Summary: Kathryn tries to keep her distance from Sebastian but that proves impossible seeing as he's determined to have her.
Chapter 9: Bait and Switch
"So could you do me a favor, and let me know how much longer I should be expecting the silent treatment?"
Kathryn waited a beat before even acknowledging his presence. After she decided he's stewed enough she looked up from the New York Times style section into her step brothers impatient blue eyes. "Is there something you want Sebastian?"
"Your attention is a good start" he replied with his usual arrogant smile. Most of the time when he gave her that look she responded with a smirk or at the very least a roll of her eyes but this time however she simply looked at him as if he was boring her. Sebastian knew she was angry at him but the truth was he wasn't really sure what had triggered this latest mood. There was only one thing he could think of. "What is it? Are you still pissed that I fucked Annette? Because I'm telling you right now it wasn't anything terribly special."
Judging by the nasty look she threw him he was guessing that wasn't it. "Sebastian if you want to waste your time screwing losers like Annette that's your problem. Like I told you earlier I could care less."
With a sigh she went back to her style section but Sebastian wasn't having any of that. He had been dealing with her freeze out for the past week and he was sick of it. Moving closer besides her in the limo he took the paper and tossed it aside. Then before she could yell and scream Sebastian grabbed her forcefully by the face and kissed her. Kathryn didn't return it but instead squirmed away and groaned "knock it off!"
Sebastian broke away from her mouth but still held onto her tightly. "What is wrong with you!?" he bellowed. "What happened to my fun, sexy stepsister?"
"She got bored with you! Get it through your thick skull Valmont, I.Don't.Want. You!"
Kathryn pushed him away gruffly and then straightened the sleeves of her school uniform. Today was the first day of classes at Manchester Prep and the two were on their way to the prestigious school. It was also the first time all week they were forced to be near each other and Sebastian had intended to use the opportunity to figure out what was going on with her but it appeared his usual tactics weren't working.
Letting out a frustrated sigh as he fixed the tie around his neck, he muttered "what happened with Annette...it was only a one time thing."
"Right" she grumbled "that's why you've been leaving messages on her machine all week."
As soon as she said it Sebastian looked back at her and a slow knowing smile formed on his lips. "How do you know I've been calling Annette all week?"
Kathryn flinched when she realized her mistake. Trying her best to back peddle she said casually "I didn't, I just assumed you-"
"No" he interrupted her. "You've been spying on me haven't you?"
Snapping shut the compact she had been using she balked "don't be ridiculous."
Sebastian shook his head as he realized for all her bravado about being bored with him she still seemed quite interested. He wanted to point this out to her but instead he kept quiet. Reaching over Sebastian took her hand and told her reassuringly "I only called her to make sure she was okay. That's the truth."
Kathryn didn't pull her hand from his but replied coldly "whatever."
"Hey, Kathryn I know you and I aren't really into...well sharing and everything but you know how I feel about you. I like Annette but she could never mean as much to me as you. Going to bed with her was a mistake and I never would have done it if I knew it was going to hurt you."
"Sure you would've" she sighed sadly. "And it didn't hurt me."
Sebastian reached over and gently pulled her face back to him. Her eyes weren't bored or even cold but there was something going on with her. It began to occur to him that Kathryn wasn't just angry that he slept with Annette but he didn't know what else he had done. "Can we please just forget last night ever happened?"
"I wish I could" she replied almost wistfully.
"Maybe if you tell me what's really bothering you-"
Pulling away from him she groaned "ahh, just forget about it Sebastian. You and I will never be anything more than reluctant step siblings and you will NEVER get me into bed."
He laughed "you think that's what this is all about, getting you in bed?"
"Isn't it?" Without waiting for an answer Kathryn got out of the limo which had come to a stop out side the large brick building.
Sebastian followed her out sliding his sunglasses on to keep the harsh glare of sunlight from his eyes. As he did this Kathryn started to saunter away but he quickly grabbed her and pushed her back against the limo. Stroking her face he whispered "if this was about sex I would have had you by now."
"Aren't we sure of ourselves this morning" she mocked. "Nothing ever happens between us unless I want it to and I DON'T want it to."
