Chapter 54
Soaking
Elyna awoke to winter light filtering through the curtains, wrapped around Kazuki’s body. His heart thrummed steadily underneath her cheek, a soothing rhythm that lulled her senses. A blissful sigh escaped her; she’d never woken up feeling so complete.
She carefully lifted her head to observe him. In the morning light, he looked younger. More approachable than the careful mask he wore at school. As he slumbered, Elyna drank in his handsome features, marvelling at each detail.
She still couldn’t believe that he let her touch him. Sleep beside him. Love him.
Her fingers ached to explore the sharp line of his jaw, that pointed chin, and the cheekbones she’d enjoyed kissing the night before.
Her cheeks heated as she remembered their passionate evening. Just as she fought to chase the memory, the hand on her hip flexed. His lashes parted to reveal warm, brown orbs.
“Morning,” he murmured, voice rough.
Elyna shivered as the sound reverberated straight through her ribcage. “Hi handsome,” she whispered.
A slow smile bloomed on his face, and he cupped the back of her head to press a kiss to her lips. “Hungry, my golden lady?” he asked, blinking sleep away.
Elyna stretched against him, wincing when her thighs ached. “Mmm. Maybe a shower first?”
His eyes darkened. “There’s always the bath.”
Elyna’s breath caught.
The bathroom was inviting, steam rising in the room as Kazuki filled the traditional wooden tub. The typical hinoki fragrance wafted up Elyna’s nose as she watched him from the doorway. She suddenly felt uneasy at the idea of undressing in broad daylight.
“Let’s wash first.” Kazuki gestured to the stool and shower head mounted on the wall.
Elyna nodded, remembering onsen bathing etiquette. Silence settled in the room, tension thick, until he slid the robe from his shoulders, revealing his corded chest. Her eyes feasted on the sight; whatever god had sculpted his body had spared no expense!
But she, in turn, suddenly felt very inadequate… Elyna swallowed, fingers fumbling with the robe’s tie. Daylight exposed everything: the slight asymmetry of her breasts, the constellation of freckles across her shoulders…
Eventually she succumbed to Kazuki’s welcoming gaze; she let the robe fall at her feet.
The urge to cover her body was strong, but his hand circled her forearm before she could give in.
His palm was rough and warm, sliding across her skin invitingly.
A reverent touch that immediately stilled her self-deprecating thoughts.
Sano Kazuki, my anchor into the world.
Last night, he’d worshipped her from head to toe, mapping every contour with both hands and mouth. The memory was enough for heat to crawl up her chest. Seeing her discomfort, Kazuki embraced her. Skin met skin, her breasts crushed against his heart.
There they stood, gloriously naked as steam curled in the room. Elyna set her cheek against his collarbone, hand drifting to meet the steady thump-thump of his heart. The knot in her chest relaxed.
“Come here,” he eventually slid in her ear.
Elyna walked to the stool, feeling the weight of his attention follow until she sat cross-legged. An ultimate attempt to protect her modesty. Kazuki circled her and grabbed the showerhead, fingers sliding over her shoulder in a smooth caress.
The first cascade of water warmed her back. Elyna moaned, tilting her head backwards until it rested against his bare stomach.
“OK?” His voice was rough, his fingers tender when they stroked her jaw before he let the stream of water soak her hair. Elyna hummed her pleasure, savouring the feeling.
Kazuki washed her long tresses slowly, bestowing all his attention to the task.
She barely felt water stream over her chest, too lost in the sensation of his fingers massaging her scalp.
To feel his solid frame behind her, hard muscles plastered against her head left her feeling exposed and safe all at once.
He’s seen you. Touched you. Been inside you.
That wayward thought sent liquid heat pooling low in her belly; Elyna pressed her legs together to hide her flustering. Oblivious, Kazuki rinsed her hair and knelt behind her, lathering his palms.
Elyna relaxed completely, tracing his touches across her back. Slick hands kneaded her shoulders, then ventured down the curve of her spine. He circled her ribcage gently, thumbs grazing the sides of her breasts.
She sucked in a breath, and a kiss landed at her nape, slow and sensual. “You alright?” he breathed. Elyna hummed her assent. His hands dipped to her lower back, fingers pressing into muscles. A soft moan escaped her, from both relief and the maddening sensation.
Eventually, Kazuki circled around, kneeling on the tiles to wash her thighs.
Beads of water pearled on his chest, coaxing her to taste his skin.
To explore the subtle definition of muscles earned through years of martial arts.
Mesmerised, Elyna watched his shoulders shift as his hands slid around her calves.
Too handsome for his own good, and kneeling at my feet.
His fingers on the sole of her foot sent a tickle up her nerves, effectively wrenching her from her mooning. Elyna giggled, flexing her toes to escape his hold.
Kazuki’s eyes found hers as his thumb pressed into the arch. “Ticklish?”
She couldn’t suppress a giggle, legs tensing in anticipation. “A bit. Sorry.”
His expression brightened, brown eyes sparkling with delight as he let go of her foot. “All the more blackmail material,” he teased.
Elyna whined and squirmed, washing the left foot by herself. Seeing her glare, Kazuki pursed his lips and reached for the showerhead to rinse her. A waterfall of soap and warmth cascaded between her breasts, down her arms and back until she was thoroughly clean.
Elyna reached for his strong wrist and kissed it, lifting her head to catch his eyes. “Your turn,” she murmured, lips lingering on tender skin.
Kazuki stilled, a conflicted expression sliding across his features. “You don’t have to…”
“But I want to.” Elyna stood, grabbing the showerhead to refrain from plastering herself against his naked body. “Please?”
Surprise flickered across his face, as if he hadn’t expected reciprocation. Her fingers cupped his jaw, then slid on his shoulder to press him down on the stool.
