Bit by the Bug (Matthews Sisters 1) (25 page)

‘Oh, Kat, you’re just upset because mom had a hand in it,’ Zoe whispered at her side so the others couldn’t hear.

‘What would you have said, if I’d asked you to take a friend’s son out on a few dates?’ Beatrice asked. ‘Hmm?’

‘No,’ Kat muttered.

‘But you wouldn’t have said no to Faux Pas,’ Zoe said thoughtfully. ‘Well done, Mom.’

‘Thank you, dear,’ Beatrice said.

‘You’re not helping, Zoe,’ Kat said.

‘Sorry.’ Zoe didn’t look too apologetic though.

‘Why didn’t you tell me? You could’ve said something about this,’ Kat said.

‘You never asked,’ Beatrice answered, smiling sweetly.

‘No,’ Kat whined. ‘Please tell me you’re making this up.’

‘Wait, I’m not following,’ Douglas said. ‘Why’s Kat upset? I thought she liked this scientist.’

‘Because mom used the tea,’ Sasha clarified.

‘That’s not it,’ Kat protested, torn between screaming and running away. Like her situation with Vincent wasn’t stressful enough.

‘Then what is it?’ Douglas asked, looking her straight in the eye.

Kat felt like a little kid, as all eyes turned to her expectantly – all but Megan, whose voice drifted over to them from the other side of the balcony, ‘I’ve been on hold. I’d like to finish ordering.’

With a little pout on her face, Kat said, ‘Because mom used the tea leaves and I really like this guy.’

Sasha, Zoe and Ella started laughing. Beatrice smiled, threading her arm through her husband’s.

Megan joined them, a confused frown on her face. ‘What? What did I miss?’

‘Kat’s in love,’ Ella said.

‘I didn’t say that!’ Kat protested.

‘You didn’t have to, dear,’ Beatrice answered. ‘Your family knows.’

‘My family is crazy,’ Kat said.

Megan turned to their mother expectantly. Beatrice smiled and started her story over.

Kat shook her head and walked past them to go inside. She couldn’t listen to it again. Sidestepping the boxes lining the hall that still needed to be unpacked, she went into the bathroom and locked the door.

She leaned against the wall, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Groaning, she said in disbelief, ‘I can’t believe mom used the tea leaves.’

Mr and Mrs Richmond’s penthouse apartment on West Eighty-Seventh Street was intimidating. The building was full service, with a 24-hour doorman, pool, laundry service and fitness centre. She’d expected the grandeur, told herself it didn’t matter how much money they had, that people were people, but somehow being under the high ceilings and surrounded by the oversized gold and red lobby furniture made her feel small.

Vincent appeared completely at ease, walking confidently as if he owned the whole building. The doorman greeted him by name, ‘Good evening, Dr Richmond’, as did the elevator attendant. He merely nodded in return.

There was a rigid quality to Vincent’s posture, regal and refined, just like some 1940s movie star. She’d seen the tendency in him before at work, but somehow observing him in his element was an eye opener – and that was only after a small limo ride and walking into the apartment building’s front lobby. It was in the way he moved and spoke, a fine breeding the rest of her male acquaintances didn’t seem to have. He’d slicked his hair back, and she really wished he’d leave it loose to frame his eyes. Regardless of how he wore his hair, he was still handsome. He’d come a long way from the mess of a scientist she first met.

Kat glanced down, nervously smoothing the skirt of her evening dress. She was glad Megan had said something about dinner with the Richmonds most likely being a formal affair, otherwise she would have been in slacks
and a nice blouse. As it was, she had the foresight to borrow the brown satin halter gown from Zoe. Her sister kept a few formal gowns due to the sometimes elitist nature of her job. Whenever there was a dinner party with some of the more well-known chefs, Zoe needed to look her best while hobnobbing.

When Vincent showed up at her apartment in a very debonair black pinstripe three button wool suit with flat-front trousers, she had been waiting in her bathrobe. He chuckled as she hurriedly put on the dress laid out on her bed instead of the pants and blouse, all the while telling her how charming and beautiful he thought she was. She’d pulled her hair up into a simple twist, letting wisps fall around her face in a way which would match either style.

