At this Catherine looked shyly in Vincent’s direction but he remained nonplus and gave no indication as to his feelings. Finally he left them altogether, without a word, just getting up and leaving Father’s chamber where Mary and a few of the council members were sat. Catherine stood with the intention of following but Father bade her stay, “Leave him Catherine, that was a lot to take in at one go. Vincent will need time to assimilate all the information before he can act upon it. He’ll come to you when he’s ready. Now Charles would you like a grand tour?”

Charles replied that he would like that very much indeed and while Catherine opted to stay behind, Father and Mary escorted her father round the hub going as far as the waterfall to show him their world.

Jamie stayed observing Catherine closely, “Want to talk Catherine?”

Smiling Catherine turned in her seat so that she could face the younger girl, “Is it so obvious?” Jamie smiled and replied, “Well so much has happened within the last few hours, so many discoveries. You are sure to have been affected as much as Vincent, perhaps more so, now that you know the two of you should be together.”

“We believed it was soul mates at work within us. It’s a little disconcerting and disappointing that that’s not strictly the case. Still no doubt a little of their spirit remains or we wouldn’t have felt as we did. Vincent and I could almost see them in our mind’s eye and we couldn’t have imagined that.”

“Well in a way you are soul mates. Surely something was at work within the two of you to bring you together, unless it’s just the sort of thing that destiny does. I always assumed that destiny was a fact, but what if it’s a being, a spirit, what if destiny as a spirit has the ability to make things happen, and it brought you and Vincent together?” The more Jamie said the more obvious it became and by the time she had finished speaking she felt positive that what she had said had just hit the nail well and truly on the head.

Catherine gasped, “That’s so true! I never thought of that. Oh I wish Vincent were here, we really should be talking about this not that I meant you and I shouldn’t I didn’t mean it that way.” Catherine hastened to add.

“That’s alright I understood what you meant. And you’re right you and Vincent should be discussing this, but he’ll be in his chamber or by the falls ticking it over in his mind. He had a lot to take in all at once I’m sure he’d like some company and especially if its yours.”

“I’ll think about it.” Catherine paused then told Jamie, “You know what I find sad in all of this the fact that if what’s in that box can be believed then Vincent and I will not have leonine children, and I was so looking forward to that. Little Lauren was too.”

“Any child of Vincent’s will be a miracle in itself, I shouldn’t fret too much about it, and then you will have your grandchildren to look forward to, knowing one of them will most certainly be leonine.”

Catherine smiled happily, “Yes we will, won’t we, even though it’s so long to wait. It is something to look forward to and plan for. I wonder if the world will be ready for the leonine by then?”

“I hope so Cathy, Vincent’s had his share of unhappiness by being denied the world, I know he wouldn’t wish that on a descendant. Look sorry to up and leave, but I have kitchen duties this afternoon. Will you be alright here by yourself?”

Catherine nodded, “Yes thank you Jamie, thank you for staying to talk with me, it has helped.” Jamie nodded, then as she was about to leave she turned back and reminded Catherine, “The waterfall is that way.” She pointed in the general direction.

“You think I should go see him?”

“Why not, you have as many questions as he does you could help one another come to terms with this.” Catherine nodded, “I’ll think about it.” She told Jamie, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Jamie left a moment after.

Sitting on her own Catherine exhaled a huge sigh. It was different now. Before it was all romantic and light, but now what had happened showed her that everything that had happened to her recently was meant to be. It wasn’t easy to accept and obviously Vincent felt the same way. Reluctantly she stood and with the intention of seeking out Vincent, she found that he had been of like mind when she met him at the entrance. “Catherine?” Vincent queried. His eyes looked haunted.

“Vincent, I was just coming to find you.” Raggedly Vincent sighed as heavily as Catherine had moments before. “This changes everything, Catherine.” He told her expecting an argument, surprised when she replied despairingly, “I know.”

“You sound like I feel.” Vincent told her with the barest hint of a grin. Catherine said nothing, suddenly there was nothing to say and Vincent would know anyway.

