Chapter Four

Beast awoke some hours later, a book in one hand and Catherine’s head in his lap. Her tearful outburst seemed to have thoroughly distracted Vincent. He hoped he wouldn’t remember things he wasn’t supposed to again.

He set the book aside and concentrated on Catherine. She lay on her side, using his thigh for a pillow. He smoothed her hair back and out of her face. She was gorgeous, irresistible. He marveled at Vincent’s self-restraint. But he would have none of it himself.

His hand stole past her shoulder to rest on her breast. He was fascinated by her breasts, soft yet firm. He indulged himself, and Catherine responded by moaning slightly in her sleep. He could feel her growing desire, even in sleep. He was pleased at the effect he had on her.

He reviewed the previous night’s events in his mind. Her passion and eagerness had surprised him once more. He was hard again, thinking about it. He rose, being careful not to wake her yet, and gently lifted her. He carried her to the bed, which was much more spacious than her inadequate sofa.

He watched her sleep for a few moments, his hand resting on her hip. His hand began of its own volition to stroke the satin that covered her skin. Soft as it was, he preferred her skin. He unbuttoned her robe with deliberate care and gently pulled up the fabric of her nightgown until it was bunched up around her shoulders. He resumed the sensual plundering of her breasts. His body temperature was rising, and his clothing was becoming uncomfortably warm. He rose to remove it, leaving it once again on the chair at Catherine’s dressing table. He stood at the foot of the bed, basking in her beauty. He leaned forward and crawled toward her, sliding her knees apart to make room for himself, his hands reaching up to cup her breasts again. He stopped as he caught her feminine scent and brought his nose closer to inhale it more deeply. He thought about how clearly Catherine had enjoyed applying her mouth to his genitalia and wondered.... He rubbed his nose across her vulva. She moaned in her sleep. He continued his explorations, his tongue venturing forth to apply long strokes, as a cat might while washing itself.

Catherine began to awaken, her mind clouded by pleasure. She opened her eyes to the erotic image of Vincent’s face buried in her nest of curls. She gasped, spreading her legs wider and grabbed great handfuls of bedding. Her obvious enjoyment egged Beast on, and he removed a hand from her breast to spread the folds of her vulva, exploring more thoroughly with his tongue.

"Oh god!" Catherine gasped. Thus encouraged, he did the same on the other side. Catherine began to gently rock her pelvis upward, in what she hoped was an inviting manner. Beast’s tongue stroked her over and over, stopping now and then to pull her clitoris into his mouth. Catherine began to time her pelvic tilts to when his tongue was nearest the point of penetration. Finally choosing to acquiesce to her requests, he began slow inward spirals with his tongue, stopping short of penetration, but coming closer each time. Catherine begged, "Oh please, oh please!" Finally he gave her what she wanted, his tongue plunging deeply, his hands cupping her bottom to press her close. She climaxed almost at once, moaning loudly. Finally, she stilled, and he gave her a few final, gentle licks, before peering up at her.

She sighed. "Wow." And after a pause, "Have you done this before?"

He smiled, eyes full of mischief. "Only in my dreams, my Beauty."

She smiled, pleased, flattered, and in love. She patted her chest. "Come here."

He rose and crawled forward, stopping when his head reached her chest. She lifted her head to kiss him, but he pulled back. "Beasts don’t kiss."

Catherine raised her eyebrows. "They don’t?" She couldn’t offhand think of a beast that did, but... "Well, it seems to me beasts don’t perform cunnilingus either, so maybe you’re not as beastly as you think." She winked at him.

He had no reply for that remark and instead changed the subject. Or at least, that was his intention. "I liked the feel of your mouth on me."

"Likewise." She sighed greatly and smiled, closing her eyes. Beast rose and came further forward, his knees straddling her head. She opened her eyes to find his shaft in full salute only inches from her face. "At ease, private," she said and immediately went into a fit of the giggles. Beast did not seem amused, which made it funnier still. At last she got control of herself, apologizing, "Sorry. Not sure what came over me."

She raised her hands to touch him and he gasped. Silliness aside, she realized he was further gone than she’d thought — little wonder he hadn’t laughed — but she decided that his ridiculous ‘Beasts don’t kiss’ notion needed to be addressed. She kissed his penis repeatedly, switching back and forth between sweet, closed-mouth kisses and long, lingering, open-mouth, busy-tongue ones. He groaned. Her sweet torture was delicious, but he needed more. He pulled back, kneeling between her thighs. He grasped her hips, pulling her toward him so that her back was on his thighs. He straightened her legs, parking her feet on his shoulders.

