Disclaimer: I don't own it.
AN: Another chapter. I hope you all enjoy it.
Kai was sitting on the bed, looking very much like that cat that got the canary. Rei managed to suppress a shiver as mahogany eyes raked over him. Rei really wished that he had grabbed a towel. He felt painfully exposed in his near nakedness. Kai was the first to speak. "You never struck me as the type to sleep in." The neko-jin shrugged. "There's a lot you don't know about me."
The Russian nodded in assent. "True. Now, since I'm sure you weren't planning on walking around the house barely dressed all day, get dressed." Rei folded his arms across his chest, feeling like arguing. "Just because I'm 'working' for you doesn't mean that you can push me around."
Kai leaned forward, arms resting on his knees. "Yes it does. If you don't comply your poor little store becomes just like all the other businesses that failed. Now get going." Rei forced himself to think of what would happen to Chris and Shelby if he didn't do what Kai told him. He opened the wardrobe, the heavy doors slamming against the wall.
He pulled on a pair of black slacks, citrine eyes roaming over the shirts as he did. Kai spoke again, his voice low. "The crimson one." Rei half turned, eyes bright with anger, his still damp hair curling around him. " Since you're dictating what I'm wearing, would you also like to help me dress?" Kai got to his feet, lips curled in a half smirk. Rei had expected Kai to just smirk and say he would rather watch.
Kai reached over his shoulder and pulled out the long sleeved silk shirt. "Now Rei, are you going to be difficult and just stand there?" Rei looked up, not surprised to see humor and lust burning in his companion's eyes. He took the shirt from Kai and slipped it on, quickly buttoning it up. Warm fingers brushed over the skin of his neck and dipped down, brushing over his collarbone as Kai folded back the collar of his shirt.
"Happy?" Kai nodded hands gently running through Rei's hair. He nibbled lightly on the neko-jin's ear. "I'll be in the living room. Finish quickly." Rei watched as Kai left the room. He pulled on socks and shoes and grabbed a brush off the dresser, hands shaking with anger. With methodic movements he removed all the rats, his anger at Kai slowly fading.
*****
Rei tried not to focus on Kai, who was sitting across from him, going through a manila folder, long fingers easily sorting through the papers. Although they were just going to the other side of town, the ride seemed to have been going on for two hours rather then ten minutes. They had been silent the entire time.
Kai set the folder to the side, eyes drawn to Rei. The neko-jin was idly playing with the end of his braided hair, golden eyes watching the world as well as he could from behind the tinted windows. The top button of his shirt was undone and Kai could just barely make out the soft fluttering of Rei's pulse.
"Groffman will have a heart attack." Rei looked at Kai, noticing a glimmer of demonic delight in the mahogany depths. "Who?" The Russian briefly considered not telling his companion, but Rei would become nearly impossible to deal with and Kai wanted Groffman to be jealous, not laughing.
"Groffman is an old business associate of Voltaire's. The man believed that when I came to power, I would be easy to manipulate." Rei stopped playing with his hair, intrigued that Kai was actually telling him about part of his life. "Obviously he didn't know you very well." Kai's smirk widened. "He didn't know me at all, except through the news. He thought it because Voltaire told him I was gay. In Groffman's mind, the gays are weak and easily manipulated. He held me in contempt for along time. Until he was found out to be having relations with an underage male teen."
Rei frowned, knowing exactly why Kai was taking him to meet Groffman. "So, you're using me to make him jealous." The Russian nodded.
*****
Groffman pushed through the crowd, searching for Kai. He wasn't sure why he couldn't find him. The Russian wasn't exactly short. He stretched up on his toes, black eyes scanning. Grey hair caught his eyes and he headed off in that direction, using elbows to get through the clog of people. He came into an opening, freezing in his tracks.
Kai was talking to someone, fingers laced in dark hair. His forehead rested against the shorter figure's, lips almost touching. The person's lean body was tense, hands resting on Kai's arms. Black hair was tied back, nearly brushing the floor. "Hiwatari!"
He watched mesmerized, as the Russian placed a light kiss on his companion's lips before untangling himself. "Groffman." Kai's voice was cold. The man's breath caught in his throat as Kai's companion turned to face him.
Citrine eyes skimmed over him, filled with dislike. Tan fingers tapped against his thigh. Several strands of hair fell into his eyes, making the gold even more vibrant. His lean body was tense and fangs peeked out as he frowned.
Kai, noticing the look in Groffman's eyes smiled. "Groffman, this is my partner Rei Kon." Rei nodded slightly, not taking his eyes off the man. There was something about him that made Rei want to cling to Kai.
Groffman smiled eyes not leaving the neko-jin. "Pleased to meet you Rei." The neko-jin brushed hair out of his eyes, trying to be pleasant. "Like wise." The hostess smiled up at Kai. "Your table is ready." Kai gently pushed Rei in front of him, watching with avid eyes the way the neko-jin moved.
They were given a booth in the middle of the restaurant. Groffman sat across from Rei, the bench squeaking under his bulk. Kai was about to sit next to Rei, when a sudden thought came to his mind. "I just saw one of my associates that I need to talk to. I'll be back in a minute." He disappeared from view, leaving the other two men alone in an uncomfortable silence.
Rei took a drink of his water and set the glass back down, allowing his thoughts to wander. Those thoughts were interrupted when something brushed against his leg, starting at his ankle and ending just below his knee. The man sitting across from him was an idiot. Of that Rei was certain.
When the touch started this time, Rei jerked his leg, catching the man in the shin. Groffman grimaced. The neko-jin leaned forward slightly fangs gleaming in the low light, eyes glowing with anger and dark humor. "Groffman, refrain from touching me again before I stick that fork in an inappropriate place."
Groffman hastily sat back. He had decided that the neko-jin could be dangerous and that in touching him, he had ran the risk of Rei telling the Russian what had happened. Suddenly Groffman wasn't feeling so good.
Kai watched for his hiding spot. He was glad to see that Rei had not lost any of his finesse in dealing with people. Feeling an unnaturally good mood over take him he sauntered back to the table. He slid in next to Rei, so close that their thighs touched. Rei froze when Kai leaned over and pressed a kiss to his neck, whispering a soft "nicely handled."
*****
Kai watched as Rei's head fell back to rest on the headrest. The neko-jin had remained silent throughout the whole meal, not even saying anything the few times Kai had allowed his hand to 'accidentally' rest on Rei's thigh.
"Rei." A golden eye opened and fixed on him. "What?" Kai didn't let any emotion show. "Don't be so curt. Come over here." Rei moved to sit next to him, body tensed like prey that knows a predator is going to jump out at any moment. Kai turned to half face Rei on the seat, wanting to pull the neko-jin closer.
"Why are you so jumpy?" Rei faced Kai, anger flaring in his eyes. "Because a disgusting old man was hitting on me!" The Russian smirked. He could fix that. The subtle darkening of Kai's eyes warned Rei that his former team captain was up to something. He unconsciously shifted closer, suddenly wanting Kai's touch.
Kai pulled Rei closer, fingers on his free hand undoing several buttons of the neko-jin's shirt, sliding over smooth tan flesh. He pushed the shirt back, nibbling lightly at the exposed collarbone. His tongue darted out caressing the smooth skin.
Rei suppressed a moan as Kai trailed feather light kisses along his shoulder and neck, biting gently in other places before his tongue soothed the spots. He gave up the battle when one of Kai's hands slid down his chest and stomach to gently push against his arousal.