A/N: I do not own Yu-gi-oh…at all, just my plot.
Firstly, thank you Iris Omega! I love your brush-ups! As always…
Secondly, this chapter is for CrystalShards…Thank you for the picture! I soooo adore it, and the link is on my profile page…btw. You're quite talented…and I appreciate it. This chapter is a perfect dedication to your artistic efforts, I think—nice and romantic!
Thirdly thanks to Vespera and Erika for their chapter ideas…
Chapter 14Contact
Serenity walked up the stairs of the mansion and smiled. It was such an amazing place to observe; so huge and daunting on the outside, yet so warm and cozy inside. How was that even possible? From the outside, the mansion looked like something in a gothic novel, complete with a tragic hero who lurked its halls. She giggled as she watched the grounds light up with fairy lights—so much for the dark, foreboding image she attempted to conjure up. Noticing Kaiba gazing her way elicited a sigh. It was completely wrong that he should look so good while she looked so bad. Even now, she could feel herself sloshing in wet sneakers, freezing in her soaked and frigid clothes (the skin under said wet clothes had to be blue), and swallowed up in the glorious mud stains that adorned her. Just marvelous! How big a klutz was she, anyway?
"I need my bag from the back. Please, Kaiba?" She watched as he bent and pulled it out. She found her eyes glued to his form. It was sinful—staring at him as he gathered her belongings. She could hardly wait to get out of her drenched clothing. Maybe, possibly, she would be able to make herself look decent.
The butler stood in the doorway, holding the door and waiting for them to enter. She looked around and smiled—she couldn't help it. The adornments screamed Christmas and shattered all thoughts of Seto Kaiba being as cold as his trademark blue eyes. Then again, he didn't take her to her apartment first—at least that way she could have looked pretty (for him?).
How mortifying! All of these people would see her at her worst. Suddenly, she found herself walking behind the CEO—admiring the view, but using him as a shield more than anything else.
"I'll take you to get cleaned up," he offered, not turning to acknowledge her. He didn't want her to catch pneumonia; he had other plans for her. "I can ask one of the maids for an extra set of dry clothes for you." He stopped in mid-stride to turn to face her. "Unless you would prefer something of mine?" His grin was positively evil.
"No, thank you." She smirked at him. "I have it covered. I'll just steal an outfit I bought for my friend." She shrugged as she caught up to him. "I'll just have to shop again for her tomorrow—no biggie." He wasn't prepared for that, was he? Damn, it felt good to make him speechless.
Seto's mind wandered to the lingerie she had purchased in Victoria's Secret, and he blushed a maddening shade of red. Would she wear that? He would have to order dinner to be brought to his room; there was no way he would share that with the help. In fact, he wasn't sure if he was ready for it. He couldn't tear his eyes away from her as she was. Seeing the gown held before her was enough to get his heart racing and his thoughts scattering... what would seeing her in it do?
"Are you okay, Seto?" she asked softly, noticing that he looked a bit flushed. "Listen, the sooner I get out of these wet things, the better I'll feel. Can we speed things up a bit?" She walked past him and signaled for him to join her. He quickly caught up. Originally, he was going to lead her into a guest room to shower and change, but if she intended to wear the nightgown... his room would be more appropriate. He balled his hands into fists—squeezing so tightly it could rupture blood vessels. He opened his bedroom door and she quickly followed.
"Wow..." She walked into the center of the room and just attempted to take it all in. "This is as big as my whole apartment. It's your room, isn't it?" It was crisp, clean, and perfect. There wasn't a thing out of place, and it was just so... Seto. There was a plasma-screen television, a fireplace, a sitting area with two love seats and a coffee table, warm splashes of light from lamps—not track lighting like she would have imagined him to have—an amazing cherry wood desk and bedroom furniture, which was enormous, yet warm. White linens, soft blue-hued pillows, and a comforter adorned the four-poster bed. She bit her lip. "I don't think I've ever seen a room so decadent. It's like a resort." She walked to a door. "Is this the bathroom?" she asked. He nodded his head slowly, suddenly unable to talk, as she took the bag he put down and disappeared.
