[right][sub][color=lightgray][i]Part 3 out of 3[/i]
Timestamp: After Lighthouse Part 2[/color]
[@BrutalBx] & [@LovelyComplex][/sub][/right]
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[img]https://i.imgur.com/O0L8hvt.png[/img]
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[color=lightgray][indent][indent]The next morning, the rookie officer had tried to remain as quiet as possible so as to not disturb the sleeping beauty in his bed. With Gallows “Deep Waters” playing softly on his phone, Clay had bacon on the hob, eggs ready to go and a few other bits and pieces all cooked for a belly timber breakfast. No doubt, Cat would need to fill her stomach after the previous night and he himself had a big shift so he needed his sustenance. 

In another world, this would be Clay’s ideal situation. Making breakfast for Cat after passionate nights together. Instead, she fell asleep in his arms on the couch and he carried her to his bed. He sat awake, just watching her for a while to make sure she didn’t throw up. Once he was sure she was ok, Clay went back to the couch and read a book! Ky and Wes rubbing off on him something fierce. He hadn’t slept at all save an hour or two.

At 7am on the dot, Caterina with her wild bed hair searched around with her hand for her phone. She was lying on her stomach. When she couldn’t find it, she pushed herself so that she was on her knees, only to be rewarded with a pounding headache, [color=9f1b3e]“Shit,”[/color] She muttered. While rubbing the sleep off her face with her right arm she stretched her body, her left arm rising high in the air. When she opened her eyes she realized she was not in her bedroom. Scanning around, she processed her surroundings and then the flood of memories started crashing into her, turning her foggy brain to wide awake and alert. [color=9f1b3e]“SHIT,”[/color] she repeated. 

Although she did feel dizzy spells she needed to get out of Clay’s apartment fast. What if people saw them together? What would her father think if he found out she was at his apartment?! No one even knew about the divorce yet! Rolling off the bed rather ungracefully, crashing onto the floor, she found her dress and her clutch. Her clutch. Her phone. HER CHILDREN! Rushing for her purse she pulled out her phone only to be blinded by the light, [color=9f1b3e]“Fuck me.”[/color] Why were hangovers so brutal? Reviewing her messages, she saw a bunch of spam from Brooke asking how her night went with that fine piece of ass. Cat ignored her friend and searched for her sister’s number. Once she found Nina, she dialed and waited. As she waited, putting Nina on speaker and throwing the phone on the bed, she started stripping so that she could put her nude plunge bra and dress back on.

[color=c13637]“Hey Cat!”[/color] Her sister chirped. She was such a goddamn morning person.

[color=9f1b3e]“Sorry I didn’t come by when I said I would, I got lost track of time. Thank you so much for watching the kids, I’ll be there soon, okay?[/color]” Where the hell was her bra?! Caterina searched around in with an aggressive and frantic urgency.

[color=c13637]“No, no, don’t worry about it! Dads actually going to take care of Palermo for the next few days and I was thinking about gallivanting off with the kids to Cape Cod for the rest of the week. Take them to Water Wizz!”[/color] Nina happily cheered, honestly looking forward to a break away from Edenridge, [color=c13637]“I know you’re going through a lot right now so it might be just what you need. A break.”[/color]

Huh. Maybe her sister knew about the divorce. Would make sense if Sofia told her now that she thought about it. Oh there it was. Grabbing her bra off Clay’s office chair, she started putting it on, [color=9f1b3e]“That’s really sweet of you, Beanie. Like you’re a fucking life savor. What time are you leaving? I can stop by with packed bags for them.”[/color]

Clay had managed to plate up two full plates of a night greasy breakfast of bacon, sausage, egg, beans and some black pudding. His family was Irish and one of the few things he enjoyed of his heritage were the traditional All Day Breakfast. He reached into the fridge and pulled out two small cans and placed them next to the food. Mango, Pineapple and Cayenne Pepper juice. It was the perfect blend when mixed with the greasy spoon special to sort out any hangover his houseguest had.

He could hear some shuffling coming from the bedroom and a smile crossed his face. She was awake, good. That would stop Cat getting pissed when Clay went in to wake her up. If there was one thing he had learned from his many lovers, it was never wake a woman when she wasn’t ready. He turned down the music, having heard enough of his fathers band to last a lifetime and made his way towards the bedroom door.

Pausing for a second, he could hear muffled voices. It was Cat on the phone. Sounded like Nina. Clay had come to know all the Belmontes over the years, perks of being neighbors and family friends. He opened up the door with the intention of silently motioning for food so as to not disturb the call but when the door crept opened the loudest sound came from his jaw hitting the floor.

