While the summer had been most enjoyable, Garrett was not sorry to be returning to school. He'd had a perfectly lovely holiday, of course, but there was much to look forward to in his junior year.
There had much to prepare for, as well. This term, rather than live in a regular dorm, Garrett would be sharing a suite with his betrothed. It was an important step in the preparation for their life together and while Garrett didn't believe in true love or any of that other foolish nonsense some subscribed to, he recognized it as an opportunity to make sure their cohabitation began on the proper footing.
The arrangements began well in advance. He'd spend a part of the summer corresponding with Katherine's parents as well as seeking guidance from his father and grandfather. In the end, it wasn't a grand gesture he chose, but the simple act of preparing an intimate breakfast on the first morning of the term.
Garrett had not, of course, actually cooked the meal himself. He had made the appropriate calls, however, arranging to have the food brought to him before she would wake. By the time Katherine had finished getting ready for the day, he would have a breakfast that featured some of her favorite foods laid out and ready for them.
"How did you sleep?" he inquired from his seat at the table as if there was nothing out of the ordinary. He stood and moved to pull out the other chair, indicating that she should sit. "I thought this would be nicer than being forced to dine with the masses," he added, preemptively explaining the intimate breakfast laid out in front of them.
Katherine hated feeling as though she was unprepared. Unfortunately, that was exactly how she felt as she exited her bedroom.
As trite as it may sound, she ate a certain meal on the first day of every school year. Her mother had started the tradition when she was a child, and she had continued it. This year, though, she had been a little stressed when she was making her preparations and had forgotten to pack that meal.
Prepared to dine in the dining hall with her classmates, she pulled her bag over her shoulder and headed for the door. Her steps faultered when she found that her betrothed was waiting for her, though.
"Well," she answered almost hesitantly. "Thank you." Her gaze moved over the meal he had prepared for them. It was an array of some of her favorite foods. She would have been surprised if he did not often know things she had not told him. "And yourself?"
After setting her bag on the sofa, she moved forward to take the chair he offered.
"Thank you," she murmured. "That was thoughtful of you."
This was not how she had planned to start her day, but he was right in thinking that it would be nicer than dining with the masses.
Garrett, had of course done his research. There was no need for Katherine to go without her traditional first day of school meal, because Garrett had spoken to her mother and made certain he had on hand everything she would want on this particular morning. Some might not see the value of such an effort, but Garrett felt that it was essential to beginning their cohabitation on the proper footing.
"I slept well," he assured her, a ghost of a smile playing about his lips as he waited for her to sit before before pushing her chair in for her. While the surge of triumph did not show in his expression when she thanked him, he felt certain that his attempts to start them off on the right foot this year were already beginning to be successful.
"How was your summer?" he inquired as he pulled a napkin into his lap and pulled some fresh fruit onto his plate. This was not mere pretense; Garrett was genuinely interested in how she had spent the holiday. Katherine was an excellent conversationalist and he found he nearly always looked forward to hearing what she had to say.
It had not escaped her attention, of course, that the meal she typically consumed on the first day of school was laid before her. She did not comment on that fact, though. As grateful as she was for the arrangements he had made, she did not want to praise him too much. After all, she held the opinion that his ego was large enough.
"Largely uneventful," she answered honestly as she opened her own napkin and draped it over her lap. Her posture was ridged as she pulled various piece of fresh fruit onto her plate, and it did not change when she took her first bite.
"As you know, my family vacationed in Europe," she continued once she had chewed and swallowed. "I spent a full month sightseeing. It was nice to be left to my own devices while my family visited the various things that interested them. How was your summer?"
Like Garrett, Katherine was not conversing with him because she felt obligated to do so. She would not admit it willingly, but he was one of the few people she enjoyed talking to.
Garrett did not need her praise to know that he had done well. He had followed everything exactly to the letter and he had become quite adept at reading the girl. It was obvious to him, even if it would not have been to anyone else, that she was pleased.
"We also spent some time in Europe," he answered her question with no hint of emotion in his tone or expression. "Much of it was spent in Italy, but we did venture to France for a week, as well - Grandfather had some business to attend to there and he permitted me to accompany him." It had been a lovely vacation and Garrett had enjoyed himself immensely, but of course he was not going to gush about it. That was not in his nature.
"I was able to acquire something I thought you might enjoy while I was there," he continued, reaching for the box he had hidden on the chair next to him. "I hope it was not too presumptuous of me, but I felt it was appropriate that I should give these to you."
