. .

. . . . .

Takaba sat in the back of the limo with Asami. Asami had cracked the window and was smoking a cigarette. He was staring out of the window, deep in thought. He had an agitated expression on his face.

Takaba's thoughts were in turmoil. He was still shaken by Oshima's threats, but even more so by the look on Asami's face.

"Asami... don't do anything to Oshima."

Asami didn't answer. He kept staring out the window.

"Please..."

"Why do you care so much about what happens to such a detestable man?" he said, finally breaking his silence.

"Just promise me you won't... do anything to him."

Asami drew deeply from his cigarette and exhaled. The cloud of smoke was sucked out the window.

Takaba began to nervously pick at his fingernails on one hand. Hearing the sound, Asami covered Takaba's hand with his own and turned to look at him.

"Don't do that," he frowned.

Takaba shook his head. "I couldn't live with it... if something bad was to happen because of me..."

Asami's stared at him for a moment and then his expression relaxed. He squeezed Takaba's hand and turned to look back out the window. "Don't worry about it."

Takaba waited for Asami to remove his hand, but it stayed on top of his.

He's holding my hand! This is so weird.

Takaba blushed and turned to look out his window. He realized the scenery looked different than he expected. "This isn't the way back... where are we going?"

"We're going to a hotel," Asami answered.

"Why?"

"I made a donation to the museum in exchange for the invitation. The level at which I donated gave me the privilege to choose who would be sitting at our table. The hotel room was included as part of the package."

"Is that how I ended up sitting next to William McLaurin?" Takaba asked, surprised. "How did you even know who he was!?"

Asami smiled slightly, "I'm glad you were pleased by it."

"Thank you... for tonight. I don't know how I can ever make it up to you."

Asami turned back to look at Takaba. He released Takaba's hand and then reached over to Takaba's groin and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I'm sure you'll think of something."

Surprised by Asami's sudden groping, Takaba grabbed Asami's hand and tried to move it off of him without success. "Is EVERYTHING you do motivated by sex?!" he grumbled indignantly.

Asami smirked. "Only when it concerns you."

. . . . .

The hotel suite was huge. It was about 3 times the size of Takaba's former apartment. Takaba looked around and saw a duffel bag placed next to a suitcase. "Hey, that's mine!" He went over to the duffel bag and unzipped it. Inside were some of his everyday clothing, neatly packed.

Did Kirishima do this?

In the middle of the room was a small table. Placed on the table was a large bowl of fresh fruit, and a chrome bucket partially filled with ice with a bottle sticking out of it. Asami slipped off his tux jacket and draped it over the sofa. He walked over to the table, lifted the bottle out and looked at the label. "Hmm... not bad."

The sitting area and the bedroom were separate. Takaba walked into the bedroom and saw a large pit next to some floor-to-ceiling windows. He walked up to the pit and saw it contained a very fancy tub. There were a couple of plush white towels set beside it.

A bathtub in the bedroom?

Asami walked up beside Takaba and looked at it. "It's a jacuzzi."

"I know that," Takaba rolled his eyes. "Why is it out here instead of in the bathroom?"

"Romantic ambiance. If you dim the lights, you can look at the stars out these windows while you're in it. This looks like a honeymoon suite.

"HONEYMOON?!" Takaba shrieked.

"Just enjoy it for what it is." Asami stepped close to him. He reached up and began to loosen Takaba's tie.

"What are you doing?"

"What do you think I'm doing?" Asami frowned. "I'm undressing you."

Takaba smacked his hand away. "I can do it myself."

"Isn't that boring? Why don't you undress me instead? Or is my clothing too complicated for you to handle?" Asami smirked.

"Watch me!" Takaba unbuttoned Asami's vest and slid it off him. He reached up and untied and removed Asami's tie. "See?"

"Go on..." Asami smiled.

Takaba began to feel a bit self-conscious as he reached around Asami's waist to pull his shirt tails out. He unbuttoned Asami's shirt, marveling at how sexy Asami looked partially undressed with his shirt opened to reveal his bare chest. I can't take his shirt off until I unbutton the sleeves, he had to remind himself.

He looked up at Asami. Asami had a strange, intense look in his eyes. Takaba's breath caught in his throat. He quickly looked away because he felt as if he was about to see something in those eyes that he was not prepared to see.

Asami grabbed Takaba's chin so that Takaba was forced to look up at him. "Why did you leave the room during that song?"

