Define Me (6 page)

HUNTER

“My head is killing me; I think we partied too hard last night. I need Coffee, let’s stop there at the Starbucks.”

“Good idea, I need to sober up before lunch with my family, Mai is going bounce all over me today, and I haven't seen them for weeks.”

“Sit, I will get us the coffee.” 

Hunter sat at the table at the front door; the morning newspaper was still on the table where the previous client had left it.  Paging through it, he came across the sport section. 

“Hey, what are you looking at? You look like you have seen a ghost, do you know them?” 

“Yes, you could say that…I know her.” pointing at Caitlin. 

"Who is that?"

"Caitlin Steward"

“THE Caitlin, the girl who got away?”

“That bitch, I'm not finished with her. She thought she could just walk away from me. No one just walks away from me, are you up for a road trip?”

“What, today?”

“I wish, my mother will kill me if I don't pitch up today, no lets go next week.  At least I know where to find her she thought changing her number would stop me.”

At eight o'clock we were ready and headed down to the beach.  Samantha and I got new outfits for the day.  It was a sports bra kind of top all white with dark pink inlays on the side, so you had a full view of my fairy on my back, the bottoms were the same pink as the inlays with a silver Nike tick on the back. 

I was so excited; I really wanted to win, not just for me, but also to prove to Vincent that we could.  I want him to be proud of me. 

There was a lot going on, obviously the newspaper report created a lot of buzz and the stands were packed, even the beach nearby was crowded.  The day was going to be amazing and the best part of it all was Vincent. I really hoped that what I had seen in his eyes that morning was real.  I hoped he was as interested in me as I was him. I needed to be careful, take it slow and not lose my identity again.    

As we got closer to Simplicity I saw Vincent, I swore my heart skipped a beat. He had changed from when I saw him that morning, I wondered if he lived close by to be showered and back in time for the day’s event.  He was now dressed in a pair of black knee length shorts and a superman T-shit.  “This guy really has a thing for superheroes.”  He could be my superman any day. “Shit, snap out of it, you need to concentrate on the game today not drool.” 

"Mmm, somebody is looking mighty fine today", Heather whispered in my ear.  Thank goodness she whispered, I don't think I could have handled one of her loud cocky remarks. 

"Hi, girls ready for today? Caitlin would you like to come with me; I want to introduce you to someone”

Vincent took me by the hand and led me to a group of people nearby. 

"Misty, I would like you to meet Caitlin Stewart, someone to watch today.  She is really good; I see big things in her future"

"Nice to meet you, I hope I don't disappoint you"

Vincent and Misty were still talking when I spotted Rebecca standing 10 feet behind Vincent, the look in her eyes were not friendly at all, however when she saw me looking at her, she faked smile.  “I wonder what is happening. Is there something between her and Vincent? I had better make sure I'm not stepping on anyone’s toes.” 

Heather made sure she had the perfect spot on the stands.  She was so excited for us, I had secretly wished it was her and
I taking part, she had always been my partner, but oh well I needed to make do with what I had.  Sam had come a long way,  I knew we could do it! 

At eleven the game started.

I was the first to serve, the game went well but it was not at all easy, landed with my face in the sand once or twice.  It was up and down, suddenly we were a point ahead eventually I manage to slam the last one down right in the corner by the back line. 

"WE WON, WE WON" 

Heather came running onto the court nearly knocking me over.  "OMG you did it, you won!"

"Not me, we won… Sam and I did it” Heather could be so bitchy some times. 

"Ya, ya that’s what I mean, congratulations." 

The next thing I felt was a pair of big strong arms coming around my waist, his mouth right next to my ear.  That smell, it could only be Vincent.  "I knew you could do it, congrats, I’m proud of you"

That is all I needed to hear. 

He then lifted me up onto his shoulder; Cole did the same to Sam. Vincent was so tall, I felt like I was on top of the world looking down.  That was when I spotted him. 

It was Brent, the guy from school, oh my word I couldn’t believe it.  Those beautiful aqua eyes, our eyes locked he winked at me, he then turned away talking to the guy standing next to him. 

When I looked down, Heather was tugging on my leg; I saw a worried look on her face.  I gestured in the direction of where Brent was standing, Heather quickly caught on to what I was showing her, her eyes went big and she screamed.  That was the scream the two of us used when we were excited, it drove my poor mother crazy. 

Before I could say a word she was gone, from my elevated point I could see where she was headed, a bee- line for Brent.  I think she always had a soft place for TDD. I would never tell her what I thought; she was the one that saw him first. 

The next hour was a blur; so much going on so many people to meet, photo shoot with Vincent and Cole, it was crazy!  After all was done, I took at seat under one of the tents, the sun was hot and I felt a little light headed.  I was lying on my back with my eyes closed just trying to gather myself.  Wow we won, $ 1 000 and the face of Simplicity! 

It was truly a new beginning; I hoped it was going to be a positive one. I hoped that Vincent would be part of my new beginning. 

I was still day dreaming away about Vincent, when he suddenly put his hand on my knee. It sent shivers down my spine; I could feel my body burning from his touch.  When I opened my eyes, he was lying on his side leaning on his right arm. 

"Hey gorgeous, how do you feel?"

“What?"  I could not speak properly. He was too close my mind was foggy. 

