Kurama's POV:

Despite everything that transpired lately, the last days have been completely uneventful. Apart from work being my main priority, not a lot has happened. Hana has been keeping in touch, however she used few words, holding me at more than just a physical distance.

I would be lying if I said that did not bother me because it did.

The absence started nagging me in the beginning, just a little then continued digging its teeth deeper and deeper until I could no longer ignore it. Despite having a clearer head, knowing what actions I needed to perform, if she was not in front of me, with me, then all was in vain. I wish it would not turn out in another scenario that would not be fulfilled, the one in which Hana truly forgives me. I needed that scenario to come to life. Due to that absence threatening to devour me, I kept pushing and as long as she replied, I was in the clear.

Even if she did not want to see me just yet, she was talking, she was with me in a sense.

I really hoped to finish everything by Friday evening in order to honor the invitation Kuwabara had extended to myself however all my best efforts proved to be fruitless, so in the end I was left providing a polite decline to the small gathering, promising I would make it up in the future for missing out.

Thoughts turned to the upcoming weekend, a flicker of hope igniting at the possibility that Hana might finally decide to gather everyone at the temple. If she would message the group right now, responses would flood in the form of spam, everyone ready with a backpack for a weekend trip. Until she decides she is done with hiding, we were all on radio silent. Apparently the group felt the same even if we have not discussed it per say, yet we were all on the same wave length, waiting patiently for her to come out of her shell.

Or perhaps I am just imagining things, overthinking them.

I have not arrived home for long, managed to drink some water since I had little time for even that. Hana's message left me hanging, not granting me comfort, not stealing it entirely either. Damn it, stop keeping me at such a distance.

When the phone rang, I picked it up with a scowl "Yes, have you managed to send it? Perfect. Give me a few minutes please to open my laptop and check." Scanning number after number, my fingers worked on loosening the tie around my neck "Are you certain this is correct? Based on what I am seeing, the total number should end in five however yours" turning, the sound of the doorbell distracted me "One second please, someone is at the door." Apparently my colleague did not care too much for privacy or what my words related. The moment I had told him something was wrong with the figure in the final presentation, he started panicking. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I opened the front door as the chatter continued in my ear.

Blinking a few times I could not believe my eyes. Hana sat leaning against my door frame, eyes scanning my face, lips curved into a smirk. My gaze fell on the leather jacket hugging her body, lowering to the skirt she was wearing which was not normal attire for her. Distracting myself I was certain she must have cut the meeting with the girls short since I knew for a fact she should have been out with them. Stepping from the door frame, she walked inside without hesitation. Covering the phone speaker I whispered "Apologies, I still have some work to do. Please make yourself comfortable." Apologetic eyes took her head nod as approval.

Turning in order to retreat back to the kitchen "Yes, I am still here." Hana's fingers wrapped around my wrist, pulling me back to her. Using her free hand, she pushed the phone gently from my ear, hushing me softly. As if she had an unseen power over me, I let her push me against the wall. Her lips collided with mine the following moment, hot tongue making my knees weak, hands gripping my hair, head spinning. Parting from me I found myself short of breath as she dismissed me basically, focusing on taking her shoes off. The taste of a fruity flavored gum coated my tongue, her lips still leaving a tingling sensation on mine.

That was the only moment I had to go to the kitchen and finish the conversation as quickly as possible so I took it. Catching a glimpse of myself in the hallway mirror, red tinted my cheeks and I cursed under my breath. She took me by surprise, however I suspected that was her plan all along.

Leaning against the counter I continued my conversation "There must be an error in the formula. If you direct your attention back to the first three columns…" I almost dropped the phone from my hand, heat swelling inside my chest. Hana walked in slowly, eyes never leaving mine, hand pulling down on her zipper, revealing to me the fact that she wore nothing underneath that leather jacket. Gripping the counter with my free hand I steadied my body, licking my lips before regretting it. I tried not to show how hungry I was for her, yet the situation pushed me in a tight spot "One second please." Muting the phone conversation I swallowed before speaking "Hana?"

"If you stop the conversation, I stop." Closing my eyes I indulge in another kiss, heartbeat quickening as her hands ventured, finding room under my shirt. I would have been a fool to say no to this treat, yet my hands still took hers, stopping the advances. Strong confidence radiated from her, words being stuck in my throat as she spoke before I could "Don't shine away from me, I know you have scars to hide." Moving close to my ear she whispered, hands roaming to unbutton my shirt since I ceased in my attempt of holding her "Let me see them." Soft lips traced kisses down my neck as pleasure encompassed me "Let me heal them." Looking into my eyes, her voice never elevated once, she purred more than she spoke "Now pick up the phone."

Doing as instructed, Hana dominated the game by miles. In the moment, she was queen and I had to obey "Apologies, I am back however there is something else that requires my immediate attention." Muscles tensed then relaxed as her hands traced the scars marrying my chest and stomach. Attention was set on her face, though wavering to the open jacket revealing pale skin. She was not bothered by what I was trying to conceal under long sleeves and jackets, she was smart enough to gather that I gained my fair share, but I did not expect for her to caress me. Sensitive skin indulged in her lips, wanting her to never stop. Her fingers did not tremble as I had expected they would while mine still were reluctant to touch her, gripping the counter instead, so hard I was afraid I might break a piece off "Going back on the figures, have you looked over the report once more to ensure" my belt came undone in a few short moves and if it I had any doubt until then, it suddenly became perfectly clear she was not going to back down. Truth be told, when she lowered herself on her knees in front of me, hands pulling her hair in a ponytail, I bit my lip sucking in a breath, taking the image of her between my legs in, engraving it in my memory. I did not want for her to back down either "the total number is correct. Take a calculator" I felt a shiver down my spine when she touched me "and just manually input all the figures you have."

