Trip On Love

Summary: Kathryn gets attacked which leads to a close moment between her and Sebastian but will it really change anything?

Authors Note: Yeah I know I haven't updated in forever. Forgive me but I was just going through writers block or something. I knew what I wanted to have happen in the chapter I just couldn't write it. Anyway this chapter was originally suppose to be twice as long but I cut it down. Good news is I'm already half way into the next chapter which means it should me up in the next few days. By the way bonus points to anyone who gets the Sex and the City reference towards the end of the chapter. I couldn't resist.

Chapter 15: It's Now or Never Valmont

My first thought upon hearing the broken glass and Kathryn's scream was she was having one of her infamous hissy fits. It was nothing to be alarmed about. However this time I knew it was different. Her scream wasn't filled with anger but terror. Something was wrong. I turned and bolted down the hallway back to the guest room.

Running into the room I found there was glass everywhere. I stepped cautiously across the floor, my eyes immediately going towards what had been the cause of the loud crash. The large picture window, that looked out at my aunts famous rose gardens, looked as if someone had rammed a boulder through it. I approached the window, kicking the glass out of the way and looked outside only to be greeted by the cover of night. "Kathryn" I called out but got no response. Turning around I opened my mouth to call out again but stopped when I found her huddled against the side of the bed. Shaking and looked stunned she clutched her left arm which was bleeding profusely.

"Kathryn!" Kneeling by her side I was caught off guard by how fragile and shaken she looked. "Kathryn look at me." When her eyes eventually met mine I asked "what happened?"

She didn't say anything right away. Clutching her cut arms she looked away from me and towards the broken window as if noticing it for the first time. Nodding Kathryn explained, her voice shaky "something came through the window."

I shook my head "yeah no shit"

She flinched "I don't know what happened. I got off the bed, walked towards the bathroom and the next thing I know I hear glass breaking behind me and something slashing my arms."

"Someone must have thrown something. Are you okay?" I reached out to examine her arms but she pulled away from me. "Kathryn I'm not going to hurt you. Let me look at your arms."

Slowly she loosened her grip on her arms and allowed me to look. There were five or six small, shallow cuts on each and a deep one on her right arm. "You need to clean this up. You might need stitches."

"I'm fine" she sighed.

"You're shaking" I pointed out. Cupping her face I sighed realizing for the first time that I had been holding my breath ever since hearing her scream. I had been scared. Realizing she was okay I left out sigh of relief and smiled slightly. Kathryn returned it. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have run..."

I trailed off when I noticed something half buried under the bed. Getting to my feet I walked over and picked it up. It was a heavy stone statue, Ganesh red sandstone, it was called. I knew this because it was one of the pieces my aunt was auctioning off that evening. However that wasn't what caught my attention.

"What is it?" Kathryn asked.

I glanced down at her then pealed the piece of white cloth attached to the statue. I showed it to her and she read it aloud. "You're mine." Her face wrinkled in annoyance "what the fuck does that mean?"

Before I could offer my two cents the bedroom door opened and the parental brigade arrived. My parents followed by Tiffani Merteuil came rushing into the room. "What happened?" My mother asked. "We heard someone scream."

I rolled my eyes wondering what they were doing that took them so long to arrive. "Someone threw this through the window" I explain showing them the statue.

"Was anyone hurt?" Noticing her daughter still huddled on the floor Tiffani rushed to her side. "Oh darling you're cut."

"Yes I'm aware mother" Kathryn replied icily "I'm fine."

Studying the Ganesh my mother told me "I've seen this before"

"Yeah I think aunt Helen was auctioning it off"

"She was" my mother agreed "and I remember it because Jackson bid on it."

My eyebrows shot up as I turned to look at Kathryn. Her green eyes went wide in alarm. She shook her head "no..."

"He said something to me earlier" I revealed.

"What?"

I held up the message for her and repeated "she's mine. He told me you belonged to him and I was to back off."

"So why didn't he throw something through your window?" She demanded. "It doesn't make any sense."

I rolled my eyes at her wondering if she was just in denial or if she truly believed he was innocent. "Well I'm going to find out."

Heading to the door I was stopped by Tiffani who grabbed my arm. "Wait he's already gone. He left before the auction was even over with."

"He could still be on the grounds"

"That's true" my father offered. "On foot it would take at least ten minutes to get from the rose garden to the garage."

I nodded "I'm going to check it out before-"

"Will you all just stop!" Kathryn called out as she quickly rose to her feet. Turning to me she explained "he's not involved Sebastian. He might have been angry of felt threatened but he wouldn't do something like this. Not to me."

