Seth's been with a lot of women. Some of them hot, others cute, most of them simply random hookups. The only one he ever loved was Vanessa - until now. As Kate lifts his t-shirt over his head and throws it aside, he can't stop staring at her, mesmerised by her. She's the most beautiful fucking thing he's ever seen. Richie won't shut up about how much she glows, and not that Seth would ever admit it to his brother, he realises Richie was right. Maybe not in the same way his brother meant, with whatever fucking special sight vampires seem to see her with, but because Kate is... incredible. There's a sweetness to her he simply doesn't understand, how she could have gone through everything she did and still have hope, how she can love the way she does. When they were together in Mexico after his life had fallen apart, she was the only thing that kept him going. A fucking teenage girl holding a grown man together when it should have been the other way around, but that's exactly how it was. And now here she is, a woman, the same and yet so different.
He can't take his eyes off of her, can't stop touching her, his hands gliding down her body, stroking her tits, her pink nipples a stark contract against the pale complexion of her skin Jesus Christ. She's so fucking beautiful. And she loves him. Him. And Richie. It should be weird, feel weird, but it doesn't. It feels right, like this was how it was always meant to be. He's never been one to believe in fate - that's more Richie's thing - but Kate makes him believe. And he'd fucking laugh at himself for thinking something so cheesy but she's kissing him, his chest, her lips brushing against his skin and all he can think about is how hard he is, how beautiful she is, how much he wants to fuck her. His hand curves around the back of her head, holding her close.
He should slow down, take his time, but fuck... he wants her so bad and she isn't exactly making things easy for him, unbuttoning his jeans, pushing them down, her fingers sneaking underneath his boxers to wrap around his cock. Holy fuck. She starts working him, jerking him off, and his breath comes out in short spurts, heart pounding in his chest. All the while she has this smile on her face - no, a fucking smirk - knowing exactly what she's doing to him.
Goddamn it. He can't take it anymore and it's like she can read his mind because she pulls away to grab something from her purse on the floor. A condom. Jealousy surges through him, wondering if the condom was meant for the old geezer she was planning to seduce at that goddamn sex club, but he pushes the unpleasant thoughts aside and tells himself to be grateful.
He sucks in his breath, getting more turned as he watches her remove the foil and roll the condom down over his cock. Her hands are shaking slightly, like she's nervous, and for some reason that excites him even more.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
He pushes her to lie back down, climbing on top of her, her knees pulled up and locked around him, and he slips his finger inside her to gauge if she's ready for him. She's wet and he's fucking hard as hell, and when he penetrates her it feels good, so fucking good, like he's finally home. He thrusts inside her, slowly at first, letting her body get used to him before speeding up, changing his rhythm, and his eyes lock with her, taking in the look of pure emotion on her face. His heart swells in his chest because she's staring up at him with so much love, and he cups her chin, his tongue tracing the shape of her lips, tasting her mouth as he kisses her. Slow shifts to fast, soft to rough, and his tempo changes, fucking her harder, deeper, and she's moaning his name, her nails digging into his back. He's close to coming but he wants her to get there first, wants to see the same glazed look she had on her face when he went down on her earlier.
Her eyes close and soon her moans turn into soft screams, his name ringing in the air. He's breathless, his body slick with sweat and he scoots down a little, his finger gently tapping her clit, playing with her.
She climaxes seconds before he does and, swear to god, he fucking sees fireworks when he finally comes.
After making love again, Kate rests next to Seth. He's dosing off and on while her fingers idly trace the tattoo pattern that runs down his arm. It fascinates her, it always has. When she'd asked him years ago if it meant something, he'd brushed her off. She wonders if he'd be more open now. The nervous fluttering in her stomach returns, filling her with unease, and she realises the only way to settle her frayed nerved is to talk to Seth.
She bites his chin, peppering soft kisses across his jawline to nudge him awake.
"Hmmm..." he mumbles.
"Wake up, Seth."
"Go to sleep, Kate," he murmurs, mimicking her tone.
"But I'm not sleepy."
A resigned sigh escapes his lips before he finally opens his eyes. He looks happy, sated, and for a moment she considers not bringing up her concerns.
"I'm an old man, Princess. I need to recharge between rounds."
She remains silent, stroking her fingers over his tattoo again.
"Did you wake me up just to give me the silent treatment? 'cause I could have slept while you did that."
"I need to talk to you about something."
He expels a frustrated groan. "Why do women always have to ruin the moment with all this talking bullshit?"
"Shut up," she orders, anxious again.
His eyebrow quirks up. "Well, I'm waiting. What is it? What did I do?"
She sits up, tucking the loose strands of her hair behind her ear. "You asked me a long time ago to pick between you and Richie. Do you remember that?"
"Kinda. That was so long ago."
"I know. But I remember that conversation like it happened yesterday."
"I was pretty wasted that night."
"Yeah, 'cause Richie showed up and you were pissed."
"I remember. I caught the two of you groping each other in the parking lot."
She flinches even though there doesn't seem to be any judgement in his tone. "That night you asked me to choose and I chose you. I said it would always be you."
He doesn't say anything, just watching her intently.
