The Things We Crave

Chapter seventeen

Vincent is sitting casually in his chair with his fingers steepled in front of his mouth, his topaz jewels burning into Catherine. She could feel him studying her and it made her uncomfortable. She couldn’t read his mood and couldn’t help but wonder what he was thinking right now. She fidgets in the large black leather chair, her heart is thumping wildly in her chest, and those damn butterflies have come alive in her stomach. He made her feel the same way when she first met him at her sister wedding. What was it about him that made her broken heart come to life? She thought as she peers up through her lashes at him.

He hasn’t changed much. He actually looks healthier than he did before. She could see the bulging pecs through his tight black button up dress shirt. He styled his hair the way she liked it; loose and messy, the tip of the fringe of hair falling between his brows. He still kept his mustache trimmed neat; he also had a goatee. His white gold Rolex watch catches the light coming in the window which draws her attention. He looked good, too good for her. She recalls how lucky she felt the next morning waking up next to him. She thought it must have been a mistake that he would seem remotely interested in her for anything but a fling. There is no way he would want her to keep. She was waiting for him to say something, anything, but he just sat there. What is going on in his head?

She didn’t want to know what he was thinking. He could barely contain himself when he found out she was coming for an interview for his assistant. He stayed at his desk when she came into his office. His body instantly responded to the sight of her. He didn’t think it was possible, but she looked even better than before. The way that floral sundress hugs her every curve, or the way her body swayed with every step. He lost all sense and couldn’t find his words. His eyes took in every part of her.

Her face has thinned out making her high cheek bones more prominent. He beautiful emerald green eyes shimmered in the light coming from the morning sunshine coming in the window. Her long eyelashes and a bit of eyeliner made them pop. Her candy apple red hair was long ending at the small of her back, done up in a French braid with the short hair falling gracefully around her face. When she smiled nervously, he notices a dimple in her right cheek. When she sank her perfectly white teeth into her lip, he about came unglued.

It had been at least a year since his last release. At this point, he hasn’t been struggling with urges. However, he still counts every day he has gone without. He still attends meetings for s*x addicts, they said it was easy to get back into old habits. He has felt better since withholding s*x. He found he made better decisions when he wasn’t looking for his next fix. He changed places he went and hung out with a different crowd. He avoided going to any of his gentlemen’s clubs. There were times he used to cover for the bar tenders or bouncers if he was in the city. It wasn’t beneath him to work the floor. At the beginning, he had Brad cover, but for the last three months he has been able to do it with no cravings or urges for any of the girls at the clubs.

So, what was it about Catherine that sent his body haywire? Was it that he had already tasted her lips, felt her body, received multiple releases form her? She was a drug that his body wanted, craved like the lungs craved oxygen. He had it bad, and this time the ball was in his court. He has to play his cards right to tame this kitty. A high stakes game and he was playing for keeps. He was good at these types of game. He was going to flip the switch and get her to chase him. This girl needs to be lured not chased. With her as his assistant, it will give him time to set his trap and give her a chance to get comfortable around him. Let the game begin.

Vincent leans back in his chair, a look of a child with a secret on his face. “So, what do you think of Denver? Different I’m sure.”

Catherine smiles and looks out the window. “Yeah, I like it though. I’m trying to get used to the climate change. I don’t have any clothes for the weather here.”

“I see. I thought you were a little,” his eyes drop to her body then back up to meet her eyes, “under dressed for fall temperatures.”

She realized she left the jacket she was wearing was in the other room. She hugs herself and rubs her arms as she says, “Oh, well I did have on a jacket, Tammy let me borrow one. It was hot in the other room, so I took it off while I was waiting to come in here.”

“Don’t worry, it will still be there when we’re done here. I’m sorry to hear about your mother. I met her a few times, she seemed like a nice woman. How are you holding up?” He asks leaning forward, resting on his elbows.

Catherine wasn’t sure how to take this conversation. She expected to talk about the job, nit her personally. He seems genuinely concerned.

“Honestly, I’ve been better. I’m glad Tammy offered to let me stay with her at the funeral, because I didn’t know what to do with myself.” She pulls her braid over her shoulder and fidgets with the hair at the end. She had to look at something other than him. His eyes captured her; she could get lost in them for hours. “I’ve been here for a month trying to figure out what to do next. Tammy and Brad have been really helpful and I thankful.”

Brad has been holding out on me, he knew she’s been here a month and didn’t mention it! Vincent thought annoyed.

“Brad told me when I was ready to go to work, he could help me get a job. I didn’t think he would push me to you. I would have taken an entry level job.” Catherine continues.

Vincent chuckles. “Catherine, as tempting as that sounds, you are over-qualified for an entry level job here. Did you forget I run gentlemen’s clubs? I couldn’t put you on the floor, Tammy would lose her mind. Plus, you’re better then that. No, I think you are much better qualified to work here as my assistant.”

Catherine’s eyes grew wide at the idea of working the floor. Her cheeks suddenly felt hot. Vincent had to bite his lip to hold back a laugh. She looks so cute with pink cheeks.

“Vincent don’t feel like you have to hire me because I’m Tammy’s sister. There are probably other applicants with more experience. I can find a job somewhere else. No big deal.” Catherine says clutching the fabric of her dress.

“I’m not concerned about experience. It wasn’t that long ago when we talked about this. In fact, it was your idea in the first place. It just took me a few years to see the need myself. It hasn’t changed, it’s difficult for me to let go of these responsibilities. So, I have been particular with who I want to hire to do the job. I said it then, and I still thinks so now, if you wanted the job as my assistant, I would hire you in a heartbeat. My feelings haven’t changed.” He replies leaning back folding his arms with a wolfish grin.

Catherine starts to feel bold. So, he wants to bring up that day, huh? She didn’t want him to have high expectations. “Yeah, and if you remember right, I said I wouldn’t be good at it. I hate this kind of work, it bores me.”

“I do remember. In fact, I remember everything from that day. Especially when I woke up the next morning alone. “His voice gradually softening to a whisper as he leans across the desk.

Anxiety floods her body, He had to bring that up. She thought. She had to think quickly.

“Are you upset because I beat you to it or did you actually like me, Vincent? Tammy told me you were a player. I never said I wanted a relationship. I even told you from the beginning that it wasn’t a good time. So, I figured it was a mutual understanding that whatever happened that night was only temporary. I left first to avoid any awkwardness that would arise if you woke with me there.” Catherine’s voice growing aggravated as she went, keeping her voice calm.

“I thought she had something to do with it. No, Catherine. Even before I went to the wedding I have decided to settle down. I got rid of all my part-time lovers in search of a full-time. So, when I met you at the wedding, I had no intentions of playing with you. Believe it or not, I actually had a good time with you. I did have plans the next morning. I was going to take you out for breakfast at the resort’s restaurant. I ended up going alone to meet Brad and Tammy. You left an impression, Kitten, one I can’t seem to shake. The past two years I have tried moving on, but I keep thinking about you. Seeing you now was unexpected. I’m not sure how I feel about it.

I want to help you now, give you a job. However, I don’t know if I can rely on you. I don’t know you professionally, and you’ve let me down already. Why do you want this job, a job that you hate? Are you trying to hook up with me again? If so, then I don’t know if I want to try that again. I’m getting too old for these games.” He stood as he spoke and went to the window, keep his back to her. There was no way he could look at her as he played his first card.