First and foremost, I hope everyone is safe and healthy. Given everything that is going on, I find myself with nothing but time. But enough about that. Here is the next chapter. I do not own the characters below.
"You made quite a splash."
The slap of paper on the desk broke his focus on the document on his screen. "What?" He snapped, irritated that he had been interrupted. Misao stood in front of him, a smug look on her elfin features. He looked around. "How the hell did you even get in here?"
She shrugged. "I waited until Megumi had left her post. Clara never says anything."
Kenshin sighed and rubbed his temple. It had been a long day already. His one last investor was proving to be a tricky man to track down. The owner seemed to be waffling on his decision to even sell the resort. And he hadn't seen Kaoru since their evening Friday. She had immediately begged off to bed when they arrived back home.
With a sigh he sat back and looked at his cousin. "What are you rambling about?" He asked. It was moments like this when he understood why Hiko kept her at arm's length.
"Like you don't know." She pointed to the paper she had slapped onto his desk. "Everyone is talking about you and Kaoru."
"That's not true."
"Bullshit!" She exclaimed. "The magazine is furious that they're stuck waiting nearly three weeks before they can publish the photos from the last week. They wish you had come clean sooner."
Kenshin rolled his eyes and rose from his seat, realizing he would not be able to just shake the woman off. "Forgive me for not adhering to the deadlines of the magazine." He sighed. "Is there a purpose to this visit?"
Misao gestured to the paper again. Kenshin glanced at it finally and blinked, seeing a picture of him and Kaoru from Friday. She was still wearing the wrap that hid the dress. He hadn't been able to help from staring when she had revealed it. The resilient shade of purple brought a glow to her skin, accentuating the dark indigo notes of her eyes. He had always thought the woman was beautiful. For the first time that evening, he had really seen her for the stunning female that had agreed to be on his arm. It was time he admitted that he wanted her, desired her, and for more than the agreement between them.
"What?" He finally asked, dragging his gaze from the picture.
Misao rolled her verdant eyes and came around the desk. She studied his tie with a sigh before reaching out to straighten it. "Why won't you just admit it?"
"Admit what?" He asked, one eyebrow raised as she undid the knot.
"Admit you love her."
He stilled as she went about retying his tie. "We are engaged."
The woman snorted. "Okay."
He narrowed his eyes. "Why are you really here?"
"Why can't I just come by to see you? We're family."
"I know that you only come to see me because you're interested in Aoshi." He told her.
Misao smiled at him as she finished tying the knot on his tie. "Perhaps, but there's more to it than that."
He narrowed his eyes at her. "And what more is there?"
She tucked it into place and took a step back. Her emerald eyes darted up to his. "I had drinks with Kaoru last week."
"She told me."
"Of course, she did." Misao tilted her head to the side and then turned away from him.
"Spill it." He ordered.
"There's nothing to spill."
"Misao."
"Kenshin, I love you." She whirled to face him, her short dark hair swirling around her cheeks. "But I want to know just what's going on between you two."
Kenshin hesitated. "What's to tell? She and I are engaged." He reiterated.
"You've known her two months at most?"
"Sometimes you just know." He stated slowly.
She gnawed on her lower lip, a gesture he recognized as anxiety. "I don't doubt you have feelings for her, and I know what she feels for you." Kenshin blinked at her words though he didn't say anything. "You let her move in which tells me this is more than just some fling. What I want to know is why you two haven't slept together?"
"Why do you think that we haven't?"
She raised an eyebrow. "Kaoru is wound too tight for you not to have screwed her and you are super tense right now just talking about it. I know that you slept with your ex on your first date."
"Your PI days are over." He told her, a trace of his irritation showing.
"Just do it already." She told him, rolling her eyes.
"Why is it hard to believe that Kaoru-dono and I are waiting."
Misao paused and focused her attention on him. "Are you?"
He shifted his weight slightly. "What if I told you it wasn't me?"
"That makes no sense."
"Why not?"
"Because," She threw her hands up in the air. "I know how Kaoru feels. I see the way she looks at you, the way her eyes go soft when your name is mentioned. I still struggle to read you after all these years, but Kaoru is so easy."
Kenshin felt his mind swim. He moved towards the window. "You think?"
"Really?" Behind him he heard the woman sigh. "You are a dumdum."
"Is that what you're calling it?"
"You met her, and without introducing her to anyone, asked her to marry you. You and Tomoe have had an on/off again relationship for well over ten years and never did you ask her the question."
