Summary: Sebastian and Kathryn's relationship gets even more complicated as she continues to mess with him, while Annette begins to have doubts about their relationship.
Chapter 16: Friends With Benefits
Sebastian woke up, looked around and she was gone. The morning following Kathryn's mini break down he found himself still in her bed, his clothes wrinkled and his mind cloudy. For just the briefest of moments he thought he might have fallen asleep after they made love, just as he had countless times before. But no, he quickly remembered, that hadn't been it at all.
With a tired sigh Sebastian got out of the bed and pulled a cigarette from his coat pocket. As he looked for a lighter in Kathryn's bedside table he noticed that her wheelchair wasn't there. "Kathryn" he called in the direction of the bathroom, expecting to hear her call back that she was getting ready. However he heard nothing and after checking her spacious closet he headed out to the sitting room. Spotting one of the butlers who's name Sebastian could never remember even when he recovered his memories, he demanded "where is she?"
The older gentleman who had been with the Valmont-Merteuil family long enough to know without asking exactly who he was referring to told him "Ms. Kathryn is down in the gym with her physical therapist. He arrived this morning sir."
Sebastian scowled, annoyed that he didn't know about this already. He was under the impression her therapy wouldn't be starting for at least another week. "How long has she been down there?" he barked.
"Since nine o'clock"
He shook his head and grumbled "she shouldn't be pushing herself now, it's too soon." When Sebastian looked up and noticed the older man staring at him curiously he sneered "that will be all." Turning on is heels Sebastian started for his room when something suddenly registered with him. Whipping around he asked "did you say 'he'?"
"Yes sir, I believe he said his name was Charles."
Yeah it figured Kathryn would hire a trainer who was male. It annoyed Sebastian because he knew it shouldn't bother him. Kathryn and him weren't together anymore, they were just...friends...maybe. When he began to think back on the night previous he felt guilty, he shouldn't have gotten into bed with Kathryn. What would happen if Annette found out about it? There was no way she would believe it was just platonic.
As he thought about Annette something else suddenly occurred to him. Sebastian looked at his watch and realized he had already missed first period. He knew if he hauled ass and ran a few lights he could maybe make it in time for third period. He could meet Annette at her locker, apologize for not picking her up and feed her some bullshit excuse about over sleeping, which he realized wouldn't really be a lie at all. Or instead of going through all that he could take a nice long shower, get some coffee and join Kathryn and her 'therapist' down in the gym.
Sebastian didn't really have to think about it before he hopped into the shower. As the warm water rolled over his body he began to contemplate a new theory of his, concerning Kathryn. Since he didn't really think now was the time to run out on her and move into a hotel Sebastian decided he would stay on at the townhouse. Not only that but maybe he could help her recover and then possibly they could work towards being friends again or whatever they use to be before everything got so turned around. Before they nearly destroyed one another.
Keeping that thought in mind Sebastian got dressed and grabbed some of Kathryn's favorite scones from the kitchen. As the butler told him she was indeed in the gym which Tiffani had put in a few months after she married his father. She insisted she needed it to keep in shape but to his memory Sebastian hadn't once recalled her using it. He knew Kathryn did though, usually early in the morning or late at night so no one would be around to see her sweat.
Currently she was using her arms to hold herself on a pair of parallel bars. Actually Charles was holding her up, whispering soft words in her ear that made her smile as she slowly moved. Standing on the other side of the glass window that looked into the well lit gym, Sebastian scowled, thinking maybe he should have just gone to school after all. Then Kathryn glanced in his direction spotting him instantly. Sebastian knew it was too late to run away now.
With his usual grin that was half cocky, half leering he came into the room. "Well look at you" he greeted her.
Kathryn looked at him with as much interest as one would give a house fly. "What are you still doing here, shouldn't you be in school?"
Sebastian knew then whatever wall had been broken down last night had obviously been rebuilt that morning. He wasn't really sure why he expected otherwise. He knew Kathryn well enough to know how she operated. Still Sebastian decided he wouldn't be swayed by her bitchy attitude. "Morning to you to Kathryn."
She smiled at him, which anyone else might recognize as genuine but Sebastian knew it wasn't. "Charles this is my step brother Sebastian."
"Former step brother" he corrected her as he came up beside her and placed his hand lightly over hers. "Nice to meet you Charles."
"You too" he nodded. Charles was much taller than himself with broader shoulders and a tan that wasn't from playing tennis at the country club but from long hours working in the sweltering heat. This coupled with his rough hands told Sebastian the guy was working class, which surprised him. Why would Kathryn choose this guy as her therapist?
