Bit by the Bug (Matthews Sisters 1) (29 page)

‘Miss?’

Kat blinked, looking around.

‘Miss? Can I help you?’ It was the doorman speaking.

‘Dr Richmond,’ she whispered, her whole body trembling.

‘Excuse me, Miss?’

‘I’m here to see Dr Richmond,’ she said louder, gesturing needlessly up towards the roof.

The man smiled and opened the door for her. She nodded as she passed. The ride up to the penthouse was a blur and too soon she found herself standing in front of Vincent’s door, staring at the hard wood.

Kat’s heart thundered in her chest and she lifted her hand several times before she got the courage to knock. She tried to remember all the things she wanted to say to him, the words she’d practised in her head until they should’ve been memorised. Her mind was blank.

The door opened, and she blurted, ‘I love you.’

Mimi stood before her, blinking in surprise.

‘Ugh, not you,’ Kat said, pushing past her before the woman could speak. ‘I don’t love you. I don’t even like you very much.’

‘Excuse me,’ Mimi said, her tone dripping with disdain.

‘You’re excused,’ Kat said dismissingly, before yelling, ‘Vincent, I love you. I’m sorry and I love you!’

Her words echoed off the high ceilings, resounding over them. She looked around the large living room, but the room was empty. Mimi was behind her, saying something, but Kat ignored the annoying woman as she headed through the archway towards the kitchen.

‘Vincent,’ she yelled, entering the pristine white kitchen. ‘I love you and I’m sorry. I didn’t meet with Howard Faustino. I didn’t –’

‘What?’ Mimi demanded, pulling Kat’s arm to stop her
from leaving the kitchen. ‘I told Howard you’d be there. I gave my word.’

‘You shouldn’t have.’ Kat jerked her arm away. ‘It’s time you learned, Mimi, that you don’t own people. You’re not the queen of New York and you certainly are not a good person. If you meddle in my life, or the lives of my friends again, I will dedicate myself to making you sorry. Do you understand?’

Mimi huffed. ‘How dare you?’

‘Quite easily,’ Kat said through clenched teeth.

‘I blame your influence on my son’s behaviour,’ Mimi said. ‘Whoever heard of a mother being told to “butt out” of her son’s life?’

Kat opened her mouth, but she realised the woman wasn’t worth it.

‘You missed your only chance.’ There was a desperate tone to the woman’s voice and Kat realised Mimi just couldn’t help herself. And, if everything went according to plan and Vincent forgave her, Mimi would be a part of her life. They would have to find a happy balance.

‘No, Mimi, my only chance is somewhere in this apartment.’ Kat smiled at the woman, hoping she’d understand. ‘Your son is what will make me happy. He’s what I want and this is my chance.’

Mimi opened her mouth and shut it several times before shrugging helplessly.

Turning, she pushed open the door to the dining room. ‘Vincent! I . . .’

She stopped. Vincent stood on the other side of the dining room, looking as if he’d just come from his bedroom. He was gorgeous. His dark hair was tousled about his head and dark circles were under his eyes. It was late in the day but he wore navy and white striped pyjama bottoms and a grey T-shirt. Kat couldn’t remember seeing him so dressed down. She wouldn’t have thought he owned pyjama pants.

Breathing hard, Kat took a step forwards and stopped.
The side of the cherry wood dining table was between them. Her limbs went numb as she waited for him to speak. Blood rushed in her ears, punctuated by her loud pulse. His eyes roamed over her dress and hair. Finally he prompted, ‘You?’

‘I . . .’ Her mouth worked and she tried to remember all she was supposed to say. Just seeing him caused a hot spark of desire in her, made worse because she couldn’t run and jump into his arms. A tear slipped down her cheek. ‘I love you, Vincent. I love you.’

‘I was hoping that was you screaming and not my mother.’ He gave a small laugh, as if trying to smile.

‘It was me,’ she said. Unable to stay back as she looked at him, his features as hopeful as she felt, she went to him. Throwing her arms around his neck, she kissed him.

‘Ah!’ Mimi gasped behind them.

Vincent broke the kiss and turned to look at his mother. ‘I thought I told you to leave.’

‘Well.’ Mimi pouted. ‘How long do I have to stay away this time?’

‘Two months,’ Vincent said.

‘Two?’ Mimi gasped.

‘You want me to make it three?’ Vincent demanded.

‘No, two.’ Mimi shook her head in defeat and left.

