Thanks for all the kind words. Hope you like this next one. This hiatus is killing me. I keep checking twitter for updates and photos..ahhh! #batb.
Catherine started stirring as she felt her body getting cold. Her mind was still fuzzy but her nose was suddenly filled with the scent of food. She opened her eyes and realized that she is now on her bed with a light blanket over her. Alarmed, she jumped up and rushed out her bedroom door to find Vincent in the kitchen. He was facing away from her as he stirred something on the stove. She quietly walked towards the kitchen and sat down at the bar hoping to not disturb him and admired him from behind.
"Hey there sleepy head. I hope you don't mind but I decided to cook you dinner. I can tell that you haven't eaten by the way your stomach growled." He chuckled as he moved a strand of her hair from her face.
Catherine's face flushed as she quickly grabbed her stomach and it dawned on her that all she had all day was the cup of coffee she drank early that morning. She was trying so hard to distract herself that she forgot to eat.
"I've set up the table for us, whenever you're ready to eat." He said as he motioned her to the dinner table.
She hadn't noticed it but the table was set up for a candlelight dinner for two. She felt slightly undressed for the occasion and decided she was going to change. "I'll be right back." She looked at Vincent and smiled. She headed back to her bedroom and pulled out a dress. She changed into it and applied light make up on her face. She decided to let her hair down since it is now dry with natural waves. She checked herself one more time in the mirror and was content on what she saw. The black dress went down to her knees and wasn't tight but it did show off the curves of her body. She finished it off with a pair of black wedges.
Vincent walked to Catherine's bedroom door to let her know that dinner was ready. He lightly knocked, "Hey Catherine, Dinner is served." He walked back to the kitchen and set their plates on the table. He heard her open the bedroom door and his jaw dropped as soon as he saw her.
She giggled at his reaction. "Thanks. You had this all set this up and I felt a little underdressed." Her stomach growled again and they both laughed. "Everything is ready. Please have a seat." He pulled the chair out for her and she sat down. She waited for him to sit before she started eating. He prepared spaghetti and meatballs with French bread on the side. He watched her take a bite, "Soo good. Didn't know you cooked. "He smiled. "There's a lot of things you don't know about me." Catherine continued to eat her meal but all Vincent could do was stare at her and hope that she had forgiven him.
"You ok?" She said in between bites. "Penny for your thoughts?"
"Eat. We can talk about it later." He said.
When Catherine was done she got up and took her plate in the kitchen. Vincent was still finishing some of his food. She rinsed her plate and placed it in the dishwasher. She stared at him through the candlelight and she felt her heart race and her breath quickened. The same feeling she had when she saw him the night at Gabe's. She felt butterflies in her stomach and she can't help smiling but she knew they still have a lot to talk about. She distracted herself by clearing out the rest of the table. As soon as he was finished, Vincent put his plate in the sink.
Catherine was still in the kitchen cleaning up when Vincent gently grabbed her hand and led her to the couch, "Sit. Relax. You've had a long day." He sighed. "We can either talk about it if you want to or we can just sit."
She felt all the anxiety coming back to her from the kiss with Evan. "I don't think I've thanked you for that. It seems that you're always rescuing me from him."
"Uh its ok. No big deal."
"I read your letter." She said it so softly that it sounded like a whisper.
Oh no. Vincent's heart stopped. Whatever she will say next will determine where their relationship will go. He wasn't sure what she wanted.
She hesitated. "Thank you doing that. You didn't have to. No one has ever done that for me." She looked into his eyes and held both of his hands in hers. Vincent felt his whole body shiver as soon she touched him. How he missed feeling her soft touch.
"One sec." She got up and grabbed the CD from her bedroom and put it in the CD player she has in the kitchen. She searched for the song she was looking for and pressed play.
Wherever you will go - by Charlene Soriana started playing.
"Dance with me?" She held out her hand to him as he stared at her in awe. She led him to the middle of her living room.