He tried to work on his laptop and make a few calls, but his mind kept wandering to what was happening behind the closed bathroom door. It was strange to think that she was doing something so mundane, something they both did on a daily basis, but in his space. She didn't think anything of it—he couldn't think of anything else. He sighed as he willed his hands to work on the keys. He had never made so many typos in his life. Every time he heard the slightest noise from behind the door, his head shot up. He heard his blow dryer start a few minutes after the water stopped. She had made herself right at home. It was a weird feeling. Then again, it was a good thing that she could slip into his world and adjust so quickly... right? Could he let her in? Damn... he wanted to.
"Kaiba?" He heard her soft voice call out as she opened the door. "Can you tell me where I can wash these?" She walked out and smiled at him. Her clothes, though wet and muddy, were neatly folded in a pile. Thankfully, she had enough to cover herself quite nicely, except for her bare legs and feet. She blushed as she watched his eyes trail up and down her body. True, Tea's taste in clothing was different than hers, but she didn't think she looked half bad. The light blue top was sort of tight, and the black skirt was short (which was Tea's taste) but it didn't look half bad.
Kaiba didn't know whether to be grateful or disappointed. "Where did you get the clothes?" He asked as glistening sapphire eyes lingered on long, shapely legs. "Did you buy that today?" He didn't remember it... and where was the blue nightgown? He almost asked, but then remembered that he was stalking her at that particular moment.
"What do you think I was doing at the mall? Thankfully, the outfit hadn't gotten wet in the fall. I mean it isn't my taste..." She smoothed down the skirt. "Does it look awful?" He was hardly paying attention to her—well, her face, anyway. "Kaiba?"
"Uh... it looks fine." Actually, it looked delicious.
"I'm starving." She smiled. "Can we get to washing these so I can eat?" She moved towards the door and noticed he wasn't moving yet. "Hello? Can we get moving?" She felt herself blush. It was true; her wardrobe was far more conservative. Seto Kaiba was showing his hormones, thanks to this outfit, and was unnerving her.
He finally pulled himself out of his trance and followed, ever mindful of her bare legs and feet. He began struggling to think of a way to make her laugh as they walked. Sure, he had thought of it before now, but... it was on his mind then more than ever. He knew he wanted her in his life—he knew he had to have her. She could be quite stubborn when she wanted to be, and, even if his competition was squashed, he could still be denied her giggles. What then? He didn't have a store of humorous tales or an arsenal of tricks he could perform. Unlike Mokuba, he was quite lacking in the humor arena.
Kaiba's heart nearly stopped beating in his chest; if she wanted a man to keep her amused he was already out of the running. The other two idiots could coax smiles from her and bring her laughter, but could he? The very nature of this contest was the importance of happiness and amusement. His heart clenched. He had to win her laugh... he had to win her. He had to surprise her, conjure her laugh, and then make her his own. The only problem was... where did he begin? He could try to win her heart after she laughed, but what if he couldn't handle the former task? All of his hopes could be dashed on Christmas Eve.
He held out her chair, waited for her to sit, and then pushed her in. It was the most romantic setting. He had a small table set by the large glass windows that looked over the snow-covered gardens below. The lights were dimmed and candlelight was used to complete the mood. She noted the fine china and crystal. He was pulling out every stop.
"I'm impressed, Mr. Kaiba." She smiled. "Are you trying to romance me?" She watched as one of the servants poured her a glass of wine. "So, what are we having?"
"It's a surprise." He smirked, his eyes shimmering in the candlelight.
"You're just full of surprises today." She retorted.
"Are you full of remorse?" he asked as he sipped from his glass.
"Remorse? For what?" She looked confused.
"You have yet to fulfill your obligation."
She quirked an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"
"You owe me three kisses, Serenity." He smiled impishly as a blush caressed her cheeks. "Perhaps, after dinner we can settle your debt." Kaiba rolled his wine around in his glass before he graced his lips with a taste. He was toying with her and enjoying every moment of it. She wasn't immune to his charms; he liked that.
"You are incorrigible!" She bit out. "And demanding, and disrespectful, and... And..."
