A/N I don't own Vampire Knight nor do I make any profit from it

Chapter 16 - Bitter-sweet Lust

"You're what," Hanaka hissed, "You're going to dinner with her?"

"Yes," Kaname replied, fastening the buttons of his shirt, "What's the problem? Whether you like it or not, I must consummate my marriage to Hikari. In order for her to feel comfortable with me, I must court her and romance her. If she falls in love with me, it will make it easier for me to bed her."

"What if you fall in love with her," Hanaka asked, "There's always that possibility."

Kaname turned to her and kissed her on the lips, "That won't happen."

"You cannot promise that," Hanaka huffed.

"It's an odd thing to promise, isn't it," Kaname replied, "You're making me promise not to fall in love with my own wife."

Hanaka glared at him, "Why would you ignore years of romance for a girl you only married to become king and she only married you for your money?"

Kaname sighed, "I have to make an effort. Hikari didn't ask for this marriage… and neither did I. We're both in this together."

Hanaka snarled and turned on her heel and left without another word. Kaname sighed. His mistress or his wife… who would he choose? The love of his life was not his wife, something which upset him greatly. Yet, his attention was also being diverted by Hikari. It wasn't that he didn't find her attractive; that wasn't the case at all. In fact, whenever he kissed her, he felt a strange and different type of desire. She was slender yet had curves in just the right places. It made him wonder what it would feel like have her small form under him whilst he…

No… he couldn't think about her like that.

At least… not yet anyway.

Kaname sighed as he walked down the stairs and down towards the main dining room. As he did so he saw Hikari sitting at the table, silently daydreaming. Kaname noticed that she was wearing a black dress with a sweetheart neckline which dipped down to reveal her cleavage and it left her arms bare. Her ringleted hair was left to fall over her shoulders. A black diamond necklace graced her elegant neck.

Kaname cleared his throat and Hikari stood up, "Lord Kaname, it is rude to keep your wife waiting. My mean allowance from you says that you were with Hanaka… am I right?"

"Your allowance is not mean," Kaname retorted, "It is suitable."

"That's your opinion," Hikari replied stiffly. She stood up and Kaname approached her, "Why have you asked me to dinner, Kaname?"

"I've told you, Hikari, we need to feel comfortable with each other," Kaname said as he took her hand in his and kissed it gently, "I am not totally devoid of emotion."

Hikari stared at him and blinked, "Oh, well, you have to prove that to me."

She sat down and Kaname pushed her chair in. Sitting down himself, two maids walked in with their meals, "Tomato soup," Hikari whispered, "This is my favourite… how did you know?"

Kaname picked up his spoon, "Just a wild guess," Kaname replied. Hikari smiled slightly before nodding. She sipped the hot liquid, "Your father once mentioned it," Kaname admitted.

Hikari looked up and blinked, "Really?"

"He said it in passing one night," Kaname replied with a nod, "Is it to your liking?"

"Indeed," Hikari replied. Hikari continued to eat her soup, "It is and… was… very delicious…" Hikari said as she finished her soup. Kaname smiled slightly and nodded. He too finished his soup and the maids collected the bowls away. Hikari reclined in her chair and gazed at him through gentle eyes, "Lord Kaname, are you trying to get me into bed?"

Kaname looked up at her, "No."

"No, perhaps not tonight but you're wooing me," Hikari said with an amused smile. Kaname stared at her for a moment before reclining in his own chair, "It's about time. However, I only wish that you were doing it out of love. It saddens me that the man wooing me is not really interested in me…"

Kaname watched her as she tried to hold back her tears, "I had dreams of… marrying a man who wanted me and who I wanted back. I know that you wanted a life with Hanaka… who by the way is using you. Her family is using her as a pawn. I've seen it so many times."

"Hanaka isn't using me," Kaname said, "We have known each other for years. I would know if she was using me."

"Then she is and always has been pulling the wool over your eyes," Hikari replied, "The Ikeda family is ambitious… or so I hear."

"Isn't every noble family," Kaname replied tersely.

"I realise that you have a history with her," Hikari replied, "I understand that you feel unable to let her go because you love her. I would be the exact same way," Hikari leaned forward, "Why don't you just annul our marriage? There's no sense in us being together… hell, we're not even together. We just share a contract and live in the same big house."

"Hikari, you're forgetting why you married me," Kaname said calmly.

"Perhaps," Hikari replied, "However, my father and I could survive at least five years upon the money we have been given so far."

"What happens when you run out of money," Kaname pointed out, "You're not thinking this through, are you?"

"No, but then we'd be free of each other," Hikari said, "It's what you want, no?"

Kaname didn't answer. Hikari frowned, "Well?"

"What?"

"What do you mean "what"? I'm asking you if it's what you want? You don't want me so why carry on," Hikari asked, standing up abruptly. Kaname looked up at her calmly and Hikari growled before walking around the table and over to Kaname. Grabbing him by the collar, her lips crashed down upon his. Kaname's wine coloured eyes widened with shock as this seemingly innocent girl devoured his lips in a hungry kiss. After a moment, Hikari pulled away and gazed into his eyes, "So… what do you want, Kaname?"

Kaname didn't answer her and Hikari gave him a look of disgust, "Fine… Now I know I shouldn't even try."

Hikari pulled away completely before she felt a grip on her wrist, "Wha..?" Kaname pulled her back and lightly fingered her jaw before pulling her into a lust filled kiss, an arm wrapping around her waist. Hikari, after getting over her surprise, let her eyes flutter closed and gave in. Kaname was overcome with lust as he devoured her lips in the most passionate way possible, drawing blood with his lengthened fangs.

"Kaname, don't stop," Hikari gasped as Kaname picked her up by her hips and placed her on the table. He let his hands travel over her waist and brushed gently over her soft breasts, causing Hikari to tear her lips from his and let her head loll back, arching into him. Kaname attacked her neck with wet kisses. They vaguely heard the servants squealing in surprise when they tried to bring in their main course. Of course, the servants left quickly so the lust filled couple paid no attention.

Kaname was filled with lust, unable to think clearly. The girl in his arms intoxicated him: the feel of her silky skin under his fingertips; the way she fit against him; the feel of her lips against his… it was perfect… a little too perfect. He tried to imagine her as Hanaka but Hikari was different in every way possible.

He liked it.

"Hikari," he whispered against her lips. He could feel her fingers in his hair, tugging on it and pressing his lips tighter to hers. However, Kaname, although he was enjoying it, was deeply conflicted.

His lover or his wife…

He knew what most people would say.

Kaname broke the kiss and gazed into her eyes, before letting go of her, "I have to go."

"But, Lord Kaname-" Hikari choked, tears threatening to fall, but Kaname shook his head.

"I need time to process what has happened… I'm sorry," was all he said before he quickly exited the room, Hikari, as she moved off the table, fell to the floor, her legs like jelly. She stared at the open door and felt the tears threatening to fall.

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