Chapter Four
Catelyn watched the leftovers idly spin in the microwave while her face burned with the memory of what had just passed. Never before had she known such fire with a man. Sure, she'd been attracted to them, wanted them even. But to feel every movement, every kiss, every breath so intensely was something more than she felt she could handle…
Mentally, she slapped herself.
"Get a grip girl; you've always wanted to know what that feels like. Now you have the chance and you're wimping out," her own thoughts argued back at her fear.
She smiled and shook her head as she fetched silverware and plates, trying to picture cosying up on the sofa with someone like Taine, just enjoying dinner and an outdated movie. Somehow, the image didn't quite gel with the man she knew waited in her living room right now. But then, what did she know of Taine?
The microwave pinged loudly and the rich smell of meat and cheese wafted out as she opened the door. She scooped the remaining lasagne unceremoniously onto the plates.
Somehow, she didn't think Taine would care about presentation as long as the food was hot and tasty. A frown creased between her fine brows as her mind pored relentlessly over her questions.
Just what did she know about the man in her house this minute? Of course, he had bravely saved her from that wannabe rapist last night, she shuddered at the memory, but other than that what else did she really know.
Catelyn set the plates onto a tray and moved towards the living room where the faint sounds of the TV bled out from the open door. Well, tonight was her chance to get some of those questions answered.
Stiffening her resolve and raising her chin just a little, she marched into the room with her head held high, her stride confidant.
Setting the tray down, she saw Taine stood next to one of her many bookcases filled with DVDs, obviously trying to decide which one to put on, though from his stance he did not seem all that absorbed in his task. His gaze seemed to wander periodically to her over the top Christmas decorations that festooned every conceivable surface.
"Dinner's ready," Catelyn announced brightly, forcing a smile to her nervous lips. Taine turned slowly, giving her the full effect of his muscular body coming to face her. His chest and shoulders seemed to expand before her very eyes, clad in a black muscle shirt. Her eyes betrayed her as they slowly glanced down, taking in the flat, hard expanse of his abdomen to his thick, muscular thighs encased in stonewashed denim. Suddenly, her tongue seemed too big for her mouth and any words she might have said next seemed to stick in her throat.
"You ok Cate?" he murmured, his expression lit with amusement as he must have guessed what kind of effect he was having on her.
"Umm…yeah, I'm fine thanks…err, just going to get changed. Make yourself comfortable and help yourself to a plate," she gestured towards the tray she had brought in.
Catelyn could have sworn she heard a soft chuckle behind her as she turned and practically fled from the room and up the stairs. Her uniform seemed too stifling and restrictive for her when she was around him, like she had the sudden urge to strip her clothes off. A laugh bubbled up from her throat as she considered the fact it was just because she wanted to get naked with him anyway and no matter what she wore, she would always want to strip it off whenever she was around him.
She moved to her chest of drawers and switched on the tiny lamp, casting a washed out glow around her. Energy saver bulbs were a miracle when it came to keeping her bills down but damn, if the stupid things didn't take half an hour to warm up in the first place. She rummaged around her drawers and pulled out a pair of black sweatpants and a red t-shirt, both loose and guaranteed to stave off any feelings of sexual compulsion on his part. The thought that she did not fully know who he was still plagued her. With a grimace, she reached for her work trousers and pulled her mobile phone out of the pocket. 'Time to set some safety nets,' she thought.
Flipping through the contacts list until she found the familiar name, she punched the call button and waited while it rang.
"Hey chick, what's up?" Laura's voice was cheery and bright, the background filled with the familiar sounds of the pub.
"Hey Laura, listen honey, can you do me a favour and call me back in an hour's time? You know, just to check in with me?"
There was a momentary pause on the other end of the line.
"Cate, is there something wrong? What's happened? Is that man still there?"
Catelyn bit her lip and rolled her eyes at Laura's overprotective nature.
"I'm fine Laura, no need to wig out. Yes he's still here but I just want you to check in with me in an hour ok? Just to be on the safe side."
She heard Laura sigh down the line.
"Ok Cate, I'll call in an hour. But so help me, if you don't answer, I'm coming straight around with a cricket bat, are we clear? Don't take any risks and call me if you need me."
"Thanks Laura, I'm sure I'll be fine but just wanted to make sure, you know."
Laura laughed and Catelyn felt instantly happier that her best friend was behind her. She promised to call later after Taine had left and closed her phone up, slipping it into her pocket as she raced down the stairs before Taine missed her.
The lights had been switched off, save for the tall lamp that had once belonged to her Mother, that now stood in the corner of the room next to her fish tank.
