She was getting a little aggravated with being so nervous all the time, but this day couldn't be helped. This was a decision she thought long and hard on - something she could very easily bypass and wait with a while longer - and it was understandable to be so nervous. This day was important for a few reasons, and she hoped it would be memorable as well.

"Arigatou obaasan."

She mentally startled to the outside world and green pulled off the carpet to look at Inaki. Her lips twitched at just seeing him smile. Her heart thumped for a different reason and she felt warmth as she stared at his profile.

"You deserve it magomusuko. This day only comes once a year."

"Open mine next ototo."

"Didn't I already open one of your presents?"

Jayden grinned like a little child and shoved a relatively small package in his hands. "Yup, but you weren't done."

Inaki took the present with a little good-natured grumbling. "You already bought me something you know...that wasn't enough?"

Jayden leaned back and brown watched him tear it open. "I was going for a theme this year. It might not look like it, but I am."

Inaki's eyes widened in sheer appreciation as he stared at the small bundle in his lap. "Sweet! Doomo arigatou nee-chan!" Happy brown met brown and Jayden nodded.

"Your birthday only comes once a year after all."

She smiled at the pair. She never got tired of watching Inaki and Jayden interact. It was almost mirror to Sam and her brothers in a different ethnicity. She was also envious and a little jealous at watching, but that came from the only child syndrome.

She almost felt a little bad for not bringing Inaki anything, but she had a whole explanation prepared with a few alterations just in case. Only the family surrounded her, but she was told his friends had a small celebration earlier. This was family time right now.

It warmed her heart immensely to know she was included in the package. And not just because they thought her Inaki's girlfriend and invited her on a technicality.

"I don't see yours around here. You didn't get me anything K?"
She jumped a little and again came from her mind. She gave Inaki a practiced, apologetic smile and looked embarrassed.

Not a hard task.

"I - ah - I kind of...forgot it." She mumbled, feeling a blush. "I DID get you something, but it's still in my room." She grimaced a little; that sounded lamer than when she practiced it. Surrounded by a surrogate family and giving such an excuse? She knew Inaki would've turned around to go back for it. Not to mention she knew this day was coming for a long time.

He smiled and waved her off. "Don't worry about it. We can go get it later."

She smiled back, trying not to show how nervous she was again. "I'll give it to you when you take me back tonight. You don't need to make so many trips."

"Okay...now that THAT'S settled, open okaasan's ototo!"

"I just opened one of hers too!"

Jayden smirked. "Have any of the Yamoi ever given just one gift at a time?"

He snorted at the half hypothetical question, but grinned. "Do we ever?"

She left him to the presents, knowing she was mildly ignored for the current task, and went back to thinking. She didn't care if he kept catching her off-guard, but this WAS kind of hard to ignore after all. It was the biggest step she could ever take. She was the one to initiate this, not him. She was never the one to take these matters into her own hands.

This was going to be a challenge of inner, emotional strength. She already decided and she COULDN'T back down! She wanted this, she knew INAKI would want this, and she couldn't wuss out because she was afraid of taking another step.

They'd gotten to that point so many times before and she never had an issue with it. But then...those also simply happened and it was an emotional decision, not a theorized one.

"You're sure about this?"

"I've given it quite a bit of thought, but yes."

"Well...knowing you...that's a lot."

There was a beat of quiet. "I - I hope there's no problem with you...knowing about this -"

The silence went on again. "Well...I guess I'm pretty much over it. I was just upset -"

"THAT'S an understatement."

"Shut up. I guess I've gotten most of it out of my system." There was a snort. "But this explains why you were basically freaking out all week."

"I was NOT!"

"Spare me the defenses. You were and YOU know it."

Green looked to the pan holding dinner. "What do you want from me?? It's been a very long time –"

"Too long I think."

"- and I don't even know if I'll follow through with it."

"Oh pulease. You know how damn sexy that body of his is. Once his shirt goes, you'll be putty in his hands."

She couldn't even glare because that was stark fact. She grinned and grabbed the potholders from their normal spot. "You're...correct anyway..." Dinner was set down before anything else was said. "You're not mad anymore are you?"

