“Yes.”
He opened his eyes. “Do you know what I want to do to you?”
She trembled. “No. You should, um, tell me.”
“No. Let me show you.” His hand went around to the back of her collar and unhooked the button there that kept her bodice up, then drew the zipper down. Her breasts lifted with her quickened breathing, especially when he lowered the bodice and discovered the contraption that had kept her boobs lifted and separated. “This is handy,” he murmured, and lifted her breasts out of each cup, one at a time, until they were raised for his mouth.
He pushed the dress down, then came to his knees in front of her. “Let me play with these for a while,” he murmured, and then she stopped being able to think, because his mouth was on her flesh.
He spent long, slow moments sampling her. When she was whimpering and shifting restlessly on her feet, he finally directed her to lie on the bed, stripping her panties and the dress off as he moved lower. His mouth on her pussy made her clutch and grab at the sheets, her body tightening and releasing in waves of pleasure.
He raised his head when she came, and stood, stripping his tux off. He climbed on top of her and claimed her, his body driving into hers again and again.
When it was over, he pressed his face against her neck and licked her. She waited for him to rush off of her and away, but instead he pulled out and arranged her so she lay on top of him. “I decided what tattoo I want,” she whispered. “I want you to design it for me.”
“Yeah?”
“A turtle.”
“Why?”
She stacked her hands and peered down at him. “I know it’s not the most elegant creature, but sometimes I think of myself as a turtle. Sticking my neck out. Hiding in my shell.”
He ran his fingers up her spine. “You don’t think of yourself as a butterfly? Free from your cocoon?”
“No. Once a butterfly is out of its cocoon, it doesn’t go back in. I’ll probably use my shell. It’s a part of me. Not a bad part.”
“Like a mask.”
She smiled, happy he understood. “Yes.”
“I can design you the prettiest, tiniest turtle you’ve ever seen.”
“Good.” She moved to rest her head against him again, but he hauled her up so they were nose to nose.
“Eve?”
“Yes?”
“No more secrets. You really like me?”
Her smile grew. “Yes.”
“I like you too. I like your masks, and what’s under them. I like your smile when you just turn up the corners of your lips.” He kissed each corner of her mouth, then right in the center. “And I like when you grin with your teeth and eyes. So I need to ask you something. I already asked Anne.”
She inhaled. Oh no. This couldn’t be happening. It was romantic and perfect and the way he was looking at her, like she’d hung the moon for him.
And maybe she could do just that. Maybe she could do anything and everything. Maybe she could have everything she’d ever wanted.
Maybe she didn’t have to be so afraid, because sometimes, every once in a while, when the stars aligned... things worked out as they should.
He brushed her hair away from her face. His smile was perfect and beautiful. “Anne, Eve... will you go out with me?”
Epilogue
One year later
Tani Oka-Kane was happy.