Sebastian was woken from his thoughts by Charles. "You have quite a sister here Sebastian. It's only our first session but she's already accomplished what it takes most of my clients weeks to do."
"Yes, well she shouldn't be pushing herself." Softening he told her "you just got out of the hospital."
"I'm fine" she replied icily.
"Hey Charles, can you give us a minute alone?"
Before Kathryn could protest Charles replied "yeah, of course."
He started to pick Kathryn up to set her back in her chair but Sebastian stopped him. "It's all right, I can do it." Grabbing hold on her waist Sebastian effortlessly gathered Kathryn into his arms as Charles left them alone. As he placed her in her chair she scowled and brushed a hand through her pony tail. For the first time that morning Sebastian took in what she was wearing, a back sports bra and a pair of matching shorts. Her usual perfectly coifed hair was pulled back from her face and she was sweating just slightly. Sebastian liked her like this, it reminded him of their late night tumbles in bed.
"What are you staring at?"
"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning" he teased.
Scowling she grumbled "yes I woke up on the side next to you. What are you doing here Sebastian?"
He shrugged "I came to help. I thought maybe I could-"
"Ease you conscience?" she asked with a scornful laugh. "Jesus you're transparent."
Sebastian frowned "look in the mirror sweetheart, I'm not the only one."
Whipping her head back in his direction she hissed "meaning?"
"You're embarrassed because you FINALLY lost it in front of me. The almighty Kathryn Merteuil let her guard down and showed she was human after all. But as expected you returned to form, I don't know why I thought you'd..."
With an amused grin she raised her eyebrow and finished for him "change? Did you really think just because I cried in front of you and LET you sleep beside me last night that I had turned over a new leaf and all was forgiven? My Sebastian I never took you to be naive before."
Turning away from her Sebastian threw his hands up into the air and let out a frustrated yell. "Goddamit what is wrong with you? Can't you see I'm trying to help you Kathryn."
Wheeling up to him suddenly she yelled back "well I don't want your help. I'll get better all on my own. Now why don't you run back to Dorothy and leave me and Charles alone."
As if on cue the door behind them opened and Charles came out, his expression cautious. Sebastian wondered how much of their conversation he had heard. Crossing his arms to his chest he asked "is everything okay Kathryn."
"It's fine, let's get back to work" she answered suddenly all smiles.
Shaking his head Sebastian called to her "I'll see you later. Good luck Chuck, I think you're going to need it."
* * * * * *
"Well if it isn't my favorite Minnesota blond"
Realizing she was being addressed Annette looked up from her copy of The Sun Also Rises to find Blaine standing beside her with his usual lopsided grin. He was wearing the typical Manchester uniform that was perhaps a little too neat and pressed, along with a pair of sun glasses even though the sun wasn't out.
Since Annette had only ever met him once, right after Sebastian awoke from his coma she was surprised to see Blaine now, talking to her as if they were close friends. Especially since he didn't even known what city she was actually from. "I'm from Kansas Blaine, Minnisota is in another state."
"I know that" he said confidently. "I just wanted to get your attention and viola, I succeeded!"
Closing her book Annette tucked her feet underneath her, giving Blaine space to sit on the small outside bench. "What's up Blaine?"
"Well I was wondering if you talked to Sebastian at all, you know since last night. I was, uh, just wondering if he's still pissed." Glancing back at the brick building behind them where students were loitering, he turned back to her and leaned in closer. In a voice almost a whisper he asked "tell me the truth, should I be watching my back?"
Completely confused at Blaine's behavior but also amused Annette laughed. "Blaine what are you talking about? What would Sebastian be angry at you for?"
He recoiled from her "he didn't tell you about last night?"
"No, what about last night?"
"Oh, it was nothing really. See it's Kathryn's fault really but it's not like he's going to blame her, not with that bag of guilt he's been carrying around with him lately. She's the one who called me and asked for the drugs and I was only providing a service but Sebastian had to-"
"Wait a minute" she interrupted his rant. "You gave Kathryn drugs? Blaine she just got out of the hospital!"
He shrugged "she asked for them and besides if I didn't sell them to her she'd just get them from someone else."
Annette shook her head at his lack of concern over what he did thought his attitude wasn't terribly shocking to her. He was after all Kathryn's friend. "Okay" she sighed "so what does this have to do with Sebastian being angry with you?"
Blaine got to his feet "well he barged into Kathryn's room and found her doing some coke and he completely flipped out. He pushed ME up against the wall and started hitting me! I mean I was his friend long before Kathryn was his fuck bu...his step sister" he quickly corrected himself. "Anyway he kicked me out and I haven't heard from him since. Is he even here today?"
