Chapter 7

Vincent carried Catherine in his arms as he blurred towards her apartment. She savored the feeling of being held so tightly up against his chest. She could feel the strength in him, the leashed power. The bright lights of the city streamed as he moved. He landed gently on her fire escape, setting her on her feet; he reached down to open her window. Catherine was a little unsteady on her feet after blurring through half of NYC. He helped her over the threshold, she sat down in the chair and admired his feline grace as he came in and closed the window behind him.

He kneeled in front of her.

"Are you ok?"

Teeth chattering she answered him.

"Fine, just a little cold."

Vincent grabbed a blanket off her bed and wrapped it around her. Then he scooped her up again.

"Vincent! Where are you taking me? I am soaking wet?"

He continued toward the living room.

"I am going to make you some coffee to warm you up, and I need to talk to you and if I stay in there….." He nodded his head back from where they came. "I will not be able to tell you what I have to say, because all I can think about is getting you warmed up in the shower and once I start, I am going to take my time so…"

Catherine sighed and let her head rest against his heart. His heartbeat steady and strong, just like him.

Vincent got Catherine comfortable, started the coffee and built a fire. It was a good thing Catherine was not a beast because she would have known how nervous he was, his heart was racing as he brought the coffee to her, he could delay no longer.

"I haven't told you everything about the night your Mom was killed."

Catherine's eye widened but she sipped her coffee and listened.

"You know your Mom was on the right side of Muirfield. When she found out what was going on, they tried to silence her and I saved her life. She helped me escape Afghanistan. When we got back to NY I was in hiding. I had not contacted JT yet and your Mom was helping me adjust to life back here.

Vincent ran his hand over his head and licked his lips.

I stayed close to your Mom keeping tabs on her, making sure she was safe. That night in the woods, I was tracking your Mom, but I arrived too late.

At the mention of her Mother's murder Catherine's breath hitched and her pulse raced, Vincent touched her and ran his hand up and down her arm, soothing her.

"I heard you call out and found you just in time, the beast kicked in and killed those men, without thought or regret. After the threat was gone, I was exhausted, I was trying to get back to being me, and it took me longer back then to recover. I stood there, with you looking up at me and I could tell you were not afraid of me. You were scared and you were in shock, but it was not because of me. I wanted to reach out and comfort you, something in me responded to you, but I was afraid so I ran."

"After your Mom died, I didn't have anyone to help, so I sought out JT. He helped me get settled and we started trying to find a cure. But I could not get you out of my mind and everyone once in a while I would check on you to make sure you were ok."

Catherine was quiet. She knew that Vincent had watched over her for years, but the realization that he knew her Mother…..

"Why didn't you tell me this before?"

Vincent looked at Catherine, afraid that she would not be able to forgive him for lying to her all this time.

"I didn't tell you all this when we first met, because I could see how driven you are. I knew if I told you that I knew your Mother and that Murfield had killed her, or that I was too late to save her. You might have gone after them with a vengeance and I had already lost so much to Murfield, I did not want to lose you too."

Vincent's voice dropped off with the last sentence. He looked at her, waiting for her judgment, waiting for her to get angry with him for once again making decisions for her, instead of with her.

Catherine set down her coffee and scooched over to him, crawling up into his lap. She ran her fingers through his hair and kissed him. Cupping the back of his neck she said.

"I understand….." At his incredulous look, she explained. "I can recognize that I was obsessed by my Mother's murder and I would not have listened to anything you told me back then about how dangerous Murfield was, I would have charged in and probably gotten myself killed along with you."

She kissed him again

"What you have told me doesn't really change anything, I am glad my Mom helped you and I am sorry that you have been carrying around the pain of not being able to save her, but you saved me that night Vincent. You have been saving me ever since."

Vincent was so relived, he was stunned. He stared at Catherine, marveling at the miracle in his arms. He pulled her to him, she burrowed her face in his neck.

"There is one more thing, something I didn't put together at first, You Mom told me while we were in Afghanistan that she was doing this to protect her daughters, at the time I thought she meant in general in terms of the war and what not. Then later back here in NY she mentioned it again. I was so caught up in just trying to survive, I didn't think to ask her more. I am sure she was trying to tell me something. It wasn't until I realized that these people are after you that it all came back to me."

Catherine pulled back.

"Why after me, this all makes no sense."

Vincent shook his head.

"I don't know, but you have always had an effect on me, from that first night in the woods I have been drawn to you. They wiped my memory trying to keep me from you and even that didn't work."

Catherine clutched at Vincent, the memories of the last year too painful to face. His kidnapping, finding him and having him not remember her, shooting him, Tori, those wounds were still fresh.

"What do we do now?"

Catherine whispered into his neck, she was shaking.

Vincent tightened his arms around her.

"I don't know, but I promise you we will figure this out together."

Vincent held her a moment, then picked her up and headed for the shower.

