Summary: Just as Kathryn and Sebastian's relationship is deepening, Joshua returns. Meanwhile Marcus begins to have serious regrets about his revenge.
Chapter 8: A Dyslexic Heart
Kathryn could extend her leg farther than anyone else in class. She was graceful, poised, and could move about the room so delicately it was as if her feet never touched the floor. However she had a sneaking suspicion that this wasn't what made her the teachers pet.
Mademoiselle Caulfield, the middle aged ballet instructor who claimed to once have been a member of the Joffrey Ballet, examined all the females as they stretched out along the bar but stopped in front of Kathryn. Placing a hand on her shoulder her eyes seemed to sweep over the younger girls form appreciably as she told her "well done Kathryn."
"Thank you" she replied with a sweet smile of gratitude. As soon as she passed Kathryn dropped her smile and rolled her eyes. Most definitely a dyke. Oh well, if it got her out of ballet a few times a week...
Ballet was such a tedious and useless exercise that she usually skipped. However if she didn't put in an appearance once in awhile someone might get suspicious that Kathryn Merteuil wasn't as wholesome as she appeared and she couldn't have that. Besides it could be worse, she could attend a public school where gym class consisted of dodge ball and field hockey. Manchester's idea of Phys Ed was ballet and ridding while the boys enjoyed fox hunting and fencing.
With little interest Kathryn turned her attention back to Isabel Kennedy who was currently holding court beside her. Tall, blond, with sparkling blue eyes and perfect cheekbones, Isabel might have been competition for Kathryn had she a thought outside her pretty head that extended beyond dating and clothes. Sure she was popular and snobbish but there was no mystery to her. She was like the mean girl character from some lame teen movie Although Kathryn couldn't stand the little bitch (she'd spent a great deal of effort over the years making sure Isabel staid out of the tribunal) she smiled and played along like she gave a shit about anything she was saying.
"So I told him there's no fucking way I'd ever show up to the formal with him. I mean after his parents lost half their money in the stock market there's no way I would be seen with that loser. I don't care how much he loves me!"
"You're so bad Isabel" Marisa, one of her underlings chided playfully as the other girls giggled around her. "So who are you taking to the formal?"
Yes Isie, do tell Kathryn snickered to herself. Knowing Isabel she probably had her eye on one of her left overs. With a coy smile she blond said "well I've been thinking it over and there's really only one guy in this hell hole who's even worth taking." She paused dramatically before revealing "Sebastian Valmont."
Kathryn's leg slipped from the bar as she glared over at Isabel. That little tramp actually thought she had a chance with Sebastian? It was a pathetic assumption of course and not very likely but it still made Kathryn's blood boil all the same.
Apparently she wasn't the only one who thought it a long shot that Sebastian would go with her. The girls all exchanged knowing looks before a black girl named Rachel asked "you're going with Sebastian? Did he ask you already?"
"No, not yet" Isabel said confidently. "But he will and if he doesn't I'll just make it clear that he goes with me and he'll get the ride of a lifetime."
This was met with a few snickers but Kathryn merely rolled her eyes wondering if Isabel had ever ridden anything besides a horse or a football player before. Still she continued babbling on, "I know he never dates girls longer than a few weeks-"
"Or a least until he gets in their panties" piped in a pretty junior.
Isabel's eyes narrowed at her as she lamented "who cares? He's taking me and we'll be the hottest couple there. Mark my words."
As the girls resumed chatting and Kathryn wondered if Sebastian would ever consider anything with the twit outside of a blow job, Isabel suddenly appeared beside her with a fake smile. "So Kathryn since Joshua isn't here, who are you going to take to the formal?"
Her tone sounded pleasant and sweet but Kathryn could read the taunting look on her face. Isabel had always had a thing for Joshua but to her knowledge nothing ever came from it and if something did she didn't want to know about it. Still the little witch raised an interesting question. In previous years Kathryn had always gone with Joshua but now since he most likely wouldn't be able to take her she didn't know who she'd go with. Marcus would undoubtedly take Annette and there was really no one else she would want to go with outside of...
"Actually I'm taking Sebastian" Kathryn told her surprising even herself as the words fell out of her mouth. She wasn't sure why she had said it, she just wanted to wipe that snotty look from Isabel's face.
Evidentially it worked because as the other girls fell into a stunned silence Isabel's eyes went wide and she stammered "S-Sebastian? You are going with Sebastian Valmont to the formal?"
Kathryn smirked "yes I am, he asked me earlier and I excepted." With a phony look of sympathy she added "I'm so sorry Isabel but I guess you're too late."
Before the blond could question her further Mademoiselle Caulfield clapped her hands, signaling the end of class, and said "that's it for today girls. Go change and I'll see you on Monday."
As the class began to empty out Isabel and her groupies slowly walked past her each looking at her with awe and curiosity. For her part Kathryn relished their shock. Yes it was true Sebastian hadn't asked her yet and if they did indeed go together it might raise a few questions, especially with Joshua, but it was worth it. Just to see the look on Isabel's face and hell everyone else's when they learned perfect Kathryn Merteuil was going to the formal with perennial bad boy Sebastian Valmont.