Takaba pushed Asami's hand away. "Too much champagne. I wasn't feeling well so I went to find a bathroom."

Asami smirked at him. "Why do you lie to me when you know I can tell your thoughts just by looking at your face? You were longing for something." Asami's eyes bore into him. "Are you that easily affected by romantic songs? Were you fantasizing about me taking you in my arms and kissing you at that moment?"

Takaba glared back at Asami. "You don't know my thoughts as well as you think! Yes, I was feeling romantic but I was thinking of Anaïs, not you. I was wondering what it would feel like to kiss her at that moment."

Asami chuckled and then took Takaba into his arms, kissing him softly before slipping his tongue into Takaba's mouth. Takaba tried not to react but it was what he had been waiting for all night. Takaba could feel the comforting warmth of Asami's bare chest against him. He moaned softly.

Oh crap! Did that sound just come from me?! Embarrassed at having his bluff called, he pushed away from Asami's embrace.

Asami gave him an amused look. "Did you really think you could make me feel jealous of a young newlywed woman who was yearning for her husband? How cute! Too bad it wasn't the pretty young woman that was attracted to you, but rather that absurd musician."

"You mean Leo, the lead singer of Disquietous?" Takaba reacted, surprised. "Really!?" He smiled slightly, "Wow...!" He couldn't help feeling flattered.

Takaba watched as Asami's eyes flashed angrily. "I don't want to know what kind of useless thoughts are going through your mind right now!" he growled. He yanked Takaba toward him and kissed him passionately, and then he began undressing Takaba in earnest.

Takaba felt a small thrill of victory at Asami's reaction and wanted to try for another. "If I had really wanted you to take me in your arms and kiss me in front of all those people, would you have done it?" he smirked, teasing Asami.

Asami paused for moment, thinking. "Doing something like that..." He furrowed his brow, "It would create a lot of troublesome problems, but... I wonder?"

Asami returned his gaze to Takaba and smiled, "Maybe I should publicly claim you as my property, then there would be no question in anyone's mind who you belong to. Would you like that?"

Takaba angrily pushed him away. "HELL NO! I am not your property, you bastard!" Takaba stomped off toward the bathroom. "I'm gonna go take a shower!" he yelled angrily.

Once in the shower, Takaba realized that despite the rude property remark, Asami never offered to do something that he wasn't prepared to follow through on. What if I had said yes? Are you really fine with making this relationship known?

Takaba thought about his parents, grandmother, friends, and co-workers. No... I don't want them to know. I'm not ready for that. I don't know if I'll EVER be ready!

The thought made him feel like a coward. And a little sad.

. . . . .

When Takaba exited the shower, he saw Asami wearing a bathrobe and standing next to the jacuzzi which was now filled with churning water. The champagne bucket had been moved close to it, along with two glasses. The lights had been dimmed.

"The shower is free," he told Asami. Asami headed toward the bathroom.

Takaba looked at the champagne bottle. It had already been opened. I'm not having any more of that stuff!

Hearing the shower start up, Takaba looked toward the bathroom. Asami hadn't closed the door all the way so Takaba walked over to close the door for him. He caught a glimpse of Asami's reflection in the mirror through the small opening. Because the lights in the room were dimmed, Takaba knew that Asami wouldn't be able to see his reflection back in the darkened room. Takaba watched as Asami took off his robe and then entered the shower.

The water cascaded down Asami's toned body. He reached toward a soap dispenser and then began rubbing his body down with a handful of foam. He washed his groin area last. His scrubbing movements slowed down considerably, and then he closed his eyes as he applied the soap to his most intimate parts.

Takaba's face flushed. He's been washing that place for long time. Is that... getting longer? It is! Holy shit!

Takaba felt a strong sexual heat surge through his own groin area. He reached down and began touching himself, the towel that had been tucked around his waist fell to the floor.

Asami took a deep breath and then stopped. He reached for more soap and applied it to his hair, scrubbing the gel out.

Highly aroused by now, Takaba tried to mentally wish Asami's hands back to the area between his legs. No... wash yourself there again.

Asami put his head under the water to rinse his hair. After all the soap was rinsed away, he leaned forward so the water was spraying against his neck and back. He opened his eyes, and then Takaba saw a worried and unsure look cross Asami's face. Somehow, seeing this unguarded expression of Asami's made Takaba aware that he was definitely violating a private moment.

Takaba stepped away from the door. What the hell was I doing? Am I some kind of pervert!?

