Author notes: So a portion of this chapter is possibly bordering on M rated, but if I change the overall story rating this will disappear from the story feed, and that saddens me. So. You have been warned.

...Enjoy!

8

Rei and Shacho watched the concert from backstage on a monitor in Minako's dressing room. It was a packed house. She could feel the reverberations from both the music and the cheering fans as she reclined in a comfortable chair, letting her mind wander back to the previous night's celebrations with Minako.

She had still hardly been able to believe it was actually happening—she and Minako living together. But she hadn't been able to dwell on the fact for long once Minako pinned her to the bed and began to help her out of her clothes. Thinking it wise to return the favour, Rei had unbuttoned Minako's blouse with incredible speed, before turning her attention to removing the idol's skirt.

Rei bit her lip, trying to keep her euphoria in check. The last thing she wanted was to have Shacho ask why she was wearing such a huge smile. He had already been giving the pair of them odd looks when they'd all departed for the concert hall earlier.

"Glad to see you're feeling better, Rei-chan. I was worried when you dashed off yesterday."

A wave of guilt washed over Rei. She hadn't said a word to him about the phone call. "Oh, Shacho, I'm so sorry, I didn't even think—"

He raised a palm to halt her speech. "As long as you're all right. I sent our girl after you, so I knew you'd be in good hands."

Good hands. Yes, that was certainly one of Minako's attributes. Rei knew her face was turning red. She struggled to get herself under control. Her fingertips dug into the chair's armrest. When was the concert going to end already?

"You look warm, Rei-chan. D'you need a drink?" Rei could almost hear his amusement.

"Cold water. Please."

An unmistakeable snort escaped Minako's manager as he handed Rei a chilled bottle. She was tempted to fling it at his head.

"Thanks," she muttered, and hurriedly pulled off the cap. She took a sip and looked back at the monitor. Minako was singing her final number, but no doubt there would be an encore. Perhaps a couple. Rei swallowed a groan and drank some more water. It was going to take every ounce of her willpower to keep from ambushing Minako the moment she returned to the dressing room. Especially since she was wearing that dress again.

After what seemed like forever, a thunderous round of cheers and applause echoed from the stage. Rei watched Minako take a final bow before the stage lights dimmed and she disappeared from the screen.

~O~O~O~O~

"Phenomenal show tonight, guys!" Minako cried, hugging each of her dancers. "That was fantastic! Wow. You're all awesome. Do I tell you that enough? I don't think I do. And you guys!" Her band followed closely behind, looking quite pleased with their performance. "You guys are just wonderful! Amazing! All of you, take the next few days for yourselves, okay? If you do anything resembling work, I will know."

They laughed good-naturedly and made their way to their dressing rooms, wishing the idol a fond goodnight.

As they dispersed, Rei was revealed to be leaning against the doorway that led to her own dressing room. She said nothing, but passed her gaze over Minako, her lips quirking into a tiny smile. Her eyes were smouldering with want. Minako felt herself heat up.

"You have a couple of visitors," Rei said in a low voice. "Let's not keep them waiting."

Had her guests been members of the press, Minako would have cheerfully told them to scram, but she couldn't help feeling pleased by the sight of Drew and a pretty young woman standing nervously in her dressing room.

"Drew! You made it! I'm so glad! Did you have a good time? Who's this?" Minako hugged them both as if they were old friends.

Drew's smile could have lit up the entire city. "This is Nicola, my fiancée. And we had the most fantastic time!"

"Amazing," Nicola added, blushing profusely. "This was such an incredible surprise. Thank you so much—"

"The pleasure is all mine, Nicola. Have a seat! Shacho, do we have any drinks?"

"I know the cold water is excellent. Just ask Rei-chan."

Rei's burning gaze turned briefly murderous. "I will end you, Shacho," she muttered in Japanese. Minako blinked. She must have missed something.

"Actually, we—we really can't stay. We've both got work tomorrow. Early," Drew said, looking quite remorseful. "But we couldn't pass this up. Um, but Nic's brought some of your CDs, if—if—you wouldn't mind—"

"Oh, of course! Whatever you like!" Minako was secretly ecstatic that the visit would be a short one. She could feel the pure intensity emanating from Rei as she autographed Nicola's music collection. She took a deep breath to steady herself.