He set the box on top of the table and gave it a gentle push across the surface toward Katherine, once again showing no hint of anxiety in his expression. He did not need to question whether or not she would like them. Garrett knew her well enough by now to anticipate her reaction.
Katherine and Garrett had not been required to spend time with one another during the break, but she had put forth the effort to communicate with him while they were away from school. As such, she was not terribly surprised when he told her that he had spent part of the summer in Europe. Rather than answering verbally, she merely nodded her head to show that she was listening.
She was listening, but a fair amount of her focus was on the food in front of them. He garnered her undivided attention when he set the gift on the table and slid it to her, though.
"That was thoughtful of you," she murmured for the second time since she had woken up.
After wiping her fingers on the napkin in her lap, she pulled the box closer and removed the lid. It was filled with chocolate.
"It was not presumptuous of you," she assured him after a moment. "Thank you."
Few people knew of her fondness for French chocolate, and until now, she had been certain that Garrett was not one of those people.
The corners of her mouth pulled into a very slight smile as she replaced the lid. She was not the type to gush over the gifts she received, but it was obvious that she was pleased.
Her attention quickly returned to the meal they were sharing. Most of the time, he was insufferable, and she had dreaded this domesticity. Right now, though, she could not help thinking that this was not as horrible as she had imagined.
"Tea?" she questioned as she lifted the pot from the table.
Garrett knew that Katherine was not completely ignorant to how he had spent their holiday away from school. They had, of course, corresponded throughout the summer. There were a few details he had not shared with her, though, and he took the opportunity to do so now, telling her of the various sights he had seen and conversing about the time he had spent in France with his grandfather.
To be truthful, he had not been certain of how his gift would be received. He did not know for a fact that Katherine would appreciate the chocolate. While he often made it a point to find out her desires and meet them, in this instance, he had merely made a lucky guess. Most women liked chocolate, after all. The chocolates he had carefully selected were also among his mother's favorites and he'd been hopeful that Katherine would be likewise appreciative.
"You are welcome," he murmured politely.
He did notice the slight smile and he took that as a confirmation that his gamble had paid off. It was plain that she was appreciative, even if she did not choose to make that obvious.
A slight smile graced his own lips and he nodded his head at her next question. "Yes, please," he said. A moment later, after she had poured the tea into his cup, he thanked her.
Katherine listened intently as he filled her in on the various details his letters had left to the imagination. As a person, he was quite detestable. There was something about his voice, though. When he wasn't being pompous, she could listen to him talk for hours.
Once he had finished, she returned the favor. There was a light behind her eyes as she spoke of the various museums she had visited while she was in Europe. She tried to appear emotionless, but it was obvious that she held a passion for the art she had seen.
Under different circumstances, she would not have offered to fill his cup. At the moment, though she was in a exceptionally good mood. She even smiled when he thanked her. After filling his cup, she filled her own. For the first time in several months, she found herself thinking that living with him might not be so horrible.
Katherine ate quietly for a few moments before she cleared her throat and questioned him. "Is there anything we should discuss, such as boundaries and annoyances, now that we are living together?"
This was why he was so drawn to her.
Katherine might seem to all the world a cold and unfeeling bitch, but Garrett had grown to know her. He had seen the passion bubbling beneath the cool, collected surface she worked so hard to maintain. Even now, it was obvious she was trying to maintain a neutral expression, but he could see the light - the fire - in her eyes. It was not dissimilar to the fire that burned there during those occasions when they bickered and it was one of the chief things he liked about her.
Garrett raised a brow at her query, an amused smirk playing about his lips. While it was logical to discuss such matters, he felt they were well matched and did not foresee an issue. Naturally, though, he was thinking of his own boundaries, which would be much more important than any she might have. After all, he was Garrett Pitt. He was not used to being told what he could and could not do and he was unlikely to acquiesce to a request he was not in agreement with.
"To what boundaries and annoyances might you be referring?" her asked her, not bothering to keep the amusement from his tone.
Katherine was certain her mother would scold her for suggesting that boundaries needed to be set, but she did not care. She valued her privacy and wanted to be absolutely certain that it would not be violated in the coming months. If that meant that she needed to behave in an improper manner, she was willing to do just that.
Having finished eating, she took a sip of her tea and set the cup on the table. His obvious amusement annoyed her, but she schooled her expression. At the moment, bickering with him would not be beneficial.
"My sleeping quarters," she answered simply. "I would never invade your privacy. I only ask that you return that favor."
