Lies and Innocence (closed for cnuveau)

[cnuveau]

Brett wasn’t trying to eavesdrop on the conversation but it was impossible not to understand what was going on. She dropped to the bench, obviously distressed and he wanted to comfort her but struggled with what was appropriate. After just a few hours he felt close to her but she was still virtually a stranger and inserting himself into her personal moment felt awkward but he pushed past that and sat beside her putting an arm over her shoulder and his hand on her arm.

“Are you ok?” He said. The concern obvious in his voice.

 

[Ravishing]

"Yes, and no," Katherine murmurs to him, one hand lifting to wipe at her lower lashes which were coated with light tears that hadn't been given time to fall down her cheeks.

"It's like ... getting kicked. Hard, twice. There's the sudden emotional impact that someone who you cared about ended something. Then the swift rock with emotions swinging back the other way, as if, we'd always been broken up, and it'd been like it forever. It..."

It sounded draining, and that's exactly how she sounded. Emotions swung wildly one way, then the other as that symptom of hers kicked in and such.

"...it hurts, but even as I'm trying to process it, I'm past it, in a way." She dropped her elbows to her knees, for a moment and her head into her hands. His arm about her slid a little and that hand slid from her arm to her side and down it faster than either of them had time to register before he'd realise two things. One, it was now on her hip, but to get there, it grazed the side of her breast.

Katherine seems to recognise it was her fault because she moved. As she mumbles. "Sorry, just, give me a minute. But, don't go anywhere?"

 

[cnuveau]

he jolted slightly at the incidental contact with her breast but didn’t pull away.

“Yeah, I know the feeling. You know it’s not working out with someone but you hate to see it end nonetheless. I’ve had more than my share of those.” His hand squeezing her arm slightly.

Fact is he did have more than his share of those. For whatever reason the few times he dated it never lasted very long. In high school and we’ll into college he was awkward around girls and he suspected his lack of confidence caused them to lose interest. Some ended it abruptly but others in more subtle ways. Pulling away and being distant until it was obvious it was over. It hurt like hell every time and caused a bout with depression by his junior year prompting him to start seeing a counselor on campus. Over the course of the next couple years he avoided dating while he worked on himself and the issues caused the awkwardness. When he finally graduated from Lionsgate he felt he was ready but his social circle had shrunk to the point that the opportunities just weren’t there. Sad truth was, his brush against her breast put her tied for the lead as one of the girls he’d gone the furthest with.

They sat quietly on the bench for a few more minutes before he interrupted the silence. “We should get back to stay on schedule.”

 

[Ravishing]

"Actually it had been working." Katherine said as she stood. There was a soft exhale from her as she began moving but at a slower pace.

He might have spoken. But there was still 25 minutes of exercise left. Katherine was just trusting him to be right.

"Usually he rang me when he got back. Or he said he was just back. I... find myself wondering if he just lied. Saying it because he knew I expected him to call and want to see me."

She shook her head slowly. "I mean. When he was gone, he was gone. When he was back, he was back. And I always thought I was the only one. I... don't think I was."

 

[cnuveau]

Noticing his mistake and feeling like she needed more time to clear her head he changed course. “We have some time, let’s continue the walk for a little bit more to give you some time to process things,” with his hand on her hip he guided her back in the direction they’d originally been going.

“I’m sorry you’re going through this. I could throw out any number of cliches but none of them will make it hurt any less.” He took her hand as he continued. “It has to be hard enough juggling all this and a personal life too without people around that hurt you.” He trailed off sensing he should give her a moment to continue to process things.

 

[Ravishing]

As he attempted to guide her about with her focus on what she was saying, she totally tripped over those feet. It occurring just as he took her hand.

By reflex she clung to it, blue eyes going wide as this time, he managed to as they were falling twist so she landed on him not the path/grass.

Then they comically tumbled twice. Until they stopped 4ft away from the path. Him with his back to the grass and his arms fully about her. Katherine laid out perfectly atop him.

Blonde hair everywhere, breathing heavily, breasts thusly heaving against his chest. Those big blue eyes wide as she rapidly blinks. Long lashes fluttering. "...." A speechless look for a moment.

Katherine found her heart beating faster, and very slowly she leans down. Closing that gap between them. Soft strawberry glossed lips pressed to his as her eyes fluttered close and she kissed him. What drove it? A while lot of mixed emotions. Yet she likely felt good on top of him.

Right as maybe he kissed her back. That phone rang, the one on her upper arm. She made a sound then, and broke that kiss. Rolling off him to beside him. Her voice breathless, shakey. "K...Katherine speaking."

