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Velvet Kisses Ch. 01

By: virgofemme



*For those who aren't aware, this is the sequel to Velvet Roses. So if you haven't read it yet, I recommend that you do before beginning this story. 

And for those of you who have read Velvet Roses, I'd like to thank you for your continued interest. Hopefully you'll find this sequel as entertaining as its predecessor. :)*





The stately French Chateau at the corner of El Camino Del Mar and Sea Cliff Avenue stood majestically on impeccably landscaped grounds, exuding a palpable aura of elegance and European grandeur. 

With spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Pacific Ocean, and China Beach, the mansion was situated in one of San Francisco's most prestigious neighborhoods.

Overflowing with anticipation, the newly engaged twosome held hands as they climbed the steps to the beautiful residence. Flanked by limestone columns, the mahogany double doors seemed to indicate that the interior was just as impressive as the façade, but the opulence on display went barely noticed by the couple who were approaching the entryway.

The air surrounding them was charged with their excitement, and as they came to a stop in front of the entrance, they both turned their heads to look at one another. 

"Any last words before we do this?" Dane asked with a smile.

"We're not being put to death." Jeneda ran her fingers through her shoulder length hair, which had been freshly pressed out from its naturally curly texture. "We're just announcing our engagement."

"I know. But once we tell my parents that you're my soon to be wife, It'll really be official."

"Yeah..." Her voice trailed off, and as she looked into his nearly black eyes, she found herself lost in the beauty of them. "Soon to be wife, I like the sound of that."

"So do I." Dane leaned in to plant a gentle kiss on her full lips, then pulled away to gaze at her heart shaped face. "But Mrs. Takahashi sounds even better."

"I agree." Jeneda said it breathlessly, and with a look of pure adoration, allowed herself a moment to admire his features.

With his razor-sharp cheekbones, hooded eyes, and pale skin, Dane was undeniably gorgeous, and had a magnetic personality that only added to the sex appeal that oozed from his every pore. 

His just above shoulder length hair was jet black with an incredible shine, and slightly tousled with a hint of waves. Jeneda noticed it was a bit unruly from their drive along the coastal highway, but that only made her want to run her fingers through it even more. 

Her eyes drifted downward to check out his tall, lanky figure, and as they came to rest on the crotch of his black jeans, she lifted an eyebrow.

"You remember what happened the last time you did that," Dane said as he saw where she was looking.

Her lips pulled into a smirk, and her body heated up at the memory of their roadside encounter. She and Dane had shared plenty of erotic moments over the past eight months, but having sex in his car in broad daylight had definitely been one of the most deliciously naughty experiences she'd ever had. 

Only thirty minutes ago, he'd been balls deep inside her, and as she recalled how gratifying their erotic rendezvous had been, her inner muscles twitched. 

Along with being easy on the eyes, Dane was also an incredible lover, and he never failed to surprise her with his adventurous approach to sex. And yet, although she was indeed staring at his crotch, it wasn't out of lustful desire. 

"Unless you're planning on flashing your parents, you might want to check your zipper," she said.

Her words enticed Dane to glance southward, and as he saw that his boxer briefs were in fact partially exposed, he quickly pulled up his fly. 

"Don't know how I missed that." His lips tugged upward, and he lifted his hand to ring the doorbell.

A pleasant chiming noise emitted from within the mansion, and after a few moments passed, there came the sound of approaching footsteps. Expecting to see Dane's mother, Jeneda was surprised to see that the doors opened to reveal his father instead, and as the handsome Japanese man rested his eyes on the couple, he broke into a smile.

"Dane, Jeneda. What a wonderful surprise." Naohito gestured with his arm to welcome them in, and once they'd crossed the threshold, he shut the door behind them. "If I'd known you two were stopping by, I would have called Kitty and told her to come home early."

"Don't tell me she's still taking those golfing lessons," Dane said.

"No, she gave those up weeks ago." Naohito led Dane and Jeneda out of the foyer and into the formal living room before motioning for them to take a seat on a cream colored chaise lounge. 

"I didn't know Kitty was into golf," Jeneda said.

"She's not." Naohito took a seat on a sofa situated directly across from Dane and Jeneda, then crossed his legs horizontally so that his ankle rested against the knee of his khaki pants. "She only did it to spend more time with me." 

"Anything my dad does, my mom wants to try, as well." Dane explained to Jeneda, and with more than a touch of amusement, he said to his father, "So I guess those custom golf clubs you bought for her will be collecting dust in the garage. 

"Twelve hundred dollars right down the drain." He shook his head, then gave a sigh before pulling his shoulders into a light shrug. "Ah, well, what can I do? I never could say no to that woman."

"My dad doesn't like to admit it, but when it comes to my mother, he's a big softie," Dane said to Jeneda.

"The love of a good woman will do that to you." Naohito looked pointedly at Dane before averting his gaze to Jeneda, and gave her a wink.

She smiled, then turned her head to look at Dane, who offered her a loving glance before looking back at his father. "So, where is mom?"

"Playing tennis with Bridget. She should be home in the next half hour."

Dane nodded, then stretched an arm over the back of the chaise lounge. "No rush, we can wait."

A freckled, brown haired maid carrying a tray of iced teas and finger sandwiches entered the living room, and after setting it down on the coffee table, she addressed Dane's father. 

"Will you be needing anything else, Mr. Takahashi?"

"No thank you, Susana. We're all set."

She nodded her head, then turned on her heel and left the room. Both Dane and Jeneda leaned forward to grab a glass of iced tea from off the tray, and after taking a few sips, helped themselves to a watercress finger sandwich.

"It really is a pleasure to see you two," Naohio said, "but I'm guessing you're here for a special reason." He looked from Dane to Jeneda, and then back again. "You've got news, haven't you?"

"Yes, but I'd rather wait until mom gets home, that way you'll both find out at once."

He gave his son a long, hard gaze, as if hoping that his prying eyes would somehow extract the information he was so curious to hear. "Not even a hint?"

"Sorry dad, you're just going to have to wait." 

Naohito retrieved an iced tea from the tray, then took a long, slow sip while looking over the rim of his glass at Jeneda. After quenching his thirst, he placed his beverage on the table, and with an inquisitive expression still on his face, he said, "Not sure if you're okay with drinking alcohol, Jeneda, but the iced tea has a bit of rum in it."

"Oh, I don't mind. I love mint julep."

"Just thought I'd give you a heads up, in case you're sensitive to liquor." He politely smiled, but continued to closely study her, as if searching for clues that would confirm his suspicions.

Jeneda returned his smile with one of her own, then quickly tucked her left hand beneath her thigh so that her engagement ring was hidden. She wasn't certain if he'd noticed it yet, but from the way he was still curiously eyeing her and Dane, she guessed that he hadn't.

And then suddenly, as she sat there nibbling on her mini watercress sandwich, she came to a realization. Dane's father was eyeing her a lot more than he was his own son, and although he had attempted to be sly about it, she'd noticed that he'd taken a few lingering glances at her stomach. 

At the time she'd found it strange, and even a little concerning, but now that she thought it over once again, she found that only one conclusion was to be made. 

He was under the impression that she was pregnant. 

What other reason would he have for warning her that the iced tea had rum in it, and why else would he cast suspicious gazes at her belly? He obviously didn't know what else the announcement could be, so her being knocked up by Dane probably seemed the most likely possibility. Curious to know if he was still watching her, Jeneda lifted her eyes to see that he wasn't, and had chosen instead to focus his attention on his son. 

"So, how are things coming along with your new graphic novel?" Naohito asked.

"Great. I'm nearly finished with it." Dane popped another finger sandwich into his mouth, and after taking a gulp of his iced tea, he said, "If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to have you take a look at it. Just to see if you think it needs any improvement."

"Sure, I'd be honored." Naohito casually sipped his beverage, then started to say something else, but his words were cut off by the sound of someone opening the front door.

All eyes drifted towards the foyer, and after a brief moment passed, a tall, blonde woman with a slim shape strolled into the living room. Her outfit, which consisted of a pink racer back tank, white tennis skirt, and Adidas tennis shoes, was the perfect combination of style and practicality, and her makeup was minimal, yet skillfully applied to highlight all of her best features.

Her brows rose at the sight of the couple seated on the chaise lounge, and in a tone that conveyed her surprise, she said, "Well hello, there. I didn't know you were stopping by for a visit."

"Hello, mother." Dane rose to his feet and gave her a hug.

"Hello, darling. How are you?"

"Couldn't be better, and you?"

"I may have mildly sprained my ankle playing tennis," she said as they parted from the embrace, "But other than that, I'm very well." 

With a look of concern on his face, Dane directed his gaze towards her feet. "Did you sprain the right ankle, or the left one?"

"The right, but It's nothing to fuss over, dear. I'll live." She directed her eyes to Jeneda, and with a nod of acknowledgment, she said, "Hello, Jeneda. It's nice to see you again." Her blue eyes, however, told an entirely different story.

"It's good to see you too, Kitty." A smile tugged at her lips, and although the greeting she'd given would have normally been less than genuine, this time she truly *was* happy to see her.

Kitty took a seat on the couch next to Dane's father, and after giving him a peck on the lips, she crossed her legs and fixed her eyes on Dane. 

"So, to what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?"

"They have an announcement," Naohito said. 

"Really." An inquisitive look crossed her fine features, and with more than a hint of anticipation, she asked, "What kind of an announcement?"

Dane shared a look of excitement with Jeneda, and after taking hold of her hand and slipping his fingers through hers, he began to speak. "Mom, dad, Jeneda and I are engaged."

Brief silence followed, during which Dane's parents exchanged a glance that conveyed utter astonishment. Then, averting his eyes so that they were fixed back on the couple, Naohito suddenly broke into a genuine smile.

"Wow, I wasn't expecting this. Congratulations." He averted his gaze back to his wife, and in a voice that was clearly meant to coax her, he said, "This is fantastic news, Isn't it, honey?"

She gave no indication of having heard him, only stared with wide, shocked eyes at the couple sitting across from her. "You're engaged?" She said it dumbly, as if caught in a daze, and after darting her eyes back and forth a few times between Dane and Jeneda, she focused her attention on her son. "When did this happen?"

"Yesterday evening."

"Where did you propose?" Naohito asked.

"Grace Cathedral. Not inside of the church, but in the gardens out back."

"Good choice," Naohito said. He glanced at Kitty, as if expecting her to speak as well, but all she did was continue to stare at Dane and Jeneda with a wide eyed expression. "Cat got your tongue, Kitty?" He lightly chuckled, then patted her thigh to get her attention. 

"I'm just surprised, is all." She blinked a few times, as if struggling to process what she'd just heard, then briefly lowered her gaze before looking back up at Jeneda and Dane. "Congratulations."

"Thank you," the couple said simultaneously.

"So, show us the ring." Naohito eagerly leaned forward in anticipation. 

Without a moment of hesitation, Jeneda held out her left hand and proudly displayed her ring, which was fashioned from twists of white gold that flowed into a stunning round diamond.

"Very nice." Clearly impressed, Naohito leaned in even closer to check out the virtually flawless gemstone. "Excellent choice, Dane. You really know how to pick out an engagement ring."

"Guess I got lucky," he said. "There were so many different choices at that jewelry store, I really wasn't certain which one to pick."

Kitty adjusted her body so that she could check out the ring as well, and after a few moments of studying it in silence, she finally spoke. "It's beautiful." Then lifting her gaze to Dane's, she said, "Must have cost you quite a bit of money."

"She's more than worth it." Still holding his fiancee's right hand, he tenderly stroked the back of it with his thumb while lovingly gazing into her eyes.

Jeneda looked back at him with equal affection, nearly blushing as her lips curled into a demure smile.

Naohito watched them with a pleased look on his face, but Kitty stared at them with a strained expression, as if she found their display of adoration distasteful. 

"If you'll excuse me for a moment, I'll just change out of these tennis clothes and freshen up." Her lips pulled into a barely visible smile and she rose to her feet, then quickly made her way towards the foyer, which contained stairs that lead up to the second level.

Seemingly embarrassed by his wife's sudden departure, Naohito gave Dane and Jeneda an awkward smile, then took a sip of his mint julep before offering an explanation. "She'll be back in a bit. She just needs a moment to be by herself."

Jeneda glanced at Dane, and he tried to offer her a reassuring smile in return, but the corners of his mouth refused to move even a fraction of an inch. So instead, he lightly squeezed her hand to express empathy. 

"We didn't even get to tell her our other news," Dane said to his father.

"What other news?" 

"Jeneda is coming with me to Japan."

"Wow, how exciting. Will this be your first trip overseas, Jeneda?"

"Yep. First time out of the states."

"Well Japan is a great country to visit, so I'm sure you two will have a wonderful time."

"Dane tells me he spent his gap year out there," Jeneda said.

"Yes, he did. He loved it so much, he almost ended up staying for good."

"Really?" Jeneda looked at Dane. "You didn't tell me that."

He lightly shrugged. "Yeah, well...it was a long time ago, and I was young and idealistic."

"What stopped you from staying there?"

"I got homesick. A full year of living in Japan was an amazing experience, but I've never felt more at home than here in San Francisco."

"His return home may have also been spurred by me and Kitty refusing to fund his stay any longer," Naohito said. 

"That's not true." The embarrassment on Dane's face was clear. "The money wasn't an issue. I would have stayed regardless."

"And done what?" His eyes twinkled with humor. "You were barely eighteen years old, and had no prior work history. What would you have done to support yourself?"

"I could have gotten a job somewhere. And, I actually had a plan to do some solid, constructive things. I wasn't just going to screw around and waste my time out there."

"Well I do remember you saying you wanted to attend a special school to train to become a manga artist. But that would have taken quite a bit of money." 

"Like I said, I could have gotten a job."

He said it with such conviction that Jeneda couldn't help but smirk, and as she looked at Dane's father, she noticed that he was watching his son with a look of utter amusement.

Naohito lightly chuckled, and after taking a brief glance at Jeneda, he said, "Alright, Dane. I believe you."

"Now you're just being condescending."

His face split into a wide grin. "Seriously, Dane. I was just giving you a hard time."

"So you *were* purposely embarrassing me." A hint of annoyance crossed his features. "And right in front of my fiancée."

"I only do it out of love. You're a grown man now, and well on your way to having a family of your own. Soon I won't be able to tease you anymore."

"Yeah, well enjoy it while you can. "Dane tried to keep a serious look on his face, but as his father continued grinning at him, he eventually caved in and smiled. "Just letting you know, you will *not* be giving a speech at our wedding."

"We'll see about that," Naohito playfully said, and he finished off the last of his mint julep. "So Jeneda, have you already told your parents that you're getting married?"

"Not yet, but I'm planning on calling them tonight."

"How do you think they'll respond to the news?"

"My mom will be really surprised. But I think she'll be happy for me."

"And what about your dad?"

The mere mention of her father filled Jeneda with a pang of sadness, and although she was trying very hard to keep a poker face, she knew that her distress was apparent to both Dane and Naohito. "To be truthful, I'm not all that close with my dad, so I'm really not too sure if I'll even be able to get a hold of him."

"I'm very sorry to hear that." Naohito's brows knitted in concern, and in a voice that conveyed genuine worry, he said, "I don't mean to pry, but do you think you'll be able to build a closer relationship with him fairly soon? Because it really is important for a father to give his daughter away to her future husband."

Jeneda shrugged, and as her eyes grew moist, she blinked a few times to discourage any tears from falling. "I don't know, maybe. But he's made it pretty clear that he wants to keep his distance from me, so I don't think It's going to happen."

Dane was focused intently on Jeneda, and seeing that she needed his emotional support, he wrapped his left arm around her waist, then placed a soft kiss on the top of her head.

"She's estranged from her dad," Dane said. "So It'll take some time and effort to make things right between them again." Guilt flashed across his face as he said it, and his shoulders slightly sagged as he lowered his gaze to the floor. 

"It makes me sad to hear that." A look of compassion overtook Naohito's features, and he lightly sighed before continuing to speak. "As Dane has probably already told you, he and I went through a rough patch as well. I was very disappointed in him...so disappointed that I refused to call or visit during his entire stay in prison. Looking back on it now, I can see that was a mistake. But at the time, I was angry and eager to punish him in any way that I could."

He momentarily paused to look down at his hands, then lifted his eyes back up to focus on Jeneda. "Seems silly, doesn't it? Trying to punish someone who was already being penalized." He briefly paused before continuing. "Anyways, the reason I'm mentioning all of this is because I want you to know that there is hope. I don't know what led to you and your father being estranged, but if Dane and I could rebuild our relationship, there Isn't any reason why you and your dad won't be able to as well." 

She exhaled shakily, then said in a wavering voice, "I hope you're right."


Velvet Kisses Ch. 01



"I'm sorry to have even brought this issue up. I know you two came over here to announce your engagement, and I've put quite a damper on things. So I apologize for that."

"It's fine, you had no way of knowing." She weakly smiled, then took a sip of her iced tea.

"Anyhow, I really am pleased to hear that you and Dane are engaged. I know how much he loves you, and I'm happy that he has such a wonderful woman to share his life with."

"Thank you, Mr. Takahashi." 

"And since you two will be getting married, why don't you let Kitty and I throw an engagement party?"

Dane and Jeneda exchanged an uncertain look, and after a few moments of hesitation on both their parts, Dane offered some words.

"I don't know, Dad. An engagement party seems so formal. And besides, we haven't even had time to make out a guest list. Not to mention, we don't have a date picked out for our wedding."

"It wouldn't have to be right away, so you'd have plenty of time to take care of all those details. And in case you're worried about it being some big, fancy event, I was thinking we could keep it small and intimate. Jeneda could invite her friends and family, and you could invite yours."

"What do you think, honey?" Dane asked while looking at Jeneda. 

"I think it would be nice. And it would be a good way for my mom and brother to meet your parents."

Dane nodded in agreement, and looking back at his father, he said, "Sounds like a plan, then. But are you sure mom will be on board with this?"

"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?" 

All eyes turned to see Kitty, who was walking out of the foyer that was connected with the living room, and after making her way to the couch where Naohito was seated, she settled beside him. 

No longer clad in her tennis outfit, she was now wearing a striped boat neck top, white, slim fit ankle pants, and canvas tennis shoes. Her refined, yet relaxed appearance made it seem as if she'd just stepped from the pages of a Ralph Lauren catalogue, and although just minutes ago she'd appeared shocked beyond belief, she now appeared to have considerably collected herself. 

"No reason," Dane slowly said. "I just wasn't sure if you'd want to be bothered with all of the planning."

"Well as your father said, it will be a small, intimate affair. And besides, I can always hire an event planner to take care of the intricate details."

"Alright, sounds good," he said with a nod. "But Jeneda and I will need some time to figure out who we're going to invite, so give us a few weeks before you start making any arrangements." 

"Of course. Just let us know, and we'll take it from there, darling." She smiled, but purposely kept her eyes focused only on her son.

Although Dane's mother had never kept her antagonistic feelings fully hidden, Jeneda still couldn't help but feel insulted by Kitty's refusal to make eye contact. 

Yet instead of allowing herself to dwell on the friction that existed between her and the other woman, Jeneda decided to suppress her true feelings and kill the other woman with kindness. 

"We appreciate your involvement, Kitty. And if you need any help at all, you can always feel free to ask for my input." 

Dane's mother diverted her gaze to Jeneda, and with a look which seemed to say, 'I know what your game is, and I can play it just as well as you,' she looked her straight in the eyes. "Thank you for the offer, Jeneda. But you do have a wedding to plan, so I wouldn't want to overburden you."

"It wouldn't be a burden, Kitty. Really. I'd be happy to do it." 

Silence fell between them, and with artificial smiles that were nearly identical, they simultaneously expressed their dislike for one another. Yet although they put on their most pleasant faces, neither Dane or Naohito seemed fooled by their display of amicability. 

"Well, I guess we better be hitting the road." Dane lightly tugged on Jeneda's hand, and together they rose to their feet.

"You sure you can't stay a little longer?" Naohito asked. "I was hoping we could share a celebratory drink."

"Thanks for the offer, dad, but Jeneda and I have dinner reservations, so It'd probably be a good idea if we went home and changed before heading back out."

"No problem, we can always do it another time." 

Both Naohito and Kitty stood up from the couch, and with Dane and Jeneda leading the way, headed towards the foyer. Once they were all there, Dane exchanged light banter with his parents, then gave each of them a hug.

When it came time for Kitty and Naohito to exchange pleasantries with Jeneda, Naohito was first to step forward, and in a move that was totally unexpected, he pulled her into a light hug.

"Welcome to the family, Jeneda. We're happy to have you as one of us." 

"Thank you, Mr. Takahashi." She hugged him back, and as they parted from the embrace, she offered him a smile. 

Her gaze then drifted to Kitty, and with palpable awkwardness, they both stood there looking at each other. Then, with an air of hesitancy, Kitty offered some words in parting. 

"As always, it was nice to see you, Jeneda. And once again, congratulations on the engagement."

"Thanks, Mrs. Takahashi. It was nice seeing you again, too."

It was mutually understood that they wouldn't hug, so instead they only gave each other a smile. Then with Dane leading the way, Jeneda followed him outside and down the stairs that led to the curved driveway. 

It wasn't until they were seated in the car and pulling away from the house that Jeneda finally spoke, and in a tone that was more than a little dissatisfied, she verbalized her thoughts.

"Your mom really doesn't like me, does she?"

Clearly hesitant to answer, Dane waited a few moments to give his response. "I don't know. She doesn't exactly hate you, either."

Jeneda knew he was trying his best not to choose sides, and she could funny understand him not wanting to get in the middle of things, but she still found herself wishing that he wouldn't be so tight lipped about it, either. 

"Okay. So maybe she doesn't *hate* me. But she definitely doesn't want me in your life."

Dane lightly sighed, and keeping his eyes on the road, he said, "She'll come around. Just give her some time."

"And what if she doesn't?"

A light shrug preceded his response. "I don't know. What do you want me to say?"

She wasn't exactly sure, so she only gazed at his face, noting the sense of unease that had crept onto his features. Then exhaling a small breath, she looked down at her engagement ring. It sparkled brilliantly on her finger, and as she stared down at the stunning gemstone, she came to the realization that in the grand scheme of things, Kitty's opinion of her really didn't matter at all. 

Not only was she blessed with a man who was the epitome of every fantasy she'd ever had, but he also unequivocally loved her, and would do whatever it took to keep her happy and wanting for nothing. To put it simply, she was damn lucky, and although she knew that Dane did have his flaws, she was also well aware of what a desirable catch he was. 

She guessed that Dane picked up on the affectionate vibes she was emitting, because he reached out to take her hand in his, and after veering onto a bluff that overlooked a picturesque stretch of rocky coastline, he allowed the car to idle.

"You know how much I love you, right?" His hooded eyes focused intently on her face. 

"Yes, of course," she said.

"Then it shouldn't matter what my mother, or anyone else thinks. The only thing we need to be concerned with is our happiness."

She nodded, then watched as he traced his thumb over the ring on her finger.

"This ring is a symbol of our commitment to one another. A representation of the deep connection we share."

"A bit early for our vows, Isn't it?" A light smile tugged at her lips.

His own mouth curved upward in response, and giving her a look that was just as captivating as it was steady, he said, "Nothing can come between us, love. It's you and me in this relationship, and no one else."

He leaned in to steal a kiss from her lips, and as the tip of his tongue lightly played against hers, she sighed and deepened the oral embrace. 

The faint sound of waves lapping on the shore below accompanied their soft murmurs, and as his fingers traced light patterns against her chestnut brown thighs, Jeneda's hand reached up to tenderly cup his face. They slowly pulled back to stare into each other's eyes, and after taking a few moments to regain her breath, Jeneda spoke a few words.

"Do you believe in fate?"

"In a way. Why do you ask?"

"Because meeting someone like you couldn't have been pure chance." She gazed lovingly into his eyes, and as her fingers found their way to his hair, she languidly slid them through his silky locks. 

"So what you're saying is, you planned me into your life."

She nodded. "What do you think?"

"I've always been a firm believer that you make your own destiny, but considering that I've done absolutely nothing to deserve you, I guess I'd have to agree with you about predetermined lives."

"That's not true." She lazily trailed a finger along his bottom lip. "You deserve me just as much as I deserve you."

"That's sweet of you to say, but you're clearly the better half of me." He leaned in to nuzzle his nose against hers, then said, "And don't say you're not, because It's true."

A smile graced her lips, and after giving him a gentle peck, she said, "I feel like ice cream."

"That was random." A light chuckle spilled from his lips before he added, "What flavor?"

"Chocolate chip cookie dough. Double scoop."

"Cone or cup?"

"Cone. Why?"

"So I can watch you lick it, of course."

She grinned, then bit her lip coquettishly. "That mind of yours...it never stops thinking of sex, does it?"

"Takes one to know one," Dane said.

Then he put the car into gear and drove off. 

* * * *

Located at the end of Pier 39, McKay's Waterfront Grill and Bar was an elegant restaurant with panoramic windows directly facing the San Francisco Bay. Along with providing fantastic views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, McKay's offered specialty cocktails and first-rate seafood. 

The dim lighting and candlelit tables made it the perfect place for an intimate dinner, and although the dining establishment was nearly filled with patrons, it didn't take away from the cozy, romantic ambience. 

Seated at a table situated next to one of the floor to ceiling windows, Dane and Jeneda gazed out at the twinkling lights that lit up the Golden Gate Bridge. 

It was a captivating sight, and although Jeneda had seen the iconic suspension bridge countless times over the past twenty-eight years of her life, it never failed to amaze her just how beautiful it was. She snuck a glance at Dane to see if he was still admiring the view as well, but as she noticed that he was checking her out instead, her body grew warm beneath his intense gaze. 

Clad in a tasteful little black dress with a peekaboo cutout, she was perfectly attired for their romantic evening. Wanting to complement her outfit with makeup on the dramatic side, she'd accentuated her eyes with black eyeliner and dark eye shadow to give herself a seductive smoky look. She already had naturally long eyelashes, so she'd gone easy on the mascara, but had chosen to highlight her brow bones with just a hint of silvery eyeshadow.

Jeneda was far from conceited, but even she had to admit that she looked pretty good, and as she gazed at her lover, she found herself admiring his clothing for the night. 

Understated, yet stylish, Dane's outfit consisted of a dark gray button up shirt that was layered beneath a black dinner jacket, and a pair of black trousers. His inky black hair was left loose to hang freely above his shoulders, and as always, it had that tousled, 'can't be bothered to run a comb through it,' look. 

As beautiful as he was, she eventually found her gaze drifting back to the panoramic windows, and within moments, was once again enraptured by the stunning view of the San Francisco Bay. It took the sensation of Dane's fingertips lightly trailing across her hand to bring her focus back to him, and as she looked into his eyes, he gently smiled. 

"I'm starting to think you're more in love with that bridge than you are with me," he said.

"Jealous of the Golden Gate, are you?" 

"Well there are people who've been known to fall in love with inanimate objects. They're called objectum-sexuals."

"Yeah, right." Her neutral colored lips spread into a wide grin. "You totally just made that word up."

"But I didn't," he said. "It's a real condition. They even made a documentary about it."

"Really..." Still uncertain as to whether or not he was pulling her leg, she lowered her gaze to his lips, as if expecting him to break out into a smirk. "And what sort of objects do these objectum-sexuals fall in love with?"

"Cars, buildings, amusement park rides..." He briefly paused to enjoy her expression of disbelief before continuing. "And just so you know, there's a woman out there who wants to marry the Golden Gate Bridge. So you *do* have competition."

Jeneda let out a hearty chuckle, and with a light shake of her head, she gave a response. "This has got to be the strangest conversation I've ever had."

"Well at least I'm keeping you entertained." 

"That's never been a problem, and you know it."

Their eyes locked from across the candlelit table, and he reached out to grab her hand so that their fingers sensually intertwined. They were only allowed a few moments to gaze at one another in silence before a waiter approached their table, and after removing the cork from the bottle in his hand, he poured them each a glass of wine. He then set the bottle on the table, and focused his attention on Dane. 

"May I suggest a dessert to go along with the Vin De Paille, sir, or will you be enjoying it alone?"

Dane looked at Jeneda for input, and after receiving a shake of the head, he gave his response to the waiter.

"The wine will be fine, thank you."

The server gave a polite nod, then headed off toward another table. 

"Have I told you how incredibly hot you look tonight?" Dane asked.

It wasn't just his compliment that caused a flare of heat to spread between her thighs, but the way he was fucking her with his stare, and in a voice that was more than a little husky she said, "Yes, you have. But feel free to mention it as many times as you like."

A smile spread across his lips, and he leaned in closer before quietly asking, "What do you have on beneath that dress?"

"What do you think I have on?"

Silence filled the air between them while he seemed to think about it, and after allowing his gaze to focus on her chest for several long moments, he looked back into her eyes. "A pair of panties."

She lifted an eyebrow, and with a hint of a smile on her lips, she said, "I notice you didn't mention a bra."

"That's because you're not wearing one."

"You're wrong," she said. I *am* wearing one."

"Prove it."

Jeneda couldn't help but notice how challenging his tone was, and also noted the way he was staring unblinking into her eyes. She held his gaze with just as much intensity, and as the sexual tension grew thicker between them, a wave of arousal gushed through her. 

"But we're in public."

"That's never stopped you before."

"That was different. We were in a secluded spot, with nobody else around."

He said nothing in response, only continued to give her a look that masterfully exhibited his unwillingness to accept anything but an affirmative answer. 

"We're surrounded by people," she asserted. "I can't do it here."

"Can't or won't?" The smirk he wore seemed to egg her on, daring her to step outside of her comfort zone.

"You're really asking me to do this now? *Right here*?"

"Yes, I am." He clasped his hands together, and in a voice that was seductive and smooth, yet thoroughly commanding, he said, "Show me."

Jeneda quickly took an inconspicuous glance around at the diners who were seated closest to them, and only after she was completely certain that nobody was watching, did she slowly bring a hand up to her chest. 

Then, with more than a little trepidation, she moved the peekaboo cutout of her dress further down so that the lacy edge of her bra was exposed to Dane. 

"Very nice." His gaze lingered hungrily on the soft mounds of flesh that spilled above her demi-cup bra, and only after he'd gotten an eyeful, did he look back at her face. "Victoria's secret?" 

"Frederick's of Hollywood. I thought you might appreciate seeing me in some new lingerie."

"Most definitely," he said in a low, sexy voice. "And I can't wait to get you out of that dress so I can show you just how thankful I truly am."

The mere thought sent a surge through her body that resonated between her thighs, but before she could fully immerse herself in the delicious sensation, Dane asked an unexpected question.

"What about the panties?"

"The panties?" 

"Yes, the panties." 

His brazen expression left her feeling completely stripped of any clothing at all, and although Jeneda was well aware of how much he enjoyed pushing boundaries, she still found herself surprised at just how far he was taking their erotic game.

"You want to see my panties." She stared at her fiancee in disbelief. "I'm more than down with getting a little naughty, but don't you think that's taking it a bit too far?"

"I'm not asking to see them, I want you to describe them to me." 

"They're see through G-strings with black lace trimming...." She paused to enhance his anticipation before continuing to speak in a seductive voice. "I guess I should also mention that they're barely large enough to cover my pussy, and ridiculously flimsy." 

Dane's brows lifted at her declaration, and with an expression that clearly conveyed his increasing arousal, he said, "So in other words, I could rip them right off you."

His bawdy words caused her nipples to pebble into hard nubs, and her already soaking pussy began to ache at the mention of penetration. She didn't have a chance to respond, however, because Dane leaned in closer, and in a voice that dripped with lust, he made another wanton statement. 

"It makes you wet, doesn't it?"

"What?"

"The idea of me taking control and completely unleashing that other side of myself."

"I've seen your other side. And I already know that you're very dominating."

"But I'm also far kinkier than you could ever imagine."

This declaration incited curiosity in Jeneda, and although she already knew that Dane was an unconventional kind of guy, she found herself eager to hear just what exactly he considered as deviant behavior.

"So what does that mean, exactly? That you're into S&M?"

He lightly chuckled. "I'm not a fan of sadomasochism. I prefer bondage and discipline over any other BDSM practice."

"What about dominance and submission?" 

"There are many different types of dominant and submissive activities. Some I enjoy, and others I'm not so fond of."

"Tell me the ones that you are fond of."

He hesitated a moment, as if trying to decide whether or not to divulge the information. Then with a hint of unease in his eyes, he said, "We're crossing into new territory here. Are you really sure you want to hear this?"

"Dane, we're engaged. If we can't be open and share our interests, then what kind of a marriage are we going to have?" 

"It's not that I don't feel comfortable opening up to you," he said. "I just don't want you thinking that I'm some kind of a weirdo."

"Too late, I already do," she said in a joking tone, and as his lips pulled into a smile, she returned it with one of her own. Then, with a less humorous expression, she offered some more words. "Seriously, though. After all that we've been through, do you really think that I would judge you over your sexual interests?"




Velvet Kisses Ch. 01



"Maybe you wouldn't judge me, but you might look at me in a different way."

Jeneda reached across the table to touch his face, tenderly cupping his cheek as she looked deep into his eyes. "Part of the reason I'm attracted to you is because you're so different than any other man I've ever been with. You are who you are, and I love you for that, so I couldn't possibly be scared off by anything that you tell me." 