“I’ve been thinking, “Vincent continued when he was sure she would not reply, “My first thought was to run and go somewhere where I could think this through to its full capacity, but I figured that you would probably want to do something similar, in fact our connection was all it took to inform me of your feelings, so what do you say that the two of us go away for a few days, I thought perhaps to the crystal cavern. I believe the break would do us both good and we would be together.”

Catherine looked up, and Vincent detected that the thought of the crystal cavern was the only part of his suggestion that had her attention. He felt dismayed but when Catherine told him, “Makes the two of us marooned now doesn’t it, Vincent?” He knew exactly what she meant. He had felt marooned all his life and now he had someone to share that feeling with he wished he could be alone in it once more. “Yes, Catherine it does.” He told her truthfully. Catherine nodded, “Yes I think you’re right, Vincent a few days away by ourselves would make all the difference and I can’t deny that I would love to visit the crystal cavern, nor can I deny that had you suggested any other place I probably wouldn’t have agreed to go. Everything has changed now hasn’t it Vincent? We are not the people we believed ourselves to be. Destiny has taken control.” And to her chagrin tears ran down her cheeks, tears that she hadn’t even known were imminent. Vincent crossed the chamber to her side and gathered her close. “I know how you feel, its one thing believing that we met and fell in love and that you agreed to spend your life with me down here, but its quite another to know that all of that was meant to be and there is no escape anymore. I do understand, Catherine. Knowing destiny has been at work in our lives reminds me that even if you wanted to you could not be free of me now.”

“I wouldn’t want to be free of you. I do love you, very much. No, its not just that I have to live here, nor is it that the freedom of choice is denied me, it’s the fact that together so much rests on our shoulders that from us, and whatever we decide to do will come a generation that the world at this time is not ready for, but hopefully some day will be.”

With a tender smile Vincent told her, “I don’t think we have any choice in the matter either my love, you and I are the chosen ones, destined to create children and grandchildren in our image, or more especially in mine.” He grinned then, a bitter/sweet expression that left Catherine feeling terribly sad and privileged at the same moment. “Yet I sense such sadness in you, even as I mention that fact. I don’t think you have, but I still have to ask, Catherine have you changed your mind about marrying me?” Vincent held his breath for her reply, almost swooning with relief when it came, “Oh no Vincent! I love you and still want to marry you. No it’s not that, my love.” Catherine drew in and exhaled a deep breath then with a sweet smile told him, “I had just envisaged children in your image and feel that possibility has been snatched away from me.”

Laying his chin upon the top of her head as he held her close, Vincent murmured his agreement, knowing how deeply sad she was about not being able to have a child in his image and how troubled she was about having to explain to the children they did have that one of them would produce a leonine child.

“When can we leave Vincent?” Catherine asked as the desire to travel to the crystal cavern washed over her. It wasn’t just that, she needed his closeness, needed to be with just him over the next few days, and there was something else, never in all her life had she had such a desire to make love to another, to know exactly what it felt to give and receive in that way, but she knew full well that Vincent would never agree…

“Catherine…”

“Yes Vincent.” Nervously, Catherine awaited his question, had he heard her thoughts?

It became apparent that he had when he went on, “I know how you feel. And I know why you feel that way. Suddenly it has been thrust upon us that we are already closer than a heartbeat so it feels acceptable that we should be close in every other sense of the word. Catherine, if we are to be together forever, as we are bonded and our love is meant to be…” Vincent hesitated a little unsure yet at the same moment knowing that it was right, “Catherine…if you wish it…I will make love with you before we are married.”

Closing her eyes tightly, relief washed over Catherine and she snuggled against him needing that closeness so badly. “I wish it.” She whispered and felt him hug her closer still. It was strange, almost as if both balanced on the periphery of a huge cliff with rocks below and each was the others saviour. Like buds ready to burst forth into full flower each felt their innocence and knew deep down that it was time to blossom forth as a couple, doing everything together for the rest of all time.

