Chapter 52
The Puppet Master
The hotel greeted them with warmth. Elyna had seen her fair share of nice rooms in the span of her travels, but this one was the cosiest of all. Probably because of the man who was currently shedding his rubber-soled tabi socks.
On the low table, a plate filled with a round fruit awaited, artfully arranged by the staff while they were away. Her attention, though, was entirely captivated by Kazuki, his burgundy-clad silhouette casting shadows upon the carpet. He approached her. “Elyna? You seem lost in thought.”
Heat crept up her neck. In the dim lights, the air felt charged between them. “I was just wondering about the layers. Satsuki told me the obi ties lower on a man, and there are fewer … erm, strings?”
Kazuki’s eyebrows rose, the muted lighting softening his sharp jaw. “Koshi-himo?”
Elyna brightened. “Hai! Those.”
In three strides, Kazuki was upon her, hands settling at her collarbone. The lighting flecked his eyes with gold streaks, almost blazing, but there was no mistaking the amused tilt at the corner of his lips.
“Want to see how it is tied?”
Her mouth went dry at the offer. The question hung between them, an open invitation. “I … yes?”
“Then unwrap me.”
Elyna gaped. There was no saving her cheeks now. She swatted his shoulder, flushing crimson. “Tsuki!”
He laughed, the sound utterly devastating. “Let’s stop at the juban, ne? I’m not that cruel.”
Elyna nodded, and Kazuki pulled the curtains closed. Her heart raced; this was intimacy of another kind, one that coiled low in her belly. When Kazuki presented himself, looking utterly handsome and unhurried, Elyna’s breath caught.
“Fair is fair,” he announced, pointing at her attire. “Ladies first.”
Flustered, Elyna turned around; the elaborate knot was more constrictive than her wetsuit.
Kazuki’s fingers worked diligently, leaving her very aware of his presence behind her.
Every breath that fanned upon her exposed nape poured fire into her nerves.
The memory of a group picture, on the Hotaru Festival, invaded her senses.
She’d been very aware of him that day, of that slight brush of his hand on her obi. Today … the air was cool, but a hundred times more suffocating. When eventually, the heavy fabric loosened, Elyna took a deep breath and smiled. “Thank you.”
Kazuki’s only answer was a slow, sensual drag of his fingers at her nape, raising goosebumps on her skin. His hands settled on her shoulders, waiting for her to untie the additional strings. Heart skipping a beat, Elyna stilled; her body angled backwards, seeking his warmth.
As if attuned to her desire, Kazuki’s hand slid forward slowly, sensually, until he was embracing her. The crisp fabric of his kimono spilt over her shoulder as the loose sleeve wrapped around her chest, a marvel of dark red silk embroidered in matching thread.
Elyna hummed, basking in the cocoon of his arms. A kiss landed upon her temple, his nose gently tickling her cheekbone. When she giggled, he let out a low chuckle that reverberated through her. “You’ll have to untie the koshi-himo someday, my golden lady.”
Elyna tilted her head aside, cheek resting against his. “Or we can stay like this forever.” In the circle of his arms, his heart beating against her spine, she felt safe and cherished and was loath to move. Kazuki took a deep breath, his chest expanding.
“So be it,” he purred. “But it’ll be rough for sleeping.”
A giggle escaped her as he moved away, pointing at the strings that kept her kimono secured.
“Shall I do it, my golden lady? You have yet to undress me…” The suggestive tone caused her blood to run wild. Enthralled, Elyna felt her reason crumble. Kazuki’s large hands reached for the higher string at her waist, pulling it away with flourish. He rolled the cotton sash around his palm.
“Now fold it up.”
Knees weakening, Elyna wondered if she was going to survive the night. Should I find his commanding voice so attractive? Regardless of the riot happening in her belly, she removed the second string above her hips. Freed, the hem of Satsuki’s kimono fell at her feet.
Kazuki gently slid his hands under the garment, stepping around her to gather the massive silks. He set it down on bed, fingers tracing the embroideries that adorned the sleeves.
“This is a beautiful piece,” he mused. “Satsuki must really love you to trust you with it.”
Elyna’s chest bloomed with gratitude towards the girl who had adopted her. “Hai. I’m glad I didn’t spill any sauce on it.”
She now stood in only her juban—the underlayer, feeling suddenly underdressed. The white cotton was supple against her skin, falling past her knees.
Kazuki folded the garment with the precision reserved for origami, evening the lines with reverence. Then, before Elyna could gather herself, he was standing before her, tall and handsome.
“There.” His voice was smooth, inviting. “Now. Your turn.” His arms opened wide. “I’m at your mercy, my golden lady.”
Her heart flip-flopped as her hands slid against his side. The burgundy silk was smooth, a sharp contrast to the roughness of the dark obi. Elyna ducked playfully under Kazuki’s arm, sneaking a quick kiss at his jaw before she set to work on the knot that rested at his lower back.
“Just … pull the end through,” he instructed.
The knot was tight and efficient. Her knuckles grazed his spine as she searched for the right end to loosen; his body tensed for a breath. Elyna gave an experimental tug, unravelling the long obi from his waist. Kazuki followed the movement, turning around as she drew the interminable sash.
“Enjoying being puppet master?” he grinned, making another turn as she pulled and pulled.
“Maybe.” She smiled back, wondering why the hammer of her heart made the juban tremble against her chest. Eventually, the whole length of his obi sat in her hands, roughly four metres of it.
“Leave it on the bed,” he instructed. Elyna complied, watching the strange koshi-himo he wore underneath. Her hands tested the fabric at his hips, finding it more supple than hers.
The young woman lifted an accusatory eyebrow. “Is that elastic?”