He folded his arms across his chest and regarded her with humor. She could get so fiery and it just amazed him. "Dare I hope for... interesting? Entertaining? Perhaps, challenging and intriguing?" He paused for several heartbeats, and then deliberately met her eyes. "Possibly, even... amusing?"
Serenity's eyes widened at the realization of where he was going. "Amusing? You have serious issues with your ego. Do you even recognize that? You are the single most aggravating man, and you irk the hell out of me! You don't listen to anything I say—I asked you to drop from the contest and you refused, I asked for you to put me down and you toss me over your shoulder... and spank me... I ask for you to release my hand and you kiss it... you... you..."
"So, you would prefer me to do as you say? No room for change or being spontaneous, no surprises for you? That's what you want? You can't expect me to believe you would want a man as sorry as that—you'd never respect me if I acted that way." He shook a finger at her the same way she had at him. "You wouldn't even want to speak to me if I blended in like a trained robot."
She blinked twice, her cheeks tinged pink. A slow smile spread across her full lips. "You're right. I'm glad you didn't back out of the contest. I'm glad you have a mind of your own."
"I'd still like to know your scheme." He leveled his gaze as the meal was brought out.
She smiled as her plate was placed before her. The food had the most delicious aroma and she closed her eyes—enjoying it.
"Kobe rib-eye steak," he offered. "I know you have a dislike for fish, and I wanted to introduce you to something... different."
"It looks and smells wonderful." She picked up her knife and fork, hoping he would drop the questions.
"None of the men who've been interested in me ever refuse to do what I want." She shrugged. "You're the first." She swallowed the first bit and smiled. "It's delicious. You're spoiling me, Kaiba."
"Seto," he corrected.
She smiled at him. It was so funny how he tried to get her to use his first name.
"Ah, then that must be why you finished your shopping so early today—you missed me. You rushed yourself so you could come find me." He busied himself with his own meal.
"You found me, Kaiba." She waved her full fork at him and then quickly popped it in her mouth.
"You should be thankful. I rescued you from your predicament. If I hadn't shown up, you would still be in that parking lot, wet, lost, and helpless." He chuckled; he wanted her to smile again. He liked her smile.
Serenity choked—that was totally unexpected. She swallowed hard, but her eyes danced and then she began to giggle. She placed her fingers over her lips, but it was no use—soon her body was shaking with hopeless laughter.
It was all true... everything he said. He didn't ever listen to her, and she would hate it if he did. He challenged, pushed, and annoyed, and... She had missed him. He defied her every expectation, but that was what had made her laugh—and now she couldn't stop. Suddenly, Kaiba tossed his head back and chuckled. When he lowered his head again, blue eyes caught brown...
"You, my dear, sweet Serenity, are laughing... for me..." He laughed in that evil tone of his as she tried to catch herself. She sobered quickly.
What was this? It suddenly was clear... what he had done. Mokuba wasn't around, no clothes were ruined, no whipped cream squirted... He had made her laugh.
"It... it... doesn't count," she whispered softly.
"It may not count now, but if I did it once I will do it again. Christmas Eve is lurking, Serenity." His eyes burned so brilliantly with accomplishment she wanted to toss her water at him. He was right... she might have trapped herself.
After dinner they wandered into one of the cozy living rooms. She walked to the tree and smiled, her eyes admiring each ornament. She shook her head as she thought about how this man had wedged his way into her life. What now? Go with the romance? Could it be that easy? Originally, this was a scheme to get back at her brother and friends. They thought her to be a child, who better to dispel that theory than a cold dragon?
But now, she was snared in her own trap. Now she would have to explain that she was really falling for him. Soft, gentle music wafted from some hidden place. She smiled.
"Do you dance?" he asked as he placed his hands on her hips, gently pulling her back to lean against his chest. She hesitated, but then turned into his arms.
"Not well," she admitted.
"Do you trust me?" he asked as he started leading her around. He was a patient teacher, constantly—but gently—correcting. She had never imagined him being this gentle. He was so slow and easy. She kept staring at his feet and her own bare ones, and he kept tilting her chin up. "Eye contact is key in dancing as a pair." She blushed as she caught herself trying to look at her feet again.
"I'm bad at this..." She sighed.