‘This time?’ Kat asked, smoothing back his hair and tucking it behind his ear.

‘Whenever she invades too much into my life, I banish her,’ he admitted, cupping her cheek. ‘It’s hardly perfect, but it works. Two months to the day she’ll be over here with some sort of peace offering, acting like nothing happened. How do you think I got this dining table I don’t need?’

‘I’m so sorry, Vincent. I want you to know I didn’t go to Faux Pas.’ She ran her hands over his chest, liking the feel of his muscles beneath the T-shirt.

‘You should have. What about your dreams?’

‘None of that matters. I don’t care about the art gallery. I don’t want the chance, not like that. I only want you.’

‘I love you too, Kat.’ Vincent kissed her, lifting her up off the floor. Kat ran her fingers into his hair, holding his mouth tight to hers. Their tongues touched as the kiss deepened into a passionate embrace. Her body settled into his familiar one, feeling the unmistakable press of his hard cock. His hands roamed down over her back to grab her butt and squeeze. She pulled back with a half laugh, half groan. ‘We really need to talk, but do you mind if we go to the bedroom first?’

He lifted her into his arms, holding her tight. ‘I think we can definitely do that, butterfly.’

Kat smiled, feeling giddy. She loved it when he called her butterfly. Vincent carried her to his bedroom, hitting the door open with his shoulder. Gently, he laid her on the blue and grey comforter. The thick curtains were drawn and it was darker in the room, with only a strip of light showing. It was enough. She could still make out his handsome face as he crawled on top of her.

Kat reached behind her head and untied her dress. Pulling the straps forwards, she drew the halter bodice down, revealing her naked breasts. Vincent groaned, leaning over to kiss her breasts. He flicked his tongue over her nipples before sucking them between his lips. Burying his face in her cleavage, he pushed her breasts up to smother his face and stifled a groan.

She pulled at his T-shirt and he leaned back to take it off. His thighs pinned hers to the bed. Her stomach tightened and she bit her lip. Vincent touched everywhere, moving his hands over her flesh. Slowly, he pulled up her skirt. Starting at her toes, he kissed a hot trail up her leg. When he grabbed her panties and worked them off her hips, she couldn’t help but wiggle in anticipation.

Vincent positioned himself between her thighs, holding her open. His eyes met hers as he slowly probed her
slit with his tongue. Concentrating his efforts, he circled the tip of his tongue over the sensitive bud hidden within her folds.

‘Mmm,’ Kat moaned, digging her fingers into his hair. She thrashed back and forth on the bed, making incoherent noises of pleasure. He slipped a thick finger inside her pussy, working it in and out of her opening, rubbing her sweet spot. She clamped her thighs down hard on his head, holding him to her as she rocked her hips to his mouth. Then, feeling she was getting close, she pulled lightly on him, ‘Come here.’

Vincent came above her, joining his lips to hers. Kat’s dress was bunched around her waist, but she didn’t move to take it all the way off. She reached for his pyjama pants, eagerly diving her fingers into them to feel the hard, ready length of his cock. She groaned in excitement, stroking his length.

Pulling back, so his mouth hovered above hers, he said, ‘Say you’ll marry me. This last week without you was hell. I don’t want to lose you again. Marry me, Kat.’

Pleasure shot through her, causing her to gasp, ‘Yes, oh, yes!’

‘Do you mean it?’ he asked. ‘You’re not just –’

‘Yes, I mean it.’ Kat nodded, stroking his cheek.

Vincent grinned and she couldn’t stop staring at him. This is where she wanted to be for the rest of her life. Things like art shows and careers didn’t matter. Everything she needed to be happy was right there with her.

Kat angled her hips towards him, bringing the head of his cock to her sex. She dug her heels in to the bed, wiggling her hips to urge him inside. He thrust, filling her completely. The rhythm started slow, building with each push until their bodies writhed together in a crescendo of passion.

She loved him, loved being with him. He touched her and she felt her insides melt and when he looked at her, called her his butterfly, she felt as if she were the only
woman left in the world. Vincent circled his hips, knowing just how to stroke her, how to make her feel beautiful and loved and sexy.

Soon, the steady rhythm wasn’t enough. She needed more. Lifting her leg, she put it over his strong shoulder, opening up her body to his. Vincent grunted softly with each marvellous pass. He braced his weight on one hand, using the other to reach between them. He found her clit, thumbing it to send delightfully erotic pleasures throughout her body.