Sam heaved a sigh. "I guess I've gotten over it. After all...it's been long enough right?"

Hands rested on her hips. "Does this mean you're going to stop calling him an asshole?"

Sam grinned and propped her head up on the table. "I suppose..." The girl heaved a put out sigh before a wicked grin crossed her face. "This means I get to go back to staring at his butt when he's not looking."

"SAM!"

Said person laughed and a hand covered her mouth. "Like you haven't in the past yourself!" She defended. "It's too nice to NOT look at so don't give me that." She didn't argue, but no way in hell was she going to verbally agree! "Aside from the arms, and the chest, and the waist, and the abs -"

"NOW you're pushing it." She playfully warned, giving her friend a look. "You ARE talking about MY boyfriend here. If I didn't know you so much, I'd accuse you of trying to steal him away."

"Please, that boy only has eyes for you and we both know that."

There was a small pause as the two finally sat at the table and dished plates up.

"If you want...I can disappear for the night. That way you two won't have to be quiet."

She nearly spit her food across the table. A hand saved that, but she quickly shoved everything aside to cough what lodged in her throat. A fierce blush lit her face as she glared at her roommate as her back was pat.

By the time everything was under control, she had to get up to wipe the tears from her eyes and opened the freezer to cool her face off. "You are horrible." She muttered, watching her breath cloud.

Sam continued eating. "Honestly...I would rather NOT hear anything. I may rant on and on about my fantasies concerning you two, but that's a bridge I won't touch with a ten-foot-pole. I'll kill a few hours and be home at midnight, okay?"

She sat down, face still too warm, and nodded. "That...um...should be enough time." Her face heated up more. It wasn't that she didn't talk and kid about this stuff with her friend, but the foreshadowing was unnerving.

"You have tonight off for it right?"

She nodded again and purposely stuck the spoon in her mouth. This was more embarrassing than it was supposed to be.

Now that the serious talk was out of the way, a smirk started gaining. "Well...classes don't start that early in the morning. Who knew you'd have the foresight to prepare for the next morning in case you're too tired?"

Hands covered her face as a full-blown blush erupted. "SHUT UP!!"

Sam was SO annoying, but she still intended on making herself scarce. That was a blessing in disguise because not only would she NOT be able to do anything with Sam at home, but Sam didn't need to hear that.

She was at odds with herself about taking work off just for tonight. That was irresponsible and definitely selfish, but she had a feeling she was not going to care in a few hours.

"Yo...you're spacing out again."

Green jerked to brown. "You actually noticed?"

He gave a smirk. "I notice everything about you." Raven brows wiggled as he leaned forward. "Didn't you notice THAT by now?" She fought not to giggle as he kissed her. He pulled back far enough to look into her eyes. "So...ready to head back home now?"

Butterflies flared as bad as they'd been for over the past week, but she nodded anyway. The last thing she wanted was for him to suspect something. This was going to be a surprise, and even if he DID get a few hints, he'd still be blown away.

She fought not to laugh at the look on his face that she imagined in her mind.

"Well let me put this away and let everyone I'll be gone for a while."

Her jaw clenched as she tried to calm down. This anticipation was going to be the death of her. If only she had twenty minutes to go run around the block a few times or something!

'Yea right.' She mentally shook herself as she got off the sofa and followed him out of the family room. 'Get a grip on yourself. You want to be this nervous when you show him? He'll be too hesitant and not agree.'

She had to admit, she wanted it as much as she knew he would. She felt so different with Inaki than with the others. The nervousness and anticipation – combined with the fantasies and wonderings – were churning inside her at a combination she hadn't felt in forever. Truth be told...she was looking forward to this a little bit. That was a scary thought, but she had to admit it.

The last bit in July sent a tingle over her body every time she thought of it. Remembering his lips over her breast was enough to excite her to where she was when they were actually there.

She came to recognize something during the wait time. This was going to mean more to her than anyone else. The quality, not quantity, of their time together was something she theorized. She felt ready for this, yet hadn't even considered the time. Being with him seemed right and that they'd been dating longer than four months. Time didn't fly – though that WAS correct – it was being with him that did it.