"You just need lessons... lots of lessons." He smirked at her angry glare. "I volunteer for the hard task of being your teacher." He liked her in his arms—her clean scent, her bare feet, and especially her innocent eyes.
"You aren't very encouraging," she growled as he tilted her chin up again. "You should say I'm catching on, or something..."
"Fishing for compliments is hardly becoming. Besides, you aren't getting better—yet." He kissed her frown, causing her to gasp. "Would it make you feel better if I invited you out to dance? Would that show my faith in you?"
She smiled. "You want to invite me out dancing?"
"Would you accept?" he asked as he attempted to dip her. At first she resisted, but then gave in. "I'm afraid I'll have to drop you if you don't." He smirked down at how he had her leaning precariously over his arm.
"I'll go dancing with you... just don't drop me. I have enough bruises to last me awhile." She smiled as he tugged her back up.
"Good. Tomorrow night is Kaiba Corp.'s annual Christmas ball. It's a black tie affair." He spun her out of his arms, waiting for her to digest the information.
She plopped onto the couch from the spin and then gawked at him.
"The Ball? Black Tie? Kaiba, I don't have anything that fancy to wear, and to get it in one day... and not to mention that I could never afford something like that... you do realize that I am a teacher, right?" She swallowed hard; not believing what she had just been tricked into agreeing to.
"I've taken care of that." Slowly, he opened the door, and in walked three of his maids—each carrying a dress. Serenity's eyes widened. What was this? She stood up and walked over to him.
"You've planned this all along," she accused him. "And I walked right into your trap." She said the second part out loud, but to herself.
"Do you see anything you like?" he asked smugly, hoping she would say him.
She shrugged, noting his self-assured expression. "They won't fit..."
"Size three, correct?" He shrugged, as if it were common knowledge.
Honey-brown eyes snapped onto him. "How did you know...?"
"I have my ways." He stroked his fingers down her back, eliciting chills along her spine. "So, choose."
"You have single-handedly managed to take over all of my time." She shook her head. "You know I haven't seen my brother or friends in days? Now you want another night?"
"You agreed to it. Now, choose or I may end up thinking you aren't a woman of your word." He liked her confused look. "I prefer the pink dress."
"Then I'll take the red one." She had never owned a red dress before. The truth was, he liked the red dress best, but knew she would go against his preference. He smirked—she had spunk and he enjoyed it oh so much.
On that note, Mokuba came charging into the room and stared at the gowns. He seemed to lose his train of thought. "What are the dresses for?"
"The red one is mine." Serenity smiled sweetly at Mokuba. "Your brother bought it for me so I can attend the Christmas Ball with him."
"A real date?" Mokuba asked. "You finally asked her out on a real date!"
"And I said yes..." Serenity smiled at Mokuba.
"Does this mean... you two are, like..." Mokuba tried to come up with the right word. "Dating?"
Serenity said "no" as Kaiba said "yes."
Mokuba had opted to stay home and watch some Christmas special; both Seto and Serenity had tried to convince him to come, but he refused. He didn't want to be the go-between when they fought, and he knew that they would fight. They had been shooting daggers at one another ever since each had come up with a different answer for the dating question. He supposed he would have to tell Seto her last name before the party. It would be bad, but it would be worse if someone at the party brought it up. Seto, at that point, would get caught with his pants down. Looking back, he knew he should have 'fessed from the start, but Seto seemed so interested and so... happy. That hardly ever happened.
The ride home was long and quiet—almost as still and silent as the snow that had coated the sparkling white world outside. She shivered and he automatically turned up the heat, after which she murmured a quick thanks. He grunted.
"I don't see what the problem is," Seto growled a minute later.
"I'm not dating you, and I don't like the fact that you would say that to Mokuba," she managed, folding her arms tighter across her chest.
"What are we doing?" he asked, hating that he wanted to label it. When women had wanted to label occasional dinners and movies, he always resisted and refused. Now, here was this nymph—beautiful and perfect—and he wanted... no, needed it labeled. He wanted her to say they shared more than the casual friendship. Oh! How he hated that word...
"We're testing the waters," she tried. "I told you, until Christmas Eve, I have no intentions of giving my heart to anyone." She turned to look out the window as he continued to drive.
