Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ The Love of a Priestess ❯ Wedding Bells a.k.a THE FLUFF CHAPTER! ( Chapter 34 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

AUTHOR'S NOTE: In celebration of the beginning of my Spring Break, the shopping for of my prom dress, and the massive number of college acceptances I've received (minus 2… damn them…) I give you the crapload of FLUFFINESS of Chapter 34. Enjoy!

Thank you Jenny Galaxie, Phersule, and AMK for their reviews and support.

Jenny Galaxie: Aww… thank you so much! The chapters do get awfully emotional, especially this one!!! And, by the way, Kaiba had to have a flaw. Just to make things interesting. And make me not want to punch his lights out.

Phersule: Ahh… you've discovered my dark secret! I suppose you won't be reading anymore on ff.net… oh well. ^^ I try to update this story now every week and a half, because I still need writing time.

AMK: Yay I finally met you online! -squee!- Mokuba is so OOC… I can't stand him in the manga/anime. Thank you so much for all your wonderful comments!

Chapter 34: Wedding Bells (aka the FLUFF chapter)

Beep. Beep. Beep. THUNK.

I grimaced as I withdrew my hand from the alarm clock and slid it back underneath my pillow. I readjusted the comforter over my shoulders and prepared to go back to sleep. Kaiba, sleeping behind me, shifted a little and snuggled closer against me, sliding his arm around my waist.

We'd taken to being comfortable—and familiar—around each other since our first night back together. Though I never outright told Kaiba I'd heard his conversation with Mokuba, I think he suspected that I had. After that, we'd taken care of each other during the day and slept beside each other at night.

It wasn't love—not yet. I still didn't feel what I felt the morning after I slept with him. I don't know what opened within us that night, why our spirits were suddenly so in tune, but I knew this was not the same. This was caring and affection and—maybe—cuddling, but it hadn't blossomed into love again.

Kaiba was not, I discovered, a morning creature. He resented early working hours and complied only because he feared leaving Kaiba Corp. in the hands of employees. If they were like his secretary, I could hardly blame him. Every morning when the alarm went off he'd groan, bury himself in pillows and the comforter, and go back to sleep. I realized that the alarm was thus intentionally set nearly an hour early.

I peeked at the time on the clock: 6. Yawning, I pulled the comforter up so it obscured my view of the digital numbers and settled contentedly into the soft mattress. Tea, Mai, and Serenity weren't supposed to arrive to help me get ready until 9. The ceremony was at two. I sincerely hoped that no one died of heatstroke or dehydration due to perspiration—a July day could only promise to be disgusting.

“Why was the alarm so early?” Kaiba mumbled into my back.

“I don't know—you set it.”

“Was there something important happening?”

“Go back to sleep. You don't need to get up for another three hours at least.”

“Hooray,” he muttered with a yawn.

I smiled as I let him doze off again. Then I placed my hands over the arm around my waist and fell asleep, too.

-----------------

“WAKE UP!!!”

I grimaced. If ever I heard shouting in capital letters, that was it.

“Mokuba!” Kaiba snarled as he struggled to relieve himself of the comforter. The younger Kaiba laughed and flung a pillow at his brother, laughing even harder when it hit him in the face.

I smiled and turned Kaiba to me and kissed him. “Mokuba,” I said sweetly, releasing a surprised Kaiba. “Your brother will be down to get ready in just a few minutes.”

“Okay, nee-chan!” he cried, winking at me. I winked back.

“What was that about?” Kaiba asked, amused, brushing strands of hair away from my face.

“Oh, nothing,” I murmured, lying back down on the bed and pulling the comforter up to my chest. Kaiba lay down beside me, covering himself haphazardly up to his waist.

“So,” he said, rolling over to face me.

“So,” I repeated playfully, gazing up at the ceiling.

“We're getting married today,” he murmured, playing with my hair.

“Indeed.” I could see him frowning out of the corner of my eye, and I smirked.

“Is that all?” he asked, moving closer and bringing his face close to mine.

“Mmmm,” I considered it for a moment. “Depends on what you bought me as a wedding present,” I teased.

“Do I have to buy you something?” he asked sweetly, gently kissing my neck. I gasped, and smiled.

“Depends.”

“Stop being so conditional,” he pouted, nibbling the skin gently.

I whimpered. “Hey! Shouldn't this wait until later?”