She didn't like being so quiet on the ride back, but he didn't seem to care. That or he didn't notice.

'I hope he likes it. It was embarrassing enough having SAM pick it out for me, and knowing my size was scary. What did she do...shop around for ideas until I finally told her??' It was discomfiting to know Sam was fantasizing – at least until Inaki pissed her off – about them, and she wondered just how much thought the girl put into it.

As was said by what was lying on her bed.

A small shiver stole up her spine, though it was tinged with expectation. She had to admit, she looked good in that – DAMN good, but it was anyone's guess to how Inaki would react.

She smirked. 'He's a guy. He's going to react like ANY guy when he sees a woman nearly exposed in front of him.'

"What's so funny?"

She jumped from her thoughts as she had every single time he got her attention. She felt a little guilty for being so far away from the one person she was thinking about. 'Ironic central.'

Hands clasped to keep from being fiddled with. "Ah...nothing."

A raven brow rose as he took one of the turns to her house. "Didn't look like nothing." Brown remained on the road, but knew he had her attention. "You've been out of it all day...more than usual too."

A hand whipped out and slapped an arm before she could think. "Hey now!"

He grinned and shied away a little. "I'm serious. What's on your mind?"

Her eyes widened a little as she frantically thought of something to get him off the subject. Nothing was working. "It's nothing, I swear! Don't worry about it will you?"

"You sure are defensive." A hand unwrapped from the wheel to poke a side. "And I know you're defensive when you hide something. Something I bet I need to know about."

He would know about twenty minutes after they got inside the house, but she shoved her tongue in between her molars and kept quiet.

He intended to keep asking, but was sidetracked at the absence of Sam's car and paused in front of the house. "Working late tonight is she?"

The car remained on in park as she turned to him. "Oh yea...I forgot to mention... Sam told me she's basically forgiven you."

Again, his brow rose. "Really? She's going to stop putting me through hell now?"

She smiled and leaned forward. "She's a little protective. I think you know this by now. But she told me earlier this week, I just forgot about it."

He shut the car off. "Then I guess the coast is clear for me to park my car here and not worry about a nice key-line when I return."

She giggled and got out with him, allowing her mind to think of that little possibility beside what lay in front of her.

She reached for the house keys and let them both in. It reared again as she locked the door. They were alone and it was only eight. 'Four hours...' The keys were set on the table with a jangle. 'That'd better be more than enough time...'

"So where's my present at? You said it was here."

She turned to hide the blush on her face and slipped out of her sandals. "It's...ah...here. But I remembered - it's not...wrapped."

God...was it possible for her heart to beat any faster than it was now??

"Well THAT'S not very responsible of you." He muttered, peering at her. She seemed a little off, but he couldn't put his finger on it. Tension was definitely visible, but he had yet to figure the source out. Why she was so anxious was a mystery and he wanted to talk about it, but she always shrugged that stuff off. He wanted to help, but that was hard when he didn't know the cause.

She turned at reaching the steps, a hand trying not to grip the banister. "Just so you don't peek, stay down here. I'll call you when it's ready." She popped a smile on, even if it was superficial. "Go ahead and make yourself comfortable."

'You're going to need it.'

"I always do." He answered, heading to the kitchen, eyes locked on the fridge. He passed her on the stairs with barely a glance.

She didn't know if she was relieved or annoyed. He ate enough at home, yet kept raiding the fridge. She was a good cook, but definitely was no rival for his family.

Shaking her head, she looked to the upper banister and tried to swallow. This was it...no turning back. Inaki was here; Sam was gone as promised; she had the outfit, music, and mood. She had to get rid of this stupid fear.

'The only thing you're worried about is exposing yourself with that and having him walk out.'

It was a valid worry, if not an unnecessary one. She knew once she got within arm's reach of Inaki, she'd be done for. One touch from either person, one look was all it would take. 'This was never this nerve-wracking in the past!' She whined.

