A/N: This is the chapter that started it all. I wrote this chapter first for the Young Girl request. Then my mind started spinning the story you are now reading. It isn't the same as it was when I first wrote it. I had to make it match the chapters before.
Reminder: I do Not own Skip Beat.
Chapter 10
Why did I agree to this?
Why must I always be so blind when it comes to her? Just because she comes over with a plea for help doesn't mean I should be the one to help her. But, I really don't want her doing this with anyone else.
I really don't want her doing this at all.
She calls me yesterday evening with the saddest voice I have ever heard. I asked her what was wrong, and she starts sobbing about how she ruined a scene today. I heard nothing but self destructive comments about how horrible an actress she was and that she shouldn't be considered my kohai. That one I agreed with. She shouldn't be my kohai. She should be my friend, my lover, my wife and the mother of my children. Kohai was one of the last things on my list, and I hope that Enemy or Stranger will never even be mentioned.
So I'm now sitting on my couch with her unwilling to take off her coat. I really wanted to see what was underneath, and yet I desperately didn't want to either.
Kyoko was pacing in front of him; the coat tightly bundled around her frame. She was sweating, but he really didn't know if that was because of the temperature or if she was nervous or scared.
"So… you have to tell me if I'm acting like Natsu, or if I'm being too childish. They want something in the middle. No pain, no giggling, no mean looks, no blushing." She wasn't looking at him while she spoke, but Ren understood the words were meant for him.
"I got it, Mogami-san. I've seen Box-R, so I can spot Natsu. I think I can see childish as well."
She nodded then stopped a little bit away from him. She nodded again, and he couldn't help but smile.
"Do you want me to help you?" He offered.
"Help? No. You stay and act normal. Act like you have a girlfriend and I… No wait!" If Tsuruga-san had a girlfriend she would like to think that he would toss any woman that came up to him like she was about to do out onto the street. She wanted a positive response to see if it was working.
"No, no girlfriend. Just be you. Yes, be you. Honest, critical, you." She was pacing again and his smile widened.
"I'm me, and I'm curious as to when you are going to start," he teased her.
"Yes, ok." She walked across once again but this time her fingers started to unbutton the coat. She didn't have many done to begin with, so she was finish rather quickly. Her hand gripped the opening and then she stopped next to the love seat and jerked the coat off.
Ren's breath hitched. She wore a silver dress, if you called that a dress. It was sleeveless. It had bulky straps that looked like a bunch of fabric was tied together at the top of her shoulders. It draped over her breast in a curve of loose fabric and then got tighter as it went down her body. It hugged her hips and ended way too soon for his comfort. Again from behind it was loose until it hit her hips, then it hugged the curve of her ass a little too well.
"Is this what they are having you wear?" He tried to keep his voice professional and it seemed to have worked. Kyoko answered without a change in moods.
"Um, no. I borrowed this one. I want to wear that outfit as little as possible." His eyes followed her hands as they smoothed across her dress nervously.
"Also that outfit makes me think more girlish, so I kept reverting to a more innocent flirt. They want more adult. So I thought if I wore something similar to the stuff at the nightclub then I could think like them too. Again, you have to stop me if I start thinking like Natsu." She looked down at the dress.
"Natsu would like this dress."
"I will. I promise."
Kyoko closed her eyes for a moment, then sat down and looked at him. She opened her mouth but then closed it. She tried again but no words came out. She blushed as she stood up again and played with her fingers, nervous again.
"Too girly," Ren said with a smile.
"I haven't started yet!" She sighed and started pacing again. His eyes were captured by it. The little dress showed off her slim lean legs and as she turned it shifted across her ass in the most enticing way.
"…and I'm just not sure."
Shit. She was talking to him, and he didn't hear a word she said.
"I'm sorry, Mogami-san. What did you say?"
"Tsuruga-san!" She was facing him and bounced on the balls of her feet when she whined his name. It would have been cute if it wasn't for the dress. All he saw was the loose fabric over her breast bounce as they did.