She noticed him visibly ease at her reassuring words, and as he gave a little nod in response, she pulled away from him and leaned back against her chair. 

"So tell me. As far as dominant and submissive activities go, what really turns you on?"

Dane placed his hands on the table and clasped them together. Then locking his deep, dark eyes into hers, made a declaration. "I'm into erotic knife play."

At a loss for words, she simply stared at him and waited for an explanation of the term. But as she realized that he was waiting for her to speak first, she vocalized her curiosity. "Okay. And what exactly does that entail?"

"Well It's pretty much what it sounds like...," His voice trailed off to allow a brief moment of silence. "It's when knives are used to provide physical stimulation." 

"So what you're saying is, you get off on cutting..."

"No, nothing like that." He shook his head to reinforce his words. "I'm not into drawing blood, I just enjoy the feel of a sharp blade sliding lightly across my body."

"Do you only receive, or also reciprocate?" 

"I enjoy both giving and receiving."

"And when you're exploring the receiver's body, where does the blade touch?"

"Anywhere I choose to place it." 

Simultaneously unsettled and turned on by the idea of a knife making contact with her nude body, Jeneda found herself watching Dane with a curious expression. He looked right back at her with his nearly black eyes, and as he leaned in a little closer, she caught a whiff of his cologne. 

"It's not as crazy as it sounds," he said. "In fact, It's actually quite sensual." 

"It must also be a little scary, though. Having a sharp knife moving across your naked body."

It's only unsettling if you don't trust the other person. Otherwise, you really have nothing to fear." 

She gave no response, only stared intently at his face, as if seeing it for the very first time. It wasn't until he placed his hand over hers that she allowed her gaze to drift downward, and as he lightly traced patterns along the back of her hand, she felt a sensation akin to sparks shooting through her nerve endings.

"You do trust me, don't you?" Dane asked.

"Of course I do."

"Then you know that your safety is the most important thing to me. And I definitely wouldn't do anything to cause you any pain." 

She couldn't help noticing that he was speaking as if she'd already given her consent to engage in knife play, and began to wonder if he was under the impression that she had. 

Yet even with her uncertainty about it, she couldn't deny that she was thoroughly intrigued by the idea, and maybe even more than a little excited.

She guessed that Dane was more in tune with her feelings than she could have ever imagined, because a tender expression crossed his features, and in a voice that was softer than before, he said, "I know you haven't expressed an interest in having it done to you, but if you did decide to engage in blade play with me, I would be very gentle and extremely cautious. And I definitely wouldn't hurt you." 

"I know you wouldn't, Dane. I don't doubt that for a minute."

"Good, I'm glad to hear." He took a sip of his wine before asking, "Just out of curiosity, does the idea of knife play excite you at all?"

"Maybe." 

"Only maybe?" 

His soul piercing eyes looked steadily into hers, as if seeking to read her thoughts, and as usual, she found herself amazed at how effortlessly he captivated her. 

Without even realizing it, Jeneda began tracing the rim of her wine glass with the tip of her finger. Curiosity was in her eyes, but there was also a hint of uncertainty. 

"If I *were* to let you do this, what kind of a knife would you use?"

"A switchblade. I have a variety of Japanese knives that are fairly dull, but have just enough of an edge to provide you with excellent stimulation."

"And if I decided during our session that I didn't want to continue on, would you immediately stop?"

"Of course. I would never expect you to engage in knife play without having a safe word."

With each question that Jeneda asked, her misgivings gradually lessened. And although she still hadn't given Dane an affirmative answer, she already knew deep down inside that she was more than ready to try something new and a little more edgy.

"In case you're wondering, I'm not interested in us having a full-time dominant submissive relationship," Dane said. "And I certainly don't expect us to engage in power play on a daily basis. It'd just be something we could enjoy every now and again."

"Well that's good to hear, because I definitely couldn't see myself doing it 24/7." She took a sip of her wine, savoring its nutty, raisiny flavor before continuing. "But I guess I wouldn't be entirely opposed to giving the knife play a try."

Dane visibly perked up at her words, and with a sparkle in his eyes he said, "I was hoping you would say that." 

"I'm not promising that I'll do it on a regular basis, though," she quickly added. "I just want to try it out once, to see what It's like."

"Of course, I would never pressure you into anything more." He grabbed her hand and held it firmly in his while making deep eye contact. "Just knowing that you trust me enough to try it out really means a lot to me."

"Of course I trust you. Would I be marrying you if I didn't?" 

He lightly smiled before leaning in closer, and like a magnet, Jeneda's lips were drawn to his. His mouth tasted just as sweet as the French wine they'd been enjoying, and his wet and willing tongue brushed languidly against hers, inviting her to partake in an erotic dance. She happily obliged, and after exchanging a kiss that was loving and tender, yet lusciously wet, they pulled apart. 

"So I know you love to dominate," Jeneda said, "but would you ever be interested in switching roles?"

Dane's brows lifted in surprise. "You want to dominate me?"

"Sure, why not? I think it could be fun."

"Well I do have this fantasy of you tying me up and taking advantage of my body." 

"Really..." Her voice trailed off as she allowed her vivid imagination to go wild. "And what sort of things do you imagine me doing to you?"

"Kissing and licking me from head to toe. Using your mouth to bring me to the edge of orgasm, and then denying me the pleasure of climaxing."

"You want me to cock tease you?"

"Yes. Why? Would you be opposed to doing that?"

"No, not at all. In fact, I'd enjoy it."

A husky noise resounded from the back of his throat, and an expression that epitomized raw lust crossed his face. "I'm going to devour you when we get home."

"Well I guess we better get going so you can satisfy your appetite," she said.



Velvet Kisses Ch. 02



*Thank you guys so much for the comments on the last chapter. It's great to hear that you're enjoying the sequel, and I certainly hope that I'll continue to do a good job at keeping you entertained. I appreciate you all So Very Much for taking the time to read, vote, and comment. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

****************

Dane had Jeneda up against the wall the moment they arrived at his loft apartment, devouring her mouth hungrily as his hands restlessly moved over the curves and swells of her body. 

Her fingers were just as wandering as his, but it seemed that his eagerness outweighed hers, because in a matter of seconds, he'd unzipped her little black dress and stripped her down to her panties. 

It took more effort than she would have liked to remove Dane's dinner jacket, and after tossing it aside, she began to hastily unbutton his shirt. 

The entire time she did it, their lips remained sealed, and although she still had yet to unzip his pants, he was already grinding his hips against hers. 

Lacking the patience to undo all of his buttons, she decided instead to rip his shirt open. Buttons scattered across the hardwood floor, but neither could care less, and after pulling down his pants along with his boxers, Dane kicked the fabric off around his ankles. 

He gripped Jeneda by the hips and coaxed her toward the bed, which was situated in the middle of the room on a platform. The moment she fell back onto the mattress, he climbed on top of her, pinning her down with his long, lean body. 

There was a wildness in his eyes that sent a pulse of heat coursing through her body, and as his lips descended on her neck, she lost herself in his feverish, open mouthed kisses. 

Each touch of his lips left her craving for more, and as his tongue darted out to trail down her collarbone and along her chest, her breathing hitched in growing excitement. 

On making contact with the swell of her breasts, his soft, pink tongue encircled one of her chocolate colored nipples. It steadily moved inward before making contact with the puckered peak, and he greedily sucked it into his mouth.

Already soaking wet, her desire was further intensified by the wet, sloppy noises of him suckling her tits, and as his long, slim fingers gingerly coasted along her inner thigh, she arched her hips into him. 

Dane sucked her nipples to stiff, aching points, then moved her G-string aside to get at her dripping center. He massaged her plump clit before sinking his digits between her tender folds, and with a few pumps of his fingers, he had her gasping at his touch. 

Literally under his thumb, her body was his to command, and although he manipulated her pussy with masterful skill, it only served to increase her hunger. 

After fingering her pussy to maximum wetness, he withdrew his fingers, bringing them up to her mouth. He traced them slowly over her lips before pushing them into her mouth, and she eagerly sucked on them, unabashedly cleaning them of her juices.

Slightly tangy and a little sweet, her nectar was pleasing to the tastebuds. It seemed that Dane shared the same opinion, because he slowly trailed his tongue along her bottom lip, then sensuously sucked on it before kissing her hard and deep. 

She returned the oral embrace with equal enthusiasm, marveling at the warmth of his mouth and the feel of his slick, velvety tongue. Their intense lip lock left them both with a dazed expression, and as he stared down at her, she looked expectantly up at him.

"Fuck, you taste good," he huskily drawled, and as if to reinforce his words, he slid down her body, then gently parted her legs and positioned his head between them. 

Jeneda's thighs glistened with the evidence of her desire, inner muscles clenching in anticipation as she eagerly awaited his next move. 

Her breath hitched at the sensation of his warm mouth ghosting against her pussy, body quivering with anticipation as he languidly dragged his tongue over her panty-clad slit. 

Clearly desiring to drive her to the brink of sanity, Dane gave her feather light caresses, just barely applying enough pressure to provide her with an insignificant amount of gratification. 

He wasn't just good at teasing, he was downright masterful at it, and although his actions were torturously pleasurable, she found herself growing frustrated at just how much control he was able to wield over her. 

"Dane, please..." She gave a breathy sigh, then gently bucked her hips. "Enough with the teasing, just eat me out already." 

This only caused him to halt his ministrations, and he lifted his head from between her legs so that his gaze was firmly planted on her face. 

"Patience, my love. You wouldn't want to rush me, would you?"

She was a little surprised at the unusually deep tone of his voice, and also couldn't help noticing how firm and commanding it was. As if to reinforce that his more dominating side had been fully unleashed, his already black eyes darkened ever further. 

Pleasant shivers ran down her spine at this display of masculine dominance, and although she still felt like screaming in frustration, she knew her only choice was to relax and completely surrender to his ministrations. 

Dane positioned his head back between her legs and gave her long, drawn out strokes with his tongue, then rested his wet appendage directly against her clit. He made a figure eight pattern over it, then some other fancy shape that she couldn't quite identify. 

The sensation made her toes curl and she arched her back, grinding against his mouth as he increased the pressure of his wet muscle on her clit. 

She wasn't just desperate to feel his tongue against her bare sex, but literally aching to be eaten out, and although Dane appeared to be enjoying her intense reactions to his sadistic tease, Jeneda knew all too well that he was more than ready to give in. 

She barely noticed the sensation of fabric biting into her hips before a ripping noise cut through the air, and with one fluid movement, Dane tore her panties in half, fully exposing her pussy for his lustful gaze. 

Without a moment of hesitation he dove right in, avidly lapping at her weeping slit with his stiff, pink tongue. Like a starving man at a feast, he feverishly ate her out, flicking his tongue along her hot pink insides before dipping it into her hole. 

She tensed and cried out, fisting his soft black hair while rolling her hips against his mouth. His tongue masterfully manipulated her, thrusting in and out of her sopping wet pussy with quick, sharp jabs. 

She cried out hoarsely beneath him, thighs trembling as he steadily increased the pace, and just when she was certain that the sensation couldn't get any sweeter, he turned things up a notch. 

His removed his wet appendage from her velvety center, then snaked it upward until it made contact with her clit. Fully erect and poking out of its hood, it seemed to beg for his attention. 

He gave the distended nub a few quick licks before engulfing it in a big "O" kiss, then gently sucked on it while moving his tongue in a side-to-side sawing motion. 

A sharp gasp fled her lips, and her thighs clamped around his head with a vice-like grip. Her body quivered with pleasure, lips parting in a soundless moan as she feverishly bucked against his mouth. 

Clearly intent on giving her just what she wanted, he stiffened his tongue and flicked it more rapidly against her clit. Then in a move that was clearly calculated to maximize her pleasure, he reached a hand up to play with one of her tits. 

His fingers lightly grazed the plump nipple before giving it a rough pinch, and as he relentlessly tongued the sensitive button between her legs, her moans became more insistent. Her breaths were short, more like pants than anything else, and with a long, low moan that came from deep in her throat, her body spasmed with a full body orgasm. 

Relentlessly devoted to his lover's pleasure, Dane maintained the rhythm of his tongue on her clit, and only once her uncontrolled bucking finally came to a still, did he begin licking her clean. 

Copious amounts of pussy juice flowed from within her, covering not only her thighs and Dane's face, but the sheets on the mattress beneath them. Wet slurping noises came from his mouth as he attentively lapped at the delicate flesh, but it seemed that the more he licked, the quicker the juices flowed.

Already oversensitized from the mind blowing orgasm he'd just given her, Jeneda weakly moaned at the relentless movement of his tongue, then gently tugged his hair to signal that she could take no more. 

Dane lifted his head from between her legs, then wiped his mouth off with the back of his hand. He crawled up her body and positioned his face so that his lips hovered just above hers, then slipped his tongue into her mouth and gave her a deep, slow kiss. 

He pulled back to look into her chocolate brown eyes, and in a voice that was darkly seductive, he said, "I'm not done with you yet."

Her pussy clenched at his words, and she lightly whimpered as he spread her legs wider, then lined his crotch up with her taut hole. With movements so swift she barely registered them, he effectively pinned both her wrists above her head. Then without a hint of tenderness, he hooked one of her legs over his shoulder and forcibly thrust into her heated core. 

A breathless gasp escaped her throat at the sudden intrusion, and as he began relentlessly pummeling the slick velvet of her sex, cries of ecstasy tore from her lips. 

Powerless beneath his sleek, strong body, she was helpless to do anything except take each and every one of his thrusts. They seemed to be growing more insistent by the minute, and as her moans escalated in volume, he pounded harder into her.

Both her wrists were still bound tightly in his inescapable hold, so it only left Dane with one arm to brace himself above her. This seemed to make no difference, however, because with each rhythmic push, he sank deeper into her. 

Dane's chest brushed erotically against her breasts, creating a delicious friction against her puckered nipples. His hips, which were slim and narrow, slammed against hers with increasing urgency, and his ass flexed as he relentlessly pummeled her pliant body. 

The pleasure was so intense it was nearly painful, and for the first time in her life she truly understood the meaning behind the phrase, 'hurts so good." 

She could tell from the way he was intently watching her that he was concerned with getting her off, but the way he was repeatedly drilling her over sensitized pussy made it seemed as if her body was created solely for his pleasure. This left her feeling as if she were nothing more than his little fuck toy, but damn if that didn't make her even wetter. 

With her leg slung over his shoulder, he was not only able to give her a nice, deep fucking, but provide her with incredible friction. He sensuously grinded against her, angling his cock so that the swollen mushroom tip repeatedly hit that spongy spot hidden deep within her. Her back arched in response, tits jutting upward as her mouth parted in a moan that was hoarse with need. 

Dane's grunts of exertion ghosted hotly against her lips, and his nearly black eyes stared down at her with rapt intensity. She didn't know whether it was the primal gleam in his eyes, or the way he so effortlessly dominated her warm, tight body, but she was dangerously close to be driven over the edge. 

Sensing her impending release, Dane increased the speed and force of his thrusts, and as her fevered moans gave way to mounting cries, he leaned in to speak softly in her ear.

"Cum for me, Jeneda." 

"Dane...." His name left her lips in a strained whisper, eyes half-lidded as she dazedly stared up at him.

"I said cum for me. *Now.* 

As soon as the command passed his lips, she cried out in ecstasy, clenching around him with vice-like strength. Her body arched, spasming so violently that she flopped like a fish. 

Her juices gushed out, drenching the sheets on the bed, and as he continued to mercilessly plunge in and out of her well fucked hole, she weakly whimpered. 

Dane pumped her pussy a few more times before giving a strangled grunt, then shot his thick, ropey semen deep inside her pussy. 

As he continued to empty himself, Jeneda moaned in contentment, relishing every squirt of his hot, creamy fluid. She counted a total of six spurts before he finally withdrew his penis, then he rolled off her body and collapsed on the mattress beside her.  

It took a few moments before they both came down from their orgasms, and after their breathing returned to normal and the boneless feeling wore off, they found their way into each other's arms. Their legs intertwined, faces moving closer so that they were eye to eye, with lips nearly touching. 

Jeneda ran a palm over his chest, which was soft and completely hairless, yet ridiculously masculine. The contrast of his pale skin against her brown complexion was visually arresting, and as she glided her palm over his naked body, he contentedly moaned at her sensual touch.

Dane's fingers wound into her hair, toying with the soft, shoulder length strands. Then slowly, and with a deep tenderness that directly contradicted their intense fuck session, their lips met in a gentle kiss. As they pulled away, he let out a little sigh, then traced a finger along the multiple studs in her ear. 

"When are you going to tell your mother about our engagement?" He asked.

"Tonight."

He glanced over her shoulder at the digital alarm clock on the bedside table, then looked back into her eyes before responding. "It's already one a.m. in Key West. Do you think she'll still be up?"

"Probably not," she said before adding, "I completely forgot that they're three hours ahead of us. I should have called earlier, when we came back from visiting your parents."

"Guess you'll have to do it tomorrow, then."

"First thing in the morning, I promise."

Dane studied her features before thoughtfully asking, "What does your mother look like?"

"According to nearly everyone that I've met, I'm pretty much her double."

"So that means she's beautiful."

A soft smile curved her lips. "She takes very good care of herself. Most people think she's at least seven years younger."

"Wow. I guess black really doesn't crack," he said.

Her brows rose at this comment, followed by a smirk. "What do you know about black don't crack?"

"Do you think I've been living in some sort of a protective bubble?" His tone inflected lightheartedness. "I may have grown up in a wealthy neighborhood, but I'm not that sheltered." 

"Okay." Her grin grew wider, revealing white teeth. "Isn't there a saying for Asian people, too?"

"Yep. Asian don't raisin."

A chuckle bubbled from her throat, causing her body to shake in the process. "You are just too damn cute."

He smiled, then offered some more words. "Of course there are exceptions to that rule. My mother Isn't black or Asian, and she looks great for her age."

Noting the admiration in his tone, Jeneda couldn't help but find herself touched at the comment. "Well aren't you sweet?" She stretched out a hand to stroke his hair, drawing her fingers through the soft luxuriousness of it. 

"I can't argue with that," he playfully said before allowing his fingers to lazily drift along her hipbone. "So, I've been thinking about our wedding..."

As his voice drifted off, she looked curiously into his eyes. "Okay. And what are your thoughts?"

"Well first off, we need to pick out a date."

"I was thinking April."

"April sounds good. That's eight months away, which will give us plenty of time to plan things out."

"I haven't figured out an exact date, though. Why don't you pick one out?"

"Hmm." He took a few moments to gaze thoughtfully into the distance. "What about the sixteenth?"

"Sure, why not? The sixteenth sounds good to me."

"You do know what day that is, don't you?"

"No." She briefly paused to think it over. "Why? Is there some sort of special significance to it?"

"I'm hurt, Jeneda. I really am." He rolled onto his back, then gazed up at the skylight, which cast silvery moonlight over their naked forms. 

"Oh come on. You can't seriously be angry."

"Why not? Men have feelings, too."

Giggling, she reached out to glide a palm along his chest. 

"Hands off. You've lost the privilege to touch me."

"Oh, stop. You're clearly joking," she said. 

He said nothing, only blinked while continuing to gaze upward, and this left her wondering if he truly was upset with her. Lowering her gaze so that it rested on his lips, she waited to see if a smirk would form. It took several long moments of watching him in silence before she came to the conclusion that if he was faking, he was doing a damn good job of it. 

"Wait, you're not really upset with me, are you?" 

His eyes drifted back to hers, and as she saw the disappointment in them, her heart sank. Then suddenly, he broke into a wide smile. 

"You are such a kidder." She grinned, and in one fluid motion, rolled over and straddled his prone body. "So tell me. Why *is* the sixteenth so special?"

"Because It's the day we met, you dork."

"Really..." A look of amazement spread across her features. "Wow, I'm surprised you remember."

"And why does that surprise you?"

"I don't know. I guess I've just come to expect that guys don't really care about sentimental stuff."

"Well, some of us do."

"Yes, I can see that." She leaned in closer, then brushed her nose against his before pecking his soft lips. "I think It's incredibly sweet that you do remember. And it only reminds me how lucky I am to have you."

"You're not the only lucky one," he murmured while looking adoringly into her eyes.

The moment they were sharing couldn't have been more tender, and as stillness pervaded the space surrounding them, they gazed in appreciation at one another. 

"So, when are you moving in with me?" He asked. 

"How about the weekend after next? That'll give me time to pack my things and arrange for a moving truck.

"Sounds good. Just let me know what you need help with, and I'll do it."

Still straddling her lover's body, Jeneda repositioned herself so that she was lying beside him, then winded one leg behind his thigh. 

"Only a month and a half before we go to Japan."

"I know, I've been counting the days for the past two months."

"Guess I'd better start learning some Japanese," she said.

"Well you'll have me to translate, of course. But if you'd like to learn a few phrases, I'd be more than happy to teach you."

"I'd love that." She nuzzled closer against him, then slid her fingers along his body until they made contact with his silky pubes.

"Do you remember the first thing I said to you in Japanese?" 

She gave herself a moment to think before responding. "I remember what it sounded like, but I wouldn't have a clue how to pronounce it."

"Kimi no koto sukide tamaranai."

"Kimi koto sukide tamaranai." She said it slowly, trying her best to imitate his pronunciation. 

"Close enough." He smiled and smoothed a palm over her hair. "Translation is, you're beautiful."

"And what does I love you mean?"

"Anata o aishite imasu."

"Anata o....aishite imasu." 

"Not bad. Your pronunciation could use some work, but I can tell you'll be a quick learner."

"I sure hope so." She grazed the tips of her fingers over his pubes, then slowly twirled the satiny hair around her pinky finger. 

"Having fun?" 

It took the sound of his voice to break her attention from his crotch, and as her gaze met his, she noticed a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. 

"If you can put it in a braid, I'd be really impressed."

She snorted, then broke into a smile. "You're a wonderfully weird man, you know that?"




Velvet Kisses Ch. 02



"Guess I'm pretty lucky, then, because somehow I managed to find an equally wonderfully weird woman."

Ever so slowly, he leaned in to kiss her. And as his lips found hers, she happily surrendered, allowing the decadence of his mouth to overtake her. 

* * * *

It was half past ten in the morning when Dane finally woke, languidly stretching out his stiff muscles before sitting up and allowing his back to rest against the headboard. 

Jeneda averted her eyes from the book in her hand and after giving him a soft smile, leaned in closer so that their lips were touching. With long, slow strokes of her tongue, she kissed him deeply, and only once she was unable to hold her breath any longer, did she finally pull away. 

"Wow. Good morning to you, too," he said.

"It's nearly afternoon."

He glanced at the bedside clock, and after noting the time, glanced back at her. "It's not even eleven a.m yet."

"Close enough."

"You are *such* a morning person." He sniffed the air once, then twice before asking, "Are those bagels I smell?"

"Yep. Went down to House of Bagels and got us a whole bag full."

"But Noah's is right down the block." 

"Yeah..." She nonchalantly shrugged. "I was in the mood for House of Bagels, so I decided to go there instead. And besides, I've been up since six. I had to do something to kill the time while you were sleeping, didn't I?"

He lightly shook his head, and with a smile on his lips, got out of bed and headed for the kitchen, which flowed seamlessly into the rest of the loft. While he was gone, Jeneda resumed reading. 

A few minutes passed before she heard him approaching the bed, and from the corner of her eye, she saw that he was approaching the bed with a bagel and glass of orange juice in hand. He set the saucer and cup on the bedside table, and once he was seated on the mattress with his back against the headboard, he started to eat his breakfast. 

"What are you reading?" he asked through a mouthful of bagel.

"Life after death."

"What's it about?"

She gave a small eyeroll at the sarcasm in his voice, but the smile on her lips conveyed amusement. "NDE's. Near death experiences."

"You believe in that stuff?"

"Sure, why not?"

He smirked, then licked cream cheese off of his thumb. "Near death experiences are a malfunction of the brain, nothing more than hallucinations."

"I disagree, and if you read this book, you'll see that there's plenty of scientific evidence for afterlives."

"Evidence." A slight shake of the head followed his words. "Science is about what can be proved. If there's truly ironclad evidence, then why hasn't it become a widespread belief?"

"Because some people are too afraid to even contemplate the possibility that there's more to life than what we're currently experiencing. And, people fear what they don't understand."

"Hmm...okay." 

Silence hung between them, and she could sense that he wanted to say more. But he was far from foolish, and most likely knew that engaging in a debate would cause more trouble than it was worth. It took a few seconds of watching him eat his bagel in silence before Jeneda realized that he was purposely remaining quiet. But she was far from finished, and curious to hear his opinion. 

"What do you think happens when we die?"

He lightly shrugged. "I don't know...I guess we fade to black." 

"So we just die, and that's it. Nothing else happens."

"That's what I believe. But if it turns out that I'm wrong and there truly is an afterlife, I'd want to spend it with you."

"Smooth. You really know how to butter a girl up, don't you?"

"I'm just being truthful." He kissed the tip of her nose before pulling back to look into her eyes. "I don't mean to be a nag or anything, but aren't you supposed to be calling your mom to tell her about our engagement?"

"I tried calling her earlier this morning, but her voice mail picked up." She closed the book, then set it on the mattress before reaching for her cell phone, which sat on the bedside table. "But I'll give it another try to see if she's around."

She dialed in the number, and after four rings, the sound of her mother's voice came through the receiver.

"Hello, jenjen."

"Hey, mom. How's it going?"

"Oh, not too bad, I'm just making some lunch. How are things on your end?"

"Good," she said before quickly adding, "Actually, they're great. Things are wonderful."

"I can tell by the sound of your voice that you're happy," she said. "You must have good news, so tell me what it is."

Jeneda glanced at Dane, and sensing that she was about to share the news, he cuddled against her, then slipped his fingers through hers. 

"I'm getting married."

"To Dane?"

"Yes, to Dane," she said with a half chuckle. "Who else?" 

"I don't know....." 

A long stretch of silence followed her words, during which Jeneda waited for her mother to speak again. But as the noiselessness continued, she began to wonder if the other end of the line was still open. 

"Hello...are you still there?"

"Yes."

"Why aren't you saying anything?"

"I'm very surprised. I don't know *what* to say."

"Congratulations?" 

There was no response, only continued silence.

"What's going on, why aren't you happy for me?" Her brows knitted, body going rigid with irritation.

"You know I don't like that man you're with. I made that very clear when you came out here for a visit."

"That *man* is my fiancée. And I don't care if you don't like him, because I'm still getting married to him."

Now fully aware that the response from Jeneda's mother had been unfavorable, Dane frowned, then released a distressed sigh.

"I know you will. Your life is yours to live, Jeneda, but I want you to know that I think you're making a huge mistake."

"A mistake?" Her voice wavered with emotion, face growing hot with anger. "How can you say that to me? You're my mother. You're supposed to wish me well, not tell me I'm making a mistake."

"What do you want me to do, Jeneda? Lie to you?" Sternness had crept into her voice. "Ever since the day you first met him, that man has brought nothing but trouble into your life."

"That Isn't true." 

"Do I need to remind you of what he's done?" She briefly paused before continuing. "He dumped Vincent's body, Jeneda. *Vincent*. Your father's best friend. You do remember who he was, don't you?"

"Of course I do."

"Then you should have some respect for both him and your father, and call the engagement off. This man is bad news. How can you not see that?"

"I've forgiven him, mother. And what he did is in the past. He doesn't deserve to continue being persecuted for a situation that was completely out of his control."

"It wasn't out of his control. He had a choice, and instead of going to the police, he chose to keep it a secret."

"He's paid for the crime, both mentally and physically. He's even been to prison. What more do you want?"

"For him to disappear. To go away and leave you alone. You deserve better."

Jeneda couldn't remember the last time she'd been so upset, and having reached the peak of frustration, she was seriously considering pressing the call end button and tossing the phone aside. But she still had yet to give her mother a piece of her mind.

"Wait a minute. Didn't you tell me when I came out for a visit, that you would try your best to get to know him? I distinctly remember you saying that when he got out of prison, you were okay with me bringing him out there to meet you. Now am I making this up, or what?"

"No."

"So what changed since then?" 

"I never expected you two to get engaged. I figured you would eventually break up, and then he'd be out of your life."

"You were waiting for us to break up?" A faint scoff passed her lips, and she shook her head in disbelief. "Lovely. That's real nice, mom." 

"Please think this over, Jeneda. Rushing into marriage is never a good idea."

"I'm not rushing into anything. And there's nothing for me to think over, because I've already made my decision."

Silence spun between them, and only after Jeneda's mother blew out a frustrated breath, did she finally offer some words. "Well, clearly you're going to do as you like, so I guess there's no reason for me to even try and change your mind." 

A pause followed her words, yet instead of responding, Jeneda only sat rigidly on the bed with lips pressed tightly together. 

"Alright, Jeneda. When you both get some free time, bring him out here to meet me."

"Do you really mean that, or are you just saying it to temporarily pacify me?"

"I want to meet him. If he's going to be your husband, then I'll need to get to know him. And the only way to effectively do that, is to talk with him face to face."

Her expression softened, and the barest hint of a smile touched her full lips. "As soon as we get some dates picked out, we'll give you a call and let you know." 

"Okay."

"Talk later, then."

"Bye, Jeneda."

After setting her cell phone down on the bedside table, Jeneda curled up against Dane, and with her head resting against his shoulder, she began to speak. 

"My mom wants us to come out to Key West for a visit."

"Okay....so that's good news, right?"

"I guess. I'd like to hope that she's seriously interested in meeting you, but I think she may be doing it out of obligation."

"Even if that's true, I'm still grateful that she's even giving me the chance." 

"Yeah, so am I." Sighing lightly, she allowed her palm to run up and down the length of his smooth chest. "Between your mother and my mother, this should be quite an interesting wedding."

"Most definitely," he said. And with a note of apprehension in his voice, he added, "Maybe a little too interesting."

* * * *

Seven hours later, while driving back from a music and arts festival in Monterey, Dane's Prius hit a bump in the road. The force of it caused the front end of the car to violently shimmy, followed by the unmistakable flop, flop sound of a tire going flat. 

Dane loudly cursed, then swerved to the side of the road and skidded to a stop. As he got out of the car, so did Jeneda, and they both headed to the front of the Prius to inspect the damage. 

"Damnit, it is a flat." Dane shook his head in dismay, and with a deep sigh of frustration, walked back to the driver's side. 

Once he was there, he pulled the trunk release lever, then went around to the back of the car. Wanting to see if she could be of any help, Jeneda followed.

"Just our luck that we broke down in the middle of nowhere..." She watched as he effortlessly lifted the spare tire out of the car, then a jack. "Where are we, anyway?" 

Glancing around at their surroundings, she saw that there was an interstate nearby, as well as a lonely expanse of tarmac that seemed to stretch out into infinite emptiness. 

"We're right outside of highway 156. Which basically means, we're still a long way from home." 

They both walked back to the front of the car, and as he bent down on one knee to position the jack next to the flat tire, she bent down as well. 

"Need any help?"

"No thanks, I got it." He maneuvered the jack so that it was supporting the car, then began to loosen the lug nuts. "You ever change a tire before?" He asked.

"Plenty of times. Thanks to my dad, I'm pretty self sufficient when it comes to vehicle repair."

"Oh yeah?" He pumped the jack so that the front end of the car was lifted off the ground, then removed the destroyed tire and replaced it with the new one. "All this time you've been a gear head, and I didn't even know."

"I wouldn't go so far as to call myself a gear head, but I can do basic stuff like changing tires and making sure my break fluid levels are okay."

The smile he gave her seemed to convey how cute he found her statement, but as he focused his attention back on the spare tire, the expression of amusement on his face suddenly transformed into one of seriousness. 

"You have got to be kidding me." 

"What?" Jeneda followed his line of sight, and as he pointed out a sizeable tear in the rubber, she let out a groan of disappointment. "Oh that's just wonderful."

Dane blew out a puff of air, and after rising to his feet, headed around to the driver's side. He reached inside the car to retrieve his cell phone, then dialed in a towing company and provided the operator with his location. 

After ending the call, he slipped his phone into the pocket of his jeans, then leaned against the car and crossed his arms over his chest. "We've got an hour to kill. Any ideas?"

"An hour...you're joking, right?"

"We're in the middle of nowhere," Dane said, and with a light shrug, he added, "Things could always be worse, right?"

"After getting a flat tire and finding out that the spare has a hole in it, It's kind of hard to imagine things getting any suckier. But we are together, so at least there's that."

He pulled her up against him so that her body was flush against his, and after resting his palms against the swell of her ass, he gave it a firm squeeze. "So what do you think we should to pass the time?"

"I don't know..." But that wasn't entirely true, because she did have a few ideas that were more than a little naughty. "I am kinda hungry, though."

"So am I." He pressed his hips against hers so that she could feel the beginnings of his erection.

"No, really." Her inner muscles clenched involuntarily at the lust-filled look he gave her. "There's a truck stop just a little further up the road."

Dane glanced down the stretch of tarmac, and after noting a lit up sign perched atop a retro looking diner, he looked back at Jeneda. "That greasy pit?" He lightly chuckled before saying, "The place is called Babe's. Are you really sure you wanna eat there?"

"It's not like we have a whole lot of other choices."

"Yeah, I guess you've got a point." He looked back at the restaurant once more as if expecting it to disappear like a mirage. Then he released her from his hold and retrieved his car keys from the ignition. 