A slow smile crept on his lips, one she longed to kiss, but dared not to. “Guilty as charged, my lady.”
“Oh my God!” She feigned offence. “What about tradition?”
Kazuki sent her a pointed look. “It died with your boots.”
Elyna bit back a laugh, singing ‘Die with your boots on’ under her breath. She’d decided that warm feet took precedence over cultural accuracy. History might have her heart, but the modern world offered many perks she wasn’t ready to relinquish. Lacy underwear was one of them.
“Now, finish your man.”
Elyna pulled at the elastic string. The cord slithered away, freeing Kazuki’s kimono. The sides parted to reveal his juban, a set of burgundy doors opening in welcome. The immaculate cotton rose and fell under his breath.
Elyna’s hand slid up Kazuki’s chest in one smooth, sensual stroke. The thundering of his heart belied his quiet composure. To think she was the one affecting him like this! It felt … unreal.
She couldn’t resist the call; her hand wandered up until it settled at his collar, making his breath hitch. Yet, her lover remained still. Offered. His eyes seemed darker in the low lights, patiently assessing every move, every decision.
Elyna swallowed hard, emboldened. She cupped his smooth jaw. Her favourite place. She ached to touch every part of him, to savour the taste of his skin, his lips … his tongue.
“Elyna,” he breathed, her name barely a whisper.
She looked up, finding his eyes dark and wanting. Wanting her! The very thought was intoxicating. The careful distance between them evaporated as she rose on her toes, capturing his mouth. Kazuki cupped her face in warm hands, thumbs brushing her cheekbones.
The kiss was soft at first, a gentle contact, almost questioning. But when she leant into him instead of retreating, his fingers clamped around her nape. Firmer, stronger. He let out a stifled moan that sent heat spiralling through her, and she dragged her tongue across the seam of his lips.
His arm trapped her against his chest. He felt solid and vibrant against her, the cotton a flimsy barrier between them. Lean muscles flexed as his warmth seeped through the juban, his heart hammering against hers.
When Kazuki finally pulled back, they were both breathing hard. His forehead dipped to rest against her as he caught his breath.
“I’ve wanted to do that all evening,” he murmured.
“Just this evening?” she managed, breathless.
He chuckled. “Fair point.”
She could feel his struggle when he stepped back, trying to regain control. That modicum of restraint, the visible effort it took made her dizzy. When did it happen? When did this man start struggling with want?
His shoulders rolled; burgundy silk slid down his arms in one fluid motion, the fabric rustling softly as it fell. An invitation. “So?” he asked, laying the garment on the bed. “Did it satisfy your curiosity?”
Elyna nodded, watching him align the side seams of his kimono.
“That’s … fewer layers than I expected,” she responded, scrambling for safer ground even though her heart threatened to leap out of her chest.
“Mm.” Another fold, another round of smoothing. “Men’s kimono are more practical. We don’t need all the shaping and structure.” His mouth quirked, lamplight catching on his lower lip. “Though I suppose if I were wearing hakama, you’d have more to unwrap.”
The image of him in full formal black, layered in the montsuki groom attire, left her breathless. Oh my God. What am I even thinking?
Elyna flushed scarlet, watching Kazuki lay his kimono down beside hers on the chair. Burgundy and pale pink sat side by side, intimate as lovers.
“Elyna?” His hand reached for her and cupped her jaw, thumb brushing her burning cheek. His palm was warm, slightly rough. “Where did you go just now?”
“Nowhere,” she squeaked.
He studied her for a long moment; she knew he could read every scandalous thought written across her face. His lips curved as he kissed the corner of her mouth, lingering long enough to make her knees wobble.
“Liar,” he murmured, sliding on the sofa. “But I’ll let you keep your secrets.”
For now, his tone implied.
Hoping to dispel the mood, Elyna pointed at the plate of melon artfully displayed on the low table; despite its strange green colour, it looked incredibly inviting. “What’s this?”
Kazuki’s expression smoothed. “A treat for the lady. To remind her that sugar comes in many forms.”
Sometimes, his cuteness was almost too much to bear. “Where on earth did you get melon in December?”
“On earth,” he snarked.
Right. That means prying won’t get me an answer.
The deflection made her pause. Premium fruit in winter wasn’t cheap; he had probably spent far more than what was reasonable. This thoughtful gesture brought a delighted smile to her lips.
“Are you going all Pretty Woman on me, sir?” she teased, watching him plant a fork into a piece of juicy melon. Pretty woman, strawberries and champagne and… Oops.
Heat rushed to her cheeks as she realised she’d just suggested something very sexual. Kazuki pursed his lips, eyes crinkling at the corner as he lifted the fruit to her mouth. “Open.”
Crown Melon was an otherworldly experience; the flesh melted against her palate.
A symphony burst in her mouth; intense aromatic notes, sweet and fruity, all drowned into juicy goodness.
When a droplet pearled down her chin, Kazuki caught it with his thumb, his pad sliding sensually against her lips.
“Extraordinary,” she breathed, utterly vanquished by the luxurious taste. “This must have cost you a fortune.”
“Worth every yen,” he smiled, selecting a piece for himself. She watched him savour it, eyes closed as he hummed. Sinful. Elyna stole another piece of fruit, savouring the charged intimacy between them. The cotton of her juban felt so thin compared to her earlier layers.
The hotel room was warm, though, enough to expose her legs. To expose herself to Kazuki’s scrutiny, whose eyes devoured her just as much as she observed him. Elyna’s breath caught when he approached, his solid frame radiating heat.
One heartbeat later, Kazuki’s lips were on hers; she eagerly surrendered, melting against him. When they broke apart, breathless, he rested his forehead against hers.
“Just wanted a taste,” he murmured against her mouth.
Ah! I’ll give you a taste!