Summary: Sebastian gets closer to Kathryn, Annette, and the truth.
Chapter 6: Unanswered Questions
The morning following the benefit Kathryn awoke with a pair of strong arms wrapped around her. As her eyes adjusted to the light streaming in from her window she tried to recall who she had taken to bed the previous night. Noting the dark skin and large hands she realized who it was even before turning around. It was Ronald.
She tried to get up out of bed without waking him up. It was far too early in the morning for her to put on her good girl act. Ronald was handsome, smart and decent in bed but he was still under the impression she was the nice girl she pretended to be. If he had any idea about the real Kathryn there was no way in hell he would have gone to bed with her the previous night. As it was she had to use every trick in the book to lure him there.
Normally she wouldn't have bothered with Ronald if he wasn't totally willing however last night she was very much in need of some companionship. All night Kathryn had witnessed Sebastian and Annette getting reacquainted. It pissed her off but just when she was starting to right her step brother off for good he blind sided her with his revelation. She didn't know what to make of him telling her he thinks he might have been in love with her. It wasn't like he said he WAS in love with her now and yet in a way it felt as if he had. Then before anything could happen between them Sebastian ran off to Annette and left the party. When Kathryn returned home with Ronald he still wasn't home so she had just assumed he had spent the night at Annette's.
This thought is what led her to seduce Ronald. He had been reluctant at first citing he still loved Cecile but come two in the morning Kathryn would be shocked it he could have picked her up out of a line up. However this triumph was over shadowed by the fact that she couldn't get Sebastian and what he said to her out of her head. Part of her really hated him for telling her that.
Rising from her bed wearing only her slip she made sure Ronald was still sleeping before making her way into the bathroom. She turned on the shower then got undressed and stepped inside. As the warm water ran over her body Kathryn told herself that she wouldn't let Sebastian get to her. He wasn't worth it, no man was.
Just as she was starting to put the whole incident out of her mind the shower door opened and Sebastian stepped inside. Wearing nothing more than a charming smile he slid under the opposite shower head and told her "good morning."
Kathryn just gaped at him a moment too stunned to speak. Finally she asked "what the hell do you think you're doing?"
He turned his head back at her and shrugged casually "what? Don't we shower together?"
"Yeah right, nice try. Now get out"
For the first time since stepping inside the shower Sebastian gave her a good once over then smirked. "Do you really want me to leave?"
"Yes" she told him but realized instantly it was a lie. She could think of worse things than to stare at a naked, wet, Sebastian early in the morning. However something else suddenly occurred to her and she said "Ronald is in my room. If he walks in here and spots me showering with my step brother it might raise suspicions."
Sebastian flinched "you fucked him last night?"
"Not that it's any of your business but yes. I take it you spent the night with Annette?"
"No I didn't."
Kathryn looked over at him and smiled slightly "really? Why not?"
"Well it would have been a little difficult seeing as her father was there plus, I don't know...I just didn't feel like it."
"Oh so what did you do last night?"
He shrugged "came home, had a scotch, had Marie blow me, read a little, then went to bed."
Shaking her head at him she asked "Marie, our downstairs maid? You really are your father son."
Sebastian walked over to Kathryn's side of the shower and took the soap from her. Stepping underneath her shower head he casually asked "so I know you were busy last night but have you given any thought to what I asked you about?"
Turning away from him she asked coyly "refresh my memory, what did you ask me about last night?"
Bringing him hand down to her ass he pinched it making her squeal in surprise. Sebastian laughed "you know what I asked you about. Enough with this being coy shit and tell me the truth."
Kathryn sighed as she turned to face him. "Look I don't know how you felt about me. You and I aren't really the types to share our feelings. However you did spend an inordinate amount of time trying to get me into bed."
Backing her into the corner of the shower Sebastian looked her over appreciably and commented "well that makes sense. What about you? Did you feel something for me?"
She smiled tracing a finger down his bare chest "yeah you could say that. What's that saying? A thin line between love and hate. I guess my feeling for you laid somewhere on that very thin line."
"Works for me" he whispered before suddenly leaning down and capturing her mouth in a kiss.
Wrapping her arms around his neck Kathryn eagerly returned his kiss. She slid her tongue into Sebastian's mouth at the same time he grabbed her from around the waist and picked her up. As he did so she could feel his erection rub against her and she was tempted at that moment to invite him inside of her.