After clicking the key fob to lock the doors, Dane grabbed her hand, and together they made their way down the road. Along the way, they passed a defunct gas station that seemed to have been out of service since the 1950's. Its boarded up windows and doors were covered with graffiti, and the antique looking gas pumps were rusted with age.

Except for the occasional tractor trailers that passed them by, the road was empty. But as they finally reached the truck stop diner, the feeling of being in a ghost town gradually subsided. 

Dane opened the door so that she could enter first, and after stepping in behind her, he followed her to an empty table. A waitress promptly came to take their order, and after what seemed like barely five minutes, they received their meals. 

Jeneda tucked into her food with enthusiasm, and only after clearing half of her plate, did she realize that Dane was intently watching her. 

"You're really enjoying that, aren't you?" Dane asked. 

Suddenly self-conscious, she slowed her chewing, then covered her mouth with her hand. "I'm sorry, am I smacking?"

"No. I'm just surprised to see you eating liver and onions."

"I love liver and onions. They're delicious."

"Never had them myself, but I'll take your word for it." He ate some more of his chili cheese fries, then took a sip of his coke. "If you had to choose between leather and vinyl, which would you prefer?"

"Hmm..." She took a sip of her lemonade while thinking it over, then finally gave her response. "I love the look and feel of leather, but there's something very sexy abut vinyl." 

"I agree." 

More than a little curious as to what had prompted his question, she considered asking. But before she could, he spoke again.

"If you had to lose one of your senses, which one would it be?"

Now thoroughly intrigued, she fixed her gaze on him. But his face was expressionless, leaving her to wonder at just what he was planning. "I don't know, that's a hard one," she said. "Which would you choose?"

"I asked first."

His stare was so captivating that she found herself unable to look away, and suddenly the food on her plate was forgotten. 

"I'm not sure..." But she did, and paused to enhance his anticipation. "Guess I would have to go with smell." 

"Interesting." He rested his arms on the table, then leaned forward slightly. "And why would you pick smell?"

"Because I could live without smelling things, but I wouldn't be able to stand not seeing or hearing anything. And I love food too much to give up taste."

"But without an olfactory gland, you would have virtually no sense of taste at all."

"True. But that would still be better than not hearing or seeing."

"What about touch?"

"I'm a very tactile person, so I wouldn't be able to give that up, either."

He watched her silently for a few moments before saying, "With the loss of one sense comes the heightening of another."

"Yes..." Her voice trailed off and an expectant look came into her eyes.

But instead of continuing on, Dane only resumed eating.

"Oh come one," she said. "You can't lead me into a conversation like that, and then just leave me hanging."

She waited for him to say something, but to her frustration, he remained quiet. 

"You're planning something, aren't you?"

"I don't know. Am I?" A slow smile spread across his handsome face.

With a curious expression on her face, she locked her eyes into his, and although she already had an idea of what was going on in his head, she was clueless as to how or when he would decide to put his plans into action. She didn't have long to indulge herself in these thoughts, however, because she was suddenly struck with a sneaking suspicion that somebody was watching her and Dane. 

With the diner full of customers, she wasn't entirely certain of where this observer was seated. But after a few short moments of scanning the room, her eyes came to rest on one particular individual. 

As soon as she saw who it was, she froze. Her stomach lurched with nervous tension, and the food that was digesting in her stomach suddenly felt like nothing more than a hard, greasy ball. Her rigid posture drew the attention of Dane, and with concern lacing his tone, he spoke to her.

"What's wrong?" 

"My dad. He's sitting right over there."

Dane turned his head to follow her line of sight, and after noting the big, burly black man keenly watching them from across the diner, he looked back at Jeneda. "Is he the one in the plaid shirt and trucker's cap?" 

She nodded, then gave an anxious swallow. 

"Has he been here the entire time, just watching us?"

"I don't know. I didn't notice him when we came in, but then again, I wasn't really paying attention."

Dane snuck another look at Jeneda's father before asking, "Should we go over and say hi?"

"I think It'd be best if I went alone."

"Why? He's already seen me, so I may as well introduce myself."

"Just let me go over there first, okay? It'll give me a chance to smooth things out with him."

"Alright. Just give me the signal when you're ready."

She nodded and rose to her feet. Then with tentative steps, she headed to the other side of the diner where her father, Gary, was seated at a table next to a large window. 

His eyes remained intently fixed on her, and as she moved closer to where he was, her heart pounded against her chest. She came to a stop in front of him, and as he stared up at her from beneath the brim of his trucker's cap, she looked timidly back at him. 

"Hi, Dad."

"Jeneda." He nodded slowly in acknowledgment, but his expression remained less than friendly.

"Funny seeing you here." The words came out sounding dumb even to her own ears, and she shifted her weight nervously from one foot to the other. "I mean clearly you would be at a truck stop, because you drive a truck for a living. So I guess It's not that out of the ordinary..." Her voice trailed off, and she briefly averted her eyes, then cleared her throat.




Velvet Kisses Ch. 02



"What do you want, Jeneda?" 

"Nothing. I just thought I'd say hello."

"Well, you've said it." He blinked once, then twice, before picking up his fork and stabbing it into a chunk of meat. 

"Chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes. That always was your favorite meal." A faint smile crossed her lips, and before she could lose her nerve, she took a seat directly across from him.

The look he gave her seemed to insinuate that he thought she'd gone crazy, but she ignored it. 

"I know you're still mad at me, and I'm sure you want nothing more than for me to leave you alone. But we need to talk."

"We already have," he said between mouthfuls of mashed potatoes. "I have nothing more to say to you. I thought I made that very clear."

"Dad, please. Just give me a chance here, okay?" 

He said nothing in return, only took a long, noisy sip of his beverage. 

"I hate the fact that we don't talk anymore, and I want to make things right between us."

"It's too late for that."

"Really?" A look of astonishment crossed her face. "You're not even willing to give me a second chance?"

"Why should I? You've made it very clear where your loyalties lie." Gary reinforced his statement with a glance in Dane's direction, who was watching them from across the diner.

"You still come first in my life, dad. You always will."

"You don't really expect me to believe that...not after what you did." For the first time in the past few minutes, he looked her straight in the eyes.

The heat of his gaze was too much for her to handle, so she cast her eyes down in shame and rested it on her hands, which were fidgeting in her lap. 

"Your mother tells me you're marrying him."

"Yes, I am." She looked back up at him, and in a voice that was soft and full of hope, she said, "I'm sure you'll probably say no, but it would mean a lot if you would give me away."

A harsh chuckle passed his lips. "You're joking, right?" He shook his head, then speared a large chunk of chicken fried steak with his fork. "I'd rather pass another kidney stone than give you away to that soulless bastard." 

Jeneda noticed him throw another glance over her shoulder, and as she realized that he was staring down Dane, she nervously shifted in her seat. 

"So I guess there's no point in me even asking if you'll attend."

He said nothing in return, only kept his gaze pinned on Dane, who was undoubtedly growing very nervous.

"You wouldn't have to participate," she said. "Just having you present would be enough."

"I'm not coming, Jeneda."

He said it with such severity, that it frightened her a little, and she felt the knot in her stomach tighten even further.

"If you want to commit your life to a thieving murderer, that's your business," Gary said. "But I will not be there to watch you do it."

"He's not a murderer, dad. He didn't kill anyone."

"He may as well have pulled the trigger. He didn't do anything to stop it, did he?"

Jeneda shook her head.

"Well that's a murderer in my book."

"I know that you hate him, dad. And I know nothing will change your opinion of him. But can you please find it in your heart to forgive me?"

Gary released his fork so that it clattered loudly against his plate. A deep furrow appeared between his brows, and with a stare so icy cold it seemed to freeze her in place, he spoke.

"You've chosen your side. You've not only made it clear that you're unwilling to give this man up, but you're also marrying him." His frown deepened into a scowl, and his lips drew into a straight line, leaving him with no choice but to speak through gritted teeth. "I can not, and I will not be a part of your life ever again. Not as long as he's in it. Understand?"

The words cut through her like a knife, and although he hadn't laid a finger on her, it felt as if she'd just received a hard slap across the face. A wounded expression crossed her features, and after pushing back her chair and rising to her feet, she spoke a few words in parting. 

"So that's it. You're pushing me out of your life forever."

He stared at her for a few more moments before picking his fork back up. Then he lifted the newspaper that was sitting in front of his plate and positioned it in front of his face. 

Now effectively cut off from continuing the conversation with him, Jeneda was left with no choice but to stand there feeling stupid. There was an awful finality to the moment, and as she realized there was a very real possibility that she would never see her father again, her eyes welled up with tears. 

"I guess there's nothing more for me to say, then." Her voice wavered on the last words, but before her emotions could get the better of her, she forced back the lump in her throat and said, "Goodbye, dad." 

She turned on her heel, and with hasty steps, made her way back to the table where Dane was sitting.

She didn't bother to take a seat, only grabbed her purse, and in a voice that was barely audible, she said, "Let's go."

She barely had time to turn away from him and head for the cashier before a fat tear trickled down her cheek, but that didn't stop Dane from figuring out that she was overwhelmed with sorrow.

He quickly followed behind her, and as he fell into stride beside her, he studied her face. "Baby, you're crying. What happened?"

"Nothing. Everything is exactly the same as it was before." 

As they reached the cashier, she handed over the bill, then reached into her purse to pull out her wallet. But before she could retrieve any money from her purse, Dane pulled out a wad of bills from his back pocket. 

"Put your money away, honey. I'm paying," he said.

She slipped her wallet back into her purse, then waited impatiently as the cashier, who was a tattooed brunette with frosted lipstick and gobs of mascara, rang up their bill. Even with her back facing the table where her father was seated, Jeneda knew that his eyes were pinned on her and Dane. 

And sure enough, as they turned around from the cashier and headed for the door, she saw that her father was indeed staring directly at them. To Jeneda's surprise, Dane looked right back at him. Then he did something that really caught her off guard.

Instead of continuing toward the door, he suddenly diverted his course, heading straight for the table where Gary was seated. For a moment she was too stunned to say anything at all, but as she realized that Dane truly was going to make contact with her father, a panicked expression came onto her face. 

"Dane, stop. This Isn't a good idea." She grabbed his arm and gave it a gentle tug in hopes that it would discourage him from continuing toward her father, but he only walked on. 

"The man is staring right at me, Jeneda. I can't just leave without saying anything."

"He doesn't want to meet you. Can't you see that?"

"I know he doesn't," Dane said. "But the least I can do is apologize for what I've done. I owe him that much."

"And you really think that's going to help?" 

Apparently he did, because he continued forward, only coming to a halt once he reached his destination. 

"Hello, Mr. Larkson. I'm Dane, your daughter's fiancée." He held out his hand as a gesture of respect, but quickly dropped it as the other man's face darkened with anger. "You have every right to hate me," Dane said. "And I know you're probably wondering how I even got the nerve to come over here and speak to you. But I couldn't leave without offering an apology."

With his lumberjack-like body and rugged beard, Gary exuded an aura of power and sternness. The look he gave Dane was nothing short of homicidal, and his body visibly stiffened as he glared at the man standing before him. 

"An apology." His words came out strained, as if he were struggling to keep from yelling. 

"Yes. I'm sorry for what I did." Dane paused for a moment, as if trying to find the right words. Then in a lowered voice, he said, "Not a day goes by that I don't think about what happened. I know it was wrong, and I know that my actions negatively affected a lot of people." 

As his voice drifted off he momentarily lowered his eyes, then once again lifted them to meet Gary's. 

"I was so damn concerned with saving my own ass, that I didn't even stop to think about what I was really doing. An innocent man died that night, and instead of telling the police, I punked out and kept it a secret. I was wrong, and I apologize for my involvement in Vincent's death."

Although it was clear that Dane had finished, Gary only continued to look at him with hard, cold eyes. His jaw clenched repeatedly, and in what Jeneda guessed was barely restrained ferocity, he breathed deeply through flared nostrils. 

She also couldn't help noticing that her father was pointing the tip of the knife and the prongs of the fork in Dane's direction. She would have preferred to assume that he was doing it unconsciously, but deep down inside, she knew that her father wanted nothing more than to spear Dane's body like the chicken fried steak he'd just consumed. 

"Fuck your apology," Gary said. "Because of you, my best friend didn't even have a proper funeral. There was no body, just a photo in a casket. Do you have any idea what It's like to say goodbye to a *photograph*?"

At a loss for words, Dane blinked a few times, then cleared his throat. "No, I don't."

Dane's response only seemed to compound Gary's anger, and as Jeneda gazed worriedly at her father, she could see that there was a storm brewing in his eyes. 

"First you take my best friend, and now you take my daughter." His lips pulled into a menacing grimace. "What more do you want from me? Who else are you planning to steal from my life, you fucking thief?" His voice had risen several octaves, drawing attention from the other customers in the diner. 

"Dad, please." Jeneda glanced around the nearly filled restaurant, and as she saw that all eyes were cast in the direction of Dane and her father, her face grew hot with embarrassment. 

"Stay out of this, Jeneda," Gary shouted. "This is between me and him."

With eyes that burned with hatred, he looked back at Dane. Then suddenly and unexpectedly, he rose to his feet. If he wasn't imposing before, he sure as hell was now, and only once he'd stretched himself to his full height of six feet three inches tall, did he take a step toward Dane.

"Daddy, don't." Jeneda stepped in front of him, then placed a hand on his wide chest in a fruitless attempt to prevent him from moving any further. 

"Don't, *what*?" Gary asked.

"Please don't hit him. He only came to apologize, he doesn't want any trouble."

"I'm not going to hit him."

"You're not?"

"No."

Although he said it firmly and with utter conviction, Jeneda couldn't help but worry that he might end up losing his temper. But she also knew that her father wasn't a liar, and if he truly had intentions to punch Dane, it would have already happened. 

With Dane watching on in complete silence, Jeneda was uncertain if he was even still standing behind her. But as she snuck a curious glance over her shoulder, she saw that he was. 

He momentarily allowed his eyes to lock with hers before focusing back on Gary, but in that short span of time, she'd been able to sense that he was more than a little nervous.

"Take your hand off my chest and let me by, Jeneda."

The sound of her father's deep, baritone voice brought her attention back to him, but as she lifted her eyes to his face, she noticed that he wasn't looking at her, but instead at Dane. 

Patience had never been one of her father's strongest traits, and the last thing she wanted was to enrage him any further, so she removed her hand from his chest, then stepped to the side so that he could walk past her.

It only took a few steps before Gary closed the distance between him and Dane, and as his burly form loomed over Dane's leanly muscular and lanky body, Jeneda's heart thumped hard and heavy in her chest. 

At six feet one, Dane was normally the one to look down on others, but Gary had two inches on him, so Dane had no choice but to gaze up at the taller man's imposing form. 

With eyes narrowed into dangerous slits, Gary glared down at him, seeming to relish in the fact that he not only towered over Dane, but also outweighed him by at least eighty pounds. 

For a moment that seemed to stretch on forever, the two men stood there in complete silence. Then finally, and with every customer in the restaurant watching on, Gary spoke in a voice that was low and threatening.

"Stay away from the rest of my family, you understand? I don't want you anywhere near them."

"Okay." Not averting his eyes for even a second, Dane continued to gaze up at Jeneda's father, looking him straight in the eyes. 

"I don't like you. And I sure as hell don't want you with my daughter. But clearly she's chosen to continue this relationship." 

Gary briefly allowed his eyes to rest on his daughter so that he could give her a disapproving look, which caused her in turn to shift her weight uncomfortably. 

"I've made it very clear to Jeneda how disappointed I am," Gary continued. "And she already knows that I've cut off all communication with her. But I'm *still* her father."

"Of course, and I completely respect that," Dane said. 

"If you hurt her in any way..." He stared pointedly at Dane, giving him a look that seemed like it was intended to kill him on the spot. "If you do *anything* to put her life in danger."

"I won't," Dane quickly said. "She means the world to me. I would rather die than let any harm come to Jeneda."

He said it with such conviction that nobody could have ever accused him of being a liar. But Gary was anything but convinced by Dane's statement, and for an uncomfortably long amount of time he studied Dane's face, as if searching for signs of untruthfulness. 

It seemed that he finally came to the conclusion that Dane was being truthful, because his stare became less intense. His aggressive stance, however, remained just as intimidating. 

"Do right by her," Gary said. "Or you'll have me to deal with."

He turned and walked away from Dane, and without even a parting glance in Jeneda's direction, he headed for the back of the diner. Along with Dane and Jeneda, nearly all of the customers in the diner watched as Gary casually strolled away, and only once he'd disappeared down the hallway that led to the men's restroom, did all eyes turn back to focus on Dane and Jeneda. 

Feeling more than a little self-conscious, Jeneda grabbed Dane's hand. And with her leading the way, they headed straight for the door and walked out into the night.



Velvet Kisses Ch. 03



*So glad that you guys are enjoying this story. Thanks for all of the Awesome support!! :)**




"No way," Luna said. "No fucking way. You're *engaged*?"

"What?" Ethan, who was standing in front of a full length mirror, turned to face Luna and Jeneda, who were sitting on the edge of his bed. 

"Yep. Dane asked me to marry him," Jeneda said. 

"When did this happen?" Luna asked.

"Four days ago."

"Four days...." The expression on her face clearly displayed her dissatisfaction at Jeneda's response. "And when exactly were you planning on telling us?" 

"Holy cow," Ethan interjected. "Look at the size of that thing!" He walked closer to Jeneda, then grabbed her hand so he could check out her ring up close. 

"I meant to tell you guys sooner, but I just never got the chance," Jeneda said.

"What do you mean you never got the chance?" Luna asked. "How hard is it to pick up the phone and call us?"

"A lot of stuff has happened since he proposed."

"Like what?"

"Who cares why it took her so long to tell us." Continuing to admire her ring, Ethan tilted her hand from side to side so that the sunlight filtering in through the gauzy curtains bounced off of the stunning diamond. "I'm more interested in hearing the details of how Dane proposed."

"He did it at Grace Cathedral," Jeneda said. "There's a gazebo in the gardens out back, and that's where he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him."

"How romantic."

"It was all lit up with candles and fairy lights, and the top of the gazebo was covered with red roses."

"Oh my gosh, that sounds so beautiful," Ethan said. 

"That really does sound amazing," Luna agreed, and she took another glance at Jeneda's engagement ring before asking, "So did you cry, jump up and down, faint, or what? We want to hear everything."

"Faint?" Her face split into a huge smile. "Do I look like a fainter to you?"

"*I'd* faint," Ethan said. "This ring is huge, I mean look at it."

"The cut and clarity is flawless." Luna shook her head in astonishment, then lightly ran the tip of her finger over the sparkling gemstone. "He must have spent some serious cash."

"It doesn't matter how much he spent," Jeneda said. "I'm just thrilled to have him as my fiancée."

"You better be careful, girl." Luna averted her attention from the ring and gave Jeneda a serious look.

"Why?" Jeneda asked.

"Because once word hits the street, all of Dane's little comic book groupies are going to come after you."

"Jeneda will be fine," Ethan said. "She has us to protect her, remember?"

"Let them come," Jeneda said. "I'd love to see them try."

"No, actually you wouldn't." Luna looked her straight in the eyes, and in a tone that was completely earnest, she said, "Some of these girls can be pretty hardcore." 

"What do you mean?"

"Dane has a few rabid fans. And when I say rabid, I mean batshit crazy and completely obsessed."

"What?" She faintly chuckled, but it was out of nervousness more than amusement. "Luna, you're starting to scare me."

"Sorry, sweetie. But I thought I'd give you fair warning, so you know the type of broads you'll be dealing with."

"Luna's right," Ethan said. "I've been to a quite a few comic book conventions with her, and he does have a couple of fans who seem a little unbalanced." 

"What do you mean by unbalanced? And how do you guys know what his fans are like? Have you actually talked to them, or are you just making assumptions?"

"Jeneda, come on. We wouldn't lie to you about this," Luna said.

"I'm not calling you liars. I just need to know the exact level of crazy I'm dealing with here."

"First off, It's only a couple of nutty females, okay? The majority of his fan base is pretty chill and laid back."

"Okay, well that makes me feel a little better. But what about the ones who aren't so sane?"

Luna and Ethan exchanged a brief glance, and after positioning her body so that she was sitting cross legged, Luna stared to speak. 

"I doubt that any of these girls will actually try and do you harm. But if you start attending conventions with Dane, you'll most likely run into at least a few them."

"Now we aren't telling you to start carrying pepper spray," Ethan said. "You'll probably just get a couple of dirty looks and some nasty comments."

"No big deal. I can handle that," Jeneda said. "As long as they don't try to go all fatal attraction on Dane, then there shouldn't be any problems."

Curious as to what time it was, Jeneda glanced at the display screen of her cell phone, and as she saw that it was a quarter to noon, she scooted off Ethan's bed. "The parade starts in half an hour you guys."

"Is it that late already?" Ethan checked the time on his own mobile phone, and as he saw that it was indeed almost noon, he said, "You're right. I'd better get dressed." 

"I still think you think you should wear a costume instead of jeans and a T-shirt," Jeneda said as she joined him at the closet. 

"What, you mean like a pair of assless chaps and a leather vest?"

Jeneda chuckled in response, and with a smile on his lips, Ethan pulled out a pair of jeans and a T-shirt that proclaimed, 'Some dudes marry dudes. Get over it'. "Maybe if I was still on the prowl. But I'm with someone now."

"That hasn't stopped you before," Luna said with a large grin.

"Yeah, well that was then and this is now. Marco's my boyfriend. He's not just some guy I'm sleeping with."

"So this is it, then. You're officially coupled up."

"Yep." A soft smile graced his lips, and after slipping into his jeans he pulled his T-shirt over his tanned, muscular torso.

"Well good for you," Jeneda said. "Marco seems like a really nice guy, so I'm glad you're still together."

"Thanks, hon. I appreciate that."

Ethan took a few moments to admire himself in the full length mirror, then distributed some gel through his hair, which was neatly trimmed on the sides and spiky on top. Jeneda, who was outfitted in a pair of jean shorts and a white tank top, checked herself out in the mirror as well. 

"When are you and Dane getting married?" Ethan asked. 

"April 16th."

"You have a venue picked out?"

"Not yet."

"How about a dress?" Luna asked.

"Of course not. I've only been engaged for four days."

"Why of course? I've had my wedding dress picked out for three years now."

"Three years?" Ethan averted his attention from the mirror to look at Luna, who was pulling her long, curly hair into a high ponytail. "You're joking, right?"

"No, I'm not joking. Why? What's so weird about that?"

"I didn't say it was weird." He sprayed himself with cologne, then turned to face Luna. "But three years is kind of a long time, isn't it? Fashions change, and by the time you get married, that dress will be vintage." 

"Oh, thanks," Luna said. 

Jeneda tried her best to resist from smirking, but against her best efforts, the corners of her lips tugged upward. 

"Go ahead, laugh it up." Luna pinned Jeneda with an intent gaze, then crossed her arms against her chest. "I can already tell you'll be one of those smug married people, looking down on me because I'm still single and waiting to be proposed to." 

"I will not." Her tone of voice implied that she took offense to Luna's statement, and with slightly furrowed brows, she gave a response. "Just because I'm getting married doesn't mean I'll be smug. And I certainly won't think that I'm better than you." 

"Yeah, okay." 

"I won't."

She said nothing in return, only preened at her reflection in the mirror. 

"Come on, Luna. You don't seriously think that this ring on my finger will change our relationship, do you?" 

She lightly shrugged, then retrieved a pair of rainbow sunglasses from the surface of Ethan's dresser and slipped them on.

"Take the glasses off, Luna."

"Why?"

"Because I want to see your eyes."

A few moments passed before Luna reluctantly removed the sunglasses, and as Jeneda saw that her eyes were moist, she realized that she was on the verge of crying. 

"What's going on, sweetie?"

"Nothing."

"Come on, I know something's wrong. Talk to me."

Luna's bottom lip began to quiver, and she blinked a few times to keep the tears from spilling. "It's Jason..." 

The expression on Jeneda's face was one of concern, and as Luna looked back at her with a heartbroken expression, Jeneda steeled herself for what would most certainly be unpleasant news.

"He's screwing around on me." She plopped down on the edge of Ethan's bed, then let out a shaky breath.

"You mean you've been holding this in the entire day?" Ethan took a seat next to her on the bed. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Ever since we met up this morning, you've been taking about how good things are with Marco," she said. "I didn't want to ruin your mood, so I decided to just keep quiet and not burden you with my problems."

"But that's what I'm here for," Ethan said. "I'm supposed to be there for you, regardless of whatever is happening in my life." 

"We're both here for you." Jeneda sat down on the other side of Luna, then gently grabbed her hand. "And just because I'm getting married, doesn't mean that you have to feel uncomfortable talking to me about your relationship issues."

"Maybe I shouldn't, but I do," Luna said. "This is your time to celebrate and be happy, not listen to me whine about Jason's cheating ass."

"I'm your friend, Luna. And like Ethan said, we're here for you regardless. So stop worrying about whether or not we want to hear about your problems, because that's just part of being a good friend."

Luna sniffed and wiped the tears off her cheek. "I'm sorry to bring you guys down like this." She let out a shaky breath before adding, "I must look so pathetic." 

"No you don't," Ethan said. "You look heartbroken, and rightfully so, because that asshole is fucking around behind your back."

"How did you find out?" Jeneda asked.

"Text messages." She briefly paused as if to collect herself, then continued on in a wavering voice. "He sent me three messages yesterday evening, but I could tell they were for somebody else."

Stunned into silence, Jeneda exchanged a glance with Ethan, who seemed equally distressed by Luna's declaration. 

"What did the messages say?" Ethan asked.

"Dirty stuff...mostly letting her know how horny she made him, and how excited he was to hook up with her again."

"What a prick," Jeneda said in a voice that was thick with animosity. "If he wanted to have sex with other people, he could have at least been up front and told you how he felt."

"The cheating bastard." Ethan's brows drew together, and his mouth set in a straight, grim line. "I knew there was something going on. Remember when I bumped into him in Haight and Ashbury a few weeks ago, and told you that it seemed like he was unusually nervous?" 

"Yeah, I remember. You tried to warn me that he might be up to something, but I didn't listen." She let out a harsh sigh, then slowly shook her head before adding, "Why didn't I just listen to you?"

"It's water under the bridge. No need to beat yourself up over it," Jeneda said.

"Dump his ass, and get on with your life. You deserve better, and there are plenty of men out there who would love to date a woman like you."

"Thanks for the moral support, Ethan. But the last thing I want is to get into another relationship right now." 

"Of course, babe. I know you need time to heal," he looped an arm around her shoulder, then wiped a stray tear from her face. "And Jeneda and I will be here for you every step of the way."

"That's right." Jeneda lightly squeezed her hand. "So please don't worry about burdening us, because the last thing we want is for you to go through this alone."

"Thanks guys, I appreciate your support." She weakly smiled, and as she rose to her feet, so did Ethan and Jeneda.

"No need to thank us, that's what we're here for." Jeneda grabbed her purse from the bed, and after glancing at the time on the display screen of her cell phone, she said, "Ten minutes until the parade starts. If we want front row seats, we'd better get a move on."

"I hear Q-bar is having their own float this year," Luna said. 

"Who cares about Q-bar?" Ethan led the way to the front door, and after grabbing his house keys from a small table next to the entryway, he opened the door. "I'm more interested in the firemen float."

"Are they real firemen, though? Or just dressed up in the costumes?" Jeneda asked.

"Does it really matter? They're hot men in uniforms with big hoses. Who cares if they're real firemen or not?"

"I guess you've got a point there," Jeneda said. 

She turned her head to glance at Luna, and after sharing a smile, the two women crossed the threshold and followed Ethan out of his apartment.

* * * *

It was a wonderfully mild September evening, slightly breezy but exceptionally pleasant. The weather couldn't have been more perfect for an outdoor soiree, and considering that this particular occasion was Dane and Jeneda's engagement party, it was an undeniable stroke of luck that the temperature was so balmy.

After nearly a week of contacting various bars and restaurants, Dane's parents had finally located Top of the Mark, a San Francisco restaurant with an amazing rooftop lounge. 

Located on the nineteenth floor of a grand hotel, Top of the Mark was legendary for its spectacular views. But the rooftop lounge was just as impressive, if not even more than the dining establishment that was located beneath it. 

Now, as Jeneda and Dane stepped off of the elevator and onto the rooftop, they were both rendered breathless, and paused for a moment to take in their surroundings. 

It wasn't just the jaw dropping views of the San Francisco skyline and Golden Gate Bridge that commanded their attention, but the sleek leather sofas and glass bar that was backlit by neon blue lighting. Adding to the romantic ambience were fairy lights that were strung tastefully above the rooftop, casting a seductive glow on the guests in attendance.

Elegantly outfitted in a slinky open-back dress made from silk chiffon, Jeneda exuded a combination of soft-spoken elegance and sex appeal. 

Her heels clicked softly against the smooth tile flooring that covered the rooftop, and as she and Dane strolled hand in hand towards the awaiting partygoers, all eyes turned to watch them approach. 

So captivated by the impeccably designed rooftop, Jeneda was unaware that Dane was intently watching her. But as he lightly squeezed her hand to get her attention, she glanced up at his face.

"You look stunning," he said, and his eyes quickly dipped down to give her a quick once over before he added, "Good enough to eat, actually."

His voice washed over her like a soothing balm, and although she was trying very hard to keep from getting excited, she felt the space between her thighs grow very warm. "Stop." 

"Stop what?" 

"You're making me horny."

He lifted an eyebrow, and with an inquisitive look on his face, he asked, "Am I missing something here?"

"This party doesn't end for another three hours, and I am not about to spend the entire evening walking around in wet panties."

"It's your own fault for looking so damn good," he said. "If you didn't want me giving you compliments, then you shouldn't have worn those fuck-me heels."

A smirk played across her lips, and as he continued to fix her with a penetrating stare, she quickly averted her eyes.

"Exactly. You know what turns me on, and you use it to your full advantage."

"I don't know what you're talking about." 

"No?"

She shook her head, but the sly smile on her lips suggested that she did.

"Two can play that game." A smile slowly spread across his lips, and in a tone that was overly confident, he said, "By the end of this evening, those panties of yours are going to be completely soaked through."

"We'll see about that."

"Yes, we will."

"Dane...Jeneda. Over here."

They both turned their heads to see that Naohito and Kitty were standing next to the bar. Naohito gestured for the couple to come over and join them, and as Jeneda realized that Dane's parents were surrounded by a variety of people who were undoubtedly their relatives, her stomach twisted into nervous knots. 

She guessed that Dane must have sensed how anxious she was, because he gingerly traced his thumb along the back of her hand. 

"No need to worry, they're going to love you," he said, and with a look that conveyed how proud he was to have her by his side, he gently pulled her along by the hand. 

"I was starting to wonder about you two," Naohito said as they came to a stop in front of him. "But then I realized that you had probably decided to arrive fashionably late." He offered the couple a warm smile, and after giving Dane a hug, he embraced Jeneda as well.

"Actually, we just lost track of time," Dane said. "Sorry to keep you all waiting."

"No need to apologize, darling," Kitty said. "This *is* your engagement party, so It's only natural that you'd want to make an entrance." She pulled Dane into a hug, and after parting from the embrace, she offered Jeneda a thin smile. "Hello, Jeneda. It's nice to see you again."

"Nice to see you too, Kitty." Her eyes drifted down to take in the blonde woman's dress, which was black and floor length, with shimmery beads embellishing the v-neckline. "Your dress is beautiful, by the way."

"Thank you, Jeneda. You look lovely as well." She smoothed a palm over the satiny material of her garment, then directed her attention to the woman standing directly next to her. "This is my mother, Rebecca."

"It's nice to meet you, Rebecca." Jeneda extended her hand to the older woman, who had silvery gray hair that was fashioned into in a short, tapered cut.

"So you're the young lady that captured Dane's heart." Her pale blue eyes roved from Jeneda's eyes to her hair, and then to her dress before once again resting on her face. "I was very surprised to hear that Dane was getting married. But now that I've met you, I'm beginning to understand why he proposed so quickly."

"Thank you." Jeneda smiled, and in a tone that displayed humility, she said, "That's very kind of you to say." 

"I'm Howard, Kitty's father."

The man who introduced himself stood at least six feet tall, and was dressed in a charcoal colored, three-piece suit. He had thinning white hair and his eyes were dark gray. He held out his age spotted hand for Jeneda to shake it, and as she clasped palms with him, she gave him a smile.

"It's nice to meet you, Howard." 

"I'm Gregory, Kitty's brother," said a slightly heavyset man with dark brown hair and warm, brown eyes. 

"Nice to meet you, Gregory." She shook his hand, but no sooner had they released palms, did a statuesque woman stepped forward.

"I'm Nina, Kitty's sister."

As Jeneda shook her hand, she found herself stunned at Nina's uncanny resemblance to the model Christy Brinkley, but her attention was abruptly pulled away as several other people on Kitty's side of the family began to introduce themselves. 

There were so many people surrounding her that she began to feel a bit overwhelmed, and yet at the same time, she was pleased to find that the majority of Dane's relatives seemed friendly and welcoming. 

It wasn't until a separate clump of people suddenly stepped forward that Jeneda realized the introductions were far from over, and as she scanned the curious faces gazing at her, she realized that this particular group of people were clearly from Naohito's side of the family.

