Hey everyone! apologies for not updating sooner :(

Work and some other stuff has got me swamped. My boss is back from vacation so my easy times at the office are done. hahaha

without further ado, i give you A FLUFFY chapter 9!

xoxo Lexi1989


CHAPTER 9: LADY IN RED

The past week could not go fast as both Natsume and Mikan could have wanted it to. After the talk they had that Sunday morning, all they wanted was time to fast forward to the next weekend. Though they were in the same house, they hardly got any time to themselves.

Natsume had Aoi to take care of and was grateful for Mikan's presence in the house since he was hesitant to leave the teenager alone in the house while he worked. Mikan also had to prepare for her upcoming graduation in the next two weeks. It was easy for Hotaru to get her excused from her classes, since most of them consisted of practices and they could do that after school. She couldn't keep Mikan's location a secret from the girls since they did need to practice for a final performance to get their grades completed for one of their subjects. But she made them swear not to tell Tsubasa or Misaki, much more Mikan's parents, who after picking a fight with our brunette, had to leave their house again. This time for business.

So this was one of those Fridays were the girls were all packed in the living room. Different house, same routine. Movie time with PG13 movies this time since there was a new addition to their group. Sixteen year old Aoi was treated like a princess by the girls. She had charmed them when they first laid eyes on her and now she was the subject of a makeover.

Natsume and Ruka were in the kitchen arranging dinner which consisted of Chinese Take Out. Ruka was never able to talk to Hotaru after bringing Mikan here since she never gave him a chance to get her alone. She had avoided him like the plague. And it was driving him crazy, having her in such close proximities yet so far. Natsume has never seen Ruka so upset about being ignored by a girl. He took the ignored box of Sweet and Sour Pork from Ruka's side and opened the box so it resembed a bowl, and added it to the dinner table where all the food was set up. He prevented himself from going into the living room since he knew the girls were taking about him to Mikan.


"So Aoi, have you seen your onii-chan making out with Mi-chan?" Sumire was asking the cute raven haired girl who was sitting in the middle while putting on a little blush on her cheeks. Aoi looked like a beautiful little porcelain doll.

"Sumi! Don't say stuff like that to Aoi! It's embarrassing! And also I told you already, we are taking it slow!" Mikan blushed like a ripe tomato while the others all snickered, Aoi included.

"They are going on a date tomorrow!" Aoi offered.

"AOI!" Mikan was surprised the girl knew.

"Omigosh! Mi-chan! You secretive biatch!" Thus began the interrogation and speculation of the girls as to where their handsome host would be taking their friend.

"He's taking me to a beach somewhere." Mikan had to give them something to keep them off her back. Even if she didn't admit it, she was excited.

"What will you wear?" Anna and Nonoko both quipped at the same time then giggled.

"I don't know to be honest. I only have a little stuff with me here." Mikan had thought about it too.

"Baka. Here. I got this from your place since your parents and Tsubasa weren't home." Hotaru handed her a small paper bag and in it, the perfect dress for her date tomorrow.

"Awwwwww Hotaru, thank you!" Mikan was about to hug her when the raven haired girl stopped her in her tracks by flicking her forehead.

"Ow!"

"Don't hug me. You owe me. That favor's not for free. Tsubasa has been pestering me day and night you know."

"I know. I've already called him last Sunday afternoon. He's worried sick but I've told him I'm okay and will be back home this week." Since Mikan's parents were off to New York for business, she was going back,not wanting to overwelcome her stay in Natsume and Ruka's house.

"Good. Plus your house is way better than this place." Hotaru's tone had an edge to it.

"You're just pissy because lover boy lives here." Sumire joked which earned her an icy glare.

And on and on it went with the teasing and girl talk until midnight when Aoi couldn't keep her eyes up anymore. Natsume had taken her to bed and the rest of the girls went home.

Mikan stifled a yawn as she settled in the bed and covered herself with the duvet. She closed her eyes and even in her dreams, her anticipation couldn't be denied of what was to come the next day.


