73. Into the Fire

424 Words

Satsuki didn't really have a destination in mind as she stumbled along the corridor. She had just needed to escape the room, Kouji's and Himeko's forward suggestions were still making her ears burn.

In the end, Satsuki found herself in the lounge at the first floor of the hotel. She plopped down on a comfortable looking couch and scanned the room blearily. It was empty, but then again, it was after midnight. On her right, she noticed a row of vending machines. Curious, she got up to inspect them.

The third one was for beer, and Satsuki smiled in delight. Just what she needed to drown Kouji's and Himeko's outrageous ideas! Digging to the pocket of her shorts she found her purse and popped the money in. Grabbing the beer can, she sank back onto the couch with a blissful sigh.

She was working her way through can number three when her peace was disturbed.

"Yukino-san? What are you doing here in the middle of the night?"

"Oh no, not you," Satsuki groaned.

"You shouldn't be out here this late," Ken chastised the actress.

"Sod off," Satsuki told him and went back to her beer.

"Really, Yukino-san. let me escort you back to your room."

"No! I don't wanna go to my room! Himeko and Kouji are being mean."

Ken looked at the obviously inebriated woman and shook his head.

"Come on, it's late and we have work tomorrow."

Satsuki sighed but allowed him to help her onto her feet.

"You're annoying," she told him as they walked towards the elevator. "You think you're something shooo great, doncha?"

Ken listened to the actress' slurring ramble indulgently as they waited for the elevator to come down.

"So bloody charmin' that everyone'll just have to fall in love with you," she continued as he helped her into the elevator.

When the automatic doors closed behind them, Satsuki suddenly turned to face him.

"You absholutely inferrr… infuriate me!" she declared, emphasizing her words by prodding his chest. She scowled as she blinked owlishly up at him.

"It's all jus' a game to you! You back me into a corner," prod, "eat me up with those stupid eyes o' yours," prod, prod, "and attack!"

Kens lips twitched in amusement as he took in the sight the intoxicated woman made.

"But you know what, mistrrr?" Prod, prod. "I'm not havin' it 'nymore!"

And then in a single swift move, a sharp tug at the front of Ken's shirt, the predator became the prey, and Satsuki's lips crashed onto his.