He propped himself up on his elbow and smirked at me. “All right then. Can we agree on what I get you as a wedding present later?”

“Of course,” I smiled, burying myself in the pillows. He leaned over to check the time.

“8:30. Should I go down and start getting ready?”

“No,” I chirped happily. “Stay here with me.”

“Mmmmm… that sounds like a wonderful idea. But what about Mokuba?”

“You have three hours to get ready. How long can it possibly take me?”

“I can't imagine it taking me more than half an hour to get into a tux, although I'm not so sure about Yugi or Joey—gods know if they've ever worn one. I'll tell Mokuba to skip his homework and watch cartoons. That'll keep him occupied for a while.”

“When did you tell the guys to arrive?”

“Mmm… I don't remember. Probably around 9. The photographer wanted to take pictures.” He yawned. “I'm sure I'll find out when they ring the doorbell.” He collapsed back onto the bed next to me and lay there.

We lounged like that for the remaining half hour, until the sharp ringing of the doorbell stirred us. Kaiba yawned again and swung his long legs out of bed. I continued to lie quietly as he padded out to the hallway to see who had arrived.

“Morning, Kaiba!” I heard Joey yell.

“Shut up, Joey! Can't you see he's half-asleep?” Tristan admonished. I giggled into the pillows. Kaiba was definitely not a morning person.

“Hey! I was just trying to be friendly!” Joey protested.

“Be friendly later. Let's go change now,” Duke snapped. Another charming morning person, I could tell.

“Come on, guys, Kaiba's probably anxious to get going,” Yugi urged.

“Not really,” Kaiba mumbled, stifling yet another yawn. “But since you're here, we might as well start.”

“Be nice,” I called from the bed.

Kaiba turned and glared at me. “What makes you think I wouldn't be?”

I smiled knowingly. “Oh, nothing. Have fun.”

“Thanks,” he said dryly. “And you have fun when the girls arrive.”

I smiled. “I will.”

-----------------

“Good morning!” Serenity cried happily, practically bounding into the room.

“You too,” I called from the bathroom. I splashed another handful of cold water on my face and wiped it dry. My hair hung wet and stuck to my chemise and back. I grabbed a towel and attempted to dry it as I wandered out into the main bedroom.

“All right, hon, where should we get started?” Mai asked, dumping a huge bag on my bed.

My eyes widened. “Um… my hair?” I asked, holding out the wet towel helplessly.

“Well, let's get it dry, at least,” Mai said, taking control. She dug through her bag and pulled out a hair dryer. She thrust it into Tea's hands and ordered her to plug it in.

And so my morning began.

Mai dried my hair and tied it back loosely to keep it out of the way. Then she emptied my closet of wedding clothes and set to work.

“Make-up first,” she decided. She ordered me to sit still as she examined my skin. “Nice… very clean. We won't need to do much.” Still, she spread ample amounts of eye shadow and blush and applied enough mascara and lipstick to make my eyelids feel heavy and my mouth disgustingly waxy.

“I don't think Kaiba will want to kiss me with all this junk on my mouth. I wouldn't want to put him through the torture, either,” I muttered. I quailed, though, when Mai turned her blazing violet eyes on me.

“Sorry,” I mumbled meekly. “I'm just not used to wearing so much makeup.”

Then came my hair. I let Mai and Tea argue and attack their way through that, without any interference from me. I felt them separate it into smaller chunks, then twist and pin and hairspray to no end. They found the small jewelry box I'd been stashing my wedding jewelry in; gold combs with pearls and diamonds were stabbed into my hair, and tiny little jeweled pins graced the crown of my head.

“Jewelry or dress?” Mai asked.

“I don't care,” I managed to squeak, practically cowering in my seat, patting my stinging scalp.

“Don't touch that!” Tea shrieked.

“Dress,” the three girls managed to agree. All three of them came at me with a vengeance; it was almost frightening how eager they were to dress me, as if I were an oversized Barbie doll.

After that they arranged my jewelry on me, and stood me before the mirror.

I gasped. I couldn't believe what I saw. Every girl wants to look their best on their wedding day, even me. The white dress fit me beautifully. The diamond necklace and bracelet set sparkled in the sun. My engagement ring was partially hidden by the white lace gloves I was wearing. I could hardly breathe…

“I never thought I would look this good,” I murmured. “Thank you,” I whispered, as I turned before the mirror.