“Come,” Vincent stepped away from her took her hand and walked her toward his chamber, “We will need to pack lightly, and you will need strong shoes and jeans, I am sure that Mary will be able to kit you out, but first you can help me choose what we might need on our trip below. I usually take a book with me, what would you prefer, you choose.” He steered her to his bookshelf and then rummaged through a backpack, taking from it things he wouldn’t need and leaving behind things he would. “Will you need shampoo?” He asked her, “The water is cold but it will refresh you.”

“Yes,” Catherine did not turn from the study of his rows and rows of books, “I will, thank you and toothpaste.” She giggled and turned to watch him, “Do you actually use toothpaste?”

Vincent grinned, “I do. Takes me longer than most, but yes I most certainly do. Have to be careful that I don’t bite the brush in half but that’s another story.” Catherine laughed. He sounded so light-hearted, more so than she had ever known him and she smiled at him and told him, “Its not all bad is it, being together in it like this?”

Vincent stood up from his work and smiled back at her, “Actually it’s growing on me, you’re right Catherine, its not all bad.” He meant it, suddenly realising that for the first time in his life he wasn’t alone anymore and since Catherine seemed to have brightened from how he had found her earlier, he was beginning not to fret that someone so beautiful had been linked to him for the rest of their lives.

“I love you.” Catherine told him selecting her book and coming to place it in his pack, “And I don’t say that lightly, Vincent. I truly love you.”

“I know Catherine.” Her love humbled him, “I love you too.”

“And it’s going to be alright isn’t it?” Catherine had never been so certain of anything in her life and Vincent detecting that conviction could only agree. “Yes, Catherine, it’s going to be alright.” He embraced her again, holding her close with her back against his chest, inhaling her scent deep within himself. He loved her, everything about her, and soon they would be as one in the truest sense of the word. “I won’t hurt you Catherine.” She knew instantly to what he referred. “I know that Vincent, I trust you implicitly.”

“I know you do. We’ll take it slow. The trip to the cavern takes some three days. Each night when we stop to rest we’ll come to know one another more fully, if it takes all of the three nights and the three back then that will not matter. I never want to hurt you.”

Touched by his sensitivity, Catherine felt tears prick at the back of her eyelids. Vincent was so unlike Elliot, he would never have waited three days to prepare her for what was to come and Catherine didn’t think any other man would. She was blessed, blessed with Vincent, and she loved him so much.

“Thank you Vincent.” She turned in his arms and winding her arms around his neck kissed his lips sweetly, a kiss void of passion but at the same time a gentle kiss full of promise.

Vincent swallowed with difficulty his eyes gazing into hers feeling the sincerity of her heart. He loved her so, so much. Gently he returned her kiss, it too was chaste but full of promise of things to come and they drew apart reluctantly without taking their eyes off each other. Thus the pact was sealed - over the next few days they would become lovers – tenderly and slowly.

Father and Charles watched them go, neither worried that they would not return. Though the lower levels were fraught with danger, somehow the promise that these two were meant to be that they were the forerunners of a generation to come instilled within the two older men a feeling of the indestructible when it came to Vincent and Catherine. “Have fun.” Charles called after his daughter. Catherine smiled enigmatically “I will daddy.” She called back, her hand was in Vincent’s and she smiled when he squeezed it his understanding apparent.

Soon out of sight, Charles sighed, “They will be well won’t they?” He asked Father who stood staring after the way they had gone. Father smiled, “Yes we have no need to worry about them, this will be a voyage of discovery for them both, they will return new people you’ll see.”

Charles nodded, “Well in that case, I think I can return above with peace of mind. You’ll let me know the moment they return won’t you?” Father agreed, then the two men turned and at the intersection, Charles made his way back above escorted by Geoffrey and Father made his way back to his chamber Feeling lighter of spirit than he had in many years. Something was at work in the tunnels, something good, something grand and Father could only find one word that described it perfectly. It was magic.

