“I see what you mean. You did think of everything didn’t you? It looks very comfortable.” She tugged on the fringe of his cape. “Then again, I didn’t find this to be the least bit uncomfortable the last time.”
Vincent stared at her as a tiny smile curved the corners of his mouth. Reaching out, he pulled her against him, whispering softly.
“Neither did I, Catherine. Neither did I.” Catherine shivered under his burning gaze.
“Did you tell Father where we would be?” He could hear the hint of worry that tinged her voice. Catherine still wasn’t convinced that Father was so willing to let their relationship progress.
“Please don’t worry, Catherine. No one will spoil our evening together. I did not tell Father or anyone where we were going.”
“I’m surprised he didn’t say something about that being a very dangerous and irresponsible thing to do.”
“He did and he was right. We are expected back tomorrow. If we do not return within a reasonable time, he knows where to go to learn of our whereabouts.”
“You left a message?”
“Yes, Catherine, of sorts. I would never take
the chance of coming here and having something go wrong. I could
never take such a chance with your life.”
“You’ve taken that chance with your own life, Vincent.
Several times.” Her eyes clouded with fear as she remembered the time
he had been gone for so long to the place with the nameless river.
Catherine was sure that no one had known where he was at the time and it
had terrified her to think that he could have fallen and been
hurt, maybe even died before anyone could find him. Going off
by himself was something Vincent did often and it frightened her.
“Promise me you won’t ever go away by yourself again without leaving something to tell where you’ve gone.” Vincent felt her fear and hurried to assure her.
“I promise, Catherine. Somehow I feel sure I will have no need to go off by myself nearly so often now.” He tilted her chin up to kiss her lips gently. “And the next time I visit my nameless river, I’d like you to go with me. Perhaps we could even give it a name. Would you like that?” Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears at his request.
“I would love that. Where did you leave the information about where we were going tonight?”
“In the one place I leave all my secret thoughts and desires. In my journal. I told Father that should anything unexpected happen he would find a map to this place inside it.”
“Your journal! Vincent did you write about us being together after Winterfest in your journal?”
The palm of his hand cupped her face as his long fingers wound their way through her hair to massage the tender scalp beneath.
“Yes, Catherine. I wrote about us and that night.” He leaned down to kiss her again.
“I wrote pages and pages about that most wondrous night. I hope you don’t mind.”
“How could I mind? Of course I don’t mind, but what if Father . . .”
“Catherine, Father would never read my journal without
my permission. He would never invade my privacy.”
“No, of course he wouldn’t.”
Catherine shook herself mentally, ridding her mind of an and all negative thoughts as she once more concentrated on the business at hand. The sound of her laughter filled the immense cavern as Catherine threw her arms around his neck, her eyes glowing with mischief. Grabbing his hand, she pulled him toward the blanket.
“Alone at last! I was beginning to think I was going to have to tie you up and drag you here, Vincent.”
“Catherine! You were the one with whom everyone wanted to visit with and talk to.”
“Are you saying it was my fault we almost didn’t make it here? It’s not as if you were being ignored back there either you know.” She shook her head. “I really was beginning to think we were going to be cheated out of another evening together.”
Vincent pulled her close, one hand creeping up to cradle the back of her head.
“Never, Catherine. I promised you I would bring you here tonight and I always keep my promises.”
Catherine shivered with intense pleasure as his eyes held her gaze for several heartbeats. As if in slow motion, he lowered his head until their lips were almost touching. His warm breath caressed her mouth while his hand gently massaged the back of her neck. He hovered over her, making no move to kiss her until Catherine thought she would die from the sheer want, the need, of his lips pressed against hers. She grasped his shoulders for support before her legs could betray her and send her crashing to the ground in a heap.
“Vincent, are you going to kiss me or what?” Her voice trembled with desire.
Vincent grinned, the ‘or what’ part of her question piquing his interest. He was very much enjoying the fact that circumstances seemed to be reversed for his blatantly aroused soul-mate. During their first night together behind these falls, she had used her sexuality to drive him crazy. She had known she was greatly affecting him and had enjoyed it very much. Now it was his turn.
Vincent leaned down and slowly closed the gap between
them. Catherine closed her eyes and held her breath, waiting for
a kiss that never came! Instead, he steadied her and released her
with a quick peck to her forehead.
“William sent along some of his special dishes.
It’s been quite a while since lunch. You must be hungry. Why
don’t we see what we have?”
Catherine stared after him in disbelief, wondering how he could possibly be thinking of food at a time like this. Food was the last thing she wanted.
“Catherine? Are you all right?
She turned to see him staring at her from the edge of the blanket, his head tilted in that engaging way he had, a smile illuminating his beautiful features. Catherine looked again, closer this time. It wasn’t so much a smile actually. It was more like a leer. He was teasing her again!
“Catherine, would you care for something to eat?” and neck just waiting to be nibbled, and thought to herself that nothing he had in the basket would satisfy her at the moment.
“No, Vincent, I am not hungry.” Her eyes burned into his. “Actually, I need . . .”
She glanced around the cavern wondering if what she was looking for even existed.
“It’s over there, Catherine. Behind those large boulders.” He pointed to a section of rocks that jutted out from the wall behind her. “The facilities are rather crude, but they are sufficient.”
Catherine reached for the overnight bag she’d brought with her and turned to leave, tossing a casual, “I’ll be right back, don’t go away” over her shoulder.
Vincent began sifting through the contents of the basket William had so generously supplied and was amazed at the amount of food he’d sent. There was some of his special baked chicken, a pasta salad, a loaf of homemade bread, some tasty looking cakes and several canteens of water. The burly cook had thought of everything.