Under difference circumstances, she might have demanded that he stay out of her bedroom. She hoped that he would be more willing to agree if she phrased it as a request.
Bickering might not be beneficial, but the idea was not without its merits. Garrett enjoyed the way her eyes flashed when she was angry with him and he often could not help saying or doing things to purposefully bring about such a reaction.
"Your sleeping quarters," he echoed with a smirk. "You do realize there will soon come a time when we shall be sharing sleeping quarters, do you not?"
Oh, he did not begrudge her the request, truly, but where was the fun in giving in so easily when he could toy with her a little first?
Katherine often wondered if he enjoyed arguing her. She had tried to tell herself that she was imagining it, but she was certain that he said some things with the intention of annoying her.
Her nostrils flared ever so slightly when he questioned her. She was well aware that they would one day share sleeping quarters, but that had little to do with this conversation. Obviously, she had wasted her time by politely requesting this of him.
"I am perfectly aware that we will one day share sleeping quarters as well as a bed," she answered, her tone betraying the annoyance she was trying to hide. "It will be quite a while before that happens, though, and I would appreciate it if you respect my privacy."
She lifted her napkin from her lap and set it on the table. A part of her wanted to leave, but she knew that would not accomplish anything. If they were going to be husband and wife, she would need to be capable of having such discussions.
He smirked again as her nostrils flared. Perhaps it made him something of a sadist, but he enjoyed pulling such a reaction from her. It was much more entertaining than her polite request had been.
"Do you not foresee a day when you might want me in your sleeping quarters, love?" he inquired, lips quirked in a smirk, his eyes dancing with amusement. Garrett would not have been so candid with his expressions in public, but he did not mind letting Katherine see how much he was enjoying this. She should feel privileged, honestly. Few people were fortunate to see this side of him.
He could tell he was pressing his luck. He could see from her body language that she was tempted to run out on him. He couldn't quite help himself, though.
It was no secret that Katherine detested pet names. She was certain that was why her betrothed insisted upon using them. She refrained from commenting on the fact that he had referred to her as something other than her given name.
"I do not," she answered flatly. Her expression was void of emotion, but her hands clinched into tight fists. This was not a discussion she wanted to have. Short of leaving, she saw no way around it, though.
"Once I am your wife, I will..." she paused to consider her words. "I will fulfill all of my obligations. I do not foresee myself enjoying each and every task that is laid before me, but we are occasionally required to do things we do not enjoy."
Though her hands were knotted together under the edge of the table, her posture was perfect and her gaze was locked with his. If he had wanted her to lie to him, he had asked the wrong question.
"Do you not?" Garrett continued to smirk, plainly amused by the way this conversation was going. How could he help himself, really. He was certain that he would enjoy the tasks they were hinting toward. He suspected she knew it, as well, and her pretense in this matter amused him.
"Tell me, Katie," he continued, smirking as he used a nickname he knew would irritate her further, "what is it about me that repulses you so?"
Garrett had no desire for him to lie to him. He preferred her honesty, in point of fact. He merely enjoyed getting a rise out of her.
"I do not."
Though her expression was still void of emotion, her tone made it clear that she was growing weary of this subject. Fortunately, she had decided to treat this as a learning experience. If they were to marry, they would inevitably have conversations such as this on a regular basis. If she became accustomed to it now, she would have to exercise less willpower in the future.
"Katherine," she corrected automatically. "I did not say I was repulsed by you, Garrett. I said, albeit with a little more finesse, that I did not foresee myself enjoying sexual intercourse. Do you not see the difference?"
Katherine was certain that he would enjoy the responsibilities that came with marriage, but she knew herself better than he could ever hope to. Whether he chose to believe it or not, she did not believe that she would enjoy sharing a bed with him. Of course, she had never seen the appeal of copulation.
If Garrett did not have a better hold on his reactions, he might have snorted. It was ludicrous to think that she would not enjoy that aspect of their marriage. May that was Garrett's own ego speaking, but he found such an assertion completely ridiculous.
"Saying that you do not foresee yourself enjoy that aspect of our marriage implies that you hold no attraction for me, Katie," he argued, ignoring her correction.
A less confident man might feel offended, slighted in some way. Garrett did not have this problem, however. He was well aware that he was attractive. If she was trying to claim otherwise, she was merely in denial.
"Katherine," she corrected a second time. "My statement implies nothing of the sort. In point of fact, it has absolutely nothing to do with you. I do not believe I will enjoy that aspect of our marriage because I am not a sexual being. I have never been a sexual being. Intercourse will not change that."