"Okay, here." He stood up put his hands on her shoulders trying no to look down her dress. "Come up to me like one of the women at the club. Come say "Hi" and then do your act," he instructed.
Kyoko nodded and took another deep breath. He smiled and then sat back down on the couch. She suddenly walked away from him and into his kitchen. He watched her open up one of the cabinet doors and then stand on her tip-toes for a glass. Ren had to look away and his pants felt very uncomfortable. If she stretched any farther, he was sure the dress would have hiked up over her hips. That little stretch made him want to tie her up like that and run his hands up and down that narrow body.
She returned with two glasses, filled them with water and put one in his hand. She kept the other. If she needed props then so be it, he didn't mind.
"Okay, you haven't noticed me," she said and walked behind him out of view.
Impossible, he thought but agreed, "Okay." He took a sip of the water from his glass and stared at the city lights out his window. He lightly tapped his finger against the glass as if he was following the beat of music.
Movement from the corner of his eye drew his attention. A delicate hand ran its fingers across on the arm of the chair. His eyes saw a silver covered hip that dipped to a slim waist. A pair of pale creamy legs rounded the corner, no longer hidden from view by the couch. They slid against each other as she walked towards him. Those silken thighs parted slightly as she leaned down, placing her knee on the couch cushion. Her cocked hip came to view then her waist as she sat down beside him. His eyes moved up to the curve of her breast, more of that light skin stretching over her neck that was begging to be nibbled on. Her lips were curved into a sexy smile, showing a small hint of white teeth, and then his eyes met her golden ones.
The coy smile, the look in their eye to show interest, flashing skin, the subtle art of flirting, they already did all the work, studying various people while they try and capture someone's eye. All he had to do was give his opinion on it. However, she already captured him. Anything she does or says, it's all he thinks about.
His only escape was his acting, his characters that did not love her. They were his only moment of release from her power over him. Yet how many opportunities did he have of that? His mind was consumed with thoughts of her. Cain's mind was over run with thoughts of his little sister. Kuon had memories of them together at six and ten years old, those few precious moments with her. Even when he modeled, he could always see her, picturing her doing something or saying something to get the reaction they wanted from him. He even thought of her while he did Katsuki.
BJ was his only release. Luckily, she doesn't fit his profile type. There was no way he could stand acting him if she did. His mind snapped back to the present as her voice reached his ears.
"You looked lonely. May I join you?" Her voice was low, seductive. Natsu can pull that off without an issue but her face didn't show that look that said he was a toy. Her face expressed excitement, playfulness, desire and a little nervousness.
"Please," his voice was a little breathy, but she didn't seem to mind. Ren watched her body relax at his acceptance. He smiled to hide his shock. He thought she was nervous because of what they were going, not because she was scared of rejection.
"Have you had as nice a day as I have?" Her voice held a little bit of sarcasm. She was leaning her head against her fist. Her arm was bent and resting on the back of the couch. She was idling running the bottom rim of her glass round and round over her knee. His eyes kept flickering back to the motion. He kept thinking about how delicious the condensation pooling on her skin would taste.
He laughed softly, "I'm actually here celebrating." She raised an eyebrow, asking the obvious question and he continued, "I got a promotion today."
Her smile widened and she straightened her back which caused her skirt to hike up a little and her chest to perk up, things he noticed with excruciating detail. She lifted her drink up into the air.
"Congratulations to the new…." She let statement hang in the air waiting for his answer.
He met her glass with a small clink. "…the new head of the marketing department." She nodded once and then took a sip of her drink, her eyes never leaving his, her lips always curved in some sort of smile.
"You must be very..." she bit her lip lightly, "…talented to reach such a position so young. Why celebrate alone though?" Kyoko pouted her lips a little as if she was sad for him. Yet her eyes were very pleased she found him alone. He turned towards her bringing his knee up onto the cushion. Her smile widened a bit as he sat face to face with her now.