There in all her glory was Cat, wearing nothing but her underwear, a plunging nude bra that accentuated her assets. Clay didn’t know where to look or whether he was to stop looking. All he knew was that her body was still as amazing as it was when he saw in that bikini so many summers past. 

[color=BCDD81]“Wow.”[/color]

[color=c13637]“Are you with someone?”[/color] Nina asked as baby noises were heard on her end. She was likely nursing Angelina. Her question wasn’t anything like prying, just curious because she heard a noise. Nina wasn’t the nosy type - she was more a worrywart if anything. 

[color=9f1b3e]“No! No. That might’ve been the tv..”[/color] Cat grabbed one of Clay’s pillows and darted it at him to get out. [color=9f1b3e]“..still on. Or my stomach. Man, I’m so famished. Anyways, how are the kids?”[/color] She snapped at the door still seeing a dumbfounded Clay. He’s seen her in a bikini before. It’s not like he hasn’t seen her body.

[color=c13637]“We had a movie marathon night with the projector under the stars, we watched the Goofy movie, Toy Story, some great classics. I think they all needed cousin time. There was chatting and playing but nothing out of the norm.”[/color]

Clay batted the deadly flying pillow away like he was swatting a fly. He stared at her for a few moments longer, probably too long. [color=BCDD81]“Oh yeah, I’ll, yeah.”[/color] He reached forward and closed the bedroom door back over again. He picked up the pillow and tossed it onto the couch as he made his way back to the kitchen, leaning down on the counter top. 

This was crazy. This was a crazy situation. He looked very at the photo of the basketball squad and all of their shit eating grins, including Clay’s own. [color=BCDD81]“Don’t fucking look at me like that. Get a haircut, all of you. Not you Clayton, your hair is pretty.”[/color] He turned back to look at the door again; on the other side of it was his half naked dream girl who he kissed the night before, he kissed Cat.

Holy shit. 

After five minutes, the phone call did come to an end, Cat had put the white dress back on, tried to tame her wild hair down, and used the water by Clay’s bedside and the small toothbrush and toothpaste in her purse to brush her teeth (minimal spitting went inside the cup of water). Following that, she texted the young lad to not come into work until ten. There was no way in hell she’d have the Godmother open for eight. It’s okay though. They know she has a life and she’s a mother so there’s times the Godmother just won’t be open, randomly and out of the blue. She had a loyal clientele that loved her sandwiches. Like the boy in the room over. He supported her more than anyone else.

[color=9f1b3e]“Shit,”[/color] She looked at herself in the mirror, repeating her current mantra. This is really happening right now. She was losing control over herself and her life, and now she was spending the night at Clayton Costigan’s apartment! And they… turning away from the mirror, having thought about her and him… him and her… she fanned her face. 

Nope! 

That was just an in the moment thing. It was a mistake and wasn’t supposed to happen but since it did, it’s okay. There was no point in making it a big deal. They kissed. So what? He kisses any woman he gets the chance to. It wasn’t like she was special. And like he said, he didn’t have love in his life! This was exactly how she was when she was his age. No hard feelings. If she was in the same position as him, she would’ve done the same. Have you seen her? She was fucking hot. She knew it. He knew it. Those sparks? That electricity? The fire between them? That was nothing. There was nothing there. They had a good time last night. That’s all it was a good time. 

Spending another five minutes mentally preparing herself for her day, Cat started making Clay’s bed and cleaning up after herself. He did her a favor taking care of her so the least she could do was not leave his room a mess. Making the bed turned into her cleaning up all other areas in his room. Another ten minutes passed before she was satisfied. Wiping her hands together, having emptied his basket filled with clean clothes, folded his clothes in the neatest ways, hanging up his more dress-like attire, putting the rest on his bed for him to put away, making sure there wasn’t garbage around like her beer from last night, and bringing light into the dark room, Cat came out of the room with her toothpaste water cup and his small garbage bag (that was in a garbage bin by his desk). [color=9f1b3e]“Where’s your trash?”[/color] She asked as she entered the room. [color=9f1b3e]“Sorry, the food’s probably cold now.”[/color]

Through the gap in the door he could see just how clean his room now was. It wasn’t even that clean when he moved in! Cat had gone over and above and he appreciated it. He walked from behind the counter and made his way over to Cat. Clay reached down and took the garbage bag from her, their fingers grazing lightly during the switch. [color=BCDD81]“I’ll throw this out, thanks for that. Why don’t you grab some food? It’s still warm.”[/color] He turned and made his way out of the front door and dropped the bag into the trash. The fresh air coming in from the open door aired out the apartment quite well. 