The navy blue carpet felt warm beneath her bare feet as her toes sank into the softness of the pile.
"Hey, everything ok? Thought maybe you'd become lost in your wardrobe or something?"
Taine was sat on the sofa, a plate in his hand, his head turned towards Catelyn with a comfortable smile curling his lips. She felt something inside her loosen as his eyes met hers. Was it the first sign of trust? She cleared her throat and reached for the other plate. Taine moved over on the sofa to make room for her and for a few moments, nothing could be heard but the scrape of cutlery on plates. Catelyn glanced at the TV and noticed the DVD he had picked out.
"Would never have pegged you for a Family Guy fan Taine?" she mused with a smile. She liked saying his name. Somehow it felt right on her lips; it felt good.
Taine chuckled as he jabbed the last piece of lasagne with his fork and set his plate down on the carpet with a satisfied grin.
"Ah what's not to love about it, especially Stewie. He's great. Always trying to take over the world or hatching some hair brained scheme."
Catelyn finished her food as she nodded. Taine took the plate from her and set it down with his own as he watched her snuggle back deeper into the soft cushions of the sofa.
"I noticed an open bottle of wine on the cabinet over there," he gestured vaguely to the glass fronted cabinet that housed her prized dragon model collection, "Would you like me to pour you a glass?"
Catelyn smiled softly. "You know, you're the guest. It's my job to run around after you isn't it?"
Taine chuckled once more and Catelyn felt her stomach twist pleasantly at the sound.
Dear Lord, this man gave her butterflies!
"You served dinner Cate; it would be my pleasure to serve the drinks."
He heaved his massive frame off the sofa and made short work of pouring out two glasses of rosé and bringing them back to her. Catelyn took hers with a quiet thank you and sipped the warming liquid.
Taine followed suit, a soft smile playing his lips.
"Mind if we talk some?"
Catelyn shrugged and smiled warmly, unable to hide the sunshine he seemed to draw from her.
"Sure, what do you want to talk about?"
"Tell me about yourself Cate, what you like to do, about your family."
Catelyn paused and a tiny crease formed between her brows.
"Why do you want to know? Morbid curiosity or a more sinister reason?"
She chuckled and tried to make light of her last comment but her eyes betrayed the underlying fear she felt. Taine's gaze darkened a little.
"I'm just interested in learning more about you Cate; I'm not some weird stalker. If I were going to hurt you, I've had plenty of chances to do so already haven't I?"
Catelyn thought that one over, not daring to trust her reply. It was true, he had done nothing to warrant her mistrust but it was there all the same. She sighed and tried to explain.
"I'm not saying you're a bad man Taine, I just have problems trusting men I don't know that well. Considering how we've been…well…" her voice thickened as the memory of his kisses flashed vividly in her mind, "…quite friendly since yesterday and now I have you in my house…" her voice rose a little as the enormity of her decisions seemed to slap her in the face, "…it's just that I don't know you from Adam, Taine. This is a little weird for me. I don't normally behave like this."
Catelyn stopped and looked down at her hands as they clasped desperately around the glass she held. Taine reached forward, one of his large hands covering hers and squeezing gently.
"So let me get to know you Cate, tell me about yourself. Please?"
His tone was so gentle and so pleading, that Catelyn found herself looking into his eyes again, almost drowning in the dark pools of smooth chocolate.
"I still don't know what to say," her voice was softer. Taine felt her warmth and knew she was not challenging him anymore. "Ask me something Taine, what do you want to know?"
She leaned back against the sofa once more and looked at their hands, clasped within one another, her face relaxed as she entwined her fingers with his. Gently, he stroked his thumb over hers.
"Ok, tell me about your family, how you grew up."
Catelyn smiled and watched their fingers twist and writhe gently against each other.
"I have no brothers or sisters, just had my parents who were great to me. They gave me everything I needed…" she trailed off, her voice thinning as though the air had been sucked from the room. Her gaze was intent on their hands.
"But?" Taine gently prompted her, his voice soft and lulling.
"But they didn't like to touch a lot; you know, like hugging."
She looked up suddenly, her eyes a storm of quiet panic.
"Don't get me wrong, they loved me a great deal and I never went without. It's just…I always wanted hugs from them. Just to be held would have felt wonderful but my parents' version of love was less physical."
Catelyn stopped and kept her gaze down. Taine stroked his fingers under her chin, raising her face and he studied her features gently for the first time, taking in every minute detail.