"This is Mitsuko, my grandmother." Dane affectionately placed his hand on an old woman's shoulder, and as she stepped forward, Jeneda smiled warmly.

"It's nice to meet you, Mitsuko." 

Mitsuko, who was small in stature and dressed in a peach colored dress with a matching jacket, gave a nod of acknowledgment as well as a smile. 




Velvet Kisses Ch. 03



"Shinji, my grandfather." Dane gestured to a man of medium height that had a thick mass of snow-white hair and a cane in his left hand. 

Jeneda exchanged pleasantries with him, then shifted her eyes to the other members of Dane's family, who he began to introduce one by one. His aunt, Rosalind, who had waist length black hair and was dressed in a red shift dress that clung to her thin frame, had been accompanied by her husband, John, who spoke with an accent that Jeneda guessed to be French. Also in attendance was their son, Jin, who had boyish good looks and seemed to be in his mid twenties.

The introductions went on until finally there were no more relatives left for her to meet, and after chatting with several people on both sides of Dane's family, the throng surrounding her and Dane eventually began to dissipate. 

It wasn't until people fanned out and broke off into private conversations that Jeneda finally felt more at ease, and as she glanced up at Dane, he looped an arm around her waist and gave her a smile. 

"I told you they would love you."

The corners of her mouth tugged upwards, and as he leaned down to press his lips against hers, she eagerly returned his kiss.

"Hey, you two," a voice suddenly called out. "This is a family party. Stop sucking face and get a room already." 

Jeneda and Dane pulled back from the kiss, and as they turned their heads in the direction of the voice, they noticed a man with dark brown curly hair and a prominent nose approaching them. 

"Hey, Sean. It's great to see you man," Dane said as he and his friend exchanged a manly handshake that was somewhat akin to a fist bump. I'm so glad you could make it."

"Are you kidding? You're engaged, of course I showed up." He turned his attention to Jeneda, then held out his hand so that she could shake it. "You must be Jeneda."

"I am. It's nice to meet you, Sean." 

"It's good to meet you, too. Dane's told me a lot about you," he said before quickly adding, "Actually, let me rephrase that. He hasn't just told me about you, he's unashamedly *bragged.*

"Really..." Jeneda glanced up at Dane, who gave her a smile in return. 

"Come on, man. Why wouldn't I brag? Look at her." Dane pridefully gazed down at his fiancée before looking back at Sean.

"Yeah, alright. Guess I can't disagree with you on that." A grin crossed Sean's face. "So have you two picked out a date yet?"

"April sixteenth," Dane said.

"Where are you guys getting married?"

"We haven't decided yet," Jeneda said. "But we've got time, so we'll figure it out."

"Right on. Well I'm definitely looking forward to it." He took a look around at his surroundings, and after scanning the guests who were in attendance, he said, "So who's idea was it to throw this party on the roof?"

"My mom and dad took care of all the arrangements," Dane said. "They've been to this hotel a few times, so I guess they figured this would be a good place to host an engagement party." 

"Excellent choice. They did a great job."

"Yes, they did," Jeneda said. "Things couldn't have turned out more perfect."

Since they were in close proximity to the bar, they all decided to get a drink. Once they had their cocktails in hand, they fell back into amiable conversation. 

A few minutes passed before Jeneda spotted two people exit the elevator and walk out onto the roof, and as she realized that it was Ethan and Luna, she excitedly waved them over.

Ethan, who always looked well put together, was dressed in a pale pink v-neck T-shirt, a pair of white slacks, and a well-cut black blazer.

Luna was outfitted in a spaghetti strap dress that clung tastefully to her soft curves, and her long, curly hair hung loosely around her shoulders. Upon reaching Jeneda, both Luna and Ethan gave her a hug, then said their hellos to Dane and Sean.

"Wow, this is pretty swanky," Luna said as she took in the well-decorated rooftop. "And the view is gorgeous."

"I was just telling them that," Sean said while looking pointedly at Luna. "Dane's parents really went all out for this engagement party.

"Yeah, well, these two have been through a lot these past nine months, so if anyone deserves an awesome engagement party, It's definitely them." 

"Thanks, Luna," Jeneda said. "That's sweet of you to say."

"Just being truthful," she said with a smile. "By the way, that dress looks gorgeous on you."

"Thanks, sweetie. You're looking pretty hot, yourself."

"What about me?" Ethan asked. "Don't I look good, too?"

"Of course you do. But then again, you always look nice," Jeneda said.

"Stop fishing for compliments, Ethan," Luna jokingly said. "You're already perfectly aware of how good you look."

"Oh, please. You're just jealous of my beauty." He ran his fingers through his freshly gelled hair with purposeful exaggeration.

"Yeah, okay." Luna shared a smirk with Jeneda before addressing both her and Dane. "So, now that you guys are getting hitched, I guess It's only a matter of time before you start dressing alike and finishing each others sentences."

"Well I don't know about wearing matching outfits, but I suppose we could always coordinate our underwear." Dane said it with such a straight face that nobody could be certain if he was joking around.

"When you say coordinating underwear, you mean like wearing the same color, right?" Luna asked. "Or do you mean that you'd actually wear the same panties that she does?"

"I meant to wear the same color or pattern. But I wouldn't be entirely opposed to wearing women's underwear."

Jeneda giggled, then shook her head at Dane's silliness.

"Whoa. Way too much information," Sean said. "I always knew you were a bit abnormal, Dane, but damn. I never thought you were the type of dude to wear women's underwear."

Dane heartily chuckled, then lightly shook his head. "I was only kidding, Sean. So you can chill out, man."

"Naw, I think you're serious. You probably would be freaky enough to do something like that."

"You're right, Sean. I would." Dane's words dripped with sarcasm. "It's always been a burning desire for me to wear women's panties." 

Ethan and Luna chortled, and with a twinkle of amusement in her eyes, Jeneda jumped into Dane and Sean's conversation. 

"You may as well admit it, Dane. He's found you out." A smirk threatened to cross her lips, but she willed it away. "He has expressed an interest in wearing my bikini underwear, Sean. But personally, I think thongs would suit him better."

"Why thongs?" The mirthful look on Ethan's face conveyed that he was playing along with Jeneda's little game.

"Because he's got a cute little ass, that's why."

"Oh come on, you guys are joking, right?" Sean looked from Dane to Jeneda, and then back again before saying, "You've gotta be joking. You're just having fun with me."

"Would it matter if I was?" Dane's expression turned super serious.

"Well, no...I guess it wouldn't. If you want to wear panties, then hey, that's your business, man." 

Unable to hold back any longer, Jeneda burst out in laughter, and Ethan and Luna chuckled along with her. Dane joined in, and as the three of them laughed at Sean, his face grew red.

"I knew it, you guys were joking around." 

"You actually thought I was interested in wearing women's underwear? Come on, man. How long have you known me?"

"A really long time, and that's exactly why I thought you might be serious," Sean said. "And besides, It's not like you would just randomly disclose your interest in cross-dressing to me."

Dane shook his head in amusement and started to say something else, but his attention was suddenly diverted. Jeneda noticed that he was looking off into the distance, and as she followed his gaze, she saw a Native American man with long, black hair coming their way. 

At six foot three, he was easily the tallest person in sight, and the dinner jacket he wore accentuated his expansive shoulders and powerful biceps. It seemed that Luna and Ethan took note of his striking good looks as well, because they intently watched as he came closer. 

"Hey, Henry. Glad you could make it," Dane said as the man approached.

"Wouldn't have missed it for the world." He shared a hybrid handshake-hug with Dane before adding, "Thanks for inviting me."

"No problem." Dane wrapped an arm around Jeneda's waist, then proudly introduced her. "This is my fiancée, Jeneda."

"Nice to meet you, Jeneda. I'm Henry Two Crows."

"Pleasure to meet you, Henry." She shook his hand. 

"I'm Luna." She smiled coquettishly at Henry, then offered her hand for him to shake.

"Nice to meet you, Luna."

"I'm Ethan." 

Henry shook Ethan's hand as well, then exchanged pleasantries with Sean before turning his gaze back on Dane and Jeneda. "My girlfriend is home sick with the flu, so she won't be coming. But she wanted me to tell you guys congratulations for her."

"Sorry to hear that, Dane said. "Hopefully she gets better soon."

"It's not too serious, probably just a twenty-four hour thing."

"What about your son? Is he sick too?" 

"No, Victor's fine. I didn't think bringing him to an engagement party would be the best idea, so I let him stay at home with his mom."

"Well I'm glad you could make it," Dane said. "When you called me up and told me you'd been granted early release, I couldn't have been any been any happier."

"Thanks. It's good to be out and enjoying life again." Shifting his eyes to Jeneda, he said, "It's great to finally meet you in person, Jeneda. When Dane and I were serving time together, all he could talk about was how much he missed you, and couldn't wait to get out of prison so that he could be with you again."

Jeneda glanced at Dane, and as she saw that he was staring lovingly into her eyes, she gave him a smile. "Those seven months couldn't pass quick enough," she said as she focused her attention back on Henry. "But now that we're back together, I'm not letting him out of my sight ever again." As if to confirm her words, she linked her arm with his so that they stood even closer together.

"You two make a very nice looking couple," Henry said. "And I wish you a lifetime of happiness together."

"Thanks, Henry. We really appreciate that," Dane said.

"Pardon me for interrupting." Kitty appeared behind Dane and placed a hand affectionately on his shoulder. "If any of you are hungry, the buffet is now open. So please, help yourselves and enjoy."

"Thank you, mother. We'll be over in a bit," Dane said.

"What's on the menu? Luna asked. "It smells incredible, whatever it is."

"I don't know. Let's go over and find out." Jeneda linked hands with Dane, and together they led the way to the other end of the roof. 

Draped in a white satin tablecloth, the lavish buffet table displayed a variety of prepared foods that included crispy salmon cakes, prosciutto-wrapped asparagus, poached salmon, shrimp cocktail, and lobster ravioli. A separate table was set up specifically for desserts, and had a number of delicate looking pastries that almost looked too beautiful to eat. 

Once everyone had a chance to fill their plates, people started to once again mix and mingle. While some stood while eating, others sat down on the sleek leather sofas. A firepit was situated in the far right corner of the rooftop, and a circular sofa surrounded it. 

Noticing that the area was still unoccupied, Jeneda gently tugged Dane's hand to give the signal that she wanted him to follow her. Luna, Ethan, Henry and Sean followed behind them, and once they were all comfortably seated, they dug into their food. They'd only been eating and chatting for a couple of minutes, when one of the other guests approached and broke into their conversation. 

"Excuse me for interrupting, but would you guys mind if I joined you all?" 

The man who was standing before them was impeccably dressed in a tailored suit with a silvery blue tie. His pomaded hair was slicked back from his chiseled face, and his brilliant green eyes were framed by long lashes as black as his hair.

"Of course not," Dane said. "Take a seat, Bradley. Hang out and chat with us."

"Thanks." He smiled, flashing his dimples in the process, then positioned himself on the circular couch so that he was facing Jeneda and Dane. 

Clearly pleased by the fact that he'd chosen to sit right next to her, Luna gave him a smile, then extended her hand and introduced herself. "Hi. I'm Luna, Jeneda's best friend."

"And I'm Ethan. Jeneda's *other* best friend."

Luna and Ethan's obvious attraction to Bradley put a smirk on Jeneda's lips, and she couldn't help but faintly chuckle as Luna threw Ethan a look that said, 'Back off, this one's mine'. She guessed that Dane heard her snicker, because he turned his head to look at her, and as his eyes met hers, they grinned at one another. 

"Nice to meet you both," he said to Luna and Ethan. "I'm Bradley, Kitty's nephew." He averted his gaze to Sean and Henry to offer them a hello as well, then focused his attention on Dane and Jeneda. "Nice party, guys. This is a very classy set-up."

"Thanks, but the credit goes to mom and dad," Dane said. "They're the ones who took care of all the arrangements."

"They did a spectacular job." He took a sip of his cocktail, then set it on the edge of the firepit, which had a ledge that was wide enough to set food and drinks on. 

"So Bradley, Dane tells me that you're an investment banker," Jeneda said before taking a bite of her poached salmon.

"I am indeed. I work at Sinclair Berman, the same wealth management firm that Dane's father presides over."

"What's it like working with Mr. Takahashi?" She asked. "Does it ever get awkward having to take orders from him?" 

"The firm is staffed with hundreds of employees, so he has his hands pretty full making sure that everything runs smoothly." He took a bite of his shrimp cocktail before continuing. "But sometimes he does stop by my office to chat, and we do make a point of going to lunch at least once a week."

"Bradley recently won an award for landing the most lucrative deal in the firm," Dane said.

"Really? Wow, that's very impressive." No longer interested in his food, Ethan was now studying Bradley with unabashed interest.

"Sounds like a very high-powered job," Luna said. "But it must be stressful."

"I typically work sixteen hour days, so I have little free time, but that's the payoff for earning such a high income."

"How do you de-stress?" She asked.

"Exercise, golf, going out to dinner with beautiful women." He emphasized the latter part of his sentence while looking directly in Luna's eyes.

A deep blush spread across her olive-toned face, and she briefly dropped her eyes to her plate before once again meeting Bradley's gaze. "I see. Well those definitely sound like good ways to de-stress."

"They definitely are," he said.

Jeneda exchanged a smile with Dane, and with a barely repressed smirk, she said, "Well, it looks like things are plenty warm around here. Maybe we should extinguish this firepit."

Everyone except Bradley and Luna lightly chuckled, and as they realized that all eyes were pinned on them, they finally broke eye contact and turned their attention back to their plates.

Once everyone had finished their food, they languidly sipped their cocktails and chatted. The minutes slipped by so quickly that nobody realized it was getting late, and as various members of Dane's family came over to say their goodbyes, Jeneda and Dane gave their farewells and thanked them for attending. Eventually Dane's parents strolled over, and let Jeneda and Dane know that they were on their way out as well. 

"Kitty and I are heading home," Naohito announced, "but the rooftop is booked until midnight, so you kids stay and enjoy yourselves."

"Thanks, Dad. We really appreciate you throwing this party. Everything was perfect."

"We've had a fabulous time," Jeneda said. "Thank you so much, Mr. and Mrs. Takahashi."

"Our pleasure, Jeneda." A pleased expression crossed his face.

The corners of Kitty's lips lifted into a stiff smile, but as usual, the words she spoke were nothing short of polite. "You're quite welcome. We were more than happy to do it." She then directed her gaze to Bradley, who was still seated on the couch next to Luna. "I take it you're staying behind, Bradley."

"I am."

"Right, well enjoy yourself and don't drink too much alcohol. You drove here by yourself, and I don't want you intoxicated on the road."

"Not to worry, Aunt Kitty. If I feel myself crossing that line, I can always catch a ride home with Luna. She's only had half a cocktail, so she's agreed to be my designated driver if I need it." 

Kitty's gaze drifted to Luna, who offered her a friendly smile.

"Don't worry, I'll see to it that he gets home safely."

Kitty lifted an eyebrow and said, "Yes, I'm sure you will." Then she directed her gaze to everyone else seated on the circular couch and offered some words in parting. "Thank you all for attending, and enjoy the rest of your evening." She and Naohito then turned on their heels and made their way toward the elevator.

"Now that the parents are gone, we can really get crazy," Bradley jokingly said once they were out of earshot. 

"Yeah, an open bar, and all the leftover desserts we can eat. Bring on the debauchery," Luna said with a giggle. 

"Sounds like a good time," Henry said. "But I've got a sick girlfriend at home, so I'd better be on my way." 

"Sorry to see you go, but thanks for coming. It was great seeing you again." Dane rose to his feet, then gave Henry a hug.

"Thanks for having me. I had a great time. And let's hang out again soon, alright?"

"Definitely. Anytime, man."

"It was nice meeting you, Jeneda." He gave her a polite nod and smile before saying, "And I hope to see you again soon."

"Likewise, Henry. Take care, and have a safe drive home."

"Good night, everyone. It was nice meeting you all." He offered a smile to Sean, Luna, Ethan and Bradley, then turned and headed off.

"Well, we've got this place booked for another hour," Jeneda said. "What should we do?"

"I think just sitting and talking is nice." Dane placed his hand on her exposed back, then allowed the tips of his fingers to lazily drift downward until they came in contact with the material of her dress, which was cutout all the way down to just above her butt. 

His digits slipped beneath the fabric of her dress, and then her panties, before sensually tracing the indentation at the top of her butt crack. 

Jeneda had a pretty good idea of where Dane's restless fingers would roam next, and the thrill of anticipation sent a little shiver through her body. 

"What do you want to talk about?" Jeneda asked.

"Anything." His voice had grown low and sexy, and as he looked into her eyes, he silently communicated how badly he wanted to have her.

"I want to hear about this trip to Japan you two are taking," Sean said. "Tell us about that." 

Dane reluctantly pulled his gaze from Jeneda's, then began to tell Sean, Ethan, Luna and Bradley about his and Jeneda's upcoming journey. As Dane talked, Jeneda only half-listened. 

She couldn't concentrate on anything except the feel of Dane's index finger as it languidly slid up and down the cleft of her ass. Her mind was clouded with lust, and with each second that passed, the throbbing ache between her thighs grew more insistent. 

Since she and Dane were seated together on one side of the circular couch, and their four guests were situated on the opposite side, Dane was able to discreetly carry out his ministrations. At first he only allowed his fingertip to just barely graze along the crack that led to her forbidden hole, but after a few moments of steadily teasing her, he wedged his finger between her ass cheeks. 

This caused her to bite her lower lip, and as he slowly coasted his digit toward the impossibly tight ring of muscle, her breath quickened. 




Velvet Kisses Ch. 03



Dane didn't have to guess at whether or not his fiancée was getting off on the private little moment they were sharing, because her body language spoke volumes. Although his gaze was still directed at Sean, he did notice Jeneda's movements from out of the corner of his eye, and could tell that she was becoming more antsy with every passing second. 

Her soft little moans and barely perceptible sighs were only audible to his ears, but he couldn't help but wonder if Sean, Ethan, Luna or Bradley had noticed how rigid her body had become. 

He searched their individual faces for any signs that they'd picked up on her shift in energy, but as far as he could tell, they hadn't. They only continued listening to him, and although it felt as if he was rambling on, he guessed that they were actually entertained by the anecdotes of his gap year in Japan. 

Nine months had passed since he'd first met Jeneda, but he'd never fingered or even allowed his digit to come into contact with the hole between her ass cheeks. It would be a flat out lie if he denied imagining what It'd be like to slip his cock into that ridiculously tight crevice, but he knew better than to make an attempt at anal sex without first consulting her. Her pleasure always came first before his, so if she wasn't open to the idea, then he certainly wouldn't try and pressure her into it. 

Yet although he was still uncertain about her opinion on anal sex, he was now more than positive that she was into ass play. It wasn't just the way she was frequently sipping from her cocktail glass, but her nipples were so erect that he could clearly see their outline through the fabric. 

Since he was still in deep conversation with Jeneda's friends, as well as Sean and Bradley, he was only able to occasionally break eye contact and glance at Jeneda. But that was more than enough time for him to confirm that she was definitely getting a delicious thrill out of him touching her in such a naughty place. 

To say that Jeneda was turned on would be an understatement, and as Dane slowly dragged his fingertip along the sensitive crevice of her ass, her inner muscles clenched together. Horny as hell and desperately needing gratification, she shifted her body so that Dane could access that most forbidden spot. 

Her breathing grew ragged as his digit steadily inched closer, and as the pad of his finger finally brushed against her puckered hole, she gasped, then jolted slightly in her seat. 

A faint smile touched his lips in response to her reaction, but he kept his gaze pinned on Bradley, who was questioning him about the difference between Japanese and American lifestyles. If it wasn't for the plate covering his lap, his aroused state would have been impossible to hide, and he found himself thoroughly grateful that he had something to conceal his growing erection. 

Jeneda, however, had nothing to hide behind, and could only bite her lip and take numerous sips of her cocktail to stifle the moans that were escaping her lips. She tried to maintain an expression of calm composure, but the sensation of Dane's finger rimming her tight hole was too much for her to handle, and against her best intentions, she let loose a faint, but embarrassingly wanton sound.

The noise she made was just loud enough to draw the attention of Luna and Ethan, and as she allowed her gaze to drift to Bradley and Sean, she noticed that they were looking at her as well. Like a deer in headlights, she felt as if she'd been put under a harsh spotlight, and stared back at them with eyes as round as saucers.

"You okay, Jeneda?" Luna asked. "You haven't said a word for the past five minutes."

"I'm fine." She took in a little breath, then let it out before continuing. "This alcohol must be going to my head, because I'm feeling a little dizzy."

"Are you about to throw up?" Ethan asked. "You made a funny noise."

"No. I'm okay, really."

Yet no sooner had the words left her mouth, did Dane press his finger against her crinkled hole, and as he eased the tip of his pinkie into the ring of muscle, she sprang to her feet like a jack in the box. 

"Actually, I do feel a little nauseous." She pressed her palm against her forehead, then said, "I'm going to get a bottle of water from the bar, then go to the bathroom."

She hastily walked away, heels clicking against the tile flooring of the rooftop as she made a beeline for the bar. After retrieving a bottle of water, she took a generous sip, then walked over to the railing and gazed out at glowing lights of the San Francisco skyline.

She'd only been standing there for a mere few seconds when a pair of arms wrapped around her waist. She tilted her head back to see that Dane was standing behind her, and as her eyes locked with his, he took her by the hand and lead her towards the staircase door. 

As soon as it swung shut behind them, he was all over her, pawing her full breasts and round ass like a horny teenager about to get laid for the first time. Their lips met in a scorching kiss, tongues thrusting and tangling with voracious abandon. 

Their oral embrace was deliciously intoxicating and she would have been perfectly content for it to last forever, but suddenly, and all too soon for her liking, he pulled away. 

She barely had time to notice the feral look in his eyes before he grabbed her by the waist and turned her around. He forcefully bent her over the railing at the top of the stairs, then pushed the hem of her dress up and pulled down her g-string.

"Dane, no. We can't. Not right here."

"Of course we can," he said as he unzipped his pants, then freed his stiff cock from the constraints of his boxer briefs.

"We've already been gone too long. Someone's going to come looking for us."

"Maybe. But then again, maybe they won't." He pressed the swollen head of his cock against her pussy. "We're a newly engaged couple, so they probably already figured out that we need some alone time."

Although she still had reservations about having sex in the stairwell, she certainly couldn't argue with what he'd said. And her pussy was aching for a nice, hard pounding, so who was she trying to kid? She needed to be fucked, and after grabbing the handrail with both hands, she poked her ass out in eager anticipation.

Dane grabbed her by the hips, then sunk his cock deep inside her gushing hole. The first few thrusts were sinfully gratifying, and so deliciously rough that she let loose a loud, heady moan. 

She could hear Dane's erotically deep voice saying all sorts of arousingly filthy things behind her, and as he settled into a rhythm of short, jerky strokes, she had to bite her tongue to keep from crying out. 

With one hand gripping her waist, and the other firmly palming her ass, Dane slammed into her with frenzied, urgent thrusts. She could tell from the way he was possessively gripping her waist and rounded backside that he loved the feeling of power that came along with having her bent over before him, and as he angled her hips to increase the depth of his penetration, her moans turned into shallow pants. 

"Oh fuck," she groaned between gasps. "Dane..." Her face contorted into an expression of unadulterated ecstasy, and she gripped the railing tighter in an attempt to remain steady on her feet. 

"You dirty girl," he said. "Wearing fuck me heels and g-strings and letting me touch that tight little asshole." His voice was strained, and his breaths came fast and hard. "You know what drives me crazy. You were begging for this to happen."

His breathy voice sent shivers along her spine, and with each hard slap of his balls against her clit, she was pushed closer to the edge. Her lips were moist and parted, and as her fevered sighs rose in volume, he became more relentless, pounding her with an intensity that left her begging for release.

For this moment in time, her body existed solely for his pleasure. Her pussy was stretched wide to accommodate his long, hard shaft, and she couldn't focus on anything except the hot, hard sensation of his pistoning cock. 

No longer giving a damn if anyone heard them, they unabashedly let loose their cries of passion. The harsh slaps of flesh on flesh grew more frantic, and as Dane's cock throbbed and pulsed with impending climax, Jeneda fell over the edge. A blood-rushing climax ripped through her body, and with a sharp cry of release, she came undone. 

Dane quickly followed with his own orgasm, and with one last powerful thrust, he pumped his seed deep into her womb. She moaned at the sensation of him filling her with his cum, and after a few more undulations of his hips, Dane gave a contented sigh.

He pulled his softening cock out of her, and after retrieving a cocktail napkin from his pocket, he used it to gingerly wipe off her pussy lips, and then her thighs, which were glistening from their combined juices. 

He cleaned off his dick as well, and after tossing the napkin into a trash bin behind the door, he tucked himself back into his boxers and zipped up his pants. 

It wasn't until Jeneda had pulled up her panties and pushed the hem of her dress back down, that she spotted a security camera mounted high on the wall, and as she froze in place and stared up at it, Dane followed her line of sight. 

"Guess we should have known there would be security cameras," he said. "But we were both so damn horny that it probably wouldn't have made much difference if we did."

"I wouldn't have gone through with it if I'd known that someone was watching us."

"I doubt anyone saw it. Unless there's a breach in security, they probably won't even bother to check the tape," he said. "And besides, Isn't it the possibility of being caught that makes the whole experience so thrilling?"

"Emphasis on the word possibility."

His eyes twinkled with amusement, and a prideful look crossed his face. "Told you I'd have your panties soaking wet by the end of this evening."

"Yeah, okay," Jeneda said. "But you don't have to look so smug about it."

He held out his hand out for her to take it, and with him leading the way, they made their way out of the stairwell and back up onto the roof.

* * * *

"I feel like I'm forgetting something," Jeneda said as her eyes drifted over the suitcases and travel bags that were lined up in front of the door. "What am I missing?"

"Honey, you checked those suitcases at least six times since yesterday evening. What could you possibly be forgetting?" Dane asked. 

"I don't know, but I just have this feeling that I'm forgetting something important."

"Well you have an entire tote bag dedicated to your hair, makeup and facial products, so you can check that off the list."

"It's not *only* my hair, makeup and facial products. I have other stuff in there, too." 

"Like what?"

She only gave him a little smile, then directed her attention back to the suitcases in front of the door.

"What about your universal chargers and travel adaptors?" He asked. "Do you have those?"

"Yes. They're in the red suitcase."

"Passport, tickets, credit cards, cell phone..." His voice drifted off before he followed up with, "Sexy lingerie?"

She light-heartedly rolled her eyes. "Don't worry, I've packed all of your favorite panties, so as far as that goes, we're all set."

"Well, if it turns out that you did end up forgetting to pack something, we can always buy it once we land in Tokyo."

"Yeah, I guess..." She still wasn't certain though, and knowing that it would drive her crazy, she bent down in front of her red suitcase, then zipped it open to double check the contents.

"Again?" His tone was laced with a touch of annoyance. "Come on, babe. We don't have time for this. Luna and Ethan will be here any minute."

"I have to be sure," she said, and began to hastily unpack the neatly folded clothes.

Dane released an exasperated sigh, then turned on his heels and headed into the kitchen. As he retrieved packaged food from the cabinets, Jeneda busied herself by rifling through her suitcase. But before she could fully unpack it, there came a knock at the door. 

Cursing mildly under her breath, she rose to her feet and opened the door to reveal Ethan, who was dressed in a pair of black jeans, a gray T-shirt layered beneath a well-tailored vest, and a black fedora. 

"Hey, Jeneda. Luna's waiting downstairs in the car, but I'd be more than happy to help you guys carry your luggage down." 

"Thanks, Ethan. Just give me a minute to put these clothes back into my suitcase." 

Ethan stepped inside the loft to assist her in repacking her luggage, and as Dane exited the kitchen with a bag of snacks in hand, Ethan glanced up at him. "Hey, Dane. All set for your trip to Japan?" 

"I'm more than ready," he said with a smile. "Been looking forward to it for months.

Dane grabbed the house keys from a candy dish on a small table next to the door, and after slipping them into the pocket of his black velvet blazer, he hooked the strap of Jeneda's tote bag over his shoulder. He then grabbed his suitcase, and once Jeneda had zipped up her own piece of luggage, he lifted it off the ground.

While Jeneda grabbed her and Dane's individual laptop cases, Ethan hoisted a carry-on backpack onto his shoulder. With no luggage left to carry, Dane, Jeneda, and Ethan exchanged a look. 

"Guess we're all set, then," Dane said, and looking at Jeneda he asked, "Ready to go, babe?"

"I sure am."

Dane led the way out of the apartment, and as she followed behind Ethan, Jeneda took one last look behind her to make sure they weren't leaving any luggage behind. Then she crossed the threshold and walked out of the apartment.



Velvet Kisses Ch. 04



*I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. It's a long one, so hopefully it makes up for the wait. Thank you all for continuing to read, vote and comment!* 

*

The plane touched down hard at Tokyo International Airport at half past midnight, and the jolt woke Jeneda, who had been sleeping for the past two hours. 

It took her a few moments to figure out what was going on, but as she glanced out of the small airplane window, she realized that they'd arrived at their destination. Her attention then drifted to Dane, who was gazing lovingly at her face.

"Welcome to Japan, honey." He gently kissed her lips, then affectionately swiped his thumb against the corner of her mouth. "You got a little drool, there, sweetheart."

She gave an amused snort. "Shut up, I do not."

"Uh yeah, actually you do." He wiped away the last bit of saliva that had trickled out of the side of her mouth before saying, "Not to worry, I find it incredibly cute."

She smiled, then folded up the blanket that she'd been snuggling beneath. "I don't know what I'm craving the most. A warm bed, or hot food."

"My vote is for the warm bed. We can always eat when we wake up."

She stretched and yawned widely before saying, "Good point."

Once the plane reached the gate and came to halt, they collected their carry-on bags, then filed off the aircraft and headed straight for baggage claim. After taking the escalator down to the lower level, they weaved their way past hordes of milling people. 

They linked hands as they went along so that they wouldn't get separated, and after bumping shoulders and nudging their way past countless travelers, they finally reached the baggage carousel. 

Due to the overabundance of bodies, the heat in the baggage claim area was stifling, and the scent of sweat and stale cologne hung heavy in the air. It took nearly an hour before they spotted their luggage on the carousel, and after quickly gathering it up, they made their way past the automatic doors and outside to the drop-off area. 

The sound of honking horns and the scent of exhaust accompanied them as they fought their way through the bumper-to-bumper traffic that clogged the curbside area, and after making their way to a taxi stand, they hailed a cab. 

Once their luggage was in the trunk, they climbed into the backseat and gave the address, then settled back and enjoyed the ride. Jeneda was so exhausted that she was tempted to fall asleep, but the excitement of being in a foreign country kept her from indulging in a nap. As the white-gloved driver guided the cab along the streets of Tokyo, she gazed out at the passing view. 

The first thing that struck her were the neon bright colors, and the cluster of brightly lit, towering skyscrapers. Oversized billboards advertising everything from anime characters to the latest J-pop bands loomed high above the congested streets, and an abundance of messy overhead power lines only added to the frenetic pace. 

Everywhere she looked, there were screamingly bright colors, and as she gazed out at the neverending throng of city-dwellers, she noticed there were a large number of trendy teens and stylishly dressed twenty-somethings who seemed to perfectly complement their flashy surroundings. 

The sheer number of people that walked the streets was a bit overwhelming, and yet at the same time, she felt a deep sense of excitement at the hyperactivity of the Japanese city. 

Tokyo had always been at the top of her must-see places to visit, and she'd watched countless documentaries about the fast-paced city throughout the years, but actually seeing it in person far surpassed anything she could have ever imagined. 

Tokyo was a fuel-injected adrenaline rush of cutting edge modernity, and as the taxi continued its path along the streets of the futuristic-looking metropolis, Jeneda found herself overtaken with unbridled excitement. So engrossed by the neon-drenched city, she didn't even realize that Dane was closely studying her reaction. 

"You look like a kid on Christmas morning." 

She shifted her gaze to him and said, "I almost don't know where to look. It's a bit overwhelming, to be quite honest."

A light smile crossed his lips. "Tokyo is made up of twenty-three wards. This particular one we're passing through right now is called Shinjuku."

"What about Harajuku?" She asked. "Which ward is that located in?"

"Shibuya. It's only a twenty minute walk from here."

Jeneda's attention was drawn back to the window just in time to see several large billboards that were plastered with scantily clad women, and as the cab traveled a few more blocks, she noticed a number of girls standing outside of brightly lit bars with exotic names such as The Sky High Club, and The Lotus Penthouse. 

Some of the women, who were dressed in long prom dresses and clear heels, handed out flyers to the men who passed by, while others engaged in flirtatious chit-chat to try and lure clients in. Thoroughly fascinated, Jeneda unabashedly stared out of the window as the cab drove by each of the adult establishments. 

"So I guess this is the red-light district," she said to Dane.

"Yep. This area we're driving through is known as Kabukicho. It's full of host and hostess bars, strip clubs and also love hotels."

"I see." She gazed out at the gaudy flashing signs before asking, "And just how exactly do you know all of this?" 

He lightly chuckled. "I spent a year in Japan after graduating high school, remember?" 

"Yes, I remember. But I'm still curious to hear how you know so much about this particular part of the city."