She was chuckling to herself when Marcus suddenly appeared in the doorway. "Hey can we talk a minute?"
Kathryn looked up at him in surprise, now it was her turn to be confused. Since the Halloween party a few weeks ago, Marcus hadn't said much to her. Sure he attended the tribunal meetings and whatnot but he never really acknowledged her. This had oddly enough hurt her a little bit but Kathryn supposed it was better than them hitting each other and engaging in constant screaming matches.
That's why when Marcus appeared suddenly wanting to play nice she was a little cautious. "You want to talk? About what?"
"Actually" he explained as he stepped into the room "I wanted to apologize for the way I've been behaving towards you."
Kathryn cocked an eyebrow "did you?"
"Yeah look, I know what you did to Annette...you thought you were doing it for the good of the tribunal and in your own twisted way you were trying to help me. Even though you went about it the completely wrong way, I shouldn't have reacted the way I did."
Crossing her arms to her chest she replied "no you shouldn't have. So you're telling me that all is forgiven and forgotten? You expect me to buy that?"
Marcus let out a deep laugh as his eyes seemed to twinkle in amusement. "God I've forgotten how paranoid you can be."
"Well I haven't forgotten how conniving you can be" she volleyed back still not sure if she should believe anything he said. After all there was no reason for him suddenly to offer her forgiveness. "Why the sudden change of heart?"
His confident smile wavering somewhat as he moved closer to her. "Actually Annette's the reason."
"She dumped you?" Kathryn asked brightly.
"No but she did make me realize that carrying around this anger towards you isn't solving anything. Yes you tried to break up Annette and me but it didn't work so we're even now.
"Even?"
Marcus sighed "come on Kathryn what more do you want?"
She wanted the fucking truth but she had a feeling she wasn't going to get that. She had known Marcus a long time and knew him well enough that he didn't just let things go, especially what she did to Annette. Still Kathryn missed her friend and realized it was probably better to play along in order to stay one step ahead of him.
"You're right" Kathryn told him. "I'm sorry for not trusting you, force of habit. Thank you for forgiving me Marcus."
"Hey" he laughed softly as he pulled her into an embrace. "What are friends for?"
Kathryn hugged him back but her eyes darkened in worry behind his back as one constant question ran through her head. What did he mean by even?
* * * * * *
"Keep your eyes on the road!" Kathryn commanded as the jag swerved back over into the right lane, coming just inches from an oncoming truck.
The near accident and the distressed passenger only made Sebastian chuckle. "You need to calm down princess."
"You need to learn to drive moron"
Sebastian glanced over at her and sneered "I could pull over and let you walk the rest of the way home if you'd like."
Kathryn coldly stared straight ahead until finally turning back to him with a smile. "Sorry" she murmured as she undid her seat belt and leaned over towards him. As the car slowed down in front of a traffic light she began kissing his neck, letting her tongue slide against his smooth skin and simultaneously sending a shiver down his body. Taking his hand off the wheel Sebastian cupped her face and drew her lips to his. They kissed hard and hungrily, with his hands getting tangled in her dark locks.
Even when the drivers behind them began honking their horns and screaming out obscenities, Sebastian didn't pull away from her, desperately wanting to feel her warmth rather than the cold November air. Finally when the guy behind him in the Buick threatened to rear end him if he didn't move Sebastian broke the kiss. Whipping his head around at the guy he screamed "fuck you, trailer park! Keep that piece of shit off my bumper!"
Slamming on the gas his jag flew forward into traffic causing Kathryn to sit back in her seat. Placing her large black sunglasses back on her face she sighed as the wind wiped through her hair. "There is something we need to discuss."
Sebastian raised an eyebrow as he drawled, "that sounds pleasant. This wouldn't have anything to do with you asking for a ride home would it?"
Following the last class of the day Sebastian came out to the parking lot to find Kathryn resting against his car. Before he could ask her what she was doing she quickly climbed into the passengers seat and demanded that he take her home. It was true they had been screwing around with each other for over a month now but she still made certain that they were never seen in public together, which was why this sudden openness was throwing him just a little. It also made Sebastian more than a little suspicious.
Ignoring his attitude Kathryn explained "Isabel Kennedy is making it known that she intends for you to take her to the Manchester formal."
Sebastian snickered at this, "not fucking likely. Outside of the fact that I don't intend on stepping one foot into that god damn party, I certainly wouldn't go with her. Why on earth she ever though I would is beyond me, unless of course she thinks that hand job she gave me actually meant anything."
He knew mentioning this would get a reaction out of her and he wasn't disappointed. "Hand job?" she repeated in her best ice cold voice. "You're telling me Isabel Kennedy's hand was on your dick?"
"That's generally what a hand job involves" he answered dryly.
"When? Were you fucking me at the time?"
With a smirk he replied "sort of." Kathryn didn't ask him to elaborate and instead threw herself back against her seat with an angry huff. Watching her out of the corner of his eye, Sebastian's lips curved in amusement. "You wouldn't be jealous now would you Kathryn?"
"If you want to waste your time with insipid little sluts that's your business" she hissed.
"I'll take that as a yes."