"No, he stayed home" Annette replied softly recalling the phone call she received earlier that morning from Sebastian. She hadn't been shocked he was skipping school but he gave her some bullshit excuse that she knew was a lie. She didn't call him on it, now she wished she had. As she replayed their conversation over in her head she realized how strange he seemed. Now she hears that he was beating up on one of his oldest friends and that only increased her concern
"I better get going, I'm going to be late" Blaine said glancing at the Rolex on his wrist. "I'll see you around Annette, oh and if you talk to Sebastian have him call me."
"Sure" she called back lost in thought. The bell had sounded for the start of class but Annette hadn't heard it. All she could think about was Sebastian's increasingly erratic behavior that seemed all be linked with Kathryn. Try as she might not to feel threatened she couldn't help but wonder if Sebastian truly did but the striking brunette behind him. If not, could Annette really trust him alone in that house with her?
* * * * * *
"Ring...ring...ring..."
From his bedroom Sebastian could hear the ringing of the sitting room telephone. Annoyed at the sound he glanced up from his book and scowled. For most of the afternoon and through dinner he had been brooding in his room, trying his best to ignore Kathryn. You would think it'd be easy given the house was huge but he kept hearing her throughout the day, wheeling around, ordering the servants to fetch her things. It seemed to him she was purposely trying to piss him off, or get him to come out and play. In the old days that was her usual way of going about getting him to come out.
When the phone was still ringing and no one was picking it up he rose to his bed with a ferocious roar "what the fuck? Doesn't anybody WORK here anymore?"
He stormed down the hallway to the sitting room and seized the phone. "Yes?!" he barked into the receiver.
There was a momentary pause before a crisp but polite greeted him on the other end. "Good evening, is Kathryn available?"
Sebastian turned his nose up wondering who could be calling her and why on this phone. "Who is this?"
"It's Scott King, an friend of hers. Is she home?"
"Just a minute" he grumbled pulling the phone away from his ear. Briefly he flirted with the idea of hanging the phone up and pretending he never picked up in the first place but then curiosity got the best of him. Just who was he to Kathryn? Sebastian went to her bedroom, opened the door only to find it empty. However her wheelchair was there so he knew she was nearby. Hearing soft classical music coming from the bathroom he followed it and found Kathryn laying in the tub. She was of course completely naked and there were no bubbles so Sebastian immediately saw everything.
Her head had been resting on the side and when she heard him approach she sat up, scowling but not necessarily angry. "What is it now?"
Too caught off guard at finding her in such a state he paid no mind to her surly mood. "You have a phone call."
Kathryn reached for the cordless receiver in his hand "give it here."
Sebastian started to hand it to her but then pulled back. "Who the fuck is Scott?"
She smirked "none of you business." Placing the phone to her hear she greeted him "hello, Scott?"
As her grin broadened at something he said Sebastian stood by the door, arms crossed with a seek scowl on his face. He knew he should just turn and leave but for some reason his feet weren't getting the message. Instead he stood there listening to Kathryn giggle into the phone, "no, no he was no one. Just an old amusement"
As she said this Kathryn looked up at Sebastian with a malicious grin. His pride finally kicking in he turned and headed out the door when he heard her call after him "Sebastian, could you get me a robe from my closet?"
He started to say, go fuck yourself but stopped when he looked back at her. She looked so small, beautiful and almost delicate as she sat in her tub Sebastian couldn't say no to her. With a sarcastic bow he answered her then left her to go rummage around her spacious closet. As he decided between a black silk kimono and a short white robe he realized he could still hear her. "Scott you're so bad! Besides I can't do that now...well actually I probably could...no you're not coming over...although I could do with some relief" she laughed.
Clenching the silky fabric in his hand Sebastian used the other to push open the closet door that led directly to the bathroom. Kathryn's back was to him and he wasn't even sure if she heard him come back in. Even though he knew she was baiting him Sebastian let himself fall for it. She wanted him jealous and angry and it worked.
He took a seat on the edge of the tub and then reached for the sponge resting beside her. Gently Sebastian stroked her back with it knowing that he was crossing all sorts of lines with this action but for the moment not really caring. As he washed her back Kathryn turned her head and looked at him, not with anger or annoyance but with a look Sebastian couldn't really read. This went on for a few minutes before she finally got rid of Scott. "I have to go, talk to you later" she murmured before hanging up and resting the phone on the floor.
Reaching behind her Kathryn stopped his hand and asked "what are you doing?"
Sebastian knelt down on the ground beside the tub as she leaned back. With a smile that was almost a leer he explained "I'm simply lending you a friendly hand."