"He had no problem doing it the night of our engagement party though did he?" I sneered. I really couldn't believe she was sticking up for that asshole after everything he'd put us through.

Kathryn shook her head at me "what's that suppose to mean?"

"That night Jackson thought he lost you to me for good so he acted out. The same thing happened tonight. When are you going to wake up Kathryn? The guy is completely fucked in the head." Glaring at her I mused "but perhaps that's what attracted you to him the first place. Birds of a feather and all that."

She flinched obviously surprised I was airing our dirty laundry in front of our parents. At the moment however I didn't really give a shit. No one spoke for one long minute and you could have cut the tension in the air with a knife. Kathryn's eyes burned into mine. They were filled with anger and something else. Disappointment perhaps or maybe sadness. Finally she stalked past me grumbling just loudly enough for me to hear as she passed, "screw you Valmont."

Unable to resist having the last word I replied "I thought we already settled that. I'm not interested."

Kathryn slammed the door in response. I rolled my eyes an tossed the statue on the bed. The parental units stood behind me awkwardly, no one saying anything until my father offered "perhaps we should call the police."

"No" I replied distractedly my eyes flickering between the broken window and the shut bathroom door. "No, I'll take care of it. You can go back to your rooms."

"I'm going to stay with my daughter" Tiffani stated taking a seat on the bed.

I should have just taken this opportunity to leave but for some reason I didn't. Before I even realized I was saying it I offered "it's okay, I'll stay with her."

Tiffani's eyes narrowed at me. Obviously she wasn't totally on board with this idea. "Go to bed" I advised her. "She'll be fine. Trust me I think we're done screaming at each other." Under my breath I added "at least for tonight anyway."

She sighed rising to her feet "well all right but just try not to make this too stressful on her. She's had a hard enough night already."

After giving Tiffani my assurance and kissing my mother goodnight they finally left. Since Kathryn was still in the bathroom I made myself busy, cleaning up the glass and making sure the maid sent someone to fix the window in the morning. Feeling tired and wiped out from the events of the day I collapsed back into the bed and made myself comfortable. Kathryn finally emerged from the bathroom a few minutes later.

"What are you still doing here?"

My eyes discreetly swept over her body taking in the familiar ivory colored, silk white nightie she was wearing. I had bought it for her on her last birthday and she looked damn good in it. Focusing my eyes back on her face I explained "I volunteered to stay with you."

Kathryn turned her nose up at this idea. "Thanks but I don't need a baby-sitter. I can take care of myself."

"Obviously" I repeated sarcastically eying her bandaged arms. "I'm staying either way."

"Whatever" she grumbled. As she removed her earrings Kathryn glanced over at me warily and asked "you don't think you're sleeping here do you?"

Positioning my hands behind my head I shrugged somewhat bemused "why not?"

Kathryn looked as if she wanted to argue but she stopped herself. Shaking her head as she climbed under the covers I heard her mutter under her breath "of course. Now you want to go to bed with me."

I smiled but Kathryn turned away from sullenly. Resting on my side I moved in closer to her and placed my hand on her bare arm. "Are you still mad at me?" When she didn't respond I took that as a yes. "I'm sorry I yelled at you earlier. It's just the thought of you defending HIM after everything...well I shouldn't have said anything."

She sighed "it's fine I'm over it."

I decided to just leave it alone and let her go to sleep. We laid in silence for awhile and I thought she was asleep until Kathryn called out "Sebastian?"

"Yes?"

She paused "do you really think Jackson did it?"

"Yeah I really do." Putting my arm around her I let my hand rest on top of hers. "I wouldn't worry about him though. He was just trying to get your attention."

"It worked"

"He'll never hurt you" I assured her. "I won't allow it."

Kathryn didn't say anything. She just turned her head and gently kissing my mouth. "Goodnight Sebastian" she muttered softly before turning away.

My mouth still tingling from that brief connection I ran my fingers over my lips. "Good night"

I rested my head on the pillow but when sleep didn't hit me right away I sat up and took one last look at her as she slept. Kathryn was smiling.

* * * * * *

That morning sun is a killer. As I awoke the next morning still nestled beside Kathryn in her bed the sun shown brightly though the broken window, practically blinding me. I shielded my face against the light as my eyes groggily opened. My body was telling me it was far too early to be getting up so I let my head slump down on the pillow and prepared to drift off but then I noticed the resting beauty beside me. There was no way I was going to be able to fall back asleep.

I had witnessed this miraculously ordinary event hundreds upon hundreds of times before and yet it never got old. I never ceased to be amazed at how beautiful and almost angelic my ex fiancee looked when sleeping. In all fairness to myself it had been quite some time since I'd been in this situation but not so much time had passed that I could forget every inch of her face. It still blew me away.