"Are you seriously thinking that you could be happy with one of them? You told me yourself that they were so similar you needed a contest to separate them and choose. Are you lumping me in with them?" He was obviously angry. Why would she act this way when he was clearly the only real choice? "Could you at least be honest with me, then?" he asked, his voice now even.
"What?" she snapped as they pulled up in front of her apartment. She noticed that her car was safe and sound, four new tires adorning it. She closed her eyes—it was too much. "I want to pay you for the tires," she added before he could ask his question.
"No, I won't accept. One had a nail, but they were all bald and in need of replacement. Besides, you're a teacher, and thus perform a duty to society—my duty is that you don't kill yourself when you go to teach the future geniuses." He smirked, having come up with a clever answer. He thought it up hours ago when she was in the shower.
"Come in and let's talk..." she offered as she opened her door.
He rose with her and they went inside.
A few minutes later, and with a teapot started, she sat next to him on the couch—legs tucked up under her, face expressionless.
"I've been spending so much time with you," she started. "More than with Tristan or Duke... it isn't fair. I can't label this anything—it would be going against my word."
"Can you at least tell me if you would honestly laugh if you found a gift... amusing?" He watched her expression. "Is there an ulterior motive? Why ask me to join when you hardly know me?"
"Your eyes... that night... I couldn't take my eyes off of them. I was..." She sighed, hoping for a stray lightening bolt to hit her. "I was... attracted to you." There, she had said it... said it, and survived. Wow. It had been relatively painless. Should she tell him the ulterior motive—that it would piss Joey off, as well as her friends? No, that was one secret she would take with her to the grave.
"Are you still?" An evil grin turned up the corners of his lips.
"Depends..." She smiled. "Are you going to hold me to those three kisses? I think I've more than repaid my debt."
He moved closer, stroking her lower lip with his finger. It was then she realized that the scene she had imagined so many times was here. A man she shared things with, who challenged her and saved her, even if it was from a flat tire... here he was.
"Well, even if I forgive that debt, there is still more to repay." He shifted, moving closer, those amazing eyes focused on her lips.
She sighed; the truth was she didn't want to fight him.
He gently caught her lower lip between his teeth, and then stroked it with his tongue. She gasped and he pulled back, his warm breath like a caress on her lips. She bit her lower lip and diverted her eyes, entrancing him.
He kissed her temple, her forehead, and the tip of her nose—as though trying to sample all of her. Each kiss was marked with his soft murmuring of her name. He was so gentle, so tender; his every touch caused that wonderful tingling she associated with him.
"Laugh for me on Christmas Eve, Serenity," he whispered against her ear. He teased her lobe with the tip of his tongue and she shivered with delight. "It's just as easy as a laugh."
His fingers slid under her top, near her waist, so he could trace circles on the small of her back. He tormented her with tiny kisses, everywhere except her lips. She found herself aching to taste him again. She buried her fingers in his thick hair when his breath fanned her ear again.
She wanted him to kiss her—needed to feel his mouth possess hers once more. It had been too long—last night was almost an eternity ago. She tried to capture his mouth with hers. She heard the soft chuckle even as she realized she had climbed on his lap. So much for being evasive...
"Why won't you call me by my name?" he asked against her throat right before he nipped it lightly. He liked how she whimpered in response to his touch.
"Because, Kaiba... you would enjoy it too much." She smiled as she nuzzled his hair. The man always smelled so good, and the feel of him was even better than the scent.
He tilted his head back and she caught his lips with her own, tearing a gentle groan from his mouth. It was a thorough kiss—perfect, soft, and teasing. She would call him Seto—she knew she would—but giving him the satisfaction too soon would lessen her enjoyment. She pulled away and looked into eyes that had such a brilliant sapphire hue. Damn this contest and damn his arrogance.
"You are very sure of yourself," she whispered.
"I know what I want." He smiled as he tugged her mouth to his again.
A/N: Heh…
Thank you for the enormous amount of reviews! You guys are the best. I hope you all liked this chapter, I wrote it-hated it-gave it to Iris-re-read it-then liked it… So, let me know what you all think! I hope my non-reviewing fans like it too…I am trying to amuse you all!