A million needle pricks of water lashed out against Gino's back, drizzling away the suds lathered upon smooth, creamy skin and shuddering against each deep sigh that left his lips. The scent of lavender blossoms tickled Gino's nose as he sucked in another breath and let out a low chuckle. His azure eyes glanced through his bangs, a thick mop of a mess upon his head, at the hot pink shower gel tucked into the top corner of the shower.
So even you can be girly once in a while, he thought. His hand stretched back and let his fingers scramble for a firm hold on the shower head's knob. With a jerking twist, the shower hissed to a halt. Gino ran a hand through his golden, blonde locks as drops of water plopped onto the white tiled floor beneath him. He turned towards the door and sighed at the cool steam tickling every inch of his body. Snatching a fluffed out towel from the countertop, the soft cloth brushed over his heated skin while he wrapped it around his slim waist.
"Squeaky clean! Squeaky clean!" he hummed to his self as he ruffled a towel through his hair. His beaming smile suddenly hitched at the sight in the fogged mirror. Pale, white lines and bruises were scattered over his torso while a long stretched line was dashed across his heart like an X. The glimmer in his eyes dimmed and he jerked away from the mirror. Stomping towards the door of the bathroom, he murmured, "If only I was all clean."
The door swung open to let golden rays of light flood the room until Gino closed it behind him. A shudder ran up and down his spine at the artic air nipping at his bare flesh, making his nipples perk in salute to the icy morning. A groan rumbled in the back of Gino's throat as he dragged his feet down the light red hallway.
"BABE!" he whined noisily, poking his head around the corner to the living room. "It's too cold!"
Spread out along the loveseat laid Kallen with her crimson hair fanned out above her shoulders like a phoenix, her eyes locked onto the large book in her hands. Her slippered feet rested atop of the sofa's edge and wrapped herself in a thick weaved sweater that made beads of sweat dot her brow. Yet, as the sweat slithered down her brows, Gino's heart skipped a beat once the light danced off of her, almost like she was wearing a crown to declare her righteous beauty.
Kallen rolled her eyes and glanced over the white pillows only to flinch at what she laid eyes on. The towel that dried off Gino's hair rested around his broad shoulders while the towel around his waist slightly slid downward to show his right pelvic bone jutting from his hip. Kallen's eyes lingered upon his chiseled chest, groaning silently as she absorbed all of the delicacies of Gino's body, yet not enough of the real meat of his large frame. Feeling heat creep upon her cheeks, and stirring in her bnether regions, Kallen snapped her eyes away and glared down at her book.
"There are these things called clothes baka," she huffed with her cheeks puffed. "They work wonders."
Gino arched an eyebrow until he noticed the faint red sprinkled on her cheeks. A long, wicked grin broke out across his lips as he strolled over to the loveseat. Snatching the book from her hands, glimmering azure was greeted by stormy teal as Gino leaned down to Kallen's ear.
"You kind of ruined my only pair of clothes last night babe. I guess you'll have to warm me up then," His warm breath tickled her ear as his voice rumbled into a low growl. "Right?"
Before Kallen could retort, she found her hands pinned to the couch by larger ones and a large body pressing down onto her own. Her teeth dug into her bottom lip as fingers wandered at the hem of her sweater and lips pressed butterfly kisses up under her jawline. Her heart beat sped up once the artic air met her stomach with an icy breath.
"G-Gino," she moaned. His fingers brushed over her bra and gently ran over her plump breasts. "S-stop t-teasing me!"
Her breath caught in her throat as Gino's tongue snaked out to lick a sliver of flesh upon her neck, careful to catch a mouthful of wool in his mouth, and lapped up to her trembling lips. "I can't help it babe." he said, voice dripping with lust. His fingers suddenly dove in and caught her breast, kneading it with rough circular squeezes. "You're too delicious."
Kallen, letting out a groan, jerked her captured wrists from Gino's grasp and pushed him backward. Gino let out a sharp yelp as she quickly shimmied out of her jeans and tore off her sweater. Fighting off the shivers gnawing at her flesh, Kallen straddled Gino's waist, whose fingers found themselves ripping off the clasp to her bra.