"Really? I wasn't aware friends rubbed each other down."
He shrugged as he swept the rough material over her pert breasts and down her stomach. "It is completely innocent, besides it's not like I've never seen you naked before."
"If it's so innocent then you probably should get you hand off my cunt" she snickered.
Sebastian pulled away and resumed rubbing her shoulders "sorry." There was a moment of silence before he finally asked her once again "so who's Scott?"
Kathryn rolled her eyes but there was a smile on her face. "Scott is an old friend of mine, I've known him for years. Even longer than I've known you. I think you've met him before."
"Doubt it" he grumbled.
Letting her hand cover his as he caressed her she laughed lightly. It was perhaps the first genuine laugh he heard come out of her in some time. "Yes you did, remember that weekend in Nantucket last year? You and Blaine got stoned and then you found me and Scott fooling around in the carriage house. Remember you wanted to fight him?" Her body shook slightly as she laughed "Scott with his pants around his ankles and you high as a kite, rolling around on the floor together. It was so hysterical!"
Sebastian had a dim memory of that trip but for some reason he did recall that weed of Blaine's. "I imagine to you it was. Anyway I don't remember him."
"Hmm,well that's too bad. That house we stayed in was nice thought." With a faint smile she suggested "maybe you should bring Dorothy up there some time."
Pulling away from her Sebastian muttered "stop calling her that okay?"
"What?" Kathryn shrugged innocently. "I was just teasing. Isn't that what friends do, when they're not giving each other sponge bath's of course."
He got to his feet whipping his hands on a nearby towel. As he did Sebastian looked down at Kathryn who was staring tauntingly back at him. "I think bath time's just about over now"
Before she could protest Sebastian reached back into the tub and scooped her up into his arms. He carried her to the bed and let her down not exactly gently. Kathryn scoffed at the course treatment. "Was it something I said?"
Ignoring her he took the bath towel and proceeded to dry her off. Only this time his caresses weren't soft of erotic but rather quick and hard. Sebastian realized as soon as Annette's name was mentioned that he had to get out of there. Things had gone too far and there was no reasonable way he could explain this to his girlfriend if she found out about it.
"Ow, Sebastian stop it" she ordered.
"Sorry" he said pulling away from her but avoiding her eyes.
Reaching over Kathryn took his hands which were still clutching the towel and brought them down on her thighs. Gently she guided him, showing him how she wanted him to touch her. As Sebastian's continued to dry her off moving up her body in the process Kathryn let out a soft moan. It was then as he looked up that he realized his face was practically brushing hers. Slowly he let his eyes find hers. They watched one another a moment before her hand, resting on his cheek, drew his mouth down to hers.
Kathryn kissed him gently at first then with more urgency. Sebastian returned it briefly before he realized what he was doing and pulled away. Touching his mouth which now felt almost swollen he sighed "we shouldn't be doing this."
"Probably" she agreed a little breathless. "You have a girlfriend and I do sort of hate you..."
"So we shouldn't do this anymore."
"Right"
"Right" he agreed before crushing his lips once again up against hers. All the many reasons for not doing this seemed to evaporate when he felt Kathryn pressed full up against him. The strange thing was that although he wanted her sexually that wasn't the only reason Sebastian fell back into bed with her. The truth was he missed her, he missed being close with her.
As he climbed on top of Kathryn, there lips still locked, Sebastian began to aggressively move against her forgetting for a moment about her condition. Then when he heard her moan into his kiss he pulled away suddenly. "I'm sorry"
She shook her head "it's fine."
Caressing her face he whispered "I...I don't want to hurt you."
"You won't" she assured him "but I don't think I can...I mean I don't think I want to...not yet..."
"I understand" Sebastian murmured. Sliding down further on the bed he began to place light kisses all the way down her abdomen. With a devilish grin he explained "I think I can come up with a few interesting alternatives that you might enjoy..."
* * * * * *
Kathryn awoke the following morning just as the sun was coming up. Ever since the accident she couldn't sleep as well as she use to. There were too many bad dreams plaguing her and her mind seemed too restless to relax long enough to sleep. However that morning neither of these things had kept her up. It was the sleeping boy beside her that did it.
Leaning over on her side she let her hands gently finger his golden curls as she watched him sleep. The following morning she had done the same thing before getting up and leaving him. Today would be different Kathryn decided, she wanted to see him wake up. The truth was she enjoyed this quiet time she had with Sebastian. When they could lay like that, intimately and she didn't have to put up an act to protect herself. A few times she would even find herself pretending nothing had changed between them, and they were as happy as they were a month ago. But that wasn't reality.