Looking down and seeing his full erection answered that for him. He grabbed the towel that had fallen on the floor and walked over to the champagne. He quickly poured himself a glass and started gulping it down, but then stopped.

Whoa... this IS good! He drank it slower to enjoy the taste. He finished the glass and looked down again. His erection twitched back at him.

Damn it! Go down already! He didn't want Asami coming out and seeing him like this.

He poured himself another glass and then slipped into the jacuzzi. Each of the jets seemed to be of different strengths. He found the strongest one and sat with his back against it. He closed his eyes and felt his body relax.

This is pleasant... He heard a splashing sound. He opened his eyes and saw Asami had slipped into the tub across from him.

Crap, I'm still hard! He noticed the bubbles caused by the churning water covered up everything. As long as Asami stayed where he was, he would never know.

Asami stayed still, looking at Takaba. Takaba felt a momentary stab of annoyance. Why is he just sitting there?

Oh... I'm definitely drunk... Takaba leaned forward to kiss Asami. Asami still didn't move, so Takaba had to lift his butt off the seat so he could bend over to reach Asami. Asami finally reached up and pulled Takaba closer to him so that their lips could meet.

Takaba was really enjoying the kiss, but now the jacuzzi jet was blasting toward his rear end. One of Asami's hands also slid back there.

Takaba squirmed. "Wait Asami... the water is..."

Asami's other hand grasped his erection. "You're already hard! Does the water feel that good? Maybe you'd like it more if you could feel it directly." He reached around with both hands and spread Takaba's cheeks apart.

Takaba tried to squirm out of the way of the jet, but Asami repositioned him so the water was pulsating against the area from his testicles all the way to his small hole. "No, don't... this feels weird..."

He immediately began moaning. The water was very stimulating but gentle enough that being able to come from the sensation felt just out of reach. To be held at that level of arousal was frustrating for him. Takaba began breathing hard and his vision started to darken. He closed his eyes and laid his head on Asami's shoulder.

Suddenly, he felt himself being lifted out of the water and placed on the floor next to the tub.

"Akihito?" Asami called out his name worriedly.

He heard the sound of ice being shuffled around in the champagne bucket, and then he felt something cool and wet trail across his forehead.

"That feels nice..." Takaba muttered. He felt cool lips upon his, and then an ice cube slipped into his mouth. Takaba played with both the ice cube and the tongue that had delivered it. It quickly melted and then the tongue retreated.

Takaba smiled with his eyes still closed. "More..."

Again, he heard the shuffling of ice. He opened his mouth in anticipation.

He suddenly felt a very wet and chilling sensation, as a handful of ice was poured directly onto his stomach. His eyes flew open as his stomach muscles contracted in shock. "SHIT!" Asami's body was positioned directly over his. "What the hell, you jerk!? Don't you know you can cause someone to become sick by doing something like that!?"

"That's a myth," Asami grinned.

"Oh? Is it now...?" Takaba reached up and grabbed Asami around the waist and then yanked him down so that Asami fell on top of him. He felt Asami's body jolt as it came in contact with the ice. Takaba grinned mischievously. Asami chuckled, and then resumed kissing Takaba.

Takaba felt his legs being spread apart and then a cool, slick finger entered him. Takaba arched his back and gasped.

"Your body temperature is still too high," Asami whispered.

"I think... something more would help."

Asami smiled, "If that is what you would like."

Takaba felt something much thicker push into him. Their wet bodies grinding together created a sweet friction against Takaba's erection. The sensation was almost unbearable.

It wasn't before long he was crying out, "AH! ASAMI!" His secretions jetted out, shooting across his stomach. He held on tight to Asami until he heard Asami's urgent moans just before he collapsed on top of Takaba.

As they both cooled down, Takaba clumsily groped around until his hand came in contact with a large towel. He pulled it over Asami mumbling, "You're gonna... catch a cold..."

Asami lifted his head up and looked at Takaba, puzzled. Takaba's eyes were closed and then a snore broke from his mouth. Asami smiled and rolled off of him. He took the towel and thoroughly dried Takaba off, and then lifted Takaba up and carried him to the bed, covering him with a blanket.

He sat on the edge of the bed watching Takaba sleep and listening to his soft snores. The snores stopped and Takaba began twitching and moaning in his sleep. Asami frowned and then gently nudged Takaba.

Takaba's eyes fluttered. "Please... don't tell them..."