She paused briefly to consider what she had said. After such a statement, she could see where he might want to end their engagement. Rather than bringing that disgrace upon her family, she began to backtrack.
"It will not be an issue, though," she assured him with a dismissive wave of her hand. "I will, of course, make sure that you are satisfied. My own enjoyment or lack there of, is of little importance to me."
As a virgin, Katherine could not begin to fathom what she would need to do in order to satisfy him. Fortunately, she had plenty of time to research the subject and was certain she could keep her promise if she truly put her mind to it.
"I assure you," she added after a brief hesitation, "that you will never be disappointed."
"You are full of passion," Garrett countered. "Perhaps you don't think yourself as a sexual being, if you must phrase it so crudely, but I think you will be surprised at much much you will enjoy that aspect of our marriage. I intend to make certain of it."
For all his amusement, Garrett was serious in that particular statement. He could see what a passionate woman Katherine was under the cool, collected facade and he had no intention of ever leaving his future wife unsatisfied.
"What if I tell you that I could never be satisfied if my wife does not desire me the way that I desire her?" he questioned her. Someone who did not know him well could possible interpret his question as insecurity rather than casual curiosity or an attempt to pull another reaction from her.
Katherine very nearly laughed when he assured her that she was full of passion. Occasionally, she would admit that he knew her better than anyone else, but his assessment of this particular aspect of her personality was so far off base, that she could not help thinking that he must have confused her with someone else.
"My flaws are few, but I am capable of acknowledging them for what they are. You must have mistaken me for someone else."
She did not say it aloud, but she was relieved to hear that her feelings on the matter were marginally important to him. After all, it was no secret that a woman experienced a certain level of discomfort the first time she engaged in sexual intercourse. A very small part of her had worried that he would not be appropriately concerned.
"You will have no reason to question my desire for you," she answered automatically. "As stated, my own satisfaction means very little to me. You will hold my undivided attention. I will behave just as you expect me to."
Katherine did not see insecurity in his question. Instead, she assumed he was pushing the issue with the intention of annoying her.
Garrett shook his head at her protests, though the gesture was so slight as to be nearly imperceptible if one was not paying attention.
"I have not," he assured her. "You are a passionate being, Katherine, whether you choose to acknowledge it or not. You usually keep your passion well hidden, but I am not so easy to fool..
"Your satisfaction matters to me," he countered as she continued to insist that she would make sure he was satisfied. "I have grown... fond of you over the past couple of years," he admitted. He was not ashamed of the admission and while he would not ordinarily be so candid, he believed that voicing it out loud might be of assistance in this matter.
"If your desire is not genuine, I will know. You are a gifted actress, but you are not that good, particularly when it comes to hiding your true wishes from me."
Katherine did not believe she was void of passion. After all, she knew she was passionate about the things that interested her. She did not, however, believe that the passion she felt for ballet was the same passion he expected her to exhibit once they were sharing a bed.
One of her brows lifted slightly when he admitted that he had grown fond of her. Since she was of the firm opinion that he only cared about himself, this surprised her, but her expression did not change.
He wanted her to desire him. It was rare that she found herself speechless, but that was exactly how she felt when he assured her that he would know if her desire was not genuine. How was she supposed to respond? She would be lying if she promised that she would desire him.
"I suppose," she answered, "that you will need to work at being more desirable, then." This time, it was her eyes that sparkled with amusement.
"I shall keep that in mind." Garrett's amusement was relatively apparent on his face. Where some young men might have felt discouraged by such teasing, Garrett was completely confident in himself. He knew he was easily one of the most desirable young men in existence. It was obvious from the sparkle in her eyes that she was merely teasing and Garrett had no cause to take her words seriously.
There was a brief pause before he lifted the kettle. "Would you like some more tea?" he asked her after he'd refilled his own cup. They would need to clean up and leave for class soon, but he saw no reason why the remainder of their time before class couldn't be passed pleasantly.
Katherine would not go so far as to say that she found her betrothed desirable. If she was being honest, though, she would have to admit that he was an attractive young man. Unfortunately, someone would need to slip Veritaserum into her tea for her to be that honest.
"Yes, please."
Though she had been annoyed through the majority of their conversation, she found herself smiling as he refilled her cup. She was incapable of explaining it, but she was actually in a good mood. It was odd.
"Thank you."
Katherine would never admit it to herself or anyone else, but she enjoyed hearing that he did not think she was frigid.
They would soon need to leave for class, but she was content to spend the next few moments sipping her tea. |