"I can't make that promise anymore, Seth." Her stomach feels like it's twisted up in knots. "Because I love him as much as I love you, and I can't choose between the two of you." Silence ensues, the air thick with tension. His face is set in a scowl but that doesn't necessarily mean anything; scowling has always been his default expression. "I know Richie's fine with... this thing between us but you never said anything either way. Are you okay with it? I know how pushy Richie can be sometimes and I don't want you to end up agreeing to something you don't want."
He smirks, taking her by surprise. "You worried about my feelings?"
She stares at him solemnly, reaching out to cradle his face. "Of course. I love you."
His eyes soften, and he places a gentle kiss on her palm. "Is this whole thing fucked up? Yeah, but so what? We're all pretty messed up in our own way so it's not like something normal would ever work. I mean Richie's a goddamn vampire. And me, well." He gives her a self-deprecating grin. "I've done a lot of horrible, terrible shit in my life."
"I'm no saint either."
"Babe, you're a fucking angel and you still want to be with us. That might be the most messed up thing of all."
"Thanks," she mutters sarcastically.
"Listen, I don't have a problem with you and Richie. I love my brother, and the fact that you love him too... it just makes me want you more."
His earnestness comes as a surprise, knowing how reserved Seth can be about his emotions.
He takes her hand in his own, gives her a gentle squeeze."What I can't figure out is what changed for you. Up until two nights ago you were hell-bent on normal, chasing it like an alkie chases booze. Now you're itching to jump into this crazy ass shit. Why?"
She lies down on the bed, her back to him, a little taken back when he curves his arm around her waist, pulling her close to his chest. His breath is warm against the back of her neck, his hold tight. "I don't know... I just have this feeling we're supposed to be together, all three of us."
"That's it? That's all you've got?"
"Call it a women's intuition."
"Yeah, okay," he scoffs.
She turns around in his arms. His eyes are filled with mirth and she can't remember ever seeing him so playful, even carefree.
"What? Why you looking at me like I just grew a second head out of my neck?"
"I don't know. You just seem... happy."
"Why's that weird?"
"I don't know. It just is." She touches his arm, her fingers tracing over his tattoo again. "When did you get this?"
"Been a while. More than ten years now."
"Reminds me of flames. Is that what it's supposed to be?"
"Yeah."
She can feel him stiffen, his body suddenly terse, and realises there's something bothering him. "What is it? What's wrong?"
"Nothing," he says dismissively, leaning closer to kiss her but she brushes him away.
He's lying, she can sense it instinctively. Moreover, there's something about his reaction to the tattoo that piques her instincts. "Why flames?"
Exhaling a resigned sigh, he lies back on the bed. Balancing her head on her elbow, she studies his face while his gaze remains on the ceiling above.
"What did Richie tell you about our dad?" Seth asks after a long while.
"Nothing. Why?"
"He was an asshole of the sadistic variety. Loved to play head games with Richie and me, dish out pain."
There's no emotion in Seth's voice, it's as if he's informing her of the weather and not sharing something so deeply traumatic, and her heart squeezes with anguish for both brothers. Frankly, she had no idea they had such a terrible childhood. Her daddy was wonderful, kind, and despite her lack of faith in him near the end she always knew he loved her and Scott more than his own life. It's hard for her to understand how a parent could ever hurt their own children. "I'm sorry," she whispers, cradling his face with her free hand.
"Don't be. The son of a bitch is dead, got his in a fire." He rubs his inked arm. "This is a reminder."
"What about your mom? Why didn't she protect you guys?"
He snickers. "Took off when Richie was barely three. Not that I blame her. Just wish she gave enough fucks to take us with her."
She holds him tightly, as if trying to shield him from the agony of all those painful memories.
"The asshole would try to pit Richie and me against each other all the time but we never let him. And then he'd get pissed and just beat down on me and make Richie watch. Richie tried to save me, and he did many, many times. I'd probably be dead a long time ago if it wasn't for him."
No wonder there's such a deep connection between the two brothers, they've always had only each other to rely on. "I know it's a horrible thing to say but I'm glad your dad's gone. I hope he suffered."
"Wow," Seth mocks, looking at her with affection. "Didn't think you had that in you, sweetheart."
"I don't know why you sound so surprised. I don't believe in turning the other cheek, not when it comes to protecting the people I love."
"And that includes me?"
He tries to come off as non-chalant but she can hear the muted desperation in his tone. Peering at him closely, she drops a tender kiss on his lips. "Yes."
His lips close over hers, unexpectedly tender and she's lost in him all over again.
They're both fast asleep when her cell phone rings, the sound loud and shrill in the air.
"You gonna get that?" Seth grumbles in her ear. "Might be Richie."
Groggy, she reaches for the phone but it's already stopped ringing. Instead, there's a voicemail message waiting for her. Instantly her stomach coils with dread, and the feeling intensifies when she starts listening to the message.
"What's happening to you is my fault, and it's only going to get worse if I'm around you. I know I said I would never leave you again but I have to. It's the only way to keep you safe. I'm so sorry, Kate. I... love you. I always will."
No, not this. Not again.