SATURDAY AFTERNOON 3PM

Natsume was waiting impatiently for Mikan outside. He had the top down on his Chevy Corvette Stingray Convertible,and everything else was ready. The only thing missing was his date. She was running late.

'Maybe she's having second thoughts.' he mused, his mood darkening every minute that passes.

"Ehm.. I'm sorry for being late." He turned around at the sound of her voice and his eyes almost dropped from their sockets. Here she was, standing in front of him in a red,curve hugging, halter top sundress that went just a few inches above her knees and strappy flat sandals. Her hair was up in a high ponytail and tied with a ribbon. She had no makeup on save for a little pink on her lips. The blush on her cheeks, was natural though.

"Is there something wrong with what I'm wearing?" She looked at him worriedly, as he stood there silently staring at her. That snapped him out of his daze.

"No! No! You look beautiful." He said as he opened the car door for her.

"Thanks." She said. The blush now spreading on her face. "So where are we going?"

"You'll see." He smiled mischievously.

She settled down in her seat. Since he had the top down, they had to raise their voices a bit to hear what the other had to say. She watched him as he drove. His eyes were focused on the road.

"Is it alright if I put in some music?" She asked him. He looked at her from the corner of his eyes and smiled.

"Sure." He drawled. He looked so handsome when he smiles.

The rest of the hour's drive was filled with the music. Both of them lost to their own thoughts. She noticed they had left LA and were now in Malibu with their pristine beaches. He turned into a gravel driveway to his right. He parked his car in front of a small beach house.

"Whoah. This place is wonderful." She had murmurred.

"Yes. One of our clients owns this. He offered this to me before, if ever I wanted to just get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, I come here. I haven't been here for a few months now." He said as he led her into the beach house.

It was a two bedroom, beach front villa. There were French doors that opened onto a huge sundeck and glassed-in stone patio with a private beach entrance. Stunning hand-carved teak throughout and European antiques added simple elegance and sophistication to the house.

He led her outside the french doors where the ocean breeze was refreshing. He fluffed out a blanket and laid it in the sand. Then he went back to the car to get the small cooler and picnic basket he brought along.

Mikan spread out her hands and inhaled the warm ocean breeze. The ocean was so beautiful, with its clear and pristine waters. She looked at both sides of the shore. The sun was still up but she didn't see anyone on the beach.

"Funny, i would imagine with beautiful weather like this, people would be out here on the beach." She said as she sat down.

"Well, this is a private beach, so you won't be seeing anyone here except for me." Natsume reappeared with the small picnic basket and cooler which he settled on the blanket. He also had another blanket over his shoulder. He took out the contents of the basket. Mini pizzas, croissants, and chocolate covered strawberries. They nibbled on the goodies as they talked about everything they could think of and drank the fruity sangria he bought.

The date was going better than expected despite them both being nervous. Natsume, who had quietly observed Mikan during her stay at his house, soon learned more about her. She was simple and had a kind nature. She wasn't like all the other girls he had dated before that were vain, conceited, and were only after his looks and money. He felt himself slowly falling for her. She had this aura around her that made you want to smile. Her laugh was contagious. He also saw the side of her that surprised him the most. Underneath that street-smart confidence she had initially impressed on him was a woman full of insecurities. That she wasn't good, smart or beautiful enough.

"That is bullshit."

Her eyes widened in surprise at his outburst. The sun was setting as he came closer to her and tucked a stray curl of her silky brown hair behind her ear.

"You are beautiful." He said. She blushed.

He stood up and brushed away the sand at the seat of his shorts. He held out his hand at her.

"May I have this dance?"

"There's no music, silly!" She laughed.

"That can be arranged." He went inside the house. The owner was loaded so he had a sound system that could be heard even outside the patio and deck. The sweet melody of Chris de Burgh's song wafted through the invisible speakers and filled the beach. The last few rays of sunlight covered the ocean in a mirade of colors and the night sky soon lit up as a few stars awoke from their slumber and made their presence known.

He took her hand and held her close as they swayed to the music.

