"It was a pleasure to meet you," John said, standing outside the restaurant. "As you know, the ultimate decision is up to Thorne—I won't force her into anything. We'll get back to you soon—as soon as she makes her decision—"
"I accept."
All three men turned to her, surprised.
"That was awfully fast, Thorne," her father pointed out.
"I know," she nodded, "but I already know him, so it's easier to make the decision. And I have."
"Well, all right. As long as you're certain—"
"I am."
"Wonderful," Akira smiled happily, not missing the look in his son's eyes. "Welcome to the family, Thorne, and I'll see you soon. Takashi, will you be coming home now or will you be going to see Mitsukuni?"
"I told him I'd meet him at the cafe a few streets over."
"All righty, then I'll see you at home."
"Bye, Dad."
Akira stepped into his limo and left.
"Thorne, do you want to come with me?" Mori asked. "I think Mitsukuni said Amber is with him."
Thorne glanced back at her dad.
"Go," John laughed. "I'll see you later."
He mussed Thorne's hair, laughing again when she glared at him. Mori offered his hand to her as John left. She blushed, smiling shyly as she slid her hand into his. He smiled, squeezed her hand and led her down the sidewalk. When they reached the cafe, he held the door for her, not once letting go of her hand.
"Takashi!"
Honey bounded out of his chair to give his cousin a hug.
"Hi, Thorne!" he grinned up at her.
"Hey, Honey," she smiled back at him.
"Thorne," Amber looked surprised to see her sister—especially holding hands with Mori.
"Hey, Amber."
"What are you doing with Takashi? I thought you were with Dad." Amber frowned slightly.
"I was. It-it was..." she hesitated. "It was a... a marriage meeting."
"A what?!" Amber gasped.
"Thorne, let's sit down," Honey pulled Thorne and Mori over to the table, sliding in next to Amber. Thorne sat across from her sister, Mori next to her.
"Ok, now what's this about a marriage meeting?" Amber asked.
"Remember when Dad asked to speak with me in the study, after dinner the day he got here?"
"Of course," she nodded.
"I lied about what he wanted to talk about," Thorne admitted. "He told me he wanted to arrange a marriage, so that if anything happens to him I'll be more prepared to take over."
"Wow. I knew something was up, but this certainly never occurred to me."
"Yeah. He said he wouldn't force me, though—that who I marry is ultimately my decision."
"Right, that sounds like Dad," Amber nodded. "So where does Takashi come in?"
She already knew, of course—but she wanted to hear it confirmed by her sister.
"This morning Dad told me he'd received a call. After club we went to a restaurant— the meeting place. Well, Dad never told me whom it actually was we were meeting. And then Takashi walked in—"
"So you two are engaged now?" Amber cut her sister off, jumping straight to the point.
"Y-yeah," Thorne nodded, blushing.
"Huh. And you're ok with an arranged marriage, Mori?"
"I asked for it."
Well, that was surprising. She hadn't really expected him to be against it, but she certainly hadn't expected it to be his idea.
"Really?"
He nodded.
"Why?"
"I didn't want her with some guy she doesn't know."
"You knew she was to be betrothed? How did you find out? I didn't even know!"
"I..." he hesitated, glancing at Honey.
"He heard Thorne tell me," Honey answered for him.
"Mitsu, you knew about this?" Amber asked, rounding on him.
"Yeah," he admitted, nodding. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you-"
"I asked him not to tell you, Amber," Thorne came to his aid. "I didn't want you to worry. I'm sorry."
"Well... I'll forgive you—both of you. But no more secrets!"
"Ok," Honey and Thorne agreed simultaneously.
Amber smiled, leaning back in her chair. She looked intently at Thorne and Mori.
"What is it, Amber?" Thorne asked.
"You guys are cute together," Amber grinned.
Honey nodded his agreement.
Amber's grin widened when both Thorne and Mori blushed.
So cute.
"Welcome home, Master Umehito. Welcome, Mistress Kirin."
"Hey, Kuretake!" Kirin chirped, following Umehito up to his room.
"So," Umehito started, closing the door behind him, "do you want to w—oof!"
Kirin pushed him roughly into the door—not hard enough to actually hurt him, but enough to catch him off guard.
"Shh," she bit her lip flirtatiously, pressing her body against his.
He stared back at her, wide-eyed, his breath catching in his throat. He was suddenly glad they'd stopped by her house so she could change—her low-cut, lacy black tank top gave him a very nice view, the black cross charm on her choker falling right between her breasts.
"What's wrong?" she whispered in his ear, discreetly reaching behind him and locking the door .
"Nothing," he whispered back, his voice slightly husky.
"Mm. You're heart is racing, Umehito," she lightly bit his earlobe. "Are you excited?"
"Very—mm…." he grunted as she bit into his neck. "Kirin…."
"Yes?" she murmured against his flesh, sucking lightly.
"Mm…." he moaned softly.
She smirked. She bit down sharply, making him gasp.
She'd actually drawn a few drops of blood.
"Sorry, babe," she licked the wound, making him moan again.
He slid his hands down her sides. His fingers slipped under the hem of her short black skirt, lightly brushing against the flesh of her thighs. She moaned softly, and he slid his hands up higher, up to her butt. He was surprised to feel warm, smooth skin rather than cloth-pleased, but surprised. He squeezed slightly, eliciting another moan.
He lifted her up suddenly, and she wrapped her legs around his waist, kissing him passionately. He made his way over to the bed and lay her down, never breaking the kiss.
When Kuretake knocked on the door, she didn't receive an answer. She knew better than to enter a room with a closed door and a young couple inside- although she was fairly certain these two were at least smart enough to lock the door.
Umehito had never seen his girlfriend be so... seductive. She'd been more sultry than usual at school this morning, but nothing compared to the hours they spent in the bedroom that evening.
He'd never seen her in a thong before, either.
He kinda liked it.