He sighed, thinking over what she said. He had never asked Tomoe. He nearly had, had bought her the ring. The night he planned to propose, she told him she was moving across the ocean. "There's just something about her." He murmured, thinking about the moment when Kaoru had approached him in the jewelry store.
"What did Hiko say?"
Mention of his uncle had him looking up at her. "About what?"
"About Kaoru? You took her Friday; they would have met. What did he think about her?"
Kenshin had been focused on getting through the evening that he really hadn't spoken to his uncle. After his speech, he had spotted one of his investors and finally succeeded in getting the man to agree. Kaoru had wandered towards the bar. When he had met back up with her, she had been alone, drinking champagne. Hiko had vanished as quietly as he had arrived. Kenshin even wondered why he had bothered to show up for the event, despite the fact it had been in his honor. But he had long given up understanding how the man who raised him thought.
"I don't know. He left her alone during the dinner. Beyond that they had no interaction that I saw."
Misao giggled and shook her head. She rose to her feet. "I'm sure they spoke. There is no way that Hiko would have let the opportunity go."
Kenshin mulled it over. "She hasn't mentioned it."
"Would she?"
A knock sounded on the door and Megumi poked her head into the room. "The president of Golden Coast is on the phone for you."
Kenshin looked up at her and sighed. "I got it." He looked at Misao. "Why would he approach her?" He asked, a shiver of unease working through him.
She rolled her green eyes. "You think he would miss the chance to grill her? He's demented and sadistic in his own way, but he would absolutely want to meet your fiancé. In fact, I'm surprised he hasn't demanded that the three of you have dinner."
He closed his eyes and suppressed a shudder at the thought. "Kenshin?"
He looked up at Megumi. "I got it." He snapped.
"Don't be mean." Misao chided.
Shooting the woman a dirty look he moved towards his desk. "Are we finished?"
Misao rolled her eyes. "For now. You have until Wednesday to come up with a satisfactory answer to the question."
"Answer to what?" His annoyance was beginning to show.
"When are you two going to just do the deed?"
"I have bigger things to worry about than when I'm going to sleep with my fiancé." He snorted. "If you don't mind, I'm actually a very busy and important person."
The woman snorted and turned to Megumi. "You speak to him. He's being an ass." Misao sauntered out of his office.
The woman turned a dark baleful eye on him. "Because you have listened to anything I have ever said on the matter."
"Just leave." His mood had considerably darkened in the past few seconds.
She tossed her hair over her shoulder and followed the petite woman from the room. Fuming he stared at the blinding light, the future he had been striding for waiting for him. He sat down and hesitated. His eyes strayed to the paparazzi photo still on his desk. Why couldn't he actually have both? That thought in mind, he reached for the phone.
The restaurant hummed with the evening crowd. Kaoru stepped out of the wine room, the bottle in her hands. She handed it to the server, her dark blue eyes scanning the tables, looking for someone who might need her attention. Her gaze fell on a three top, the wine list open in the hands of an elegantly dressed woman. She headed over and paused next to the table.
"Hi, how are you doing this evening?" She asked. The two gentlemen with the woman looked up from their conversation, the woman still immersed in the book in her hands.
"So far so good. And you?" The blonde asked, his gaze traveling over her with an appreciative gleam.
The intensity left her a little unnerved and she flashed a smile. "The sun is shining outside, what more is there is to say?" She asked.
His grin deepened, his dark grey eyes never leaving hers. Her feeling slipped a notch and she focused her attention on the woman. "I see you have the wine list open. Are you looking for anything in particular?"
The woman slowly looked up from the book. Her dark eyes blinked and slowly the woman smiled. "Are you the sommelier?"
"I am indeed."
"Just order the select." The third person at the table demanded.
"No." The blonde who still studied her declared. "I want to hear what she would drink."
"I do as well. Something around $2-$300."
Kaoru felt a shiver of excitement. "Are you looking for something California or Old world?"
"Probably California as my friend here is so charmingly made his desire known though, he will not be getting his way." She smiled sweetly at him from across the table before turning her attention back to Kaoru.
"You have several different options. I'm a huge fan of the Vineyard 7&8. Its bold and intense. It needs to open up a bit, but you will be rewarded with a delicious vibrant fruit with nuances of rich nutmeg and butterscotch. If you want another that drinks fresher out of the bottle, the Hollywood and Vine is terrific. Its more mocha and silkier at 100% cabernet compared the other which does have a touch of merlot and Petite Verdot blended into it.