When he felt her touch him Sebastian slowly began to wake. As his blue eyes fluttered open he smiled up at her "good morning."
"Morning"
Wiping his eyes he laughed "I'm surprised you're still here. I have expected to wake up alone again."
Kathryn smiled wearily at him "I could leave if you'd like."
"No" he answered quickly wrapping an arm around her. "I like you right here."
Sebastian grinned at her as his head rested beside her on the pillow. He started to move in to kiss her when he sat up suddenly "oh shit, what time is it?"
"It's after ten. Don't worry Valmont it's Saturday, no school."
"It's not that" he muttered. "I was suppose to meet Annette to go to this thing for the community center."
"Community center?" Kathryn repeated with obvious disdain. "They still have those?"
Sebastian was do lost in thought he didn't even seem to hear her jab. Eyeing him Kathryn knew his guilt was starting to set in just as she figured it would. She knew he cared for Annette but she had a feeling he cared for her even more. She decided she would use that.
"I have to go call her to explain" he said as he began gathering his clothes.
Kathryn watched him a moment in annoyance. Before he could leave though she grabbed his hand "wait can you get me something to eat first? I'm famished."
His eyes softened as he nodded "yeah sure I'll be right back. Any thing in particular."
"Surprise me"
She waited a minute after Sebastian left the room before reaching for the telephone beside her bed. With an amused glint in her eye over what she was about to do she dialed then waited for her victim. "Hello?"
"Hi, Annette?"
"Kathryn?"
"Yes it's me" she replied keeping her tone even. "I know it's early but I have to see you right away. It's very important, can you come over?"
"Um, I was just about to go out..."
"We need to talk, it's about Sebastian. Please?"
"Okay sure" she sighed. "I'll be right over."
Kathryn all but laughed at this "thank you."
* * * * * *
"Eggs Benadict, sausage, bacon, toast, melon, scones and a blueberry muffin. Will this do?"
Sebastian set the enormous tray of food down on the bed beside her. Sitting up Kathryn perused the food with little interest before plucking a melon ball and popping it in her mouth. "I'm good" she sighed.
His eyes narrowed at her "I thought you were hungry?"
"Well what makes you think I was referring to food?" she laughed as she reached out and grabbed him by the top of his pants.
Caressing her hair Sebastian smiled down at her "as much fun as that might be...Kathryn I love Annette."
"More than me?"
The question caught him completely off guard namely because the word love hadn't entered either of their vocabulary in some time. Sebastian had told himself that any love he felt for Kathryn vanished when she chose herself over him. But shit happened and now things were different between them, but not so much that he didn't love her.
Avoiding the question he shot back "don't you hate me?"
"Just a little bit" she explained playfully as she began unbuttoning his pants.
"And aren't you still swearing revenge?"
"Possibly"
Grabbing her hands that were sliding into his boxers he asked "then what the fuck are you doing?"
"Having fun" Kathryn explained before pulling him down for a kiss. Sebastian had no idea what was going on with her, he couldn't tell if she was up to something or not. However he wasn't really one to waste time debating such matters. Not when he had a nearly naked girl pulling him down into bed beside her.
Pushing the tray of food to the ground, it crashed loudly, plates breaking but neither cared. They just kissed and continued to caress each other, evoking memories of the previous night. Sebastian was so involved in what he was doing he didn't hear Kathryn's door open and didn't realize they weren't alone until Annette called out "Sebastian?"
She was standing in the door way, not crying or even angry just sad. They stared at each other for a moment before Annette shook her head and without a word left, closing the door behind her. Sebastian watched the door afterwards, expecting her to reappear any moment.
It was when he heard Kathryn cluck her tongue that he realized something was up. Slowly he turned his eyes to her and when she realized she had his full attention she said "oh did I forget to tell you? I called Annette while you were getting me breakfast."
"Fuck!" He yelled as he got to his feet and began to dress quickly, wondering if he could catch Annette and maybe explain. Although he wasn't really sure what he could say. After all he had gone to bed with Kathryn and even though they hadn't fucked they had come pretty damn close. He had cheated on.
As he was throwing his shirt on Sebastian glanced over at Kathryn was watching him with an amused grin on her face. He wanted to scream at her for causing this, for hurting Annette for no reason but most of all for once again raising his hopes that maybe for once something happened between them that wasn't premeditated. However he said nothing and simply glared at her.
"You know Dorothy is probably catching a taxi right now, if you hurry you can catch her." When he continued to glare at her she laughed "well what are you waiting for, run Toto, run!"
Turning on his heels he did just that.
- to be continued (Please Review)