“Vincent, what’s wrong? What’s bothering you?”
He hesitated just a brief moment. There were no secrets between them now. There never could be.
“Catherine, what happened in my chamber? It was . . . It happened so fast!” He felt her squeeze his hands gently.
“You’re right, it did happen pretty fast didn’t it? One touch and you were at it again.”
“I was at it again, Catherine?” His eyes filled with just a hint of defiance. “If memory serves me correctly, I was not alone in my chambers.”
Catherine reached up to smooth his long hair over his shoulders, soothing his slightly injured dignity at the same time.
“Okay, okay. We were both at it again. I wouldn’t worry about it, Vincent. It happens that way sometimes between lovers.”
“But, Catherine, if it happens so easily, how will we ever be able to be together without . . .” Her happy laughter seemed to bounce off the tunnel walls.
“I doubt seriously it will happen like that all the time, Vincent. I think the tickling sort of set us up for it. Like when we were chasing each other behind the falls. It was a form of foreplay.” She moved into his embrace.
“See. We’re touching each other now and nothing is happening.” She nuzzled his nose.
“Actually something is happening. I’m just managing to keep it under control.” She kissed him, thinking to herself, ‘barely.’
“Catherine, it is really very late.”
“Yes, I know and I have to work tomorrow. When will I see you again?”
“Soon, I promise. I’ll get a message to you.” Kissing her once more, he turned her toward the ladder, giving her a gentle nudge.
Catherine paused at the ladder and called to him. She couldn’t leave without telling him what had happened.
“Vincent?”
“Yes, Catherine?”
“Why do you say that?”
“He came to your chamber while you were in that little world you go to when you make love to me.”
Vincent walked slowly toward her, his eyes wide with sudden understanding.
“You mean he came into my chamber after we . . . When I was . . .”
“Yes.”
“What did you say to him, Catherine?”
“Nothing. I pretended to be asleep.” He looked at her almost accusingly. “I took the coward’s way out. So sue me. Now he’s your problem.” She stood on tiptoes and kissed him lightly. “Good night, Vincent. I love you.”