‘You look sexy,’ Vincent whispered, brushing a light kiss along the nape of her neck, as they rode the elevator up to the Richmonds’ penthouse. Her gown dipped low in the back, exposing her skin all the way from her neck to her waist, just high enough to cover the butterfly tattoo. She couldn’t wear a bra with the dress, but it came with some built-in support that kept her nipples from showing each time Vincent’s hand gently touched her flesh. He ran the backs of his fingers down the length of her spine, before his hand turned and his fingers naughtily dipped below the hem, caressing in small circles along the band of her lace panties.

Kat shivered, trying to still the desire that built within her. The elevator attendant smiled at her as they stepped out into the narrow hall. Aside from a table with a vase of flowers, there was nothing extraordinary about it. Two doors, one leading to each side of the building marked the fact that there were only two homes on top of the building. Vincent walked towards the farthest door and knocked.

‘Have I told you, you’re beautiful?’ Vincent asked. Kat gave a nervous laugh as she stared at the door, waiting.
‘There is no need to be nervous about meeting my parents, butterfly. They’re just ordinary people.’

Kat suppressed a snort. The Richmonds ordinary? Not very likely.

The same butler, who’d brought her the note from Mimi, answered the door to let them in. He was in uniform, wearing an identical black suit as he had on the first time she saw him. He didn’t look twice in her direction, as if they’d never met. Kat breathed a small sigh of relief. The butler bid them to wait as he announced their arrival. She thought it odd the Richmonds would demand their son’s arrival be announced – especially since she and her sisters just walked into their parents’ house whenever they wanted.

The luxurious home was obviously acquired by wealth. It was the most incredible Kat had ever seen in real life. A chandelier graced the large entryway and living room. Deep, jewel-tone colours were everywhere. The intense sapphires, lush garnets and dazzling emeralds mixed with the dark mahogany woodwork. Where there wasn’t wood flooring, there were exotic rugs with intricate patterns.

As they waited in the foyer, she felt like a princess on Vincent’s arm, but deep in her heart she knew she wasn’t princess material. It would be fun for one night, but she couldn’t see herself living the lavish lifestyle. It just wasn’t her.

‘Is something wrong?’ Vincent asked, whispering in her ear. His warm breath fanned over her neck, causing her to shiver.

‘No, nothing,’ she lied.

‘You look great.’

Kat laughed. ‘You mentioned that already.’

‘What can I say? It’s true.’ He leaned over and nipped at her neck.

The butler came back only to say, ‘Mrs Richmond requests you join them in the drawing room.’

As the man led the way, staying several paces ahead of them, Kat suppressed a laugh. To Vincent, she said quietly, ‘Drawing room? Did we just step into the seventeenth century?’

‘Walter’s old-fashioned and my mother insists he calls the parlour that,’ Vincent said. ‘I think she believes it to sound more affluent. In the Victorian era, drawing rooms were the most prestigious in the house, basically used to entertain guests and show off wealth.’

‘Thanks for the history lesson, professor,’ Kat teased, smiling to lighten her comment.

‘Sorry.’ Vincent laughed.

Walter opened a set of double doors and stepped back. At the same moment, a grandfather clock chimed eight o’clock. It was a soft yet stately sound. Instantly, Kat recognised Mimi. She hadn’t changed much since Colorado. Her short red hair was slicked into spikes. She wore a black chiffon dress with smocked sleeves. They billowed around her forearms as she lifted them to the side in greeting. Near her, seated on a leather chair smoking a pipe, was Mr Richmond. His moustache had only seemed to grow larger, like some wild animal attacking his upper lip. The Italian silk suit and slicked hair were just as tacky as before.

The parlour looked more like a gentleman’s study, with a leather settee and matching chairs. Bookcases lined one of the walls, filled with books bound to look old-fashioned though they were obviously brand new. Kat wondered if they’d ever been read. Two doors leading to a balcony were open, letting in a cool breeze. They were high up and the sound of traffic was only a faint echo.

In the corner, they had an interesting, almost square-shaped piano. It was near the patio doors and surrounded by plants. The instrument wasn’t shaped like a typical grand piano, at least none Kat had seen, but it wasn’t an
upright either. She couldn’t help but wonder if anyone even played it.

‘Dear, we’re so glad you could join us,’ Mimi said, crossing over to her son.

‘Mother,’ Vincent said, ‘I’d like you to meet Katarina Matthews.’

‘Katarina, is it?’ Mimi said, looking at her.