Tea and Serenity beamed. “You look gorgeous,” they reassured me.

Mai smirked. “Of course she looks gorgeous. I got her ready,” she said loftily, striding back into my closet for her dress.

I giggled to myself as I watched my bridesmaids struggle to dress each other and themselves. I zipped up zippers and put on shoes and jewelry as they did their own hair and makeup.

An hour and a half later, at 12:30, we stood together before the mirror, smiling at each other. They looked beautiful in the dresses we'd picked out—a different color for each: pale pink for Tea, purple for Mai, and sky blue for Serenity. I smiled at them and turned to go.

“Time for lunch!” I cried happily.

“Thank goodness!” Mai exclaimed, retrieving her gloves from the bed where she'd thrown them. “I'm starving!”

“You're acting more and more like my brother each day,” Serenity commented quietly.

“Wahhh?” Mai wailed. Then, after a moment, she smiled. “I guess you're right, Serenity.” The old Mai that we remembered, the aggressive, no-holds-barred and no emotional attachments Mai, was gone.

“Tristan loaned me his video camera. I set it up, so everything was caught on tape,” Tea said, taking the camera off the tripod to bring it to lunch. We stared.

“You're kidding, right?” Mai asked hopefully.

“Nope,” Tea smiled. “But only the four of us will see the whole thing.”

“Thank goodness for that, too,” Mai said, breathing a sigh of relief.

“Come on! We're going to be late to lunch!” Serenity called, already out the door and halfway down the stairs.

-----------------

Mai insisted that Kaiba not see me until the ceremony, so I was forced to eat in a small room with my bridesmaids. The guests ate with Kaiba and the groomsmen in the main dining room, for the first time occupied and filled with warmth. Most of the female guests, however, wandered into our room in order to have a look at me.

I picked at vegetables and dip and fruit. My stomach refused to hold anything else (or so I assumed) except water and lemonade. I couldn't keep my hands or feet still; my foot kept tapping impatiently, and my fingers fidgeted nervously in my lap.

“Calm down,” Serenity said, sitting beside me with a plate of finger sandwiches. Easy for you to say, I thought, amused. Your name means calm.

“Nobody's going to bite you,” Tea added, standing behind me and offering me a strawberry.

“Except those old ladies,” I muttered, tilting my chin towards a group of older women. They were twittering and pointing at me—and not in a “Oh, look, isn't she darling? They'll be such a lovely couple,” sort of way.

“Want me to go find out who they are?” Mai asked, delicately licking her upper lip free of bread crumbs.

“Go play the good hostess,” Tea teased, pushing Mai out of her seat to my left so that she could sit down.

“Very funny, Tea,” Mai said, stalking away to greet the female guests.

A few minutes later she came back and perched herself on Tea's knees, much to Tea's dismay. “They're the wives of some corporate buddies of Kaiba,” Mai said, intentionally tossing her hair so that it hit Tea across the face. Tea scowled and pinched Mai's sides.

With a yelp Mai jumped up, causing the room of “proper” ladies to glance over at us. I met their gazes evenly and smiled politely, but said nothing. After a few moments of silence, they went back to their soft chatter.

“Anyway,” Mai hissed, glaring at Tea. Tea smiled and stuck her tongue out in a decidedly childish way. “Some of them are wives of other CEOs, some of them are wives of the beloved Board of Directors.”

“Ahh,” I said, realization hitting me. “Well, I'll just have to show them I won't play their game.”

“Hmm?” Serenity asked, looking at me with concerned eyes. “Wouldn't it be better to play along—for yours and Kaiba's sakes?”

“No,” I sniffed. “I'm not going to be one of them. I'm young,” I almost stopped, realizing how untrue that was, “Kaiba's young—they can't stop us from being young, or happy that we're getting married.”

Tea and Mai nodded, knowingly. Serenity smiled her sweet, innocent smile and laughed. “I suppose you're right.”

“Hey,” Yugi called, poking his head around the doorframe. His eyes lighted on us, and he smiled. “It's almost time. Are you ready?”

“Of course,” I answered smoothly, standing up and smoothing my dress with my hands.

“Please, everyone, go out to the garden and sit down. I'm sure we'll be starting shortly,” Yugi said to the guests. Then he disappeared around the corner.

I took a deep breath, waiting for the guests to stream out of the room. Once they were gone, I followed them slowly out of the door and down the hallways to the garden.

