Leaving the park he found himself standing on the stone walk in front of the campus. Kotaro lifted his ice blue eyes in the direction Kyoko lived. He frowned as concern etched his features and had the sudden urge to check in on âhis womanâ.
The long part of his layered dark hair was pulled back in a band hanging low. The rest of his hair from bangs to crown was in a constant state of looking naturally windblown; giving him the appearance of a punk bad boy but that suited him just fine. This appearance had served him more than once in recent years.
His body was tall with slender muscles⦠but looks could be deceiving. He didnât have an ounce of fat to spare and was stronger than fifty human men put together. The only people who knew of his inhuman strength were those who chose to give him a hard time or dared to get in his way. And those few were too scared to say a word. No one on campus knew Kotaroâs secret side and he wanted to keep it that way.
Kotaro was responsible for the safety of every person that walked on campus whether it was a visitor, student or faculty member. Young women had started disappearing from this area about a month ago at an alarming rate and mostly from the grid surrounding the college grounds.
A low growl formed deep within his chest as he inhaled the scents around him. The air had become tainted with an ancient scent⦠evil. He was getting closer to the one who was responsible for more than just the missing girls⦠he could feel it. Pushing those thoughts aside for now, he started walking briskly toward the surrounding apartments that housed many of the innocent college students.
He would go check in on Kyoko and if she would let him, his eyes darkened attractively⦠he wouldnât leave her side for the rest of the day⦠or night. He only hoped Toya wasnât hanging around her again today. He wanted her all to himself. After all, she was truly his woman and that âboyâ would have to get a life.
His steps slowed for a moment at the irony of it⦠he was glad Toya at least now had a life. An almost amused smirk appeared as he mentally threatened that life if he didnât quit hounding Kyoko all the time.
Just the thought of her sitting next to him on her comfortable couch, eating popcorn, and watching some cheesy movie sounded like the perfect evening. They shared something like that at least once a week and to him⦠that was his favorite part of the week. He got his uninterrupted time with the auburn haired beauty. It didnât matter whether they were watching a movie or just sitting on her couch talking⦠he just loved the feel of her snuggled next to him.
Kotaro smirked to himself in satisfaction as he wondered what it would be like to always be by her side⦠day and night.
His smirk faded at his next thought⦠Kyoko hadnât actually chosen him over Toya, yet. At least not in this lifetime. âSome things never change.â He looked upward as if sending a silent sarcastic âthanks for all the help in that area.â to whoever was listening. Something told him the gods had to have the most disturbing since of humor.
*****
Finals were finally over and Kyoko had been singing those words all afternoon. She had been a good girl and studied till she was sick to death of it, but it had all paid off. She just knew sheâd aced those evil tests. That thought alone had made her want to do a happy dance all the way back to her apartment today.
In fact, the first thing sheâd done as soon as she walked in the door was fling her books across the living room like they were disease infested and finally succumbed to the urge⦠performing an impromptu âhappy danceâ right in the doorway, looking like she had a bit of geek left in her after all.
This was immediately followed by her own rendition of a touchdown dance sheâd seen Toya do once, shaking her butt all the way down the hall to her bathroom so she could run a hot bubble bath. Kyoko then decided if she was going to do this it would be done right and went to turn on her stereo and grabbed a few candles.
She was still making cute victory noises by the time the tub filled and she made short work of her clothing by taking them off and throwing them wherever she pleased. âMost likely Iâll find my underwear hanging from the ceiling fan when I get done.â She thought to herself then shrugged and stepped into the water.
She slid down further into the bath to let the bubbles floating along the top caress her neck and shoulders. Her emerald green eyes, that were sometimes known to turn stormy at a moment's notice, were shining with contentment.
Her auburn waves of hair were piled haphazardly on top of her head and her silky smooth skin was hidden now beneath the bubbles. She was a happy girl⦠and all she really wanted to do was relax for the rest of the day. A bit of soft music in the background, some sweet smelling candles lit all around the bathroom and it was the perfect setting.
She closed her eyes knowing his image would soon come into focus⦠as if waiting for her. It was her secret to keep.
Ice blue eyes watched her from within her mind. She had dreams of him so many times during the nights that now she could summon them even during her waking hours. The deeper she became entwined in the dream, the more real he became until it seemed he was really there⦠kneeling beside the bathtub.