"I've been to Japan twice since my trip as a teenager, so naturally I know a little about each of the individual wards."

"Mmmm, I see." She side-eyed him playfully before gazing back out of the taxi window.

"The Yakuza are known to hang out in this district," Dane said. "The police call them boryokudan, which translates as "violence group". But the Yakuza refer to themselves as ninkyo dantai. English translation is, "chivalrous organizations."

"Interesting," Jeneda said. "So the Yakuza are basically Japanese gangsters that wear full body tattoos, right?"

"Many of them have full body tattoos, but not all."

"I hear they get a tattoo for every person that they kill."

"That's just an urban legend. The tattoos are a sign of dedication, a rite of passage to display their manhood and to carry on a long standing tradition." 

For the next few minutes, they engaged in light conversation, but as the motion of the car and the long plane journey caught up with Jeneda, she fell asleep. It wasn't until she heard the sound of Dane softly calling out to her that she awoke, and as she sleepily glanced out at the view beyond the taxicab window, she realized that they were parked on a quiet residential street.

She was jetlagged and slightly disoriented, so it took some assistance from Dane to help her out of the car. While she stood at the curb, Dane retrieved their luggage from the trunk, and after exchanging some words in Japanese with the cab driver, he retrieved some bills from his pocket and paid the fare.

Dane carried the bulk of their luggage toward a well-maintained apartment complex, and after trudging up three flights of stairs, he led Jeneda to a door located at the very end of a hallway. He retrieved a key from his pocket, and after unlocking the door, he allowed Jeneda to enter the apartment first.

As Jeneda stepped into the small entryway, she set her tote bag on the floor and gave a weary sigh. Then she slipped out of her floral print ballet flats and positioned them so that the toes of her shoes were facing the door. Dane watched her with a surprised expression, and as his gaze locked with hers, he spoke.

"You remembered to take off your shoes." A faint smile curled his lips. "Bonus points if you can tell me what this particular part of the apartment is called."

"Genkan."

"Very good," he proudly said, and he bent down to give her a peck on the lips. 

Now barefoot and ready to walk further into the apartment, they headed into the living room. Small, but cozy, the sitting area consisted of a bookcase, small TV, and a low, wooden table that was surrounded by pillows. 

A Japanese-style partition served as a moveable dividing wall, and as Dane slid it back to reveal a minimalist bedroom, Jeneda walked forward to have a closer look.

Instead of a traditional bed, there was a mattress wide enough for two to comfortably sleep on. Placed low to the ground and set on a wooden platform, the mattress was covered with a black duvet and dark gray pillows.

A simple, yet colorful painting of a cherry blossom adorned the wall that was behind the bed, and rice paper lanterns hung from the ceiling, giving the room a soft, warm glow. 

Mats that were woven from straw surrounded the low-lying platform bed, and a black lacquered dresser was positioned against a wall that was directly across from a closet.

"This is nice," Jeneda said. "I really like it."

"Good, I'm glad." Dane gave her a pleased smile before adding, "When I saw this apartment online, I knew It'd be perfect for us."

"Yeah, It's nice and cozy. And I love this low platform bed." She sat down on the mattress to test it out. "It's nice and firm, just how I like it."

"Good to know," Dane said. "Because we'll be spending a lot of time in it."

"That mind of yours, it doesn't ever stop, does it?" She rose up off the bed, then lifted her gaze so that it locked with Dane's. "Just out of curiosity, how often do you think about sex?"

"Probably as often as you. I think we're pretty equally matched when it comes to thoughts of an erotic nature."

Her lips tugged upwards, and with Dane trailing behind her, she headed out of the bathroom and down a short hallway. It only took a few steps before they reached the bathroom, and as Jeneda stepped inside to check it out, she found herself surprised by how compact it was.

Just like the rest of the apartment, it was exceptionally clean, but so small that a person would barely have enough room to turn around without tripping into the bathtub. 

The toilet, which was an electronic bidet, had armrests with buttons on it, and as Jeneda leaned in to have a closer look, she noticed that one of the buttons had a picture of a lady on it.

"What's this one for?" She asked while pointing out the button.

"Feminine wash. And the two buttons right next to it are for drying and deodorizing. 

"Fancy," she said. "I don't think I've ever been so excited to use the bathroom before."

A small chuckle passed his lips, and with him leading the way, they headed down the hall to the kitchen. The first thing Jeneda noticed was how small the refrigerator was, and as she opened it up to have a look inside, she came to the conclusion that it would probably only hold two days worth of food, and a handful of individually sized beverages at the most. 

Instead of a stove, there were two burners built into the countertop next to a sink, and along with a toaster oven, there was also a rice cooker. Tucked just behind the kitchen was a clothes washer, but as far as Jeneda could see, there wasn't an appliance to dry garments.

"Where's the clothes dryer?" She asked.

"Most Japanese homes don't have clothes dryers. People hang their clothes out on the balcony."

"Oh, okay." It was no big deal to her, so she left it at that. 

"So, what do you think of the apartment?" Dane asked. "Think you'll be comfortable here for the next month?"

"Most definitely." She opened her mouth in a wide yawn, and with a sleepy little murmur, she leaned up against Dane. 

"We better get you into bed." He looped his arms around her, then tenderly kissed her on the forehead before adding, "It's way past your bedtime."

Jeneda couldn't have agreed any more, and with Dane walking beside her, they made their way to the bedroom. She was so exhausted from the eleven hour plane ride that she was tempted to just curl under the covers and fall fast asleep. 

But she'd undoubtedly picked up airplane cooties en route to Japan, and the last thing she wanted was to dirty the crisp looking sheets that covered the low platform bed. 

She stripped out of her clothing, and after placing it into a hamper on top of the washer, she went into the bathroom and took a shower. Along with her body, she also washed her hair and face, and after drying off, she brushed her teeth. 

She exited the bathroom feeling wonderfully refreshed, and as she entered the bedroom, Dane let out an appreciative noise at the sight of her nude body. 

"Not tonight, sweetie." Jeneda collapsed onto the bed, and after snuggling beneath the covers, she emitted a weary sigh. "I'm way too exhausted to even think about having sex right now."

"Don't worry, I'm not going to ravish you." He walked over to the bed, and upon reaching her side, kneeled down so that he could give her a gentle kiss. "I know you're exhausted, so I'll let you rest." 

She barely took note of him whispering goodnight, and as the haze of unconsciousness beckoned, she fell into a deep sleep.

* * * *

It was three in the afternoon when Jeneda finally stirred awake, and as her eyes fluttered open, the first thing they focused on were the paper lanterns hanging above the bed. A faint sliver of light filtered in between the curtains, and as she shifted her gaze to the digital clock beside the bed, she was surprised to find that it was late afternoon. 

If not for the feel of Dane's fingers running through her hair, she would have guessed that he was still asleep, but as she rolled over onto her side, she saw that he was very awake. 

"Morning, honey," he said. 

"Good morning." 

He leaned in to brush his soft mouth against hers, then claimed her lips in a kiss that was slow and soft, but deliciously hot and sensual. By the time it was over, she was left a little breathless, and stared into his eyes with an expression of complete adoration.

"Sleep well?" He asked.

She nodded. "Maybe a little too well. I've been out for twelve whole hours."

"You needed it," he said before quickly adding, "We both did. Japan is a long way from San Francisco, so It's only natural that we were so jetlagged."

"Yeah, I guess you're right."

Dane's attention shifted from her eyes to her hair, and with his hands still laced in her locks, he said, "Your hair, It's all curly."

"Yeah, I know. I should have blown it out after washing it last night, but I was too exhausted to do anything except collapse in bed."

"No, I like it." He twined one of her shoulder length curls around his finger before allowing it to spring free. "You should wear it like this more often."

"If you like it that much, then maybe I will." She contentedly sighed at the sensation of his fingers in her hair, and as she stared into his eyes, he gazed right back with equal affection.

"I was thinking we could go out and get something to eat, and then explore the city," he said. 

"Sounds like a great idea. We haven't eaten for seventeen hours, so It'd probably be a good idea if we got some food in our stomachs."

"Any suggestions as to what we should eat?"

"Well we are in Japan, so I was thinking either ramen or sushi," she said. "What are you in the mood for?"

"You." He slid his hand beneath the covers, then grazed his palm along the sensitive skin of her inner thigh.

"Sorry to disappoint, but I'm not on the menu until later tonight, so I'm afraid that food will have to suffice until then." She gave him a peck on the lips, then slipped out from beneath the covers and went over to her suitcase and unzipped it. 

It took her a few moments to realize that Dane was still laying motionless in bed, and as she glanced over her shoulder at him, she saw that his attention was intently focused on her. 

"Aren't you getting out of bed?" She asked.

"In a minute, I'm just enjoying the view of you bent over that suitcase." 

She playfully threw a pair of balled up socks at him. "Come on...get up and dressed."

Dane heeded her request, and after changing into a black button-up shirt and a pair of dark gray jeans, he completed his look with one of his customary blazers. He then headed to the bathroom, and after brushing his teeth and washing his face, he rejoined Jeneda in the bedroom.

Now fully dressed, she was wearing a fitted v-neck sweater, a pair of skin tight jeans, and a short leather jacket that fit her like a glove. To complete the look, she was planning on wearing a pair of long black boots, but since they were her outdoor shoes, she would have to wait until they reached the entryway before putting them on. 

After brushing her teeth and washing her face, she spritzed her hair with a concoction of water and leave-in conditioner. Then she ran her fingers through her hair a few times to revitalize her curls.

Satisfied with her appearance, she left the bathroom, and as she came back into the bedroom, she noticed that Dane was leaning against the dresser with a magazine in his hands. 

"What are you reading?" 

"A magazine." His lips quirked into a slight smirk.

"I can see that," she said. "But what type of magazine is it?"

"The type that's full of hot pussy."

"What?" She walked closer to him, and as she glanced at the current page he was looking at, she saw that the magazine was filled with photographs of cats and kittens. "Ha, ha. Very funny." 

Dane grinned and placed the magazine back on the dresser. "I had you going there for a minute, didn't I?"

She said nothing, only smiled and grabbed his hand before saying, "Enough joking around. Let's get out of here and get some food."

And with Dane following behind her, she led the way to the door.

* * * *

Located in the Harajuku neighborhood of Shibuya, Kyushu Jangara was a popular ramen joint that served a variety of mouth watering, pork-based soups. The first story of the restaurant was designed for eat and go, while the second level was laid out with tables and counter seats for customers who wanted to enjoy a more leisurely meal. 

A delectable scent, which seemed to be a mixture of soy sauce, garlic, and roasted pork, hung heavy in the air. All of the cooks were visible in the open kitchen, and as each order was prepared, they head noodle chef yelled out various things in Japanese. 

The brightly colored menu that hung above the register displayed eight types of ramen, so making a decision was anything but simple. But after a suggestion from Dane, Jeneda finally settled on the bonshan soup, which was described on the menu as being "high in collagen." 

Incredibly rich and creamy, it consisted of a thick soup base with thin noodles, cod roe, chunks of pork, and a half-boiled egg. It was so delicious that Jeneda barely spoke a word while enjoying her meal, and after slurping up the last bit of rich broth, she pushed away her bowl and leaned back in her chair. 

"This ramen is delicious. Best I've ever tasted." 

"Told you," Dane said. 

"You weren't kidding when you said it was really indulgent." A contented sigh passed her lips before she added, "I probably just hit my caloric intake for the day."

"It's okay. I can help you work it off, later." His tone was low and sensuous, and the look in his eyes was noting short of lustful.

"Already looking forward to it," she said, and as if to reinforce her statement, a familiar heat pooled in her loins. "So, what do you want to do now?" 

He glanced at his watch, and after seeing that it was just past five p.m., he said, "Walk around, check things out. Maybe hit up a couple of stores and do a bit of shopping."

"Clothes shopping?" 

"Sure, why not?"

The prospect alone filled her with excitement, and in mere seconds, she was up and on her feet. She shrugged into her leather jacket, and after zipping it up she said, "I'm ready when you are." 




Velvet Kisses Ch. 04



Dane smiled at her enthusiasm, and within moments they were out the door and on their way to the shopping center. 

* * * *

As the last bits of daylight gave way to an evening sky, Dane and Jeneda strolled hand in hand along the streets of Harajuku. Hoping to spot the outrageous looking individuals that Harajuku was so well-known for, Jeneda was a bit disappointed to see that were only a few groups of eccentrically outfitted teens still lingering around. 

With night closing in, most had already gone home or scattered off to other areas of the city, but every once in awhile, Jeneda would spot a Goth Lolita decked out in ruffles and lace, or a cyberpunk with neon colored hair and futuristic style clothing. 

Along with bizarrely dressed teens, there were also plenty of twenty and thirty-something's who were dressed in everything from head to toe designer wear, to mix and match fashion that exhibited their unique personalities. 

Never before had Jeneda been in such a visually stimulating city, and she soon found herself torn between checking out the eye-catching street fashion, and gazing at the tiny boutiques that lined the narrow street her and Dane were walking along. 

Every once in awhile, she would stop in to have a look at one of the stores, but Jeneda found that most of the clothing shops were modeled after Western retail establishments. Since she'd come all the way to Japan, she figured it would only make sense to seek out the more uniquely Japanese boutiques, and after walking a short distance, she and Dane arrived in Shibuya.

It didn't take long before they ended up on a narrow back street known as the Center Gai, which was filled with clothing and music stores, as well as video game arcades. A number of cutting edge boutiques also lined the road, and as Jeneda browsed the various stores, Dane patiently remained by her side.

Every so often he would give her an opinion on a certain dress, or suggest a certain style that he'd like to see her in. But for the most part, he remained quiet and allowed her to do her thing. After visiting ten boutiques, Jeneda sensed that Dane was beginning to grow weary, so she pointed out a little café and suggested that they stop off for tea. 

"Interesting choice," Dane said. "You know that's a cat café, right?"

"A cat café?"

"Yes, a café where people go to pet cats."

"Seriously?"

"Yep."

As they reached the café, Jeneda glanced through the floor to the ceiling window, and just as Dane had said, there were indeed cats inside. While some were napping, others were being gently stroked and scratched behind the ears by the various patrons. 

Both surprised and intrigued, Jeneda knew that visiting a cat café was an opportunity that she just couldn't pass up. Dane seemed amused by her excitement, and exhibiting the same patience that he had during her shopping spree, he dutifully accompanied her inside. 

To Jeneda's surprise, Dane seemed to enjoy petting the cats, and even cuddled a Scottish fold kitten that seemed to thoroughly enjoy being held by him. She didn't know what it was about him holding such a tiny cat in his arms, but her heart melted at the sight of it, and she found herself more in love with him than ever. 

Along with petting cats, they also enjoyed a cup of delicious green tea, and after having their fill of both beverage and furry creatures, they left the cafe. 

"I was thinking we could head out to Kabukicho," Dane said as they strolled hand in hand. 

"Kabuikocho...Isn't that the red light district we passed on our way in from the airport?" 

"Yep."

"Why do you want to go there?" She curiously asked.

"To check out the sex shops." He gazed down at her intently, and with a naughty twinkle in his eyes, he asked, "Think you'd be up for it?"

"Sure, why not?" 

"Good. I've already got a couple of things in mind that I want to buy," he said. "And while we're out there, we can check out a few clothing shops as well."

"As far as clothes go, I'm pretty much set." She held up the four shopping bags in her hand to emphasize her words.

"When I mentioned clothes, I wasn't talking about the kind that you wear out on the street." His gaze roamed lasciviously over her body before once again lifting to meet her eyes. "I was referring to the kind that's generally worn behind closed doors."

The look that he gave her made her feel as if he were undressing her with his eyes, and a flare of excitement coursed through her body at the prospect of browsing erotic shops with Dane. 

As Dane and Jeneda approached the subway station, the iconic scramble intersection known as Shibuya Crossing came into sight. An embodiment of Tokyo, the intersection was known for its diagonal crossing, which allowed pedestrians to walk in all directions. 

Mounted on the futuristic skyscrapers that faced the intersection, were three huge television screens that played videos of Japanese pop stars. Blazing neon lights added to the exhilarating atmosphere, and gigantic flashing billboards advertised everything from high priced electronics to designer clothes.

But most impressive of all, were the sheer number of people that poured into the street from all directions. If Jeneda had to guess, she'd say there were hundreds of people swarming the intersection all at once, and in order to reach the other side, she and Dane had to side-step, swerve around, and bump shoulders with numerous pedestrians who were coming at them from every possible angle.

It should have been a harrowing experience, and yet instead Jeneda found it strangely exhilarating. The sheer energy of the place was enough to make her break out in goosebumps, and as she and Dane finally reached the other side of the massive crossing, she was left with a sense of having just experienced something quite unique.

As they reached the entrance to Shibuya station, Dane and Jeneda descended a flight of steps, then purchased their tickets from a machine. They made their way to the subway platform just in time to catch the train headed for Shinjuku, and after squeezing their way through the sea of people that poured from the subway car, they got on. 

The train was already packed to the gills, but that didn't stop additional passengers from squeezing their way in. 

It was then that Jeneda noticed two railway station employees approach the crowded subway car, and in unison, the uniformed men began pushing against the passengers who were hanging outside of the doors. As Jeneda watched on, Dane offered commentary, and informed Jeneda that they were known as "oshiya," or by their English translation, "pushers." 

True to their name, they did just that, and after shoving the last minute passengers all the way into the jam-packed train, the oshiya stepped away from the doors. A loud beep sounded, signaling that the train doors were closing, and once they were secured, the train took off. 

Aside from being packed in like a sardine, Jeneda surprisingly found herself enjoying the ride, as it gave her a chance to check out the variety of faces that surrounded her. She didn't have long to enjoy her moment of people watching, however, because she suddenly felt a hand groping her ass. 

Since Dane was standing directly behind her, she guessed that it was him. But she couldn't be entirely sure, because the train was so crowded that bodies were smushed against her from every angle. 

Hoping that the palm on her ass belonged to Dane, she turned her head to look back at him, and as her eyes met with his, a naughty little smile curled his lips. 

She smiled back at him, then turned her head back around and pressed her backside against his hand. This gave him the clear signal to continue, and he lightly squeezed one of her ass cheeks before allowing his fingers to wander between her thighs. 

Although she had pants on, it didn't stop her from enjoying the sensation of his fingers caressing her jean-clad slit, and she murmured a soft, but audible noise of enjoyment. She barely had time to fully indulge herself in the wanton moment before he leaned in to whisper in her ear, and in an unusually husky tone, he questioned her.

"You like that?"

She nodded her head, then quietly let out a heavy breath. Luckily for her, the chattering of voices and the sound of the train traveling underground concealed any sounds that she did make. 

It only took a few more moments of him tracing the line of her pussy through her jeans before she became wet, and as the seconds stretched on, her inner muscles began to repeatedly contract.

Although the train was completely packed in with not an inch of space between the passengers, Jeneda still worried that someone might be able to figure out what was going on. But as she glanced at the faces surrounding her, she saw that most people were focusing on their high-tech mobile phones or talking with one another. 

This gave her assurance that Dane's actions were completely concealed, and as his warm breath ghosted against her neck, she knew that he was once again leaning in to whisper. 

"Doesn't take much to get you wet, does it?" He asked in a voice that literally dripped with sex.

Along with the teasing quality to his tone, she also picked up on a hint of cockiness, and rose her eyebrow in response to his words. Yet at the same time she couldn't deny what he'd said, and felt a little embarrassed at how easily he'd been able to turn her on. 

As the train reached Shinjuku station, Dane and Jeneda squeezed their way out of the subway car, and after exchanging a little smile, they linked hands and headed for the escalator. It wasn't until they'd made it to street level that they fell into conversation, and with the neon glow of Tokyo's red light district surrounding them, they waked the streets. 

"You just can't keep your hands off of me, can you?" Jeneda asked with a smile.

"Did you really expect me to only look and not touch?" He asked. "Those skin tight jeans of yours do a fantastic job of showing off that tight little ass."

"Glad you enjoyed the view." 

"I most certainly did. And it seems like you enjoyed yourself, as well."

Her body heated up at the thought of him groping her on the subway, and a little smile touched her lips. As they made their way along the sidewalk, they passed numerous massage parlors, as well as brightly lit hostess clubs. 

Women outfitted in long dresses with traditional Japanese motifs stood out on the sidewalks to attract the attention of passing men, and large billboards with the faces of girls who worked in the establishments were attached to the tops of the buildings.

Jeneda also noticed that there were a number of colorful vending machines located on the street they were walking on, and as focused her attention on one in particular, she found herself wanting to take a closer look. Dane followed beside her as she veered towards it, and as they came to a stop in front of the vending machine, she curiously gazed at the contents. 

"Wow, a panty vending machine," she said. "I thought these were just urban legend."

Dane smiled. "They aren't on every street corner in Japan, but there are quite a few of them out here in Kabukicho.

Jeneda noticed that the packages of underwear had photos of women on them, who were dressed up in all sorts of outfits that ranged from naughty nurse costumes to Japanese schoolgirl uniforms. 

"Are these underwear actually used?" She asked. 

"From what I hear, some of them are. If you're really curious, we could always buy a pair and find out for ourselves."

"Yeah, I bet you'd just *love* that," she said with a smile.

Grabbing her hand, Dane led her further down the narrow street, and after walking a block, they noticed a seven story, pencil-thin building. Although it was sandwiched between a sex club and a strip joint, it really stood out, thanks to the huge sign with neon pink letters that proclaimed the establishment beneath it as, "Loveland." 

Still holding her by the hand, Dane pulled her towards the sex shop, and as they entered the dimly lit store, Jeneda took in her surroundings. 

Posters of Japan's most popular porn stars covered the walls, and rows of shelves were filled with silicone male masturbators, dildos, anal toys, and a variety of adult DVD's. With such a large variety of erotic toys surrounding her, Jeneda had a hard time deciding where to focus her attention. 

She noticed that Dane, however, seemed to be intently studying a row of small, see-thru boxes that lined one of the higher shelves. Curious to see what he was looking at, she sidled up beside him, then followed his line of sight. 

Before she could speak a word, he retrieved one of the small boxes from off the shelf, and after offering it a lingering gaze, he passed it to her. 

"What do you think?" He asked. "Would you be interested in trying it out?"

As Jeneda gazed at the highly sensuous toy, she saw that it was similar to a dildo, but only around four inches, and with a flared end. 

"I don't know...I've never had a butt plug inside me before, so I'm not sure if it would be enjoyable."

"The shaft is very slim, just the right size for a beginner like yourself," he said. "And of course we would use plenty of lube before penetration."

She continued to gaze at the anal sex toy, and noting that the shaft was indeed slim and very smooth looking, she began to imagine what it might feel like inside of her. It seemed that Dane could sense what she was thinking, because he offered additional information about the erotic toy. 

"It vibrates as well, so I can assure you that it would be a very pleasurable experience."

Dane's voice was amazingly smooth, so husky and sensual that it made her instantly wet. As a master of seduction, he was incredibly skilled at breaking past her sexual barriers, and always seemed to know just what to say in order to persuade her into trying out new things. Not that she needed much persuading, anyhow, because she was already thoroughly turned on by the idea of being penetrated by a butt plug. 

"Alright," she said. "Let's try it out." 

A pleased smile crossed his face, and he after placing the small package into a shopping basket he was holding, he bent down to give her a peck on the lips. "You're going to love it, I know you will."

The next few minutes passed with them browsing the aisles, and after checking out a variety of bizarre sex toys that included a vicious looking dildo with teeth, they headed up to the second level of the store. 

Dedicated to sex toys that were less mainstream and more hardcore, level two of the adult sex shop featured items such as ball gags, whips, masks, and sex slings. 

Leather-clad mannequins in chain collars with leashes were on display in the center of the shop, and next to the staircase where she and Dane had entered, was a display of strap-on harnesses. 

As they browsed the aisles, Jeneda gazed in wide-eyed wonder at the various items that were on the shelves. Some of the toys were so outlandish that she could barely even tell what they were used for. 

But as her gaze landed on a small box that contained a circular shaped object with small clamps attached to leather cords, she found herself beyond perplexed as to what its use could possibly be. 

"That's a pussy spreader," Dane said.

"Okay..." Still confused, she furrowed her brow. "But how exactly does it work?"

"You see those clamps?"

"Yep."

"You attach them to each side of the submissive's pussy, then draw them all the way back until she's spread wide open."

"Ouch. That doesn't sound very enjoyable."

"It's not meant to cause pain. It's more for visual stimulation, and to assist the dom in keeping her open and available to him at all times."

"Oh, I see." 

When Jeneda had first looked at the strange looking object, she'd found it anything but erotic. Yet now that Dane had described what it was for, she had to admit that the thought of being spread wide and completely open and available to him at all times was definitely a turn on. 

And yet, even despite the fact that the idea made her wet, she wasn't exactly keen on using a torturous looking device on her delicate lady parts. She set the box back on the shelf, then walked a little further down the aisle before coming to a stop.

For a few moments she just stood there, scanning the various packages on the shelf. But as her eyes came to land on one particular object, she inquisitively studied it. 

Dane lifted his gaze to see what she was looking at, and as he noticed what it was, a faint smile graced his lips. "Nipple clamps...that's an interesting choice."

"Yep." She retrieved the package from the shelf so she could have a closer look at the contents.

"Has anyone ever used nipple clamps on you before?" 

"No. But I've always been curious about it." 

"Mmm..." Dane positioned himself so that he was standing behind her, then looped an arm around her waist. "You love rough nipple play, don't you?"

"Yes, I enjoy it." 

Dane lightly chuckled. "I find it incredibly cute how you get a little shy whenever I initiate a sexual conversation." 

The corners of Jeneda's lips tugged upwards. 

"I love knowing that I'm the first guy to try out all of this stuff with you." He tenderly brushed his lips against the crook of her neck before gracing it with a soft kiss. "It makes me feel special."

"Good, I'm glad." She shivered at the feel of his hot breath against her neck, and as he cupped her left breast and gave her nipple a hard tweak, she jolted. "Dane."

"What?" He asked innocently. "There's no one around. We have the whole aisle to ourselves."

"But somebody *could* have seen us." 

"Come on...," he said with a smile. "I know the thrill of being discovered gets you off, so you don't have to play little Miss Prude with me."

"I'm not." But of course she was, and she knew just as well as he did, that getting frisky in public was something that had become a regular part of their relationship.

"Alright, then. So where was this prudish behavior when you allowed me to touch that tight little hole between your ass cheeks? Not only were we in public, but at our engagement party, and right in the middle of a conversation with your two best friends, as well as my cousin and a longtime buddy...." He allowed his voice to drift off so that she could give a response.

"I don't remember giving my consent for you to do that," she said. "You took it upon yourself to indulge in that very naughty and filthy act."

"Interesting you should say that, because I seem to remember you shifting your body to assist me." 

She smirked, then retrieved a pair of heart shaped nipple clamps from off the shelf. "Maybe so. But you took it a step further by actually trying to penetrate me with your finger."

"You say that like It's a bad thing."

This only made her smile more, and she bit her lip to keep from grinning.

They way you're holding back your smile only further proves my point," he said. "You *wanted* me to penetrate you."

"Then why did I get up and walk away?"

"Because you knew you couldn't control yourself. If I had actually pushed my finger inside, you would have probably had an orgasm right in front of them."

"Oh please." She playfully rolled her eyes. "You give yourself way too much credit."

"Do I?" He gave brief pause before saying, "Alright."

She didn't have to be a mind reader to know that he was devising a plan to prove her wrong, and knowing him as well as she did, it would most likely involve doing something erotic to her in public.

"I already know what you're thinking," she said. "And I welcome the challenge."

"Getting a little cocky there, huh?" 

"That's right. I've been hanging around you long enough to pick up some of your traits."

This made him laugh, and he released her from his hold, then stood beside her so that he could check out the variety of nipple clamps on the shelf. "See any you're interested in?" 




Velvet Kisses Ch. 04



"Yep. This one." She passed him the package that was in her hands, then waited for his opinion.

"These are Japanese clamps," he said. They're pretty intense, and for people with a high threshold for pain. Definitely not for beginners."

"Okay. Well what about those?" The nipple clamps she pointed out had a rubber tip to provide comfort, as well as a screw in the middle.

"Yeah, bull nosed clamps would be a good choice. But I was thinking we should start you out with something more mild, like those." He pointed out a delicate looking pair of nipple clamps that resembled tweezers.

"I don't want mild, I want interesting and exciting, like the bull nosed clamps." She reached up to grab them off the shelf, then gave Dane an inquisitive look. "And besides, since when are you into anything mild? Aren't you all about pushing the limits?" 

"Well yeah, but not when it involves you experiencing extreme pain."

"I thought you said that it was the Japanese clamps that provided intense pain."

"I did."

"Okay. So these bull nosed clamps should be fine for me, right?"

"Yeah, they're good for beginners." He took the package from her, then began pointing out the features of the sex toy. "The good thing about bull nosed clamps is that they have that screw in the middle."

"That's for increasing tension, right?"

"And decreasing. Which is what makes it so perfect for a novice. If the feeling of being clamped becomes too intense for you, I can just turn the screw to open the clamp wider."

"We both know how much I love having my nipples pulled and pinched, so I'm pretty certain I'll be asking for more tension, not less," she said.

"Yeah, well we'll just start out with a little bit of tension, and if you feel like you can handle more, then I'll give it to you."

"Sounds like a plan."

Dane tossed the clamps into the shopping basket, and with Jeneda beside him, he walked out of the aisle. They were just about to enter the aisle directly beside it when Jeneda caught sight of a strange looking contraption that somewhat resembled a mechanical bull, and unable to resist, she walked closer towards it.

"What is this?" She asked as Dane joined her side.

"What do you think it is?" He asked with a smirk.

"A mechanical device with a dildo attached it."

"Exactly. Or as It's more commonly known, a fucking machine."

"Well it certainly is an interesting looking gadget." As her eyes roved over the saddle-like seat with attached fake cock, she couldn't help but wonder as to the effectiveness of it. "Looks pretty powerful...." 

"Seems like you want to try it out," Dane said.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious, but there's no way I'm actually going to right here in this store." 

An amused expression crossed Dane's face, and after taking her by the hand, he led her down another aisle. Along with studded rubber paddles and leather riding crops, the shelves were filled with an assortment of bondage gear. 

Like a kid in a candy store, Jeneda found herself visually mesmerized by all of the erotic goods on sale. Dane seemed pleased by the selection of kinky toys as well, but it wasn't until he came to a stop in front of a selection of bondage ropes, that his eyes really lit up. 

As he stood there scanning the varieties of rope that were displayed on the shelf, Jeneda stood quietly beside him. She guessed that Dane was in deep thought, because he didn't speak a word, and after a few moments of complete silence, he finally retrieved a clear plastic tube from off the shelf. 

As Jeneda gazed at the plastic cylinder, she saw that it was housing a bundle of black Japanese silk bondage rope. From the description on the box, she was able to discern that it was super-soft, yet also durable enough for Kinbaku style rope bondage. 

Jeneda didn't have a clue as to what Kinbaku style bondage was, but she guessed that it was of importance to Dane, because the Japanese silk rope was twice as expensive as the other brands on the shelf. Finally he diverted his attention to Jeneda, and as she looked into his eyes, she saw that he was giving her a thoughtful look. 

"What are your thoughts on being tied up?" He asked.

"I guess I wouldn't be entirely opposed to it..." She purposely allowed her voice to drift off so that he was left to wonder at what she would say next.

"But would you be comfortable with allowing me to do it?"

"Well, that depends."

"On what?"

"Just what exactly are you planning to do to me while I'm restrained?" She flirtatiously asked.

"Disclosing my plans would pretty much ruin the whole point of being tied up, now wouldn't it?"

"Guess you're right about that," she said. "It's all about the element of surprise."

"Not only that, but relinquishing control...being completely helpless and ready to submit to my every desire." 

He stared deeply into her eyes as he said it-so deeply that she couldn't help feeling as if he were hypnotizing her. His eyes were so dark and captivating that it was effortless to lose herself in them, and she was once again struck by his naturally seductive personality. 

"If you're truly ready to engage in bondage play, I would be more than happy to show you just how enjoyable it can be. But I only want you to do this if you're absolutely comfortable with it. Not because you know that it turns me on."

"I really want to do it," she said. "I'm totally and completely sure."

"Good." His face took on a pleased expression, and he reached up to stroke his thumb over her plump lips. "That's what I was hoping to hear."

They shared a brief kiss before continuing to shop, and after procuring a leather blindfold, bottle of flavored lube, feather ticker, and glass dildo, Dane suggested that they buy a few more items. 

"Don't we already have enough?" She jokingly asked after glancing into their shopping basket. 

"Not quite. This shopping trip wouldn't be complete unless we got you a leather sling and thigh cuffs." He led the way down another aisle, and after removing a large package from one of the shelves, he held it out for her to see.

As Jeneda glanced at the photo on the front of the package, she saw that the object consisted of a sling that was made to go around her head, as well as a pair of thigh and ankle cuffs. The neck sling, thigh cuffs, and ankle cuffs were all connected by chains, and designed so that her legs would be forced wide open. 

It would basically allow Dane uninhibited and easy access to her pussy, and leave her completely helpless to receive anything except a rough and thorough pounding. 

The thought alone caused a zing of arousal to curl in her lower belly, and her eyes glimmered with excitement as she gave him her opinion on the kinky item. 

