Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Separate Lives ❯ 4 ( Chapter 4 )

Separate Lives

by

Barbara Sheridan

(based on characters created by Nobuhiro Watsuki)

Chapter Four

The slight widening of his eyes was the only outward sign Aoshi would allow himself to show when Megumi stepped into the main room of the little house despite the fact that every male instinct he possessed demanded that he sweep her into his arms the second she appeared.

He'd seen her only twice without that shapeless "mama-san" top she usually insisted upon wearing over her kimono, but this time it was as if he was seeing a new woman. The most beautiful woman he'd ever set eyes upon.

How different Megumi looked with her hair up and decorated with fancy combs, how arousing she was with that pretty flower obi pulling the kimono in, accentuating her slim waist and showing off the slightest curve of her hips.

He couldn't help but remember the feel of those hips in his hands, the sight, scent and sweet taste of her soft skin...

"Shall we go?" He asked once his icy self control took hold again.

"Where will we be? In case there's an emergency."

"I thought we'd have dinner at the hotel. If that's agreeable."

"I suppose," Megumi said, her mind spinning in a thousand different directions.

Sakura gave her another gentle nudge. "Kaemon will be fine. Go, enjoy your evening."

Megumi again regretted letting Sakura talk her into getting so dressed up when the rickshaw man Aoshi had hired gave her a long look as Aoshi helped her into the little cart. What was she doing? This was insane, this dinner invitation, at his hotel no less, and especially fixing herself up like some damned Geisha. She should feign illness. Yes, that's what she should do---

Her thoughts broke off the instant Aoshi seated himself next to her and placed his hand over hers. "I thought we'd eat in my room. The main dining room was rather crowded when I left the hotel."

His room?

"Well..."

Aoshi moved his hand from hers. "If you'd rather not, I understand. I thought it might be easier to talk in a quieter place."

"Talk, yes," Megumi muttered, licking her suddenly dry lips.

Aoshi shifted, moving slightly away from her on the cramped seat.

Megumi stared straight ahead, her hands clasped firmly on her lap as the rickshaw made its way through the streets. Her heart pounded like mad and she silently lectured herself on why this was such a foolish idea, though in the end, her impulses gave way to her common sense.

Heads turned as she entered the fine lobby of the small hotel behind Aoshi and headed towards the wide staircase. With her head held high Megumi quickened her stride to be beside Aoshi and took a firm hold on his arm. He glanced over and she flashed him a playful wink in response to his questioning look.

The meal was a blur to her and she could barely keep her thoughts centered on their bland conversation about her recent clinic work and the happenings back at the Aoiya. All she could concentrate on was how handsome Aoshi looked in the flickering candlelight and how her body warmed with the memory of that one night they shared.

She jumped when Aoshi reached over and tilted her chin up so that she was caught by the brilliance of those icy blue eyes.

"You haven't heard a word I've said, have you?"

"Of course I have. I've heard everything. Shall I repeat it?"

"Yes," he said dryly, lowering his hand.

Megumi opened her mouth then clamped it shut as heat flared in her cheeks.. She looked down at her barely touched meal. "Maybe I didn't hear absolutely everything."

"That's a shame."

She looked up. "Why?"

"Then you missed the part about my coming back here on a steady basis. And I suppose you also didn't hear me ask if you might like to have a regular dinner engagement when I do."

Coming here, steady basis, regular dinner engagement?

"I'll take that silence as a no, then?"

"No! I mean yes, I mean-"

Aoshi laughed.

Megumi's jaw fell open and she continued to gape even though he pulled that impassive cloak back over himself in record time.

He cleared his throat and took a sip from the water glass to his right. "Forgive me."

"Only if you promise to laugh again. Soon."

Aoshi looked up, clearly surprised.

Megumi's delight bubbled over. She came around the table, grinning madly. "Your secret is out Shinomori-san. But is it safe?"

"Planning to blackmail me, are you, Takani?"

He didn't even try to hide to hide his amusement. He leaned back in the chair and gave her a long look.

"And what if I did?" Megumi teased, feeling like the kitsune for the first time in ages. She leaned forward, close enough to smell his tantalizing masculine scent.

"Then I'd have to stop you. I'm a respectable businessman these days. I have a reputation to uphold."

"How would you stop me?"

He shifted to the edge of his chair. "If you were going to tell my greatest secret there's only one way to keep you quiet."

Megumi leaned in a little more. "And that way is-"

She was silenced by the press of his lips and made no move to escape when he effortlessly pulled her onto his lap.

It was like the first time all over again.

Her heart was hammering, her blood racing, her mind fogging with a haze of wanting so thick that it frightened her.

Aoshi's kiss was slow, experienced, and made the real world fade into oblivion. All that mattered was this moment, the feel of his strong shoulders beneath her fingers, the taste of his tongue as he teased her lips apart, the sensation of his large hand stroking her back.

Megumi was barely conscious of the pounding on the room door, but Aoshi heard and broke off the kiss. The mask of indifference took over his features once more though his eyes still retained the spark of smoldering desire.

Her back to the door, Megumi struggled to regain some semblance of composure when she heard a man ask frantically for Dr. Takani.

"What is the problem?" she asked, stepping up beside Aoshi.

"An accident at the train depot. Dr. Oguni sent me for you. He apologizes for interrupting but needs your help."

She looked to Aoshi. He took hold of her hand, giving it a slight squeeze. "I'll go with you, perhaps there's something I can do to help."