The Queen and the Boy Next Door

This story is an extension of The Princess and the Stud. Katie and Nate were supposed to be side characters but they need a story of their own. Apologies for the delay, this year has been crazy.

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Katie San Sebastian once again fidgeted with her hair and checked the clock on her office wall. Patience was an asset she sorely lacked. It wasn't due to immaturity or arrogance; it was because the death of her parents had taught her, time was a precious commodity. Her parents had also taught her that control and discipline were key to living a successful life. They hadn't taught her these lessons by being exemplary models for these virtues themselves. Nope, they had taught her by being poster children for the exact opposite.

Her parents had been flighty, selfish and utterly useless creatures who had burnt themselves and each other into cinders. If not drugs, they would have found some other vice to destroy themselves. According to grandfather, Marianna San Sebastian had been a good child. While being an only child of doting parents had left her slightly spoiled, her life may have turned out very differently if she hadn't met up with Marcus Gilles.

Katie didn't buy it. Her earliest memories of her mother were of a disorganized and indifferent woman. The only thing her parents cared about was each other. Their love was a twisted thing that left no room for anyone else, not even their children. Bordering on obsessive and completely unhealthy, they had brought out the worst in each other. Katie could never reconcile the mother she had known with the daughter her grandfather had told her of. And grandmother never spoke of her, except to remind Katie about the lessons she could learn by their example.

Katie knew she looked like her mother. At times, she wondered if that was the reason for grandmother's mistrust. If she didn't see Katie, but Marianna in her granddaughters face. She almost understood. Katie had been old enough to remember quite a bit of her mother's betrayal of values and her family. No, she couldn't blame her. And that is why she was helpless, frustrated and angry. Nate had made it sound so simple, that she could just talk to grandmother. He didn't understand.

Having met his family, Katie understood why he didn't. His family was what she had dreamed of as a child. They were warm, happy and complete. Nate belonged to the world of family barbecues and sunshine. While her secretary had sighed over his warm brown eyes and handsome face, Katie found his ever present smile irresistible and utterly sexy. His hard body also helped.

Katie felt her melancholy give way to arousal at thoughts of Nate. She glanced at the time again. It was a quarter until 6. He could walk in at any moment. Katie turned to check her reflection in the office window. Smoothing her hair, she undid another button in her shirt to show off more of her chest. Frowning in dissatisfaction, she quickly reached into her bra to lift each breast for more cleavage.

"You start without me Cleo?"

Katie jumped and quickly turned around to face Nate.

"You gave me a heart attack!"

"Sorry... you can go back to touching yourself now."

"I wasn't touching myself! I... I was adjusting my bra. The underwire-" Katie's response faded away at Nate's grin. She couldn't help but sweep her eyes over him. He was in his usual late work attire, jacket missing and the sleeves of his button down shirt rolled up. He was beautiful. Her heart thud faster as his smile became more intimate and his warm brown eyes heated.

She found herself across the room, standing in front of him. Reaching a hand up, she cupped his cheek. Her thumb brushed the corner of his smile. After a heartbeat, she leaned up and touched her lips to his. Her body flushed as his scent filled her nose and their lips parted. She tasted his mouth. It was a sweet, sexy kiss that made her pussy start to wet. She felt Nate's hands on her back, pulling her body to his. Katie felt his erection against her belly. She'd tasted him there, taken him into her mouth. The memories of that night filled her mind, while their kiss and embrace overwhelmed her senses. She didn't care about control, she wanted him, needed him for what seemed like forever, she was going to have him.

Nate abruptly broke the kiss. Still in a sexual haze, Katie tried to initiate another kiss. Nate evaded her lips, pulled her closer to him and buried his face in the crook of her neck.

"Cleo, slow down sweetheart." He murmured into her ear.

"I don't want to slow down." Katie replied as she placed her mouth on his vulnerable neck and sucked.

Groaning, Nate couldn't help but tip is head further to give her mouth more access. She was going to drive him out of his mind. After a moment, he tried again.

"Cleo stop, we have to talk."

"Later," Katie purred, licking her way to his ear, "I want to fuck first."

Nate felt his cock jerk at her words. He realized he needed to pull back now. Abruptly pulling her arms from him, he stepped back. Breathing heavily, Nate tried to focus. Due to all blood flow being directed to his dick, it was an effort. He found an irritated Katie looking at him incredulously.

"Are you serious right now?"

"Huh?" Nate tried to figure out what was happening.

"You're rejecting me?"

"What? No!" Feeling his mental functioning resume, Nate indicated the front of his pants. "Does this look like rejection to you Cleo?"

"Then what..." Confusion quickly gave way to anger. "Is this punishment?"

"Punishment? For what?"