It rang again and she blinked realised her Bluetooth device wasn't in her ear fumbled to swipe the phone. "Yes?" She said this time.

He heard a female voice. "Kitty you sound like you ran a mile? You okay?"

Frustrated laughter then. "Kind of. So. Lunch tomorrow?"

"No, no. Uh. Dinner tonight? I want to hear all about Liam."

Katherine blinked a little. Her cheeks flushing as hints of emotion hit her. "Right. Usual place. Oh I might have a plus one."

"So Grandmother finally did what she's been threatening? Got you some stuffy person..."

Katherine blushed. "You'll see." As she hung up. And just laid there.

 

[cnuveau]

How he got here was very much a blur but Brett found himself on his back with Katherine on top of hm. Her body pressed against his made his mind flash back to his day dream earlier. Looking into her eyes as they lay there stunned at what happened she dipped down and kissed him. This time he was sure it was her. Knowing where she was mentally just a moment ago he wanted to write it off as a moment of vulnerability but twice in a half hour was making it hard.

She rolled off to take her call and as he watched he noticed she was missing her ear buds. He scrambled to his knees to try to find them as she switched to using the handset. Finding them in the grass right near where they laid. He gathered them. And got to his feet.

As she hung up he offered her his hand to pull her up. “You ok?”

 

[Ravishing]

She'd heard him scrambling to try and find them. She didn't know -his- thoughts but she knew her own and as he asked her if she was okay, Katherine took his hand and got pulled to her feet. She found herself looking into his eyes. Again.

"That was Tess. Since I was late ringing, she rang me." A pause by Katherine and a realisation she still held his hand. Letting it go she wrapped both arms up under her midriff about herself. "I kissed you inside because you saved me from, a tumble that could have hurt me. I should have said that. I,"

A chew by upper teeth against her lower lip. "..also probably shouldn't have done it. You'd have every right in the world to sue me, quit, or be mad about it. Since. Well. Employer."

She glances down to the grass then, then half turns looking to where they'd come to a stop. Graceful movements as she had moved. Which might be surprising against the fact she's tripped twice in less than an hour.

"...right there. Well." Another moment of hugging herself, and staring. Then turning to look at him. Right into his eyes. "..it probably shouldn't have happened. But, even with my condition and how my brain understands things weirdly like. I.. found myself looking down into a face that was right there, and you've been honestly really understanding about the fast move my Grandmother made on not telling you anything."

Those arms dropped then and she exhales. "...I couldn't have stopped myself from it. Bad circumstances or not. I've never been like that with someone. It all just felt, nice. So, I kissed you..."

If he was anything like her in this admittance of everything, it was a bit to take in. "I'll not do it again." Even as her mind flashed back to it, he might just notice that soft flush of colour hitting her cheeks. "..we should get back, shower, get dressed. Maybe I need to move walking to first thing in the morning. Get up, stretch, walk, then business?"

Her mind clearly trying to put them back on track. But really, would it stop giving her replay images of him right there, of how it felt to feel him under her, against her so perfectly? Maybe she really did need that shower right now!

 

[cnuveau]

he let her speak, studying face as she did. He couldn’t help but be taken in by her cander.

“Yes, we should be getting back.” As they started to walk back to the house he continued. “I’m pretty sure quitting or suing would be the last thing I’d want to do in response to being kissed. I certainly understand getting caught up in a moment. We’ve all been there. It’s nothing to worry about.”

the more he thought about it the more it started to make sense. We all get caught in those moments where an impulse hits you and you can’t explain exactly why. Maybe she just has less control in those split seconds? At least that’s what he’d began to convince himself of at that moment regardless of whether it was right or wrong. He couldn’t help but hope she was wrong about it not happening again though. Feeling her body pressed to his, her leaning down, her lips touching his. The things dreams are made of.

“Walking in the morning would make sense. I love a morning walk before I start the day.”
He fell silent as they wound their way towards the house.

 

[Ravishing]

"..thankyou. I'm quite certain Amanda would have a fit." She sighs a little, falling to silence for a while as they walk. There is a pause as she uncaps the water taking a long drink. Recapping it as she starts walking again. "After lunch while I'm working on something. Can you move this week's first two hours to other times? You'll see I've got blocked out hours during which I'd generally leave free to handle things. If they don't believe your work for me, well, you can transfer them over."

She waits till they're walking up those steps into his wing, there. "Whatever Jen, has sorted for you. Don't bother with the jackets. Unless we're actually leaving here to go somewhere. I'd still like nice pants and a shirt, since I wear office wear myself. when in my office."

