Whisper Destiny

Chapter 36

~ Natasha ~

I've been sitting on the bed for what feels like an eternity, too shocked and speechless to do anything. My heart still pounds furiously, each beat a reminder of our encounter that just transpired.

By now, I can't deny that Catherine is attractive. She possesses an allure that turns heads effortlessly, whether she's strolling through a crowded room or simply passing by. Her presence commands attention, drawing the eyes of both men and women with equal fervor.

As a woman, I can appreciate another women's beauty when I see one. Yet, it had never crossed my mind before to think them — in a sexual way. With Catherine, the vibes are different. There's an undeniable pull towards her, like a magnet drawing me in with an irresistible force. Previously, I never paid her enough attention to realize just how attractive she truly is. But now, being in her presence constantly, even though it's not by choice, I can no longer lie to myself.

And tonight, when I saw her at the mini bar in our hotel room, drinking alone and dressed only in a sexy corset, I was rendered speechless. My mind spun in a dizzying whirl of thoughts. She looked absolutely stunning; the thin fabric of her corset clung to her, revealing the toned expanse of her stomach. It ignited a desire within me that had lain dormant since Nick.

As Catherine walked slowly to me, closing the distance between us, my heart raced with a mix of excitement and anticipation. Each step she took was deliberate, as if she were trying to figure out what was about to unfold between us. The air grew thick with tension, every second stretching out endlessly.

When she finally stood before me and asked if I wanted her to stop, I was taken aback. The words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken possibilities. But deep down, I knew I didn't want her to stop. Her courtesy in seeking my permission intensified the want that had been building inside me. It was a gesture that made me feel important, desired.

I touch my lips, the taste of her still lingering—a mix of whiskey and something sweet. The intimate moment floods back unbidden, vivid and consuming. Her lips had been incredibly soft, softer than anyone I've ever kissed. At first, I was too stunned to react, my mind racing with thoughts of pushing her away. But eventually, I surrendered to her, my desire was too strong for me to fight.

As the kiss deepened, I lost the internal battle to resist her anymore, succumbing to the overwhelming sensations. It felt incredibly intimate, a connection I didn't want to end. Each movement of her lips, each touch, sent shivers down my spine, drawing me further into her control.

But then, reality hit me like a cold splash of water. With a surge of conflicted emotions, I pushed her away and slapped her hard. The sting on my hand was a proved of how hard I had slapped her.

Thinking back on my actions, I realize I might have overreacted. She did ask for my consent before the kiss, and for god sake, I kissed her back. A wave of guilt washes over me, but my ego keeps me from apologizing.

I released a deep sighed. As the night wore on, I concluded that this was just a spur-of-the-moment lapse, influenced by my long sexual drought. I convinced myself that my attraction was merely a fleeting reaction to unmet needs. I still harbored resentment toward her, and I was determined to ensure it wouldn't happen again. I made a mental note to have a clear and firm conversation with Catherine tomorrow.

I didn't realize when I finally drifted off to sleep, but the intimate moments between us kept replaying in my mind. Her touch, her taste, the way she made me feel—it all lingered, weaving through my thoughts unconsciously. The echoes of our kiss haunted my sleep, leaving me restless and yearning despite my efforts to suppress the memory.

******

"Good morning, Nat," Louisa's voice rang out as I stepped from my room, its playful lilt cutting through the stillness of the morning. The sight of Catherine, however, was notably absent.

"Morning, Louisa," I replied, trying to mask the curiosity inside me. Louisa, ever perceptive, addressed my unspoken question with a casual grace.

"She's in the conference room downstairs with Archer. An emergency from Headquarters needed her immediate attention."

I nodded, absorbing the information without further comment. Over the past week, Catherine and I had settled into a routine. Mornings were spent sharing breakfast in our hotel room. Even when silence stretched between us, the air was filled with an unspoken understanding. We would often be absorbed in our own worlds, eyes glued to our phones or tablets, fingers tapping out responses to emails or scrolling through newsfeeds. She would proceed with her schedule afterward, or sometimes, if our schedules aligned, we would leave the hotel room together.

Today, I suspected she was trying to ignore me. But I didn't care, and perhaps it was for the best.

"Here you go, your coffee. Just the way you like it," Louisa's voice pulled me from my thoughts.

I raised my eyebrows at the steaming cup of coffee placed before me, surprised that Louisa knew how I liked my coffee.

"Don't look at me like I can read your mind, Nat. I would never know how you like your coffee. This is all Cate's doing. She precisely informed me this morning on how to make it for you," Louisa revealed with a smirk.

I was stunned by the revelation. As I took a sip, I realized that for the past weeks, my morning coffee had been exactly the way I liked it. So, all of that was because of Catherine. A warm feeling surged through me. Even with Nick, who had always seemed so observant—though in hindsight, perhaps faking it—he never got my coffee quite right. But Catherine...

I quickly brushed the thought aside, unwilling to let it linger.

"Thank you." I took a sip of my coffee and let out a satisfied moan. The rich aroma and the familiar taste worked their magic, making everything seem better. The caffeine did wonders for my mood.

"Do you always do that when you have your coffee? Especially with Cate?" Louisa asked, her face alight with amusement.

"What do you mean?" I asked, taking another sip from my cup.

"That satisfied moan. No wonder, recently Cate always wants to be near you," Louisa said, her tone teasing.

I didn't take her comment seriously, knowing she shared the same unfiltered character as Chase.

"Oh, shut up, Lou. You know Catherine better. Even if I stood naked in front of her and she had her tablet, she'd choose her tablet," I replied with the same teasing tone, feeling comfortable to joke around her.

Louisa laughed hard, her laughter ringing out freely. I enjoyed being around her to be honest. Sometimes, I wondered how she and Catherine could be best friends, given their totally opposite personalities.

"Yeah, you might be right. She loves her job too much. But I think she's started to like having you around," Louisa commented further, but I let it go. Our conversation flowed effortlessly until it was time for me to get ready for the final meeting with Antoine, the owner of Franc D'Larc, and the team. The acquisition meetings had gone well so far, and if today's meeting went as planned, it would be ours.