Heart's Ease -- Part II

In the circle of light cast by the room's single candle, he set her carefully on her feet, their combined shadow stretching across his waiting futon.  She blushed, hastily raising her eyes to his face, only to blush harder as his adoring violet gaze flowed over her, taking in every detail.

Standing, his gi fell to just above her knees.  Although loosely belted at the waist, their earlier play had allowed the material to work free, revealing the gentle swell of her breasts in the deep V of the neckline.  Just barely visible. . . but enough to be tempting.  By force of will his eyes continued on, following the line of her slender legs to her delicate ankles, her small feet . . . and watched her toes curl nervously.  He smiled, unable to prevent the tender amusement her telltale action stirred.  Reaching out he took her hands in his, guiding them to his shoulders, giving her something to focus on besides her newfound shyness.  "Would you?" he coaxed, his eyes encouraging her.

Kaoru hesitated, biting her lip, but the thought of removing his shirt was far less intimidating -- and far more appealing -- than removing her own.  Slowly she eased the fabric from his shoulders and down his arms, the loose folds falling about his waist, leaving his torso bare save for the bandages wrapped around his stomach.  Blue eyes both curious and admiring, she let her gaze wander over him.  His frame wasn't as slim as it appeared when clothed, but neither was it bulky.  The planes of his chest tapered to a taut, slightly concave abdomen; his arms were corded with lean muscle, evidence of his quiet strength.

Quietly, patiently . . . tensely, Kenshin watched her, finding he was as nervous as she had seemed.  He was only moderately more experienced than she, and never before had his emotions been so entangled, never before had he been so conscious of the desire to please another.  Anxiety warred with eagerness, hunger struggled against control.  What is she thinking?

Kaoru's hands were drawn to the muscles in his upper arms, the slight hollow over his sternum.  Gingerly , his muscles leaping in reply, she explored first with her fingertips, then with palms spread flat against him.  His skin was warm under the brush of her fingers, firm and smooth; his body held rigid after that first, seeking contact.  A soft sound escaped him as her hands stroked gently over his chest, and she shivered at the low utterance, wanting all at once to be pressed close against him.

Almost reflexively Kenshin moved to touch her, his hands coming to rest lightly on her hips, then tightening as she leaned into him.  Dipping his head he took her mouth with his, the tasting this time hot, hungry, possessive.  She was clinging to him when finally he released her, her body awash in unfamiliar heat.  For him, because of him.  The knowledge was heady, arousing his desire to teach her more -- to hear her moan his name, to see her face transported by pleasure.  To know she was his, and give himself in return.  With that thought came regret, his heart aching that this first joining would be marred by her pain, however fleeting.  Carefully, he cautioned himself, slowly

Kaoru was vaguely aware of his voice whispering to her, its timbre low and husky, the words indistinct.  She felt his hand come to rest against her throat, his thumb caressing the underside of her chin, his fingers sliding under the edge of her shirt to lightly stroke her skin.  There was a question in his careful touch -- not demanding, simply asking - and shyly, after a moment's hesitation, she nodded.  When he whispered to her again, she opened her eyes to focus on his mouth, watched his lips form words, this time managing to make sense of them.

Noting both her hesitation and its accompanying blush, Kenshin sought some way to ease her lingering shyness.  "Turn around," he murmured, brushing a kiss across her brow, another across her mouth.  Her expression bewildered but trusting, she allowed his coaxing hands to guide her, turning until her back was to him.

Gathering her hair away from her neck with gentle fingers, he released it to fall over her shoulder, baring her nape.  Her breath caught as he pressed an open-mouthed kiss there, his tongue flickering over the sensitive skin.  Nuzzling her throat, he wrapped his left arm around her in a loose embrace, pulling her against him, fitting her curves to his lean form.  With a sigh she relaxed into his hold, letting him take most of her weight, nestling her head in the hollow of his shoulder.  One hand slid along his arm, her fingers threading through his, clasping him to her; the other she raised to his face, cupping his cheek.  Turning into her touch he kissed her palm, nipping lightly at her fingertips as they trailed over his lips.

