Chapter Five

Barefoot and alone Kate slowly sauntered along the beach in a dazed state. There were so many things going on in her mind that she was having trouble focusing on just one. It was like she was struggling to untie a huge tangled knot but her greatest efforts only succeeded in making the knot even bigger. By adding her jumbled up emotions to the mix she was verging on a meltdown.

Kate was scared, sad, angry, and hurt, but worst of all she was incredibly lonely. "How ridiculous is that?" she thought. "I came here to be alone, to sort out my life, and the first bump in the road I hit has left me longing for someone to comfort me." She kicked at the sand in frustration striking a small rock with her bare toes. Yelping in pain she sunk to her knees and began to sob.

The tears had nothing to do with kicking the rock and everything to do with the day's events. Kate curled up in a ball on the cold damp sand and let the tears flow. She cried for a mother she couldn't remember and a father she'd never known but most of all she cried for herself, for everything she had lost, everything she had missed, and for the changes she anticipated in her future.

Sitting up she gently brushed the sand off her arm and shoulder then tried in vain to get the sticky wet granules off her cheeks. Kate pulled her knees to her chest and stared out to sea, wishing the waves would wash over her and carry her far away.

This trip was supposed to be about healing but the only thing she was feeling was pain and sadness. "DiMera, DiMera, Dimera." The name kept repeating itself over and over in her head. How ironic that she had come all this way only to discover a secret that would lead her right back home, if she could find the strength to face her loved ones with this truth burning inside her.

Her loved ones...Kate's mind drifted first to her children. "Do I want them to find out they were DiMera's?" If she wasn't going to keep this secret for her own benefit she certainly had four other reasons to do so. Her conscience kicked in, "Was it fair not to tell them the truth? To keep their ancestry a secret?" Kate wasn't sure, it was a big decision and not one she was planning on making anytime soon.

Kate felt a sharp pang in her heart as her thoughts floated from her kids to Him. The man who was waiting patiently for her at home. The man who was so caring and understanding when she told him she was going away for a while. The man who softly kissed her goodbye and left tears in her eyes as she drove away. The one she longed for at that very moment. The one whose arms she wanted around her. Whose soothing voice and gentle touch could heal her broken spirit. Her one and only.

The tears were flowing again. She couldn't bear the thought of losing him forever. There was no way she could continue their relationship without telling him the truth but could he handle it or would it signal the end for them. Would he still love her when he found out the blood of his mortal enemy coursed through her vanes?

Kate stood up, it was dark and she was freezing. She quickly made her way back to the cottage. Approaching from the back Kate didn't see the red car in her driveway but she did see the man sitting on the porch swing waiting for her. Her heart began to pound even before she started to run towards him.

Her ponytail bobbed and her feet sunk into the sand with each stride. He rose as she stopped in front of him trying to catch her breath. "Kate..." he looked at her and smiled, "Please don't be mad, I know you wanted to do this on your own but I had this sense that you needed me. If I'm wrong I'll go home in the morning but I just..." He searched her eyes trying to gauge her reaction.

Without one word she stepped into his arms. This was exactly what she needed, someone to hold her, to comfort her. She melted into his warm embrace enjoying the feel of his body against her own, indulging in the essence of the moment. His touch, the way he smelled, so familiar, so perfect, it pushed the grave thoughts into the back of her mind as she focussed only on the two of them.

She pulled back slightly so she could look at him. The desperation in her voice shocked both of them as she whispered, "I need your love tonight, I want you now." She bit her lip as they simply stared at one another. He could see her pain but he knew she would tell him everything eventually, this was not the time. Her hands were on his arms and she tightened and released her grip methodically, her finger kneading the muscles of his forearm.

Kate froze staring at his lips as they inched closer to her own. She wanted to close the gap herself and sense immediate gratification but the tension that hung between them as he slowly moved closer was satisfying, almost addicting. When his lips finally closed over hers she was flooded with an intense feeling of relief followed by soaring passion. She closer her eyes and arched her body against him, opening her mouth to invite him in. He quickly accepted the invitation and delved inside her deepening the kiss.

The night was cool and as they parted Kate could see the mist coming from Roman's mouth as he panted trying to catch his breath. She reached for his hand and led the way inside to the bedroom. They slowly undressed one another their gaze locked and naked moved into each other's arms once again.

He shivered as Kate ran her icy foot up the back of his leg, then shuddered as her hand began to explore the erogenous zones of his body. She knew exactly what drove him crazy but he knew her spots as well and she completely lost concentration as his fingers and lips worked their magic. Kate moaned when his hands moved down her back, lower and lower, finally tugging at her thigh pulling it up high against his own.

Making their way to the edge of the bed Kate climbed up and perched on her knees pulling him along with her. He stared into her eyes softly stroking her cheek, then he reached behind her and gently tugged the elastic out of her hair. Kate tossed her head as her soft hair fell around her face. Roman run his fingers through her silky locks then buried his face in her hair inhaling the sweet scent of her shampoo. Looking into her eyes once again he knew it was time.

He eased her back making sure her head landed softly on the pillows then straddled his legs across her. Kate gasped as he gently moved into her then immediately moaned in pleasure. Their hands met and fingers intertwined. Kate squeezed tightly as they moved together. Roman watched her face the whole time he loved each genuine expression of pleasure, he loved her.

When it was over he collapsed on top of her then quickly rolled so she was on top. With her elbows resting on his chest she lifted up slightly and smiled down at him. "Thank you," was all she said before lying her head down and drifting off to sleep.