Rolling her eyes at his comment she went on, "anyway it's expected of me that I attend so I'm going to need a date. Since Joshua is out of town and unavailable I'm not sure who to go with."
At first Sebastian just assumed this sudden change in topic was her way of trying to make him jealous. Deciding not to give into her he replied in a bored tone, "why don't you take Marcus."
"He has a girlfriend"
"When has that ever stopped you before?" When Kathryn only glared at him he laughed. "Take one of your little tribunal members. I'm sure they'd be honored to take the queen be to homecoming."
"It's not homecoming" she informed him "it's the formal and it is a big deal. I need the perfect date and I'm not sure who I can get on such short notice. Then again perhaps Bobby Perkins is available, he's sort of yummy..."
"Yummy?" Sebastian repeated in disgust. "You're going to a dance together, you make it sound like you'll be...wait, are you going to fuck him?"
She shrugged "it is customary that couples get a room after the party. It would seem impolite if I denied him. It's just too bad you have no interest in going."
Slowly Sebastian looked away from the road and over to her. It was finally starting to dawn on him what she was really doing. Kathryn wasn't trying to make him jealous so much as get HIM to ask her to the formal. He was rather surprised at this but then again it did make sense. Kathryn probably heard that Isabel wanted to go with him, therefor she had to beat her to the quick. She always wanted what someone else had.
Not letting on that he was aware of what she was doing Sebastian told her "no I have no interest in such lame events. Now if I were you I'd simply ask Court or one of your other ex's. You can attend the party together and you won't feel obliged to screw him. You can dump him afterwards and you won't have to worry about him being angry because he already knows your a bitch. Yes, this way everyone wins, you can go to your stupid dance and I get to fuck you afterwards."
Judging by the look on her face Kathryn seemed stumped for an argument. Finally she muttered "I suppose that could work."
Sebastian nodded "it's perfect. Here, why don't you give him a call and ask him" he offered her his cell phone.
Taking it from him Kathryn studied it a moment before turning and tossing it away. Sebastian's head shot backwards just in time to see it clutter to the side walk before they zoomed by it. "What the fuck!?" he roared. "I just got that!"
"I'm NOT going with Court to the formal" she snarled in her best uppity voice.
"Then who are you going with?"
Leaning over him once again she slid her index finger under his chin forcing him to look at her. Lifting her sunglasses up she replied "you."
Fixing his eyes of the road he said "I don't think so."
When they at last arrived at the Merteuil townhouse Sebastian pulled up to the front, ignoring the meter maid who was trying to explain to him that he couldn't park there. Instead he focused his attention of Kathryn who looked as if she was about to rip him limb from limb. "What do you mean you won't take me?" she demanded. "Would you rather I go with some other loser who will paw me all night?"
Pulling his sunglasses off Sebastian rubbed his eyes and sighed in frustration. "Kathryn I told you I don't do school dances. Anyway aren't you worried this will damage your precious reputation? And what about Joshua?"
"Joshua won't care, I'll just tell him I'm going with a friend" she explained. "As for my reputation...I don't care."
Sebastian snickered "yes you do. Face it the only reason you want to go with me is because Isabel wanted to but I'm not going with her or anyone else-"
"Oh yes you are"
"No I'm not"
"YES YOU ARE" she ordered.
"No I'm-" Before he could get the last word out Kathryn grabbed him by the back of the head and kissed him forcefully on the mouth. Her tongue thrust into his mouth as her hand quickly unzipped his pants and latched on to his dick. As she squeezed it she broke away from his mouth and asked seductively, "do you wanna come inside and fuck me?"
"Yes" he answered breathlessly.
Yanking her hand away she snarled "then you better agree to take me to that fucking dance or else you'll never get to touch me again."
With that she got out of the car and slammed the door closed. Sebastian was still trying to catch his breath as he watched her saunter into the house. He considered just driving away but his dick had a mind of it's own. He hated those fucking school functions but he wanted to be with Kathryn and he certainly didn't want anyone else with her. Tossing his head back against the leather seat he let out a frustrated "FUCK!!" before jumping out of the drivers seat and chasing after her.
Storming into the house he found her standing in the elaborate foyer casually perusing her mail. When he came in she didn't bother to look up at him but asked somewhat disinterestedly, "did you change your mind?"
Grabbing her around the waist in one quick motion he backed her up against the wall and pressed himself into her. "I'll take you to the damn formal all right?"
Kathryn's scowl slowly melted into a lazy smile. Running a finger down his lip she purred "I thought you'd see things my way."
Sebastian pressed her even harder into the wall, partly out of anger and mostly from lust, as he kissed her wildly. Rubbing his knee between her legs Kathryn moaned softly and ordered, "living room."
She pushed him away and started to strut to the other room but Sebastian came up behind her and slid his arms around her waist, pulling her back to him. Kathryn laughed and tried to walk as he kissed her neck. "Valmont you have to learn some...Mother? Daddy?" she yelled suddenly, pushing him away from her.
Sebastian looked up to find a woman who looked like an older version of Kathryn and a distinguished looked man in a suit who looked up at them briefly before returning his attention back to the Wallstreet Journal. Kathryn's mother on the other hand moved to greet them. "Hello darling" she smiled placing a kiss on her only child's cheek.