Slowly then, giving her time to accept or deny him, he untied her sash.  It slipped from her waist to fall around their feet, the fabric over her breasts now held in place only by his encircling arm.  His fingers stroking soothingly, repeatedly over her hip, he ran his other hand up her neckline, easing the material aside to bare her shoulder.  Her skin was soft to the touch, even more so under the caress of his mouth.  Carefully he grazed the smooth flesh with his teeth, then laved the same spot with his tongue. . . trembling as she whimpered his name.

"Ken . . . shin . . ." Kaoru twisted against him, the pleasurable ache growing with each caress, each kiss, each whisper.

"Shhh . . . I know," he breathed in her ear, catching the lobe between his teeth and tugging slightly, "I know."  The same ache was building in him, held in check by an even greater need to make this last, to explore her fully.  His arm loosened, releasing the material he'd held closed.  "Here?" he asked, placing his hand low on her belly, pressing firmly.

His hand was strong and warm against her softness, his touch both tender and exciting.  Kaoru shifted restlessly in answer, a hushed moan escaping her.  Slowly he rotated his palm, gently grinding the heel of his hand against her, and instinctively she rocked her hips with the motion, biting her lip against the small sounds she seemed unable to stop.

Kenshin closed his eyes, drawing in a calming breath as she moved against his hand, her innocent, ardent response inexorably arousing, weakening his control.  He took another deep breath.  Carefully.  Slowly.  Shivering as her muted sound of longing, of protest, sent heat washing through him, he let his hand slip from her stomach, raising it instead to bare her other shoulder as he had the first. He then slid his hands slowly down her arms, dragging the loose material with him, easing it over her hands and away from her body to fall to the floor.  Enfolding her close again he paused, his gaze wandering over the curves now revealed to him, his fingertips sampling the texture of her skin.  Reverently, he stroked his hands up her midriff to her breasts, cupping her tender flesh in his palms.  He squeezed gently, watching as the tips tightened in reaction, swallowing against the urge to taste.

Kaoru braced herself against him as her knees weakened, her seeking hands tightening on the smooth muscle of his upper arms, her legs parting.  "Kenshin," she whispered, his name part plea, part encouragement.

Brushing his thumb over one aching peak, he slid his other hand down to rest lightly, questioningly, at the apex of her thighs.  She moaned, arching into his hold, turning her face into his neck.  In answer his fingers crept lower, finally touching her there, and with a low, shuddering wail, she collapsed.  Catching her, he eased her down onto the waiting futon, nestling her among the blankets.

He gazed at her a long moment, admiring her slender curves, her full breasts, the way her dark hair spilled across the white linen.  "Kirei," he whispered, bending to press a kiss in the hollow of each shoulder, another at the base of her throat, "kirei." His mouth met hers, his tongue plunging inside to speak of urgency and desire, before he reluctantly drew away, rising to remove the rest of his clothing.

Kaoru watched him through her lashes, mesmerized by the flex and shift of his muscles as he moved, setting aside his sakaba, untying the knot at his waist.  Blushing, she closed her eyes tight again as the knot came free, listening to the rustle of fabric as he removed his hakama.  She kept them closed as she felt him return, settling his length beside and partially over hers.

Kenshin smiled as she reached immediately to twine her arms around his neck, then stilled at her small sound of dismay.  "Kaoru?"

"You left it," she whispered, opening her eyes to pout up at him, her fingers tugging at the tie in his hair.  It came free an instant later, silken strands spilling about his shoulders, pooling between her breasts, and she sighed in satisfaction.

Hearing it he relaxed, his smile returning.  "Better?" he teased, brushing her nose with his.  Desire still sang through his senses, as strong and heady as before, but tempered by other emotions -- emotions that encouraged him to play, and to talk, to share everything there was to share. 

"Mmmmmm," the sound was part contentment, part assent, and part hunger.  She tilted her head, her arms tightening about his neck to bring his mouth to hers, reminding him of things unfinished.

Eyes closed, he sank into her kiss, savoring the feel of her fingers in his hair, her body against his.  Raising his head he braced his weight on his arms, whispering to her to look at him.  Holding her eyes with his, he brushed the taut planes of his chest against the softness of hers, their hushed sounds of pleasure mingling.  She rose up onto her heels, seeking to further the contact, and gradually he settled more of his weight against her, the brush becoming a lingering slide.