What the hell was I doing? Rolling away from her I rested on my back and stared up at the ceiling as if expecting the answer to suddenly appear up there. Why was I in bed with Kathryn? Why had I agreed to stay last night? Don't get me wrong I wasn't so blind I couldn't see why I was doing it. I still had feelings towards her. I probably still loved her. That wouldn't just disappear because I was angry. The more time I spent with Kathryn the harder it was to ignore what I felt for her or push it away.

Yet at the same time I had this voice in my head screaming that I couldn't just let her off the hook so easily. I couldn't just ignore her history with Jackson and I couldn't forgive her. Not until I was absolutely positive that she was truly over him.

Looking back at her I was filled with this urge to reach out and touch her. However that did seem somewhat inappropriate given the new found nature of our relationship. Then again after last night...

My hand was only inches from her care shoulder when Kathryn began to stir. Quickly I snatched my hand back just as she groggily opened her eyes. "You're still here" she yawned.

It was a statement rather than a question but I answered it anyway. "Yes I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

"I'm fine outside of the massive bruise you left on my leg. Christ Valmont you still kick in your sleep."

"I do not" I protested even though I had no idea if it was true or not. Lifting up the covers I looked at her bare legs and commented "that's nothing."

"Fine then" In retaliation she kicked my shin and then snickered.

"Ow! Okay fine, Jesus I'm sorry"

Kathryn smirked as I rubbed my leg. Noticing her bandages for the first time that morning I asked "how's your arm?"

She studied the gauze wrapped around her arm "I'll live. Jackson on the other hand..."

"Don't" I advised her "just let me handle it."

"Oh please" she exclaimed as she rolled over onto her side. "What is the big strong man going to protect me? Fuck that I can take care of myself."

I snickered "oh trust me I'm aware. Don't worry about it. I'll take care of Jackson. He's probably hiding out somewhere. I bet his agent knows where to find him."

"Good" Kathryn than sat up and reached for the phone sitting on the bedside table.

As she started to dial I asked "what are you doing?"

"I'm calling his agent. What's his name again? Eric something or other." Immediately I grabbed at the phone and tried to pull it from her grip. "Sebastian!" She exclaimed holding on tightly "knock it off. Let go!"

"You're not calling him" I barked trying to pull it away from her. She was surprisingly strong. "I told you I would handle it."

Kathryn let out an annoyed shriek "fine!" She let go of the phone and in turn propelled me forward. I fell onto of her my face resting on her shoulder, my head right by her breasts. All and all not a bad place to be. The phone dropped out of my hand as I pulled myself up and came face to face with her. Kathryn smirked "oops."

Without giving it a second thought I moved in closer to her and her mouth so found mine. Kathryn was still resting against the headboard and as we kissed she guided me even closer to her. I was suddenly resting firmly between her supple legs. A place I swore I would never be again. A place so familiar I got hard simply being there.

Breaking the kiss I pulled my head back and watched her. Kathryn's lips were pink and puffy and her eyes were filled with lust. I looked away from her determined not to let his go any farther even though I was aching to give into her. My eyes fell upon the tiny strap of her negligée. I could feel the silky material underneath my fingers as I clutched her sides. "You know I bought this for you. Your last birthday."

"I remember" she replied her voice husky.

My hand dipped father down her leg until I came to the end of the material. At the hem there was a rip an inch and a half long. I smirked at the memory. "I think I was a little over anxious that night."

"You weren't the only one as I recall"

Kathryn was now touching my face, her soft hands caressing my skin. I looked back up at her my eyes locked onto hers as my hands moved back up to her waist this time pulling up her nightie as I went. She spread her legs even more and as I got to her hips I realized she still had that little habit on not wearing her underwear to bed. I looked down just in time to see the white negligée come up over her bare mound and I unsuccessfully tried to stifle a groan. This wasn't fair. I looked back up as Kathryn ran her tongue over her bottom lip and threw me a look that said "well?"

"Oh fuck it" I groaned before quickly moving back up her body and pulling her into a kiss. She whimpered in surprise as I ravaged her mouth. A long succession of warm wet kisses followed while my hands felt around the familiar curves of her body. We made quick work of discarding our clothes. It was safe to say we already knew each other so well, there was no awkwardness, no hesitation. It was comfortable being with Kathryn again but also exciting because I knew we shouldn't be doing this. Nothing had changed from the day before. I just missed her.

After entering her slowly I cradled Kathryn in my arms and thrust into her gently. However neither of us were ever good at the slow and gently approach. In a matter of minute I fucking her harder, the head board slamming against the wall as Kathryn wrapped her legs tightly around me riding me from underneath. "Fuck" I groaned again and again in her ear. As I felt myself starting to peak I was practically singing her name aloud.