When he walked away, Cat closed the hand he touched, putting it behind her back, trying to not think too deeply of such a small thing. They’ve hugged before. They’ve talked in close proximity before. Why did something like that feel [i]different[/i]? Focus, Cat. If she could mask her emotions in highschool, she sure as hell could do it right now. There was [i]nothing[/i] there. While she waited she brought her glass to the sink, rinsed it, and placed it down, deciding to wash it after she eats and makes more dishes. Yes, her clutch was still in the bedroom but she had time and good smelling food to eat.

Once the air had made its way inside, Clay closed the door over and made his way back into the kitchen. [color=BCDD81]“How are you feeling?”[/color]

[color=9f1b3e]“Shitty,”[/color] was Cat’s immediate response before adding, [color=9f1b3e]“But your food should do just the trick,”[/color] Cat grabbed her prepared plate and the fork beside it. Standing up and eating, she decided to use this chance to look at the rest of his apartment. It was… barren. To say the least. No color and barely any aesthetic.

Well, it made sense since he worked ridiculous amounts of hours but it also made her sad because it was kind of lackluster, lonely, and lifeless. To her, making a place feel like home was so crucial to feel okay with oneself. At least for her, the more she made a place feel hers, the better her mental health was. The one thing that stood out for her was the photo of him and his friends. Bringing her attention to it, she looked at all the faces, first her eyes falling on David, causing her to frown not out of dislike but out of sadness. Her gaze then fell on Clay and she smirked, [color=9f1b3e]“You haven’t aged a bit.”[/color]

[color=BCDD81]“I think I look a little more distinguished.”[/color] Clay stood on the other side of the kitchen island, facing Cat as she ate her breakfast. He took a fork and began to dig into his own. [color=BCDD81]“My hair got bigger,”[/color] He smiled to himself as they ate together, like a couple preparing for their day. This was a strange feeling. There was a warmth in his chest and it wasn’t just because of the hot food. He looked at Cat and he couldn’t help it; the way he felt. Even putting food into her mouth, she still took his breath away. [color=BCDD81]“How is your breakfast?”[/color]

Taking another bite out of it, already feeling her hangover getting better, slowly but surely, she gave a flirtatious smile, completely innocent and no motive at all, [color=9f1b3e]“Well you know what they say,”[/color] she swallowed her food, fixing her hazel eyes onto him, [color=9f1b3e]“Clay Costigan always springs for breakfast.”[/color] 

Such a silly catchphrase he had that she found adorable. There were little things he did that were so unique and so him, like speaking in third person from time to time. Now he would know that she paid attention to him. It was a small way to show she adored him without having to admit it, [color=9f1b3e]“It’s good, idiot. Thank you.”[/color]

Hearing someone else use his line would probably be laughable but coming out of Cat’s perfect mouth it was quite possibly the sexiest thing Clay had ever heard; even if it did end with her calling him an idiot. [color=BCDD81]“Anytime.”[/color] 

Their faces were close together again as they ate. She was sober now so there was no moral dilemma, at least for him. He could kiss those perfect lips again and not feel guilty or ashamed and she could do as she wanted. She could kiss him back, his preferred outcome or she could say no and that the previous night was a drunken mistake. If it was the latter he could live with it but he of course wouldn’t be happy. He didn’t know whether to breach the subject or not. She seemed happy, he didn’t want to ruin that.

[color=BCDD81]“You want me to take you dancing sometime?”[/color]

Looking up from her plate, she blinked in response, trying to decide if she should say yes or no. There was part of her that wanted to straight out refuse because of how last night transpired. Cat knew if she said yes, things could get dangerous. Very, very dangerous, like sailing in a god awful storm, barely able to see what’s ahead. She didn’t know how to respond. She was still married but that would end without a hitch. She’d make sure of it. What she did know was she had a lot of fun and maybe it was okay to give into temptation? 

It wasn’t like what they had was anything serious. It was all fun and games. Regardless, whichever way she did answer, she had to say it with confidence and not show the conflict in her mind. [color=9f1b3e]“Sure,”[/color] she shrugged, thinking it would be nice to have something to look forward to, [color=9f1b3e]“But we may not be able to go to the Afterlife for a while,”[/color] she chuckled at the thought. Oops, she almost killed a bitch. After moving her verbal chess piece, to survey his intentions, Cat took another bite of the delectable food. It was his move. Was he going to treat her just like every other girl? Or was there something else there?

Clay smiled. This was almost everything he wanted. [color=BCDD81]“I know a lot of places we could go. It’s a date.”[/color] The fact that she said yes, meant she was seeing him. For the first time she was really seeing him. 

Bam. 