"Mother what are you doing here?"
"Well the hotel in Martinique was under renovation and completely inappropriate to stay in. Quell nightmare. So I decided to come home early." When Kathryn's eyes darter to her father for an explanation her mother gave a disinterested wave of her hand and sighed "and your father's meeting got canceled. So darling aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?"
Sebastian could feel the woman's eyes gaze over his body appreciably and he couldn't repress a smirk when Kathryn glared at her because of it. "Um, mother this is-"
"Sebastian Valmont" he said using his most irresistible smile. He extended his hand and her mother immediately took it. "It's a pleasure to me you Ms. Merteuil, Kathryn talks about you all the time."
"Does she? Well call me Tiffani Sebastian."
"Valmont? Are you Edward's Valmont's son?" Mr. Merteuil asked.
"Yes I am sir. Do you know my father?"
Setting his paper down suddenly interested he said "yes as a matter of fact we've met on a few occasions."
"Tell me Sebastian how do you know our Kathryn?" Tiffani piped in.
Kathryn shot him a quick glance, desperately pleading with him not to say anything inappropriate. Sebastian was very tempted to say something outrageous but quickly calmed the urge. "Your daughter and I go to Manchester together. I just moved here a few months ago and she's been...showing me around, helping me fit in."
He but an emphasize on that last two words but nobody noticed out side of Kathryn. Tiffani seemed to be eating up everything he said with a spoon. "Well it's very nice to meet you Sebastian, hopefully we'll see you around here more often."
"Yes well we have to get going" Kathryn said guiding Sebastian out of the room. "We have a ton of homework to get done. I'll see you at dinner mother."
"It was nice meeting you!" Sebastian called out as Kathryn all but dragged him down the hall.
As the two left the room in rather a hurry Tiffani put her finger to her lips and mused "Valmont? Where do I know that name from?"
Sitting back in his chair Victor Merteuil drawled "you fucked his father last June in the Hamptons."
"Oh yes, that's right" she sighed as she sat back down to finish her martini. As she sipped her drink she thought out loud "he seems like a rather nice young man."
"Yes nothing like his father"
* * * * * *
"Oh fucking Christ you're tight!" Sebastian exclaimed as he thrust eagerly between her soft, supple thighs.
Kathryn simply laughed as she squeezed her muscles tighter around him and raked her nails even harder into his back. Grabbing onto his curly blond hair forced his head down and whispered in his ear, "do it, make me scream."
Sebastian grabbed her by the wrists and pinned them to the bed. As he leaned over her and continued fucking her his pelvic bone began to rub up against her clit causing her to arch her back and scream out. She wasn't worried about her parents hearing them, partly because they probably wouldn't care and second the music was playing so loudly they couldn't hear anything beyond Liz Phair's voice.
Give it to me, don't give it away
Don't think about what the others say
My skins getting clear, my hairs so bright
All you do is fuck me every day and night
Locking her legs around him Kathryn met his thrust groaning, "ah, ah, just...a little...deeper!"
In an effort to get even farther into her Sebastian attempted to turn her over but as he tried he slipped the two tumbled off the bed and onto the floor in a messy heap of blankets and tangled limbs.
I'm gonna pull you back down between the sheets
Everything is fresher when the day is sweet
Even though the fall to the ground hurt quite a bit they both laughed hysterically. Pulling himself up Sebastian snickered "are you all right?"
"I think I broke something" she giggled. "Smooth move Valmont. Are you always this graceful in bed?"
"Blow me" he scoffed "are you looking for me to tickle you?"
Sitting up on her elbows Kathryn gave him a flirty grin and replied "depends, what are you going to use?"
Sebastian laughed "oh you are so going to get it now." Reaching back he grabbed the covers and tossed it over their heads as he moved back between her legs. In between hard thrusts he tickled her naked torso causing Kathryn to moan and occasionally shriek in laughter.
It's the fountain of youth
It's the meaning of life
So hot, so sweet, so wet my appetite
Gimme your hot white cum
Gimme your hot white cum
Gimme your hot-
The couple was so wrapped up in one another they hadn't even noticed that the stereo had suddenly shut off. Sebastian continued to fuck her as his mouth latched onto Kathryn's neck. She fell into such a state of bliss she didn't even realize they weren't alone until the sheet that was covering them suddenly got pulled away. Whipping his head around in anger Sebastian demanded "what the fuck? Who the hell are you?"
Kathryn sat up suddenly when she realized who it was. "Joshua" she breathed hardly believing her eyes.
Leaning against her desk in a casual stance he smiled down at her, "didn't mean to interrupt Katie."
She was so shocked at first she couldn't even move. It had been months since the last time she had seen him but nothing had changed, he looked as good as ever. Blinking back her surprise a slow smile spread across Kathryn's face as she pushed Sebastian aside and jumped up into Joshua's arms. "Oh my god, I can't believe you're here!"
He hugged her to him tightly as he murmured into her ear, "I missed you too luv." Pulling back from her he glanced down at her naked body and smiled. "Still as stunning as ever, though you could stand to gain a few pounds."
"God I've missed you" she sighed falling back against his body.