"The other night, when I ran out on you."

"Don't be ridiculous. We need to talk."

"Well I want to fuck." Katie replied, sultry and low.

Nate felt his dick jump in reaction to her words. He stared at the outline of her nipples and the cleavage revealed by the open buttons of her shirt. The things he wanted to do to those perky tits... oh hell. Frustration made his voice a little rough. "Oh we'll fuck Cleo, but not right here, at least not right now."

"Why not?!?!" The angry scowl was back in place.

"Because the first time I fuck you, it's going to be in bed."

Desire, frustration and arousal flitted through Katie at his words, leaving her confused.

"But I want you now."

"It's going to be in bed sweetheart."

Katie felt her chest hurt at the endearment. He always called her Cleo.

"Why?"

"Because you're special." His brown eyes touched her heart. "This is special Cleo."

Katie stood frozen, as Nate walked up, kissed her forehead and pulled her close. Standing in his embrace, Katie San Sebastian felt something inside her chest hurt.

"Not special." She whispered the childish words, not knowing if she was denying what was between them or his statement about herself.

"Yes, you are." He whispered back.

Feeling the beginnings of a lump in her throat, trying to keep the horror of her own reaction at bay, Katie pulled herself together. She pushed away from him and walked blindly to her desk and stood there facing away from him. She couldn't let him see.

"This will never work." She was proud of the steadiness of her voice.

"We have to try."

"Why did you have to change everything?" Katie prayed he didn't hear the slight catch in her voice. What was wrong with her?

"We have to try, Cleo."

"Try for what?" Suddenly afraid of the possible answer, Katie hardened her voice, "Never mind, I don't care. Can you please leave? I need time to process."

Nate wanted to round the desk, to see her face but he sensed she was on retreat and if he pushed her, she'd suddenly turn on the attack. Well at least he'd lucked out in that she hadn't decided to go the route of attack first. That could be seen as progress. She wouldn't be able to turn this thing between them into something purely sexual. He'd never had this type of connection... reaction... whatever this was with any woman. He wasn't going to fuck it up.

"Okay. I'll call tomorrow."

Hearing the click of the door, Katie couldn't contain the pain in her chest as it bloomed throughout her body and left her shuddering. The lump in her throat grew until her eyes welled up. Collapsing into her chair, Katie sat there trying to stop her mind from rushing thoughts and willing her body back into control, it was a long while before she made it out of her office.

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Katie ignored his call the next day, but by the end of the work day she couldn't help but call him back.

"Finally couldn't help yourself, huh?" Came his snug voice on the phone.

"I'll have you know that I've been busy all morning. I hav-"

His chuckle cut her off. "Just teasing Cleo. What are you doing this weekend?"

Feeling strangely defeated that he'd correctly guessed her response and she wasn't going to see him that day or tomorrow, Katie felt her anxiety give away to disappointment. She muttered "I'm not sure. "

"O-kay." He drew out, "well if you're not too busy I was going to swing by and pick you up on Saturday."

"From the mansion?"

"Um, yes, unless you work on weekends?"

"Actually", quickly Katie countered, "I will be but I should be done by lunch."

Lila was rarely home on weekends anymore, but Katie wasn't going to chance either her sister or grandmother finding out about Nate.

"Sounds good." Came his response and Katie could sense the smile in his voice. She couldn't help but smile in response.

"So what are we doing?" she asked.

Silence.

"Nate?"

"So..?"

"What?"

"What are you wearing?"

Katie hung up the phone.

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Katie tossed her cell phone into her bag as she quickly made her way to the escalator. The week had moved slowly to Saturday. Her feelings had been a mix of anxiety, excitement, self disgust, weakness and lust. To deal with it, she'd planned. And the plan was the same as before, no holds barred, sweaty, intense sex. The difference was, no wimping out. She would need to conquer her fear and Nate Robison. Looking at her reflection in the escalator doors, Katie smiled. She'd even dressed for the occasion. The tight red bandage dress emphasized what curves she had while her black "sex me" pumps completed the ensemble. Black eyeliner gave her eyes a cat-like look and her lips had been painted in a shiny shade of cranberry.

While waiting for the doors to open, she fantasized about his reaction. Maybe he'd even cancel whatever reservations he'd made and they'd head over to his place. Stepping out into the parking lot, Katie found Nate with his back to her, talking to his cell phone. Feeling annoyed, Katie frowned. He could at least be politely waiting!

Oh well, he'd be in for an even bigger surprise while he was distracted. Smiling, Katie started walking over to him, enjoying the sexy click of her heels. To her consternation, she made it over to his side without him even glancing at her. Her smile gave away to annoyance.

"Yeah, we'll be right there. She's down. Okay."

