Ok, so I didn't win a darn thing at the Rurouni Kenshin Reader's Choice Awards. I didn't even get a runner-up award. It's all good. I've never been a very popular fiction writer, though I do have my fans. I write because I like to...and it was a great honor being nominated. But, this that being said, nominations for 2005 are already available. So, if you want me to try again, give me a nod. If you've read SvS, I had a reader report me for one of my stories and I lost my uploading privileges for a while. But, I'm back. There is one hell of a lemon ahead, so you have been warned. The uncut version is available at AFFN. Hope you guys enjoy.

Chapter Twenty Four

The night air was quite warm. Though we were a good distance away from the river, the breeze that came off the water gave a comforting chill. The time was well past midnight, but the nightlife had just begun. The neon lights of the businesses and casinos made it seem as bright as day while musicians played on the sidewalk and artists begged to paint the portraits of passers-by. This one block in the big city was the liveliest place, but before long, Enishi and I had walked through its glory and made it to my car. The area was still well-lit, but nothing like the glitz of Monroe Street. Still, through the entire trek, I felt like a movie star. Yes, I am used to grabbing the attention of men and women alike on my own; my beauty commands it. But, people are drawn to a beautiful couple just as they are to a beautiful woman.

Where Kenshin had a graceful appearance bordering beauty, Enishi had raw sex-appeal. Kenshin had fine, masculine features where this young man's were more edgy and rugged. His face was young, but his soul was old. His beautiful eyes told more than perhaps even he knew, and they drew you closer to him like a moth to flame...a light intensified by his barely-there eye-wear. And then there was his hair...platinum blond. I wanted nothing more than to run my fingers through the soft lengths as he rode my body to oblivion.

Yes...he would do quite nicely.

The people we passed perhaps felt the same way. After all, I'm no loser when it comes to looks. I did myself up quite nicely. A pair of tasteful knee boots with a patterned hose that covered the remaining leg exposed by my black mini-skirt. My shirt, was full and flowing with long sleeves and a deep V front to expose the perfect amount of cleavage. The soft green complimented my skin-tone and waved gracefully along the hem of my skirt. My hair was free and bounced with every step, framing my oval face...which had my trademark smirk on it. Yes, we were quite lovely together.

But, alas, our strut on the catwalk was over and we were in front of my car. I put my back to the driver's side door and looked up and the tall man before me. He truly was handsome. A part of me wanted to take him right there on the hood of the car, but that wouldn't have been smart with the police station right across the street.

Enishi gazed at me with equal admiration, his finger brushing my hair away from my face. He tilted my chin up gently to gain a better view in the blue-toned streetlights. What would I have to do to get this man to kiss me, I thought to myself. It's not like we were being shy about what we wanted.

I sighed and thrust my chest forward just a little bit to entice him more. Hopefully he wasn't having second thoughts. One night stands haven't weren't usually my thing, and I knew not everyone likes to dive in that quickly, either. But...what's it among two consenting, careful adults?

"Is everything ok?" I asked him, looking into those lovely blue pools of his.

"Why wouldn't it be?" he asked in return, still cupping my face.

"You have not kissed me yet," I said bluntly.

He leaned forward and planted a kiss onto my cheek. He slowly progressed down my jaw line to the sensitive spot behind my ear. I shuddered as the heat from his sweet breath seemed to burn my flesh.

"I have all night to devour you," he whispered in my ear as he kissed the lobe. "Wouldn't you rather I took my time?"

Ok, was he trying to make me orgasm right there? Truth be told, if his other hand was a little further to the south, it would have been game over regardless of the police station. Instead, he took my lips and the liberty to slide his hand under the fabric of my shirt. The sensation of his touch grasping the whole of my curves made my pulse race. I wanted to open the back door, fall into the back seat and let him have his way with me, but restraint had returned with the cheers of a passing car. We both chuckled a bit as I turned to unlock the car door.

"Get in," I said.

Of course, he complied and we were on our way. The city was most beautiful at night, in my opinion, and I loved driving down the barely lit streets in the wee hours of the morning when "nothing's open 'cept women's legs" as my friend's grandmother used to lovingly say. As we sped through the scenery, I noticed my companion still had his eyes on me. In the passing, sparse light, they appeared to be a lull greyish color, but just as piercing as when they were cool blue. I was usually a wiz at conversation, but he left me speechless.

"Is there something you want to ask me?" I probed, hoping to break the silence.

"Are you as dangerous as you look?" Enishi asked.

Now, there was a question I wasn't used to. Again, I didn't know quite what to say. What did he mean by dangerous?I wondered.

"Well, I am a lawyer," I cooed in a played tone.

"Ah...I knew I saw the Devil in your eyes," he smiled.

I couldn't help but to laugh.

"Really, is that all you saw?" I continued.

"You have familiar eyes. I'll be honest. I'm from a dangerous family myself. My father was a Yakuza boss," he admitted.

I raised an arched brow at him. With those heavy eyes, I couldn't really doubt it. Back in Japan, many families had Yakuza ties dating back to before the days of the Samurai. Thing was, it was not information privy to strangers.