Shifting lower, his leg slipping between hers, he gave in to his earlier desire to taste her, delicately sampling the space between her breasts.  Her jasmine scent surrounded him, firing his hunger, and he traced a path to one aching peak, nuzzling moist kisses into her skin.  She moaned as he took her nipple into his mouth, gently suckling, his tongue swirling around her.

Kaoru slid her hands through his hair, holding him to her, the caress of his tongue almost unbearably sensual.  His teeth carefully grazed her, teasing her nerve endings, and she moaned again, her hips twisting against him, seeking.  "Onegai . . . Kenshin . . . onegai," her voice was soft, yearning, needing something she couldn't name, trusting that he would give it to her.  And he did, his hand slipping between her thighs to find where the aching pleasure was centered, touching her tenderly.  Her hands clenched on his shoulders, clinging to him as everything else faded away.

Kenshin shuddered as she cried out, pressing against his hand.  "It's all right," he whispered, his mouth drifting from her breasts to the curve of her belly, "I'm here."  His fingers entered her gently, testing; his thumb stroked firmly over the tiny bud, forcing her higher.  She was close, so very close, and he was so afraid to hurt her . . . His mouth explored the smooth flesh of her stomach, nipping lightly, soothing the love bites with a softer caress of his tongue.  Another mewling cry as his fingers played carefully against her, and his head dipped lower, needing to taste her fully.  His mouth closed over that most sensitive spot, his tongue circling it, flickering teasingly against it.

Focused on the caress of his hand, the glide of his fingers, Kaoru was only dimly aware of his mouth nibbling kisses along her body.  When the careful press of his thumb gave way to the velvet stroke of his tongue, her eyes flew open, her hands tangled in his hair.  "Kenshin!  Dame! Da . . . me . . ." her voice faded into a sobbing moan, his hand at the small of her back supporting her as she arched convulsively.  His eyes flashed briefly amber at the low, hungry sound, and then Kaoru was lost, conscious only of his hands guiding her, his warm tongue cherishing her.  Her eyes slid closed as he whispered to her, his lips brushing against her in a caress too light to satisfy, then closing around her again, gently tugging.  A heartbeat later she screamed his name, her body dissolving under wave upon wave of pleasure.

Now.  Rising above her, Kenshin slid swiftly inside, her body still trembling around him.  He moaned, burying his face in her hair, forcing his body to stillness, wanting to wait until she could share in the journey, until he could take her with him.  Some distant corner of his mind registered the sharp surge of satisfaction he'd felt as he broke through her barrier.  His.  Always.  Only.  Forever.

Wrapping her arms around him, Kaoru pressed closer, unaware of any pain, only of a completeness which seemed to heighten the pleasure.  Swaddled in contentment, she sank slowly down to earth, her world gradually expanding to include more than him, and her, and the delight rippling through her.

"Kaoru."

His voice, low and husky, whispering in her ear.  She smiled, turning her head to snuggle her face into the curve of his neck.

"Kaoru," he repeated, his voice a little more insistent.

"Mmmmm?"

Kenshin smiled, helpless to prevent it despite the desire still pounding through him.  She was so very contented, so adorable.  "Koishii," he breathed, nibbling kisses along her chin, "I need you . . . onegai . . ."

His words ran through her mind, dispelling some of her contentment. I . . . ore . . . The vague impression of golden eyes watching as she slid into ecstacy.  Slowly she opened her eyes, raising them to meet his, and relaxed at what she found.  They weren't the angry amber she'd feared, but a deep, bottomless amethyst, shining with love and desire.  Hunger.  She shivered pleasantly under that look, and then gasped, her eyes widening.  "Kenshin?"

He moaned, his eyes closing as her small movement sent sensation rippling through him.  Distantly, he heard her whisper his name, her voice questioning, startled; but was helpless to answer as he struggled to remain still.  Not yet . . . she's not ready . . . not yet.  His hands clenched in the blanket beneath them as she shifted against him again.