He turned the water on and turned back to Catherine. He unwound her from the blanket and removed her clothing piece by piece. His heart was pounding, his eyes burning as he looked at her. She moved toward him and lifted his shirt off over his head. Her hands tracing the contours of his chest. She leaned forward and placed light kisses on his chest. Her hair tickling his abdomen. Her hands reached for his belt and she deftly unbuckled it and pulled the buttons loose on his pants. Her hands followed his jeans as they pooled on the floor. He stepped out of them and she went to her knees in front of him. Catherine looked up at him, he was looking back down at her, his gaze heated her and she wanted nothing so much as she wanted him in her mouth. She cupped his sac in her hands, loving the heavy weight of him. The tip was glistening, she licked it savoring the taste of him. Vincent growled and shoved his hands in her hair. Guiding her to him, he held himself at the entrance to her mouth. Her hands came up to grip his and she opened her mouth to him. As he slid into her hot mouth he closed his eyes. Catherine moaned and the vibration worked through him, he began thrusting gently into her mouth. Catherine took him in, her cheeks hollowed with suction and her tongue flicking his head as he withdrew. Vincent arched his head back as Catherine worked him. Her hands reached around to cup his ass, he let her set the pace of his thrusting. Every muscle in his body was strained, Catherine increased her pace his balls tightening. He came with a roar, his eyes glowing as he shot into her throat, Catherine greedily swallowing him.

Catherine slowly rose up pressing herself against Vincent. He was breathing heavily, she placed her hands on his face and when he opened his eyes, they were human again.

He looked at her in wonder. She never ceased to amaze him. She smiled at him as she ran her hands through his hair. He lowered his head to take her mouth. He can taste himself there. That turned him on again and he was instantly hard for her. He was desperate to bury himself in her, but he wanted to take his time. Things are so new between them, so much has happened, he wants to erase all of the hurt and leave only pleasure.

Vincent kisses grew urgent, he lifted her up, pressing her body against his. She angled her head to kiss him deeper. He walked with her and lifted them both up into the shower. He put her back against the water, warming her. His tongue continued to drive her crazy as he licked the inside of her mouth. Kissing Vincent was an act of love all by itself, he consumed her. He trailed kisses down her neck, stopping to gently suck on her pulse as it thrummed in his mouth. Catherine's head arched back causing the water to run down between them.

Vincent turned her around and grabbed the shampoo, he washed her hair, massaging her head. Catherine's eyes rolled back into her head, Vincent's hands were so strong and as he massaged her head, she imagined those hands moving elsewhere. As if able to read her thoughts, Vincent's hands followed the soapy bubbles, running down her shoulders, her lower back and into the cleft of her ass. Catherine's breath caught as Vincent's finger slid between her cheeks, his other hand coming around to the front and following the water around her breasts. He flicked her nipples as the stood hard and ready for his mouth. His hand moved lower across her stomach and he flattened his hand there as he pulled her against him. She could feel how hard he was for her, his cock riding along her ass.

"I love you Catherine."

Vincent says, holding her tight against him. Catherine cannot speak, as Vincent's hand moved lower, first one finger sliding along her slit. She starts to undulate her hips, trying to pull him in deeper. He lowers his head to kiss the back of her neck, his tongue making its way to her ear, where he delicately circles it with his tongue. He slides another finger along her seam, ringing her opening, even with the water he can tell that she is soaking wet for him. She whimpers as he inserts one finger, his other hand comes around to tug on her nipples and she arches her back and moans his name. "Vincent"

Catherine's skin is heated, both from the water and from Vincent's touch. He circles her clit, applying pressure while his other hand continues pumping into her. She is panting now, back arched, drawn tight as a bow string. He bites down on her shoulder and squeezes her clit between his thumb and forefinger, Catherine cries out as her orgasm hits, she clamps down on his hand and her sex squeezes his fingers. He keeps up the pressure until she goes limp in his arms. His tongue soothes the spot where he nipped her and he smiles, loving how she comes apart for him.

He turns her around, she is spent and the only thing holding her up is his arms. She lifts her head and looks at him, her eyes glassy and satisfied. Her breathing is slowly returning to normal and she puts her arms around his neck and they touch foreheads, breathing each other in.

Tears form in her eyes and her words are choked with emotion.

"God! I missed you Vincent…..I love you so much…I…."

She doesn't get the chance to finish, Vincent kisses her and picks her up and carries her out of the shower and lays her down on the bed.

He takes the towel and dries her off, admiring the strength in her, she is tiny but so fierce. Her lips are swollen from his kisses and her skin is pink from the heat of the shower. Her eyes are limpid pools following his every move. After he has dried her off, he crawls up her body and settles himself between her thighs. He hold his weight off of her with one arm, the other cups her chin to lift her to his kiss.

"I am never going anywhere, ever again. I promise you Catherine, nothing will separate us."

"I am afraid Vincent, I could not survive losing you again, make me forget Vincent, for a little while, just make me forget."

Catherine pulls Vincent's mouth to hers and kisses him hard. She slides her tongue into her mouth and slides it along his tongue, flicking it along the roof of his mouth. He growls as he reaches around her to lift her up to him. The action arches her back and presents her breasts to him. He tears himself away from her mouth and ravishes her breasts. Licking and nipping them, lathing them with his tongue. Catherine runs her hands through his hair, holding him to her. He runs his hands down her side and lifts her leg, opening her even wider. As he moves his hand up her inner thigh, he can feel the heat coming off her. Her soft feminine tissues are already swollen from his earlier attention. She moves her hips beckoning to him.