However a moment later she heard a soft masculine voice call out to her that sounded suspiciously like Ronald's. Pushing Sebastian away she told him "okay enough, you have to leave."
"Why?" Sebastian muttered pulling her back to him "it was just getting interesting."
"Ronald's awake and he can't see you. Get out before he sees you!" Kathryn hissed at him.
Sebastian seemed to pause for a moment as if he was considering staying put. Finally he turned and left grabbing a towel as he left. Kathryn had never been so happy in her life that her bathroom had two doors because just as Sebastian was leaving through one, Ronald walked through the other. Stepping inside the steam filled room he smiled at her "hey baby, was someone else in here? I thought I heard voices."
Kathryn smiled "no just me."
* * * * * *
Walking out of Kathryn's bedroom, using the towel to dry his damp hair Sebastian casually strolled towards his own bedroom. One of the maids spotted him naked and still hard but he only smiled pleasantly causing her to blush and run back down the hall. Entering his room he could still taste Kathryn on his mouth and the feeling wasn't doing anything to ease his erection. God damn Ronald had the worse timing.
Well maybe it hadn't been the smartest move to show up in Kathryn's shower but he needed to talk with her and you know what they say. The extreme always seems to make an impression and in this case it did. Sebastian began to get dressed as he recalled the answer Kathryn had given to the question he posed last night. The girl wasn't terribly fond of straight answers and maybe that's why she intrigued him so much.
Just then his desk phone went off and Sebastian picked it up "hello?"
"Sebastian" a female voice answered him. "It's Annette, did I wake you?"
Leaning back on the desk he smiled "no you didn't. What's up Annette?"
There was a pause on the other end before she told him "well I'm not sure what your plans are for this afternoon but I was wondering if you'd like to go on a picnic. Maybe at the park down by the pond we went to in the summer."
The idea of sitting in the park with a picnic basket seemed sort of tame for Sebastian's tastes. Not to mention he wasn't terribly enthused on once again taking a trip down memory lane with Annette. However he did enjoy her company and the more time they spent together the more of a connection he felt towards her. Plus when Kathryn found out about it she would likely freak and watching her lose her cool was always amusing.
"Sure Annette I'd love to go on a picnic with you. What time do you want to meet?"
* * * * * *
"Wow this is incredibly Annette" Sebastian marveled as he looked over the picnic feast before him. "Did you put this together yourself?"
Leaning back on the flannel blanket beneath them Annette laughed. "Well as much as I'd like to take credit for it, no I didn't. The McGregor's cook did it."
Sebastian slipped a grape into his mouth and nodded "well it's all very tasty. So how long will you be staying with them? I mean now that your father is back in town."
"Oh only for a little while longer. We can't move into our new place until the end of the month but it's not like I'm complaining. It's nice being waited on hand and foot however I don't think I can ever get use to it. Not like you and Kathryn."
Sebastian laughed at this and she asked "did I say something funny?"
"No it's just when you say her name you get the same look on your face that Kathryn does when I bring up your name. You two really hate each other don't you?"
Annette looked away from him and muttered "yes."
He nodded "well she won't give me a straight answer as to why, can you?"
When she had invited Sebastian to the park that afternoon Annette hadn't anticipated on talking about Kathryn. She had hoped the subject wouldn't come up but sure enough a half an hour into their outing and he was already asking about her. However Annette realized she might be able to use this time alone with Sebastian to maybe shed some light on the real Kathryn. "The reason we dislike each other so much has to do with you."
He gave her his typical cocky smile "I figured as much. I know you and I were seeing each other but I'm a little fuzzy on my relationship with Kathryn."
"You too were close" she admitted. "Closer than even I was aware of. Kathryn was protective of you but she also manipulated you. When she found out you were in love with me she couldn't stand the thought that she was losing control over you. Sebastian she did some pretty awful things to you."
Annette noticed that this bit of news seemed to be hitting home for Sebastian. Getting up from the blanket Sebastian looked out at the water deep in thought. "You told me in the hospital she was the reason for us breaking up."
"She was and I believe she's also partially to blame for the accident as well. But the thing is I don't have proof and without it, it's just my word against hers. Sebastian you have to do me a favor."
He turned back to her "what is it?"