Her brows were finely curved, her almond shaped eyes a clear, sparkling blue that shone in the light and her nose was petite and shaped well. His eyes dropped to her cupids bow lips, a delicate shell pink in colour. He knew from experience how soft they were, how yielding to his own firm, demanding mouth. Watching her so, caused his desire to rise like some dormant snake waiting to strike. His fangs began to stretch behind his lips, aching to pierce her throat and drink swiftly from the vein he knew was there, flowing with the warm life force of her blood.
Her words stirred another emotion deep inside his chest; Empathy. How many years had it been since he'd taken a woman into his arms? Yesterday in the park, he'd simply given in to his instincts when this quivering, delicate creature moulded herself to his chest and had clung to him for dear life. Oh yes, he knew all about living without physical contact. How your skin screamed at you, begging to be touched by someone, anyone, just to feel warmth. Perhaps this was why she had responded so passionately to him yesterday; desperation for someone's touch.
Just looking at her now, how could any man not be stirred by her? How could any man resist pulling her into his arms and protecting her, loving her?
Taine forced his thoughts back away from that particular temptation. Not in over five hundred years had he allowed anyone to warm his heart. Hell, he'd barely let a woman warm his bed. No, it was much safer to be this way. It was much safer to stay at arms length and avoid the risk he could bring to a woman.
"Taine?" Catelyn's curiously soft voice broke through the darkening mist of his thoughts. He looked into her eyes, deeply focused. Catelyn smiled warmly. Was there a hint of sadness in the dark warmth of his gaze?
"Tell me about you Taine," she whispered softly, squeezing gently on his hand, "What about your family?"
Taine's eyes darkened and a frown creased his brows. Abruptly he released Catelyn's hand and shifted in his seat.
"I think I should go Cate."
He rose from the sofa and looked distractedly around for his coat, remembering that he'd left it in the kitchen.
Catelyn followed after him, horrified that she'd obviously said something wrong and desperate not to leave things in this distressed state between them.
In the kitchen, Taine slipped hurriedly back into his long leather coat, not meeting her gaze and not stopping to pause. Catelyn laid a hand forcibly on his arm to prevent him running away but the strength she felt beneath her fingers told her she could not more stop him than if she were a fly he wanted to swat away.
"Taine please stop!" her exasperation made her voice ring with pain, "I'm sorry if I said something to upset you. Please don't leave like this."
He moved away from her touch, backing into the counter, his face pale and blanched.
"It's not you Cate, forgive me…," he shook his head, "I can't talk about it right now but it's not you, please trust me."
He strode past her and headed towards the door. As he grasped the doorknob and turned it, Catelyn felt the prickle of warm tears blur her vision. Heaven knew why his leaving should make her cry but just as yesterday, she felt as though his presence had left a hollow space where his warmth had previously been. Hastily, she swiped away the wetness on her cheeks before Taine could see her foolishness.
As he paused by the door, he took a deep sniff and turned back to her, a momentary look of distress crossing his chiselled features.
"Cate, please don't cry. This is not you. You've done nothing wrong…" he paused and his head dropped, this features twisted with what Catelyn recognised as a deep seated pain, "…I just need some thinking space."
He pulled the door open and the cool night air rushed through the hallway like winter's breath.
"I'll walk you home tomorrow after work. Be waiting for me."
Without a backwards glance or another word, Taine left. Catelyn stood transfixed, frozen to the spot and unable to comprehend what had just happened. One word from her and the warm evening had turned into a disaster.
Why the hell hadn't she kept her fool mouth shut and just talked about herself? No, she had to try and be Little Miss Inquisitive. She just had to probe into the past he obviously wanted kept secret. A man like Taine just screamed tortured history.
Catelyn wiped her tears, feeling frustrated and angry, both with herself for speaking before thinking and with Taine for leaving her so unsatisfied.
Half an hour later, the dishes had been washed and dried, the lounge had been tidied up and Laura had been telephoned. Not wishing to go into too many details with her best friend, Catelyn calmly explained to Laura that Taine had stayed for dinner and left shortly afterwards.
Moments later, Catelyn entered her bedroom and slumped fully clothed onto her bed, her insides writhing uncomfortably. Crushing her arms around her feather pillows, she buried her face and tried to ease the burning ache that had set up camp between her thighs. No matter her nervousness around Taine, her body apparently had been fully expecting for them to have sex tonight and was determined to punish her now that it had been cheated out of a night of hot, steamy grinding by reminding her every five seconds of his attentions in the kitchen. Her body was flush with warmth as the remembered the feel of his erection pressed between her thighs.
There had been no mistaking his willingness earlier and yet one word from her had distanced him quicker than the bullet train of Japan.
Closing her eyes, she gave herself up to the images her brain refused to let go of and allowed her mind to swim in a plethora of erotic dreams; dreams that she knew for certain would never become reality.