"You are the first person to know," Ren leaned in a bit whispering like it was a secret. She smiled, blushing a little bit. He sat back again and continued, "They just told me before I left today and they are going to make the announcement next week." Did he tell her about the blush? There was nothing wrong with a woman blushing. He actually thought it was very attractive on her. It made him want to do things, see how much he can get her blood rushing, but she wanted to know.
"You're blushing," he said casually. Kyoko blushed a little harder but nodded. She took a breath, trying to control her flush.
"That was my good news. What about yours? Why was your day so bad?" She pouted and looked away.
"Not bad, just exhausting. I enjoy coming in here and relaxing." She took a deep breath and let it out audibly. She looked around for a moment.
"Nice calm atmosphere, no watered down drinks." She winked at him and took a sip of her "drink". She amazed him to no end. Even while she is so serious, she throws in an underlining joke since they are actually drinking water.
"And there is a very nice view today." She looked at him darkly and touched his knee with her fingertips.
"Natsu." He watched her frown, her eye brows bunched together as she probably cursed at herself.
"And the company is especially appealing," she said lightly with a cheery attitude.
"Too cheery." He laughed softly as she fell apart.
"You were doing well. I like the second line better than the first but the attitude should have been the same as before Natsu appeared," he informed her encouragingly.
She nodded. "I'm fine until it comes time to do the touching, then she appears and ruins everything, and I start to panic."
He nodded. "Ok so let's get over the touching." He took her left hand and placed it in his. She looked up at him confused and a little embarrassed.
"Not so bad right?" He asked and she agreed. Then he took her wrist and moved her hand to a new place. He never broke the skin contact, simply glided her hand over his wrist then placed it in the middle of his forearm. The blush got a little darker but was still very light.
"Good. You continue now." He let go of her hand and it simply sat there.
"Continue? Where?" She looked up at him curiously.
"Anywhere you need to go, until you feel comfortable." He gave her a patient smile. She pulled her hand back and looked away.
She blushed brightly again. "Even if we were lovers, I don't think I would ever get use to touching you, Tsuruga-san."
What did he say to that? How should he take that? If we were lovers…. How he wanted that. His mind seemed to single out the words We and Lovers in bright flashing lights. The thought that every time she would touch him would bring that flush to her cheeks, make her heart race, making it feel new and fresh had him on edge. He knew he would never get enough of touching her, feeling her body in every way.
"This is for you." You liar, you want it more than she does. "Just go where you feel it's necessary. I'm not going to stop you. Want me to close my eyes?" He offered.
"No," she said hesitantly. "It's fine." She looked up at him innocently and asked, "Should I be in character?"
He shook his head. "Not for now. Get all your real emotion out and then we will try again when you are ready."
Kyoko nodded. He leaned against the side of the couch, relaxing and watched her. She lifted her hand up slowly like she was scared that she was about to touch something that might hurt her. He tried to keep from grinning at her nerves, he didn't want to tease her or make things worse but she was so endearing. Her hand was making her way to touching him high on his chest. The closer she got the slower she got.
"WOOF!" Ren barked loudly at her, making her yelp and jump ten yards into the air.
"TSURUGA-SAN!" She yelled at him, and he couldn't stop laughing. His eyes were watering as she lightly hit the closest part of him which was his left calf.
"You're so mean." She was pouting with a half smile; her arms were crossed under her breast, closing herself up.
"I'm sorry. I was trying to get you to relax. First let's start by calling me Ren. Perhaps if you didn't see me in such a formal way, you would feel more comfortable touching me. We've known each other for almost two years now. Please call me Ren, Kyoko."
She blushed. She didn't really think she should. However, it was out of respect for the person that someone used their last name and the honorific. So out of respect for that person's wishes shouldn't she do as they request. If she refused, that would be disrespecting them, right? But what would others think?
"What will the others think if I called you so informally?"
"That you are very close to me, which I thought we were."
She processed it but didn't answer so he added, "You can still refer to me as Tsuruga in interviews and such. As long as when you talk to me, you call me Ren."
"Okay," Kyoko conceded.
"Good, now touch me." He opened his arms wide inviting her touch.
