Honey Flava

“Would you not come to the club after tonight? I’d rather you not be one of my regular customers. I wouldn’t feel right earning commission off my lover’s money.”

Natsumi sat up, trying to get her stunned mind to function. “Lover?”

Hideki nodded. “Yes, unless you don’t want to see me after this. I’d

understand, since I keep other women company. And there’s my other lover, of course.”

Natsumi looked into his eyes. “I would love to see you after this. I won’t make any complaints about your life, but you have to do the same for me. Right now, my life is for me, not for starting a relationship. I’m sorry if that sounds cold.”

Hideki twisted a strand of her hair around his index finger. “It’s not cold. We’ll take each day as it comes. Agreed?”

Natsumi nodded and slid up his body, giving him a passionate kiss.

Hideki tangled his fingers deeper in her hair, wondering what each day would bring them.

Dragon’s Breath

ANNE ELIZABETH

HANDS BRUSHED THE SUDS, gently rubbing them with caressing strokes from her skin. She was being dried, tended, and her brown eyes drifted shut. He fondled her, and it was her job to take it, to accept each indulgent touch and every decadent whim. The decision was his, because tonight she gave him his greatest desire: the gift of her, to do with as he pleased.

“Ginger, girl, open wide.” His voice was mild as he waited for her to comply. His Zen-like roots were well hidden in the blandness of his request. “Be good, my geisha girl, and don’t make me raise my voice.”

A smile danced on her lips before she parted the cherubic, plum-shaped form and performed as bid. Her tongue lay flat, and her teeth showed behind the tease of a smile.

Candy—crystallized ginger—was placed inside. She held it in the center, cupped it with the sides of her tongue, and waited for his next words.

“Indulge, my sweet. Enjoy the fire.”

Rolling the treat on her tongue, she pushed it to her teeth and bit down. Succulent heat filled her mouth, and she breathed in—to draw the dragon’s breath. It filled her senses: the smell of citrus, the bite of heat, and the score of fire. Out it flew to encompass her sensory perception until it was pulled reflexively, with a breath, down her throat. Like the dimensional creature that traversed between the spirit and physical planes, it took her back and forth, and she felt as if she traveled on wings.

They reached for her then, those hands of his, and picked her up. Took her from the bathhouse toward the temple. She lay over his shoulder, but the burn of ginger preoccupied her, made her too consumed to be thoughtful of jostling against him, until it was too late and the ginger was gone.

But when it was gone, she became hyperaware of everything.

Feet touched cold, as she was placed—righted—onto the center of the dais. Air chilled her skin and gooseflesh rose. There was something eerie in the familiarity, and yet she knew she had never been to this place before.

He moved around the room and paced around the dais.

She watched him, intrigued.

The look he gave her said she shouldn’t take notice.

She bowed her head and looked away. Couldn’t ask what he was doing. She didn’t dare believe what he might want or even contemplate what he planned to do. Images ran through her mind from ancient rites of ceremonial thunder, from naming and ownership to battle and celebration. No others were here to witness this event, and nothing she could see would mark this day on her flesh. Yet, here she stood, naked, clean of cosmetics and clothes. No mask of makeup distracted her, no shawl wrapped over her breasts with their perpetually hard nipples and draped down to her small hips. Nothing could conceal her figure or distract from this moment.

“You excite me.” His voice was low, raspy.

Blood rushed her cheeks, and she could feel them redden. Emotion seemed a strange cover and yet she felt warmed by it.

“Spread your legs.” The order was loud and it filled the room.

She took a step, widened her legs by a foot. A mixture of defiance and excitement made her push her hips toward him.

“More.”

Legs moved, and she lifted her arms to wrap them around her waist.

“No. Arms at your side. So charming.”