I could concentrate on speaking relatively normal when she pulled the zipper down, I could still form a straight thought as all my lower half attire hit the floor around my ankles. I tried to keep it logical, find a reason behind her behavior. She did not drink, I could not taste or smell a drop of alcohol on her. What I could smell however was arousal, cascading in waves off her, drawing me in, edging me towards her, asking me to indulge in her body.

Snapping out of my own head I barely had time to mute the telephone conversation, covering my mouth as a moan took me by surprise when her lips wrapped around me, pleasure exploding through my senses "You stop, I stop Kurama." Pressing my lips in a thin line I put the phone back to my ear. She was playing a dangerous game, too dangerous for her. Surely enough as soon as I resumed my conversation, she also continues her sweet torture, making my voice break out mid-sentence as waves of pleasure made me shiver.

Throwing my head back, I had to make a quick decision since I felt I could not last long as her hot mouth did more than tease "I apologize, we are both rather" I bit my lower lip so hard it hurt "tired and I have more" exhaling slowly, my free hand caught a fist of her hair, gently dictating the rhythm and I could feel her smirk "pressing matters at the moment. We can resume this on Monday morning. Goodbye."

As soon as I hung up, Hana also stopped, fingers wiping away at the corner of her mouth. Looking up at me, I could see the surprise in her eyes when I pulled her up, hoisting her on top of the counter. During the entire overturn of tables I realized she had nothing under the skirt she wore and that enticed me further. She was completely expose to me. Teeth grazed her neck as her voice broke in sweet moans. The jacket came off in an instant, metal zippers clashing with the marbled floor behind me as my hands cupped her breast, teasing her with my tongue. With the last possible logical thought I could form I asked her about a condom. A shuddered breath left my lips when she whispered she was on birth control. I would indulge in her fully, with nothing to stop me.

That was the exact moment when my hunger reached its peak, the only desire travelling through my body was being inside of her. I needed to feel her warmth, wanted to hear her voice screaming my name as I thrust myself inside of her.

She was mine, she willingly gave herself to me, inside my kitchen, on top of my counter, trembling in my arms as I could not contain myself.

Mine to have, legs wrapped around my waist, nails scratching my back.

Mine to kiss until my head spun, tasting her, feeling her moan against my lips.

Mine to feel until I could no longer go on, until the pleasure overflowed.

Mine to cherish and caress, inside my home, safe from prying eyes.

Slamming a hand against the counter tops, the cups inside threatened to collide against one another. I did not recognize my own voice as the last wave of desire washed over me, forehead pressed against Hana's shoulder "Apologies" my chest expanded fast, as I was trying to regain a normal rhythm "for not lasting that long, I have yet to be intimate with anyone." Raising my head I was met with Hana's wide eyes. She looked absolutely mortified.

"You're" she swallowed and shook her head "how" I did not understand where the confusion came from "you're a virgin? Oh my God." Covering her face, words came out muffled "I am so sorry, I didn't know."

My smiled turned to a chuckled, in the end resulting in me sitting butt naked between her legs, laughing loudly. Punching my shoulder, she urged me to stop "Hana" I took her hand into mine kissing her lips tenderly "I have not used this body for intimate affairs, however in my demon days I have."

Realization lit up her eyes as she finally understood "Aha, so it's a bug not a feature kind of thing." This time we both stood there laughing "Well then, we need to practice more, get your body up to speed."

"Oh believe me" pulling her closer I smirked "I remember everything." Stepping out of the trousers around my ankles, taking her hand into mine, I pulled her to the bedroom.

As she sat on the bed, I indulged in the image presented before me. Hana never liked to wear a swim suit, you rarely saw her in a skirt or shorts, unless the occasion truly demanded it. She never showed too much skin and I was always under the impression she was not very happy with her appearance. No, I was wrong, the wild beauty pulling me in for a kiss was not ashamed of her body in any way. The way she bent, how she read my reactions made me certain she knew exactly what she was doing and how to use her assets to the fullest.

As for myself, I would pamper her, treat her body as if it is the most beautiful treasure I have discovered. After all, am I not a thief at my core?

"You know I could actually heal them if you want." Opening my eyes I looked at her raising her head from my chest, fingers still tracing intricate patterns on my scars.

"Truth be told, I might actually like that." I could never go to the beach with mother. I had to always hide, ensure she never saw my scars, wearing long sleeves even in the summer. The reason I owned so many shirts was not because I was particularly fond of them, but because they were the most suitable thing to wear that would also allow my skin to somewhat breathe "Do they not bother you?"

"No, they are a part of you and your history." Placing a kiss against one of the many scars on my stomach she smiled, more to herself "Your scars can't scare me darling." My eyes widened, something inside me stirring. If I was the thief how had she managed to steal my heart so early? What surprised me more was how every part of me aligned in that single thought "So, temple this weekend?"

"Whatever you wish Hana."

A/N: Alright you lovely bunch, here it is, chapter 40, making this the 5th chapter posted this month. Thank you Roseeyes for beta reading for me, I really appreciate it.

With that having been said I will continue with welcome, old and new, hope you are enjoying this story so far.

Since the winter holidays are coming up, I will be taking a small break for myself, returning with new chapter in January 2020. I wish you all fabulous holidays, enjoy, relax and get your hot choco with Bailye's hahaha - trust me you will love it.

Have a grand new year darlings!