Having watched this scene in disgust Sebastian called out "oh don't mind me I'm just the guy she was fucking."
Joshua looked down at Sebastian more amused than angry while Kathryn looked at him pointedly. When she didn't make a move to introduce them Sebastian got to his feet and said "I'm Sebastian-"
"Valmont" Joshua finished for him. "Yes I've heard all about you."
"Have you? Well I haven't heard a thing about you."
He meant it sarcastically but Kathryn wasn't sure if Joshua knew it. Turning away from Sebastian, hoping he'd get the hint and make himself scarce, she asked "what are you doing here? I thought school didn't get out for a least a couple of weeks."
"It doesn't" he explained sliding his fingers through her hair. "But something told me I had to see you right away."
Joshua looked directly over at Sebastian who simply glared back at him. Eager for things to be less awkward Kathryn turned around to Sebastian, "can you leave now?"
He cocked his head in obvious surprise that he was being dismissed so easily. Still Kathryn knew Sebastian had too much pride to hang around where he wasn't wanted. "As you wish" he snarled, pulling on his pants.
After he quickly dressed he started to walk out but then stopped in front of her. Cupping her face he kissed her unexpectedly right in front of Joshua. "I'll call you later" Sebastian told her as he pulled away and marched out of the bedroom.
Kathryn stared after him rather dumb struck wondering if she really hurt him. She didn't have time to consider it as Joshua handed her a robe and commented, "you never told me you were sleeping with him."
Wrapping the silky material around her she sighed "we never talk about our other partners in the past. I didn't see the point. Besides it's no big deal, we were just fooling around." When Joshua sat back on the desk and stared her down she demanded "what?"
"I can tell when you're lying to me Kathryn so I really see no point." Cupping her face tenderly he said "you like him don't you?"
Flinching at the question she tried to think of a suitable answer that wouldn't let on to how right he was. "Yes I like him but I don't.." Kathryn realized this was the perfect opportunity to confess her love for him but just as before something stopped her. "You're the one I want to be with. Valmont it just a passing amusement. Something to hold me over till you got back."
Joshua smiled obviously pleased with her answer. Wrapping his arms around her waist he pulled her into a kiss. His mouth moved against hers in that familiar way that caused her knees to tremble and her mind go blank. How could she ever thing there could be a substitute for this?
Breaking away from her mouth Joshua whispered, "well then now that I'm back I guess you no longer have a need for Valmont do you?"
"Are you jealous?" she teased.
He smiled, "jealousy is a weak emotion, you know that Kathryn. No, I just don't want him to hurt you. It's obvious he's still after the tribunal and I don't want him to use you to bring it down. It's probably best if you don't see him anymore."
Kathryn recoiled from him slightly. "That sounds an awful lot like a demand."
"No it's just a simple request" Joshua said with his usually sexy smile. "You know I'd never tell you what to do. I'm just saying since I'm going to be around for a little while-"
"How long?" Kathryn asked excitedly.
"I'm delaying my classes for a month" he revealed.
At this news Kathryn threw her arms around his neck and laughed in delight. She couldn't believe that she would have him here for a whole month! Embracing her Joshua laughed, "I take it you're pleased?"
"Of course! Now everything will be just like before" she sighed into his neck.
"Good, then you'll give up Sebastian?"
Kathryn's exuberant smile faded. She really was so happy to have Joshua back but at the same time she couldn't fathom giving up Sebastian. Still she reminded herself that Sebastian wasn't the one she was in love with. In fact their relationship was mostly just sex she told herself and now that Joshua was here she didn't need him for that.
"I won't see him again" she promised but even as she did so she was filled with anxiety and self doubt. How the hell was she going to avoid Sebastian she wondered. More importantly, did she want to?
* * * * * *
Sebastian was in school before the first bell rang, a first for him if ever there was one. Now normally he didn't bother to come in until the end of first period if at all. However that morning he arrived at Manchester not with scholastic ambitions but rather romantic one's. Another first for him.
It was fucking Kathryn, she was completely messing with his head. Over the past weeks they had actually gotten pretty close. Sebastian had barely even touched another woman. Kathryn had seemed adamant about keeping whatever was going on between them a secret but then she all but ordered him to take her to the dance. Sebastian began to believe that perhaps what Annette had said was right. With Joshua away Kathryn would completely forget about him. Then the son of a bitch shows up and Kathryn pushes him aside to jump into Joshua's arms. To top it off she dismisses him in the most humiliating way possible. All of this in over a span of an hour. It was enough to give a guy whiplash.
At this point Sebastian would just wipe his hands of her and say fuck it. If she wanted Joshua, let her have him but things had changed. He had never been this close to a girl before or hell anyone for that matter. Kathryn pissed him off, turned him on and made him laugh, usually all in the same breath. Sebastian couldn't stand the thought of just giving that up which was why he showed up early that morning to confront her. No more bullshit, he would lay out on the table what he wanted from her.
Sebastian had been leaning against the wall across from Kathryn's first period class, waiting for her to show up. His attempts to call her the previous night had left him coming up empty so he decided it was best to try to talk to her without the possibility of Joshua showing up.