She contemplated that as she shut the bedroom door and quickly moved to the candles she left spread throughout. Vanilla loitered the air before she was done lighting the half dozen.

Perhaps it was so upsetting because she knew what she was doing. This time was not clouded with emotions. She had a feeling this would be meaningful and mean something to them both.

Having it not mean anything to Inaki was what worried her.

She wasn't worried about performance or anything because she knew he'd take the lead. She wanted this to be special, hence the candles and music. This was their first time, it would change everything again between them, and she wanted to start that off right.

She harshly swallowed as she eyed the slip of cloth on the bed in horrible lighting. The only reason it stood out was because of the blanket's color. Tight black mesh gave nothing of the imagination, yet concealed it as well. There was practically nothing to it for it being so expensive. She picked it up by the shoulder straps and emotion hit her below the waist.

Inaki was going to see her in this...and God only knew what he was going to do the second he laid eyes on her.

She exhaled a shaky, pent-up breath and forced herself to inhale. She needed to calm down, even if she didn't need to gain her head. She was trembling enough and would be doing plenty of that later, she just knew it.

It didn't take long to disrobe and put on the so-called 'outfit', but she was worried about breaking a strap. Not a good impression and she spent too much for it to be shredded on the first wear. 'Provided Inaki doesn't do that job for me.' She prayed, trying not to smile.

It was time to get on with it. She was going to go crazy if she didn't and he was waiting for her to come downstairs. She peeked the door open and stuck her head into the hallway. "Inaki...can you come up here?"

"I thought you said to stay down here!"

"Just PLEASE come up here." A hand gripped the knob. The only thing she could do was slam the door and lock it.

'No...take a few deep breaths...'

His footsteps halted that try and her heart picked up pace – if that was even possible. She cracked the door and hid behind it, too cowardly to face him until he got inside. The closer he was the less chance he'd turn and walk right back downstairs. The door swung wide and she was lucky it didn't hit her.

"Why're the lights off?"

"Leave them off!" She rambled, mentally hitting herself for that one.

His head swung to her voice. Vanilla assaulted his senses, but knew he shouldn't be surprised. He turned and started to close the door, and halted.

His eyes widened and jaw dropped. Brown took in her form and gravitated to a hand that fiddled with a delicate hem stopping at the very top of her thigh.

He had a feeling he'd be drooling if his mouth wasn't so dry.

It was some time before he picked up his brain and comprehended that SPEAKING was a good thing right now! K looked insecure, but also searching for his answer with her eyes. It was written all over her face.

"You're...that..." A hand dumbly rose and pointed to what looked like a teddy. He swallowed again as her breasts caught his attention. It was too hot all of a sudden and the urge to fan himself was overpowering.

Was she worried about being cold in this? Whether she was or not was irrelevant right now – the scorching, yet shocked look directed her way was enough to boil her blood! She wanted to shuffle, but leaned against the wall and focused on its touch to keep from going nuts.

Wasn't he going to SAY something??

He was frozen where he stood. His hand still rested on the door and the only way he knew was the cold feel in his palm. He kept looking up and down, lingering a little longer on what barely covered. A small patch of dark caught his sight and he swallowed.

She wasn't wearing underwear under that thing.

A jolt hit him on realization and arousal worsened. It didn't take long, as he was content to stand and stare. He could stare at her all night as long as she wore this thing.

So he wasn't going to say anything. She kind of expected that, but it was still hard to find words to pull him to reality. She toyed with a nail and looked away. "I know this's a little presumptuous..." She nearly whispered. "But I did a lot of thinking over the past month. I know this'll change things...but I can handle it. I decided on your birthday to make it special. I know I haven't said anything...and if you're not ready...just tell me to change."

She was crazy – it was official. If the lights were on, she would know how inaccurate that last statement was. It was amazing he was still standing!

But her insecurities sparked his protectiveness and finally got feet to move. He was in front of her and attacking her lips before he could blink. His body pinned her against the wall and pressed against her.

Her arms somehow found their way to his neck. His hands splayed over her back when it arched and burned her skin. Their tongues clashed at a rapid pace, trying to convey, dominate, and touch all at once.