His lips tilted in a sensual smirk as he reached out and took the washcloth from her⦠his eyes becoming as bright as blue flame.
âDreams are nice,â she whispered as she rolled her head to the side letting him do what he wanted.
âRing, Ring.â One of the most annoying sounds in the world echoed throughout the apartment. Kyoko jerked forward in the tub sloshing the water over the rim and onto the tile floor. Raising her hand to her cheek, she could feel the heat there and blushed just as the phone rang again.
âShoot!â She stood up quickly knowing the phone was all the way in the living room. Stepping out of the water, she grabbed the silk robe from the counter and wrapped it around her as she ran to answer it.
Realizing she was leaving a trail of water, she made a mental note to remember to take the cordless phone to the bathroom with her the next time.
On the other end of the irritating ringing, Suki tapped her fingernails on the kitchen counter wishing Kyoko would hurry up already and get to the phone. She had this nagging feeling that Shinbe would be here any minute, and she didnât want him to know anything about what she was planning.
She heard the click on the other end. âFinally!â
Kyoko pulled the phone back from her ear to glare at it then placed it back. âSuki, I was in the bath!â Kyoko nearly whined as she gazed longingly back toward the bathroom door where she knew the water was still hot and scented with jasmine. It beckoned her to return and enjoy⦠so did the dream. She bit her bottom lip as she dragged her eyes away from what she wanted.
âAre you standing there naked?â Suki snickered knowing Kyoko blushed easily.
âSuki!â Kyoko cried into the receiver. Her friend simply had a warped sense of humor, which probably came from being around Shinbe way too much. She grinned mischievously as she countered, âDid you need something? I have a hot, steamy bath calling my name and youâre interrupting my little rendezvous.â
âRendezvous?â Suki looked at the phone and rolled her eyes. âYou definitely need help Kyoko. Who ever heard of getting romantic in bathwater without someone there with you? At least get a spark of imagination and think about a sexy man to wash your back while youâre in there.â She sighed in an exasperated tone unaware she had just shocked Kyoko to the core at how close her mental picture really was.
âAnyways, you and I are having a girlâs night out to celebrate finals being over,â Suki chirped. She wasnât about to let Kyoko say no.
âI wonât take no for an answer either, so start getting ready. And wear that outfit we bought last weekend. Iâll do the same.â Suki inhaled deeply and quickly started again before Kyoko could get a word in edgewise. âBe ready by 7:30. Love ya. Byeeee!â
Kyoko blinked when the phone clicked signaling the line was disconnected. Her lips were still parted because she had been ready to say ânoâ at her first opportunity. She sent a silent glare at the far wall of the living room that separated the two girlsâ apartments wondering if Suki had called from there or from her cell phone out somewhere.
Looking at the caller ID she sighed. âCell phone, that figures.â No need to go beat on the wall then. But the image of her hands around Sukiâs neck brought a smile to her face. âI can pretend though.â
Tossing the cordless phone back on the counter, Kyoko looked down at the silken robe now clinging to her damp body and groaned. The warm water still on her skin had now turned cold and tingly, making chill bumps appear. Quickly, she turned to go back to her bath.
âRing, Ring.â Kyoko twitched.
Spinning around as her left eyebrow rose in frustration. âI hope thatâs Suki so I can tell her how well I like to be bullied!â Jerking up the phone, she said a little louder than normal. âHello!!â
Toya smirked at Kyokoâs greeting. âCome now, didnât your mommy ever teach you to be polite when answering the phone?â
Kyoko felt like calmly walking to the window, opening it, and letting the phone slip from her hand into the unknown. âWhy is it that no one wants to let me finish taking my bath?â she whined, stomping her foot only to feel the air conditioning make its way beneath her robe.
Toyaâs smirk vanished as his imagination ran wild and explicit visions started dancing around in his mind. âAre you nakâ¦â He stopped suddenly tongue-tied before asking her if she was standing there naked. Shaking the thought out of his head, Toya took a deep breath to calm himself and hopefully get his now raging hormones under control. âDamn, that was a pretty pictureâ¦â
Kyoko frowned wondering if Toya was standing right beside Suki at that very moment.