---------------

As I walked down the aisle with all eyes on me, I let my gaze wander. I was not focused on walking in time, or smiling, or thinking about all the little details that needed attending to.

Yugi was standing beside Kaiba, beaming happily at me. I wondered if Yami were as happy as his physical counterpart… the thought nearly made me lose a beat in my procession, and I tried to banish any thoughts of Yami from my mind. I could not afford to break down at my own wedding.

Tristan had escorted Serenity, Duke had escorted Tea (much to Duke's dismay, and Tea's secret delight. Tristan, I heard, spent the entire ceremony smirking at Duke), and Joey had escorted Mai. I smiled, truly happy for them.

I smiled at the people in the audience, men and women I did not know (and probably didn't want to know), businessmen and CEOs and other important people. I no longer cared about making a good impression—but I did want them to see that Kaiba was not making a mistake.

When I reached the altar and stood beside Kaiba, our arms interlocked, I felt a gentle, yet powerful presence on my right. Without moving I looked out the corner of my eye to see Yami, a semi-transparent spirit that apparently only I could see.

What are you doing? I asked.

Nothing. I told you I would be with you, he replied.

You're taking up my mind, I said crossly. I don't even know what's being said about me and Kaiba, and I've probably missed a cue.

Then I'll listen for you.

Fine. What do you want?

Nothing. Just to be with you today.

Why?

I remembered something last night.

Huh? On your own?

Yes. Something that was important to me, 5000 years ago.

A mental sigh. I assume you're going to tell me what you remembered.

I remembered… being happy.

Well there's a shocker, I thought sarcastically. I've seen you happy in memories before, you just never wanted me to tell you about them.

True. It was because I wanted to discover them myself. What I remembered was more a feeling than an actual event—oh, Kaiba's looking at you. You might want to look back and smile.

Thank you, I thought dryly, as I turned towards Kaiba and smiled sweetly.

“I promise,” Kaiba said softly, gazing into my eyes. We'd altered the traditional words to suit our own desires. I noted that his eyes were softer than before, and that the blue was not so much an ice blue as a deep-sea blue.

I can't talk to you anymore. I'm supposed to say things now.

Very well. I just thought you should know… that I remembered love, and what it felt like, and I remembered being with someone I loved… in a setting similar to this. I was marrying someone I loved with all my soul… and it felt like it feels now. What I felt for that woman so long ago… I finally feel again for you.

Did you have to tell me now, of all times, when I'm getting married?

He shrugged. I thought I would tell you, so that you know Kaiba is not the only one who loves you.

I wanted to ask him about that last comment, but found that I was expected to repeat something… that I had missed, talking to Yami.

Forget your lines? Here, Yami prompted, repeating them for me.

Obediently, I repeated them, and finished with, “I promise.”

---------------

I turned to Kaiba, and smiled shyly. We'd never expressed any feelings for each other in public, and now we were getting married…

He leaned over slowly and kissed me lightly on the lips. I wondered why he didn't kiss me harder. He lingered there for a few moments, and then I understood. I kissed him back, slowly, savoring the feeling and he wrapped his arms around me really kissed me.

When he broke away I smiled at him, ignoring the strange silence behind us. His guests were largely silent, punctuated by polite clapping. I flushed, suddenly embarrassed. Mokuba and the others began cheering, trying to encourage us.

Kaiba smiled at me and I looked at him. “Don't worry. They're all old and used to being business people.”

“Cold, haughty, and overly polite?” I asked.

He laughed. It was the first time I'd heard him laugh. “Something like that.” As I turned to walk back down the aisle with him, he leaned over and lifted me off the ground. I laughed and instinctively curled inward towards his body.

“You used to be like that too,” I whispered into his chest.

“I know. I'd still be that way—all the time—if it weren't for you.”

“I'm flattered,” I teased, smiling up at him.

-----------------

The wedding party piled into the limo waiting to take us to dinner. I snuggled against Kaiba as the others sandwiched themselves in with us. It was an early, 5 o'clock dinner, but a late night of (presumably) dancing. Although I wasn't so sure very many of the guests would be into dancing…

Later that night, when there was only dancing left (A/N: It means I was too lazy—and uninspired—to write more about the wedding… I've already spent over 3200 words of fluff on it. Imagine it as you wish—especially cake cutting! ^^) I sat chatting animatedly with Mai. Earlier that evening, rather than tossing my bouquet to all 3 unmarried women (no, I'm not kidding—Tea, Mai, and Serenity were the only single female guests under the age of 30), I'd simply taken a single rose each for Serenity and Tea and given the rest of it to Mai with a smile. She'd been surprised, and speechless, but she smiled shyly and understandingly at me when Joey came over to ask her to dance.