It was some time before he pulled away to breathe. "You look so damn hot in that..." He mumbled against her lips. Hands lowered to her rear and pushed her against him. "You feel that?"

His low, husky tone was sending chills through her. She barely managed a response, not one to be that bold with pillow-talk. "Yea..."

"You did that to me. Trust me – I'm ready." His lips went to her neck and snacked.

Her head dropped back and thumped against the wall. She barely noticed over the heightened level he made. And she thought she was on cloud nine already! Her arms laxed and his tightened. She felt herself slacken and forced her body to keep from melting to the floor.

It was some time before he pulled away. The wall was nice for support, but he was not going to have their first time against that. Perhaps for spice, but the bed it was right now.

He slowly stepped back and tugged her forward by their clasped hands. He held a disarming smile, seeing she was still nervous. Her boldness definitely startled him, but he would be a liar if that wasn't one of the things that helped turn him on.

She perked up to one thing she forgot and mentally hesitated a few times before stepping around him. She pressed pause on the cd player, having set it already, and keyboard music filtered the silence.

There'll be no darkness tonight

Lady our love will shine

Just put your trust in my heart and meet me in paradise

Girl you're every wonder in this world to me

A treasure time won't steal away

He KNEW there was a reason he liked this cd. This song was more than perfect for what he wanted to express, and what they were going to do.

He stopped her near the bed and loosely put his arms around her waist. Hers rested over his as he stared. He was going to do this with as much thought as she apparently put into it.

So listen to my heart

Lay your body close to mine

Let me fill you with my dreams

I can make you feel alright

His lips gravitated to her neck and worked their way down. She moved the strap for him and he nudged that down to expose a breast. He slowly lavished it, hearing panting above. He worked his way to the other to give it the same attention. His reward was the slightest of moans, but he picked it up over the music.

He didn't want to get ahead of himself. He wanted to do what had been a few recent fantasies that cropped into his head, but feared he was going to say screw those. Seeing her in this made him want to throw her to the bed and rip what looked like easy-tearable fabric. Doing this and making her moan was the only thing that would hold his sanity in tact.

Provided his restraint didn't snap when she made those noises.

Lay back in my tenderness

Let's make this a night we won't forget

Girl I need your sweet caress

She was going to pop unless he did something to stop or change gears. She couldn't believe how sensitive she was, but the timeline was bound to do that. This almost felt like the first time, but she could almost regard it as that. This was their first time after all.

The music was not only romantic, but sexy. The instruments and singer provided more than enough mood. The first time she listened to this – finally taking time to do so – she knew she had to use this. It fit perfectly. If she could keep it on a repeat track she would, but that would be annoying and distracting after a while.

She didn't want to be distracted on anything when she could be feeling him.

Reach out to a fantasy

Two hearts in the beat of ecstasy

Come to me

It was a task to get that thing off her, and he wondered how the hell she got it on in the first place. She helped, but it wasn't fast enough. He was so close to ripping it apart to have access to her, but forced control.

There would be plenty of time to lose control.

She sat on the bed and scooted to the pillow, watching him. He suddenly realized he was fully clothed when she was in her birthday suit and set out to fix that.

It felt good to have air caress him entirely and the pressure of jeans off him. He smiled when K's eyes lowered, but bit his tongue. He didn't feel like losing the mood to have her voice embarrassment.

Kissing her again was so nice and he gave in to it. The feel of her skin blazed against his. She fit so nice and now he knew why – her curves were in all the right spots and she filled in all the right places.

This was better than any daydream he could concoct. He couldn't imagine himself positioned in between her legs as he was because he never thought this would happen, let alone K initiating it. At least he didn't have to worry and wonder whether she was ready or not.

And I will keep you warm through the shadows of the night

Let me touch you with my love

I can make you feel so right

His weight was not bothersome in the slightest. His lips were nice, but she wanted him to hurry. She needed him, but was too shy to say it. Her hands roamed his back, feeling how warm he was. Her hips shifted a little to give him more access, trying to hint to him.

A calloused hand moved from the side of her body and to her hip. His body rose enough for that hand to slip between them and move. He trailed down and gave the barest of touches.

