Chapter 19
My cheeks are burning and it's all Gaara's fault; it's always Gaara's fault lately. We're sitting in the hot spring and he's stoking my thigh with his other hand on my back pulling me closer to him. I'm currently hiding my face in his chest. I'm starting to imagine why he thinks I'm cute when I'm embarrassed; still makes me mad though. He knows just what to say or do to get my emotions going; or maybe I'm too sensitive. Either way, the end result is the same: me incredibly embarrassed. It isn't like it's bad or anything, just embarrassing. I'm most likely too sensitive.
I was surprised by how this current situation started. I was already on edge sitting next to him while we were both naked, only towels keeping us from seeing each other completely. I was just getting used to it when he asked me if he could touch my thigh. The question completely caught me off guard. It also surprised me that he asked; he's never really asked to touch me before, but then those touches weren't so sexual in nature. I didn't really see a reason to say no plus I do want to get closer to him, so I said yes. But now I'm embarrassed.
His hand moves from my back, traveling up my exposed side and rest on the knot keeping the towel over my chest, "Can I take this off?" My face lights on fire. How should I answer? Do I want him to see me completely naked? Well yes, eventually. I guess I could be ready now, just get it over with. I wonder what he'll say though. He could not like the way I look. I'm very squishy, not toned like a ninja would be. Well no, I know what he'll say: beautiful. This may be one of the few times that I'd actually want him to say that to me.
I give a short nod of approval, "Mmhmm." As soon as I give the ok Gaara slips his fingers under the tie, loosening it slowly until it becomes undone. I sit up from his chest slightly so the towel falls away completely from my body. I'm still only staring at his chest; I don't have the courage to look up to see what face he's making. He's happy, albeit a little concerned. He's probably feeding of my anxiety right now. I should give him a smile, reassure him that I'm fine and that he doesn't have to worry about me. Maybe even lighten the mood.
I sit upright completely, "Do I look cute now that I'm embarrassed?" I try to give him a smile and calm my nerves. Luckily I can read his emotions because I can't read his face right now. He's still concerned but less so, and now that I'm completely exposed to him, I can feel arousal beginning to seep in. Still, his main emotion was concern. So I didn't succeed at lightening the mood. What's my next steps from here if that isn't going to work?
Gaara's hand moved from my side to my cheek and I lean into the touch; his other hand was still on my thigh. "You look beautiful." I let out a breath I had been holding; he said what I had been hoping he would say. He doesn't mind the squish. His eyes rove all over my body, taking everything in, before settling on my breasts. I wait a few seconds, but his eyes don't move from that spot. More seconds go by and still just staring. Even more seconds and what does he think he's doing? He can't just look at me like that. He could at least say something to me.
I cover my chest with my arms, "Don't stare!" His eyes snap back to mine and I glare at him, "I'm not some sex object you can leer at." He nods signifying he understands, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't treat you as such." Good. We're on the same page. I relax a little and I'm glad he apologized but I'm still kind of fuming, maybe I shouldn't be though. Well Gaara shouldn't be leering at me, but it is the first time he's seeing me naked. He's probably just excited so maybe I should cut him some slack…Nope, still mad.
Gaara leans down and kisses my forehead, which does make me feel a little better. "I bet now you're going to saw I look cute when I'm mad." He pulled me into his lap, "Not when I've hurt you. Now's not the time for joking." Hmm, well I'm glad he's taking this seriously. It's strange for him to be serious with me though, we've been mostly joking lately. I lay my head on his chest and listen to his heartbeat; immediately I start to calm down. It isn't fair the effect he has on me.
His fingers dance up and down my arm and I relax into him. His chest rose and fell with his breath; it was calming and I try to match my breathing with his. "You are beautiful." It had been quiet for awhile so when Gaara suddenly started talking it surprised me. I look up at him and kiss his cheek. I guess I'm not so mad at him. I definitely don't want him leering at me, but I do like that he appreciates my body. I want him to be attracted to me.
Gaara brushes my hair behind my ear and lean up to kiss his cheek again. He catches my head before I completely pull away and just stares into my eyes. I start to fidget before he abruptly grabs my hips to hold me still. He keeps doing that, but I can't figure out why. Maybe he's annoyed by my fidgeting. I should ask him, "Does it bother you….when I fidget? I don't mean too." He shakes his head no before going back to looking in my eyes; I try my hardest to stay still. "I enjoy the effect I have on you. It just can be," he pauses and closes his eyes, thinking about what he'll say next, "….distracting at times." Distracting? What does that mean?
His fingers go back to running up and down my arm and he kisses my forehead again. His hand stops on my arm next to my breast. He looks me directly in my eyes, "Can I touch you?" He's already touching me, but if he's asking permission then it has to be a sexual request; he has to mean my breasts. I'm glad he's asking first, I'm glad he's thinking about my comfort. When I nod my head yes his hand cups my breast, tentatively at first then more surely.
I moan slightly as he starts fondling me then quickly hide my face in his chest again. Embarrassing, I can't stop the noises coming from my mouth. Gaara seems to be enjoying my moans; his arousal growing with every sound. He rolls his thumb over my nipple and I made an audible gasp. When he pinches it, I cry out; this only eggs him on more. He pinches and plays with my nipple and I'm embarrassed by how much I'm mewing in response to his touch; every pinch and stroke sending electricity down my body, settling between my legs.