~I've never seen you looking so lovely as you did tonight.~

~I've never seen you shine so bright.~

~And I have never seen that dress you're wearing~

~Or the highlights in your hair that catches your eyes, I have been blind.~

She had her hands wrapped around his neck while his were on her waist. Her head on his shoulder. All alone in their own little world. He surprised her by singing the song. His voice low and smooth, singing beautifully in her ear.

~The lady in red, is dancing with me, cheek to cheek.~

~There's nobody here, it's just you and me, it's where I want to be.~

~But I hardly know, this beauty by my side.~

~I'll never forget the way you look tonight.~

The meaning of the song was not lost on her and soon she had a blush that could contest the dress she was wearing. She was slowly falling for the tall handsome man in front of her. She had seen his kind, caring nature. And she always felt safe and secure when she was with him. That she could take on any challenge in the world as long as he was with her. His voice filled the air along with the song. His song for her.

~I've never seen you looking so gorgeous as you did tonight.~

~I've never seen you shine so bright, you were amazing.~

~And when you turned to me and smiled, it took my breath away,~

~And I have never had such a feeling, such a feeling of complete and utter love,~

~As I do tonight.~

He held her closer now as she lifted her head and gazed into his ruby-red eyes. She was lost in his eyes as he was within her honey-gold orbz. And as the song was near ending, the distance was slowly decreasing. With their foreheads touching, and nose to nose, lips just mere inches apart.

~I will never forget the way you look tonight.~

~The lady in red, the lady in red~

~The lady in red, the lady in red,~

~I love you.~

And as he whispered the last words of the song, he closed the gap and captured her lips in a soft kiss. Unlike their previous encounters filled with sexual tension and passion, this kiss was soft and gentle. Expressing the emotions he had inside which she mirrored. The kiss lasted less than a minute. Short but sweet. He caressed her cheek, his eyes still holding her gaze as she smiled shyly at him.

"So.." He started to say. He looked nervous. She gave him a knowing look and a small smirk.

"Yes."

"You don't even know what I'm going to ask yet." He teased her. She punched him playfully in the shoulder that caused him to let go of her. She ran away from him playfully sticking out her tongue. He chased her along the shoreline, never minding the waves that were drenching them both as the tide pulled in to kiss the shore. He caught her after some time and carried her over his shoulder. He laid her down gently on the blanket as she laughed and pulled him down next to her.

"You caught me." She said. He knew she meant it in a figurative sense.

"Did I?" He asked his eyes filled with questions.

"I said yes, didn't I?" He could see that she meant it. Her eyes showed her real emotion despite the vagueness of their conversation. He could see the fear in her eyes. The fear of getting hurt. But he also saw how she felt for him.

"I can't promise that I won't hurt you." He said, his eyes focused on the beach.

"I know. I can't do that either." She replied.

"The only promise I can make is that I will never leave you. I will be here for you to love and protect you. If you'll have me." He looked at her with longing in his eyes.

"My answer doesn't change. I'm not immune to pain. But I can choose whoever is worthy to inflict it to me." She snuggled closer to him.

"I'll do my best. To not hurt you. And if I do, have Tsubasa beat me up." He teased her.

"That will definitely happen." She teased him back, engaging him in a tickle fight.

The beach was filled with the sound of their laughter amidst the crashing of the waves. A few minutes passed and Natsume found himself on top of Mikan, pinning her gently to the blanket. Her hair was askew and her face flushed with life from the moment they had just shared. He leaned down and kissed her hard. His lips urgent and fierce as she wove her fingers in his hair. His hands roamed her sides as she slowly moaned in his mouth. He peeled off the soaked sundress from her body and found her in a yellow polka dotted bikini. He sat up, still straddling her and looked at her with a playful smirk on his face.

"What?" She asked, her brow furrowed

"You look cute in that bikini, Polka." He teased.

"Don't call me that. It was the only suit I had in my case." She laughed and sat up so that they were face to face.

She traced her fingers from his ear, to his sculpted jawline, and ended with them tracing his lips. Then, without warning she pushed him down on the blanket and kissed him hungrily. Hot and filled with wanting. Her hands needily roaming his body. In no time, they were both half naked on the blanket and making out heavily. The air filled with the sounds of moans and pants with their hands all over each other. When his hands reached down to her bottoms, he sensed her hesitation.