Five minutes before the final bell rang Kathryn suddenly appeared, coming down the hallway. Right before she could step into the classroom Sebastian blocked her way. She looked up at him, her green eyes wide in surprise, and demanded "what are you doing?"
"Since you can't seem to pick up a telephone I decided to corner you here. Woke up early and everything."
She rolled her eyes as she pushed past him and sighed, "and here I thought there were laws against stalking in New York state."
Quickly he moved to block the classroom door. "How'd it go with Joshua last night? You two catch up?"
What he was really asking was if she slept with him and they both knew it. With a cold, almost gloating grin Kathryn revealed "yes we did. It was wonderful. I almost forgot how much I love being with him."
"That's touching" Sebastian replied in a deadpan voice. "My name wouldn't have happened to come up?"
"As a matter of fact it didn't. Then again we really didn't do much talking."
The remark stung so much Sebastian's arm fell down against his side, allowing Kathryn enough room to walk past him. Turning around he grabbed her by the arm and pulled her back to him. "Stop acting like this" he demanded "I'm trying to talk to you."
"Let go of me Valmont" she warned.
"Do you honestly think you two are going to live happily ever after together? You'll never be happy with him. If you were you wouldn't have kept coming back to me."
Before he could say more Kathryn's other hand came out and smacked him hard across the face. As he let go of her and reeled back in shock he noticed for the first time that they had an audience. "Don't ever put your hands on me again or else I promise you, you'll regret it, understand?"
Her voice was so filled with venom and her eyes so cold that Sebastian stepped away from her. Sure he had seen Kathryn act nasty to him in the past but this was different, harsher somehow. Looking up at the startled expressions of his classmates he couldn't be sure if she was putting on an act for the sake of her reputation or if she really meant it. Either way he wasn't about to stick around to find out. "Sorry" he muttered to her as he turned to leave. "Apparently I made a mistake."
* * * * * *
"So what do you want to do after the formal?" Annette asked playfully as she plucked a cheery out of Marcus's fruit dish.
Smiling affectionately at her he asked "and what makes you think I'm asking you to the formal?"
"The fact that you'll never see me naked again if you don't" she whispered in his ear.
Marcus nodded, "that's a damn good reason."
Annette giggled and she buried her face in his neck and he tangled his fingers in her blond hair. She honestly couldn't recall a time when she had been this happy. She loved Marcus so much and better yet she trusted him. Things between them had been so great lately. She had introduced him to her dad and he seemed to really like Marcus. Also it appeared as if he had given up his vendetta against Kathryn which made him a lot more relaxed.
Pulling away from his neck she sat back in her seat, trying her best to ignore the noise that surrounded them in the cafeteria. "Okay seriously now, what are we going to do?"
"Well I was thinking we'd get a room at the hotel. I know it's what everyone else does but I think it could be..."
"Nice" she finished for him. "Yeah I think you're right. I'm just going to have to think up an excuse to tell my dad. I'm not sure he'd exactly approve of his only daughter spending the night with her boyfriend at some hotel."
He sighed, "well you could-"
"Annette?"
At the sound of her name she looked up to find Joshua standing over her. His usual seductive yet, genuine smile on his face. "Joshua?!" she exclaimed as she got to her feet and embraced him. "Wow, I can't believe it!"
"Same here" he murmured, his British accent coming through. "If it's possible you look even more beautiful than the last time I saw you."
Annette blushed at the comment as she pulled away from him. She looked back at Marcus who didn't look pleased that some guy other than himself had his hands all over her. She smiled at him and when Joshua saw her attention elsewhere he greeted his fellow tribunal member. "Marcus, good to see you again."
"You too" he replied stiffly as he placed a protective hand of Annette's back.
Sensing their closeness Joshua smiled, "oh yes Kathryn told me you two got together. Well Marcus I must say you have excellent taste in woman."
"Thank you, I know"
Annette could tell Joshua's presence, not to mention his flirting, was starting to make Marcus anxious once again, so she tried to make some small talk and keep the attention off of herself. "So Joshua what are you doing here? Don't you still have classes?"
"Yeah" he said sitting down beside her. "However I decided to take a break for a month. There's some things I had to deal with here." As he said this he gazed over at Marcus for a moment. It was strange but Annette just chalked it up to something having to do with the tribunal. "I just came to pick Kathryn up for lunch" he added.
"Oh"
"So how are the college applications going?" Joshua asked, placing a hand over hers.
Ignoring the gesture she replied "they're going fine, I just have to decide where I want to go first."
"Well we can always use another blond at Yale."
Marcus cleared his throat suddenly as he got to his feet. "Excuse me, I'm just going to grab some water."
Turning away from the pair he stormed over to the vending machine that sold water. He always knew he didn't particularly like Joshua and now he remembered why. The asshole was completely flirting with HIS girlfriend right in front of him. There was only so much Marcus could listen to without wanting to slam the guy up against the wall, so he quickly made up an excuse to leave.
The ironic thing of course was that this was entirely his fault. He was the reason Joshua was here because he told him he had to get back to the city on account of Kathryn. However when he did this Marcus hadn't even considered Annette's past with him. He just assumed it was long gone but the way Joshua was acting you would think not a day had gone by. "Dammit" Marcus growled as he punched the button marked spring water.