Her body jerked as she moaned in his mouth. He needn't check, but that felt too good. She'd let those fingers continue, but he could do that with something else and it would feel just as good.

Her arms tightened around him when he went back to the same position. He hovered just outside – she could feel him – but didn't shift. He seemed to be waiting for something, but she didn't know what.

She was tired of waiting.

"Inaki..." She pleaded around his mouth. "Please... I – I need..."

"What do you need?" He breathed. His chest rubbed against hers.

She gave a quiet whimper. "I – I need...you... Please."

He gave her what she wanted and he almost choked. She fit as well inside as she did outside. He tried to go slow, knowing he wouldn't hurt her, but his body wouldn't have anything to say about that.

Stay with me

I want you to stay with me

Don't you go nowhere

He felt better than what she imagined. It didn't take long before she moved with him; desperate to find the ending she knew was waiting. Their rhythm stayed synch for the most part, but she was too frantic to keep pace.

Her noises weren't as loud or often as he expected. She must've panted her mouth dry by now, but he could tell she was holding back.

"Kalie..." He murmured, face lowering to the crook of her neck. "We're alone - you can let it out..."

Teeth nibbled her skin and his tongue ran over for the aftermath. She wanted to shy away from his words, but that was kind of hard for what they were doing right then and there.

"Come on..." He coached, hitting a spot he knew she liked. "I want to hear you. I want to hear you say my name."

She looked at him before her head bent against the pillow again. She was so close. If he kept that pace up...as long as he didn't slow down...

Hands clutched his back, nails digging into his skin. He took that in stride and barely felt it over the rising tide. He wanted to make it last, but couldn't help himself.

She wanted to order him to go faster, to hit that spot a few more times, but she had a feeling her actions were doing a good enough job. It crept at the edge of her veins until it flooded like a dam. Her body tightened like a spring and uncoiled within a split second. A muscle in her eyes spasmed them closed.

And then it happened.

Over the roaring in her ears – somehow clearly heard – was the sounds of noises playing as if someone was fast forwarding a cd. Behind the blackness of her eyes, a kaleidoscope of pictures went at the same speed. It was going fast, but went even faster. In the span of the orgasm, it started and stopped.

What was THAT?!

That was the first time that ever happened, but she was floating too high to put much care or thought to it. She gasped for breath and sluggishly slid over and made room. She rolled into his arms, nuzzling his neck.

Why was it, the aftermath made her incredibly affectionate?

"Gods..." He rasped.

"Mm hmm." She hummed, reaching up to kiss his jaw. Her tongue flicked out and licked his skin, tasting sweat. His face turned and their lips met in a lazy kiss.

He didn't want to sleep, but his body was not making consciousness an option. "Sleep." He muttered, going for the covers.

She snuggled against him, entwining their ankles, and listened to his heart as they both tried to even their breathing.

~*~*~

Green peeked open at the sound of something jangling. Her head raised after a second of listening. She gave Inaki a quick look before eyeing the door. It was still open, but she didn't need a peep show where her room was supposed to be. She spared him a light kiss before climbing over and grabbing her robe.

She cracked the door after and headed for the stairs as hushed sounds rose. She leaned against a kitchen wall and watched Sam move around, hands in the pockets.

"So?"

She jumped a little, but headed for the table. "So what?"

"I vacated for two whole hours – sacrificing my sleep...I deserve details."

She speared the girl a dry look, but grabbed a spoon. "You CAN'T be serious." The look she received told her Sam was. "That's sick. I am not telling you about what we did."

"Sex or making love at least? What would you classify it as?"

She wanted to slap the girl and order her to shut up, but loud noises were going to wake up Inaki. She took the only robe upstairs and unless he wanted to get dressed, he was stuck.

"Probably a line between the two. It was definitely good though." A smile took hold of her face.

"Does this mean you're going to be more relaxed and not so anal about stuff?"

She glared and purposely stuck another spoonful of ice cream in her mouth to ignore that question.

Singer: Michael Jackson            Title: The lady in my life