"I won't force you to do anything you don't want to, you know." He said softly. He saw the look in her eyes.

"It's not that. Believe me, I want to." She said with a look on her face he couldn't decipher.

"What's the problem then?" He was worried there was something she wasn't telling him.

"Uhm.." She suddenly couldn't look him in the eye. She mumbled something under her breath that he didn't hear.

"What?" He prompted her again, this time, taking her chin in his hands and making her face him.

"It's - it's my first time." The words hung in the air. She faced away from him, afraid he wouldn't want her. Afraid that he would want someone more experienced.

Her words had confused him. First time with what?. They had made out before. Then as if lightnight struck him, it hit him. She was a virgin. The teasing in the club, and the bathroom had not been a game to her. No wonder she wanted to go slow. He looked at her fidgeting, looking out to the beach. He took her hand and kissed it. She looked up at him in surprise.

"I thought you wouldn't want me." Her eyes were glassy as if she was about to cry.

"Why wouldn't I?" He gently wiped the tear that escaped her eyes.

"Because, I'm inexperienced." She hung her head, her bangs covering her eyes.

"I don't see what's wrong with that. But are you one hundred percent sure you want me coz I would be honored." He asked gently. She looked up at him shyly and nodded. Gone was the sassy girl facade she had put up. Now, he saw the vulnerable girl that she was and he wanted her to be sure of her decision. He didn't want to take advantage and he wanted her to have no regrets.

He kissed her gently, and took his time. Despite the arousal in his shorts, he wanted her first time to be special as it should be. He pleasured her with his lips, his tongue and his hands, never leaving an inch of her body untouched. As time passed, his erection was becoming painful being restrained in his shorts. He slowly took them off and positioned himself at her entrance.

He slowly entered her, giving her time to adjust to his girth and length. He paused as he felt the slight obstruction keeping her virtue intact and looked her in the eye. She found nothing but love in his eyes. She kissed him and braced herself for the pain that was to come. He entered gently, and she felt the tears roll down her cheek. He wiped it away and kissed her as he began pumping in and out of her core. Soon enough the pain was replaced with pleasure and they were moaning each other's names in ecstasy. And as the moon rose to it's highest in the night sky, brightening the shoreline with it's light, he made love to her on the beach, their hearts and bodies became one.

END OF CHAPTER 9


Well, that escalated quickly.. LoL

I didn't go all out lemonade on this one since it is their first time and I wanted it to be special elegant and fluffy. :)

More to come though. Lemons and plot twists and all those other good stuff I can conjure up in this crazy head of mine.

Song mentioned is "The Lady In Red" By Chris de Burgh (No ownership claimed for the song nor the characters of this fanfic)

Stay tuned to what happens next!


Thank you for those who have followed and set me as a favorite author! You guys are awesome!

Please dont forget to check out my other works and to those following Crimson Rose, I will be updating the epilogues soon!

Anilissa - looks like it did go smoothly. Not sure for the road ahead though. We'll see ;)

The Midnight Crier - thankies! Hope you like this chapter!

frozenbutterfly - sorry this update came late. but I hope you enjoy this one! hope you and your sister can get along. :)

sunnybutterfly - hey there! Thank you for following my stories and I hope you and frozenbutterfly can get along. :) xNatsuMikanx has advised that the stories are continued on wattpad so you can search for them there. :)

loveisfun - will be putting in more dance numbers soon. the one in this chappie is a slow dance but a sexy dance and Mikan's DJ sets and gigs will be coming soon so stay tuned! ;)

xNatsuMikanx - haven't heard from you in awhile my friend. I hope everything is ok in the work front. And also looks like you have a fan here. sunnybutterfly says hi!

For those also who PM'd me regularly SwordBlossom and KitsuneSenpai18 - thank you my friends! Love your works .

Please check out the works of these two. they are amazing :D

sooo... you guys know the drill!

Let me know what you think ;)

Read, Follow, Favorite and Leave a Review! Ja ne!

xoxo Lexi1989