They were just a little bit late for lunch, but everyone seemed more than willing to overlook it as they watched their favorite couple with fondness, the change in their relationship obvious to everyone. The lovers were so engrossed in one another, however, they did not notice the knowing looks and accepting smiles that passed between their friends.
They spent the rest of the day visiting with the tunnel inhabitants that had quickly become Catherine’s friends and family. Catherine took the time to catch up on what everyone was up to and even found time to apologize to Mouse and Jamie for her abrupt departure the day before. Mouse passed it off with his usual ‘Okay good, okay fine” while Jamie just smiled and gave her a conspiratorial wink.
Catherine joined Vincent in a story telling session with the younger children and soon found herself caught up in the trials and tribulations of Mowgli and his jungle friends as Vincent’s deep resonant voice wove a magic spell about the entire chamber.
They visited Elizabeth and her painted tunnels where the older woman proudly showed off her newest effort - a portrait of Vincent and Catherine wrapped in each other’s arms, gazing lovingly into each other’s eyes.
After dinner, Vincent was whisked off for another game of chess, which Father hoped would be a repeat of the previous evening, but was not meant to be. Taking pity on her sensitive lover, Catherine allowed herself to be taken in hand by Andrea, of whom she’d grown very fond.
Without his soul-mate’s distracting presence, the chess game was finished in the usual swift manner much to Father’s disappointment. Thanking him for the game, Vincent went in search of his lady. It was late and she had to be at work early the next morning. Unfortunately, it was time to take Catherine home. Following the calm gossamer-like thread of their connection, he found her in his chamber with her newest admirer. Vincent stood in the doorway watching a totally delightful scene unfold before him. Catherine sat on the edge of his large bed with the tunnel’s newest member.
Andrea had been brought to them several weeks earlier after having been abandoned. A helper had found her, half starved and as timid and frightened as an untamed kitten. Tender, loving care had helped tame her and William’s tasty, nutritious food had fattened her up. Andrea was the delight of the tunnels. She had made friends with everyone and, as with the rest of the children, Catherine and Vincent had soon become her two favorite people.
Vincent smiled fondly, taking great joy in the playful moment he was witnessing. Catherine had Andrea pinned down on the bed tickling her gently while the little girl squealed with delight. With a swift move, Andrea rolled out of Catherine’s reach, then turned and pounced on her tormentor, yelling, “My turn!”
Catherine screamed in mock terror and pretended to try and get away. Vincent knew that the child’s tiny fingers could not possibly be doing much damage, but he could sense a hint of growing unease in Catherine and realized that she was extremely ticklish. His blue eyes smiled devilishly as he went to rescue his beloved.
“Andrea, I believe you have tortured Catherine enough, don’t you?” The child giggled helplessly as Vincent picked her up, thus freeing Catherine from tiny, ruthless fingers. Holding the child in his arms, Vincent stared down at Catherine, his uniquely shaped mouth turned up in a decidedly inquisitive smile.
“Catherine, I had no idea you were so ticklish.” The smile reached his eyes, making them twinkle with amusement.
Catherine sat up, trying to straighten her clothes and regain her dignity all at once. The former was easily done, the latter was much harder, given the way he was looking at her.
“I’m not ticklish, Vincent. I was just pretending.”
Vincent continued to stare as he nodded slowly and Catherine knew he could tell she was not being completely truthful. She was extremely ticklish and he knew it. She shivered as her gaze fell on the powerful furry hands holding the little girl. She didn’t like being tickled, but being tickled by those hands held some very interesting possibilities.
“Andrea, I came to take you to Mary. It’s past your bedtime. Tell Catherine good night.” He set Andrea down so that she could give Catherine a hug and a kiss.
“Good night, Catherine. I love you.”
“Good night, Andrea. I love you, too. Sweet dreams.” Catherine hugged her gently and kissed her soft cheek.
Turning to Vincent, Andrea placed her hand trustingly in his as he led her from the chamber. At the entrance, the child suddenly broke free and bolted back to Catherine.
“Catherine, I have to tell you something. It’s real important.” Andrea stood on tiptoes to whisper in her friend’s ear. Catherine smiled broadly, giving Vincent a decidedly smug grin.
“Thank you, Andrea. I’ll remember that.” She gave the little girl one last hug. Andrea ran across the floor to Vincent and dragged him from the room.
Catherine lay back against the pillows on the bed and waited for Vincent’s return. She didn’t have to wait long.
“Catherine, it is rather late and you have to work tomorrow. Perhaps I should take you home.”
Sitting up slowly, Catherine propped herself up on one elbow and looked at Vincent, a mysterious twinkle in her eyes. Why was she staring at him so . . . And just what kind of a stare you would you call that anyway?
“Are you trying to get rid of me, Vincent?”
Her odd behavior instantly forgotten, Vincent rushed to her side to assure Catherine that he was in no way anxious to be rid of her, that he was only concerned about her welfare. He reached for her hands and gazed down at a pair of eyes bubbling with mischief.
