Written by Miyu, Vampire Princess

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Ah, another spin-off! This story focuses on Ayame Sohma and his assistant, Mine. AU to the furuba universe, this story takes place roughly three months after the end of "The Difference Between Love and Hate." Warnings for a semi-serious (and sometimes totally serious) Ayame and perhaps a slightly OOC Mine. There is LEMON flavoring in this particular part. Told from Mine's POV. ^^

Part Two - LOVE PATTERNS

Ah, a hot tub! With bubbles! Oh how delightful.

The hot tub bubbles feel good on my aching muscles. After a long day of work, it's nice to relax a little before heading home. I lean back into the tub, allowing the air jets to ease my tired and worn out muscles, barely aware that someone else has joined me.

Well it is a public bath. Thankfully I remembered my swimsuit this time.

I feel his eyes before I feel his hands. Yes, I know it's a man. No one else would touch me quite like him. The same touch that drives me wild with wanton anticipation. He makes his presence known by caressing my cheek with the back of one hand. I open my eyes slowly, watching as he sinks into the water in front of me, watching him watching me with the same intensity I'm watching him.

Golden eyes bore into mine. I can see them shimmer in the candlelight. There's passion there, pent-up and ready to burst. I know my own eyes show my own concealed passions and without hesitation his lips sweep downward and claim mine in a soul-bending kiss.

Our hands just won't stop moving, exploring each other as fully as possibly in the state we're in. In the process of feeling his smooth skin an lean muscles under my fingertips, our clothes are carefully taken off and discarded. Well at least mine are. I realize with surprise that he's not wearing a swimsuit.

Or anything else for that matter!

His hands pull my hips towards his so I sit in his lap before they reach upward to mold my breasts. His touch is so light, so gentle, that I suddenly become sensitized to the water around me. He lifts me slightly so that my breasts are no longer underwater. The air jets continue to blow bubbles on my back, the once warm and relaxing water now scorching my sensitive skin.

We part gasping for air, but it's not long before I'm gasping again, this time in wanton agony. His lips kiss the top of my breasts, his tongue tracing a line between them. His hands continue to fondle me as his tongue and lips explore further. Finally his lips close around one of my hardened nipples and I cry out.

While his lips torment my breasts further, one of his hands caresses down my side to my hip. He pulls me another inch closer, almost joining us groin to groin before his fingers do a loving dance over my curls and into my center.

My hands roam through his long, white hair clasping him closer. He smiles around my nipples, releasing it to play with the opposite one. Meanwhile he snakes two fingers into my core. I cry out again as he captures my lips in another mind blowing kiss. A third finger is inserted into my center, his thumb rubbing against my clit, and I gasp into his mouth. He only smiles.

Pulling my hips that last inch, I can feel his engorged member against my lower stomach. He has to be at least 8 or 9 inches long. The skin feels like silk against mine, a wondrous contrast to its hardness. I push my hips into his, wanting to feel more of him. I earn a groan for my efforts.

With my arms wrapped around his shoulders, I allow him to lift me in the water, positioning himself at my entrance. I can feel the head of his stunning manhood pushing against my nether lips. I close my eyes savoring the sensation as I'm slowly lowered upon him. His name escapes from my lips in a hoarse whisper.

"Oh, Ayame!"

I wake with a start. Beads of sweat line my brow and the only way for me to breath is by gasping. My slowly begins to relax, muscles unclenching and a slight roar of anger from my gut as I am left once again unfulfilled.

The house is quiet, almost frighteningly so. Darkness lingers in the room, shadows running towards the walls in search of cover from the morning light. It was all a dream. Only a dream.

Kami what WAS I thinking?!

That was one of the most strange...not to mention erotic...dreams I've ever had.

Well, all right, perhaps not the MOST strange and erotic. I've had a couple of doozies over the years, but this one certainly ranks up there.

And about taichou of all people!

I have to admit, it's not the first time.

Oh no. I've thought about Ayame Sohma quite a bit since I started working for him. He's every bit as unique and lovely as his creations. He's got a very personable attitude, a wonderful outlook on life, a body that would put most models to shame and the most gorgeous long, white hair and golden eyes I've ever seen. Given the chance I could fall into those eyes and get lost forever....

But it's inappropriate of me to think of him in such a corporeal manner. I'm his assistant, not his fangirl. I've outgrown that...I think.

Perhaps I've lived alone for too long. My family would love to see me get married, but I enjoy being independent. I enjoy being on my own, doing the things I like to do and, well, just simply being me without inhibitions or worries.

But I will admit that it's pretty lonely without someone to love.

Could I really ask taichou to do that? Could he possibly find it in his already gushing heart to love me as much as I've come to love him?

AH! Where did that last bit come from?!

As I throw my legs over the side of the bed, my arms stretch up into the air. Groaning in argument to my body's movements, I blink sleepily at the wall. I hear a chime in the hallway. One of my mother's antique clocks. That reminds me! I wonder how much longer I have until my alarm goes off.

One glance at the clock on my left tells me that it's 8:18AM. Good then I still have....

Wait a minute. 8:18AM? Did I see that correctly? A second glance confirms it.

