The Things We Crave

Chapter Seven

It was finally the weekend and the wedding will be starting soon. Catherine and her mother are sitting on the left-side of the center aisle where the bride will walk down with her father. Her mother’s only sister sits on the other side. Catherine’s mother has a purse full of tissues and already weepy. Aunts, Uncles, cousins, and her father’s parents fill that side of the audience which is under a cloth pavilion on a private beach rented just for this wedding. A white archway covered with tiger lilies at the end of the aisle is where the focus will be.

As they wait for it to begin, Catherine thinks about the past week. Shopping with her Mom and sister was not as bad as she thought it would be. She got to hear details of her mother’s wedding and some hilarious stories. She ended up in a white floral halter top sundress and hemp sandals. After nails and the spa, they ate dinner. Catherine figured that track would be closed by the time she left at 9 that night. She swung over any way to find out it was open 24/7. There was no chain across the opening to the track, so she took a few laps. There were a few others there fine tuning their cars. The rush she was getting became addicting. She went every night that week just to get that high. She felt better the next morning, with a clear mind, however, she still felt restless. She ended up joining a gym to burn off the extra energy.

When Catherine checked up on her mother, she had to dance around the questions about her job and her attempts to hook her up with guys. She mentioned Brad’s partner with the business, Vincent. Her mother met him a few times and said he was handsome and single. Tammy was there that one time he was brought up; she was highly against it. She said he’s a playboy and has never had a real relationship since college. Plus, he ran the strip club part of their business. 

Vincent, Catherine thought. She looks around to see if she could find him. She knew he was the best man. Up front next to Brad, he stood with his arms behind his back, chest out, with his wide shoulders back. His face was clean shaven except for a neatly trimmed mustache, his dark hair combed back. He looks so sophisticated.

He’s really handsome. She thought. Catherine rubs her thighs drying her palms. She wasn’t sure why, but she felt weird when she looked at him. He catches her eyes and winks. He has been looking for her since he took his place. Once he found her, he has been casually checking her out. This was the first time she has looked at him. Now that they locked eyes, she looks away quickly. He can’t help but chuckle when her cheeks turn soft rose pink. She looks down at her hands and fidgets with her fingers.

“She’s beautiful, Brad. Pictures don’t do her justice.” Vincent whispers. “You got to fix it so she’s my partner during the reception games. I want to get to know this girl…young woman.” His voice more eager.

“You know this is going to get me in the doghouse with Tammy, right? Tammy has made it pretty clear she doesn’t want you to date her sister. All week she’s been telling her the hard truths about you to discourage Catherine from liking you. On the other hand, her mother has done the opposite. I guess your lucky you have their mother in your corner.” Brad whispers with a laugh.

“Why is that?” Vincent asks raising an eyebrow.

“Catherine will do anything for her mother. She asked Catherine to go shopping, go to the spa, and get their nails done. Catherine went without a problem, Tammy was impressed. She told me Catherine is a tomboy through and through. She also told me her mother told Catherine to behave and make this day special for Tammy. Which reminds me, don’t disappear after the service. I hired a very expensive photographer, so the shoot will be before the reception.” Brad says as Vincent rolls his eyes and sighs. “Don’t worry, Catherine is going to be there. Tammy wants a few shots with her and her mother.”

Vincent smiles like a fool. Out of the corner of his eye, he notices Catherine checking him out. He resists to turn towards her and puts his hands in his pockets. A spark of excitement races through his body. Why do I feel like this when she looks at me? It’s like I’m a teenager noticing girls for the first time. He snorts and bites his lip. It’s hard to explain, but he has a good feeling about her. The same feeling he gets when he is scooping new club spots. Those feelings are never wrong. So, maybe this is the same.

The music starts, Tammy and her father start down the aisle. Her father has on the biggest smile as he walks proudly. He rises her vile to kiss her cheeks the puts her hand into Brad’s waiting hand. The ceremony drags on for what seems forever. Finally, Brad and Tammy kiss and walk down the aisle together, followed by Vincent and the bride’s maid of honor and two other bride’s maids.

Everyone stands and slowly makes their way out. Catherine and her mother stretch, get a drink, and go to the bathroom. They return to the tiger lily archway. The photo shoot is going to be done there and on the beach. Brad, Tammy, her three friends, and Vincent make their way as a crew of guys start clearing the chairs.

The photographer is setting up. So, they gather to do idle chit-chat as they wait. Their mother dries her eyes as she talks with Tammy.  Vincent makes a bee line to Catherine. As he moves closer, Catherine’s heart rate picks up. She smiles nervously, her eyes dart around so she doesn’t look at him directly. His smile is dazzling, and his unique colored eyes sparkle as he closes in on her. The way he moves is suave and classy. He has her mesmerized and he hasn’t even spoke to her yet.

