The Tale Continues (Saiunkoku Monogatari Fanfiction: Ryuuki x Shuurei lemon)

Chapter 25: Devious

Ryuuki pouted. ''Hmm, I would love to brag it to Kouyuu and Shuuei.''

Shuurei threw vegetables at him and he easily caught it. ''That's nothing to be proud off. You shameless man.''

''But Shuurei –''

''No buts.''

''Fine. I'll keep it a secret but you have to give me one more kiss just like a while ago,'' Ryuuki said and walked towards her.

''Ryuuki can you not see what I am holding?'' Shuurei said in annoyance.

''A knife and a carrot,'' Ryuuki said casually not fazed even as Shuurei's hand tightened on the knife. ''You said no buts, same goes for you.'' Then he lifted her chin up and leaned in but did not kiss her. Their face are so close to each other that Shuurei blushed as he gazed at her eyes. She wanted to move away but strangely, she cannot will herself to move or push him away. Her hand let go of the knife. ''Just like a while ago,'' Ryuuki repeated. His thumb caressed her cheek and when he saw the look of resignation in her eyes and her lips parted, he kissed her. And just like minutes ago, Shuurei responded. Ryuuki did not waste that opportunity and kissed her deeply.

Shuurei's knees turned to jelly again and as if knowing that, Ryuuki wrapped an arm around her waist to support her. Just like before, she felt like butterflies are fluttering in her stomach. Heat spread throughout her body and she felt a spark the moment their lips touched each other.

She knew Ryuuki is taking advantage of the kiss and yet she wondered why she still responded as he roamed her mouth and played with her tongue. She reasoned that because she has no choice, that she is doing this so Ryuuki would keep it as secret. But deep in her mind something asked her if that really is the reason. She did not want to admit that he smelled good, that she liked how he taste, and that she is enjoying the kiss and she cannot stop herself from responding. The kiss made her feel loved and treasured. It did not feel like it says anything like 'you are mine' but it somewhat says 'I love you and I will keep on waiting for you.'

Ryuuki was the one who broke the kiss when he knew they needed air, this made Shuurei feel embarrassed but she cannot say a thing. Ryuuki is breathing heavily yet his lips are still so close to hers who is also breathless. He is searching something in her eyes and was glad when he found it. She liked the kiss, and she wanted more. He knew it. He being the one to break the kiss would also make her remember this more.

A strong gust of wind blew and carried the scent of the Sakura blossoms but Ryuuki's intense gaze did not falter. He wanted to see all her reactions. His thumb gently run through her lips and Shuurei blushed. She wanted to pull away from his gaze. Their closeness to each other gives a sensation to her body that she did not understand. And although he is not saying anything, she could read a lot of things from his eyes. She can no longer take the silence. ''Y-you will keep this a secret as well right?'' she stuttered.

Ryuuki saw the worried look in her eyes. She really do not want anyone to know that she fervently responded to him. He smiled gently. ''Yes.''

She sighed in relief. ''This is the last time we talk about this then,'' she concluded.

''That's not part of the deal.''

''What?''

''That would be another kiss,'' Ryuuki said with a playful smile.

Shuurei regained her composure and glared. ''Stop tricking. I have no time for your games.''

Ryuuki kissed her cheek and whispered to her ear, ''don't worry. I will only mention it when it is just the two of us.''

''W-what?! No. T-this is a mistake. Yes, that's it. Let's pretend this never happened. Okay,'' she said nervously.

''You know I cannot do that. To a man who always had this painful longing to be this close to his beloved, everything that happened is something I will treasure.'' Ryuuki hugged her from behind again and nuzzled his head at the nape of her neck. He inhaled her scent and kissed the back of her neck. It made Shuurei shiver and Ryuuki smiled. He kissed it again and again, softly. Shuurei's breathing becoming heavy encouraged him that he unconsciously licked her skin.

''Ryuuki, stop!'' Shuurei said in an alarmed tone. She did not like how her body heated when he did that. Her heart is also drumming her chest again. She was relieved when Ryuuki stopped the instant she told him to stop.

''I'm sorry,'' Ryuuki said. He was sincere. He shouldn't have done that.

Shuurei did not know how to respond to that. She bowed her head in defeat. ''Just don't let anyone else know about all these.''

''Okay,'' Ryuuki said in a soft voice. ''Are you angry at me?''

''No.'' Shuurei wondered why she is not angry. She should have been angry.

After what seemed like ages Ryuuki finally removed his arm around her and she is finally able to breathe normally. ''I really need to prepare dinner now,'' Shuurei said to change the course of the conversation. She stubbornly refused to think about all that has happened and so she did not want to talk about it anymore or else she really would start dwelling on it. She has to act normal or else Seiran and her father would notice that there is something different about her. She turned her back to Ryuuki and continued chopping vegetables as if nothing happened.

Next Chapter: Before Dinner