Just as he was bending down to grab the water bottle someone grabbed him by the arm forcing him upright. Marcus looked up to find a very pissed off Sebastian in front of him. "We need to talk now" he barked yanking him forcefully out of the cafeteria doors and into the vacant hallway.
Pulling free from his grasp Marcus demanded "what the hell is your problem Valmont?"
"You're my fucking problem" he growled as he pushed him up against the opposite wall. "I know what you did?"
"Come again?"
"You know at first I thought it was a little odd that Joshua decided to come home right in the middle of a semester, just as things started to develop between Kathryn and I. Then as I got to thinking about it I realized it probably wasn't a coincidence. In fact if I had to guess I'm betting some asshole decided to go shoot his mouth off about us as a way of getting revenge. You know something tells me Marcus you are that asshole."
"Get off of me" Marcus snarled at him.
"Not until you tell me what the fuck is going on."
Pushing Sebastian away forcefully Marcus yelled "okay, you're right I did it. I called Joshua and told him to come home."
"Why?" he demanded. "What the hell did I ever do to you? Is this because of what happened with Annette?"
Shaking his head he said "man, this never had anything to do with you! It was all about her! I wanted to get back at Kathryn for trying to break up Annette and me by damaging her relationship with Joshua. I thought when he found out about the two of you he would break things off with her."
"Well you thought wrong!" Sebastian banged his head against the wall and laughed "in fact if anything you did her a favor. Now she has Joshua and an excuse to end things with me."
Leaning back against the opposite wall Marcus sighed. "Look I'm sorry okay? I never wanted you to get hurt by any of this but I mean, I did warn you about her. I told you Kathryn's heart belongs to Marcus. You would never be more than a fuck buddy to her."
"And I thought that was all I wanted" he sighed. "How the fuck did that change?"
"You fell for her" Marcus offered.
Glaring at him coldly Sebastian stood up and looked back into the cafeteria. "Well it appears I'm not the only one you screwed over with your revenge."
Marcus turned around and looked back to see Annette and Joshua once again embracing. "Kathryn would love this you know" Sebastian murmured in his ear. "You try to hurt her only you and I end up being the one's who pay for it. If I were you I'd keep a close eye on the two of them."
Without another word Sebastian walked back down the hallway as Marcus turned around and punched the wall. It hurt but at the moment he wasn't feeling the pain, just his anger at himself. He never should have brought Joshua back, he should have left him in the past where he belonged. Far away from his girlfriend.
Walking back into the cafeteria Marcus approached Annette to find her alone. "Where's your boyfriend?" he asked sounding unnaturally sarcastic.
"Ha, ha" Annette smiled. "You have no reason to be jealous" she assured him. "Joshua and I are long over."
"Is he aware of that?"
She shrugged "who cares? I don't love Joshua, in fact I never have. You are the only guy I've ever loved. Trust that Marcus."
Feeling himself calm down at least a little bit he reached for her hand and brought it to his mouth. Kissing it delicately he whispered "I do."
Reaching out to him she caressed his face and asked "so what did Sebastian want? I saw him pull you out into the hall."
Marcus let out a sigh as he tried to decide weather to tell her the truth or not. In the end he realized lying would only cause more trouble. "I fucked up" he admitted.
"What do you mean?"
"You know that stuff Joshua had to take care of? Well what he was talking about was Kathryn and Sebastian. I called him up a couple of weeks ago and told him they were getting really close."
Annette sighed as she leaned back in her seat. "You wanted to get back at Kathryn for what she did to me. That's why you've seemed so relaxed these past few weeks."
"Yeah" he replied. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you but I knew you wouldn't like it."
"I don't" she said. "Not because I'm against your motivations but because the only person you've hurt by doing this is Sebastian and he doesn't deserve it. He really likes Kathryn, more than I think even he's aware of."
"Well maybe things will work out"
Looking away Annette murmured "oh I wouldn't count on it. Not where Kathryn's concerned."
* * * * * *
"Damn that feels good" Kathryn purred as Joshua's tongue danced against her exposed skin. Reaching up his hands caressed her bare tits as his mouth continued to plant soft kisses on her stomach. His delicate touch was sending soft waves of pleasure coursing through her entire body. God how she had missed his touch.
A few nights after Joshua returned Kathryn laid in bed beside him, just enjoying being intimate with him. It seemed so long since they'd been like this together. Another lifetime even. She enjoyed it and loved being with him but at the same time she couldn't seem to let herself relax.
Pulling away from her stomach Joshua looked up, concern covering his face. "Are you okay Katie?"
"Yeah of course" she replied softly.
"You seem tense"
Kathryn didn't reply but rather guided his mouth back to her stomach. As he resumed moving down her body he asked "so what shall we name our first child?"
"What?!" she laughed.
"Well when we get married it's customary to have children" he answered as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Kathryn shook her head and laughed at this. He was always catching her off guard with those type of questions. In the past when ever she was mad at him he would bring up marrying her. It always made her laugh but that night it just made her feel even more tense. Still she tried to hide it by playing along as she always did. "What makes you think I'll marry you?"