Kat gripped his arms, digging in her nails as her body strained towards that perfect climax. Each time they came together, it was wonderful. It was utter perfection.

His movements became stiff and erratic as he bit his lip. She knew he was keeping himself from coming, waiting for her to explode with release. Then, suddenly, she did, her body shaking and trembling, so weak and yet soaring with passionate strength. She gave herself over completely to him, barely able to breathe. Seconds later, he grunted, his mouth opened wide as he kept his cock buried deep in her pussy.

Collapsing against her, Vincent’s harsh breath fanned over her neck. Kat stroked along his spine, feeling the light sheen of sweat on his body. The smell of him engulfed her senses. It was the smell of lightly scented shampoo, soap and physical exertion. She loved that smell. She loved everything about him, even his faults.

‘I must be squishing you,’ he said, rolling to her side.

Vincent gathered her close to him, cradling her against his chest. Their clothes were a mess. Her orange dress was bunched along her waist, exposing her pussy and her breasts. His navy and white pyjama pants were caught around his upper thighs. The comforter was messed up from their passion. Kat didn’t care, she nestled, wiggling until she was comfortable next to him.

‘I’m so happy,’ she said. ‘There were so many things I know I wanted to say to you, but I can’t think of any of
them right now. My bones feel like they melted and my limbs have all gone numb.’

‘I meant it when I said I love you, Kat, and that I wanted you to be my wife.’ Vincent held her closer. ‘I know it’s fast, but there are some things I just know to be fact. One of them is that I want you in my life, forever.’

Kat was so happy, she felt like she was going to cry. ‘I’m so sorry for everything.’

‘No, you don’t have to explain. My mother confessed everything,’ he said.

‘Then she told you how she bribed Jack to propose to me?’

‘Well, let me rephrase, she told me everything about how they hired you to date me. Between her ramblings and what I’ve seen of you with my own eyes, I pretty much figured out the truth of what went on.’ He brushed a kiss against the top of her head.

‘I never should have agreed to trick you.’

Vincent chuckled, ‘I’m glad you did. Otherwise we may never have met and, even if we had, you might not have been able to put up with me as long as you did. I know I’m not always the easiest person to be around, but –’

‘Shh, don’t apologise.’ Kat lightly kissed him. ‘You are so noble and your work is important. I understand that. You’re dedicated to your research and that is one of the reasons I love and admire you. I used to think taking pictures was so important and, don’t get me wrong, I do love it, but what you do . . .’ Kat sighed. ‘I could never make the difference you do.’

‘Thank you, butterfly.’

‘I love it when you call me that,’ Kat giggled. It was as if the last week of tension and sadness just rolled away, leaving them in the moment of bliss.

‘I like what you’ve done with your hair,’ he said, picking up an orange strand and twining it in his fingers.

‘I’m glad, because I get the impulse to change my style
often. I came over here to show you the real me. All of me.’

‘Well, I love it. I love you. I think you’re sexy no matter what you wear.’ Vincent’s eyelids lowered and he reached up to cup her breast. Lightly, he grazed his thumb over her nipple, causing it to become erect.

‘Really?’ She giggled. ‘Because lately I have to tell you, I’ve been having a lab coat fetish. I see you in it and I just can’t seem to control myself.’

‘They come in different colours you know.’ He wagged his eyebrows suggestively.

‘Ooh, do they now?’ She turned more fully against him. ‘Well, then, I’m going to have to resubmit my application for that assistant job and we’re going to have to see about these different colours.’

‘You want your job back?’ he asked.

‘Who else is going to pay me seven hundred a week to look cute?’ she teased.

‘It was six hundred.’

‘I’ll do it for five.’

‘I’d pay seven.’

Kat ran her hands up and down his chest, playing with his nipples as he was with hers. When they were two hard points, she scratched a trail down the middle of his chest. ‘Seriously, Vin, I miss being with you all day. I miss working at the office. I even miss the insect collection.’

‘To tell the truth, I did want to beg you to come back to work. The guy the college sent over is a nightmare. He leans over my shoulder, breathing down my neck, and he’s not nearly as sexy in a dress as you are.’

Kat tossed her head back and laughed.

‘And,’ he said, grabbing her hand and urging it lower until her fingers wrapped around his semi-erect cock. ‘Only you can seem to relieve the tension I feel when I’m working on deadline, which is pretty much all the time.’