"Is that okay? In the morning I should have some things for you to file. And I might get help sorting my actionable mess into those desk organiser trays.

 

[cnuveau]

“Will get them shuffled around to free up the morning no problem.” As they climbed the stairs his eyes took in the sight of her in her spandex one more time before she’d return to business attire. It was still incredible to look at but nothing like this.

As they reach his door “I’ll come get you in 20 minutes?” He asks knowing that he should plan on meeting at her room to let her know it’s time. “Sounds good.” She replies as she continues toward her room.

He made his way into the bathroom and took a moment to take it in. The stone tiled floor continued into an open shower. The tub seemed nearly adequate to swim laps in. If this was the staff bathroom he couldn’t imagine what Katherine’s looked like. He stripped his workout clothes off placing them in a hamper situated by the linen closet then turned the shower on to let the water heat up. He realized she was probably doing the same thing right now and has mind drifted to imagining her stripping off her spandex shorts. The hot water washed over him as a vivid image of her standing under the shower head materialized in his mind. Her hands working her scalp. Suds from the shampoo trickling down her shoulders and over her full breasts. His soapy hand travelled down his stomach before wrapping around his stiffening cock. Tilting his head back the water beat against his chest as his breathing got ragged. His muscles stiffen as he lets out a low groan then a shudder as the release hit him. His shoulder slump letting the water wash over his scalp while he gathered himself.

Turning off the shower he stepped out. The tile floor cool against his feet. Not wanting to be late he quickly dried his hair got dressed and left the room to get Katherine.

 

[Ravishing]

His thoughts almost mirrored what she did. Except she was having flickers of his hands over her skin. Heck, not even Liam had gotten that far with her. Or, one could say, especially Liam had not. She might indeed hear him knocking and realise just as she found release that ... he was knocking on her bedroom door. She dove out of the shower turning the taps off. throwing a robe on herself and thus a wet-robe-wearing Katherine opened that door a few inches. He saw much more of the robe of white silk, that clung indecently to wet skin. Turning it sheer and semi-see-through. Not that Katherine noticed, she hadn't caught sight of herself in the mirror.

But her cheeks were flushed too. "Right. Sorry. I, lost track of time. 5 minutes?" A perk of a brow up, a flash of a smile. Before she shut the door. Leaned against it a moment then walked away quickly. hurriedly into her bathroom as she dried herself off. Found her clothes from earlier and dressed herself. Using a rake to comb her hair out, and forgoing the stockings, she put sockettes on and slipped her feet into a pair of dressy slip-on black shoes.

Glancing at herself in the mirror she tucked that shirt into the skirt and straightened it. Thus he got a strawberry-scented Katherine throwing her room door open 6 minutes later. "Lunch. Right?" She stepped out and moved with him through and down to the dining room. Where it was already set up waiting and ready for them. Mille is nowhere in sight. Katherine helped herself to what she wanted, passing him the tongs to each item in turn. Before she spooned some cauliflower with cheese sauce onto her plate. Picked up the juice there and took a slow mouthful.

"It occurs to me. Is, two hours enough to handle? A walk. Shower. Dressing, and breakfast? Or should I make it, nothing before 10:30." A pause as she lifts the fork. "If your okay with getting up at 8 am, to be sorted for a walk by 8:30 am? I really -should- ask you. I know you work for me. I know you getting paid for it all and the inconvenience of my whims and whatever else. But." She shakes her head. "I'd rather you were at least satisfied with the morning start. Since business ends at 4 pm. Or at least my business day does. It's so if there's something I want to do in town, I can go to it. There are also days when we'll likely need to eat in the city for meetings. Or travel to other places."

 

[cnuveau]

As the door closed Brett stood there stunned. Had he not done what he’d just done he was sure he’d now be trying to figure out how to hide his obvious erection. Her hair falling across the wet robe clinging to her breasts visible through the material was more gorgeous than the image he’d conjured earlier if that was somehow possible.

The flung open moments later and he was sure to be standing aside when it did. The dining room was like something he’d only seen in the movies. Fact was, everything here seemed like it was straight out of a movie. He filled his plate unconsciously serving himself the same portions of each as her. He’d notice as he finished and pondered why he did that when her voice broke in.

“8:30 sounds fine. I’m a early riser so I’ll likely be up at 6:30 which will give me some time to get into the office and have everything ready to go when we get back.”

Having an hour to get himself organized before the demands of the day started seemed ideal to him. Having fabricated many of his skills he knew he’d need the time to avoid floundering in front of her trying to figure things out.

