Catherine’s finger kissed my skin, brushing through unrestrained, like her hands were made to touch me.
It was hard to recall when my shirt came off because I was too busy trying to connect our lips more as her hand explored like it was her first adventure.
She didn’t caress me roughly, but slowly and gently, taking her time to memorize the lines of my abs like she was recording them to memory.
Her palms relaxed against my chest before gliding up my shoulders, repeating the action multiple times as goosebumps rose on my skin at the tenderness. Her moans changed... it was softer, and I could feel her lips stretching as she kissed me harder.
Her touch dipped lower, coiling on my waist where my jeans hung low. My body locked instantly as I pulled back, but she kissed me again, trapping me where she wanted.
She got bolder, pressing her palm into my bulge to stroke me, but I tore myself away, creating as much space as possible whilst catching my breath.
The eerie feel of her hand made repulsion crawl through me; it was just like that night at the club, but my anger blinded me to the point I couldn’t think or feel it, but now I do, my face twisted in a deep frown as I struggled to stay grounded.
Catherine gaped at me, heartbroken, seeing the repulsion in my eyes, but it wasn’t directed at her.
It wasn’t her.
It was my brain trapping me, reminding me of Agatha’s cold hands driving lower and—! I looked away, closing my eyes for a moment as I tried to block it.
"I-It’s getting late. We should head back." Catherine’s voice was trembling as she grabbed the door handle, but her attempts were clumsy until she finally had a grasp of it, yanking the door open and slamming it shut.
She ran a hand through her hair, and I could hear her shuddering breath from here. She swallowed, turning the key, but it didn’t respond.
She tried again and again, yelling for it to start with no progress.
"Catherine."
"What?!" she snapped, eyes glassy.
My jaw tightened because with that look came a sting, but I simply walked to the front of the truck and popped the hood open.
"I need a wench."
There was a pause before I heard rustling and the door closing. She dropped the toolbox on the ground, turned on her heels and walked away.
I wanted to stop her, but I didn’t. I remained frozen until she disappeared from my line of vision.
I clutched the hood edge until I could hear the metal groan. The disgust still clawed at me, and it was a solid one hour trying to remind myself it was all in my head.
My phone rang, distracting me. I took it out of my pocket, answering the call without bothering to see who it was.
"What?"
"Who bit your ass?" Athena said through the line. "You sound wounded."
I released a heavy breath.
"Are you and Cat still enjoying your honeymoon? How long are you gonna keep her there? I miss her already! When are you guys coming back?"
"Not anytime soon. We’re in Rosevale."
"What? How did you end up there?"
"Long story." I crouched and opened the toolbox to take what I needed.
"You sound like a wounded animal. Did Cat bruise your ego?" She said amused. "She’s the only one who can do that without experiencing a fate worse than death. Tell me, my dearest brother... is she just an addiction now?"
I stopped my search.
"Hmm... your silence is louder than ever. What’s it gonna be? Seems to me like you’re not bored yet."
She sounded far too happy about that.
"More silence... you’re not in a good mood."
"How are you?" I changed the topic.
"Your men are stalking me."
"I’m aware."
"Get them off my back!"
I pushed to my feet. "They stay."
"Ugh!" She ended the call.
By the time I was done with the truck, it was already dark. I drove back to the farmhouse and parked close to the barn, spotting Walter at the wraparound porch, waiting.
From the corner of my eye, I saw a room light turned off. I tapped my finger against the wheel before I got out and slammed the door shut.
"Where’s your shirt?" Walter asked. "Nevermind. Maggie was worried you weren’t back yet. Good to see you’re in one piece. Dinner is still warm." He walked inside, and I followed.
"You can have a cold bath, and then we talk."
"Talk...?"
"And he speaks... I’m starting to think you’re a man of few words. This should be interesting," he remarked, sitting on the couch. "I’ll wait."
~☆~
After my quick shower, I sat down on the chair, eyeing the rifle on the table. Walter was in the middle of cleaning it. I figured he was trying to make me anxious by doing this.
"So..." he began. "It’s very unlikely I’ll get to see my granddaughter’s boss. But I think of this as an opportunity, and I intend to make good use of it."
"Shouldn’t you allow me to enjoy dinner first?" I said. "Margaret is a good cook. I wouldn’t want to waste this."
"Oh, you won’t, but let’s do this first. I’m way past my bedtime already."
A ghostly smile flashed on my lips. I see where Catherine got her snarky tongue from.
"What’s your relationship with my granddaughter?"
And bluntness.
"You’re aware," I replied.
"Don’t give me that..." He pointed a finger at me. "And don’t stall."
"Is that a threat?" I asked, amused, eyeing the rifle. "Depending on my answer, are you gonna shoot me?"
"I’m thinking about it right now, more than I did before. I don’t care if you are a billionaire or a big shot in Midnight. As long as my granddaughter’s involved, I don’t care if I have to bash your face and end up in jail."