"I asked how you are feeling"

"Um, great thanks, just a little dehydrated I should have more water" with that I tried to jump up but Vincent got hold of my hand and pulled me down on top of his lap. 

I panicked…

He placed his hands on either side of my face, his emerald green eyes focused on mine.  His mouth was so close but not touching. 

"Stop running, let it happen, give me a chance, please?" Before I could open my mouth Vincent kissed me.  His lips closed over mine, I could feel the roughness of his beard on my face, his tongue stroked my bottom lip and very slowly pushed past into my mouth. In that moment I was lost, the world stood still. His tongue twirled and twisted with mine, I could taste the mintyness of his breath. We kiss what felt like forever. 

Finally he pulled away, breaking our kiss.  He tilted my head so that I could look into his eyes.  He just stared at me for a while before he gave me a peck on my forehead. 

I could not find the right words to tell him how he made me feel when he kissed me, so I showed him.  I moved my right hand to the back of his neck, pulling him closer and my left hand on this chest, right over his heart, I kissed him with all the passion I could muster! To answer the question I saw in his eyes…Yes, I'm in, yes I will stop running, I want you.  YES, YES, YES!

I was happy, for the first time in so very long my heart and soul felt free of pain.  I felt alive, new and happy.  I could have jumped up and done my happy dance but Vincent might have thought I was crazy. 

After my kiss Vincent looked like the wind was knocked out of him. Perhaps he thought he would have had to fight a little harder to get my attention

"Does that mean yes?"

"YES"

Vincent lifted me off his lap and got up; he wrapped his arms around me and held me tightly.  I could have stayed in those arms forever. 

"Let's go to my shop, I will get you something to make u feel better".  On our way I spotted Heather, she was talking to a bunch of guys dressed in army uniform, I wouldn’t be seeing her for a while, that was for sure. Perhaps she had found Brent.

Still deep in thought over Heather and Brent I didn't see Vincent bending down and scooping me into his arm, I squealed in surprise.  I flung my arms around his neck and kissed him.  I took a big breath scenting him, to think if just the smell of him made my toes curl what I wouldn’t do if I were beneath him. 

“Oh no”, I squeezed my legs together, I needed to stop thinking dirty thoughts about Vincent, it was far too early for things like that. My rule was; 3 dates at least before I could get my hands on that fine ass!! “CAITLIN!!” My inner voice scolds me!!

When we got back to Simplicity Vincent placed me on one of the red bar stools by the counter, while he went into the kitchen for something to eat.  I was staring at him walking away when Rebecca entered the shop.  I got some strange looks from her that I was not quite sure how to react.  She was friendly though, not sure if she realised that Vincent was in the back. 

"Well done on your win today, you guys were really good"

"Thank you, it was hard but I had fun"

"Can I get you something?" 

"No its ok, Vincent has that covered"

As soon as I said his name her body language changed, I really needed to ask Vincent if there was something between them, this was really starting to annoy me. 

"Ok then, I will be off; I'll go see if Cole needs me at the stall outside" 

"Bye, see you" 

That woman was strange, all I knew was I didn’t want to get on her bad side, I knew she would kick my ass.  Five minutes later Vincent appeared carrying a tub of raspberries, bananas, apple juice, frozen yoghurt and some other stuff I was not certain of.  “I will put it all in the blender for a few minutes.”  He made us both a glass of it. 

"It is called a Turbo-Boost; it will make you feel better in a minute"

"Mm...tastes amazing"

We sat chatting for a while; I was trying to build up the courage to ask him about Rebecca, but was not sure how to say it without sounding like a jealous girlfriend. I was not even sure if that was what I was.  He said he wanted to get to know me better and this was the start of something, but I was not sure. I needed to know about Rebecca. 

I was sipping on my drink, looking up at him.  I think he could see from the frown on my face that something was on my mind. 

"What it is, you have worry lines on your face?"

"Worry lines?"

"Yes, what is on your mind, spill it"

"Um, Rebecca….is she or was she your girlfriend?"

"No"

"No what, is or was"

"She is my employee that is it, nothing more"

"I get the feeling there is more behind this"

"Let’s just say I have no interest in her, never have and never will"

"Ok so you mean I don't have to worry about her slipping something into my smoothie in the mornings?"

With a grin on his face “No you don't have to worry, but from now on I will make sure I'm here in the mornings for your breakfast run"

"Aah thanks, that would be nice, you mean you just going to make me breakfast every morning or are you going to come and run with me."

"It is up to you, if you want me, I will be there"

"I want"

Vincent just gave me a smile, pulled me closer and kissed me on the head.    

Simplicity arranged for a big beach party after the finals.  A lot of the locals took the opportunity to play
one last time before the stands and courts were removed that Monday. 

Heather found her way back to our group after a few hours.  Heather and Cole decided on a little friendly competition against Vincent and me.  I was so tired from the days playing that I was not in the mood; I made Vincent do all the hard work.  It was fun watching him trying to get to all the shots.  A few times I got a swat on my ass for not diving for the ball.  What did he expect, how could I resist watching his mussels move with every stretch and jump?  Hell I was a mess of sexual tension.  How was I going to stick to my 3 date rule with a man like this? 

After best of 3 games, we lost. Heather loved the fact that they just beaten us. I was in a happy place; Vincent was by my side and we were on the beach, who could ask for a better way to end an already perfect day.