Another that's drinking beautifully right now is the Switchback Ridge. It's up near Calistoga so its warmer up there bringing out riper raspberry and rich molasses with a little bit of vanilla to round it out." Kaoru finally paused and waited a beat. "Do any of those sound like they would be of interest or would you like me to steer you towards something else?"
The woman shook her head. "No that's great."
"Which would you drink?" The blonde asked her.
She looked up at him and shifted. Absently she rubbed the ring on her left hand. Her mind strayed to Kenshin and she swallowed, not wanting to lose herself in another fantasy of the redhead. She rushed a strand of hair behind her ear, flashing the diamond subtly. She noticed the grey eyes glance at it, but the response wasn't quite what she had expected. His lip quirked, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "I would go for the Vineyard 7&8 myself if it was up to me." She told him, attempting not have her voice shake. She had recognized the glint for what it was, a challenge.
The woman closed the book with a snap. "Bring us one." She ordered.
Grateful, Kaoru moved away from the table. As she opened the door to the wine room, she felt her phone buzz. She pulled it out of her pants pocket and felt a giddy grin as she saw it was from Kenshin.
What time do you think you'll be finished?
She glanced at her watch. It was just after eight. Mondays generally weren't a late night for her since she came in early for inventory.
Maybe another hour or so. Would you like to meet me for a drink?
She hit the send button and walked down the row. She found the bottle of wine and pulled down a decanter as well. She exited the room and went to the server station where she hid the crystal glasses. What bin did they order?"
Kaoru glanced up at the young woman at her side. "Bin 473."
The woman punched in the bin on the screen next to her. "Thanks. You want me to get it?"
She shook her head and she inspected the glassware. "I got it."
"Did you see the blonde guy at the table? He is totally gorgeous."
Kaoru flickered a look at the direction of the table. The three were engaged in conversation. Now that he wasn't focused on her, Kaoru could see he was indeed handsome.
She shrugged. "It's got that sexy don't mess with me look to him." She admitted.
The server leaned against the counter, her fingers toying with the pendant around her neck. "I want to take him home and do dirty things to him."
Rolling her eyes, she collected the glasses. "I'm sure he would have you panting after he did dirty things to you."
The girl grinned. "I could take it."
Kaoru shook her head and approached the table. She placed the glasses down as well as the decanter. The woman raised an eyebrow at her. "Must be special."
"I love this wine and I want you to enjoy it as much as I do which means showing you at its greatest potential."
"Let's taste it and hope so."
Kaoru presented the wine to the woman who merely shrugged. She opened the wine, ignoring the blonde who continued to stare at her out of the corner of his eye. "How long have you been studying?" He asked her finally.
She paused before she began levering the cork out. "About eight years now."
"You sound like you know what you're doing."
The cork came out easily and she took a second to revel in the whisper it expelled upon release. "I like to think so."
"Enishi is just jealous." The woman chided. "He doesn't like it when a woman proves she knows more about something than he does."
Kaoru poured the taster. "I'm sure there are plenty of things he knows more about than I do."
The woman brushed her long hair over her shoulder and lifted the glass. "I seriously doubt that." She muttered before putting her nose into the glass.
"Don't be that way." Enishi grinned at her and leaned forward. "I would very much enjoy being able to verse you in all the things that I know very well."
A shiver ran up her spine at his words, and she felt her body flush in response to the lustful way he stared at her. The woman rolled her eyes and smacked him on the arm. "Stop it." She ordered. She looked back up at Kaoru. "The wine is delicious."
Kaoru beamed and decanted the wine. "You're just cranky after flying across the ocean." The blonde told her.
The third person in their group snorted. "It's not that. It's the news of her ex finally moving on without her. Why do you think she insisted on accompanying us on this trip?"
The woman rolled her eyes. She turned back to Kaoru. "Thank you so much for your suggestion. What did you say your name was?"
"Kaoru."
She tilted her head to the side. "Have we met? You seem familiar."
"I don't believe so." Kaoru shook her head. "Though who knows? Our paths might have crossed."
With a smile the woman held out her hand. "Tomoe."
She accepted the cool fingers and smiled. "Please let me know if there's anything else I can help you with."
"I'm Enishi. I know a few things you can help me with." The blonde added.
Kaoru felt her smile freeze. "Another time." She looked back at the woman. "A pleasure. Enjoy."