Vincent puts his hands deep in his pockets and clears his throat. He has been anxious to talk to her. As he walked toward her, he felt on edge and lightheaded. He managed to keep it hidden as he approached her, putting on his best smile and shows some class as he moved. He cleared his throat because it felt like a lump in it and his mouth suddenly went dry. He licks his lips to prepare to speak. He couldn’t control his eyes from devouring Catherine’s body.

Her body is more pear shaped with thick thighs and backseat. Her breasts are so plump and firm, they almost screamed to be touched. Her sundress follows her curves and flows freely at her hips, stopping just above her knees. For what he can see, her legs are smooth and sexy. He spies a small butterfly tattoo on her ankle. This makes him wonder if she has any other tattoos.

“Howdy, I’m Vincent, Brad’s friend. You must be Tammy’s kin, Catherine.” He says, his voice smooth as silk.

Catherine’s heart flutters at the sound of his deep voice and southern accent. She had almost forgot Brad was from Texas. Her voice vanishes so all she can do is nod. What is wrong with me? It’s just a pretty face… and I bet sculpted body as well… I meet guys like him all the time at work. Why is this one different? God he smells good. I wonder how he tastes. Catherine shakes her head to clear the images and laughs at herself.

“I gather from your accent, you’re from Texas too?” She manages to say picking at her dress.

“Accent? Oh yeah, I forget about it all the time. Brad and I have been friends since grade school. He’s more like a brother than a friend.” He replies.

“Is this the first time you came to California? What do you think?” She asks getting bolder and takes a step closer and looking him in the eye. She smiles politely waiting for his response.

He wanted to answer, but her alluring green eyes had captured him. Finally, he gains control and says, “Yeah, first time. It’s different, the people are too. Your family don’t seem affected though, you guys seem to be normal.” He chuckles and rubs the back of his neck.

He’s been in many big cities in the past ten years. People from California seem to have a different mentality, always on the go, green or go home, and go overboard with anything. He thought the idea of everything is bigger in Texas was ridiculous. Here, they make everything bigger, the parades, parties, religious pride, ect. It’s not a bad thing, just not his kind of company.

Catherine giggles and covers her mouth. “Well, I guess that’s because we keep to ourselves in the suburbs. I’d like to get out of here, but I can’t leave my mom. I suppose it’s hard for me to let go of her apron. Right now she needs me, so I kinda put my life on hold. It upsets her that I do that, but I don’t care. I may lose her to this disease, so I want to be with her as long as I can.”

“It’s a very selfless thing to do. I’m sure she appreciates you for it. Although it’s too bad to hear that you’re not actively dating. I was hoping I could spend a little time here and get to know you. We’ll be starting a new club in the city. I’ll be in the neighborhood.” His hands were starting to sweat, and his heart picked up, beating faster.

The things Tammy warned her about him came to the front of her mind. He was a playboy, owned strip clubs. He was surrounded by beautiful, sexy women all the time. How could she compete with them? She was surprised he was talking to her at all and suggesting it at all. Maybe he is a chubby chaser, Lexie said that there were guys out there that liked their women thick. I can’t support a relationship now, but maybe a part-time lover.

Maybe this can work after all. She wonders if I can pull off a one-night stand. She is in desperate need of a release. He could be a good trial on the skills Lexie taught her, and promised Mom to behave, but is in the mood to play.

“Are you asking me to be your date for the rest of the afternoon?” She asks coyly.

He bites his lip in an attempt to stop himself from sticking his tongue down her throat. He nods as he starts to count to ten in his mind. I need to calm down, how is it I’m turned on and all we’ve done is idle talking?! Damn, she’s so gorgeous, I want to touch her. Wait I was counting, where was I?

“Sure, let’s see where the night takes us. I’m looking forward to the games they have planned at the reception.” Catherine says touching his hand.

He captures it and brings it to his lips. Her sudden confidence falters as a chill races up her back as his lips kiss the back of her hand.

“Catherine! The photographer is ready. We’ll get the picture I want you and Mom in first. She’s getting tired and needs to get out of the sun.” Tammy says as she walks over. She scowls at Vincent as he reluctantly lets go of Catherine’s hand.

“I’ll catch up with you after the photo shoot. I want to know more about Texas.” Catherine says smoothly with a wink.

“Great. Looking forward to it.” He said rubbing his hands together.

This would be the first girl who wanted to talk about him instead of some materialistic subject. He can already tell she was different from the other women he has dated.