Katie felt annoyed but couldn't help but run her eyes over him. He smelled clean, like he'd just gotten out of the shower. The green of his polo shirt set off the slight tan of his skin while.... Wait a minute... polo shirt? And who had he been talking to? Were they meeting someone?

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It had been a long two months. The bastard had insisted on abstinence. His strategy was to stay in public places. They'd gone to the movies, done couples dinners with Lila and Michael and his sister and Clint. In fact the day of the bandage dress fiasco, had been brunch and watching a football game with Michael and Lila. The look on Lila and Michael's faces had been priceless. Apparently they hadn't known who Nate's date was any more then Katie had known who his "buddies" were. Katie had not appreciated his trick. She'd been so pissed that she'd ignored Nate for a week as punishment.

Lila had been sworn (or warned) to keep her mouth shut. Katie had gone along with it for a few weeks, thinking she could seduce him but he'd held firm. After awhile, she'd found humor in the situation. It was like a bad comedy, the oversexed jezebel pursuing an innocent, virtuous monk. So she began enjoying herself. She even had a girl's night with Tina and Lila. Tina had become a good friend; they'd often join forces to needle Nate. It was fun. Family sporting events, family nights, he'd even insisted on having a family dinner with her family but Katie had been adamant about keeping her grandmother from finding out about Nate.

Unable to explain why to Nate, he'd eventually worn her down. It had been a nightmare. Katie had been thrown for a loop, by the speculative and satisfied gleam in her grandmother's eyes. The crazy woman had probably been imagining marriage and babies. After dinner, her grandmother's words confirmed it. Grandmother had congratulated her on 'landing' Nate and implored her not to screw it up. Then she'd brought up David. Katie knew deep down inside that she'd overreacted but she couldn't seem to help herself.

She'd broken up with Nate, refused to return his calls, or see him. She'd even ignored Tina's calls, crying off and using Lila's upcoming wedding date as an excuse. Katie had ignored her sister's reproachful looks and brutally cut her off when Lila had tried to bring up Nate. Michael had become cold as before, not that he'd ever been warm and cuddly but the openness he'd started to have with her was gone.

A few weeks later, when grandmother had asked after Nate, Katie had baldly informed her that they'd broken up. Seeing the disappointment in her grandmother's eyes had brought none of the satisfaction that Katie had thought it would.

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Katie looked through the window to the scene below. Purple and magenta flower center pieces dotted the tables and servants milled around the transformed grounds. Satisfaction at the arrangements warred with disbelief. Her little sister was getting married. Barnes had informed them that Michael and his party had arrived. Since then she'd tried to locate shining brown hair.

Katie turned to look at Lila who was adjusting her veil. She was stunning. For some insane reason Lila had opted to recycle Katie's white evening gown, the one she'd worn the night she'd met Michael Hirsch. Of course moderations had to be made. Lace covered the lower half of back the dress had originally revealed and matching lace had been attached as a train. Katie and Catherine had tried to talk her out of it but Lila hadn't budged. Katie had to admit that the dress looked beautiful. Lila had left her hair loose, it waved down to the small of her back. Pink lipstick and soft make up completed the picture. Lila had given a secret smile when Katie had told her she looked like a fairytale princess.

Catching her own reflection behind Lila, Katie smoothed her hair and adjusted her dress. The deep purple halter dress left her shoulder's and back bare, while the vivid color brought out her eyes. She'd picked the dress for herself. Except for insisting on her recycled wedding dress, Lila had been content to let Katie dictate the remaining details. Katie had needed the distraction.

She was going to see Nate in a little while, and she wasn't sure what her reaction would be. She'd missed him terribly. She'd kept his voicemails and listened to his voice on them, like some sort of crazy stalker. The hurt had firmed her resolve that this infatuation with Nate Robison was unhealthy. If she'd never met David, perhaps she would be the type of person who could be with Nate. But she had and she couldn't. Realizing she'd been staring into her own reflection, Katie straightened her shoulders. All she had to do was get through the day.

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Lila watched her sister fidget and picked up her cell phone. Nope. No missed calls. Katie probably was either going to react very badly to this or there was the chance that everything would work out just as Lila and Michael had planned. Well, mostly this was Lila's plan. Michael was at best a grudging accomplice. Nate would probably forgive her, he was good natured but Katie would make her pay. But it was Lila's wedding day and she'd probably hold back her vengeance for another time... Lila hoped.

Lila almost dropped her cell phone when it rang. She quickly opened it and put it to her ear.

"He's on his way."

"Oh! Good!"

"I love you."

"I love you too." Taking comfort from Michael's words, Lila rang off and turned to her sister with what she hoped was a look of innocence.

"Katie, could you do me a favor?"