Seto's lean powerful length tensed. Did he hear her correct? Still collapsed on the couch, he hid his arousal, and swore under his breath. The pull of her mouth, her sweet feminine fragrance lingered on his skin. He ached to gather her close, and take her lips in another kiss…
"Please, leave."
It took him a second to decipher the pleading in her voice. He looked at her questioningly. Téa didn't look at him. But something akin to satisfaction flashed through his eyes as he realized she wasn't entirely unaffected. Her face was red. Her eyes full of tears. Her breath had grown shallow and rapid. She was quivering with tension, and didn't know how to proceed. This situation was equally frustrating for her.
So why was she resisting?
Head bowed low, Téa stared at the floor, but remained on the couch, sitting next to him, and clinging to a cushion as though to a lifeline.
"Must you insist upon continuing this farce?" He asked, gently. "Ten years of repression not enough?"
"I've no intentions to hurt you. But I can't do this."
Her apology was genuine. Seto gave a self-derisive laughter. A moment ago, she kissed him with abandon. And now... Shaking his head, he sighed. 'I just had to fall for her.' - "You're a cruel woman, wife." He stole another kiss, and left.
Téa palmed her face and dissolved in tears of remorse. She felt undignified for holding that sexual leverage against him. Her treacherous body had responded feverishly to his touch. Her stomach tightened, a deep, dark energy rooting in her pelvic region. A powerful desirous need to have him had clawed through her. She wanted him, and wanted him with a ferocity she couldn't deny. Her body yearned for his touch. With the years of well-cultivated discipline, indifference and abstinence at risk, it's precisely what she feared.
Sexual emotions made things disturbingly complex. With her self-control slipping, she doubted her ability to play the subtle game of passive-aggression with her saboteurs, Seto included. In the past, she relied on her extended family. But now it was no longer the case. Their recent actions taught her that it was an uncaring world. On the surface things seemed natural. But below it, it's every man or woman for him or herself. She had placed enormous amount of trust in Marik only to have it crushed again. And with the looks of it, Seto was no different. The mere foundation of her marriage lay on a bet.
Getting up from the couch, Téa wiped her tears. She stepped into the bathroom and washed her face. Eyeing herself in the mirror, she stared at her reflection, and wondered if she should rinse her mouth and get rid of his taste. Acutely aware of her emotional failing, she couldn't find it in herself to rinse her mouth. The feel of Seto's lips stayed with her.
Kaiba Residence
Kaiba junior, Mokuba, and Mana were busy brain storming in the study. The topic was to decide mom and dad's honeymoon, with the full family included in the package.
"I give!" Mokuba said. "Exactly what do we have in mind?"
"Himalayas." Renée said firmly. Mr. Martin had plant the idea in her head. "About time you guys meet rest of the family."
The Eleventh Hour.
"Grandpa Ed, you'll have exactly one hour to make arrangements."
"Fear not, kiddo. They won't know what hit them."
Reassured, Renée turned to the lieutenant. "Uncle Roland?"
"Things are taken care of, young missy."
The house staff wailed dramatically as the self appointed General in the history of the Kaiba-war finished her hot chocolate. Renée smiled. Inwardly, she shook like a frost-tipped leaf. Valiant Colonel, Mana, took the General's little hand and helped her on the study desk. Standing 4'2 tall, she looked at her battalion of brave soldiers.
"Grandpa, uncle! Brother and sister in arms! In this column hour..."
"Solemn." Mokuba, corrected.
"Solemn hour, we wage a war against our enemy. An enemy who is also our friend, related to us by milk line."
"Blood line."
"Blood line! Our enemy is smart, resourceful, and intelligent. And outnumber us one to ten. They operate on a no prisoner policy." The group shivered collectively. Numerous degrees of punishments, including detentions and substantial amount of loss in pocket allowances went through their mind.
"YET, we wage this war against them to achieve a higher purpose. We seek Freedom, Immortality, Happiness and Prosperity for full three weeks. And we will not abandon our goal until we achieve it. TOGETHER, we will bring our enemy down. TOGETHER, we will achieve our goal."
Fear vanished in thin air. And the battalion cheered the blood pumping words.
"What do want?"
"FAMILY VACATION."
"Good. Team Alpha will finalise the arrangements." Kid went through the details. Ed and Roland nodded. "Team Bravo i.e. Dude and Mana will ambush mum. And as for me," she smirked. "I'll handle dad."