Thankfully, the rehearsal dinner was over. Catherine was in the car with Daniel headed back to her house, and she could feel the tension radiating from him.
Do I ask him what's wrong or do I just act as if I don't notice?
The inner battle with her conscious played over and over. Finally, she decided to just get on with it and ask. She settled her hand on top of his, "Something wrong?"
When he ignored her question and didn't respond, Catherine felt that feeling of dread for things lost settle in the pit of her stomach. She reminded herself,
I did this; can't blame him at all for having enough and walking away.
Feeling dejected and hurt, even though it was no one's fault but her own, she removed her hand and looked out her window. They were pulling into her driveway and that feeling only continued to worsen when she realized he was not going to turn off the engine and come inside. Valiantly she reminded herself,
I didn't ask for this, anyway! I don't need him or anyone!
Without speaking or even glancing toward Daniel, she opened the car door and slid out of the seat. Opening her purse, she noticed how her hands shook as she tried to find her keys. Once she had her keys in her hand, she made it to the door and unlocked it. All the while wondering why Daniel's reaction to her bothered her at all.
I don't want a relationship, been there done that. Got the scars to prove it,
she thought to herself.
Catherine didn't bother closing the front door, she just wanted to go change her clothes and head out to the club where the bachelorette party would be.
There's always tomorrow to worry about how you messed up today,
she told herself.
She walked to her closet and grabbed a royal blue shimmering silk top with a deep scoop neck, it showed a little of her stomach, but she wanted to at least attempt to look sexy tonight. Catherine decided to pair it with a pair of white silk draw string pants that hung low on her hips. After she changed her clothes, she grabbed a pair of heels that she had bought on impulse. They were white three-inch sling backs with an open toe.
As she turned around she almost jumped out of her skin. Daniel was sitting on her bed and she hadn't even heard him come in the house!
She put her hands on her hips, "What are you doing in here, Daniel?"
"I'm enjoying the show."
They looked at each other, but neither offered to say a word. Catherine could feel her nipples pebble under her shirt, and willed her reaction to him to just go away. She walked into the bathroom and primped with her hair and make-up, meanwhile hoping he'd leave in one breath and hoping he'd stay the next. After she spent entirely too much time in there, she slowly made her way to her bedroom.
Daniel was still sitting on her bed and he looked upset, but she refused to ask him what was wrong again. Ignoring him, she left the room and went to the kitchen. She grabbed a bottle of wine and was about to insert the cork screw when he reached for it. Catherine decided to grab a couple of glasses and to continue to ignore him as much as possible.
Once he had the wine opened, she handed him the glasses in silence. Daniel poured the wine and stared at her. She told herself,
I can't do this. I don't want to want him.
Grabbing her glass of wine, she walked out of the room and stared out the front door. Catherine heard him walk up behind her and she could feel his heat, even though he wasn't touching her.
She sipped her wine wondering what to do or say when she felt his hands slide around her waist. Feeling his slightly roughened hands touch her bare stomach caused her to suck in a deep breath. It felt as if his body heat was being absorbed into her. To keep from making any noise she bit her bottom lip.
"Do you have to go to the bachelorette party?"
His raspy voice sent goose bumps across her skin, "Yes. She's my sister, Daniel."
"Can I take you and pick you up afterwards?"
"No. That makes no sense. I may want to stay late or leave early."
He growled, "All you have to do is call me to come get you when you are ready."
"If I drink too much tonight, I'll call a cab. Don't worry about me. Besides, don't you have to go to the bachelor party?"
Catherine was trying to step out of his arms, but he pulled her flush against him. She felt his lips kiss the nape of her neck and trembled. When his teeth grazed her neck as well, she couldn't stop the moan that escaped her lips.
Daniel whispered against her ear, "I would rather stay here with you tonight."
"Don't say that," she groaned.
He nibbled on her ear lobe, "Don't tell you how hard I am for you? Don't tell you how I want you more than I want my next breath? Don't tell you that I know you want me just as much?"
