what are you doing here?"
"Well" he explained "I was going to wait until you came home before entering, seeing as it was the polite thing to do but then again I didn't want to give you a chance to escape."
"Escape?" she spat. "As if I was afraid of you."
Leering at her suggestively he remarked "it would explain why you've been hidding from me every since we-"
"Don't even say it" Kathryn warned as she yanked the glass of scotch from his hand. "And I don't run and hide. I just haven't spoken to you because I had no need to. You bore me Sebastain."
Getting up slowly from his seat he reached forwards and brushed his hand against her hair. Moving even closer to her he whispered "I didn't seem to bore you that afternoon in my bed. In fact I beleive you were completely insatiable."
Kathryn flinched at this, allowing herself to meet his stare only fleetingly before pushing him away. Finishing off the rest of his alchol she lammented "it's done with get over it Valmont. It was just sex, nothing more."
"Uh huh, so have you told Joshua about it?"
Staring into the empty glass she searched her brain for some nasty words to say to him that would make him go away but came up short. Kathryn refused to show him how much he got to her. Instead she replied in an indifferent tone "it's none of your business what goes on between the two of us."
"Well Marcus seemed rather surprised when he found out" he replied casually.
Nearly dropping the glass in her hand Kathryn suddenly felt sick. She hadn't wanted Marcus to know she had been weak enough to go to bed with Sebastian. Now that she hadn't told him he would question her as to why. He might suspect she had actually enjoyed herself or worse.
Slamming the glass against the table she spun around and screamed "you promised not to say anything!"
"I did?" he inquired innocently. "Oops"
"You son of a bitch" she muttered "get the fuck out of my house!"
He sighed loosing the cocky grin for a moment, "look Kathryn I didn't mean to tell him. It just slipped out."
She wasn't sure if she beleived him and frankly she didn't care what his excuse was. Storming over to the phone she picked it up and told him "I'm calling security if you don't vacate the premesise in the next five seconds."
"All right then" he told her heading towards the door. "I thought you might be interested in this roll of photographs but since you're not-"
Although she really didn't want to ask him she called out "what photographs?"
Spinning around with a superior smile he explained "oh the one's you hired that nice man Mr. Brooks to take of Marcus and Annette."
FUCK! She wanted to scream and attack him but damnit that got her in trouble the last time. Instead she tried to play cool so she set the phone down gently and asked "what are you talking about?"
"Don't insult me by playing dumb you're way to smart for that. I spotted Marcus and Annette on their date tonight along with the man tailing them. I noticed his camera and wondered who in the world who hire a man with a camera to follow them? Then I recalled your hobby of using photographs for blackmail and the rest wasn't too hard to figure out."
"Oh?"
He sighed as if it pained him to have to explain. "See Marcus has been getting close to Annette at per your request but perhaps it's a little to close for you. Not to mention she still has that article that could ruin you so knowing you as I do I know you won't stop until Annette is completely out of the picture. You hired that guy to take pictures of them in bed so you could later turn around and blackmail Annette."
With a cool smile Kathryn began to clap, "well done Valmont. You're a regular Hardy boy. Now why don't you be a good little boy and hand me over MY photographs."
She went to grab for them but he held them out of her reach. "Not so fast, tell me something does Marcus know anything about this?"
"What do you think?" she spat rolling her eyes. "I fear he's starting to get a little attached to the little twit but no worries. I'll soon help rid him of that misfortune."
"Right, well I think I'll just hold on to these" Sebastian replied pocketing the film in his jacket.
Kathryn grabbed him by the arm and demanded "what do you want?"
He cocked an eyebrow, "what are you offering?" When she shrugged in response he sighed and began to once again circle her. "Okay I'll give you the film but you have to do one thing for me first."
She had a feeling what that was. As Kathryn thought about all the depraved things Sebastian might make her do she began to get aroused and then she got angry at herself. She hated him, she didn't want him. Not anymore. Trying to remain business like she asked "what is it?"
Stopping in his tracks Sebastian moved closer to her and revelaed in a husky whisper "one kiss."
That threw her slightly and even dissapointed her a little. Just one kiss? Knowing there had to be some sort of catch she asked "where do you want to kiss me."
Sebastian smiled as dipped down and gently brushed his mouth against hers. "Where do you think?"
Feeling him so close she could taste him Kathryn once again began to feel that familar feeling of nerves in her stomach. Looking up into his blue eyes she whispered "okay, it's a deal."
He nodded slightly before cupping her chin and drawing her mouth to his. They kissed at first tentative and soft which Sebastian's hands circling her waist. Then as he went on it became more urgent as Kathryn opened her mouth to him and his tongue flicked against hers. Forgetting for a moment all about her promise to herself to stay away from him, Kathryn allowed herself to melt into his embrace, enjoying the taste of his mouth.
When at last they both could no longer go without needing an breath of air they broke apart and before either could say a word a loud boom of thunder was heard along with a flash of light against the large picture window. A moment later everything went dark.
- to be continued (Please Review)