Toya tried again. âHeh, never mind. Look, Iâm coming over to take you to the movies tonight, so just get dressed.â
Kyoko narrowed her eyes wondering who pronounced it to be âThe Day of The Bulliesâ. âUh, I have plans tonight.â Of course her plans had been to turn into a prune in the bath than curl up on the sofa and watch a movie. Maybe even fall asleep during it, not have everyone under the sun bugging her to âgo outâ.
âWhat! Cancel them, because youâre coming with me!â Toya practically ordered, getting annoyed that she wasnât doing what he wanted her to do⦠as if she ever did.
Kyoko closed her eyes and held the phone away from her chanting âI will not throw it out the window, I will not throw it out the window,â âKnock, Knockâ Kyoko swung around to face the door thinking. âBut I WILL throw it at whoever is at the damn door!â she could hear a demented laugh come from somewhere deep inside, where her evil twin resided.
She calmly walked to the door and unlocked it, then peeked around the door to see who it was. âKotaroâ she whispered a little breathlessly then snapped her mouth shut guiltily hoping he hadnât noticed.
Kotaro's eyes lit up and darkened at the same time when the door opened. He was glad to see Kyoko safe⦠and obviously not fully dressed. He cocked an eyebrow at the way she had said his name. Pressing his hand against the door above her head, he opened it the rest of the way with his usual confident smile as he slid past her⦠almost touching.
âHow is my woman today?â Kotaro walked past her and into the apartment like he belonged there.
âI will not commit murder, I will not throw the phone, I will notâ¦â Kyokoâs mind continued to chant as Kotaro faced her with his usual heart-stopping grin. She suddenly felt like the air conditioning had stopped working.
How was it this man, who could only be described as walking sex, affect her so? She always felt like she was trying to stop herself from throwing him to the floor. Shaking her head, she looked down and squeaked when she saw her robe had come partially open. It wasnât enough to show anything but enough skin was visible to make her blush.
Toya tensed, hearing the knock in the background through the phone and then Kotaroâs voice. He yelled into the phone to get her attention. âDamn it, Kyoko! What the hell is Kotaro doing there?â he ground out, angry that the security guard had shown up at âhisâ Kyokoâs apartment again.
Kyoko cringed when the yell from the phone could be heard loud and clear within the living room. Looking over Kotaroâs shoulder at the wall clock, she knew she needed to start getting ready or Suki would be the next one banging on the door. Enough was enough. She turned and walked over to the counter intending to hang the phone up.
Raising it back to her ear she shouted, âIâll see you later!â âClickâ⦠one down⦠one to go.
Kotaro smirked knowing it had been Toya she was yelling at. His eyes traveled over the silk that clung to a nicely shaped body like a second skin and he couldnât have stopped himself if he had tried from moving forward⦠closer to her. He slowly closed his eyes only for a second as he inhaled deeply, his entire body now less than an inch from hers. The thought of touching without contact had him mentally curving his body around hers and tightening.
He leaned forward bringing his lips close to the shell of her ear before whispering her name. His lips softened, as did his ice blue eyes. He often found himself almost wishing she would remember the past⦠and how close they once were. What would she do if she remembered they used to live together? Him, her, and Toya⦠so they could protect her.
Kyoko lost her breath as it rushed out of her and she felt the skin along her neck and cheek tingle. It was hard enough to keep her thoughts straight with him so close but right now she could feel him touching her even though he wasnât. Remembering just what she was doing before the phone had interrupted her made instant heat rise up into her face.
Not wanting him to notice her guilt, she kept her back to him and tried hard to suppress the memory of the bath. Closing her eyes, she fought the urge to lean back into him and had to grab the table to steady herself.
Kotaro wanted to put his hands on the table on both sides of her⦠trapping her within his arms but suddenly stilled. He could smell the soaps she had used in the bath but one flavor made its way to him and his expression turned curious⦠arousal? He stepped back from her⦠feeling himself harden.
Running his hand through his untamed hair, he retreated to a safer distance trying hard to ignore the jolt in the pit of his stomach⦠why had he come here again?⦠it was important.
He felt his protective instincts kick in recalling the recent alerts he had received. âWill you spend the evening with me?â The innocent sounding question hid a double meaning, as he tasted the want.
Kyoko slowed her breathing once again ready to fight her feelings. She frowned knowing it would be too dangerous to be alone with him. Suddenly, she wanted to thank Suki for ordering her around.