"Looks like fun. Can't wait to try it out."

"Neither can I." 

She noticed that his voice was lower than usual, and as he guided her towards the cash register, her core began to pulse with wanting. As they reached the checkout area, a pink haired woman in a studded bustier and leather miniskirt rang them up. 

Dane paid for the purchases with yen bills, and after receiving the receipt and shopping bag from the store clerk, he and Jeneda made their way back downstairs. 

After exiting the seven story building, they strolled leisurely along the narrow pathway, checking out the colorful neon signs that glowed all around them. Along with several love hotels, they also passed plenty of ramshackle bars and multiple pleasure houses. 

There were just as many locals as there were tourists on the streets, and street vendors peddling everything from roasted sweet potatoes, to deep-fried balls stuffed with octopus, tempted passers-by with mouthwatering scents. 

As they continued to explore the neon-drenched enclave, Dane and Jeneda eventually reached an area that was filled with hostess clubs. Jeneda couldn't help but stare as they passed every one of them, but as they approached an establishment called "Club Envy," she was surprised to see that the lit-up billboard in front of the building were filled with pictures of men, rather than women. 

Thoroughly curious, she stopped to take a closer look at the billboard. The men who were displayed on it all had spiky, elaborate hairstyles, and were identified by stage names such as Keigo and Yunkosuke. To her they all resembled J-pop artists, and weren't just cute, but downright pretty.

"I didn't know you had an interest in host boys," Dane said. 

"I'm just curious," she responded before adding, "I didn't even know that such a thing existed." 

"Yep. Just like men, women in Japan pay big bucks to spend time with good looking individuals."

She allowed herself a few more moments to look at the men who were advertised on the billboard, then directed her gaze to the door of the host club. "And what exactly goes on in there?" 

"Pretty much the same thing that goes on in a hostess club. The women go in and choose their companion from a menu. The man that they pick to entertain them for the evening pours their drinks and flirts with them. Sometimes they put on comedy shows or dance, but basically they spend their time giving that woman their undivided attention."

"Do they have sex with the clients?"

"Some of them do, but only if they get paid a large sum of money."

"Interesting...." A brief paused preceded her next question. "Not trying to suggest anything, but how do you know all of this?"

"A friend of mine tried to get me into the business."

"When?"

"Years ago, during my gap year in Japan."

"Seriously? But you were only seventeen."

"I was nearly eighteen. Perfect age to start out as a host boy."

"What stopped you from going through with it?"

"I guess you could say I was sort of intimated by the whole glitzy atmosphere."

"*You* were intimated?" 

"I wasn't on meds for social anxiety back then, so a job like that would have been my worst nightmare."

"Of course, that makes perfect sense," she said. "Dealing with lots of different people on a daily basis wouldn't have been very enjoyable to someone who was socially awkward." 

"Exactly. So becoming a host boy was the last thing I could have ever done."

"I'm surprised you never told me this before."

"It's not like I intentionally tried to hide it from you. It just never came up in conversation."

"I know. I didn't mean it that way, sweetie." Her gaze drifted from Dane to a huge billboard that was mounted on the roof of the building. "So I guess that guy on the billboard is the star of the club..."

Dane followed her gaze, and upon noting the host boy's face that was plastered on the advertising board, he said, "No way....you have got to be kidding me."

"What?" She curiously asked.

Dane lightly shook his head, as if struggling to believe the sight before him. "I know him."

"Who is he?"

"His name is Takeshi. He's the guy I was just telling you about, the one that tried to get me to become a host boy."

"Oh, wow. How funny that we just happened to stop outside of the club where he works."

"I know. What a crazy coincidence."

Glancing back up at the billboard, Jeneda couldn't help noticing that Takeshi was quite good looking, and along with possessing a wickedly cool, razor cut hairstyle, he had delicate facial features which made him appear to be much younger than he probably was.

"Now that I look at him again, I'm starting to notice that he sort of looks like the Japanese musician Gackt," Jeneda said.

"You're into Gackt?" Dane rose his eyebrows at her declaration.

"I wasn't just into him, I had a huge infatuation." As soon as the words left her mouth, she wished she could take them back. But it was too late, so she quickly followed up with another statement. "This was years ago, though, back when I was still in college."

"Oh." Dane looked back at the billboard of his friend before once again resting his gaze on Jeneda. "Takeshi did used to tell me that he got a lot of attention for looking like Gackt, so I guess I shouldn't be too surprised that he's a top earner." He briefly paused before saying, "I'm surprised he's still working as a host boy. He's gotta be at least thirty-one by now."

"What's the cut-off age for host boys?"

"Twenty-five, twenty-six at the most."

"Well he does look really young, so I guess he's using that to his advantage."

"Yeah, I guess so." Dane directed his attention to the gold entry doors of the host club, which were flanked by black marble columns. "I wonder if he's working tonight?"

"We could always go in and have a look around," she eagerly said.

"I know he's a Gackt look-alike and all, but you could at least *pretend* like you're not excited to meet him."

She smiled widely, and with a tone of faux innocence she said, "I don't know what you're talking about." 

"Right," he said with a faint smile touching his lips. "Of course you don't." 

He led the way towards the entrance, and after pulling open the double doors, they stepped into the entryway. A group of host boys, who were all sporting hairstyles that must have taken hours to tease up, instantly approached the couple. 

Most of the host boys were wearing blazers and slim cut trousers, while others were outfitted in slim suits with skinny ties. They all wore the same expression of unconcealed curiosity, and seemed to be having a difficult time deciding whether to focus their gazes on Dane or Jeneda. 

Upon reaching them, one of the host boys stepped forward and began speaking to Dane. As they carried on a conversation in Japanese, Jeneda awkwardly stood there, gazing at the gilded interior of the establishment. Numerous chandeliers of various shapes and styles hung from the ceiling, casting glittering light throughout the club. 

Huge mirrors with jeweled encrusted frames graced the walls and ceilings, and marble and bronze statues were strategically placed throughout the room. 

Never before had Jeneda seen such an ostentatiously designed establishment, and it seemed that everywhere she looked, there were glittering, attention-getting objects. 

Allowing her eyes to scan the Versailles-like interior, Jeneda saw there were a copious number of female patrons seated on tufted high back sofas. Some of them were smoking and laughing with host boys, while others were closely seated and seemed to be engaged in more intimate conversation. 

Overall, it made for quite an engaging sight, and Jeneda found herself thoroughly fascinated by the whole idea of sauve young studs entertaining wealthy women of various ages. So engrossed by this unusual new world she'd stepped into, she failed to notice the stylishly dressed man that was headed toward her and Dane. 

Dressed in all black, his outfit consisted of an asymmetrical blazer over a button-up shirt, which was partially undone to display a blood red pendant that was in the shape of a dagger. 

Unlike the other host boys, he'd chosen to forgo dress slacks for a pair of leather pants that hugged him just tightly enough to show off the bulge that was hidden beneath the fabric. 

A small cross earring dangled from his left ear, and his hair, which was worn in a faux hawk, was highlighted with bits of blonde. Jeneda could see the curiosity in the man's eyes as he glanced at her, but then his attention came to rest on Dane, and he broke out into a smile. 

"Dane! Genki desu ka?"

"Genki desu, anata wa?" Dane responded.

The two men exchanged several more words, none of which Jeneda could understand, and after carrying on a brief, but jovial conversation, they directed their attention to Jeneda. 

"This is my fiancée, Jeneda," Dane said as he wrapped an arm around her waist. "Jeneda, this is Takeshi, a longtime friend of mine."

"Hajimemashite," she slowly said. "Yoroshiko onegai shimasu."

Takeshi's eyes widened in surprise. "Anata wakarimasen Nihongo?"

With her vocabulary limited to only a few simple greetings, Jeneda was at a loss as to what Takeshi had said. So she gave an awkward smile, and in an embarrassed tone of voice, she declared, "Nihongo wakari masen."

Takeshi's lips curved upward, and he let out a light chuckle. "So sorry. I thought you spoke Japanese."

"I only know a few greetings, but not much else."

"It's okay. Even to speak just a little Japanese is very good," Takeshi said before looking at Dane. "She's beautiful. You're a lucky man, Dane."

"Yes, I know." With his arm still looped around her waist, he looked fondly at Jeneda. Then he directed his attention back to Takeshi and said, "She really is a wonderful woman." 

He smiled at the couple, then retrieved a pack of cigarettes from the pocket of his blazer and lit one up. "Sit down with me," he said to them both. "Let's hang out and have a drink." 

With Takeshi leading the way, Jeneda and Dane followed behind him. As they walked past the couches where patrons were seated, Jeneda could feel all eyes watching them. 

Along with the fact that she was foreign, she also guessed that not many black women had ever stepped foot inside of Club Envy, so it was understandable that so many people were staring at her. 

But it wasn't only her they were looking at. Nearly all of the women were also gazing at Dane, and as he walked past the tufted love seats and high back couches that they were sitting on, they turned their heads to watch him. Jeneda couldn't resist smirking at the female attention that he received, and she felt more than a little prideful that her man garnered so much attention. 

Upon reaching a silver sofa that was covered in satiny fabric, Takeshi gestured for Dane and Jeneda to sit down. Then he gave a hand signal to one of the host boys, who was wearing a white, slim cut suit and silver tie. 

The perfectly coiffed employee nodded his head at Takeshi, and in less than a minute, he approached with a bottle of wine in hand. After setting it down on the mirrored table in front of them, the host boy spoke a few words to Kenichi and Dane.

Since the host boy was taking in Japanese, Jeneda didn't have a clue as to what he was saying. But from the look of surprise on Dane's face, she guessed that it had to be pretty shocking. Takeshi's expression was one of amusement, and as the host boy continued to speak, she noticed that the smirk on Takeshi's face only grew wider. 

Once he'd finished relaying the information, Takeshi spoke a few words, followed by Dane, who shook his head and gave a statement of his own. The host boy offered some words in parting, then headed toward a table of well-dressed women who were enjoying strawberry margaritas. 

"What was that all about?" Jeneda asked. 

"Those women over there at that table..." Takeshi gestured toward them before saying, "They think Dane is a host."

"Seriously?" She looked at Dane, who confirmed by nodding his head. "Were they offering to pay you to entertain them for the night?"

"Yep," Dane said. "But I sent the message along that I'm not available."

"Darn right, you're not. Don't they see me sitting right next to you?" 

"They probably think you're a customer," Takeshi said. 

"But even if I was, why would they try to steal him away from me?" She asked in a lighthearted tone of voice. "I thought the whole point of being in a host club was to have the undivided attention of the man of your choice."

"Most of the women in here are very wealthy, and used to getting anything they want. Sometimes they see a host who is occupied, but they don't care. Doesn't stop them from trying to direct his attention to them."

"But if a man is already occupied with another woman, Isn't it against the rules for him to shift his attention to another woman at a different table?"

"Yes," Takeshi said. "But if the host is especially popular or good looking, women book them in advance. That way they can be sure to be the next woman in line to receive his attention."




Velvet Kisses Ch. 04



"Wow." She glanced over at the table of women who had attempted to procure Dane for the evening, and as she saw that they were still sneaking glances at him, she couldn't help but be amused. "They *really* want you, Dane."

"Yeah, well they can't have me." He wrapped an arm around her waist to pull her closer against him, then gave her a peck on the lips. "I'm taken, so they may as well just accept it."

"Go ahead, smile. I know you want to." Jeneda noticed that the corners of his lips were faintly twitching, so it was obvious that he was trying to keep his mouth from curving upward. 

"What are you talking about? I don't want to smile."

"You are so full of it," she said with a grin. "You *love* the attention, I can tell."

Dane gave her a lopsided smile, then reached for the bottle of wine and uncorked it. He poured a glass for Jeneda first, then one for Takeshi before pouring some liquor for himself. "The last time we saw each other we weren't even old enough to drink yet," he said to Takeshi. "Crazy how time goes so fast."

"Yeah, life can be funny that way." Takeshi took a generous sip of wine, then set his glass on the table. "It's good to see you're doing well, though."

"Seems like you're enjoying life, too," Dane said. "I saw your face on that billboard outside, so I'm guessing you're this month's top earner." 

"I've been top earner for six months straight now." His face beamed with pride, and eager to display proof of his success, he held up his left arm to show off a diamond encrusted watch. "One of my top clients gave this to me as a gift."

"Wow." Jeneda couldn't help but notice how brilliantly the diamonds gleamed beneath the light. "Do you usually receive gifts like that, or does it only happen on occasion?"

"I have many generous clients," he said. 

Jeneda was beyond curious and wanted to find out more about his job as a host, but she worried that asking too many questions might make her seem nosy. Luckily for her, however, Takeshi seemed eager to share details of his extravagant lifestyle. 

"One of my clients offered to pay for an expensive apartment, but I couldn't accept." He gazed off into the distance as if remembering a past event, then took a drag on his cigarette. 

"Why not?" Dane asked.

"She wanted me to be her live-in boyfriend." He shook his head as if to express how ridiculous he found the thought. "Some of these women, they carry the fantasy too far. They forget we're here to sell them a dream, and nothing more."

Jeneda couldn't help but find it a little strange that Takeshi was talking unfavorably about the very women who enabled him to make such a generous salary. But she guessed that when one was engaged in a field of work that involved faking an emotional connection, it would eventually lead to feeling a mixture of contempt and pity. 

"You must have met some women that you connected with, though," Dane said. "Somewhere along the way, you must have gotten attached to one of your clients." "Yes, It's happened a few times..." His voice drifted off, and an almost wistful look came into his eyes. "But this is my job, so It's impossible for me to let my feelings get in the way." 

Jeneda noticed there was a hint of sadness in his voice, and couldn't help wondering if living a life as a host boy was less glamorous than it appeared. 

"Sometimes I feel bad for these women," Takeshi said. "They spend so much money to be entertained and feel loved, but at the end of the day, they're just another client."

"You've been in this line of work for eleven years now, Takeshi," Dane said. "Have you ever thought about doing something else, or are you planning to remain a host?"

"I can't do this for very much longer." He downed the rest of his wine, then refilled his glass. "Eventually I'd like to open my own night club."

"That's not a bad idea. You know all about the industry, and have plenty of wealthy clients, so you'd probably do very well at managing that type of business."

"Maybe in a year I can make it happen," he said. "But until then, I'll continue working here." He took a deep inhale of his cigarette, then blew out the smoke before gesturing towards a woman who was sitting alone on a gold loveseat with scroll arms. 

"You see that woman over there?" Takeshi asked.

"Yes," Dane said." She's staring right at us.

"She's a freak."

"In what way?" 

"Sometimes she tells me that she loves me and wants to marry me. But other times she says that she wants to kill me."

"What?" Jeneda asked in a shocked tone of voice. "Why would she say that?" 

"Because I won't agree to be in a relationship with her."

"Wow, that's crazy." 

Unable to resist, Jeneda stole another glance at the brown-haired woman, who was still staring at Takeshi in an unsettling way. With features so delicate she almost appeared doll-like, Jeneda found it hard to believe that the woman was anything less than a dainty, soft-spoken type. She guessed looks could be deceiving, though, because Takeshi seemed genuinely put off by her presence. 

He blew out a heavy breath, and after stubbing out his cigarette in an ashtray, he rose to his feet. "I'll be right back."

Dane and Jeneda watched him walk across the room, and after reaching the demure looking woman, he sat down beside her. They engaged in conversation for several minutes before Jeneda noticed the woman lift her small hands to cradle Takeshi's face. 

She smoothed her palms affectionately across his cheeks, and after speaking a bit longer with him, she released him from her hold and allowed him to walk back over to where Dane and Jeneda were sitting. 

"Everything cool?" Dane asked as Takeshi returned.

"Not really. She needs to spend time with me, so I guess I'd better get over there and help her unwind." 

"Well hey, it was good seeing you again, Takeshi," Dane said as he rose to his feet. 

"You too, Dane. Let's meet up again before you leave Japan, okay?"

"Definitely."

"Nice meeting you, Jeneda." Takeshi gave her a smile and politely nodded his head.

"Nice meeting you, too." She returned his smile with one of her own. 

Takeshi turned and headed towards his client, while Dane and Jeneda headed for the door. Many of the woman who had been staring at Dane upon his arrival were once again focusing their attention on him, and as they saw that he was leaving the club with Jeneda, they watched on with envious expressions. 

It wasn't until they were outside that Jeneda spoke, smiling as she recalled the way that the women in the club had gazed so desirously at Dane. 

"You had quite a few fans back there," she said. "More than a couple of those ladies seemed like they wished that you were an available item on that host boy menu. 

Dane's lips quirked upward. "Only person I'm available for, is you. And the best part of it is, I'm completely free, and willing to indulge your ever desire."

"Mmm, I like the sound of that." She allowed her gaze to drift seductively over his lanky form, and as she imagined him naked and hovering over her prone body, a warm tingle spread between her thighs."

"So, what did you think of Takeshi?" Dane asked. 

"I liked him. He was nice."

"Yeah, he's a cool guy. Hasn't changed a bit since I saw him eleven years ago." The neon signs of the Kabukicho district glowed and flashed above them, and with perfectly synched steps, they walked hand in hand. The subway station was only a block ahead of them, but even with its close proximity, Jeneda found herself impatient to reach their destination. 

Ever since their trip to the adult toy shop, she'd been eager to get home and try out their new purchases. Just the thought of Dane using the naughty toys on her was enough to make her very horny, and she knew that the night ahead of them wouldn't be filled with gentle, sweet lovemaking, but a downright intense and purely carnal expression of lust. 

"I was thinking we should stop off a convenience store," Dane suddenly said. "We don't have any food in the apartment, so It'd probably be a good idea if we picked up a few things to tide us over until morning."

As Dane's voice broke through her thoughts, Jeneda glanced up at him, then gave her response. "Okay. But let's make it quick, alright?"

"Why? You in a rush to get home?"

"Yep." She held up the shopping bag that was filled with their kinky purchases. "We've got a bag full of toys, and I'm eager to have you try them out on me."

Dane gave her a look which could only be described as lascivious, and in a voice that was deeper than usual, he said, "Not to worry. Those toys will be put to good use this evening."

They were in and out of the convenience store within five minutes flat, and ten minutes later, they were on a train toward home.



Velvet Kisses Ch. 05



*I apologize for taking so long to update, but I do hope you'll enjoy the chapter. Thanks for your continued interest!* 

*

Jeneda emerged from the steamy bathroom with the scent of Rainbath body wash clinging to her skin. Freshly shaved and completely smooth all over, she was outfitted in a sheer black slip that just barely covered her firm, round ass. With her curly hair tousled sexily around her shoulders, she was quite a delectable sight to behold, but as she entered the bedroom and saw that Dane wasn't present, she found herself disappointed that he wasn't there to take in the view.

The room was quiet and nearly dark-illuminated only by the soft glow of the paper lanterns that hung over the low-lying platform bed. But even with the dim lighting in the bedroom, she could see that Dane had laid out some items on the floor next to the bed. 

Along with a bottle of lube and a butt plug, there was also a coil of bondage rope, as well as some other small item she couldn't quite make out. Jeneda stepped forward to have a closer look, but before she could identify the object, her sight was suddenly taken away from her. 

The soft strip of fabric that slid over her eyes shrouded her in darkness, and at first, it was a little disconcerting. But with the loss of one sense, came the heightening of others, and her hearing immediately became amplified.

Dane couldn't have been any quieter if he'd tried, and yet she could still hear the soft whisper of his clothing as he shifted his stance behind her. The next thing she noticed was his scent, which was slightly musky and as unique as any fingerprint. Then there was the sensation of her hair being swept over one shoulder, followed by the ghosting of his warm breath against her ear as he leaned in closer. 

"Are you nervous?" He softly asked.

"Why would I be?"

"You tell me." He briefly paused before continuing. "You're shivering, and your breathing has become quicker." 

"That's out of excitement."

"I see." His tone of voice conveyed that he was pleased at her response. "You're not apprehensive at all? Not even a little?"

She hesitated before saying, "Maybe just a bit."

This coaxed a faint chuckle from his lips, and he brought his nose to the crook of her neck so that he could inhale her fragrance. "You smell delicious," he said before gingerly coasting the tip of his finger along the velvety smooth skin of her shoulder. "And you're incredibly soft...even more so than usual."

"I used a special cream."

"What kind of special cream?"

"Body butter." 

"Mmmm..." He gave her a few soft kisses along the curve of her shoulder before saying, "It makes your skin feel like silk."

A few moments of stillness passed, during which he allowed his fingers to thread into her curly, shoulder length hair. Then in a voice that washed over her like a soothing balm, he asked a question.

"This negligee you're wearing. It's new, isn't it?"

"Yes."

One of his fingers slipped beneath the flimsy strap of the lacy garment, and he seductively toyed with it while looping an arm around her waist. 

"Some people feel that dominance and submission is about pain and humiliation," he said. "But It's really about trust and a willingness to relinquish complete control." 

The fingers that had been playing with the strap of her negligee roamed downwards towards her chest, and her nipples instantly tightened as he possessively cupped one of her full breasts. 

"Are you ready and absolutely willing to do everything that I tell you?" Dane asked.

"Yes."

"Good." He briefly paused before adding, "I'm in complete control tonight, and that means I'll expect you to submit to my every request. You do, however, have the option of using a safeword if things become too physically or emotionally intense." 

"Okay." A little shiver ran through her body at the word "intense," and she found herself simultaneously turned on and a bit apprehensive. 

"What's the safeword?" He asked.

"Violet."

"Alright. Violet, it is."

His arm disappeared from around her waist, then she felt him release her breast from his palm. With her sight gone, she was left with only her hearing to guess at what was happening next. 

Judging from the soft sound of his footsteps, she came to the conclusion that he was now standing in front of her, and with bated breath, she waited for him to speak. 

"Strip for me," he said. "Show me that gorgeous body."

Without a moment of hesitation, she heeded his request, and with deliberate slowness, she slid down one strap of her negligee, and then the other. It slipped down off her body with barely any effort on her part, and as it pooled around her feet, she stepped out of it. Now clad in only a black lace thong, she stood there in front of him, displaying the dips and swells of her naked body. 

If the sound of his breathing was anything to judge by, he was very pleased at what he saw, and although she was prevented from seeing him, she could vividly imagine his eyes roaming hungrily over the contours of her figure. 

"Turn around, bend over, and grab your ankles," Dane said. 

She turned and got into position, baring both her ass and the outline of her pussy, which was swollen and so wet, that it had saturated the fabric of her panties. 

"You love showing off that ass, don't you?" 

The sound she gave in return was neither a yes or a no, but rather a noise of unconcealed arousal. 

"Go ahead, admit it. I know you're proud of it."

"Yes," she softly said.

She heard the sound of his footsteps as he came closer to her, then there was the sensation of his palm tightly gripping the flesh of her backside. "Your ass is perfection. And this pussy...." He made a wanton noise before continuing, "This pussy was made to be pounded by my cock." He slipped two fingers beneath her thong, and with ease, pushed them deep inside her sopping wet hole.

The noise that Jeneda released was so ridiculously lustful that Dane lightly chuckled, and he gave her a few pumps with his fingers before sliding them back out. 

"Stand up and take your underwear off," he said. 

She rose to her full height, and after sliding the waistband of her thong down her hips, she pulled them down her legs and off around her ankles.

"Now turn around and face me."

She did, and as she stood there naked before him with a silk mask over her eyes, her body lightly trembled in delicious anticipation. Although he'd seen her nude countless times before, she'd never been as excited, or so thoroughly turned on as she currently was. 

There was something incredibly thrilling about being blindfolded and exposed for Dane's eyes, and knowing that he had the power to do anything without her knowledge only increased her excitement. 

"Good," he said. "Now you're ready." 

For what, she wondered. But the thought barely had time to pass through her head before she felt something being pulled around her neck. From what she could tell, it was made of a stiff material, and as Dane quickly worked at fastening it around her neck, she reached a hand up to touch it.

The item in question was made from a strip of leather that was adorned by a thick, O-shaped ring that hung in the front. In the back, positioned just below her hairline, was a metal buckle that had been securely fastened. 

This caused the band of material encircling her neck to be somewhat restraining, but not overtly so, and as she allowed her fingers to slide across the neck ornament, she came to the conclusion that it was a collar.

"You belong to me," he huskily growled in her ear. "This collar stays on until I physically remove it myself, understand?" 

She nodded, then licked her lips, which had suddenly become dry. Never before had Dane spoken to her in such a way, and although she knew he'd slipped into his dominant mode, it still shocked her to hear him take such a serious tone with her. Yet as shocking as it was, it was also incredibly electrifying, and she found herself faintly quivering with excitement. 

"On your knees. *Now*." 

Eager to please him, she immediately kneeled, then anxiously waited for his next instruction. She heard the sound of metal dragging against metal as he unzipped his pants, then there was the soft whisper of his jeans as they pooled around his feet. She felt him place his palm on the top of her head, then in a voice that was arousingly deep, he posed a question. 

"Who do you belong to?" 

"You."

"Speak louder, I can't hear you."

"I belong to you."

"That's right, good girl." He gently stroked her cheek with the back of his hand, then in the blink of an eye, forcibly grabbed her chin. "Open your mouth." 

Her mouth fell slack without hesitation, and as he slipped his salty sweet shaft into her warm cavity, she positioned her lips around him so that he was enclosed in a tight seal. She then slowly moved her head forward, and only once the tip of his cock reached that stopping point where it could go no further down her throat, did she pull back once again. 

The head of his penis made a soft popping noise as it exited her mouth, and she stuck her tongue out to flick it over his weeping slit before swirling it around the sensitive dent where the rim met the underside of his cock. 

She then engulfed him once more, and with great enthusiasm, began sloppily sucking his raging hard-on. Knowing all too well that he was just as turned on by the sounds as he was by the visual, she used lots of saliva so that he was overly lubricated. 

He released a long, heady sigh as she skillfully maneuvered her tongue along his velvety erection, and as she began to dutifully masturbate him with her mouth, he encouraged her with heady moans. 

Since she was blindfolded, she was prevented from watching his face as she sucked him off, but every little groan, gasp, moan, and lustful sigh that he gave let her know just how just much he was enjoying the blow job. 

It didn't take long before his hands came around to cradle the back of her head, and as he worked his hips back and forward in an increasingly frenzied rhythm, she found herself struggling to keep up the pace. 

"Relax." His voice came out as a demand, rather that a request. "Keep your head still and let me fuck your mouth."

Heeding his words, she allowed the muscles in her neck to loosen up, and as he began pistoning his shaft in and out of her warm cavity, she grabbed onto his waist to stabilize herself. His slender fingers burrowed deep into her soft curls, fisting them just tightly enough so that it provided a pleasurable kind of pain. 

Her mouth hungrily consumed him, lips tightly gripping his shaft as he pushed deeper and deeper with every thrust. Every in and out motion of his cock was accompanied by wet squelching sounds, and although she was already sucking him as hard as she could, it seemed that he was intent on creating even more friction. 

With her head immobile in his grip, Jeneda was unable to move it even an inch, and this allowed Dane to control not only the depth, but the speed and rhythm of his strokes. With every second that passed, Dane's breathing grew more rapid, and Jeneda was certain that she could feel his cock becoming longer and thicker. 

The groans he released were so arousing that her vaginal muscles repeatedly clenched, as if to send the message that there was another hole that was ready and waiting to be filled. She was so overly stimulated that she found herself tempted to reach between her legs and finger herself, but the frantic pumping of his hips made it impossible for her to do anything except tightly grip his ass cheeks. 

Dane's state of frenzied lust was contagious, and soon the sounds of her muffled moans were mingling with his soft pants. He pumped a few more times into her mouth before he pushed as deep and hard as he could, and as the swollen tip of his penis hit the front of her windpipe, he came with a grunt of pleasure. 

His semen shot out like a bullet, coating her throat with a sheet of slick warmness. Each discharge of cum was accompanied by a guttural grunt, and although he was already releasing copious amounts of fluid, it seemed that bucking of his hips only encouraged more to flow out. 

She swallowed as much as she could, but his seed was thick and ropey, so it proved a bit difficult to take his full load. To keep from gagging, she made an attempt to move her head back, but Dane immediately hated her by fisting her hair even tighter. 

"Swallow it," he demanded. 

Unable to do anything but follow his command, she relaxed the muscles of her throat, then continuously swallowed until every last drop of his creamy fluid had been consumed. It was only then that Dane finally released his hold on her hair, but he was far from relinquishing control over her. 

"Get up," he said. 

She felt a yank on her collar as he forced her to her feet, and once she was standing at full height, she eagerly awaited his next command.

"Go over to the bed and lay down on it."

Disoriented from wearing the blindfold, she asked, "Where is the bed?"

"Move forward a few steps and you'll find it."

Jeneda walked forward one step, and then two more before her ankles bumped against the low-lying platform bed. She kneeled down so that her knees were touching the mattress, then started to get into a reclining position, but before she got the chance, Dane grabbed hold of her collar. Then, with startling aggression, he forced her flat onto her stomach.

As her cheek hit the mattress, a small gasp of surprise escaped her throat, but she didn't have much time to dwell on what he was planning next, because he slowly and sensuously ran his finger along her bare sex. 

She was so wet that his finger skated effortlessly against her slippery center, and as his digit continued upward to the crevice of her butt, her body tensed with excitement. 

Dane slipped his finger between her firm ass cheeks, then slowly inched it northward until it met with that forbidden entry. Her body jolted at the touch of his digit against her tightly puckered hole, but to her disappointment, he only allowed the tip of his finger to briefly linger. 

The bed shifted as Dane got up off of it, then there was the faint sound of him removing his shirt and tossing it to the ground. Jeneda found herself surprised at how many things she could pick up on just by relying on her ears, and was amazed at just how keen her hearing had become. 

She also noticed that whenever Dane came closer to her, the tiny hairs on her body stood at attention. Never before had she been so thoroughly stimulated, and the thrill of not knowing what was to come next only added to the delicious eroticism of the moment. 

She felt the bed dip as Dane got back onto it, followed by a sharp stinging sensation as Dane gave her a hard slap on the butt. 

"Ass up," he commanded. "I want you in doggy style position."

She did as told, getting onto her knees so that her butt was poking up into the air. But clearly it wasn't good enough for Dane, because he roughly maneuvered her body until she was exactly as he wanted her. 

Once her torso was angled downwards and cheek resting against the mattress, he maneuvered her hips so that her ass was poised for stimulation. Then he quickly pulled her arms behind her back. 

She felt the sensation of silky rope against her clasped wrists, and after wrapping the cord around her wrists a few times, Dane bound them firmly in a tight knot. He tied one of her ankles to her thighs, and then other, so that she was forced to remain in a bent over, leapfrog position. Then he pulled at her bindings to ensure that each of the knots he'd created held firm. 

After confirming that they did, he suddenly grew still. For what seemed like a full minute, he simply kneeled behind Jeneda, allowing only the sounds of his soft breathing to fill the room. With her eyesight restricted, she was left to wonder at what had brought on his sudden inactivity. But as his breathing became deeper, she came to the conclusion that he was enjoying the sight of her immobilized and vulnerable before him. 

Now in a prone submissive position, Jeneda was truly at his mercy, and although she knew that he wouldn't do anything to hurt her, she couldn't help wondering just how far he was really planning to take things. Knowing Dane as well as she did, she could only imagine what kind of kinky ideas he had in his head, and she was firmly hoping that he would utilize her body to its fullest extent. 

Even before he'd tied her up, Jeneda was already more than willing to submit to his every desire. But now that she was bound and posed in a restrictive sex position, she found that she was falling even deeper into a submissive mindset. Her body was ready and eager to be used, and a dull ache formed between her legs at the thought of him aggressively fucking her. 

Finally, after a long moment of expectantly waiting, she felt Dane's large hands slowly coast down the length of her body. They moved so langorously that it seemed as if he was memorizing every inch of her body. His palms came to rest on her full, round ass, and after giving her rear end a nice, firm squeeze, he pulled her ass cheeks apart. 

It only took a few seconds before she heard the unmistakable sound of a bottle of lube being opened, then there was the slightly cold sensation of slippery liquid as Dane squirted a generous amount in the valley between her buttocks. 

She lightly moaned at the feel of him lubing her puckered hole, and as she realized that he was preparing to penetrate her with the butt plug, her heart began to quicken. 

While she was extremely turned on by the idea, there was still a sliver of apprehension within her. She guessed it was due to the fact that she'd never been anally penetrated before, and although she imagined that the experience would be pleasurable, she also couldn't help but wonder if it would be painful. 

It seemed her body was intent on conveying her nervousness, because her sphincter tightened, as if to thwart any attempts at invasion. Dane was clearly deadset on penetrating the forbidden spot, however, because he pressed the tip of a hard and unyielding object against her impossibly tight entrance. 

To Jeneda's surprise, an absurdly lustful moan tore from her throat, and she faintly quivered in anticipation of him pushing the sex toy inside of her. Her intensely aroused state drew a barely audible chuckle from Dane's lips, and in a voice that was low and sexy, he questioned her. 

"You really are eager to have your ass penetrated, aren't you?"

She was slightly embarrassed by the sound that she'd made, as well as the reaction of her body, so she hesitated before responding in a whispery voice. 

"Yes."

"Do you like the idea of me being the first one to take your ass.... to penetrate you in such a naughty place?" Dane gently prodded the tight hole, allowing the anal toy to almost, but not quite, slip inside of her.