Vincent was so engrossed in his thoughts, he was unaware of Catherine’s approach until the force of her happiness reached out to focus his attention back where it belonged - on her. As he turned to look at her, William’s hearty repast was totally forgotten.
Dressed in a cloud of iridescent orchid, Catherine seemed to almost glide toward him.
The top part of the outfit she wore fit loosely about
her yet showed off her every curve. The pants also hung loosely,
but still managed to show off a very delectable and inviting anatomy
as it hugged her body with every step she took.
“I hope you don’t mind, Vincent. I thought
I’d dress a bit more comfortably tonight.”
Catherine reveled in the stark look of appreciation that
filled his eyes.
Vincent’s mind went into a spin as he simultaneously tried to figure out what Catherine was wearing, why she was wearing it, and what he was going to do about it. By the time she reached him, he still hadn’t come up with any answers. When she reached out to take his hands, he decided he didn’t really care what the answers were. And when she moved to take her rightful place in his arms, Vincent completely forgot the questions.
Catherine leaned against him and smiled up at him seductively. Her face inched upward toward his as her lips parted slightly. Vincent’s gaze was riveted to her luscious mouth as he eagerly awaited her kiss. Catherine nuzzled his mouth with the end of her nose and, since his forehead was slightly out of reach, kissed his chin before turning her attention to William’s basket.
“Let’s see what William has prepared for us.” Her soft giggle did not go unnoticed and Vincent realized that he had just been paid back.
“Catherine!”
He reached for her, but Catherine laughed softly, and took off running at full speed. Vincent stood watching in total surprise, not quite certain of her intentions. Suddenly, through their bond, he could feel her total joy and wonder at their newfound relationship. She was in a playful mood and wanted him to join her. Letting go of yet another inhibition, Vincent joined in the chase.
The chase itself was actually one sided and they both knew it. Catherine’s legs were much shorter and Vincent could very easily have overtaken her in a matter of seconds, but he seemed to instinctively understand that to catch her too soon would spoil the mood. The chase was as much a part of the excitement of their loving as was the kissing and cuddling Vincent had taken to so quickly.
They ran around playfully for several minutes until Vincent could sense in Catherine a desire to be caught and he knew the game was over. With a sudden lunge, he had her wrapped securely in a hug Catherine could not get away from even she wanted to.
Getting away, however, was the last thing Catherine wanted. The feel of Vincent’s strong arms holding her immobile against his rock-hard frame sent her already heightened nerves soaring. Her blood rushed to fuel her burning senses, leaving her breathless and light headed. His gaze penetrated her very soul as he leaned down to kiss her. No teasing this time, it was a kiss that stirred the rapidly growing fire inside her until she felt sure she would melt into a puddle at his very feet. Vincent pulled back first, his breathing warm and heavy against her face.
“Catherine, does this feeling ever end? Please, tell me it will never end.” His eyes glowed bright with passion.
“What feeling?” She held his head between her hands, looking deep into his eyes. “Tell me, Vincent. What are you feeling?”
He took a deep breath as though trying to find the words to describe the feelings coursing through him. Catherine touched her mouth to his in a light kiss.
“Tell me. What feeling do you hope will never end? Give your feeling a name, Vincent.” Her hands gripped him tightly, willing him to let go of the fear that kept him from voicing aloud the emotions he was experiencing, for what Catherine w was sure was the first time.
“Tell me, Vincent!”
“Hunger!” Vincent looked at her in amazement.
“This feeling I feel whenever we are together like this . . . It’s like a hunger, Catherine. I cannot get enough of you.” He reached to take her hands in his and held them to his mouth, kissing each one. He slid his arms down and over her shoulders to caress her back.
“The touch of you.” He buried his face in the curve of her neck, kissing and nibbling his way toward her mouth.
“The taste of you.” The soft, silky-like fur on his upper lip teased her provocatively as he gently rubbed his mouth against hers.
“Ah, Catherine.” Her name escaped his lips in a cry of passion before he devoured her mouth hungrily. His kiss was her undoing and Catherine’s legs betrayed her. Vincent swept her up in his arms and carried her to their make-shift bed. She cuddled him close as she assured him.
“No, Vincent, the hunger will never die, I promise you. I feel it, too.” Her hands gently stroked the strong back and broad shoulders of her golden knight. “I love you so much, Vincent.”
Rising up on his elbows, Vincent looked down into tear-filled eyes filled with love and desire, and was at once humbled and grateful.
“I love you, too, Catherine. I always have. I always will. There are times, my sweetest Catherine, when I truly believe I was destined to love you. I think . . . No, I know you are the very reason for my existence.” His eyes shimmered with tears.
Catherine reached up with a trembling hand and touched his face, her voice husky with emotion.
“Oh, Vincent. No woman has ever been told she was loved so beautifully. Thank you.”
His kiss signaled the end of any more discussion as his tongue drove its way tenderly into the warm moist softness of her mouth. Gently he tasted every nook and cranny, making sure that not even the tiniest area was neglected. Catherine forgot any idea of taking their lovemaking any further for the moment as she gave herself up to the joyous rapture only Vincent was capable of providing. Once more, she surrendered to the delicious sensation of his strong hands caressing and fondling her that filtered magically through their bond. With a cry of exquisite release, Catherine trembled in his arms and held him tightly. Vincent sighed deeply as he moved slightly downward to rest his face in the open neck of her pajamas. The sensation of his nose and mouth pressing against her bare skin was sheer heaven. His even breathing and possessive grip told her that once more Vincent’s mind was lost for the moment in a world only he could inhabit. Catherine held him, safe and content, in her arms until he could come back to her.