"Oh?" Letting his hand slid around the back of her neck, Sebastian bent down and brushed his nose against her neck intimately. "Then why do you shiver every time I get close to you?"
Kathryn sighed but then quickly got a grip. "Get off of me" she hissed, her voice low as to not draw attention to them. When Sebastian backed away with a cocky smile on his lips she shook her head "it will never happen."
As she started to storm off towards school Sebastian called out to her "I wouldn't count on that princess!"
She responded by promptly flipping him off them disappearing inside the double doors that led into Manchester. Watching her go he chuckled "that's my girl."
* * * * * *
Kathryn was beyond livid when she entered the school, not just at Sebastian but herself as well. You would think by now she would know how to get rid of him...for good. All week she froze him out and purposely shoved her various dates under his nose. That morning she had been pleased that she had indeed gotten to him but she was annoyed at herself for almost giving into him.
She might be able to over look the whole Annette thing, seeing as Sebastian really didn't seem attached to her as he did the first time they slept together. However Kathryn couldn't just forget the journal or more to the point what he had written about her. Sure Sebastian couldn't remember what he had written but it didn't matter, the damage was done. Every time she got close to him his words started to reverberate in her head. Part of her knew she should just forget about it, after all she had burned the damn thing but she just couldn't.
The one thing that journal had done though was remind her who she was. These past few weeks she had been letting herself get too attached to Sebastian which was ridiculous. She was Kathryn Merteuil for Christ sakes, not some love sick school girl. So what if Sebastian got his memory back and fell back in love with the blond hick. She didn't care.
Keeping that thought in mind Kathryn decided she needed something or someone else to distract her from Sebastian. As it so happened she knew just who that someone was. Turning the corner she spied Ronald studying a bulletin board in from of the headmasters office. Ever since he ran out on her the other day she had yet to talk to him. He hadn't called and Kathryn hadn't really bothered with him mostly because she didn't see the point. It wasn't like she had any sort of future with him, namely because he was still obsessed with that twit Cecile, but he could be useful when she wanted to have a little fun. Plus he might prove to be somewhat of a challenge given she knew he was angry with her.
With a seductive smirk Kathryn came up behind him and purred in his ear "see anything interesting?"
As she breezed past him and leaned against the board Kathryn felt Ronald's eyes roam over her shapely form. However his face quickly went dark and he told her "I'm not interested in whatever you're selling Kathryn."
Ronald started down the hall and she quickly fell into step beside him. "You aren't still angry at me for what Cecile said? What went on between me and Sebastian was completely innocent."
"Yeah right" he scoffed. "Do you honestly think I'm that gullible?"
Yes she thought to herself smugly. Ronald was intelligent compared to most of the dolts at Manchester but Kathryn could still wrap him around her finger when she needed to. Stepping in front of him she gave him her most innocent expression as she pleaded "of course I don't think that Ronald. Please don't be angry with me, I couldn't stand it. Just knowing you'd rather be with Cecile than you me is torture."
For a second Kathryn honestly thought she had gotten to him. Ronald seemed as if he was giving in but to her astonishment he said "no it isn't. I know exactly who you are Kathryn. You're a spoiled, self centered brat who only turns to me when you're in need of something. The truth is I've known who you were since day one but I went along with it because you are beautiful and charming but no more. I'm with Cecile now and she's the only girl I need."
With that he turned and left her gapping in shock. Well, well, well, it appeared Ronald wasn't as dumb as he looked. Still Kathryn wasn't about to give up any time soon on him, besides she liked to have the last word. Since the little miss innocent routine wasn't working on him she decided to try something else.
The hallway was practically empty so no one noticed when she came up behind Ronald and pulled him into the nearest janitors closet. Before he could say anything she pushed him up against the wall and kissed him hard on the mouth. Kathryn wasn't surprised in the slightest when he easily gave into her. Breaking away from him she said "come over to my house after school. We'll have the whole place to ourselves."
Blinking back his surprise while still trying to keep in control Ronald replied "I can't Kathryn, I'm with Cecile."
She shrugged "what she doesn't know won't hurt her. Besides do you really think you'll get any from little miss muffet with her mother watching your every move?"