Catherine gripped his hands and whispered, “Gotcha!” She laughed as his face registered total surprise. She stood up and placed her hands on his rib cage, her fingers pressing lightly, poised and ready.
“You think it’s funny, don’t you, Vincent?”
“I think what is funny, Catherine?” A bit confused by her mood, Vincent was totally unprepared for what came next.
"She told me me a little secret.” Her hands tugged at his shirt, freeing it from his trousers. “She told me that you were ticklish, too. In fact, she said you were real ticklish.” Her fingers dug gently into his warm skin and began tickling unmercifully.
Vincent laughed! A full, deep throated laugh that thrilled and excited her. Grabbing her hands, he tried in vain to stop her, but Catherine was determined. She pushed his hands away and continued her attack. Realizing that she had no intentions of stopping, Vincent did the only thing he could. He retaliated.
“I was not going to do anything so childish to you, Catherine, but you leave me no choice. So why don’t we just see which of us is the more ticklish.” Grabbing her by the waist firmly, he was rewarded with a loud squeal of shock as he began very carefully tickling her.
The playful moment continued for several moments until Catherine tried pulling away from him and lost her footing. She tumbled onto the bed, dragging her tormentor along with her. Vincent landed heavily on top of her, ending their playful moment. The moment his body touched hers, the look in his eyes changed instantly from playful to desirous. Catherine caught her breath as the calm crystal blue of his eyes turned dark and stormy in a matter of seconds. Their bond opened fully and desire for him filled her heart and soul, reaching out to flame the fire raging within him.
“Vincent!”
Catherine’s arms crept around his neck and she pulled his tawny head down to hers. Their lips met, passion collided with passion and both were lost. She had one very fleeting moment of doubt as to the wisdom of their being here in his chamber like this, but it vanished in the space of a heartbeat as Vincent began kissing her face and neck. Holding him tightly, she relaxed and allowed nature - Vincent’s nature - to take its course. She managed to stifle her scream of pleasure with a long passionate kiss before once more falling into the languorous afterglow that loving Catherine brought about.
Her hands caressed the bare skin she’d been ruthlessly tickling just moments before. Vincent held her tightly and growled softly. Catherine slid her hands up as far as she could reach, thus eliciting even more growls from her contented lover. She laughed softly and continued touching him.
“Growl all
you want, my love. You don’t scare me. I intend to touch you
and you can’t stop me unless you wake up.” She kissed his cheek. “So there!” His growls deepened,
but his body arched sharply against her hands in obvious enjoyment.
With a deep sigh, Vincent rolled to his side and wrapped his arms around
her, and laid still and quiet except for the soft murmuring of her name
over
and over.
Catherine was
amazed. Actually shocked was a better description. It had never
happened this suddenly before! If it was this good without actually doing anything, what would it be like
when they really made love? Her mind, feverishly thinking of even
more interesting possibilities was brought back to reality with a crash
at the sound of footsteps outside Vincent’s chamber. Slow dragging
footsteps accompanied by the tip-tap of a cane.
Father!
“Oh, no! Vincent, it’s Father!” She shook him a bit roughly, knowing perfectly well it would do no good.
“Damn it, Vincent, what am I going to do? What can I tell him?” Her eyes darted about the room, though she had no idea what she was looking for. Spotting a book laying on Vincent’s night stand, Catherine’s befuddled mind frantically tried to form a plan.
“Maybe I could
tell him you fell asleep reading to me. No, if he thinks you’re just
sleeping he’s liable to want to wake you.” She lifted his head up and shook him again. His eyes
remained closed as he merely buried his face once more in her neck, mumbling
her
name.
“Vincent, what should I do?” Catherine’s panic increased as the footsteps came closer. She could always tell Father the truth, couldn’t she? Let’s see, how about, “I’m sorry, Father, but Vincent is a bit incapacitated at the moment. Our lovemaking does that to him you see.”
Sure! That would go over real well. Father would probably escort her out of the tunnels personally. For good! She shook Vincent’s shoulders again to no avail.
“Vincent, I need help.” In desperation, she reached for the book.
“Excuse me, Vincent. I wonder if I might have a word with you before you take Catherine Above. I’d like to . . .”
Father stared at the sight before him - Catherine and Vincent lying on the bed together, an open book next to them. They must have fallen asleep while reading. They looked so peaceful, he hated to disturb them. They had both had a very long and busy day. They were fully clothed so it was perfectly innocent. Still, it was highly inappropriate. Anyone could have walked in on them! He would have to have a talk with his son about the need for a bit more discretion. In the meantime, he decided to let them sleep a while, so he covered them with a quilt and left them alone.
With her face buried in Vincent’s thick hair, Father could not see the look of panic in Catherine’s eyes or the grin she simply could not wipe off her face. As his footsteps faded, she sighed with relief and slowly regained her composure. Cuddling closer to him, she waited patiently for Vincent to awaken.