"Don't say it like that!" She buried her face in her hands. He laughed and then took her hand. He let it lie palm up in his hand. He didn't hold it in any way. It was merely resting in his.
She started right away this time but stayed at his hand. She turned her hand around and let her fingers touch his palm. She traced the lines of his hands all the way up to his fingers.
"You're hands are rather soft," her voice was soft, there was no real emotion to it, only a stating a fact.
"Is that bad?"
She shook her head. "I expected them to be rougher. They are still rougher than mine." She turned his hand over and was now circling each knuckle with her fingertips. She then frowned lightly and pulled his hand closer to her face.
"You… You have little scars on your knuckles. Did you know that?"
Panic flushed through him momentarily. "Um… the punching bag. I get careless sometimes."
She sighed in frustration. "You'd think you want to take care of your body."
"I guess I'll have to do it for you," Kyoko whispered taking his hand and tenderly caressed his knuckles with her cheek.
Wait? What? Was she acting? She had to be, she wouldn't say something so… so provocative. She suddenly dropped her hands and his into her barely covered lap. Ren sat there frozen, her words still circling around in his head. She clenched her hand into a fist for a moment then put her hand on his knee and released a held breath.
He could feel the heat of her hand through his slacks. She didn't move and neither did he. She stared intently on her hand on his knee as if she was willing it to be comfortable. She patted his knee after a few moments and removed her hand. She still had his right hand in her left. He kind of wished he had rolled up his sleeve at least then he could feel her naked thighs across his arm. No matter how short her skirt was, she still managed to not let him touch any of her skin.
This time she moved towards his face, she hesitated for a moment and pulled her hand back a little half way up.
"I'm going to touch your hair. Okay?" She said unsure.
He smiled and nodded. As if he was going to say no to anything she wanted. She continued forward and felt the soft touch of her fingers at his temple. She wasn't looking at him, only concentrating on her actions. He let his eyes wonder and instantly found out that it was a mistake.
The drape of her dress fell forward as she leaned forward, giving him the most wonderful view of her breast in a black strapless bra. All he had to do was pull the fabric down and her creamy flesh would be under his mercy.
She snaked her fingers into his hair and Ren couldn't help but tilt his head towards them. It felt so good. His hand fell from her lap the more she came forward. This was too perfect, he didn't want to help her by leaning forward, call him selfish. She put her hand on his knee again making her almost on all fours. He wondered what the view would be like in different angles.
He could smell her now, the light floral scent that made up her perfume. She wore light makeup, enough to color her already attractive features. Her eyes were shaded with browns and the tiniest tint of gold, her cheeks were flushed, and he could tell that no amount of make-up could bring that beautiful natural color to her cheeks. Lastly, the dark red smear on her so very kissable lips, which were so very close to his, all he had to do was move in. He could almost taste it.
No. Why was she here alone with an older man doing these things? In his apartment, no less…. She placed her left hand high on his chest from his thigh, the other moved down to his shoulder, and she leaned in further, her lips passing his and moved to his ear.
"Is this okay?" She whispered, which made him shudder in excitement. Even while she drove him insane with desire, she still asks such an innocent question. He nodded sharply. Please don't stop. Don't ever stop. Her soft breath from her lips tickled his ear and sent shocks down his body straight to his hardening groin.
He should have never told her that blowing in someone's ear was a technique. That was one of his biggest turn-on. It is bad enough she was almost on top of him in the smallest dress in the world, her hand pressing against his chest and now her sweet voice was teasing him to no end.
Ren felt her start to pull back. If it was only that simple though, she let her lips lightly glide across his cheek all the way forward. His eyes focused on her face once again and there was this tiny smile on her lips. Not one of arrogance but of want, desire. Like she was enjoying this just as much as he was, and she wanted it just as badly.
He could feel her breath on his skin, she was that close. His heart was urging him to kiss her, tell her he loved her and to forever be this close to him. The little mind lower in his pants was screaming at him to grab her, rip those sexy clothes off and feast on her body until she was unconscious. His head, however, saw the young girl that trusted him so completely, looking up at him with her innocent eyes, trusting her senpai with every little cell of her body.