I stifled a yawn as Mai left to dance with Joey again, and I smiled as I watched them. It was late, and I was tired, but I never tired of watching them. It was so terribly romantic, I thought… for all Joey's rashness and stubbornness, he really did have a good heart. And Mai had softened so much…

I had nearly dozed off, a small smile on my face, when Kaiba touched my elbow. Startled, I sat up quickly—too quickly, apparently, because I upended a bowl of grapes on the table. Mumbling and apologizing somewhat incoherently, I turned to look at my husband.

“Dance with me?” he asked simply. I smiled and stood, reaching for his hand. I felt the flush creeping up my cheeks (thankfully, Kaiba's back was turned to me as he led me to the dance floor) as I remembered what had happened the last time we danced.

I leaned slightly against Kaiba as we moved slowly across the dance floor. I caught sight of Mai and Joey dancing, and I smiled, turning my head to watch them. There was something so beautiful about the way Joey was leaning in towards Mai… how lightly, and yet firmly, he held her long, thin hands in his. How gently his cheek rested against the side of her head. How innocently he turned to whisper in her ear. How dazzling her sleepy, secretive smile was at his words. The scene was so perfect, so beautiful… I thought for a moment it was their wedding, not mine.

“What are you looking at?” Kaiba asked softly into my ear.

I looked up dreamily at him. “Nothing… Have you seen Mai and Joey?”

There was an unusual softness in Kaiba's eyes as he answered me. “No. I've been watching you all day.” I smiled happily up at him, and he flushed.

“Being romantic doesn't suit you, does it?” I teased gently, burying my face in his chest. “Although I like it when you are. You should see them. It's the sweetest thing in the whole world.”

His only response was to squeeze me slightly and hold me closer. “Maybe some other time.” I didn't press the issue.

We spun gently in those small circles for several songs, my eyes closed and my body relaxed against Kaiba's. He held me tightly—I hardly noticed how tightly—against him, nearly supporting my tired weight. At last, he put his lips right against my ear, so that only I could hear his whisper.

“Sleepy?” he murmured, just barely nibbling the edge of my ear.

I smiled sleepily and shifted myself in his arms. “Just a little.”

“Don't be,” he whispered, almost seductively. “There's still so much time before we leave tomorrow…” That's right, I thought faintly. The honeymoon… I smiled secretly and snuggled against him.

“Wake me up then,” I whispered into his neck. I felt his breath catch in his throat, and he swallowed hard, but said nothing more.

As we were dancing, people began leaving. They picked up their expensive wraps and coats, purses and favors, and began trickling out. I don't know if it was in response to me and Kaiba actually dancing, or whether they'd simply had enough. In any case, Mai stopped dancing with Joey long enough to see them off with Yugi.

Kaiba and I kept dancing, turning gently in circles to a song heard only by the two of us, a song that had no beginning and no end.

I didn't notice Yami leaning against the back wall, watching us with a hawk's eyes.

---------------------

“Hey, come on you two,” Tea called from across the room, breaking our reverie.

I smiled at her. “Why?”

“Let's go back home!” Mokuba yelled, jumping up from his place at the table. “We can have our own celebration there!” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Kaiba's eyes narrow in annoyance. He loved Mokuba, yes, but apparently there were some things that even brotherly love couldn't change.

“I like that idea,” I said loudly, leaning against Kaiba, daring him to contradict me. He sniffed angrily, but said nothing.

“Yeah!” Duke, Joey, and Tristan yelled.

“There are plenty of extra rooms in the mansion. You're all welcome to stay the night,” I continued, ignoring my husband, whose grip around my waist was tightening. I smiled, knowing that I could do pretty much anything short of kissing one of them without serious repercussions from Kaiba.

“Are you sure?” Yugi asked gently.

“Hey, with a deal that good, don't ask—just take,” Mai advised, striding over to take Joey's arm again. “Everybody's gone home, even those damn Board members, so we're free to party.”