Traveling and dining with her in the city piqued his interest. He hadn’t really thought much about travel but he liked the idea. He could only imagine the places she’d go and the accommodations she’d been accustomed to. Maybe we’d share a suite! he thought as his thought through the possibilities.

 

[Ravishing]

Katherine listens to him while neatly eating, her habit with the knife and fork was more to end up with a small bit of it all on her fork popping in her mouth and chewing for a while. Repeating it a few times while listening and considering what he said. "Alright, then we'll head into town and get you a key for the Office. It's the one room I lock up. None of the others has a key for it, and I tend to leave the rubbish bins outside the door for maids to later handle."

Seemingly she found no issue with him taking time to do this first thing in the morning. "That way if tonight you want to go in and sort your desk organisation to how you prefer it, you can." A mild shrug of a shoulder. "Although this afternoon is pretty light for you. It's mostly me going through a few things. I'm sure you'll find something to keep you occupied." There was the left side of her desk and that organised mess of things there. She'd brought it up once already as something she really should get sorted.

A buzz from her phone however had her grabbing it and getting up as she spoke. "Katherine speaking?"

Listening to the voice on the other end she began actually pacing the length of that table, her gaze more on the floor as she walked back and forth. Her expression only grew more concerned and paler as she did. That call ended and she stood there a second. Just stood there staring at the mobile phone in her hand. A mild shake of her head, as she rang somewhere else. "Put a blackout on all media concerning Amanda Rafe being in Hospital. I don't care how you do it. Do it. If certain groups find out Amanda's there, things will rapidly change and you know it. Bruce. Just do it! Don't think. Do what you've been told. I don't care how Manda made you do things. Do things my way." Her voice grew more and more tense as she'd spoken into it.

As she hung up from that she seemed to again just stand there. "Harry!" That voice carried, and Harry seemed to breeze in through a door blinking at her urgency. "Get Mike to have the car round, now. The Rover." "Yes Miss, of course, Miss." As he turned and rushed off.

Finally, Katherine then looked at him. "Right. Key. Key..." She patted herself down, he however could see the key on the white lace placemat under the plate which was at best a quarter eaten.

"Find the office key, when you do, go into it and to my desk. Grab from the top right drawer the black leather-bound book and the red leather-bound books there. I need my wallet and things." As she spun on a heel and ran. Rushing off and up through the house to her room she located her purse, bag and house keys. Throwing her purse and keys in her bag, she left then in a rush so even as perhaps he was leaving the office, he might almost run into her. Katherine didn't really slow down till she was out the double doors and Mike opened the car doors for them. She dove into it, put her seat belt on and waited for Brett to do the same as she shut her door.

 

[cnuveau]

Brett sensed the gravity of the call. Then her subsequent call revealed Ms. Rafe was in the hospital. He’d gathered Amanda had a prominent place in Katherine’s life and business dealings this the urgency of the situation.

Plucking the key off the table he raced to the office to collect the red and black books then narrowly avoided her as he turned from re-locking the door. It seemed odd to him at the moment that she locked the office door. After all she’d spoke of the staff being like family. What was she afraid of???

Making it to the Range Rover just after her he took a moment to catch his breath as the car pulled away. He wanted to ask what had happened but didn’t want to pry too much. Still very much struggling to find his place and what she may or may not want to share with him. Finally he spoke. “Is she going to be ok?”

 

[Ravishing]

His question came as she felt Mike driving them off. Despite her not saying where Amanda was, it seemed Mike had that knowledge! Thus Katherine took a moment trying to gather her head. "I don't know. Amanda has come through it before." Worry colouring her tone as she looks at him pale and shaky.

"I need you to move this week's appointments. I don't care which times or days. Get those you ring to suggest when suits them. If it's a personal call I'm supposed to make it. Ignore it. I'll work that out some other time."

A hand ran up through her hair then slowly, tugging at the ends of it as she brought it over her shoulder. Looking from him to the headrest of the seat in front. Yet her fingers were pressed tight to the seat there.

The rest of the short ride was uneventful. Mike pulled up and she hopped out, hurrying off for the doors and in. A murmur of who she was here for and she was swept off with him to the elevator, riding it up to another floor and guided to a private room to wait in.

 

[cnuveau]

Brett stopped at the door as she entered the room. She didn’t need him in there and he had things to do. He found a a waiting area and fished his phone out of his pocket. Fortunately he’d had time to sync her contact list and calendar this morning so he had the info he needed to clear her schedule. He paced the waiting room as he worked through the week working through them one by one.

In short order he had her schedule cleared. He returned to the room stood outside the door making his presence known but not disturbing her.