‘Kat, please.’ Kat wondered at the sick feeling she got in the pit of her stomach. It wasn’t as if his parents were confessing to him about her. They were pretending as if they didn’t know her. Would telling Vincent the truth later cause problems between him and his parents? She wondered why the thought hadn’t occurred to her before that moment. She’d been so worried about what Vincent would say to her, that she hadn’t thought about the effect it would have on his relationship with his parents. How would he feel, knowing they schemed against him? Even if that scheming was well intended?

‘Kat, this is my mother –’

‘Mimi,’ Mimi interrupted. ‘And this is my husband, Vincent. But, when we get the two of them together, we usually just call the youngest Vinnie.’

‘Only you do that,’ Mr Richmond said to his wife. Then, to his son, he nodded once, ‘Vincent.’

Mr Richmond was much more stoic than when she’d met him in Colorado. He looked down his nose at her, but didn’t say anything to greet her.

‘Father.’ Vincent repeated the curt gesture he’d been given.

‘Oh, you’ll never guess who’s here,’ Mimi said. ‘Come, dear, I believe she’s out on the terrace.’

Kat stiffened at the look Mimi gave her. Mr Richmond finally nodded politely at her, but made no gesture to make her feel welcome. Unconsciously, she grabbed Vincent’s arm, holding onto him as he led her outdoors.

The stone terrace wrapped around the side of the
building, surrounded by thick stone walls along the edge. Beyond the stone wall railing was a stunning view of the city, complete with the Hudson River. An elegant patio furniture set was near the door. The scrolling ironwork and thick floral pads were the most feminine looking thing she’d seen in the house so far. A discarded champagne flute with a smudge of red lipstick was on the glass top. Glancing at Mimi, Kat noticed the lipstick matched. As they’d walked out, the woman had picked up another drink and was halfway through it.

Kat frowned, wondering who Mimi was talking about when she said Vincent would never guess who was there. Just as she was about to get Vincent’s attention to ask, a woman with long blonde hair walked around the corner as if she were on a runway. Her long legs crossed in front of each other with each step of her high heeled, smooth black leather boots. Decorative belt straps wrapped around them, held together by gold buckles. She was tall, lean and everything other women hated. Kat automatically straightened her shoulders and sucked in her gut. She wasn’t normally weight-conscious, but who wouldn’t be in front of the walking stick? The breeze blew and the woman’s intentionally messy hair lifted around her face.

Ah, come on now, Kat thought. What is that all about? The woman isn’t drop-dead gorgeous enough on her own, the wind has to help her out?

But it wasn’t just her stunning face, or the way the lavender silk georgette of her gown clung to her slender frame, that made jealousy bubble inside Kat. It was the way her perfect blue eyes landed and stayed fixed on Vincent, the way her full lips pursed, like the beginning of a kiss. When she walked, her shoulders were thrown back, her elbows pointed behind her. The gown was a halter just like Kat’s, only model girl’s neckline was deeper in the front, showcasing the centre of her chest and her small, perky breasts. The skirt fell to her knees
in a jagged split hem. Even her skin glowed like she’d been doused in a vat of glittery bronzer.

I hate you, Kat thought as she stared at the woman. Like she wasn’t nervous enough, now she had supermodel competition eyeing up her boyfriend like he was on the menu.

‘Vincent!’ the woman exclaimed when she was close. ‘It’s been so long.’

Oh, perfect, she has a cute pouty French accent, Kat thought sarcastically. The gods are indeed cruel. Even her voice is sexy.

‘Hello, Lily,’ Vincent answered.

The woman placed her hands on his shoulders. She matched him in height. Leaning forwards, she brushed her full lips against one corner of his mouth and then the other. Kat stared at the touch, watching Vincent’s lips to see if he returned the intimate greeting. He did. It was the tiniest of lip movements, but he returned the gesture.

Kat bit the inside of her lip and she stiffened in jealous irritation. Lily pulled away, but didn’t remove her hands from Vincent’s body. Instead, she trailed them down the front of his chest.

‘Vincent, I almost didn’t recognise you,’ Lily said. She reached to stroke his cheek. ‘You look so handsome.’

‘Hi,’ Kat said, a little too loudly. She couldn’t take it anymore. If she had to watch little Miss Lily paw Vincent any longer, she’d be tempted to push the woman over the side of the building. ‘I’m Kat.’

The woman was slow to acknowledge her and even slower to pull away from Vincent. She smiled, though it didn’t reach her eyes.

‘Lily La Rue,’ she said, as if Kat should know the name.

‘Kat Matthews,’ Kat said, in the same tone.