"It's not just about sex" he said.
"Please" Kathryn huffed. Pressing her body into his she let her hand cup his balls as she purred "that's all it's about. Now you can either meet me at my house or you can spend the afternoon trying to talk to Cecile over the phone, hoping mommy dearest doesn't pick up. What will it be?"
When she flicked her tongue over his earlobe and squeezed his balls he groaned. "What time?"
Kathryn pulled away with a triumphant grin "three o'clock on the nose. If you aren't there I'll find someone else."
She didn't bother to wait for a conformation because she knew he would be there. Leaving the closet Kathryn practically skipped to her first period class as one delirious thought ran through her head. Cecile isn't the only girl you need Ronald.
* * * * * *
By fourth period Sebastian had only gone to one class and the rest of his time had been divided up between getting reacquainted with the field hockey team and head cheerleader Veronica Chase in the library. He had just said good-bye to Veronica when Annette appeared from out of the stacks. "Sebastian?"
He nearly jumped at the sound of her voice. "Annette" he laughed putting his cigarette out. "You scared me."
She gave him an apologetic smile "sorry. What are you doing here, don't you have class?"
Sebastian shrugged "probably."
Annette nodded "right, well anyway I'm glad I ran into you. I think we should talk."
"Well I've been trying to talk with you all week but you haven't returned any of my calls."
"I'm sorry about that" she sighed taking a seat at one of the study carols. "I just needed some time to think."
Sebastian sat down besides her. "Annette I'm sorry for not telling you about what went on between me and Kathryn."
"I over reacted Sebastian" she said in one quick breath. "When I heard that you and Kathryn had been...whatever, it was you were doing, I just freaked and I'm sorry. I guess your relationship with her as always made me feel a little insecure. I'm sorry for not hearing you out and running off like that."
He frowned "it's okay Annette." Actually it wasn't okay, Sebastian assumed she would still be pissed at him and he planned on using that as an excuse to end things between them for good. When he told Kathryn that he shouldn't have slept with Annette it wasn't bullshit. He realized after the deed was done the mistake he had made. For a brief moment that night something seemed to have come over him, old memories and images of the past, and he felt compelled to take Annette to bed. Then after wards the feelings vanished and the whole experience felt empty frankly.
Realizing he had to tell her the truth now rather than playing out the lie Sebastian said "listen the truth of the matter is Annette I made a mistake. We never should have slept together in the first place."
She recoiled from him slightly as her face fell "what?"
"That's why I was trying to get in contact with you. Look I like you Annette but only as a friend."
"As a friend?" she repeated incredulously getting to her feet. "Don't give me that crap. You're not exactly known for your friendships with women. You could at least have the decency to tell me the truth."
Trying to keep his cool Sebastian got to his feet. "Okay you want the truth here it is, I'm not the same guy you fell in love with over the summer and I never will be. Whatever went on between us in the past is over with."
"And yet your history with Kathryn is still alive and well."
He shook his head "she has nothing to do with this."
"Of course she does" Annette sighed turning away from him. "Even if you won't admit it to yourself."
Sebastian let out a frustrated groan. "For the love of god, I'm trying to be nice about this. Can't you see I'm doing you a favor Annette? I can't be that guy I was, he's gone. If I pretended to be it would just hurt you."
"Fine I get it" she told him as a tear started to make it's way down her face. Gathering her books up quickly so he wouldn't see her cry she told him "being with me was a big mistake, I understand and I'll leave you alone from now on."
"Annette" he sighed but she paid no attention to him. Slumping back in his chair Sebastian watched as she quickly made her way through the stacks to the front door whipping at her eyes the whole time. Feeling like a complete shit he muttered "well done Valmont."
* * * * * *
Following his first officially day at Manchester Sebastian came home with the hopes of getting Kathryn to thaw out a little bit. Maybe when she heard about how he finally got rid of Annette she would loosen up a little but he doubted it. Something else was up with her but for the life of him he couldn't figure out what that something else was.