The first day was easy, but then that was the way Vincent had intended. He could have taken Catherine the quickest route but he knew that her stamina was not such that she would have been able to travel far before she needed to rest. More importantly with the goals they had set themselves, Vincent didn’t want either of them to be so tired by nightfall that all they wanted to do was sleep so when he finally suggested that they should spend the night in a small cave off of the way where the wind did not penetrate Catherine was more than a little surprised that they hadn’t gone further.

“Tomorrow we have to negotiate shafts and crawl ways.” Vincent told her, “You will need all your strength for that. A good nights sleep will refresh you, and since you will be sleeping rough the longer you have to obtain that the better.” Vincent grinned hoping to relieve her spirits. He sensed within her a certain nervousness and could not deny that he felt some of the same.

He cooked for her, boiling water over a small fire and adding a packet of dry pasta in cheese and broccoli sauce. They sat and watched it thicken in silence, each very aware of the other, each thinking beyond the act of eating and clearing away with a little trepidation until Vincent finally told her, “We don’t have to embark on this Catherine. You can change your mind.”

Catherine though knew how he had thought of little else all day, as had she. Both were first time nervous and both didn’t want to disappoint the other. Catherine shook her head, “I don’t want to change my mind Vincent.” She told him honestly and watched his shoulders relax as with his back to her he spooned out a large plate of pasta in sauce and turning handed it to her with a fork and spoon.

“Thank you.” Catherine picked over the twirls of pasta, eating shyly, forcing it down with some of the water they had brought, agreeing that it was really quite good and feeling replenished as it was digested by a rather hungry stomach, despite how hard it was to actually get it down there.

They ate in relative silence, with only, “pass the water” the only words between them, then once it was plain that they would not get anything more from their clean plates, each made a great deal of show over washing up the pots and then going along to a place they had assigned themselves to relieve the call of nature and change into clothes fit for sleeping in. Catherine took longer than was normal and though Vincent had no way of knowing what normal was for her he detected through the bond her reluctance to return. He sighed, knowing how she felt, since dinner and clearing away the pots, he too had been swamped with a strong feeling of consternation even if deep beneath there was an underlying feeling of excitement.

Finally Catherine returned to find the cave awash with candlelight and the beds made up. Vincent had chosen to lay his cloak down first and on top of that the two blankets each had brought, two below and two on top, with their packs for pillows. Catherine eyed the ‘bed’ nervously, but stepped into the cave trying not to notice how its presence dominated the small cave.

“Come sit with me, Catherine?” Vincent asked as he slid by the wall to his haunches on the sandy floor of the cave and then as his bottom touched down he drew his legs out before him open and inviting her to sit between. Catherine went to him knelt down and with her back to his groin sat motionless and stiffly while he pretended not to notice as he rummaged to one side of him for the book she had chosen. “Huckleberry Finn?” He sounded surprised, “Did you know that this is one of my favourites?”

“No? Although I did remember you mentioning the time that you and Devin sailed the subterranean river when I selected it.”

Vincent chuckled, “We got the idea from this book.”

He opened the book to chapter one and began reading, and very soon his soft melodious book relaxed Catherine and she leaned happily against him. Caught in the story and his memories of boyhood days with Devin Vincent too relaxed and with one arm around Catherine and the other with the book in its hand he continued to read until he sensed a shift in her emotions that spoke to him of other needs.

Slowly Vincent put the book to one side, the outer sleeve positioned to the place he had reached before he closed the book entirely. He sat for a moment or two his heart beginning to thump and steadied himself slowly by telling Catherine, “If we don’t extinguished some of the candles we will run out before our journey ends.”

“I’ll help you.” Catherine shuffled and stood and holding out a hand helped him rise to his feet and they circled the cave blowing out the candles until they both reached the last one together. “This can stay,” Vincent told her looking at her face illuminated by the solitary candle. Catherine gazed back, and then by silent mutual consent they took one step closer and placed their arms around the other. “Kiss me.” Catherine whispered and languished in the feel of his warm breath fanning her cheeks moments before his lips met hers. At first it was a mere chaste kiss, several small ones followed by the odd longer one in between until each were satisfied that the other was happy with that and then the next kiss was longer more fulfilling and passionate. On and on the kiss went, as their body temperatures rose and their hands sought and caressed places that in the past were deemed unlawful by the law of their own making.