"Shacho? Would you be so kind as to make sure Drew and Nicola get home safely? The limo, perhaps?" The young couple made sounds of astonishment. "And you can head back to the hotel too, if you like."

Her manager appeared momentarily confused. "Of course, Minako-chan, but how will you—"

She didn't dare look at Rei. "I'll call when I'm ready to head back. I have to do—something." Rei abruptly started coughing.

"Sounds like Rei-chan needs more cold water," Shacho said.

Anyone else would have turned to stone from the glare Rei aimed at him.

"Per-perhaps it's time we were off." Shacho tugged nervously at his collar and skittered away from Rei.

"M-Minako? Thank you, again. So much." Nicola clutched her signed CDs to her chest, not unlike how Drew had been clutching the tickets the night before. "Good luck on the rest of your tour."

"With fans like you two, I don't need it. But thank you, Nicola. And congratulations on your engagement."

Grinning madly, the pair departed with one last wave. Shacho followed closely behind. Minako dove at the door to shut and lock it when they disappeared.

As she was about to turn around, with every intention of pushing Rei to the dressing room couch to thoroughly ravish her, a pair of hands pressed against the door, trapping Minako. A fiery hot mouth tasted her neck.

"D'you—want any help getting out of that dress?" Rei's hands left the doorframe to undo the delicate clasps.

Minako shivered pleasurably and nodded as Rei slid the thin straps from her shoulders and tugged the garment slowly downwards.

~O~O~O~O~

They eventually managed to tear themselves from Minako's dressing room and made their way back to the hotel. Shacho probably wouldn't have been too pleased by their choice of a taking a late-night walk, but the city was beautifully lit up, plenty of people were about, and frankly, Rei needed some time to catch her breath. If Minako's flushed countenance was any indicator, so did she.

They weren't long in picking up where they'd left off when the door to the suite closed behind them. No sooner had the lock been turned before Minako pulled Rei's shirt off, and started pushing her rapidly towards the bedroom, somehow losing her own jeans in the process.

Much later, Rei's eyes shone with delight as Minako relaxed on top of her, wrapped in the bed sheets.

"So you really have the next few days free?"

"I have a couple of interviews, but they're early in the day." The idol nuzzled Rei's cheek. "You can stay here and keep the bed warm."

"Work, work, work. That's all I'm good for." Rei laughed at Minako's playful scowl. "You're so incredible, do y'know that?"

Minako hid her face against Rei's neck, glowing with embarrassment.

"What? I know you hear stuff like that all the time, Mina."

"It's different when you're the one saying it, Reiko." Minako's lips brushed Rei's skin. "A lot of people say they love me too, but when you say it—" Her hand stroked Rei's chest, making Rei tremble. "—I can't begin to hear it enough."

Rei wasn't sure that she could even form an intelligent thought, let alone speak, given what Minako's other hand was doing to her. She moaned softly and tightened her hold on the idol's body as the touch deepened.

Minako's voice was husky when it whispered in Rei's ear. "I want to hear it all the time. Every time you think it. I don't care where you are or what you're doing—I want to hear you say you love me." Her ministrations intensified.

"Mm—Mina—" Rei rasped, certain she was about to pass out from pure ecstasy. She tried to say the words Minako wanted from her, but they were buried in a wave of pleasure so intoxicating, that incoherent gasps were the only sounds she could produce. She hooked a leg around Minako's hip, her breath hitching in her chest as another tide, and then another began to build and surge within her. Minako's eyes were riveted to her own, inches away, and alight with desire. The sight of them pushed Rei over the edge with a powerful cry.

She lay beneath Minako, fighting for air, as the idol placed soft kisses around her jaw line.

"I love you too, Reiko." She grinned at the flicker of confusion on Rei's face. "That's my favourite way to hear you say it."

Rei choked out a laugh. She was still rather short of breath. "So long as—no one else—says it to you—like that—"

Minako made a face and poked Rei in the stomach. "Only you. Hey!"

Rei seized the idol around her middle and rolled her onto her back. Minako gasped as Rei's hand slid between her thighs.

"I want to hear you say it that way too."

Minako's ability to communicate intelligibly was lost when Rei's heated mouth latched onto hers.

o~o~o

Say it with me now: See you next week!

Also, a very happy Canada Day to my fellow Canucks! ~ G