Sebastian got off the elevator that led to the second floor of the townhouse and started for the living room when the a soft moan stopped him in his tracks. The sound of heavy breathing filtered throughout the house and even before he peeked inside the room he knew what was going on. Sure enough there was Kathryn and Ronald rolling around on the lounger in the throws of lust. Luckily Sebastian had arrived just in time since they weren't yet having sex. Although he had nothing against Ronald there was no way that dolt was good enough for Kathryn. Especially seeing as he was apparently in love with some other girl.
After observing them for a few minutes Sebastian was going to interrupt and pull Kathryn away when they suddenly stopped. Getting out from under her partner Kathryn gave him a seductive smile "now see aren't you having much more fun with me rather than with your insipid little school girl?"
"I suppose"
Kathryn gave him one last lingering kiss before pulling away. "I'm going to go change into something more comfortable. You wait here."
As she sauntered away Sebastian waited just a bit before approaching their guest "hey Ronald."
Spinning around in surprise Ronald replied evenly "hello Sebastian. I didn't know anyone else was here."
"I just got home from school." Figuring he was probably still angry at him for screwing around with Kathryn Sebastian decided to play noble. "Look Ronald I didn't get a chance to apologize for last week over what happened between Kathryn and I. For the record it was an error in judgment on both our parts and it really was completely innocent."
"I'm sure" Ronald grumbled. "I'm going to see what your sister is up to."
Sebastian scowled behind his back but quickly dropped it as he jumped in front of him. "Actually Ronald I'm glad I ran into you."
"Why's that?"
"There's something I have to tell you. Actually it concerns Cecile. I saw her earlier and she was terribly upset..."
* * * * * *
Sexy bad girl or innocent virgin?
"Decisions, decisions" Kathryn muttered to herself as she help a sexy black teddy in one hand and a white lace panty set in the other. Judging by the way Ronald acted towards her earlier she would tend to lean towards the teddy. However she liked to keep him guessing so she threw it aside in favor of the innocent virgin look.
As she was sliding on the strapless white bra Kathryn heard her bedroom door open. "Aren't we impatient" she called out to him. "Couldn't wait huh?"
He grunted something in reply that sounded like "no."
She laughed in response "I'll be right out."
After making sure her hair, breasts, and ass looked perfect Kathryn smiled at her reflection in the mirror and left the bathroom. "Well am I worth the wait...oh fuck!" she exclaimed when she found Sebastian laying back on her bed with an amused, smug smile.
Leering at her he told her "I would have to say most definitely."
"What the hell are you doing here? Where's Ronald?"
"Ronald was unfortunately detained" Sebastian explained as he slid a hand around her waist and pulled her towards him. "However I've graciously volunteered to take his place."
"Oh spare me" she hissed pushing him away. The thing of it was Kathryn wasn't nearly as bothered by this intrusion as she knew she should be. It killed her that a small shiver of anticipation ran through her when she found Sebastian in Ronald's place and when he touched her. However she brushed it aside and instead went and put on a robe while she ordered him "get out."
"After I went through all that trouble to get rid of Ronald, I don't think so princess."
Wiping around to face him she demanded "what did you do?"
He shrugged "well I simply told him that poor Cecile was just devastated when she couldn't find him after school and it would probably be a good idea if he went and checked on her."
Kathryn's green eyes went wide in anger "you son of a bitch! How dare you interfere with-"
"With your sad little seduction strategy?" he laughed. "You know for the life of me I don't know why you're willing to play runner up all for someone as boring as Ronald. I mean I doubt he's really that good in bed so what exactly in the appeal?"
"He's not you" she replied coldly. "Now you tell me something Sebastian, did you really think I would hop into bed with you all because you managed to outsmart me, albeit temporarily."
Sebastian's smug smile fell away as he said "no not really, but perhaps after I tell you my bit of news..."
Rolling her eyes Kathryn crossed her arms to her chest and sighed "and what pray tell is that?"
He waited a beat before saying "I broke things off with Annette for good."
She was surprised at the news but she played aloof. "Really?"
"Yes, I told her us sleeping together was a mistake and that we could never be together. I'm not the same guy she fell in love with over the summer and I never will be. So now that's you've won this little battle between us do you think it's at all possible for you to drop the ice queen act?"