Kathryn gripped my by the hair and crushed her mouth to mine. She bit my lip and whispered "cum in me. Please...oh...god..."

In that moment I never wanted her more. I would have given up anything and forgiven anything she wanted me to. I needed her, craved her so badly. I bit into her shoulder and Kathryn quickly orgasmed around me. Her walls fluttered against me, sucking me in further. My pubic bone mashed against her hard nub driving out her climax further. At last I couldn't hold back and I came, clutching her lithe body to mine and burying my face in the nape of her neck.

We stayed like that for a moment. Kathryn's legs still wrapped around me as I rested fully on top of her. She was panting and her fingers were tracing circles on my back. It was as comforting as it had always been and that was...unsettling. "Where did that come from?" She finally asked.

I sat up and rolled away from her to my side of the bed. My body felt weak but that good sort of weak. The funny thing was I felt better than I had in months and yet I couldn't help but get the thought of Kathryn...and Jackson out of my head. I don't know where it came from but there it was. And it wouldn't leave.

"Sebastian?"

Looking over at her I realized she was waiting for an answer. "It was just...mutual spontaneous hormonal combustion."

Kathryn cocked an eyebrow "excuse me?"

I sighed and looked back up at the ceiling. "I think it was a mistake."

There was a long almost deafening pause of silence. It was awkward and painful and the whole time I kept wishing there was a way I could forget what was going on in my head. Why couldn't I just get over this? Why did I keep hurting her?

Finally I produced some courage, enough to sneak a peak at my almost fiancee. She was steering out the window lost in thought. I knew I was hurting her but I didn't count on her being angry. She was definitely without a doubt pissed. Without a word she got up from the bed, throwing the covers off with a disgusted huff. Kathryn stalked over to the closet and pulled out a black dress.

"What are you doing?"

"What the fuck does it look like" she snapped icily. "I'm leaving."

Pulling myself up into a sitting position my eyes swiftly scanned over the bedside table looked for a cigarette. Of all the time to be out. When I was desperately in need of anything to take the edge off. "Look Kathryn I'm sorry. I didn't mean-"

"Just save it Valmont. I've had enough for one weekend, all right?"

Hadn't we all. I sat there stupefied trying to think of something to quell her anger as I searched around for my boxer shorts. "I know you're pissed but the thing is I'm not ready for things to just go back to the way there were. This was nice but I'm not ready to trust you again."

"Stop it! Stop talking to me like I'm one of your dumb little conquests that you have to placate."

"I'm s-"

"And for god sakes" she yelled "stop telling me you're sorry!"

Rising to my feet I stood before her and told Kathryn the cold hard truth of the situation. "I can't forgive you yet."

She recoiled back a step as if being struck. Her green eyes glazed over at she stared at the Persian rug below us. "Yet" she repeated softly. Kathryn looked back up at my her face suddenly hard. "And until then what would you like me to do? Sit around and wait while you decide if I'm worthy enough while you're off screwing your latest Megan? Should I just put my life on hold and wait and hope for the day you realize you love me again? Well FUCK YOU!"

"Kathryn-"

She held up her hand to silence me. "I love you Sebastian. I always have, that's never changed. I loved you so much it nearly killed me when you left. For months all I did was plead to a God I don't even believe in that you would come back to me. Then you finally did and I waited, hoping you would look at me the way you use to but instead all you did was treat me like some high class whore. Well I'm done. It's now or never Valmont. Do you love me?"

I shook my head at her "what, it's all or nothing? That's not fair. I need time. You can't just expect me to forgive you just like that."

Kathryn looked back at me sadly. "Then I guess I have my answer." She walked past me towards the door and called quietly over her shoulder "good-bye Sebastian."

I felt sick to my stomach. Literally I thought I was going to be ill. It killed me to act this way towards her but at the same time I couldn't let my anger go. Pride was a bitch and I had it in spades. Still I couldn't let her walk out that door . Rushing back to her I grabbed her arm and pulled her to me. "Wait a minute Kathryn."

She faced me with tears in her eyes. "No, just let me go." Shaking her head she remarked "we're over. We're so over we need a new word for over. Let's just pretend we never saw each other again or better yet we ever knew each other at all."

Kathryn ran her hand across her eyes ineffectively trying to dry them and then pulled out of my grasp. Before I could stop her she ran out of the room, slamming the door as she left. I felt myself slump back against the bed in defeat. In the quiet of the bedroom, with no one around to hear I said aloud what my pride hadn't allowed me to say. "But I do love you.'

- to be continued (Please Review)