"You better warm me up for this." Kallen growled and latched her mouth onto Gino's. As their tongues twirled and sucked along one another in a wet embrace-a sharp cry of jingling pierced the heated air between them. Kallen pulled away from Gino, a line of saliva trailing behind as she quirked an eyebrow at him. "Jingle Bells. Really?"
Gino bit back a groan as he snatched his cell phone from the coffee table in front of them. "Tis the season!" he chuckled lightly as he brought the phone to his ear.
Whose the little bastard that would call me right now? He thought bitterly.
"Gino." A soft voice, clear and crisp filled his ears.
Of course.
Gino's lips thinned until he felt Kallen lightly peck him on the cheek. His eyes widened as her lips dragged themselves down to his torso and spread kisses along his chest. All the while her fingers began rolling his nipples while her free hand rubbed against his towel clothed manhood that grew harder with each caress.
"What is it Anya?" he groaned, pushing up against Kallen's ministrations.
"Where are you?" she asked.
"At Kall...oh babe yes...ugh Kallen's. Why?"
Anya went silent for a moment, mumbling something along the lines of "insolent horn dog".
"Turn on the TV to channel 8." she ordered.
"N-ngh-no...yes lower yes...why?" Gino moaned.
"Gino," Anya's voice softened, almost like she were holding back a sob. "Please."
Gino's muscles froze as he gulped loudly. Anya never said please for anything unless it was important. Gino longingly glanced down at Kallen, her lips achingly hovering over his waist. Gino sighed heavily and shot Kallen an apologetic look as he rose up from the couch. Kallen nodded, catching the soft tone in Anya's voice and slipped her sweater over her head.
"Fine." grumbled Gino. He snatched the remote off of the glass coffee table and punched the on button with 08. The miniature flat screen whirred to life as a reporter's flawless face appeared on the screen. Her blonde curls poured over her shoulders as she gestured to the screen behind her.
"-temperatures will drop to 15 degrees later tonight as winter starts early this month," the reporter said with a bleached white smile. Gino narrowed his eyes at the screen and ran a hand over his face.
"Wow Anya," Gino rolled his eyes. "I didn't need to watch this to know it's freezing everywhere."
"Just keep watching."
The reporter flinched and pressed her fingers to his ear, her brows knitted together as she murmured to her self. She cleared her throat and straightened herself in her seat.
"In other news, Suzaku Kururugi, rock star in the music industry," she started as a video of one of his concerts appeared at the bottom right hand corner. Gino's eyes narrowed even more, his nails digging into his palms. I don't care. I don't care. I don't care, he told his self, the reporter's words zoning out into a muted buzz to him. Yet his heart stopped beating as soon as the reporter murmured, quite hurt, "Has recently announced his leave last week and has gone missing since then. His close friends discovered his apartment empty and the bill paid in full after they went to visit him the same night of his announcement. Leaving no note or anything left behind."
Gino's heart froze into an eerie creak and his blood turned ice cold as the words rang through his ears.
Missing? Last week? Why am I now just learning about this?
You swore off of rock music. A dark voice murmurred in the back of his head. Remember? As guilt sunk through his veins, his grip on his cell phone loosened as it tumbled to the floor.
"Gino? Gino?" Anya called. Kallen glanced at Gino's glazed eyes towards the TV and grabbed the phone from the ground.
"Sorry Anya. Gino might have to call you back," Kallen said into the phone. Before Anya could say anything else, Kallen punched the end call button and snatched the remote from Gino's grasp.
"T-this is Milly Ashford," the reporter said with a weak smile. "And we'll catch you real soon."
The TV clicked off as Kallen turned to Gino. His back sagged into the sofa and his eyes still stared up at the screen.
"Gino?" Kallen asked, lightly touching his shoulder. His muscles jerked harshly as he glanced down at her. "You gonna be okay?"
Gino opened his mouth and let it close. His brows furrowed in deep thought and let his head drop in his hands.
"I...don't know." he murmured.
Kallen's lips twisted into a frown and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
"I know he was a close friend of yours," she whispered, pressing a kiss to his fluff of soft hair. "But I'm sure he's okay. That Ashford said the police were doing a search for him."
Gino absentmindedly nodded and pulled away from her. He rose from the loveseat, his hand clenching the towel around him.
"Gino?" she asked.
Gino froze, keeping his eyes on the floor.
I don't care. I don't care. I don't fucking care!
"Sorry babe. I'm just gotta get some air."