For a brief moment she considered telling him about the journal but just as she had this morning when the thought crossed her mind she ignored it. There was no point in telling him what was really bothering her because there was no way she could possibly explain.
Kathryn sat beside him closely on the bed and tugged on his tie. "You dumped Annette just to make me happy?"
"That was one reason"
She smiled as she fell back in bed and pulled Sebastian down on top of her. As he leaned down for a kiss she whispered "you think just by getting rid of her you can have me?"
"I think it's a good start" he answered as he lips grazed hers.
However before anything could go further Kathryn pushed Sebastian off of her causing him to tumble to the ground below. Sitting up she laughed wickedly as the rage that flickered in his eyes. "It will never happen" she told him. "And you're so pathetic for thinking otherwise."
Kathryn got off the bed and started for the door when Sebastian grabbed her by the hand and roughly pulled her down on top of him. She landed perfectly in his lap but immediately tried to get away. Sebastian help her down however and sneered "no pathetic is chasing after some loser who doesn't even want you."
"Fuck you!" she yelled as she struggled to pull away.
Sebastian grabbed onto her wrists and held them tightly in his grasp. "You will be soon enough" he laughed before crushing his lips to hers. Kathryn struggled against him trying to push him off but Sebastian was stronger. Still she had no intentions of letting him win so she in retaliation she bit his lip. "Oww!" he exclaimed.
Kathryn laughed when she saw a small bit of blood on his lip. "What's the matter Sebastian, I thought you liked it rough?"
He pulled her once again to him roughly until their faces were mere centimeters apart but he didn't do anything. Kathryn's smile fell as she looked into his eyes which were intense and angry. For some reason it turned her on as did sitting on his lap and feeling his hard on underneath. Ignoring her head that was screaming at her to keep her distance from him she instead kissed hem hard. Sebastian eagerly returned it and soon let go of his grip on her. Kathryn didn't leave but rather wrapped her arms around him and pulled him closer.
He pushed her onto her back and climbed on top of her. Quickly Sebastian yanked off her robe and his hands began to make their way down the curves of her body. When she felt his hand suddenly between her legs she broke from his mouth and let out a moan. He slid two fingers inside her heat and pumped them in and out a few times as he watched her expression on her face.
When he pulled his hand away she whimpered but Sebastian had other ideas. Soon he was making his way down her body with his mouth. He pushed her bra up over her breasts and sucked on them a moment before kissing his way down her panties. Sebastian pulled them off and tossed them aside as he spread her legs and went down of her.
All her reasons for not wanting this, which seemed so logical a few minutes ago, were completely forgotten. Kathryn didn't care what Sebastian thought of her months ago. Besides he didn't remember and if it was up to her he never would. He didn't hate her, he wanted her just as he always had.
Sebastian had replaced his fingers with his tongue and it had Kathryn mewing in pleasure. He was hitting all her sensitive areas causing her to wither around on the hard ground with need. As Sebastian tongues her his hands slid up her body and kneed her breasts. Kathryn pressed her hands on top of his giving her extra pressure. "Sebastian...god I'm...close" she groaned, her leg resting over his shoulder.
Kathryn was so close she could feel herself about to explode any second. Just one...more...minute...
"Kathryn!" her mother's shrill voice called out "Kathryn where are you!"
"Oh fuck" she groaned sitting up suddenly and pulling her bra down. Sebastian got up from between her legs as she put her robe back on and looked for her underwear. "Where are my panties?"
"I don't know" he whispered.
Before she could find them her bedroom door suddenly flew open and Tiffani appeared before them. Her face was blotchy as if she had been crying and she looked very tired. "Kathryn I need...what are you two doing on the floor."
"Looking for something" Kathryn lied. "What are you doing home mother?"
"My trip was cut short" she replied miserably.
"Did something happen?"
"Yes as a matter of fact it did." Crossing her arms and looking pointedly at Sebastian she told him "your father ran off with the maid to Brazil and apparently he's not coming back."
"What?" Sebastian exclaimed.
"He left me the divorce papers and a note that said have a nice life. The marriage is over with, so Sebastian...pack your bags."
- to be continued (Please Review)