"I need you inside me Vincent….please."

Vincent grasps himself in hand and gently places the head of his penis against her. Feeling him there, Catherine moves down on him, taking him in. He groans at the feeling of her hot wet core surrounding him. Catherine moans at the feeling of him filling her up. He lifts her leg and moves into her farther, until he is seated to the hilt. He stills.

"Catherine look at me…." He whispers.

Catherine opens her eyes and sees Vincent looking at her.

"Keep your eyes open, I want you to see how you make me feel, I want to see you while I take you."

Catherine keeps her eyes on Vincent as he starts to thrust inside of her. She wants to arch her head back and moan, but her eyes are glued to him. He is so powerful, she runs her hands along his arms. The brute strength in those arms, veins standing out. He can be so gentle with her, he leashes so much of his power for her. He is looking at her as he pumps in and out. His eyes looking through her into her soul. He lowers his head and kisses her. Their mouths open, hearts pounding, chests heaving, tongues fliting back and forth with each other. Their eyes finding each other as she rises to meet him. Catherine can tell he is holding back from her.

"Let go Vincent…I know you won't hurt me…..let go."

Catherine keeps her eyes on Vincent as he unleashes the beast. His cock swells within her, she can feel him growing larger. His eyes turn golden as his muscles bulk and the spidery veins run close to the surface, he pounds into her, she is strong and meets him thrust for thrust, the sensation that hits her as he hits her clit, over and over and over, has her panting along with him.

Vincent finishes with a roar as he empties himself into her again. The sight of him coming undone in her arms, of the trust he has in her to let himself go, brings Catherine another orgasm, its waves pulsing through her.

Exhausted they collapse into a heap on the bed, Vincent flops onto his back and pulls Catherine into his arms. She falls asleep cradled in his arms, safe.

Catherine wakes to Vincent thrashing in bed. She jumps out of bed and turns on the light, he is tangled up in the sheets and fighting them, like he is in combat, he yells out her name and as she watches he transforms into a beast and shreds the sheets. She is pressed up against the wall, afraid to get to close, she knows it can be dangerous to wake someone from a nightmare too quickly.

"Vincent!"

She calls his name.

"Vincent wake up…..Vincent!...Vincent your safe!"

The beast lifts his head and sees Catherine cowering in the corner. As soon as she makes eye contact with him he calms down. He drops his head, looking ashamed.

Catherine moves toward him with her arms out wide, palms up, trying to be as non-threatening as she can.

"Vincent…its ok Vincent."

She keeps getting closer to him, he stands there staring at her, chest heaving. When she gets close enough to touch him, she raises her hands to his face and cups his cheek.

"Hey…it's me Vincent, its ok…come back to me Vincent."

At her touch the beast recedes and Vincent returns. He looks shattered…..broken.

He looks around the room and then back at her. He leans away from her touch, jumping off the bed he clears to the other side of the room.

"Oh God, Catherine…..I am so sorry…..Are you all right?" He has a panicked look on his face and Catherine senses that he wants to flee.

"Vincent I am fine, you just had a nightmare. Nothing got hurt."

He looks at the bed and then back at her.

"Well nothing that can't be replaced…..I am fine Vincent, I was just frightened for you. Can you tell me what happened?" Catherine gestures to him to sit on the bed. He perches right at the edge and she can tell that he is afraid to get to close to her.

"I had a nightmare about the time I was held captive. They were electrocuting me with a cattle prod and asking me about you. I refused to cooperate with them, they would shock me, I would go down and then get back up, the longer it went on the longer it took for me to recover. They threatened to find you anyway and talked about all the vile things they were going to do to you. I lost it at that point and turned beast, until they tranquilized me."

He ran his hands across his face and through his hair.

"I should have told you about my nightmares, I had them a lot when we were apart, as the memories returned, but I had not had one since Valentine's, I got so caught up in being with you again that I put you danger."

Catherine launched herself at him and thankfully due to his beast like reflexes he caught her before she knocked him off the bed. She wrapped her arms around him and held him tight.

"I am so sorry this happened to you Vincent…you don't have to hide anything from me, you didn't hurt me."

"Maybe not this time…but there is no telling what my beast would have done if you had stayed in that bed." He said, pointing at the shredded sheets.

Catherine looked at the bed and then back at Vincent. Her heart broke for him, after everything he had been through he deserved some peace. She had no idea he'd had nightmares about his time in captivity, she could not imagine what they would have done to him, just thinking about him being captive hollowed her out. She looked into his eyes and told him.

"We will figure this out…together, Vincent, you don't have to do this alone, promise me you won't pull away from me."

Vincent looked at Catherine, she was so fierce and protective of him….. she could be soft and pliant beneath him, but so strong and brave when it came to protecting him.

He touched his forehead to hers.

"Together…I promise."