Vincent stood up and walked with her. He slightly fumbled on where to put his hands once she faced him due to his nervousness. He still didn't know how she felt towards him and he didn't want to seem aggressive. He lightly placed his right hand on the small of her back and held her hand in the other. Catherine securely wrapped her arms around his waist with her right hand locked with his. She rested face on his chest as she could hear his heart pounding in his chest. He rested his head on the side of her face and her scent filled his lungs with every breath he took. His mind was driving him insane trying to figure out what this meant. After mentally slapping himself, he stopped thinking and just enjoyed the feeling of her in his arms. He held her close and never wanted to let her go. The two got lost in the moment as they both softly swayed to the rhythm of the song. They paused as the song ended. She looked up at him and smiled. She had to look down as she felt her cheeks flushed red.
"That was nice. Thank you." As she tried to walk away from him and back to the couch.
Vincent still standing reached out and lightly grabbed her hand and pulled her to him. He rested both of his hands on the small of her back and gazed in her eyes. "So, are we going to talk about it?"
She sighed. "There's nothing to talk about."
Vincent heart dropped as the words escaped her lips. He felt the sting of the tears now forming on his eyes.
Catherine shook her head when she saw Vincent's eyes. "There's nothing to talk about because I forgive you. I want you to know that you are important to me. But … "She cupped his face and caressed his cheek.
"But ... you don't feel the same way?" He started to lean away from her, "Listen, Catherine I …"
"Stop!" She grabbed his face and made him look at her. "What I was trying to say is that I want to try to work this out and if you must know … I feel the same way about you. I'm falling for you Vincent, and at the same time I'm terrified. I'm terrified that this is moving too fast."
"I'll wait for you Catherine. I'll wait until you're ready." He reached out and caressed her check, "I'll wait forever for you." He confessed. "I know I've hurt you, I promise to never do that again. It killed me to see you cry, more so, because it was I that caused your tears. I hated myself for putting you through that." She nodded her head "I know."
With that she pulled him to her. Their lips connected and they both felt right. Everything else faded and something inside them changed. They cling to each other like they were each other's support. He suddenly pressed his lips tighter into hers, as if he almost expected the kiss to be their last. She accepted it and wanted to savor this feeling for eternity. He threaded his hands into her hair and she wrapped her arms around his neck. Their kiss deepened. She nipped on his bottom lip as he let out a soft growl. He licked her lips and as she opened her mouth slightly, he slid his tongue into hers. Emotions now running wild, she gently kissed his lip and slightly back away looking at him. "I have to stop, before i cant at all. I lose myself around you."
Vincent groaned and rested his forehead on hers and kissed the tip of her nose. "Its ok. I understand. And now i need a really cold shower."
She giggled and knew exactly what he meant because she needed one too.
"Umm. I've been meaning to ask you, and i know its a little last minute, but if you dont have any plans, I'd like it if you went to the cabin with me."
Catherine shrieked as Vincent lifted her off her feet. "Ofcourse. I can't think of a better way to spend my days." He let her body slide back down against him and kissed her cheek as soon as she touched the ground. She giggled and kissed his bottom lip. "We leave early tomorrow. You need to get packed."
Vincent gently grabbed her face and gazed into her eyes. "I have to pack".
She smirked at him, "right."
"So i guess ill be back tomorrow, because i don't think i can let go of you if i stayed here tonight."
She blushed. "Who said you can stay?"
Vincent pouted. "Fine. I know when I'm not wanted." He slumped his shoulders and and let go of her and started walking out the door.
"Oh stop!" She reached for him and kissed him on the lips. "I will definitely miss you. Call me when you wake up so i can come get you ok?"
"Fine. Tomorrow then. Goodnight Catherine." He hugged her tightly and then let go. They walked slowly towards her door and Vincent opened her door.
Catherine pulled him back and kissed him once more time. "This is going to be harder than i thought."
Vincent let out a soft laugh. "The feelings mutual"
"Goodnight Vincent."