Catherine revelled in the touch of his lips against hers, the whiskers of his face slightly grazing her soft skin but in no way causing discomfort. And his hair beneath her hands felt silky and soft and there was a scent about him that she found compelling and intriguing. His hands were gloved for protection and she found that somewhat disappointing but said nothing. Idly she wondered if she could offer to clip his nails and decided to reserve that for another night. For now it was enough that his hands were upon her kneading her flesh in ways that a cat might when sat upon its owner’s lap and his breath was coming in short deep pants as he felt her hands tugging at the sweater that was tucked into his trousers, his kiss wavering slightly as he concentrated on what she was doing. Finally she pulled away enough to ask, “Help me Vincent.” And with one hand leaving go of her waist he tugged at his sweater until she could slip her hand beneath.

That first touch pleased them both. Catherine ran her hand over the surprisingly hairless skin of his abdomen and up his chest to where one small pap nested in the hair upon his chest and Vincent sucked in a breath when she took it between finger and thumb and squeezed gently. The feeling intense, Vincent growled and leaving her lips fastened his mouth upon her neck, gently sucking. Shivers coursed up and down Catherine’s spine, delicious shivers at his possession of her and she craned back her neck so that he might have access to her throat delighted when he moved to hold her their feeling his fangs lightly graze her tender skin. Catherine moaned, the feeling of his mouth heady and delicious and her other hand joined its twin to worked more magic upon his nipples.

Almost senseless with desire Vincent tugged her down to the sandy floor and there regained his prize, her throat, licking down to the hollow between her breasts and then outward following the line of her collar bone side to side he worked his hands fastened beneath her as he lay raised and poised above. Catherine watched him through lazy eyes, her hands continuing to caress from his nipples to his shoulders in sweeping arcs and down his rib cage to where his trousers stopped her descent.

Vincent’s hands once at the floor palms flat against the sand now tugged at her Tee shirt as he sat back slightly and watched his hands disappear beneath the blue and white top that she wore. Catherine breathed heavily aware with every passing inch as his gloved hands touched her skin and finally came to rest over the bra that covered her breasts. “Vincent?” Catherine whispered with a voice laden with desire, “Take off your gloves. I promise I’ll let you know if your nails catch me.”

She didn’t think he would agree, thought he would argue, or ignore her completely, so when he withdrew his hands and then his gloves Catherine was delighted at that little advancement, even more so when his hands went straight back to lay upon her bra where he could now feel the tight buds of her nipples protruding through the satiny silk. Catherine shuffled, leaned forward, bid him stay with her eyes and lifted the Tee shirt above and over her head laying it to one side of her as she gazed at his face. His eyes were drawn to her breast where its creamy softness spilled atop the bra that barely contained her, and his fingers splayed out caressing gently the skin of her bosom.

Over and over again his fingers traced the line of her breast where it met her bra, his eyes hungry for a naked sight of her yet at the same moment frightened to death of actually being presented with such delights. Catherine chuckled, her laughter pulled up from somewhere deep as she watched his dilemma and taking pity on him leaned forward once more and unclipped her bra from behind shaking it free of her arms as she lay back down. There with her bare breasts offered to him, Catherine was stunned by the speed of his need, as his head dropped and his delicious tongue started to lick at each nipple one after the other. Catherine squirmed her lower body instantly becoming ready for him as he continued to lick and nibble at the rosy tips of her breasts his hands now holding each and as he licked one his thumb brushing over the other.

“Oh God, Vincent!” Catherine wiggled in the sand, craving his touch at the same moment as trying to get away, she couldn’t stand it and the feelings were so intense she felt faint with longing and need. Liquid fire gathered and fell between her thighs and Catherine moaned needing his touch so much, needing it there at the entrance to her womanhood and so strong was that need that she took one of his hands and pushed it down between her legs and held it close as her climax rushed through her.