“All right,” he huffed. “If you’re sure.”
Elyna smirked, brushing a strand of damp hair from his forehead. “You’re not the only one who gets to have fun, you know. And it beats the ‘looking without touching’ I have to do in school.”
She reached out for the tap, breasts brushing against his shoulder. In all her bravado, she’d failed to consider how exposed she would be, standing naked before him. But, aside from the arm that circled her waist to stabilise her, Kazuki’s head remained bowed. Reverent.
How does he do that? Make deference look strong?
Gathering her courage, Elyna set to work.
This was a chance to learn him. Lathering her hands, she began to explore her lover.
Solid muscle rippled under her touch; Elyna marvelled at every shift, at the way his body responded to her ministrations.
His skin was warm, and she wanted to press her mouth to every inch.
Later. Definitely later.
Her hands glided down his spine, down to the hollow at the base. She traced it with her fingertip, felt him shiver despite the warmth. To have this controlled, careful man tremble under her hands fuelled her pride.
She circled him then, sliding to the front where his delectable chest awaited her. Her fingers skimmed over his shoulders, finding a thin line across his left collarbone.
“What happened?” she asked, tracing the scar.
A self-deprecating chuckle escaped him. “Bicycle. I was sixteen and stupid. I discovered that the guardrail was stronger than me and my father busted my ass for that.”
Elyna huffed. “I bet he did,” she murmured, embracing him to press her lips to the scar; a benediction for past hurts, teenage foolishness and every wound that had shaped him into the wonderful man he had become.
Kazuki’s breath hitched. “Lyna…”
The nickname caught her off-guard. “Just being thorough,” she murmured, kissing her way to that tantalising place right beneath his jaw.
A tremor shook him. “You are playing with fire.”
Who set me on fire last night?
Her fingers followed the cascade of water that ran down the planes of his chest. Her hand dipped further down, grazing the skin of his abdomen to lather it slowly, sensually.
A groan wrenched from his throat and he caught her wrist.
Surprised, Elyna glanced down. Heat flooded her face at the evidence of his response, straining towards her. Memories crashed over her: how he’d felt inside her, the stretch and amazing fullness of it. Her eyes flew back up.
“The bath first.” His voice was rough. “Before we run out of hot water.”
Elyna smirked, emboldened. “It’s a hotel, Tsuki. They don’t run out of hot water.”
His expression turned rueful. Almost pained. “I’m trying to maintain some dignity here.”
“Mm.” Her gaze dropped deliberately, playfully. “How’s that working for you?” she murmured at his ear. He let out a helpless laugh. “Terribly.”
The tub was deep enough to sink all the way to her chest. Heat enveloped her, seeping into sore muscles. Kazuki slid in behind her, legs encasing her in a cocoon; Elyna melted against his solid frame with a blissful sigh.
“This is heaven.”
Kazuki hummed his assent, chin coming to rest on her shoulder. His hands crossed over her stomach, splaying wide. “Your skin is so soft,” he murmured.
The tone of his voice could have lulled her to sleep, but for the evidence of his desire pulsing against her lower back. Elyna squirmed, soft muscles shifting against him.
“Ignore it,” he groaned, arms tightening around her waist. “I’m not…” He huffed out a frustrated breath. “I’m enjoying this.”
Elyna tilted her head to press a kiss to the corner of his jaw. “Me too … but I’m not opposed to … more?”
His chest rumbled against her back. “You’re going to kill me.”
“You’re a PE teacher,” she quipped back. “All that stamina should be taken advantage of.”
He laughed openly then, and kissed her nape. When he made no other move, Elyna slid down to recline against him fully. Steam rose around them, fogging the windows until she couldn’t see the grey sky anymore.
Christmas morning in Japan. In a hotel bath. With him.
Nine months ago, she’d been in Cornwall, packing her suitcases, wondering if her dreams of Japan would crash down. Yet, here she was, lounging in the arms of a man who’d somehow become her entire world.
“Your heart is so beautiful, my Tsuki,” she whispered, feeling the organ pulse against her ribcage. “Thank you for choosing me.”
He manoeuvred her aside to give her a look that pierced her through.
“Of course, I chose you, you silly woman.” A kiss landed at her brow, so tender that her heart ached. “Not that I had a choice either way.”
Elyna frowned, caught off-guard by his admission. “What do you mean?”
His eyes trapped hers, warm honey searching for answers in her gaze. “It’s just…”, his hand lifted to cup her cheek. “ … you walked into my life, and I was yours. That’s how it is. You just need to exist, and…”
His throat worked, but the words would not come. A line creased his forehead, betraying his frustration. Elyna reached out, smoothing her finger over his furrowed brow in hopes of dispelling his unease. Eventually, Kazuki sighed and dropped his head on her shoulder.
“We can’t help who we fall for, right?”
Even though the words were muffled against her skin, the meaning was clear. Her eyes misted over as he grabbed both her hands beneath the water, lacing their fingers together.
“I admire so many things about you, Elyna,” he said, lifting his head to gaze at her. “Your dedication, your energy, your courage … and your cuteness.” He paused, looking for the right words. “But in truth, my heart belongs to you and I hope you’ll take good care of it.”
The tears spilt over then, a joy so pure it couldn’t be contained. Sniffling, Elyna smiled. “I love you as well, Kazu. So much my heart could burst.”
There. Said it. Finally said it.
Kazuki’s features transformed, as if touched by the sun. He pulled her impossibly close, trapping them in a tangle of limbs as he buried his face in her neck.
Thus they remained until the water cooled, wrapped around each other, neither willing to break the moment. Outside, the wind howled.
Elyna: still pissed?
Elyna: Oi, Akselito?