"Promise me you'll watch your back around Kathryn. I know you feel some sort of connection with her but she is dangerous and I don't want anything to happen to you again."
Sebastian smiled at this as he kneeled back down on the blanket beside her. "Thanks for your concern but I promise you Annette I can take care of myself."
Taking his hand in hers she whispered "just watch yourself around her."
Sebastian reached out and stroked her soft blond hair. Slowly his hand cupped her face and he told her "I will." They stared at one anther a long moment before slowly leaning in and kissing each other. Annette couldn't be sure if she kissed him or if it was the other way around but it felt so familiar it was nearly painful. Kissing Sebastian set her whole body on fire and reminded her why she did love him so much.
When they broke apart a slightly breathless Sebastian confessed to her "you have nothing to worry about."
Annette smiled at him realizing then that it was only a matter of time before Sebastian fully regained his memory. He was already acting just like the boy she had fallen in love with. She was so eager to have him back and that kiss only reinforced her need. It was then it occurred to her that there might be something that could bring his memories back even faster. "Sebastian there's something else I have to tell you about Kathryn..."
* * * * * *
Kathryn was suffering from a severe case of deja vu. Only this time as she stood out on her step brothers balcony and watched as he said a tender good-bye to Annette, the sun was shining down on her. However the feelings of anger and resentment were the same. Just as she feared it appeared that the goody-goody farm girl was already getting her hooks back into Sebastian. Well Kathryn would be damned if she let it happen again.
After sending Ronald on his way earlier that afternoon Kathryn had gone to Sebastian's room where she assumed he would be waiting. However he wasn't there and when she asked the maids they told her he had left for the day. Kathryn had a sneaking suspicion he might be with Annette but she tried not to think the worst. Sure enough though when the limo pulled up he got out with her following behind.
Now they were currently murmuring to each other and unfortunately Kathryn couldn't tell what they were saying. That didn't stop her though from observing the intimate way Sebastian touched her face and leaned into her in a way that was more than friendly. The two of them seemed closer than ever.
Luckily Annette got back into the limo but not before giving Sebastian a peck on the cheek. As the limo pulled away he watched it and then turned back around. He looked up and when he spotted Kathryn he smiled, waved, then went back into the house. Scowling Kathryn went back into his room and took a seat on his bed. Sebastian entered the room soon after but barely glanced in her direction as he greeted her "good afternoon Kathryn."
"Where the hell have you been?" she inquired bitterly.
Taking a seat at his desk Sebastian lit up a cigar and asked "why did you miss me?"
Kathryn was in no mood for their usual flirtatious games "cut the shit. What were you doing with her?"
"Why are you so interested?"
"I just am."
He studied her a moment as his smile fell. "You know you are acting mighty protective all of a sudden."
Getting up from the bed Kathryn spat "I don't want my step brother associating with such low class trash."
"Watch it!" Sebastian yelled back at her as he got to his feet suddenly.
Kathryn flinched in surprise at the way he was defending Annette. He was behaving just as he had when they started their bet not too long ago. "God a few dates and she already has you whipped."
"Oh please" he sighed rolling his eyes. "Could you be any more transparent."
"ME?!"
"Yes you" he sneered "look at yourself Kathryn, you're so jealous your shaking."
Taking a step towards him she hissed "I am not."
Sebastian crossed his arms to his chest still not convinced "right, well the thing of it is Kathryn I like Annette. I know you two hate each other but you're just going to have to deal with it. Annette may not have your particular style but she is sweet and tender and-"
"Oh Christ if you tell me she made you laugh I swear to god I'll vomit."
Ignoring her he told her "she's also a lot more honest to me than you are."
Kathryn recoiled from him "what do you mean by that?"
"Annette told me this afternoon that I should watch my back around you."
Laughing to cover her nervousness she replied "of course she did. The little bitch doesn't want me any where near you. Sebastian I thought you were smart enough to see through her act."
He snickered "well I definitely see through yours. I do care about you Kathryn even, I won't deny it. However I know something happened between us this summer that you've conveniently forgotten to tell me about."
Kathryn walked past him avoiding his eyes "don't be ridiculous Valmont."
Suddenly Sebastian grabbed her by the arm and spun her around. Pinning her against the desk he whispered "Annette told me about the journal Kathryn. Now I want to hear it from you sis. What are you hiding?"
- to be continued (Please Review)