There it was, that pesky moral compass again. He had to ask her, they had to talk about it surely. They kissed and he couldn’t have been the only one that felt that electricity every time their bodies touched in any way. There was a fire, a desire, God he wanted it again.

[color=BCDD81]“Do you wanna talk about last night?”[/color]

Placing her plate down, finished with her food, Caterina raised an eyebrow, [color=9f1b3e]“What’s there to talk about?”[/color] The best course of action was to not get his hopes up. This was the right thing to do because whatever last night was, was nothing special. [color=9f1b3e]“I was drunk, you took care of me, we had a little fun and we kissed.”[/color] She shrugged and started cleaning up the dishes. [color=9f1b3e]“I appreciate the company, Clay, and I’m not going to judge your lifestyle. If anything, I was just like you! I can get down with a casual thing, so don't worry your little head off. We will keep things sweet and simple.”[/color] 

Looking away from him, she focused on scrubbing her plate with a sponge and soap, never dropping the facade. Confidence was key. [color=9f1b3e]“Just let me know when you can fit me in! I’m sure other women want your attention, you can’t leave them lonesome. Like Vanessa, I’m sure she’d love to see your face.”[/color] The more she said all this, the more her chest hurt. This was a sensation she wasn’t used to, at least not since her break up with her highschool sweetheart. Even then this felt worse. That was neither here nor there and as such, she proceeded to rinse the plate.

There it was. Sweet and simple. Two words that Clay had been described as far too many times. He didn’t want that with Cat; he always wanted more. She was acting like he managed his love life using an Outlook calendar. He did get around and he did so with a handful of her friends but they offered him something in return; for the not too brief moments he was with them, he felt that one thing that had always eluded him; Clay felt wanted. The problem was, what he really wanted was to be wanted by Cat.

Pulling himself up from the island top, he turned to look at her again. That white dress of hers was like a beacon, calling to him. He hadn’t given up for years and he certainly wasn’t going to now. Last night was not his only chance, just his first. He walked up behind the lady as she did the dishes and put his hands on her shoulders, letting his fingers trace down her arms almost as if they were dancing again. [color=BCDD81]“My schedule will always be open for you, Miss Belmonte,”[/color] Clay spoke into her ear with a hushed voice. [color=BCDD81]“I’m the guy for you. Put that under my name in your schedule.”[/color]

Fuck. 

What was he up to? What was he trying to do to her? Who the hell was this person? She knew about Clay’s reputation. Of course she did, but his seductive charm was never directed to her this intensely, if at all. He was always so good at setting boundaries or maybe that was all her because up until yesterday she saw him as kid Clay and not man Clay. Or maybe she did see him as a man but chose to be oblivious on purpose? Goodness, he had her head all messed up not knowing what to think. Her body was heated and this, and him, were so hot she could feel a yearning, a craving, running through her veins and pulsating through her. It wasn’t like she could escape easily either. He was right behind her. His hot breath causing a tingly ache inside her. This wasn’t right. Right? Her and him? 

Impulsively, after turning off the sink, she turned around with her wet hands, just choosing to act in the moment and stop thinking, [color=9f1b3e]“First of all, ew, don’t call me Miss Belmonte, you always call me Kitty,”[/color] her wet hands rested on his chest. She should push him away, she really should. If they went further, would she be any better than her husband? They were getting a divorce… so that was a good thing, but it still needed to be finalized. 

Morals, what were morals? 

[color=9f1b3e]“Secondly, what the fuck, Clay?”[/color] Her mind was hella’ fuzzy and all she could do was look at him, hearing her heartbeat through her eardrums, [color=9f1b3e]“… this… it’s just an infatuation…”[/color] she breathed, as she got lost in his strikingly intense gaze. At this point, her mask had dropped and it was clear Cat was trying to convince herself to not give in. She had a strong will and yet when she was with him, now in this moment, it was so hard to walk away. All she wanted to do was stay. This was bad as she found herself unable to move. For once, Cat Belmonte [i]wanted[/i] something for herself and was getting hooked on a feeling. She didn’t want to lose him.

[color=BCDD81]“Uh huh,”[/color] Clay placed his hands onto her hips and pulled her slowly even closer to him. [color=BCDD81]“Infatuation.”[/color] He kissed her, God he kissed her properly. He kissed her the way that she had deserved all that time. Yet in his mind and his heart he knew, she wasn’t sure, there was a part of her holding it all back. He could see it in Cat’s eyes the moment before the lips met. He pulled away and took a step back away from her, allowing the woman’s body space to breathe. [color=BCDD81]“I know it’s a lot, so I’ll wait. I’ve been waiting and I can carry on. When you’re sure of what you want, you know where I am. Until then, I’ll just be your favorite customer and maybe your friend too? If that’s what you want.”[/color]

There it was again. A kiss. This time not when she was falling apart and drunk. This time when first thing in the morning like a husband did before he left for work. This time when all she could do was see him. This time when they were alone in an apartment. His apartment. 