"And you share this with me, because..."

"I want no secrets with you. My sister was the eldest surviving member of the family after the death of my father. She did not want to continue the legacy, and I was sent here to the States. I'm here to visit her," he continued.

Alright, that made plenty of sense. Hopefully I wouldn't have hitmen at the door I would need to kill due to sleeping with him, but I knew I could hold my own. Did I ever tell you guys I was a kendo master? I tend to practice with real katana from time to time. I have some more secrets, but trust there is more than meets the eye.

"So, are you dangerous, Enishi?" I asked, my voice purring as we pulled up to my driveway.

I put the car in park. I could feel him devouring me visually before I actually saw his assault. I was forced to cast down my eyes. He made me feel so sexual...not quite like an object, but damn close. And, I don't care what any woman says, there's no feeling like knowing a man wants desperately to possess you. In a carnal way, it makes you feel like the most powerful being in the world. And it is an addictive sensation.

"I can be. Is there anything else I need to know about you?" he asked me.

"No, I think we are good. We can always talk more in the morning," I suggested.

"Agreed," he replied.

I'm not sure how we made it out the car, through the door and onto my living room floor. From the second our tongues met, our bodies were locked together in a feeding frenzy of passion. In fact, I know I was mad with desire because I never make nookie on my Italian leather couch, but this night was the exception. I should have been upset my shirt was ripped the shreds and my Felina bra would not live to see another night, but once I felt Enishi's lips dance upon my body I forgot about the pieces of fabric. With the soft leather against my back and Enishi's nearly nude form against my bare stomach, I moaned. His well toned body sat firmly against my soft, curvaceous frame. I could not get enough of him.

I clawed for my purse, hoping to find the rubbers inside before long. Safety first, my friends. Seeing what my goal was, Enishi grabbed the Coach bag and easily picked out the Durex. Now, strapping it on isn't usually the sexiest part of coitus, but seeing him place the package between his teeth and rip it open ever so slowly, it seemed to be a continuation of the foreplay, for all the while, a skilled finger kept my juices flowing .

He sheathed his sword and drove into my willing body. I wrapped my arms around Enishi's body and grabbed his silvery hair, jarring his head back so I could suckle upon his neck. He groaned with pleasure and increased the speed and depth of his assault. I somehow got my leg around his massive back to allow him even more access to me and we both fell into the pit of abandon. There was definitely no turning back as we grinded in unison, our bodies a tangled mess of heightened passion. It could not have been more euphoric if we were on dope. And then, finally, with my legs pushed into my leather near my ear, I could feel the signature quiver of impending climax.

My head throbbed. My body was as hot and limp as spaghetti and I could not catch my breath. The hard body that lay on top of me did not make the job much easier, but I still groaned with displeasure when he raised himself from my body. I immediately missed the heat between us, and he smiled as if he recognized this from just gazing down at me. He was still breathing deeply and moving ever so slowly. It seems a man's rod is so very sensitive right after they peak. Any movement will send them over the edge. So, to be playful, I did a kegal and he winced. I giggled, but was silenced by a deep thrust from his still-erect member.

"Naughty girl," he whispered to me.

Our lips touched, then parted and we shared a tender kiss. I could not think of anything except remaining under him for eternity. He was so much like Kenshin...

Damn it!

Enishi broke the kiss the looked a bit worried as my expression quickly changed. I turned my face away from him, suddenly unable to stand his eyes falling upon me, but he tapped my cheek and made me look at him.

"What's wrong?" he asked, perhaps a bit more forcefully than he intended.

"Nothing," I lied.

There was no need to bother him with the info, but he wouldn't allow it. I almost felt frightened and at his mercy beneath him.

"Remember, Kaoru...no secrets," he warned as he kissed my cheek.

As he moved down to my neck, I nearly forgot what we were talking about. My body moved under his, ready to go for another round of his loving.

"It's...my lover. Um...former lover. I can't...I can't..." I can't remember what the hell you asked me, Enishi. Shit!

"You can't what, Kaoru?" he persisted.

"Get him out of my head!" I yelled, elated to finally get it out.

There, I admitted it. I couldn't forget about Kenshin. Even being well-serviced by the handsome young man, I couldn't get him out of my head. I compared him to Kenshin. Hell, deep down I probably wished it was Kenshin. As wonderful as Enishi was, Kenshin touched me on so many levels...they comparisons stopped at the magnetism.

"So, you were using me?" he probed, his hand searching my body.

"Using you? No...not really. I wanted to forget," I said.

"Alright," he said.

"Alright?"

"You'll not think of him. At least not the rest of the night," he promised as he resumed his battle with my body.

And he kept to his word. From the couch, to the floor, to the kitchen, shower, bed and two boxes of Durex's...I did not think one bit about my red-headed lover. In fact, by the time the sun was about to rise, I actually had to remember who he was. Enishi brought a whole new meaning to "getting the shit fucked out of you." Oh, I'm so nasty!

But, day was coming and the sky was turning all kinds of pretty colors. And, as I lay across the bottom of my bed, I sighed heavily as I thought of his smile and his hand upon my cheek. I was dreaming of Kenshin.