"Who else would have you?" he teased. "Now I was thinking if it's a boy how about Michael?"
"What about Joshua?"
"No" he replied shaking his head as if this was serious business. "I think naming a kid after yourself is too pretentious."
Kathryn smirked, "I agree. Well what if it's a girl."
Moving back up her body until his mouth hovered right below hers he whispered "I've always been fond of Katie."
"I thought that was being to pretentious?"
"Not if the name is after a beautiful woman" he winked at her.
"You have a point though I should warn you I don't plan on having any children till I'm at least thirty. There's no way I'm ruining my figure when I'm still young."
"Deal" he laughed as he bent down and captured her mouth in a kiss.
They rolled around in her big bed together until Kathryn was on top. She let his erection rub up against her covered sex until they couldn't take it anymore. Finally starting to relax Kathryn was about to guide him back into her body when her cell phone suddenly went off. "Fuck" she grumbled breaking away from him.
"You answer it" he advised. "I have to use the bathroom anyway."
As Joshua got up and disappeared into the bathroom Kathryn reached over and grabbed her cell phone. "Hello?"
"I'm not interrupting anything am I?"
At the sound of Sebastian's voice Kathryn's body immediately went tense again. Looking back at the closed bathroom door she told him "as a matter of fact you are."
She was about to hang up on him when he said "I need to talk to you right now, it can't wait."
"Well too bad" she hissed quietly into the phone. "Joshua's here and you can't come over."
"Go to your window"
"What? No"
Sebastian sighed irritated "just do it."
Rolling her eyes Kathryn climbed out of bed and walked over to the window. Pushing the curtains aside she peered out and spotted Sebastian's jag parked down the street. "Jesus, what are you doing?"
"I told you I need to speak to you"
"Well there's no fucking way I'm coming down to talk to you."
"Fine I'll make this simple for you. Either you come down or I come up, what's it going to be princess."
Knowing Sebastian well enough that he would certainly not hesitate making a scene, even at this late of hour Kathryn replied "fine I'll come down but only for a minute."
She hung up the phone without another word and then stealthily slipped her long white nightgown on again. "Joshua" she called out. "That was my mother, she ran out of Valium again. I'm just going to run some over to her. I'll be back in a minute."
"Okay, I'm just going to take a shower" he called back through the door.
Nodding she slipped out of bedroom hating herself for having to lie to him once again. But then she did promise to stay away from Sebastian and if he came up here he would know she hadn't kept that promise. It was time to break things off with Sebastian for good. When she finally did maybe her anxiety would finally go away.
Stepping out into the cool night air, Kathryn rubbed her bare arms and she quickly crossed the street to Sebastian who was leaning against his car. His cool blue eyes ran over her body as he commented dryly, "apparently I did catch you at a bad time."
"You can't keep doing this Sebastian" she warned.
Puffing on his cigarette he noted "you're cold."
Kathryn scoffed "I think you can take it."
"No I meant you look cold" he told her reaching out to wrap his arms around her. "Come here"
She gave into his embrace for only a moment before pushing him away. "Stop it, we're not doing this anymore. I'm with Joshua."
Backing away from her he grumbled "and here I thought you two had an open relationship."
Kathryn looked up at him and explained "not where you are concerned."
"What does that mean?"
"It means..." she trailed off looking away from him. "It means it wasn't just sex between the two of us, it was more. I know it, you know it and Joshua sure as hell knows it."
Sebastian who was looking at her with more emotion than she ever thought possible on his face whispered "I'd tend to agree."
"It doesn't matter though" Kathryn went on. "I promised Joshua I wouldn't see you anymore so from here on no more secret meetings, no more phone calls and no more cornering me at school. It's done with Sebastian."
Turning around she started to cross the street but Sebastian pulled her back to him. "Just like that? Is this what you want?"
"What I want?" she repeated pulling out of his grip. "What I want is to not feel like this anymore!"
"Like what?!"
"Like I'm betraying you somehow by being with him! I love Joshua Sebastian and what you and I had, whatever it was is over with! I can't be near you anymore."
Kathryn tried to leave but once again he pulled her back. Breathing heavily, almost desperately he whispered in her ear "you think of me when you're with him don't you?"
"No" she said shaking her head.
"Yes" he said almost pleadingly. "Stay with me Kathryn."
She struggled against his grip, trying to leave but at the same time wanting to stay with him. "Stop it, let me go, please."
"You're just doing this because he told you to"
Breaking away from him Kathryn turned around to face him and said "no I'm not. I can't be around you anymore because..."
"Because what?" Sebastian demanded.
"Because it's too painful!" she revealed surprising even herself at the outburst. "It hurts to be around you and not be able to touch you or...god I have to go."
"No Kathryn" he tried to pull her back to him but this time she moved away out of his reach. She crossed the street but before she went inside she looked back at him one last time. "Good bye Sebastian" she whispered. Kathryn for once didn't relish the pain she was causing him, in fact it just made her feel worse. Stepping into the foyer she collapsed against the wall, her heart beating wildly. Her anxiety hadn't gone away, it just became so much worse.
- to be continued (Please Review)