Page 13 of Drawn into Oblivion

“Granting a kiss is difficult for you. I can only offer something equally as difficult.”

Ah, yes. Though her aloofness with men was no secret, Rosuke had been present the night Majo had revealed Mai’s fear of them. “Very well,” she said with a nod. She walked to the opposite marking on the floor and drew her weapon.

“Oka, if you would,” Rosuke prompted. “And make sure you keep accurate time.”

Eyes bright with anticipation, Oka nodded and raised his arm. “Ready.”

Mai tested her grip on her sword. She tried to stay loose, but her shoulders were tense as she bent her knees.

“Steady.”

A familiar focus hardened Rosuke’s face. His gaze swept her—looking for openings, no doubt—and produced in her an inexplicable frisson of excitement.

“Go!”

He leapt forward and slashed upward in an attempt to pull her sword out of her grip. The intensity of his first swing made her eyebrows jump, and she twisted her wrists just in time to avoid losing her weapon.

Hastily backing up, Mai silently chastised herself for her lazy, stumbling footwork.

“Two…three…” Oka counted, neither too loud nor distracting.

She didn’t have time to steady herself before Rosuke slashed at her again, using an adjusted angle meant to rip her sword away. She tightened her grip and blocked him, nearly dropping her blade, but she got out of his reach long enough to get a better hold on her sword and take a solid stance.

“Six…seven…”

He slammed his sword against hers, forcing her back. She fought to keep her balance and get some space, but he was right on her. Gritting her teeth with the effort, she glanced at his face over the blades of their crossed swords.

“Nine…ten…”

She was going to lose. She saw it in his expression. His focus was unwavering, his gaze piercing. And he wasn’t just aiming to avoid answering her question. He was holding nothing back, singularly determined to take her sword from her hands as quickly as possible. He wanted more than a kiss on her hand, more than one on her cheek. Why in the world did that give her such a thrill?

“Eleven…”

He broke away from her, rearing back only to gain enough room for another disarming slash. Unable to maneuver out of reach even with that single second of relief, she stood her ground and met his sword once more.

She gasped as her hilt was ripped out of her hands. Before her sword could even land, Rosuke stepped back and held the tip of his blade to her throat.

“Thirteen,” Oka breathed, full of awe.

Heart pounding, Mai could hardly believe it was over already. Even as thunder rumbled outside, she couldn’t look away from Rosuke. Raindrops pattered on the roof, growing louder. A blissfully cool breeze wafted in from the open doors leading out to the courtyard. The intense focus on his face softened into something else.

He tossed his sword aside and it loudly clattered to the floor. She could only gasp as he swept her into his embrace, only cling to his arms as his mouth met hers, and only shut her eyes as she thought how unexpectedly soft his lips were. The only soft part of him. He tasted of oranges, and she grasped his shoulders because of how wonderfully shocking that was. His muscles beneath her fingers bunched as he held her closer, and she stroked her hands across his upper back, confirming for herself that he was all lean, sinewy muscle, his body a tight coil of power.

Rosuke hadn’t given Mai even a moment to collect herself. But he couldn’t have waited any longer, not a single second. Her luscious lips had been slightly ajar when he’d covered them with his mouth, and in his head echoed the small cry she’d made as he—by the dueling gods, had he become her first kiss?

He figured she knew the gist of sexual intimacy, but she likely had next to no personal experience. How desperately he wanted to teach her just how much pleasure two people could give one another.

Oh, but her arms around his neck and the soft weight of her breasts against his chest were fogging his mind. He had to stay in the moment. He couldn’t lose himself no matter how badly he wanted to slide his tongue between her lips. He had to show her care and restraint, sweetness and intimacy. Most of all, he had to make her want more.

Mai undulated in his embrace, pressing closer even though they touched from chest to knee. She craved something. More of his mouth, more of his skin, more of the shivery feeling swirling in her head and in her… Oh, Divine One have mercy. She was aroused. He had turned her soft and light-headed in no time at all. Did he feel the same? Or was he disappointed with someone as inexperienced as she was?

The kiss slowed and his arms relaxed. He had taken only what she had offered, and she was astonished by how much she wanted time to stand still. He still loosely held her as he pulled his lips away, and she opened her eyes slowly, apprehensive of what she’d see on his face. Perhaps he hadn’t liked the kiss and didn’t want more.

But what she saw put her heart in her throat. He looked drugged, eyelids heavy. His lips were as flushed and wet as hers felt, his cheeks as red as hers had been all morning. The deep blue of his eyes had darkened, though perhaps it was a trick of the light. She couldn’t believe she had kissed such a beautiful man.

“Wow,” Oka said from behind them. “I can’t wait to kiss the person I like.”

Chapter Six