Oh, how that body was so perfect before him. It was so warm, so touchable. He licked his lips as Kyoko tiled her head like she was going to kiss him. Her nose grazed his and she mimicked him. His eyes fell to the subtle movement of her small pink tongue appearing between those full red lips then disappearing into the abyss that was her mouth.
He went after it.
Ren quickly wrapped his arms around her petite body, crushing it against his as his mouth captured hers with hungry urgency. A surprised squeak escaped her throat. He felt her stiffen in his embrace, her lips not moving, her arms were pinned within the circle of his and her hands were clinging onto his shirt.
How could she not understand the things she did to him? He was only human. No man could withstand having the woman he loved all over him and not do anything. He wanted to taste her, to share a little bit of each other. He wanted to swallow her up. She didn't push him away, in fact quite the opposite.
She started to move her lips as he moved his. Kyoko, his Kyoko, was kissing him back. He lightly suckled her red lips. His chest felt like it was going to explode. The kiss at the nightclub paled in comparison. There he was kissing Natsu and now. Now he was kissing Kyoko. He could taste her lipstick but wanted to taste her.
He sucked in her lip between his and nipped it. The small pain caused her to jump and gasp, and he took his opportunity. Ren slipped his tongue between her lips, just a little, seeking that wet silky touch of hers. The moment he tasted her, he felt her push against him.
Everything came rushing back, his mind cleared from the lust induced haze, and he let his arms drop. She took over, pushing against him, away from him, the distance between them growing, the air cooling the parts of his body that she touched.
He looked up at her, and the Emperor wanted her even more. Her face was flushed a dark red, her lipstick was smeared, and she was breathing heavily. Kyoko didn't run away, simply pushed back, and now seemed to hesitate before him.
He looked at her under hooded eyes, she didn't move, merely sat there in front of him easily within arm's reach. She should have ran. Why didn't she run away? If she didn't run, that means she only needed a moment. He pushed himself forward and tried to grab her again, but Kyoko leaned back with her hand lifted between them. The picture in front of him looked wrong. Her expression was so innocent, so pure, yet she was wearing a dress only a succubus would wear along with her messed up make-up, she was a living contradiction.
He turned and sat facing forward, then ran his hand through his hair. She needed to leave. If she didn't leave, he would do something irreversible. Something he hoped he could do when she was ready, but not now.
"I'm sorry. I got carried away," he whispered and looked at her sitting beside him. She was sitting on his couch like she would on the floor, with her legs tucked under her. He wanted desperately to touch her, to kiss her again. He could still taste her as he spoke.
"You did wonderfully. Too well in fact, you should go." She was acting right? It didn't feel like acting. Those innocent words and that flush on her face. That's not how her character would act. He stood up and was thankful for the dark loose slacks. He walked over to the chair and picked up her jacket. Luckily, it was cold outside. She can cover up that sinful dress and hopefully reduce the ideas in his head.
"Are you mad?" He turned to her soft voice. She looked like she was on the verge of tears. The sight of that sobered him up quickly.
"No. I'm…" What could he say? Horny? Aroused? Frustrated? He couldn't tell her that.
"Do you remember what I told you about why people do this?" He asked her.
She stood and thought about it for a moment then nodded/ "Yes, it to try and get the other person to date them." She smiled proud of herself for remembering. She really was like a puppy sometimes.
"And how did they try and inspire that?" He watched as she turned scarlet and he nodded. She understood.
Oh my God. Oh my God. The whole reason she needed help with this was because she knew nothing about flirting with someone. The basic idea of flirting with someone was to get them to think about sex.
He said it worked! That means… that he is…. She swallowed a lump in her throat and couldn't help but let her eyes flicker down to the crotch of his pants. They were completely black, and she couldn't see anything, but she didn't let her eyes really see. There was no way that he felt that way while she was doing that.