Fullness.  Possession.  Everything centered around him, the feel of him inside her.  His low sound of pleasure trembled up her spine, teasing her body to life, and she rocked her hips against him experimentally, her hands tightening on his back.

"Don't!" the protest was almost a plea.  He brought his forehead to rest against hers, their breath mingling.  "Kaoru . . . wait . . . I can't . . . I don't want to hurt you."

So concerned, so protective.  His body was tense against hers, faintly trembling.  So stubborn.  Whatever was to happen . . . she would welcome it simply because he wanted it, he needed it.  You should know that, she silently chided him.  And her own impulse was to move, to press herself against him, needing him to soothe the ache that was slowly beginning to build anew.  She cupped his face in her hands, her lips brushing gently over his cheek, his mouth.  "You won't," she whispered, "I promise."

He gave a choked, surprised laugh, "You promise?"  He felt her lips curve in a smile, heard her softly reaffirm her vow, and knew that - from her - it wasn't an empty one.  She trusted him completely, and trusting, had no need to doubt.  He felt her hands slide through his hair, her arms curl about his neck, urging him closer, dispelling the last of his worry.  "Kaoru," he whispered her name wonderingly, lovingly against her lips.  Slowly, watching her face, he began to move; gently withdrawing, carefully stroking back inside.

Closing her eyes, Kaoru let her head fall back to bare her throat, her hands clenching on his shoulders.  This was different than before, when the ache had been slow to build, his lips and hands had patiently guided her higher.  Each gliding stroke seemed to tease: filling her, then leaving her empty, wanting more.  She moaned as his mouth -- hot, open, hungry -- slid down her neck, trailing fire.

Shivering at the needy sound, Kenshin gradually increased the pace, feeling her move with him, her body arching against his.  "Hold me," he whispered, wanting her legs wrapped tightly around his waist, clinging to him, trusting him to take care of her.  Willingly, she followed his urging, her soft voice sweetly pleading, calling his name as he thrust deeper, faster.  He clenched his teeth, hovering on the edge, and rotated his hips against her - once, twice, a third time and she cried out, convulsing around him.  Feeling her tremors he let himself go, her name on his lips.

Safe.  Loved.  Tranquil.  The separate sensations gradually coalescing into a contented whole, Kenshin opened his eyes, resting his drowsy gaze on her sweet face.  A small smile curved lips still rosy from his kisses, widening as he nuzzled her throat, and turning into the teasing caress she brushed his cheek with her mouth.  Shifting his weight to one side he cuddled her against him, her head on his arm, their legs in a comfortable tangle.

Kaoru's lashes fluttered against her cheeks as she sought to stay awake, reluctant to miss a moment of this quiet time with him.  In the morning . . . in the morning Enishi would be there, a reminder of Kenshin's past, a threat to be reckoned with.  Here, now, there was only the soft circle of candlelight, the warmth of his body sheltering hers, the strength of his arms as he held her close, the wealth of emotion flowing between them.  Such things were not to be squandered.  And yet . . . this feeling of being cherished, of resting secure against him, was also to be savored.  She'd wanted this for so long . . .

"True now," she murmured as he pressed a kiss to her temple, his lips traveling tenderly over her face.

"Nani?" Conscious that she was nearly asleep, he kept his voice soft as he reached to draw the blankets around them, further insulating them against the world outside.

Snuggling closer, she turned her face into his chest.  "At the river . . . Jineh said . . ." fading even as she spoke, her thoughts emerged disjointed, " . . . your woman . . . wanted to be . . . wanted to know . . ."

Kenshin's eyes widened, then softened.  "Sleep," he whispered, bending his head to kiss her shoulder, his voice soothing, reassuring, "I'll be here."  His own lids were heavy, but he resisted the urge to close them, wanting to watch her, taking endless comfort in her peaceful, trusting repose.  "Aishiteru," he murmured in her ear, his voice scarcely audible.  She sighed, her fingers gently tracing his mouth, her lips silently repeating the word as she drifted off.  Catching her hand as it slipped from his chin, he placed a kiss in her palm, holding it in his until he, too, reluctantly slept.

Go to Part III