Vincent felt her need and doubted that he might be able to love her as slowly as he had intended. If he didn’t stop now, he doubted he ever could. The heat of her against his hand cried out to him and he panted heavily against her breast his own need growing beyond control. “Catherine, we have to stop.” He groaned raggedly, “If we don’t I fear that we will be able to do so.”

“I don’t want to stop.” Catherine cried as her climax subsided, “That was wonderful Vincent and you too have needs.”

“I know, but they are nothing new Catherine…I can, if allowed, forget them until they are no longer a problem.”

“And I could, if allowed, satisfy you, Vincent?”

Remembering Elliot, Vincent shook his head, “No, I don’t want you to ever have to do that again.”

“You misunderstand me, I wouldn’t do that again, Vincent, but believe me there are other ways.” She told him remembering her experience with Tom. “Just lean back against the wall and close your eyes and trust me.”

After what seemed an age, Vincent reluctantly did as she asked, and undecided Catherine hesitated unsure as to whether to pull on her tee shirt or not, and finally deciding not, although it felt slightly embarrassing to her to see her naked breasts bouncing before her as she tugged at his zipper and when undone slipped his jeans over his hips and down his legs as he lifted himself to aid her. He wore long johns beneath but the, material though thermal was thin enough for her to see the massive erection underneath and Catherine reached her hands forward tentatively grasping him first through the material then as he surged in her hand she dipped her hands through the opening and wound her fingers around his steely length. Vincent growled as the coolness of her hands surrounded the heat of his arousal and he panted heavily with eyes tightly closed as she moved her hand up and down holding him tightly, causing his foreskin to slide down to the base and up over the tip with increasing speed.

His mouth open, Vincent panted with the motion of her hand needing his climax so much, it rose up and up from the base of his testicles to erupt moments later in white fire and spilled down between her fingers and his silken shaft in sudden and spasmodic jets. Catherine loved the appearance of his face as satisfaction washed over him, the tight lines of moments before evaporating as he relaxed, and his eyes came open to feast upon her as she looked at him without shame.

He sighed at long last hanging his head, his manhood withering in her hand and she released him to reach for some tissues that she knew to be inside the pocket of her jeans intent on wiping his seed from her hand.

“Catherine…” Vincent found his voice though it was ragged and hoarse, “Thank you, that was wonderful.”

“You’re welcome Vincent.” She never looked up just continued to wipe the semen from between her fingers before mopping him up until the tissue could hold not more.

Vincent watched the swing of her breasts as she worked, her soft nipples now pink and relaxed and could not prevent himself from reaching out and grasping one golden hued orb in his rough and calloused hand. “You’re beautiful Catherine.” He told her, gliding his thumb across her nipple and aurora, “So beautiful.”

Catherine moved toward him her arms gliding behind his neck she leaned forward and kissed him gently, “As are you my love.” She told him between kisses.

“We should sleep now.” Vincent told her as he filled both hands with the creamy softness of her breasts. “I want to feel you close with these inside my hands.” Both shuddered at the thought. Catherine nodded, and then undecided asked, “Should I remove my jeans too?”

Vincent hadn’t thought about that. She would he knew, be more comfortable without the restriction of tight denim, but the thought of her bottom close against him was almost more than he could bear, and so he told her, “best not, Catherine.” Though it was the last thing he wanted to tell her. Catherine though understood, and so close with her back to him and his arms around her, they snuggled beneath the two top blankets, she naked from the waist up and he semi naked from the waist down, and there they lay with her breasts cupped inside his hands and his warm breath fanning the tendrils of her hair upon her neck until both were fast asleep.