"Kyoko?" He called out to her, and she couldn't meet his eyes. She stood up and quickly walked over to him, and he helped her into her coat.
As she slipped her coat and turned to face him. Her eyes again flickered down to the front of his pants, but she really couldn't tell. She didn't look there anyway, so how was she supposed to know if it looked any different from ten minutes ago. She did notice his pants seemed a little bulkier but then that could be the cut. Lots of slacks are very poofy in that area.
"Please talk to me, Kyoko." His voice made her blush again. Kyoko looked up at him, and he looked worried. What was he worried about?
"You're not mad…?" It was formed in a statement but it sounded like a question so he shook his head.
"But you look upset or worried? Why?" She was looking up at him curiously.
"I'm worried about you. What you are thinking? Are you angry at me?" Are you scared of me? Do you despise me? Do you never want to see me again?
She looked away nervously. I can't tell him what I'm thinking. "I was staring at your crotch like some pervert!" He thought she was mad at him? She decided to only answer his second question.
"I'm not angry. Why would I be?" If they were going to stay inside she would have waited to put on her jacket. It was very warm in here. Shock colored his face from her reply. How did she dismiss his advances so quickly? He licked his lips trying to form the words.
Because I…" Ren put his hand to his lip and then gestured to her, "I kissed you."
She was taken aback. It's true he kissed her but he was acting, right? He got caught up in the role; his character told him that it was the right thing to do so he did it. They had no script, so he improvised it.
"I thought you said you got caught up in the moment."
He can never say that being with her is boring. Perhaps it is because of their unusual relationship. He loves her, needs her like he needs air. She respects him, and he is put on this pedestal that is untouchable in almost every aspect, acting, friendship and love. How many times has he tried to jump down only to have her put him back?
Everything in this moment told him that this was the right time. He should confess and tell her that the kiss was real, he got caught up as Ren, as Kuon and kissed her because he couldn't control himself anymore. Then he thought about it more carefully. How would she react? Was she ready? How did he know if she was or wasn't?
It was a good sign that she seemed to accept his kiss while acting. That was a step, a rather big one at that. He couldn't do it. Not yet, he needed more information. If she acts the same way she did when he kissed her cheek, she wouldn't be able to work again. This was much larger than a kiss on the cheek. He wanted to give her his heart, his life.
He smiled. "Yes. I did. I'm happy you could forgive me."
Kyoko smiled up brightly at him. "There is nothing to forgive." She started to walk to his door and added, "Besides I kissed you too, remember, at the club. Now we are even."
Ren almost laughed. Maybe he will have to kiss her again to see if she will return the favor. Another time.
They headed back to his car. She didn't argue with him when he offered her to drive her anywhere anymore. She seemed more accepting of him recently. He wished he knew what he did to make her feel this way for he would surely do it again and again.
"Do you feel more confident for the shoot tomorrow?" He hoped that at least this night helped her in some way. He felt like he just rode a roller coaster twenty times in a row.
She didn't answer right away. "I believe so." She suddenly grabbed his bicep, and he tensed in surprise. She laughed.
"It seems I'm not the only one that gets nervous with touching." She gently patted his arm and pulled back. Ren blushed lightly. He doesn't get nervous when a woman touches him. It made him sound like a virgin. It just surprised him. He wasn't expecting it, not from her, even if it was only his arm.
They arrived at Daruma-ya's too quickly. He stopped the car, letting it run idly as she slipped out. He watched her slim shapely legs leave his car and thought about them wrapped around his waist. He closed his eyes for a moment trying to blank out his mind.
"Thank you for tonight, Tsuru…. Ren. I'll make you proud at tomorrow's shoot," she spoke softly through his window. He looked up at her and smiled.
"I'm always proud of you. You could never disappoint me. Have a good night, Kyoko. Call me if you need anything," he offered and she nodded.
He watched her walk up to the door, his desire for her evident in his eyes. He wanted her completely, body and soul. She reached her door and turned back towards him then waved timidly at him. He raised his hand and returned the small gesture, and she disappeared behind the door.