Oh boy! Catherine thought, wondering for a moment if... but there was no further opportunity for wondering or thinking of any kind — Beast demanded her full attention. Unlike most of their previous encounters, this one left not only her hands free but also her feet! She took advantage of the opportunity by caressing his chest, arms, and shoulder with the soles of her feet, while stroking his hips with her hands. And the view! Climax came quickly.

As they lay together afterward, Catherine’s thought returned. "Beast, may I ask you a question?"

"Anything."

"Does Vincent have a copy of the Kama Sutra?"

"He has access to one."

"I thought so."

"He thinks it’s sexist."

"The Kama Sutra?"

"Yes."

"What do you think?"

"I just look at the pictures, my Beauty."

She laughed and then yawned greatly. "Beast... about this not kissing thing...."

He gazed back at her in silence.

"I think... that doesn’t work for me."

He raised an eyebrow. "I’m sorry, my Beauty. It can’t be helped." He rose and began to dress.

"But..." She sat up, frustrated. "Have you even tried?"

He said nothing, but continued to dress. She repeated the question, but he would say no more.

***

Joe was less than pleased the following day when Catherine announced she wouldn’t be working extra hours any more. It had only been a few months since he’d switched her from the more dangerous investigative work to office-only tasks after one final too-close call. Joe ranted for a good 10 minutes, but relented when Catherine lost her temper and threatened to quit outright.

***

Catherine arrived home before 6 pm that evening, practically skipping. She changed her clothes, grabbed The Princess Bride and headed for the threshold. As she descended the ladder, she thought that she couldn’t remember when she’d felt so giddy. She was grinning from ear to ear as Vincent opened his arms in welcome. She threw herself into them and gave him a mighty squeeze. "I’m so happy to be here!" she said near his ear, and turned her head to kiss him gently on the cheek.

Vincent sighed, pulling back to look at her. "I’m happy you’ve come." He smiled just as broadly as she. "Come," he said, taking her hand in his. "Dinner awaits."

Catherine had a delightful time supping with the tunnel dwellers. She’d had only a few opportunities to do so in the past, and she wondered if their mealtimes were often so merry. Any tension remaining from her day at work melted away in the shared laughter and camaraderie.

After dinner, Vincent led Catherine to the Chamber of the Falls. They settled into comfortable spots and took turns reading. As Catherine finished her third turn, she handed the book back to Vincent. He didn’t reach for the book though. He gazed at her intently.

"Is there any sex in this book?" he asked.

Catherine looked at him hesitantly, thinking that Beast had arrived, but wanting confirmation.

"My Beauty," he finished.

She exhaled and smiled. "How long have you been listening?"

"I’ve been listening all along. And since Vincent is tired, I thought I’d come say hello. Hello, my Beauty."

Catherine glowed, smiling back at him. "Hello, my Beast."

"Finally, I have you trained!"

She giggled. "Truly though, the name doesn’t suit you."

"You didn’t answer my question."

Catherine paused a moment, thinking. "No. No sex."

"Damn."

She laughed again. "Would you like a turn reading?"

"I could think of better things to do."

"I’m sure you could," she teased. "But indulge me, would you?"

"As you wish, my Beauty."

"I love you too, my Beast." She beamed.

He winked at her and began to read. She leaned over and kissed his cheek. He raised a scolding eyebrow at her but continued reading.

By the time his turn finished, Vincent had returned again. Catherine wondered if these changes were an improvement or a worsening of his condition. Several more turns and the book was finished. Vincent walked Catherine to the threshold.

"I had a lovely time, Vincent. Thank you."

"It’s always a pleasure to spend time with you, Catherine," he said softly.

"Vincent..."

He looked at her expectantly.

"Would you... would you come to dinner tomorrow night? At my apartment?"

He hesitated, staring at the floor, wanting to accept, but afraid. Glancing back up at Catherine’s hopeful visage, his fear subsided. "All right. Thank you," he said timidly.

"Great," she said, smiling broadly, and then inserted herself into his arms for a hug. "Good night, Vincent."

"Good night, my B—" He closed his eyes and wrinkled his brow in confusion. "Catherine," he corrected, with a shake of his head.

***

Catherine settled into bed thinking warm thoughts of their lovely evening together, briefly pondering Beast’s brief (and tame!) appearance and what it might mean. She was feeling too good to worry, and drifted off to sleep on a cloud.

Beast slipped into bed with her some hours later, spooning his body to hers and wrapping his arms around her. Catherine sighed in her sleep. Beast nuzzled his nose to her neck and cupped a breast with his hand. She moaned. He slid his hand slowly down her body, breathing hotly into her hair, inhaling deeply her scent. He began to rock his hips to hers. She came slowly awake, smiling blissfully, taking his hand into her own.

"Mmm," she smiled, leaning back into him. "I hoped you’d come tonight."