Oh no! I'm going to be late for work!

I become a hurried blur as I rush about the house to prepare for the day. As my breakfast is toasting I hurry into the bathroom and shower. I wish I could afford a bathtub, a bubble bath actually sounds lovely this morning, but this house wasn't built with a tub in mind. Instead I settle for a freezing cold shower. It helps to sooth out my imagination, although the kinks in my muscles still remain. I turn the water over to hot for a moment, allowing my tired muscles to relax. I can feel myself loosen, my eyes drifting closed. My mind wonders back to the dream I had and I can feel ghost fingers all over me. I shiver at the sensations.

Then my eyes snap open and I turn the water off completely. I simply don't know what's come over me! I'm late as it is. *sigh*

Toweling dry I check on breakfast. The toast is finished good. Grabbing some better and jelly from the refrigerator I set them on the counter next to the toaster. It's by far an untraditional breakfast, but I'm running late, and I have desire to make a mess cooking just for myself.

I dress and blow my hair dry. I debate on whether to wear it in braids or simply leave it down. A quick glance at the clock in the hallway tells me I don't have the time to fuss. Finishing up my personal hygiene needs, I move out of the bathroom and back into the kitchen.

Slipping my toast into a bag, along with the butter and jelly, I gather my essentials for lunch. Thankfully I packed it in advance. All I have to do is figure out where I put that last bottle of Coke....

The clock in the hallway chimes 9:00AM.

Finally, just before I walk out the door, I pick up the phone. After staring at it and listening to the dial tone for a good five minutes I finally dial Ayame's shop. The phone rings a few times before a highly boisterous voice answers.

"OHAYO! Moshi, moshi?"

I can feel myself blush all the way to my toes. Trying to remain calm I answer, "Ah, taichou! I didn't wake you, did I?"

"Ohayo, Mine. No, no, you didn't wake me." There's a small pause before he continues. "It's too fine of a morning to sleep in. I'm just getting ready to start on some work."

I'm not sure if he's telling the truth or not. He's pretty good at covering up his feelings behind his outgoing personality. That, and he never gets much work done in the morning. I open my mouth to ask again, but he beats me to it.

"Ano...is everything all right, Mine?"

Oh that tone of voice. So full of concern. Is that for me?

"H-hai," I stutter. My voice is strained with an effort to keep my rapid heartbeat under control. I've never been so flustered around him. Not even the first time we met! "Hai, taichou. Everything's f-fine. It's just that...umm...well...." I had a very naughty dream about the two of us in a hot tub so I overslept! Like I'd admit that, even if he would believe it.

"Out with it!" His voice is a command, but still shining with his natural bubbliness. Then his voice drops a note -- to just that right pitch from my dream -- and he adds, "You know you can tell me anything."

Kami, what should I tell him? I can't possibly admit to my naughty eroticism. Sighing to myself, the only thing I can do is tell him the truth.

"I'm going to be late," I tell him, bowing my head in shame.

"Is that all?"

I blink, my head lifting. Was that all? NO! But I couldn't possibly tell him.... Wait a second, was that disappointment I heard in his voice? Why would he be disappointed? Was he expecting some great secret to be revealed?

"H-hai. I didn't...ah...hear my alarm this morning and woke up late. I'll be in as soon as I can, taichou." My apology is meant for what I'm NOT telling him rather than for the small lie I just did. "Gomen nasai."

"There's no need to apologize. I'll just have to work you extra hard when you get here."

I blink again, hearing the smile on his face. A part of me grows warm with thoughts of him "working me extra hard." I even feel myself grow wet at the possibilities. But I quickly stop myself, blushing again and mentally berating myself for acting like such a lush.

Why is it that he can do this to me?!

And why hasn't he don it before?!

Maybe he has, and I just never noticed. GAH! The humanity....

"Hai!" I respond with a smile of my own. "I'll be there in about an hour."

"Make sure to bring your key," I tell her. "I'm keeping the door locked this morning to get a few larger projects done. We'll open the shop after lunch."

My smile grows. The shops closed until lunch, ne? Maybe...oh good grief get a hold of yourself, Mine!

"Hai. I'll be in shortly."

There's a curt but amiable, "Ja ne," just before I hear a dial tone.

Sighing, I sit the phone on the kitchen table. Gathering my things, I make sure I have the key to the shop before heading for the door. I give my place one last glance before heading into the outside world. I close my eyes as a light breeze blows past. It's a beautiful morning indeed.

The bus is behind by about ten minutes. I may be later than I thought. Taking a bite of toast as the bus passes the fourth empty stop on its route, I try to clear my mind of Ayame Sohma. Not that it will do me much good when I get to work. Still, this is a man I respect as a person. The last thing I want to do is throw him down on his work table and thoroughly blow his mind.

Kami, that's not helping.

The bus stops, calling for President Street. I exit the vehicle with a frown. Pausing on the street corner, I try once again to purge my perverted thoughts. After grossing myself out with a few mental images and laughing at my own incompetence as I nearly trip on a piece of raised sidewalk, I make my way to Ayame's shop.

This is going to be a long day....

~TO BE CONTINUED~