"Yes," she breathed. "Very much so." 

Dane released a groan that wasn't just carnal, but thoroughly provocative. "You dirty girl," he said. "You're even naughtier than I thought."

The low timbre of Dane's voice sent delightful shivers down her spine, and it felt as if every nerve ending in her body was humming with desire. It wasn't just the wonderfully delicious sensation of Dane playing with the rim of her tight crevice, but the fact that she was on all fours with her butt sticking straight up in the air. 

The silk blindfold around her eyes and the leather collar encircling her neck only added to her docileness, and with Dane holding her ass cheeks so they were spread widely apart, she was fully bared and on graphic display for him. 

Along with the butt plug that was pressing against her crinkled entrance, she could also feel Dane's rather prominent erection, which poked eagerly against her vaginal lips. 




Velvet Kisses Ch. 05



With his penis in such close proximity to her butthole, Jeneda began to wonder if he wouldn't decide to take advantage of her bound form, and pierce her with his cock instead. This thought was only fleeting, however, because Dane slowly and gingerly nudged the tip of the silicon butt plug past her pursed ring of muscle.

A faint whimper escaped her lips as he slid it in inch by inch, but before he could push in even deeper, she suddenly and involuntarily clenched her sphincter muscle. This resulted in Dane halting his ministrations, and in a voice that expressed both patience and assertiveness, he spoke. 

"Let yourself go, and enjoy. There's nothing wrong with receiving pleasure."

She let out a muffled noise in response, then did her best to relax her inner muscles. But instead of loosening, they only tightened even further. Noting the hesitancy of her body, Dane guided his cock between the lips of her pussy, then rubbed the swollen head back and forth a few times along the slippery, pink flesh. 

Almost immediately, her sphincter muscles began to relax, and after a few moments of him vaginally stimulating her, Jeneda's puckered hole had considerable loosened. Now offered unrestricted access to her rear passageway, Dane released his cock and focused on penetrating the tight crevice between her ass cheeks. 

With both her mind and body now fully ready to submit, the butt plug slid in with ease, and as it pushed deeper into the forbidden hole, Jeneda exhaled a sexually charged, husky moan. 

Only once her well-lubed asshole had accepted the four inch butt plug, did Dane pull it back out. But before Jeneda could whimper at the lack of being completely filled, Dane pushed it back in, sliding it all the way into her until it bottomed out. 

Instead of pulling it back out and thrusting in once more, Dane allowed the butt plug to remain fully embedded. Luckily for Jeneda, the shaft of the object was just slim enough to provide her with a pleasurable sensation while still effectively stretching her open. Not surprisingly, it did feel a bit strange having a phallic shaped object ensconced in her ass, but it was a delicious kind of discomfort. 

Dane was clearly enjoying the moment as well, because his breathing had grown very heavy, and he was repeatedly tracing his finger around the end of the butt plug, which was sticking out obscenely between her ass cheeks. 

Although she couldn't see herself, Jeneda could vividly imagine the sight, and her clit throbbed as she pictured Dane staring down at her now stretched ring of muscle. 

"How does it feel?" He asked. "You like having your tight little hole stretched open?"

"Yes, I love it." She barely had time to utter those few words before a gasp escaped her lips, followed by a heady cry as the anal toy began to vibrate. 

"By the time I'm finished with you tonight, I'll have fucked all three of your holes," he said, then maneuvered the plug so that it thrust in and out of her at a slow, but steady pace. 

Her pussy didn't just clench, but actually gushed at his dirty words, and she squirmed against the mattress, moaning unintelligibly as the vibration increased from a subtle thrumming, to a strong, quivering sensation. 

She could hear the sound of it buzzing, as well as the wet, sloppy noises as Dane squirted more lube around her plugged up hole. As he pushed the toy in and out, he tilted it at different angles, allowing the slightly bulbous head to massage the delicate inner flesh of her rectum. 

If she'd been standing, her knees would have buckled, and her moans of pleasure increased in volume as Dane worked the plug more aggressively inside of her. Jeneda's pussy ached with desire, juices running freely from her drenched slit and down her thighs. 

If the pulsing waves of pleasure weren't enough to drive her completely crazy, the feel of Dane's swollen cockhead probing her velvety entrance surely did, and she gasped in pleasure as he slid in deep with one hard thrust. 

He pumped once, then twice, before settling into deep, long strokes that were laguid, but deliriously passionate. As Dane drove his cock in and out of her pussy, he continued to maneuver the butt plug as well, timing it just right so that as his shaft thrusted in, the butt plug pulled out, and vice versa.

Soon, his cock was drilling so forcibly into her, that her body jerked from the power of his thrusts, and in order to keep her bound form stable beneath him, Dane grabbed hold of her collar and pinned her against the mattress. His other hand was kept busy at manipulating the sex toy, and as it continuously impaled her stretched ass, wanton moans tore from her throat. 

Between the plug in her rear end, and Dane's hard cock embedded in her pussy, Jeneda was enveloped in pure ecstasy, and panted breathlessly beneath him as he continued to penetrate her holes. 

With her torso angled downward and ass poking straight up in the air, her body was perfectly positioned for G-spot stimulation. It also allowed her to take Dane's cock much deeper than usual, and to her delight, it felt even longer and thicker than it normally did. 

Her ass jiggled as he pounded her heated core, and the impassioned moans that came from her mouth interspersed with Dane's heavy panting. The pace of his thrusts became rougher and faster, and as her cries climbed in pitch, every muscle in her body tightened. 

Never before had she imagined that she'd allow anyone to simultaneously penetrate the holes on her body, and she certainly wouldn't have guessed that it would be enjoyable. But now that Dane had introduced her to double penetration, she found herself astonished at just how sinfully thrilling it was. It wasn't just the fact that he was completely dominating both her mind and body, but the feeling of being totally wild and unabashedly naughty. 

The intense sensation of being fucked in two holes soon became too much for her to handle, and with a full-throated cry of ecstasy, she tumbled over the edge. 

The orgasm that engulfed her shot through her like a rocket, rendering her completely senseless. She couldn't think or focus on anything except the blinding pleasure that possessed her body, and as overwhelming spasms rocked her restrained form, Dane succumbed to his own pleasure.

He ejaculated deep inside her, releasing a moan so deep that it vibrated through her body. His hips bucked uncontrollably as he rode out his climax, and he shuddered so intensely against Jeneda that she was nearly knocked over in the process. 

For what seemed like a long time, they remained joined together; linked by his cock, which seemed reluctant to leave the warm tightness that enveloped it. After a few more moments, Dane withdrew from her well-utilized pussy. Then he removed the butt plug from her rear, and after undoing the rope that bound her wrists, as well as her ankles to thighs, he positioned himself so that they were lying eye to eye. 

They were in such close proximity, that his lips were nearly touching hers, and as he claimed her mouth with a sweet, soft kiss, she emitted a faint sigh. He pulled back again to gaze into her eyes, and as he allowed his fingers to slip through her hair, she let her palm idly graze the smooth hardness of his chest. 

"That was intense," she said. 

A faint smile crossed his lips. "Yeah, it was. We've had some amazing sex before, but this was on a whole different level."

"It was *really* good...unbelievable, actually."

His lips tugged even higher. "I feel the same way. I came so hard I nearly passed out."

They spent a few more moments just watching one another. Then the sound of Jeneda's voice broke the silence. 

"I wasn't expecting you to collar me," she said. "That was definitely unexpected."

"I thought it would enhance the moment... help you get into the submissive mindset."

"I was pretty much already there when you told me to turn around and grab my ankles. The collar only reinforced your control over me."

"You did seem to slip into subspace quite easily. And it seems like you really enjoyed surrendering your body."

"I did enjoy it..." Her voice drifted off and a somewhat dreamy look crossed her features. "It was quite a rush, actually. Being tied up and completely helpless."

"It was a huge turn-on, seeing you like that." His fingertip slid along the curve of her cheekbone before venturing to her soft, full lips. "It was a very erotic sight, having you bent over with your hands tied behind your back." 

"I loved being in that position," she said. "It made me feel like you could take complete advantage of my body." 

"And that excited you?" 

"Yes. But at the same time, I was a little nervous."

"Of what?"

"Well, with my body bent over, you would have been able to penetrate either one of my holes."

"But you must have known that I was going to use the butt plug on you."

"Yeah, but you could have just as easily decided to use your cock, instead."

The corners of Dane's lips slowly tugged into a naughty smile. "The thought did cross my mind a few times, but I knew that you weren't quite ready to go that far."

"You're right, I wasn't ready. But it was still pretty thrilling knowing that you *could* have done it, if you'd wanted to." 

"I love knowing that turns you on." Clearly enamored by the silky smoothness of her skin, he grazed his long, pale fingers along her thighs. "We still have some unused toys." 

"Guess we'll have to put them to good use soon," she said before adding, "Speaking of toys, when did you purchase the collar? I don't remember you getting it during our shopping trip."

"I picked it up before we left San Francisco."

"Really?"

"Yep."

"So you've been planning this for awhile."

"Ever since that night at McKay's," he said. "Speaking of which, do you remember when we discussed knife play?"

"Yes."

"Do you still think you'd be into it, or have you changed your mind?"

"I'm still interested in trying it out."

"When?"

"I don't know...sometime in the future."

A small smile materialized on Dane's face. "That's something to look forward to, then."

"Most definitely."

He tugged her closer so that his chin was resting on top of her head, and with her face nuzzled in the crook of his neck, they fell into a deep sleep.

* * * *

When Jeneda awoke, it was nearly a quarter to noon. The first thing she noticed was that there was an empty space in the bed next to her. This led her to wonder if Dane had gone to the bathroom, or perhaps ventured into the kitchen to make breakfast. But there were no scents or sounds of a meal being prepared, and although she couldn't be certain, something told her that Dane wasn't in the bathroom, either. 

Then suddenly, it came to her. Just after dawn, Dane had woken her to tell her that he had a meeting with a Japanese publisher to go over the details of foreign rights for his graphic novels. She'd only been partially conscious at the time, so she barely remembered him waking her up. But even in her half-conscious state, she did recall the sweet, tender kiss that he had given her. 

Even now, although it was only a memory, she couldn't help but fondly think of how soft his lips had felt against hers, and this left her wishing that he was by her side and holding her in his arms.

As she lay on her back staring up at the paper lanterns that hung above the bed, she noticed that her neck felt restricted. This led her to reach up and touch the strip of leather that encircled her neck, and she was surprised to discover that she'd slept the entire night with her collar on. 

Her first thought was to immediately take it off, and she started to undo the buckle that kept it snugly in place. But before she could take off the band of material, she remembered that Dane had explicitly informed her that the collar was to be removed by only him. 

That was just roleplay, a voice inside her head reminded her. You can't possibly think that he'd expect you to keep it on all day.

And why not? She asked herself.

The lack of response by her inner voice only encouraged her to keep the neck ornament on, and although she had to admit that she felt a bit silly, she couldn't help but be hesitant about uncollaring herself. It wasn't that she actually felt as if Dane would be upset, because she knew that nothing could be further from the truth. The true reason that she was uneager to take the collar off, was because he had been the one to put it on. 

So in her mind, it only made sense that Dane also be the one to remove it. And although she and Dane had already discussed that theirs was not to be a twenty-four seven dom/sub relationship, she did still like the idea of him being the only one with the power to remove her collar. 

As she lay there on the bed reminiscing about the events of the previous evening, she stroked her fingers back and forth across the collar. She enjoyed the way that the leather felt against the tips of her digits, and also liked how soft, yet restrictive the band of material felt against her neck. She became so engrossed in the texture of the collar, that it took the grumbling of her stomach to pull her from her thoughts. 

She disengaged her legs from the twisted sheets, then went to the bathroom to empty her bladder and wash her face. Once that was done, she took a shower, then slipped into a pair of jeans and an off the shoulder boat neck top. 

She then headed into the kitchen, where she made herself a bowl of granola with yogurt on top, along with a cup of green tea. While she was eating, she flipped through a Japanese fashion magazine titled KERA. 

Along with punk, gothic, and Lolita clothing, the glossy pages of the publication featured interviews with various bands. She was just admiring the bold, razor cut hairstyles and stylishly dressed J-rockers, when she heard the sound of Dane entering the front door. 

A few moments passed before he entered the kitchen, and as he saw her sitting at the small, circular table, he offered a smile. She returned it with one of her own, and emitted a pleased murmur as he bent down to kiss her.

"Sleep well?" He asked.

"Wonderfully. I missed waking up next to you, though." She took a sip of her tea before asking, "How did the meeting go?"

"Great. The Japanese publisher offered me an excellent advance. It's so generous, that I'm still uncertain how my agent managed to negotiate it."

"Fantastic. Congratulations, sweetie." She rose to her feet and gave him a hug, which he eagerly returned.

"Thanks." The grin on his face widened even further. "I was thinking we could go out tonight and celebrate."

"Definitely," she said. "Any ideas of what we should do?"

"There's this nice sushi restaurant I'd love to take you to. Then afterwards maybe we can check out a nightclub."

"Sounds good to me." 

Dane retrieved a chilled can of coffee from the small refrigerator, and after flipping back the tab, he took a long, generous sip. It wasn't until he set the beverage down on the counter, that his eyes came to focus on her neck, and his brows immediately lifted in surprise.

"You still have the collar on."

"Yep."

"So you slept in it, woke up, and still decided to keep it on?"

"Yes, I did."

"Interesting...I find it very intriguing that even though our roleplay session ended yesterday evening, you're still in the submissive headspace."

"You told me that the collar was to stay on until you physically removed it yourself," she said.

"You're right, I did." 

He gave her a long, thoughtful look, then gently tugged on the thick, O-shaped ring that hung from the front of her collar. This drew her closer toward him, and as she gazed up into his eyes, she noticed that his pale, angular face had taken on a somewhat serious expression. 

Knowing him as well as she did, she had no doubts as to what that look meant, and could tell that his dominating side was preparing to make another appearance. 

"You really do make an excellent submissive," he said.

"Do I?"

"Yes. Very much so." 

His gaze lifted to her hair, which was in tight, shoulder length curls that framed her heart shaped face. Then he once again rested his eyes on the leather band that encircled her neck, and after a few moments of studying it, he brought his hands around to the back of her neck. 

After pushing her hair over her shoulder, he slowly undid the buckle that kept her collar in place. Once it was removed, he gently trailed a few fingertips along the elegant column of her neck, then leaned in to pepper a few soft kisses along the delicate skin. 

"How's your neck feel?" he asked as he pulled away.

"Fine." She rubbed the area on her neck where the collar had been before saying, "It didn't hurt or feel uncomfortable. But after sleeping it in it all night and keeping it on the entire morning, it is nice to have my neck unrestricted again."

Curious as to what the collar looked like, she rested her gaze on it, and that was when she realized that there was a stainless steel nameplate attached to the band of leather. Noting that the ownership tag was inscribed, she allowed her eyes to drift across the words, which declared:

Property of Dane 

She lifted her eyebrows slightly, then gazed up at Dane's face to see that he was intently watching her.

"You seemed surprised by the inscription," he said.

"I am...a little."

"Do you also find it insulting?"

"No. I know It's just roleplay, so it doesn't bother me at all."

A faint smile touched his lips, and with a few, slim fingers, he tenderly lifted her chin, then gazed deeply into her eyes. "I think it's wonderful you're so open minded about kink play. And it really pleases me to know that it genuinely turns you on."

"It's the unequal power dynamics that get me off the most. But I also really enjoy the heightening of sensations that come along with being unable to control what happens to my body."

"That's ultimately what being a sub is all about," he said. "Letting go without losing yourself. Surrendering completely to another individual, and trusting that they'll not only treasure your body and mind, but fully appreciate your submissive nature." He gingerly stroked his thumb along the curve of her jaw, as if her skin was made of the finest porcelain. "When you submitted your body to me last night it was a beautiful gift, and I fully appreciated every second of it."

She could tell from the look on his face that he truly did, and as he stared down at her, she became enraptured by his captivating eyes. In the span of a few seconds, his lips brushed against hers, and with gentle firmness, he kissed her. Lost completely in the moment, Jeneda closed her eyes, then wrapped her arms around his neck. 

Dane's hand came up to cradle her face, and as his tongue glided hotly against her own oral muscle, a soft moan escaped her lips. By the time they broke apart, there was a look of equal adoration in both of their eyes, and after taking a moment to just simply admire one another, they once again fell into conversation.

"By the way, that blowjob you gave me last night was incredible."

"Glad you enjoyed," she said. "I got pretty turned on by it, as well."

"You liked being on your knees and forced to deep throat me?" 

"I loved it."

"What else did you like about the experience?" 

"The feeling of being controlled and unable to do anything but suck you off. The sounds that you made were incredibly hot, and when you forced me to swallow, it made me incredibly wet."

"Do you prefer having your mouth fucked, or being in charge and controlling my orgasm?" 

"I guess it depends on my mood. But there's something really arousing about having you forcibly thrust in and out of my mouth."

"That really was a lovely sight," he said. "I'll never forget how hot you looked..." His eyes darkened with arousal at the memory, and his voice became slightly husky. "Blindfolded and kneeling before me, taking every inch of my cock in your pretty little mouth." His palms came to rest on her nice, round butt, which was emphasized by a pair of curve-hugging jeans. "It's still hard to believe that last night actually happened."




Velvet Kisses Ch. 05



"It was pretty amazing, wasn't it?"

"More than amazing. It was a fantasy come true." His fingers twined into her thick curls, which were soft and smelled pleasantly of shampoo. "You were a *very* naughty girl last night."

"If you're referring to the double penetration, I think It's pretty safe to say that was entirely your idea."

A faint chuckle slipped from his lips. "But we bought the butt plug together. Surely you must have known that was my intention."

"I had no idea that's what you were planning. It came as a complete surprise to me."

"I see." His lips curled into a little smile.

"But you did enjoy it."

"Yes, I did. And I would love to do it again."

"Would you ever consider letting me fuck your ass with my cock?"

"I'd be open to it. But your dick is a lot thicker that that butt plug you used on me, so you'd have to go very slow."

"Of course, that goes without saying." He briefly paused before asking, "So you would be interested in trying it out one day?"

"Sure, why not? I think It'd be incredibly hot."

"You don't know how much it turns me on to hear you say that," he said. 

"I think I've got somewhat of an idea." She traced a finger along the outline of his hard-on, then teasingly ran a manicured nail along the zipper of his pants. "Looks like you're in need of some attention."

"I am," Dane said. "And I'll be getting plenty of it later tonight."

"Is that right?" She curiously asked.

"Yes, it is."

"And just what type of attention are talking about, exactly?"

"I think you've got an idea," he said. 

"Yeah, somewhat...but I'm curious as to what sort of activities you have planned for the evening."

"Well, as I mentioned before, I was thinking we could check out a nightclub."

"What kind of a nightclub?"

"The kind that caters to people like you and me."

"So it's a fetish club, then."

A faint smile played on his lips. "Yeah, something like that."

I've never been to one of those places, before," she said before adding, "I'm not even sure I have the style of clothing that would work for that type of nightclub."

"I know you don't. That's why I'm taking you shopping." He finished the last of his canned coffee, then pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and glanced at the display screen. "It's nearly one p.m. Why don't we get some lunch first, and then I'll take you to a couple of shops."

"Sounds like a plan." 

The couple linked hands, and with equal enthusiasm, they headed out of the door and into the waiting city. 

* * * *

Located in Kichijoji, the Fetish Factory was a boutique that sold leather, latex, and vinyl fetish wear that was designed to satisfy both avant-garde urbanites, as well as those with a penchant for alternative lifestyles. 

Every type of kinky garment imaginable was housed between the purple and black walls of the high-end shop, and shelves filled with toys, masks, and erotic electro stimulation products were strategically placed around the dimly lit boutique. 

For the past half hour, Jeneda had been in the dressing room trying on a variety of outfits, which included several catsuits, numerous corsets, latex dresses, and leather bustiers. 

While many of the garments had suited her quite well, she still had yet to try on an article of clothing that gained Dane's approval, and this left her feeling a bit frustrated. Every outfit she'd tried on had been incredibly sexy, not to mention showed plenty of skin, so it was beyond her how Dane could be so picky.

From what he'd told her, the nightclub they would be going to later that evening catered to clientele with an interest in fetish fashion, and strictly enforced a dress code which required that all patrons be outfitted in alternative club gear.

Along with several themed playrooms where various couples could socialize and engage in kinky activities, there were also private booths were couples could go to be intimate with only each other. While she wasn't keen on the idea of participating in group activities, she did like the idea of private intimacy booths, and was thoroughly curious as to the type of experience that she and Dane would have.

Now dressed in a skintight, red latex dress, she offered herself a glance in the changing room mirror. Although far from conceited, she had to admit that she looked pretty hot, and allowed herself a few moments to vainly check out her reflection in the mirror. 

The sweetheart neckline was designed to draw attention to her bust, and built in underwire pushed her breasts up just slightly. A long zipper in the front of the dress added to its eye-catching design, and she found herself surprisingly turned on by the way that the stretchy fabric gripped her body. 

Overall, the sensation of wearing latex wasn't unpleasant at all. In fact, it was quite erotic, and it almost seemed as if she were wearing a second skin, rather than glossy red material that fondled her every curve. 

Hoping that Dane would appreciate the dress as much as she did, Jeneda opened the fitting room door, then stepped out into the hallway where seats were situated along a wall. Dane, who was sitting in one of the chairs, glanced up from his cell phone to look at her, and as his eyes drifted down to her dress, his face took on a stunned expression. 

"What do you think?" Jeneda smoothed her hands over the sleek, slippery garment while gazing expectantly at him.

"Wow."

Her lips pulled into a smile, and she did a quick turn so he could check out the back of the dress, as well.

"That's the one," he said. "That's the dress you're wearing tonight."

"I thought you would like it." 

"I want you to get the shoes, as well." He nodded his head toward the shiny, six inch black pumps that were on her feet.

"Definitely," she said. "They go perfectly with this dress."

"And you're also getting this lingerie I picked out for you." He held up several hangers, which held bras, panties, and a couple of other titillating pieces of intimate wear.

"Okay." She took the items from him and gave them a quick once over before saying, "Just give me a minute to get undressed, and I'll try them on."

She walked back into the fitting room and was about to close the door behind her, but Dane stepped in before she could. After shutting the door and locking it, he took a seat on a plush bench that was covered in purple velvet. Although small, the fitting room was still sizeable enough to accommodate the both of them without it feeling cramped.

The three-way mirror that was attached to the wall allowed Dane to view Jeneda at different angles, and as she began to get undressed, he silently watched her. Although her back was facing him, Jeneda could see his reflection in the mirror, and she noticed that his eyes were intently watching her. 

He didn't have to speak a word for her to understand what was going through his mind, and as she slowly peeled off the red latex dress, she kept her gaze firmly planted on his mirror image. There was something very erotic about the way he was quietly watching her, and as her underwear clad body was fully revealed to him, she noticed his eyes move languidly up and down her shapely body. 

Despite the fact that Dane had seen her undressed countless times, it never ceased to amaze her how sexy and desirable he made her feel simply by gazing at her body. The look he was giving her was beyond animalistic, and so intense that she fully expected him to try and have sex with her right on the spot. 

Yet to her surprise, he only continued to silently eyeball her, and with her gaze still focused on his reflection, she removed a lace-up leather bra from one of the hangers on the hook. 

"No," Dane said. "Try the cupless corset on, first."

His voice was firm, and his expression serious, but Jeneda knew that was only due to his arousal. It didn't take much at all to coax out his dominant side, and she could tell by the sound of his voice that he was extremely turned on.

"Alright." She put the bra back on the hanger, then slipped into the black vinyl corset, which had attached garters. 

As she reached around back to lace up the corset, Dane's hands gently covered her own, then he moved them out of the way so that he could do the lacing. He started from the bottom and then slowly worked his way upward, pulling just slightly at the laces so that the corset fit her snugly. 

As he continued to pull the laces through the eyelets, she felt the corset mold to her body, and although it was a bit of an unusual feeling, it wasn't entirely uncomfortable. 

She couldn't help but admire her reflection in the mirror as Dane continued to lace her up, and as the vinyl corset gradually cinched her waist into an hourglass shape, she watched on in fascination. 

By the time her torso was fully enveloped in the garment, she was amazed at how beautifully it accentuated her waist, and she loved the way that the cupless bodice showed off her nice, round breasts. 

"You like staring at yourself, don't you?"

The sound of Dane's voice caused her to shift her eyes to his reflection, and as she saw that he was standing behind her with a faint smirk on his lips, a sheepish look came over her face. She could feel the corners of her mouth threatening to pull upwards, but before the smile could appear, she stopped it. 

"No."

"Yes, you do. It turns you on to see yourself like this."

He said it with such certainty, that it would be useless to deny it. So instead of attempting to discredit his statement, she only gave him a little smile.

"It's okay to admire yourself," he said. "You do look delicious, so I can understand you being turned on by your own reflection."

"I'm not turned on. I've just never seen myself in a corset before."

"You *are* turned on. I know you very well, Jeneda, so there's no use trying to deny it."

She playfully arched an eyebrow at him, but said nothing in return. He stared right back at her with a faintly amused expression, then averted his gaze to her exposed breasts.

"You have the most amazing tits, you know that?" His large hands cupped the soft mounds of flesh, and as he began to roll, pull, and pinch her dark brown peaks, a husky noise passed her parted lips. 

"I can't wait to clamp your nipples." His fingers continued to fondle her peaks until they stiffened to achingly hard points, then he began flicking his nail back and forth against the puckered buds.

"Dane..." His name came out like a moan, and with great enthusiasm, she pressed her near naked body hungrily against his. 

"Yes?" 

"Fuck me...I need to feel you inside of me," she murmured lustily. 

"Hmmm, I don't know." Clearly wanting to tease her, he bumped his crotch against her ass, allowing her to feel his raging hard-on. "How badly do you want it?"

Ridiculously aroused and in no mood for games, she said, "I'm asking you to screw me in a public dressing room. That should be a pretty good indication of how horny I am."

"Mmm...." He nuzzled her neck, then gently nipped it before whispering in her ear. "I just love it when you're desperate."

The sensation of his warm breath against her earlobe caused a delicious shiver to dance up her spine, and she bit her lip as he lowered his hand and possessively cupped her panty-clad center. 

"Beg me," he said. "Convince me that you deserve to get fucked."

"Please..." She groaned as he began rubbing her swollen clit through her sodden panties. "Just stick your cock inside me and fuck me, already."

"That didn't sound very much like begging," he said. "Try again."

"Dane, come on." Her voice reflected impatience, as well as deep frustration. "You want to fuck me just as badly as I want to fuck you. So stop the charade, and get your cock out."

"Such dirty words from a sweet little mouth." His index finger languidly traced the curve of her lower lip before venturing upward to graze the outline of her upper one. "You're very cute when you try to order me around." 

"You're such a tease," she said. "You really get off on denying me, don't you?" 

"Don't worry," he said. "I'll give your pussy a thorough working out tonight, so you won't be neglected for very long."

A flare of heat rushed through her loins at the sound of his naughty words, and desire flooded through her as Dane pressed his lips to her earlobe. "You won't go hungry tonight, I promise."

He lifted her chin with his finger, and after leaning down so that his mouth hovered above hers, he gave her a searingly hot, passionate kiss. His lips moved earnestly against hers, mouth hot and eager as his tongue danced and tangled with Jeneda's. It seemed that he was relishing the taste of her mouth, because he adjusted the angle of his head so that their kiss deepened even further. 

He lifted his large hands to cradle her plump breasts, ardently kneading the ripe globes before allowing his fingers to pull and twist her fully erect nipples. Already intoxicated by the intensity of the kiss, Jeneda moaned hotly into his mouth, then arched into his touch. Nearly half a minute passed before they finally pulled apart, and after taking a moment to catch her breath, Jeneda offered some words. 

"It'd probably be a good idea if you left. We hang out in here together any longer, and we'll probably get caught."

"Oh, *now* you're worried about getting caught?" He asked. "Just a few minutes ago, you were begging me to fuck you."

A smile graced her lips, which were slightly swollen from their passionate make out session. "We don't want to push our luck, do we?"

He returned her smile, and after caressing the curve of her cheekbone with his thumb, he said, "Get dressed, and I'll meet you by the cash register." 

Jeneda nodded, and after Dane left the fitting room, she changed back into her clothes. Once that was done, she gathered up all of the items she was going to buy, and with anticipation of the night ahead, she headed out of the dressing room and made her way to the checkout counter.



Velvet Kisses Ch. 06



*I know it's been nearly a month, and I do apologize for allowing an exceedingly long amount of time to pass between installments. But I finally managed to get this chapter out! Hope you all enjoy.* 

*

Tucked in an alley behind a massage parlor and love hotel, The Pleasure Vault was a two-story fetish club located in the red light district of Kabukicho. With its red and black color scheme, dim lighting, and ornate black chandeliers, the nightclub had a bordello-like atmosphere to it. Patronized by alternative lifestyle enthusiasts who were outfitted in everything from rubber kimonos to PVC club wear, The Pleasure Vault was an establishment that clearly encouraged wanton behavior. 

While Jeneda was enveloped in a skintight, red latex dress and black stilettos, Dane had chosen to wear a pair of leather pants and a fitted black t-shirt that showed off his toned arms. Although completely unintentional, the couple's red and black clothing matched the interior of the club, which exuded not only sensuality, but also a bit of raunchiness.

Garment-wise, Jeneda fit right in with the other clubgoers, but that didn't stop her from feeling as if she were a fish out of water. Dane, on the other hand, seemed right at home in the fetish club, and with his hand clasped with Jeneda's, he strolled confidently towards the bar. 

Once they reached it, Dane gave their drink orders to a silver-haired bartender with multiple tattoos and several face piercings. Then, with alcoholic beverages in hand, Dane led Jeneda to the second level, which consisted of a lounge area. Several black leather loveseats, as well as plush chairs and high back sofas filled the seating area. 

Since the lounge area was situated above the dance floor, it enabled Dane and Jeneda to gaze at the hordes of people below, who were dancing to the thrumming base lines of a darkwave instrumental track. The dancing clubgoers only held Jeneda's attention for so long, however, because everywhere she looked, there were people dressed in outrageous outfits. 

A few feet away from her, she noticed a person completely encased in a black rubber body suit, which not only had attached gloves, but also an enclosed hood. Aside from two eye holes, and a small slit that allowed them to breathe, not an inch of skin was visible on their body. 

Overall, she found the sight more than a little odd. But her gaze was suddenly diverted as she noticed a petite brunette in a studded mini dress. At barely five feet tall, the woman provided a striking contrast to her towering male slave, whom she effortlessly and confidently paraded around by a cock leash. 

Even though the submissive male's genitals were covered by a leather pouch, it was clear to see that the leash was secured around his balls, and ever now and again the tiny brunette would give a harsh tug on the chain that was connected to the man's testicles. 

Unable to avert her eyes for even a moment, Jeneda watched as the petite woman led her slave over to a plush velvet chair. As she sat down, her submissive got into a kneeling position. Then, without a moment of hesitation, he lifted her foot and began to enthusiastically fellate the spiked heel of her thigh high boots. So engrossed by what she saw, Jeneda stared on in fascination, and she would have continued to do so, if Dane hadn't leaned in to whisper in her ear.

"Enjoying the show?"

The sound of his voice broke her from her daze, and as she turned her head to look at him, she saw his lips curve into a little smile. 

"Enjoying? I don't know about that," she said before adding, "I've just never seen anything like this before."

"Yeah, I can tell." 

Dane lightly tugged on her arm, then led her toward a semi-enclosed booth that was gently lit by a black chandelier. Once they were seated on a leather loveseat, Dane looped an arm around her shoulder, and with a palm resting against her thigh, he posed a question. 

"So, what do you think of the club?" 

"It's interesting...definitely not boring, that's for sure."

"No, it most certainly isn't." He studied the expression on her face for a few more moments before saying, "You seemed to be having a hard time figuring out where to focus your attention. You just didn't know where to look, did you?"

"There was a lot of freaky stuff going on all at once. So yeah, I guess you could I was on sensory overload."

He smiled, then coasted his palm further up her silky thigh so that the tip of his fingers met with the hem of her latex dress. "Just so you know, if you'd prefer to just sit back and be voyeurs for the night, I'm fine with that. Or, if you want to walk around and check out the playrooms, I'm cool with that, too."

"I remember you mentioning the playrooms earlier," she said. "What exactly goes on in there?" 

"Just about anything and everything you could think of."

Dane's response only further piqued her interest, yet as curious as she was to have a look at the playrooms, she found herself not quite ready to leave the lounge area just yet. 

"Not that it matters or anything, but how many of these types of clubs have you been to?" Jeneda asked.

"Around three, maybe four. Why?"

"Just curious." She allowed a moment to pass before asking, "What made you decide to bring me here?"

"I thought it would be fun. And you seem open to trying new things, so I figured you would enjoy the experience." He paused to give her a thoughtful look. "If you're not enjoying yourself, we can leave."

"No, I am. It's different here....a little strange, but that's what makes it such an interesting place."

"I love that this is all so new for you," he said. "But I must confess, I am a bit worried that I may be corrupting you." 

Taking note of the naughty smile that tilted his lips, she said, "You didn't seem very worried last night. In fact, you seemed to take great enjoyment in tying me up and taking advantage of my body."