Caterina was the most vulnerable she had ever felt during a kiss. None of her exes, not even Dexter, her highschool sweetheart, made her feel this way. It was so real and yet underneath it all, their primal desire hid behind the bushes, waiting to pounce. How could she think about what she wanted when all she could think about was those lips? A customer? A friend? Clay, can’t you see it’s way past that point? Past the point of no return. All he was doing was making it harder for her to think. 

Fuck it. 

Cat pushed him against the counter, [color=9f1b3e]“You can’t say that after you just kissed me, Clayton.”[/color] Her sharp eyes caught his, as she took on how handsome he was and that look, that stare, that smile got into her bones. How he made her shiver. She was repressed and he was toying with her! She was Caterina Belmonte and he was outdoing her in her own thing. Leaning against him, pressing her chest against his, she ran her hand through his hair and grabbed onto him bringing his head down so she could reach his lips. If he was going to kiss her, at least give her more than a few seconds. 

There was no teasing anymore. No tracing of the lips and all innocence went right out the door. Rapidly her heart beat, as she gave him a long, hot-blooded caress. Emitting from her was raging passion, uncontainable desperation, and decidedly unvirginal eagerness. 

Instead of him leading, like he had done in the Bacheta, it was her turn to kiss him like he wanted to be kissed. A different kind of dance. A dance between lovers and their lips. This gesture, sensual and outrageous, her whole body in motion with his, was to show him that all she needed to know was that he wanted her, truly wanted her, and if his intentions were pure and true, she would give him a chance. There was no battle in their lips. There was no war in how they felt. She saw him clear as day and he saw her. Although she wondered, did he see how imperfect she was? Did he care?

All she ever wanted in life was to seek union and closeness. One breath, one sensation, one fucking heated moment that could last forever. Timelessness like the still sea at night, coated by the luminous stars. The heat rose in her cheeks and before she freed him, she bit his bottom lip. Pulling her head away, she sassily and adorably scrunched her nose, [color=9f1b3e]“If you’re going to kiss me, I need you to put a little more effort into it,”[/color] she cheesily grinned, deciding for once it was time to not think about anyone else but herself. She may not know the future, but the present was pretty fucking hot right now. If she was his lighthouse, then he needed to show just that. How much she meant to him,

What does the boy who has everything say?

Cat was in Clay’s arms, willingly offering herself to him as he had offered himself to her. He knew in his heart of hearts that in her arms was where he was supposed to be. He had known that for his entire life. Now here they were, together locked in the fiery embrace of a passion unleashed. He couldn’t help but smile as she teased him with her words. This was the Kitty Cat he had known. This was the girl he saw on that boat. The real one. 

[color=BCDD81]“I can do that.”[/color]

He leaned in and took her lips between his and raising her ever so slightly off of the ground in his arms. She was as light as a feather. This caused the woman to chuckle as they kissed, clearly surprised at how fast he moved her. He pressed her body against the fridge, his hands wandering below her skirt and picking her leg up to wrap around him. 

Dominated and handled in ways that would make a good girl go bad, Cat surrendered herself to this man that quite literally swept her off her feet. She could feel him, all of him, and she wanted more. This was something unprecedented to her but now that she had a taste, she knew she would never go back.

Clay had dreamed of this moment. With every taste of her skin, from her lips down her neck and shoulders, he could feel the fire growing more out of control. The waves were crashing down in his mind like a tsunami but that didn’t matter. None of it mattered. The only thing that did was her. Clay’s hand came to rest upon her throat and he gazed into her eyes one more time. This is what it looked like. To be wanted.

And when the moaning started coming out, she said the three words he so desperately needed to hear, in that smoky, fine like wine voice:

[color=9f1b3e]“I want you.”[/color] 

[color=BCDD81]“God, I want you too.”[/color]

Clay let out almost a giggle as his elation reared its head. He resumed kissing his lady, with his hands reaching her shoulders and sliding off her white dress. Instantly and fervently, she reached up and took his shirt off wanting to see all of him, like he saw all of her. Once all the clothes were off, she dug her nails deeply into his chest as he grabbed her from her bum and lifted her up. Like a cue on the dance floor, she tightly wrapped her legs around him, with a little assistance from him. They didn’t even manage to get beyond the couch before they were on the floor, tearing at each other, exploring each other, wanting each other.

Finally, his lighthouse had guided him home.
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