Day Two

They rose sleepily to the sound of the small alarm clock that Vincent had brought with them. He wanted to cover several miles in order to reach his designated way station that evening. Catherine roused herself slowly brought round more fully by the scent of brewing coffee as Vincent poured hot water onto the granules. Coffee for her, tea for him and he took great delight in the sight of her bare breasts emerging from beneath the blankets as he sat opposite her sipping his tea. “Good morning Vincent.” Catherine welcomed him as she reached for her mug unashamedly revealing her half naked body to him. It amazed her how she could feel so at ease like that in his sight and leaned back to drink her coffee against the rock wall exposing one creamy rose tipped breast to either side of her arm as he looked on. He seemed mesmerised by the sight, his own mug half way to his mouth suspended in mid air and Catherine fought the urge to giggle at the look of wonder upon his face.

Her coffee finished, Catherine leaned forward to replace it by the small fire he had lit and her breasts swung forward bringing him out of his reverie. He reached forward one hand outstretched and took the weight of one creamy orb into his hand. Catherine pressed her body into his hand, and she watched with lazy satisfaction as he knelt forward and shuffled round to her side of the fire then pushed her back against the blankets gently and lay at her side. His fingers brushed her breasts slowly and tantalisingly forcing a moan to erupt from Catherine and his name to leave her lips as his mouth came down and fastened on one rosy nipple. Inward he sucked it, taking it far to the back of his throat much like a baby would do, and with his other hand he pinched the other nipple between thumb and forefinger, before switching sides to lovingly suckle the second nipple. Catherine squirmed beneath him, her hands in his hair, on his back, at his sides and finally between them grasping hold of his surging manhood as he lay half over and half to one side of her. ‘God’ she thought, ‘I can’t take much more of this’ and as her hands worked with her thoughts she unclipped her jeans and tugged at the zipper and pushed the denim down her long shapely legs until she could reach no further, and then as the day before took one of his hands and thrust it between the heat of her thighs as her climax rushed over her.

Vincent gasped suddenly noticing the heat between her legs as different from yesterday and he bent his head to see that she had removed her trousers and that his hand was fast against the silken lace of her panties. Desire coursed through him and he kneaded his fingers against her, tugging at the now wet panties sliding them down over her willing hips, and away down past her knees, there with her help he pulled both trousers and panties from her legs and her knees fell open allowing him to explore between.

He touched her honey curls with reverence, and watched his hand disappear in the depth of hair growing at the apex to her thighs, his long fingers disappearing in the lushness that grew there, and then sliding his hand back his fingers dropped to the moistness that coaxed him to touch her, slipping two fingers into the canal that led him onto other delights. Catherine parted her legs and Vincent was faced with the rosy pink lips of her vulva and he felt a tight band at the back of his throat as he fought the desire to taste her.

Knowing his thoughts Catherine reached up a hand and touched his face, running one finger along the length of his lips and back, “My love, if you want to.” She told him with eyes gazing into his and knew that nothing he did would ever remind her of Elliot.

From her face to her offering, Vincent’s blue eyes moved until he seemed to make a decision as her womanhood screamed out to him and he lowered himself his body flat out on the floor, his arms clutching at her legs from beneath as he opened her to him and moved his tongue against her. Catherine clutched at his shoulders as he tasted her honeyed depths and great gasping breaths were pulled from her as he teased an orgasm from her.

Her full length convulsing Vincent kissed her womanhood gently as her shuddering body subsided and came to rest relaxed and spent in his hands, “God I love you, I love you.” Catherine whispered through a sob of pure unadulterated joy that sang through her veins as he gazed adoringly at her beautiful naked body. She was perfect, splayed out before him Vincent knew that she was his for the taking, she would deny him nothing, but though the need to make love to her was strong, Vincent remembered his promise and reluctantly with a few final kisses all the way up her body until he reached her mouth, he finally drew away from her and handed her the clothing so recently discarded. “Till tonight, sweet Catherine.” He bid her so that she did not become dismayed at his withdrawal. Catherine nodded and began pulling on her undergarments replying with, “Till tonight, my love.” And for the both of them, 'tonight' couldn't arrive soon enough.

To be continued in chapter ten.