“I don't like the sound of this…” Kaiba finally managed with a frown.

“Don't spoil the fun,” I pouted, turning around to face him.

“Yeah, Kaiba. Come on, you just got married! You can afford to have some fun with us tonight—before you have fun with someone else…” Duke teased, winking at me. I laughed, and Kaiba flushed heavily.

Not surprisingly, Kaiba made no further objections to bringing the gang home with us.

------------------

Later that night, I wandered through the upended living room, cradling blankets and pillows in my arms. Kaiba had escaped upstairs with Mokuba nearly an hour ago, leaving me behind to laugh and cavort with the others. He'd apparently taken refuge in Mokuba's room, because when I went to raid the closets he was nowhere to be found.

Mai and Joey were curled on the couch, covered by Joey's tux jacket and Mai's wrap. I smiled, took the garments, and laid them over the back of a chair so I could hang them up later. I covered them with a soft down blanket, and felt my heart melt when they curled up beneath it together. I gently lifted their heads and slid a pillow underneath them, and moved on.

Yugi was lying on the floor, curled in the fetal position at the base of the couch where Mai and Joey slept. Smiling at his youthful innocence, I lifted him up (easily, I might add) and laid him down in a plush chair. I wrapped him in a blanket and gave him a pillow, smiling at him the whole time. I wondered where Yami was; by looking through a veil of magic instead of just my eyes, I could see Yami sleeping inside Yugi's mind.

I nudged Tristan and Duke into somewhat more comfortable positions (more comfortable, at least, than lying sprawled across the floor, where I had the suspicion that Kaiba would kick and trip over them, given the chance) and gave them each a pillow and a blanket. Tea was lying on the other couch, and I covered her as well. I tucked Serenity in where she lay on the loveseat. I gathered all of the coats and wraps and shawls lying around the room, and piled them in my arms. I shook my head slightly. Their clothes were going to be so wrinkled when they woke up…

I turned one last time to look back at them, and smiled. I was so glad they'd been there today, with me… Strange. I had the feeling that I'd never had friends before.

I saw the shadow standing in the doorway watching me, eyes flickering beautifully in the pale moonlight. His white shirt was loose (how un-Kaiba-like!) and his jacket and tie had been removed. He smiled slightly, that arrogant smirk softened by some alien presence.

“You're such a mother,” he said, white teeth showing just barely in the moonlight. I wasn't sure whether it was a compliment or an insult.

I ignored the comment and made to walk past him. “Hang these up,” I ordered, dropping the pile of clothes in his arms. His arms sagged slightly under the weight, and he gasped at the new load I'd placed on him. Smirking to myself, I walked down the dark hallway upstairs to our room, listening to his soft footsteps following me the whole way.

Once inside our room, I slipped into my closet and began changing out of my reception dress. Before I knew it his hands were around my waist, running gently and yet hungrily over my torso and up towards my breasts.

“Want help with that?” he murmured in my ear, pressing himself against me, one hand reaching behind me and fumbling with the zipper.

“I thought I told you to hang up the clothes,” I replied, pulling coolly away from him. I turned to face him, fixing angry eyes on him. “Go on. Their clothes will be wrinkled enough as it is.”

He sighed, shook his head, and gave a semi-snicker as he turned and left the closet. Smirking (again—I was beginning to pick up bad habits from Kaiba), I turned again to the long, silky negligee Mai had teasingly presented me with at the (very private) bridal shower. Stripping away the fine formal gown, I slid the smooth, cool material over my shoulders and slipped out into the main room.

Kaiba was still in his closet, hanging up coats as I'd directed. I slipped in, silent as a wraith, and noticed he was on the last coat. As he hung it up I slid up behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist in the same way he'd wrapped his around mine. I felt the muscles tense at my touch, and he slowly, unsteadily completed his task.

I dropped my hands lower, and heard the gasp escape his lips. He clung to the bar of his closet, knuckles white, as my fingers roamed carelessly over him. I heard him try—unsuccessfully—to steady his breathing. I smiled, purring, rubbing my cheek against the area between his shoulder blades.

With a strangled growl Kaiba turned and pulled me against him, pressing his lips against mine. I laughed and granted him entrance into my mouth. As he kissed me, he tightened his hold on my waist and lifted me off the ground. Obligingly, I wrapped my legs around his hips and let him carry me into the bedroom.