"You’re hard to resist," he said seductively, sliding his hand slowly up the length of her body, claws brushing her skin lightly.

"Did you enjoy the book?" she asked.

He made a sound between a moan and a growl. "I enjoyed having you near."

She smiled, moaning happily. "I always enjoy that too."

Beast caressed her nipple. "I want you," he husked.

She squeezed his hand and pressed her hips back against him, moaning her interest. Beast pulled away from her and she made a small noise of frustration and confusion. He guided her to lie on her back and covered her body with his own, pressing his forehead to hers. Her heartbeat sped up and her body relaxed beneath him. He shifted position until her legs straddled his. She spread her legs further and raised her knees in invitation. He raised himself to his elbows, holding her gaze as he gently joined with her. He kept his eyes locked with hers as he began to move within her, slowly at first, then faster. She stared back languidly, completely under his spell, caught off guard by this new intimacy. His every caress was exquisite. As climax began its approach, Catherine came to realize that now, for the first time, Beast was making love to her. He had never touched her so tenderly, nor looked for so long into her eyes. As their union reached its crescendo, Catherine began to sob with joy and then sorrow, as her heart reached out for Vincent and found only the loving but utterly inadequate presence of Beast. She wrapped her arms around him and clung to him, trying to overcome the hollow feeling inside her.

Abruptly, Beast pulled away. He separated from her and began to quickly dress.

"You’re leaving?" Catherine asked, forlornly.

"Your tears draw him!" he said urgently. "Get dressed!"

Catherine tried to collect herself and quickly got a robe to put on. Her breathing was still ragged and she felt both wonderful and miserable. Beast finished dressing and was barely out the door before Vincent appeared, arms open. Catherine gladly took shelter in them, sobbing openly again, clinging to him as if her life depended on it, all of the stress of worrying about him these last weeks pouring out in a torrent of tears.

"Catherine, Catherine," he soothed. "Tell me."

She sobbed even harder. Vincent held her close, his mouth pressed to her hair, stroking her back gently with one hand. Finally, Catherine managed to get out, "I... love you." She tried to even out her breathing. "I... need you... Vincent." She looked up at him with pleading eyes.

He brushed away her tears with the back of a finger, fully sharing her painful feeling of being forever apart from him. He pulled her close and gently kissed her forehead, stroking her hair.

Catherine made another attempt at regaining her composure. Her breathing slowed and began to return to normal. She glanced slowly up at him, and his face was so full of love and concern, she could not resist reaching up to give him a gentle kiss. He pulled her close again. She grew calmer in his arms and finally took a half step back and fixed her gaze on his. He looked back longingly for many moments, but finally dropped his eyes.

Catherine closed her eyes as the tears began again. "Good night, Vincent," she said, as evenly as possible.

He sighed greatly. "I’m sorry, Catherine." He paused. "Tomorrow night... do you still want me to come?"

She looked back up at him and nodded.

He bade her good night and was gone.

***

Vincent turned up as promised for dinner the following evening. They had a pleasant, if somewhat subdued, conversation. Afterward, Catherine took the dishes into the kitchen, and Vincent took the opportunity to use the bathroom. While he washed his hands, the sensation of Catherine’s mouth on his body overwhelmed him. He gasped and stepped back. The vision faded, to be replaced by one of Catherine and his darker self in the shower.

"No!" he gasped, backing out of the room. Catherine’s bed met his eyes, and a virtual parade of erotic images passed through his consciousness. He panted heavily, struggling for control.

Catherine appeared in the doorway. "Oh, there you are!" she said brightly. And then, noticing his emotional state, "Vincent, what’s wrong?" She approached him slowly, but he avoided her, walking back into the living room, still trying to regain his composure.

Catherine followed him. "Vincent?"

Another vision assailed him, of the two of them on the floor.

"Vincent?" she prompted. "B—" She checked herself as she almost said ‘Beast’—the accidental appellation could only make things worse.

He turned, his gaze falling upon Catherine, and she saw in his face a whole spectrum of emotion: shame, horror, shock, confusion, disbelief, embarrassment, self-loathing. Panic.

"No!" Catherine said plaintively. "It’s all right, really!"

Unfortunately, her words served to clarify the meaning of his visions. He had hoped they were only hallucinations, or dream images perhaps. She had confirmed his worst suspicions. He roared in despair and disappeared through the French doors without even stopping for his cloak.

Vincent’s final outburst had brought Catherine to tears and she followed him onto the balcony in vain. "Vincent!" she cried, but he was already gone. She found herself sobbing uncontrollably, fearing for his very life. She doubted he would speak to her while he was in this state, but she had to try. She went back inside, picked up his cloak, a jacket of her own, and her keys and headed for the threshold.