A strong hand against the small of my back startled me. I turned over to see Enishi, his glasses back on his handsome face. His look was almost apologetic as he tenderly caressed my body. I smiled and leaned up to kiss him upon his lips. In the few short hours I've known the man, I could tell he was terribly complex...but a sweet man by nature.

"Tell me about him," he said, still touching my body softly.

"Well, we work together. He is married," I started. "I knew he was, it didn't bother me. We were supposed to have an agreement. No emotional attachment. But, he fell in love with me and I had to cut him loose."

"Hmm, that's interesting," Enishi said, pulling me up to him.

He leaned against the head of the bed and laid me against his chest. Enishi played with my tousled hair, soothing me.

"Yeah, that's a word for it," I replied.

"It sounds like you love him, too," he observed.

"I do NOT!" I exclaimed, darting up and looking him in the eye. I was tired of people making that assumption. "I just...really...really liked him."

"Oh, riiiight," Enishi laughed.

"I'm serious," I said, even though I was containing laughter, myself. "I like everything about him...I just can never go there with a man again. And...he's married. I'm not trying to break up his happy home or anything."

"I guess that's understandable. Just want the sex and the attention."

"Basically," I said.

"Well, I can't say I never had sex with a married woman, but I don't think it is right," Enishi said.

"Oh, don't get me started on that one. Besides, people cheat when they want to," I replied.

"True. It's just...when my sister got married, I thought of it as, 'What if her husband cheated on her' and I grew furious just thinking about it. I never liked my sister's husband, but she's desperately in love with him. I came down because she's having trouble with him now."

Danger! Danger, Will Robinson!

The hairs on my spine shot up and I felt deathly cold. Something told me that 2 and 2 was going to come together and equal one hellified mess.

"Um, what's your sister's name?" I asked innocently.

"Tomoe, why?"

My stomach fell to the center of the earth. Holy fucking shit and every other curse I could think of...this was fucked up. Damn it! This was why one-night stands were a no-no. I wanted to rewind a few hours and think to myself, Kaoru, how many Japanese people are running around this city?

"Let me guess, your lover's name is..."

"Kenshin!"

Enishi's eyes went to my bedroom door and there we both saw him. His eyes were dark...almost as dark as when we were at Aoishi's house. Time seemed to stand still at that moment, and if felt again as if I were not there. Maybe it was another dream, I thought. So, I pinched myself.

"Ouch!"

Their eyes only darted to me for a second, then went back to each other. Now, I'm comfortable with my body and all...but having my two lovers in the same room while two of us were completely nude just didn't sit right with me. I pulled the sheet around my body, but Enishi stood up and walked towards Kenshin with all his natural glory.

Damn it, blood was so hard to get out of carpet!

But, with a confident smirk, Enishi walked right past Kenshin and to the shower in the hallway. I caught a final glimpse of his perfect cheeks and mine reddened a bit. But, the moment quickly faded as Kenshin turned his eyes to me.

"What are you doing in here?" I asked, as if I didn't care.

"Your door was cracked," he replied blandly.

"Oh...I wonder how that happened?" I said with a giggle.

The pain in his expression made me stop. I couldn't be that heartless with him. It actually hurt me to do so...but that's what I was used to. In fact, I was slightly embarrassed. I felt like I had just got caught cheating. It was a silly thought, seeing how Kenshin had a wife and all.

But to be caught with his brother-in-law...this was definitely new.

"How could you?" he whispered through pending tears.

"I didn't know, Kenshin," I said.

"I don't mean with him...I mean AT ALL!" he yelled, pointing to the bed.

"Kenshin, you are married. You are being irrational," I said, now getting truly annoyed.

He walked up on me briskly and shook me. My head wobbled like a bobble head and I shrieked with surprise. He stopped instantly, but the flame in his eyes burned brightly.

"Stop lying to yourself, Kaoru! I love you! You love me! This isn't something you can neatly contain anymore! You have to just deal with it," he yelled, no longer able to hide his liquid pain.

"Get out of my house!" I hissed, shaking his arms from off of me. "Get out! Get out! GET OUT!"

I nearly leapt from the bed and pummeled him with my fists, though the blows were half-hearted. Tears were now in my eyes. Damn him. Damn him and his words and emotions. I will push him out of my house and my life. After this trial is over, I will be done with him. I am done with him, I repeated to myself over and over until I began to believe it.

Defeated, Kenshin did leave, slamming my door behind him, and I was left feeling as bare on the inside as I was on the outside. My face was red and covered with dark strands of hair that resembled clumps of yarn, my body convulsing from the tears.

"Damn him."

My head shot up, for the words did not come from my lips.

Enishi...I had almost forgotten about him.

He put an arm around me and pulled me close to him. I thought he would push me away, knowing I was the cause of his beloved sister's pain. Instead, he comforted me, though I was still worried as to what exactly was churning in that brain of his. I remembered the conversation we had in the car and wondered what Pandora's Box I had opened.

"Let's get you in the shower," he said, leading me back to my room.

"Yeah...I have to go to work," I said.

But, this day would be far from business as usual.