She walked away, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. She pulled out her phone and saw she had another text from Kenshin.
I'll meet you at Akabeko. Let me know when you're leaving
Putting the scene behind her, Kaoru went about her night. She didn't know what the evening could bring, but she was curious to know what would happen when she finally saw the redhead.
"So, we need to figure out how to get Sano and Megumi together." She declared.
"How's that?"
"Clearly, they like each other. There must be something keeping them apart."
"Our dinner party should be as good a time as any to try and see if they can start anything between them."
Kaoru flushed, liking how it sounded when he said, 'our dinner party'. She found she was liking it more and more. While they hadn't really had a chance to spend time together at their (his) penthouse, it made what time they did spend together that more enjoyable. It was a change from when they were playacting in front of his colleagues or her former sorority sisters. Sometimes, Kaoru wondered if they were still acting.
"One last beer and then home?" Kenshin asked.
She glanced at her nearly empty pint glass. "No, I'm finished. I've got a long day tomorrow and then with the dinner," she sighed. "I'll be ready when it's all over."
There was a pause. "The dinner?"
She froze, wondering if he alluded to the lie, they had created between them. "Of course." she smiled at him. "what else? These events are so stressful. I'm excited, but I'll be glad when it's cleanup time."
Tension in his face eased and he flashed a rare smile at her. "Perhaps when it's over we can schedule a more intimate dinner, one where we can invite your roommate and my assistant."
She shivered slightly at the prospect. "I think that's a great idea." She murmured.
Kenshin signaled the bartender for the check. He signed it and Kaoru tossed back the last of her beer. They walked out, Kenshin placing his hand on her back, ushering her through the tables. She liked it and realized she was in deep trouble.
The ride back to their (his) placed was in silence. Lost in her own thoughts, she couldn't help but wonder if someone like Kenshin could love a girl like her. She gave herself a slight shake. Why in the world was she thinking about love? It was a dangerous thought. This whole thing had gotten terribly out of hand.
"Kaoru-dono?"
He looked up, noticing they had reached their destination.
"Must be serious." He commented as he held a hand out to help her out of the car.
"What do you mean?"
Kenshin chuckled. "So lost in your thoughts didn't know we were home." He nodded to the doorman.
Kaoru glanced around, offering a smile to the night security guard. "Just thinking about the dinner." She lied.
The trip in the elevator was quiet, Kenshin seemingly watching her. She grinned, and he returned it. "What do you have going on tomorrow?" she asked as they reached their floor.
"I'm looking to finalize some contracts before I send them off. Some phone calls with a potential investor. Boring stuff really."
"I'm sure it's not all that boring." She teased.
Kenshin shrugged as he unlocked the door. "I can't imagine it would really interest you. It's not quite as exciting as tasting the new vintages of Burgundy."
Now she was the one brushing it off. "It can become tedious at times." She admitted. She licked her lips. "Maybe I can stop by and we can have a late lunch or something."
He was quiet a moment and she looked up at him, wondering if he had heard her. "I would like that very much." He murmured.
There was a beat and Kaoru looked up at him. It was late, and exhaustion seem to settle over her in the dim light. "I'm off to bed." she told him. Again, she hesitated, before finally turning and heading towards her room.
"Kaoru-dono." He reached out and grabbed her arm.
She glanced at him, startled. The pale light from the kitchen glittered in his eyes. She watched him, confusion starting to penetrate through her brain. She frowned at him. "Did you need something else?"
He shook his head and sighed. His fingers didn't leave her skin. "Screw it." He muttered. Then he pulled her towards him.
Kenshin's finger skimmed along her jaw before cupping her face as his mouth found hers in the dim light. His lips were soft and tender, the kiss sweet and sincere. Kaoru stood there, stunned, not sure what to do. Just as soon as he moved, he was pulling away from her. Slowly Kaoru opened her eyes.
His fingertips strayed along her skin before falling away. "Good night." He murmured.
Absently, she touched her mouth and felt her lip curl into a giddy grin. "Good night Kenshin."
The redhead took a deep breath, a slight smirk on his face. Then he was turning and moving towards his room. With nothing else to do, she complied, wondering if perhaps there was something more blooming between them after all.
And there it is. I'm hoping to be more diligent about this story. I really do love it and have most of it down on paper. It's just now tweaking it and making sure it all makes sense. Again, stay safe and healthy! Kisses until next time!