 

[Ravishing]

Katherine was alone in there still. Sitting. Her hands folded into her lap. She might have realised he was back, but she didn't move or didn't blink. He might have been respectful to her and such. However, he heard rushing steps and then a 5ft11inch muscled fellow with sun-kissed skin and sandy brown hair which fell to chin length in a suit of grey rushes right by him and in there.

That was enough to make Katherine look up, a blink, then a frown. "No, Liam, what?"

"Kitty!" Said as he sought to tug her up and against him.

Hands impacted his chest firm and Katherine held him at arm's length literally. "No. I'm not yours. We aren't together. Why are you -here-?"

Liam seemed to cock his head, hair dancing against his cheek. A cheek that twitched with irritation. "Katherine. Quiet. I'm here to console you." Again he attempted to pull her in, and she backed up after shoving him softly.

"No. Go. I don't want you here. Period. Leave. Get out." Her voice was soft, yet upset. Clearly.

His lips twisted in a less than subtle growing annoyance. "I'm here."

 

[cnuveau]

Brett took in the interaction and her body language. He was clearly not welcome and, from the sound of it, not inclined to leave on his own. Stepping into the room he closed the ground between he and Liam quickly. Snatching on of Liam’s wrists he wrenched ip up behind his back. “She sounded pretty clear to me.” He growled into Liam’s ear as he turned him to the door and walked him out of the room. Clearing the door he shoved the stunned Liam against the wall the pressed his forearm against the back of his neck before continuing to growl quietly in his ear. “Whatever good you think you’re doing here, you’re not. I suggest you go home and if Katherine wants to hear from you again she’ll call. Understand?” His face pressed against the cold hospital tile he nodded as best he could then Brett released him. Liam staggered a few steps toward the elevator before looking over his shoulder “This isn’t over!” Brett stood facing him in the middle of the hall. Arms folded he simply nodded his head with a sneer crossing his lips.

 

[Ravishing]

It was as he still stood there he felt a hand touch his shoulder. Liam vanished out of sight.

As perhaps Brett turned about he was engulfed by the scent of strawberries and felt Katherine glue herself against him.

Her face buried in against his chest. It let him feel she was softly shaking. It also let him feel that body pressed tightly to his own.

It might take him a moment to realise she was very softly crying. Behind him he heard, "Miss Rafe? I'm Ms Amanda Rafes doctor, a word?"

Something about those words sobered her tears. One wipe off her eyes later she led the doctor into that private waiting room. Brett found himself pulled along, Katherine holding his hand.

Technical terms flew rapid fire from the doctors lips, but something about it all sunk in as she went stiff beside him. "She, didn't make it. Did she? Okay. Someone from the foundation will be in touch about where and when she'll be picked up. Thank you."

The doctor nodded then leaving her. Katherine just stood there, clinging to the hand that she held.

 

[cnuveau]

Brett pulled her to him hugging her tight. Finding some some chairs beside them he led her to sit as he held her in his arms. He could feel her softly sobbing into his shoulder. He just held her silently as she processed what just happened.

 

[Ravishing]

A few moments of it and she lifted her head. Trembling lower lip. A sniffle then a hiccup.

Her phone rang and he'd find her turning it to silent. "..Need to go home. Please.." Katherine stood on shaky legs while fumbling to above her phone away.

Somehow they got out of there to find Mike impassively watching. The man frowned but remained silent.

Opening the range rover they got in and out seemed to take no time and they were washing back into her house. Katherine leaning into him heavily. Finding herself at her bedroom. "I can't be alone..." and Brett found himself dragged in with her. Her room shades of blue and purple. Bag dropped on the way and her knees gave out.

 

[cnuveau]

Catching her he helped her to her bed and sat her down. Kneeling he slipped her she’s off her feet than lifted her legs onto the bed. She curled up with her head on the pillow a she slid in behind her. His hand on her hip as an occasional sniffle caused her body to jump slightly.

 

[Ravishing]

After a little while she slightly wriggled back against him and one hams sought to take his drawing it up, fingers entwined with his and held. He might after a while realise she'd fallen into a light sleep, when the tension left her arm and it slid to resting and pressing his hand shadings her breast. A slow press of her frame back in against his.

 

[cnuveau]

Realizing where his hand had come to rest his heart began to race. He could feel her nipple between his fingers. He knew she was likely asleep and not aware of where his hand was. He didn’t want to move it away but also wanted desperately not to take advantage of the situation. As hard as he fought he couldn’t resist moving his index finger across her nipple. He could feel it stiffen as he did. It stiffened even more as he allowed his finger to pass over it again. Feeling its firmness between his fingers he allowed his fingers to press it more firmly between them as his erection pressed into her.