Asami stroked Takaba's hair, calming him down and soon the snoring resumed. The worried and unsure expression Takaba had seen earlier returned to Asami's face. Takaba subtly twitched again. "No...!"

Asami's expression changed into a hardened look as he finally made his decision.

. . . . .

He felt alone. Takaba groggily reached out to assure himself by touching Asami but he couldn't seem to reach him.

This bed is too big.

He tried scooting over but still couldn't find him. He opened his eyes and sat up. Asami was not beside him.

He looked toward the bathroom. There was no light coming from it. He wasn't there either.

Takaba got up and stumbled through the darkened room, feeling his way until he reached the sitting area. He stood there for a minute trying to let his eyes adjust.

He heard a soft click and then the door to the room opened. Bright light spilled in from the hallway, as someone dressed in dark clothing entered the room.

Takaba froze. Someone is breaking into our room! The door closed and he heard a low chuckle come from the intruder.

The dark figure started to make its way toward the bedroom but then stopped suddenly. It turned toward him. "You're up," it said softly in Asami's bass tones.

Takaba let out his breath. "Where were you?"

"This is a nonsmoking room. I went out for a smoke."

Takaba could indeed smell a heavy scent of cigarettes coming from Asami.

'A smoke'? You smell like you burned through the entire pack!

Takaba approached Asami and embraced him. Asami's arms went around him in response. Underneath the smell of cigarettes, his nose picked up a musky scent. Ahh... now THIS is the smell that I like! Takaba reached up to touch Asami's face. It felt damp.

"You're sweaty," Takaba told him.

"Am I? Well, it's warm outside. Go back to bed... I'll rinse off and join you in a moment."

Takaba stumbled back to the bed. Just before he fell asleep, he looked out toward the sliding glass doors that led to a balcony.

What an idiot. He could have just stepped out there for a smoke.

. . . . .

The next morning, Asami and Takaba were getting dressed to go have breakfast at the hotel restaurant before checking out. Takaba was suffering from a hangover.

Asami, on the other hand, seemed to be in exceptionally good spirits. He was even whistling.

It's the tune of that damned love song Leo performed last night!

It made Takaba's headache worse. Takaba had a sudden fantasy of finding Asami's gun and threatening to shoot him with it if he didn't quit it. The only thing that kept him from lashing out was his anxiety over Oshima outing him.

I can't do anything about work. Either they'll fire me, or they won't. My friends... Koh and Takato... we've always stuck to each other's side whenever there was trouble. They might be disappointed with me, but in the end I don't think they'll abandon me. I'm not too sure about my other friends though. My parents... if they're going to hear about it, it's probably better if they hear it from me first. I'll call them after work...

This is going to be really bad! Ugh... I feel sick. I don't think I can eat breakfast. I'll just tell Asami to go without me.

Takaba turned on the TV to get his mind off his rolling stomach.

"... was a very successful night for the Mai Museum which will be open today to the general public beginning at 9:00 am. In other news, the owner and CEO of Senbou Enterprises was found dead this morning..."

Asami walked up to the TV and stood there watching, as he buttoned the cuffs on his sleeves.

"... Oshima Heitaro's body was found in a drainage canal behind an apartment complex. Oshima was a guest at yesterday evening's grand opening of the Mai Museum. Witnesses reported that he appeared to be drunk when he left the gala. It's believed he fell in the canal, which was flooded from the recent heavy rainfall, and drowned..."

Asami chuckled and turned to walk back to the bedroom.

Takaba turned the TV off and caught Asami's arm before he could enter. "Did you have something to do with this?"

Asami stopped to look at him, "Did I have something to do with what?"

"You know what I'm talking about!"

"You mean Oshima's rather convenient demise?" Asami walked into the bedroom, laughing heartily.

"This is no laughing matter! I DO NOT want to be responsible for someone's... demise."

Asami stood in front of a mirror and tied his tie. "You're not responsible. The only one truly responsible is Oshima himself. You have no worries." He turned to face Takaba. "Are you ready to go to breakfast?"

"I AM responsible if you had anything to do with it! Oshima was not drunk last night!"

Asami sighed impatiently. "Would it make you feel better if I told you I had nothing to do with his death? You should feel disappointed by that."

"I... I'm not sure if I believe you."

Asami smiled at him, then pulled on his suit coat and headed toward the door. "Call room service and order something for yourself before you leave."

"Oshima wasn't drunk..."

Asami turned around and smirked. "You're right, he wasn't. He was stone cold sober."

. . . . .

. .