With his hand still cupping my breast, he whispered in my ear, "Let's go inside." Inside? I'm not sure if I'm ready for what's going to happen inside, I like what we're doing right now. Sensing my anxiety he quickly added, "We don't have to do anything your not ready for, but if we stay in here much longer we'll turn into prunes." He chuckles and tickles my side so I can't help but laugh along with him. After a moment I kiss his cheek and stand up from his lap pulling him up with me.
Inside, Gaara wraps his arms around me pulling me into a hug. I've never hugged him naked before. I don't need to read his emotions to tell he's incredibly aroused right now, I can feel him pressed hard against my hip. I can't say I don't want to continue what was happening in the bath. "Gaara," I look into his eyes once I get his attention, "I want you to touch me again." He nods then kisses me on the lips, soft and slow. After he leads us to the bed and sits down, pulling me into his lap so I'm straddling him. Embarrassment comes back but so do new emotions.
His hands travel up my side and cups each of my breasts. He goes back to playing with my nipples, immediately getting the response he wants. I start mewing and whining while I look at his chest, too embarrassed to look him in the eyes. "Aiko," I shudder as Gaara whispers in my ear, "look at me." My eyes slowly travel upwards until I meet his eyes. Inside them lie a deep hunger and I find myself shuddering again from it.
He pinches my nipples and I close my eyes to ride the waves of pleasure I feel. "Aiko, keep looking at me." I whine but open my eyes to look at him; his eyes bore into mine. My face heats up again and I can't help but squirm but when I do I feel myself grind against him and we both shudder. Oh, distracting. Gaara's breathing grows harsher and his face flusher. It's actually cute. I grind against him again and revel in the response I get.
"Aiko…." He's looking at me with absolute hunger, like he wants to eat me. Probably does. But instead of doing that he holds my hips down, stopping me from moving any further. Did I go to far? He seems really riled up. "We should stop." Stop? But I don't want to. "Why?" I whined when I spoke, and it made me feel incredibly needy. Gaara kisses me before responding, "I don't think you're ready for more right now, we should stop."
More. He's right, I'm not sure if I'm ready for more. "I'm getting close though." We're both surprised by what I just said. He's staring directly into my eyes but doesn't say anything. It's a bit unnerving how quiet he is after what I just said. Right now his emotions are a mix of surprise, happiness, and arousal, so nothing bad. I wish I knew what he was thinking. I feel like that would be a more useful power than reading emotions. At least when it comes to him.
"Um," I start again, tired of the silence, "I'm almost ready, I just want to know you more first." Gaara nods but still doesn't say anything. We're back to complete silence, the only sound in the room comes from the crickets chirping outside. We were having fun earlier, why does it feel like the entire mood took a nosedive off a cliff. How can I pick up the mood again?
My stomach answered my question with a loud growl. My eyes go wide before I hide my face in his neck. When am I going to stop embarrassing myself in front of him. He only laughs at this, "If you're hungry I can order us dinner." I could only nod my head in response. Gaara lifts me up and places me on the bed. After a quick peck on the forehead, he starts to get dressed. When he takes off his towel to put on pants I look in any direction except at him. I could hear him laughing about it off the side of the room.
He's about to leave then stops and turns around to look at me. Worry is starting to fill within him. "You should come with me." So he doesn't want to leave me alone, which makes sense, he hasn't left me alone since we left for the trip. Realizing that, I kind of want some time alone if I can convince him to give it to me. "I'll be fine, you don't have to worry about me." I don't see the need to be so protective; he'll be gone for five minutes, ten minutes top.
Sigh, time to lay on the charm. I walk up to him and hang off his arm. "I'll be fine," I slip under his arm to hug his torso, "don't worry." I kiss his cheek and while I wait for him to respond I let my hand glide up and down his arm. He closes his eyes and I feel the fear begin to lift. Both good signs. "Aiko…" I lean up to start kissing his neck, "Yes?" A strained sigh leaves his lips so I continue my assault. Next thing I knew, Gaara suddenly grabbed my shoulders and held me at arms-length, "get dressed, you're coming with me."
I suck in a breath in protest but otherwise began to get dressed. I could feel Gaara's eyes on me the entire time. At the front desk I feel kind of silly; there really was no point in me coming with him. I'm just standing here while he orders for us. I was watching one of the paper lanterns blow in the breeze when I felt it, a disgusting level of anger and malice coming from the building next to us. It made my blood run cold. And as soon as it comes, it goes. Gaara whips me around and assess me, "What's wrong?"
What is wrong? Nothing really, just someone really mad. They aren't really directing their anger towards us. Its really just a consequence of my abilities; reading every emotion, even the bad ones. How should I answer? "Oh uh, nothing." He looks at me incredulously so I add, "Just someone in town. Very angry." He nods but wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me into his side. Great, now I have to deal with an extra clingy Gaara. Still though, there was something deeply unsettling about those set of emotions. I lean into his side and lay my head on his chest, trying to calm down these stirring feelings.