Page 21 of Coveting Catherine

Leo's hands found the bottom of her pajama shirt and raised it when her hands covered his. Disappointment filled him, and he stepped away from her.

Catherine's eyes widened, and he noticed the flash of insecurity cross her face. Her head went down, and he brushed the hair away to glimpse at her expression. She bit her bottom lip as her eyes finally met his. “Leo, I've changed. I carried a baby. I've got stretch marks. I have an affinity for chocolate and have jiggly bits.” Catherine's face flushed darker red. “I…umm… haven't had sex in a long time, I'm not prepared. It's like a jungle down there.” Her hold on her top clamped down harder as she whispered the last of the sentence in embarrassment.

Leo’s jaw firmed in anger at her embarrassment of her luscious body. She allowed him to touch her, and he drew the line at letting her insecurities get in the way.

“Those stretch marks represent badges of honor as you pushed your beautiful child into the world. You've always carried an obsession for chocolate, thus your nickname. You've lucked out Kit Kat. I'm a Navy SEAL trained to navigate my way through a jungle, and I guarantee we'll both come out of it just fine.”

Catherine giggled at his bad joke, and he felt her relax within his hold.

“Let me in Kit Kat,” he ordered softly as he gently removed her hand and placed it on the front of his jeans. “I want you. Stretch marks, jiggly bits, and all.” Leo didn't give her time to think. His hands slid her pajamas over her head, and he smiled when he realized she didn’t wear a bra. Her dusky nipples stood at attention, begging to be touched and kissed.

Catherine's hands came up and covered the delicious mounds. She winced, “They're a bit saggy than before; I breastfed Melody.”

Leo gently removed her hands and placed them on the edge of the island top. “You're beautiful, Kit Kat.” He cupped her breasts with his hands. He bent down and brought her nipple to his mouth as his thumb grazed the other before giving it a tug.

Catherine's head tilted back as she closed her eyes.

“Keep your eyes open. I want to see you,” he whispered. His hands tugged on the drawstring, loosening the waist of her pants. He pulled her body closer to the edge of the island as he kissed her. His fingers slid under the material, making way for his hands to squeeze the cheeks of her ass. Pulling the garment below her bottom, he whispered against her lips.

“Hang on to me.”

Catherine’s arms encircled his neck as he lifted her high enough to pull the pajamas under her butt. Setting her back on the edge, he leaned over to pull the pants off. When he raised his head, he plundered her mouth. A hand went to her chest beneath the collarbone. He slowly pushed her back until she lay on the hard top.

Grabbing her ankles, he adjusted them on the edge. Catherine's legs clamped shut despite the fact he smelled her arousal. A growl emitted from Leo to warn her as he separated her knees. Glancing behind him, he found the kitchen stool under the bar and slid it toward him.

Making himself comfortable, he massaged her thighs and kissed her calves until she parted them wider for him. His caresses became more demanding and urgent, and he hadn't even touched the prize hidden at her core. She lay before him with her knees splayed outward, giving him a pretty view. He took his time getting acquainted with her center. His fingers parted the glistening folds, and his thumb scraped against her clit.

“Leo,” Catherine whispered breathlessly.

“I'm taking my time, Kit Kat. Tonight, this is mine, and I plan to see every part of you and get my fill. Don't rush me, or I'll edge you all night long, baby,” Leo warned her as his finger slid into her, causing her hips to come off the counter.

Catherine whimpered in protest but wisely kept her legs open to him. Whether or not she wanted to admit it, her body remembered him.

A second finger joined the first and began a rhythm. In and out, Leo's thumb glided over her clit and lingered before he changed tactics. He looked at her face closely and demanded she watch him.

Leo's senses sharpened. The quiet in the house seemed deafening. The old wooden clock ticked steadily, the refrigerator quietly hummed, and he sat on a stool, fingering Catherine to his heart's content. His fingers slicked in her juices. He brought them to his mouth and sucked them clean as he witnessed Catherine’s eyes widen and turn darker green. Leo lowered his mouth and let his breath linger on her. She began to squirm in frustration yet remained quiet.

His tongue glided over the top of her pussy and lingered at the protruding nub. Catherine sucked in a breath, and her legs began to clamp around his head. He leaned forward as his arms wound around her legs, locking her in place.

Catherine bucked as the orgasm steamrolled over her. Leo kicked back the stool as he stood, and both cringed as the metal seat toppled and loudly clanged to the floor. Neither moved as they strained to hear any noise coming from the girls' room.

A minute later, two little voices sounded from behind the girls’ bedroom door. Leo groaned his frustration as he grabbed Catherine by the waist and set her on the floor. Tossing clothes in her direction, he grabbed a paper towel to wipe his face and washed his hands. Leo stepped around the kitchen counter to distract the girls while Catherine frantically pulled her clothes on.

It was a very long night.

A bolt of lightning and the crash of thunder jolted him from the memory. When did his feisty Catherine become insecure about her body? It felt more than insecurity. Sighing, Leo wrote on another sticky note and added it to the pile. His gut churned as he worried if Ash caused the shift in Catherine’s view of herself. His jaw firmed as he thought of the implications of how it happened. If he guessed correctly, Ash managed to control Catherine to return to him again. He knew her enough to know she wouldn’t jeopardize Melody’s safety. What did Ash have that meant that much to Catherine?

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Two days later, Catherine checked her phone as she walked down the hall to the childcare room. With a half-hour break before rounds she wanted to check on Melody before she grabbed a quick bite to eat. Leo left three voicemails asking her to call him. The first one seemed pleasant enough with “Hello Catherine, it's Leo. We need to talk.” The second one followed four hours later, “Catherine, It's Leo, call me back.” The third one followed with a not-so-lovely message, “Damn it, Catherine, call me back. It's Leo.” He growled out as if she didn't recognize his voice.

She couldn't bring herself to dial his number. She planned on leaving in three days, and if she listened to his voice, she might have second thoughts. She didn't deny she constantly dreamed about the night he made her feel like a woman again. She missed how his arms made her feel safe and loved. The way his voice lowered when he seduced her. The vulnerability in his eyes as he gazed into hers to gauge whether she felt the same way. If he only knew how she felt…

A familiar flash of red hair disappeared around the corner as Catherine entered the hallway. Catherine’s pace picked up as she headed in the same direction. When she got closer, Catherine confirmed it was Kassie. She ambled down the hall, oblivious to the people in the hallway. Catherine knew her best friend enough to realize something was very wrong. Before she caught herself, she yelled, “Kassie.”

Kassie continued to walk.

“Kassie.” Catherine called out again. People stopped to stare as she began to jog toward her friend. No ex-friend, Catherine reminded herself.

---