"You loved every minute of it, though. Didn't you?" He placed a finger beneath her chin, then leaned in closer so that his lips were mere inches from hers. 

"I did," she affirmed.

"Then you're really going to enjoy tonight," he said. 

The low timbre of his voice filled her with desire, and as his tongue flicked against her bottom lip teasingly, she emitted a faint moan and angled her head in anticipation of a kiss. As Dane engaged her in a sinfully gratifying French kiss, the taste of coffee liquer mixed with vodka hit her tastebuds, and she became oblivious to everything except the feel of his lips. 

So consumed by the wet heat of his mouth, she barely took note of the fact that his hand had ventured beneath the hem of her dress. But as the tip of his finger bumped against her bare pussy, something akin to an electric current zipped through her body. It seemed that Dane was equally affected by the absence of fabric covering her pussy, because he abruptly broke the kiss to look into her eyes. 

"You're not wearing any panties?"

"Yes I am."

His finger roamed the length of her weeping slit before travelling further upward, and that was when he discovered that she was wearing crotchless underwear. The look of surprise of his face was enough to make Jeneda wish that she could capture it on film, and relishing his stunned expression, she waited for him to speak.

"Jeneda...." Her name left his lips as little more than a whisper, and his dark eyes had taken on a glint of excitement. "I had no idea you had crotchless underwear."

"Up until earlier today, I didn't. I got them on the sly, during our shopping trip at that fetish store."

"I see...." As his voice drifted off, he allowed his digit to trace the slick moisture that coated her pussy lips. Then, with deliberate slowness, he gently parted her tender folds with his index finger. "What a lovely surprise this is."

She let out a groan as his thumb rubbed her clit in little circles, and as he continuously caressed the silken flesh of her inner vaginal lips, she began to squirm beneath his touch. The sensation was so deliciously enjoyable that she found it difficult to keep from moaning, and she bit her lip to muffle the sound. 

But then she remembered that they were in an establishment that not only tolerated erotic displays of affection, but strongly encouraged all sorts of lascivious acts. Coupled with the fact that they were in a semi-enclosed booth that offered plenty of privacy, there was absolutely no reason for them not to indulge in a bit of naughty play time. 

This realization should have banished her hesitation to let loose and really enjoy herself, but as she tilted her head back so that Dane could kiss her neck, she realized that someone in the VIP area just above was leaning against a railing, intently watching their every move.

As Jeneda stared up at the stranger, he stared down at her, unabashedly watching as Dane began to lightly suck and nip at the pulse point of her neck. From what Jeneda could tell, most of the patrons located in the seating area on the third level were far too busy engaging in sensual acts of their own to even take note of what she and Dane were doing. 

But this particular individual-who was dressed in a pair of skintight PVC pants and a long sleeve fishnet t-shirt that showed off the silver barbells that ran through his nipples-was intently watching them. 

With a glass of alcohol in one hand, and a cigarette in the other, the man had an easygoing air about him. The look on his face wasn't one of shame, yet rather eager expectancy, as if he were waiting for something more; something that surpassed the erotic display he'd just been unabashedly observing. 

Caught up in the heat of the moment, Dane was unaware that they were even being observed, and he continued to passionately kiss Jeneda's neck while simultaneously fondling the cleft between her legs. 

"Dane." She spoke his name so softly that it came out as a whisper.

"Yeah?" 

"There's someone watching us...." She moved her lips to form more words, but the feel of Dane's thumb lightly stroking her clit caused her to emit a guttural sound of pleasure instead.

"Where?" 

"Up above, on the VIP level."

With obvious reluctance, Dane pulled back from her neck and gazed up at the level which was located just above them. He then followed Jeneda's line of sight until he spotted a dark haired man leaning against the balcony that overlooked the second floor lounge.

"So much for privacy," Jeneda said before adding, "What's the use of being in one of these intimacy booths if people can still see us from above?"

With his eyes still fixed on the man, Dane asked, "Does it bother you that he's watching us?" 

Slightly unsettled, yet simultaneously turned on by the voyeur, she allowed a moment of hesitation before answering. "Not exactly..."

Noting that her voice had trailed off, Dane averted his eyes so that his gaze met hers. "So you're okay with him being there."

Jeneda looked back up at the man to see that he was still watching her and Dane, and with only a moment of hesitancy, she said, "Why not? No harm in him looking, is there?"

Dane shifted his attention back to their observer, and after a few tense moments of staring the other man down, he looked back at his fiancee. "I guess not. So long as he knows that you're mine." 

"I think It's pretty clear that we're together," Jeneda said. "Besides, you brought me here to show me off, didn't you?"

"Yes. But I also want to make sure you enjoy yourself."

"I am enjoying myself. Or at least I was, up until a few minutes ago." She slipped her hand beneath her dress and placed it encouragingly over his, which was still nuzzled between her silky thighs. 

The smallest hint of a smile teased the corner of Dane's lips, and without another word, he used his free hand to retrieve an ice cube from his glass. After popping it in his mouth, he began to unzip the front of her latex dress. Little by little, more of her cleavage was slowly revealed, but just before her breasts spilled free, he suddenly halted the movement of his hand. 

He looked deep into her eyes, as if silently asking permission to expose her breasts, and after receiving a nod in return, he lowered the zipper even further. The moment her nipples came into view, he eagerly lowered his mouth to them. 

With the ice cube gripped tightly between his teeth, Dane skimmed it along the curve of her right breast, then swirled it slowly around her dark brown nipple. She eagerly watched as the frozen cube gradually spiraled inward, and as it finally brushed against her erect peak, she jolted in her seat. 

Within moments, both of her nipples were as hard as bullets, and literally aching for the touch of Dane's tongue. A master at reading her body language, Dane was well aware of just what she was desiring. But driven by his dominant nature, he resisted the temptation to immediately give into her desires. 

Still holding the ice cube between his teeth, Dane maneuvered it so that it ran along the sides of her neck and collarbone. He then positioned his mouth so that it was flush against hers, and with his tongue, he pushed the ice into her mouth. 

Thrilled by the cold sensation of the frozen cube, she let out a breathy gasp, then maneuvered her own tongue so that the ice cube was pushed back into his mouth. He followed suit by imitating her actions, and for the next few minutes, they took turns trading the frozen cube back and forth. 

It didn't take long before the ice melted down to a sliver, and now completely unencumbered and free to truly indulge themselves, they continued on with a passionate make out session. 

With Dane's hand still nuzzled between her thighs, Jeneda was afforded the pleasure of being ardently fondled, and as his thumb worked circles around her clit, she moaned and writhed beneath his touch. Rather than just caress, his fingers seemed to command, moving in a rhythmic side-to-side motion that left her gasping with need. 

He gradually increased the pressure until her head lolled back, then in a move that was clearly designed to heighten her pleasure, he allowed his tongue to drift over one of her pebbled nipples. 

His mouth worshipped the taut bud, giving it languidly slow, soft licks before gently suckling it to further erection. Then, with a languidness that roused a moan from the depths of her throat, he slowly pushed two digits deep inside of her. 

Once her silky walls were completely enveloped his fingers, he began working them in and out of her at an unhurried but steady pace. Gradually, and with a skillfulness that heightened the pleasure she already felt, he increased his tempo. 

She gave a throaty cry as his fingers worked their magic, pumping quicker and harder as she restlessly squirmed beneath his attentions. Long, thin, and ridiculously adroit, his digits caressed her passage with a virtuoso's skill.

Simultaneously, his tongue masterfully caressed her nipples, making them slippery and shiny with a thick coating of saliva. Thoroughly aroused not only by his wet appendage, but the dexterous fingers that were imbedded in her pussy, Jeneda quickly found herself at the brink of climax. 

She cried out his name without a hint of abashment, following up with a moan so wanton it sounded titillating even to her own ears. Her body began to tremble and her mouth went slack, falling open in a silent 'o'. Then, with a violent shudder, she gushed all over his nimble fingers. 

Blissfully satisfied, yet a little lightheaded, it took several moments before she came back to the present. She barely registered the feeling of Dane's fingers withdrawing from her heat, but her inner muscles definitely took note, repeatedly clenching at the loss of his thin, skillful fingers. 

As he zipped up her dress, the latex material molded to her breasts, perfectly cupping them like a second skin. He drew out a finger, slipping it under her chin, and as his mouth just barely brushed against hers, she felt his breath ghost against her lips. 

"Mine."

The word he'd spoken was just barely audible, yet even still, she'd clearly picked up on the firmness in his tone. And just in case she had any doubts as to what he'd said, the fierce possessiveness in his gaze made it clear that she'd heard him right. 

His gazed drifted upward, and as Jeneda followed his line of sight, she saw that their observer was still there, firmly planted in exactly the same spot. As the couple stared up at the man, he looked right back down at them, as if waiting for them to carry on. 

But as Jeneda stole a glance at Dane, she could see that his face had set into a less than friendly expression. He didn't move an inch, only kept his eyes fixated on the stranger, and with an intense gaze that was clearly meant to intimidate, he sent a wordless message. 

Show's over. You're dismissed. 

A few seconds passed before the voyeur shifted on his feet, then with a reluctance that was palpable, he turned on his heel and walked away. 

Dane averted his attention back to Jeneda, then brought his mouth to hers in a kiss that was moist, deep, and so achingly tender that a fevered sigh escaped her lips. When they finally broke apart, she was left feeling a little dazed, but the words that Dane spoke effortlessly cut through her fog of lust.

"I had no idea you were such an exhibitionist."

"I'm not...usually." 

"So this was a special occasion?" A wry smile curved his lips. 

"I've never done anything like this before, if that's what you're asking."

"I know you haven't. And that's what intrigues me about you." His gaze searched her features curiously, as if she was an enigma he was attempting to solve. "Just when I think I've got you figured out, you find some way to surprise me."

"I'm a fan of unpredictability. It keeps things interesting."

"You're right about that," Dane said. "But I think we both know that things could never get boring between us."

She definitely did, and as his hand glided from the base of her neck and into her mass of curls, her eyes locked unwaveringly into his own. With fingers burrowed in her hair, he cradled her head gently, and yet at the same time, there was something slightly restrictive about his grip. 

Yet it was done in such a subtle way, that she couldn't be entirely sure if he was asserting his dominance, or simply displaying his passion for her. With the sound of Trent Reznor's voice screaming out angst-ridden convictions through the speakers of the nightclub, the moment they were sharing was intensified. 

There was an indefinable charge to the air between them, something that was stronger than lust, but just as primal. And like many times before when Dane set his piercing gaze upon her, she was left feeling stripped to the bone. Nothing turned her on more than feeling completely vulnerable and open to her man, and without even realizing it, her pulse quickened.

"Satiate my curiosity," Dane finally said in a deep, smooth voice. "When that man was watching us, did it increase your excitement?"

"It did in the beginning. But once your fingers and tongue really got going, all I could think about was how incredible you were making me feel." 

This caused his lips to pull into a smile, and with a prideful look, he grazed a thumb along her jawline.

"What about you? Jeneda asked. "How did it make you feel, knowing that he was watching us?"

"At first I wasn't sure, and a little worried that I might regret letting him see you topless. But then I reminded myself that I was the one touching you, not him."

"You were jealous?" 

"Yes. But that's only because I'm protective of what's mine."

"But he wasn't even close enough to smell me," she said. "Why would you be jealous of some random guy?"

"It's instinctual, darling, not something I can effectively control."

"I see." Her gaze lowered for a moment before she peered up at him through long lashes. "I find it interesting that you say you're jealous of other men eyeballing me, and yet you also admit that you brought me here to show me off."




Velvet Kisses Ch. 06



"When I mentioned showing you off, I only meant for them to get a look at you in your dress." No sooner had the words left his mouth, did his brows lightly crinkle, and with a tone of distress, he added, "You didn't think I brought you here to share you with other men, did you?"

"No. But you did mention that there were rooms where groups of people hung out and did different stuff, so I wasn't entirely sure what you had in mind."

"You're my fiancé, Jeneda. I would never allow another man to touch you, let alone have sex with you." The tone he used was so serious that it almost bordered on scolding, and his voice had risen a notch, as if to convey how thoroughly disturbed he was by the mere thought. "I never meant to imply that I wanted us to participate in any group activities," he continued. "I guess I should have made that clearer."

"It's okay." She coasted a hand along his chest, then ran it along his shoulder before letting it come to a stop on his bicep. "I knew you wouldn't force me into doing anything that made me feel uncomfortable.

He looped an arm around her waist, then drew her closer so that her body pressed against his. closer to him, "You should know by now that I'm a very possessive person. I don't like sharing, and I definitely don't like the idea of another man touching what's mine."

It wasn't just the way his voice dipped a few notches, but the way he was looking at her with rapt intensity. She loved it when this darker side of him slipped out, and as she realized that Dominant Dane was emerging, a pleasant tightness began to build between her thighs. 

Dominant Dane. The one did deliciously wicked things to her body. Taboo things. Things that she'd previously sworn she never allow anyone to do to her. But damn if he didn't have a way of coaxing her to give into his desires. And in the process, his desires somehow became her very own. She didn't know how he did it, but his darkly seductive ways were incredibly irresistible.

Eventually, her hand came down to rest on his lap. And that was when she realized that his leather pants were restricting an obscenely hard erection. Even in the dim lighting of the club, his bulge was discernable, and seemed certain to break free from its confines at any moment. She only had to rub it a few times before he emitted a groan, then dryly swallowed before rasping out a few heady words. 

"I'm ready to leave. How about you?"

"Definitely." 

In perfect synchronization, they rose to their feet, and without a moment of hesitation, they made a beeline for the exit. 

* * * *

There were few things more enticing than the sight of a kneeling, submissive woman. Especially when that female in question happened to be your beautiful fiancée. With her brown, doe-like eyes and heart-shaped face, Jeneda had an almost innocent looking exterior. 

But lurking beneath was an uninhibited, and surprisingly kinky female. Now, as Dane looked down at her kneeling form, he found himself unable to stop the lewd images that flashed through his head. 

*If she could read my mind,* he thought, *if she was aware of all of the things that I fantasized about doing to her...would she be disgusted, turned on, or simply hesitant?*

An excellent question, he supposed, but did he really want to know the answer? As he gazed down at Jeneda, he was once again taken by the look of innocence on her face, and instantly came to the conclusion that some things were better left as fantasies. 

Perhaps one day he would share them with her, but at present moment, it was best if he stuck to his original plan. She was, after all, just barely getting used to the idea of Sub/Dom roleplay, so he didn't want to overwhelm her with his depraved fantasies. 

His eyes scanned her naked body, taking in her full, round breasts before dipping lower to her toned stomach and flared hips. As instructed, she'd shaved herself nice and smooth for him, and although he couldn't be entirely certain, he hoped that she'd followed his command to refrain from washing her pussy with soap. 

It wasn't just her unique aroma that turned him on, but the flavor of her juices, and in order to fully enjoy the experience of eating her out, he needed to taste her just as she naturally was- slightly tangy with a hint of sweetness. Just the thought of feasting on her pussy made his mouth water, and as he looked down at her kneeling form, he regarded her with a lascivious expression.

"I like you on your knees," he said, and with tenderness, he cradled her chin in his palm. "Do you enjoy kneeling before me?"

"Yes."

"How about submitting your body, and allowing me to use it in any way I see fit?" 

"I love it. Nothing pleases me more than serving you."

"What's your purpose?"

"To be your fuck toy and follow every order that you give me."

Fucktoy. That was a word she'd never spoken before, and his cock twitched at how obedient and eager to please she was.

"Very good," he said. 

He retrieved her collar from the dresser that was directly next to them, and after slipping it around her neck, he secured it with the buckle. His eyes didn't waver from hers for even a moment, and in a tone that was fully authoritative, he gave an order. 

"Take my pants off."

Jeneda reached up to unclasp his leather trousers, and with an anticipatory look on her face, she slowly dragged the zipper downward. She then moved his boxer briefs down, and along with his pants, slid them down around his ankles. 

His cock, which was jutting from a thatch of silky pubic hair, seemed intent on commanding her attention, and as her gaze came to land on his proudly displayed manhood, her eyes glazed over with unbridled lust. 

It wasn't the first time she'd looked so admiringly at his penis, and it certainly wouldn't be the last. But there was something especially arousing about the way she was currently studying it. He felt powerful and manly beneath her admiring gaze, and having her kneeling before his tall, lanky form only enforced his masculine presence.

As he watched her stare at his veiny shaft, he got the sense that she wasn't just lusting for his cock, but actively yearning for the chance to have it inside of her. It wasn't just the fact that her mouth was slightly parted, but the way her eyes were caressing his ever growing erection. 

She was hungry for his cock, and as horny as he was, he would be more than pleased to slide his girth into her hot, waiting mouth. But he had other plans for her, and was eager to try out a sexual technique that was certain to drive her absolutely mad.

Just the thought of what he was about to do caused a wicked smile to cross his lips, and although he knew it was sadistic, he couldn't help relishing the thought of what her reaction would be. By the end of the night, he would have her begging for his cock. And once that happened, she would be in for a hell of a fuck. 

With eagerness, he reached out to grab a pair of nipple clamps from the dresser beside him. Then, holding them so that they dangled from the chain which they were connected to, he allowed Jeneda to briefly glance at them. 

"You've never had your tits clamped, have you?"

"No."

"But you like having them roughly played with. You enjoy a bit of pain with your pleasure, don't you?"

"I do."

His lips briefly pulled into a sideways smile before drawing back into a straight line. "It's time for us to begin. Lay down on the bed and present yourself to me."

She started to rise from her kneeling position, but Dane placed his palm on her head, and with force, pushed her back onto her knees.

"Did I tell you to stand?"

She blinked once, then twice, before looking at their sleeping area, which consisted of a traditional Japanese bed that was low to the ground. She then glanced back up at Dane, and with those big eyes he so loved to stare into, she gave him an unreadable look.

What led to her hesitancy in following his order, Dane couldn't be sure of. But as he stared down at her upturned face, he came to the realization that she was purposely acting out. 

"What's the delay?" He asked. "You trying to make me punish you?"

"No." 

*You mean yes,* he thought. *You want to see what I'll do to you.*

"Then get to it," he said. 

She adjusted her body so that her palms were touching the ground, then on hands on knees, she slowly made her way toward the low-lying platform bed. With a gaze so intense, it could have burned right through her, Dane focused his eyes on her ass. 

It wasn't just the perfect roundness that drove him crazy, but how firm and smooth it was. It was the closest thing to a bubble butt he'd ever had the pleasure of touching, and as he watched Jeneda crawl on her hands and knees toward the bed, he fought against the urge to mount her body and forcibly take her ass.

*Focus,* he inwardly scolded himself. *How can you effectively control her if you can't even keep your own physical needs in check?*

His inner voice calmed his libido just slightly, but that was more than enough for him to regain control, and solidly entrench himself back into dominant mode. Now laying on the bed before him, Jeneda was on display and eagerly awaiting his next command. Even from where he stood, he could see that her vaginal lips were engorged, and wanting to get a closer look, he lowered himself to the bed. 

"Lean back and open up for me," Dane coaxed. "Show me that beautiful pussy."

She did as told, exposing her glistening sex for his hungry eyes. Yet as enticing as she looked, Dane found himself hungering for a more unimpeded view. 

"Wider."

She spread her thighs even further, and in the process, shared the scent of her arousal. Powerfully alluring, and far more enticing that any perfume he'd ever smelled, the fragrance she emitted made his mouth water in anticipation. Yet as tempted as he was to dive right in, he knew that restraint was essential, and required to keep her in the submissive mindset. 

Averting his eyes to her breasts, he noticed how soft and full they looked. He also took note of her puffy nipples, and with thumb extended, lightly grazed one of her erect buds. 

A breathy moan escaped Jeneda's lips as he began tweaking it between two fingers, and as he lowered his head to engulf it in his mouth, she writhed beneath the provocative movement of his tongue. 

Always an attentive lover, Dane thoroughly sucked and licked her nipples, then bit and pulled on them with his teeth. Once they were stiff and standing straight up, he slowly and gently applied one of the nipple clamps. 

As the rubber coated clamp made contact with her peak, Jeneda bit her lip and arched up off the mattress. Although clearly a reaction of enjoyment, it was clear to see she was also in a bit of pain. But judging from the squirming and light moans that fled her lips, she was definitely getting off on the pinch of pleasure that she was receiving. 

The second clamp, which was attached to the first one by a chain, was gingerly applied to her other nipple. As soon as it was securely in place, Dane lifted the chain that was connected to her nipple clamps, then clipped it onto the O-shaped ring that hung from the front of her collar. 

Now dual purpose, the collar served not only the function of exhibiting Dane's ownership over Jeneda's body, but also provided the erotic thrill of seeing her simultaneously clamped and collared. 

Pleased by the sight of her kinkily adorned torso, he took a moment to simply admire her. Then gently, he tugged on the chain that connected the nipple clamps. She whimpered in response, then uttered a little gasp as he flicked his thumb back and forth against the alligator style clamps.

"Less pressure or more?" He asked.

"More." 

Slowly, and with caution, Dane twisted the screws so the clamps on her nipples pinched even tighter. Using the expression on her face as a guage for when to stop, he intently watched her. From the parting of her lips to the furrowing of her brow, pleasure was written all over her beautiful features. 

Surprisingly, she didn't cry out once for him to stop. But that didn't keep him from being cautious, and after turning the thumb screws a total of three times, he halted the movement of his fingers. 

Now clamped and collared, Jeneda was all ready for play. But before Dane could indulge himself in the pleasure of her nude and willing body, there was one more thing he needed to do. Conveniently placed right next to the bed was an object that would not only give Dane easy access to her pussy, but force her to be spread open and ready for deep penetration at a moment's notice. 

Consisting of a leather sling and stirrups combination, the kinky contraption was designed so that he would be able to put her in any position that he wanted. Yet despite the cornucopia of sexual positions that he could have chosen, missionary was the only one perfectly suited for the type of stimulation that he was keen on administering.

Swiftly, and with the skill of an individual who was well versed in bondage equipment, Dane placed the neck padding of the leather sling around Jeneda's head. The thigh and ankle cuffs- which were attached by a chain and belt buckle system to the padding around her head- effectively forced her thighs wide apart, and brought her knees up to her chest. 

Now truly nothing more than a play toy, Jeneda was spread out before him like a feast. And just like a predator who was eyeing his prey, Dane's face took on a raw and animalistic expression. 

Seeing that the lips of her pussy were engorged and glistening with juices, Dane immediately lowered his head to give it the attention it so desired. But instead of delving right in and attacking it with his tongue, he only gingerly slid his wet appendage along the length of her slit. 

Back and forth, and with feather-light strokes, he caressed the swollen, delicate flesh. Like any thoughtful lover, he'd learned the keys of his woman's body, and had mastered several techniques that he knew were especially effective on her. 

Every sluggish sweep of his tongue was followed by a whimper of frustration, and being a keen observer of his fiancee's body language, Dane knew that Jeneda's impatience was beginning to grow. But before she could voice her discontent, he suddenly slipped his tongue between her slick, delicate folds, then proceeded to give her the tongue fucking of a lifetime. 

Caught completely off guard by the sudden forceful movements of his wet appendage, Jeneda reached down to grab a fistful of his locks, and without an ounce of gentleness, pressed his face more firmly against her wetness. 

All too happy to continue showing off his oral capabilities, Dane increased the pressure of his tongue, and with unyielding exuberance, lapped up the juices that seeped from her taut, slippery hole. 

Like the best honey he'd ever eaten, her pussy was slightly sweet and incredibly savory. With each flick of his tongue and gentle sucking motion of his mouth, he brought her continually closer to the edge. 

It only took a few minutes of him aggressively tonguing her core, before her moans grew in volume and frequency, and as the bucking her hips became more urgent, he knew that she was approaching that point of no return. Soft cries eventually turned into moans, and as moans turned into full-blown noises of ecstasy, her body began to tremble. If not for the fact that he had incredible willpower, Dane would have gladly kept up the pace of his tongue.

But the whole point of edging was to deny her climax, so with sadistic abruptness, he suddenly slowed the pace of his tongue. Clearly dissatisfied by his torturous actions, Jeneda released a whine. But before she could voice her discontent, Dane slid up her body and gazed down into her chocolate brown eyes.

"Do you wish to have my cock now?" 

"Yes, please." 

He leaned down to brush his lips against hers, then positioned his face so that they were eye-to-eye, with noses touching. Along with the scent of her excitement, he could also feel her heat, and was greatly anticipating the moment when her soft, slippery hole would strain to stretch around his aching shaft.

With a shift of his weight, he centered his pelvis against hers. And with one smooth pump, he slid deep into her molten heat. Jeneda gasped at the intrusion, moaning as he pumped hard and deep in her slick, pink tightness. 

Every inch he had to give was greedily swallowed by her velvety insides, and with each in and out motion of his substantial girth, she was rocked back and forth with his forceful pumps. 

Along with the fact that she was spread eagle and vulnerable beneath him, the look of rapt pleasure on her face was enough to make him blow his load right away. But he wasn't ready to cum just yet, and wouldn't be satisfied until she was thoroughly used and worn out to exhaustion. 

Only then would he be certain that she'd received a pounding that would leave her sore for days; a pounding that would remind her of how utterly good it felt to be drilled and used for his carnal satisfaction. 

But as of right now, she was reduced to nothing more than a hole that existed solely for his pleasure. And like all good fuck toys, she'd wear the scent of his mark by the time he finished fucking her. 

Thoroughly turned on by the squishy noises of penetration, he leaned back to get an eyeful, and groaned at the sight of his cock plundering her wet, pink hole.

Nothing turned him on more than seeing her pussy stretched and pummeled, and as her moans and whimpers escalated to full fledged screams, the pressure of his hips against hers intensified. 

In an effort to gain some traction, Jeneda sunk her nails into the flexing muscles of his back. A wanton moan tore from Dane's throat in response, and driven on by the gratifying sensation, he pounded her with every bit of strength that he had. 

The raw moan that tore from Jeneda's throat made his dick throb painfully, and unable to withstand the tension that had been steadily building in his balls, he let loose and came with a loud cry. He barely registered the sound of Jeneda calling his name, but he did feel the spasms that ripped through her pussy as she climaxed. 

His cock twitched as he exploded inside of her, squirting rope after rope of thick cum deep inside of her womb. The ecstatic twist of her features told him that she could feel the gush of his potent seed, and with her nails still burrowed into the flesh of his back, she repeatedly clenched her pussy, as if encouraging him to release even more. 

With loss of fluids came a depletion of energy, and completely spent of all his strength, he flopped down beside her on the bed. He took a few moments to collect himself, then rolled over onto his side and released Jeneda from the leather sling and stirrups contraption. 

After setting it aside, he leaned in to give her a tender kiss. And with eyes filled with affection, he engaged her in a moment of deep and intense eye contact.

"Could you be any more perfect?" He asked.

"I don't know, I guess anything is possible." 

His thumb lightly traced her jaw before coming to a rest on her dainty chin. "I wasn't too rough with you, was I?"

"Not at all. You know I like it nice and hard every now and again."

"Yeah, but sometimes I worry that I may be getting a little out of hand."

"I think you'd have to be pretty out of control for me to feel like you were going overboard."

"So you were into everything, then. Even the nipple clamps?"

"Yep." 

He lowered his gaze to her still-captive nipples, then lightly pulled on the chain that connected her collar to the clamps. "It'd probably be a good idea if we got you out of these clamps now."

"Okay," she hesitantly said. "But go slowly, alright?"

"Of course, I'll take my time." His thumb and forefinger came to rest on the clamp, but instead of taking it off right away, he lifted his gaze to meet hers. "Before I open the clamp, I want you to take a deep breath. And once I remove it, slowly let it out."




Velvet Kisses Ch. 06



She gave a nod, then deeply inhaled in preparation of him removing the clamp. With extreme gentleness, he opened the clamp and removed it from her left nipple. Then with just as much caution, he did the same to her right one. 

With both of her peaks now freed from captivity, Jeneda was able to once again breathe normally. But the pinched expression on her face clearly illustrated she was feeling anything but relief at having her nipples freed.

"How do they feel?" He asked. 

"Sort of prickly, like when my foot wakes up after falling asleep."

"That's only temporary," he said. "Give it some time, and the pain will go away."

She nodded, then took another breath and slowly let it out. She stared up at the ceiling for a few minutes, then closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. Moments passed while they both lay there in silence. Then tenderly, Dane reached out to lay a hand on her stomach.

"It might help if I sucked on them a bit."

"Nice try," she said with amusement. "But my nipples are off limits to you for the rest of the night, so you can just forget that idea."

"No, seriously. The pain will go away a lot quicker if I use my tongue on them."

She opened her eyes to look at him, and with slightly lifted brows, she said, "Alright. But be gentle, because I can't take much stimulation."

"You have my promise." 

Dane lowered his head to take one her nubs in his mouth, and with a feather light touch, he began sucking and licking the tender piece of flesh. Almost immediately, he felt her body begin to soften beneath his own, and as he continued to lavish her taut bud with gentle lashes of his tongue, she released a soft sigh of pleasure.

"Mmmm. That does feel nice."

Pleased with her reaction, he turned his attention to her other nipple, and with just as much care, he lovingly tongued it with his soft pink appendage. Once he was finished, he gingerly cupped her breasts in his hands and gave each of them a light kiss. Then lifting his eyes to glance up at her face, he asked, "All better?"

"Much. Thank you."

Their lips came together in a lingering, unhurried kiss, and by the time they pulled away, Dane was left to wonder how anyone's mouth could be so soft and sweet and tantalizingly warm. 

Jeneda brushed noses with him before lifting herself from the reclining position, but before she could swing her legs over the side of the bed, Dane looped an arm around her waist and pulled her back toward him. 

"Where do you think you're going?" He rasped against her ear. 

"To take a shower."

"You're that desperate to get your scent off me, huh?"

"Of course not. I just figured a warm shower might help ease the soreness in my nipples."

"If you need some help, I can come along."

"You're kidding, right? That shower is barely large enough to hold one person, let alone two."

"Guess you're right about that," he said, yet instead of releasing her, he only held firm. 

"Are you going to let go of me?" She asked.

"I might, if you ask nicely."

She released a playful scoff, then wriggled out of his grip. In the process of rising onto her feet, she offered Dane a nice view of her ass, and unable to resist, he gave it a nice, hard slap. 

"Ow!" She whirled around to face him. "What was that for?"

"Oh stop your whining, you love it."

"First my nipples, and now my ass. Is there any part of my body you don't want to torture?"

"You're collared, honey. Until I take it off, your body still belongs to me."

As if having forgotten that she was indeed wearing it, Jeneda reached up to touch the strip of leather around her neck. "I don't suppose you'd be willing to take it off before I took my shower?"

"Is that a request, or demand?" 

"A request."

Unsatisfied with her response, he only offered her a hard stare.

"Will you please take off my collar?" She asked.

"Take your shower first, and I'll uncollar you when you come back to bed." 

"Okay." 

Dane kept his eyes on her until she disappeared into the hall, then with arms clasped behind his head, he settled back onto one of the soft, fluffy pillows. Gazing up at the paper rice lanterns, he found himself thinking about how changeable life was, and marveled at how drastically his situation had improved within a fairly short span of time. 

Just nearly a year ago, he'd met the love of his life, and now here they were, hanging out in Japan and enjoying copious amounts of mind-blowingly good sex. 

Even their normal sexual encounters- without all of the kinky shit thrown in- far surpassed any of the fucks he'd enjoyed with his past girlfriends. And although that was definitely a huge part of why their relationship was so enjoyable, it was only part of the reason that he'd fallen so head over heels for Jeneda in such a short amount of time. 

Along with being smart and creative, she was also beautiful and ambitious, not to mention blessed with a juicy ass that just begged to be nailed by his cock. The image alone sent a rush of blood to his nether regions, and within a matter of seconds, his penis was stiff and sticking straight up in the air.

If she did allow him to have anal sex with her one day, he wondered how she would react. He imagined it might be a bit difficult for her to get past the pain, but if he went nice and slow, and took his time in getting her acclimated to his size, she might eventually grow to love it. Maybe she'd even start to beg him for it, and allow him to have a go at her ass on a weekly basis.

*Sure she will,* the little voice inside of him suddenly said. *This isn't a porno, It's real life*.

"It's not entirely impossible," he said aloud.

But as soon as the words left his mouth, he realized that he truly was getting carried away with his fantasies. Her pussy was more than enough for him, not to mention those gorgeous tits that he so loved to suck on. And he couldn't do that while banging her from behind, so he figured it was just as well that they hadn't yet incorporated anal into their intimate life. But still, it definitely didn't hurt to indulge in the occasional fantasy.

Allowing his thoughts to drift to less carnal subjects, Dane realized that Jeneda was everything he'd always wanted in a woman. And although their relationship had nearly been destroyed due to the horrible decisions of his past, a part of him was thankful for the challenges they'd been forced to endure. 

Now, they were rock solid, and shared a history of mutual hardship that bonded them in a way that couldn't be broken. Yet still, he couldn't help feeling a bit of trepidation about Jeneda's family, and wondered if she would ever be able to repair her non-existent relationship with her father. 

Guilt speared his heart at the thought of her never making peace with her dad, and he knew that no matter how happy he strived to make her, she would always feel the sting of disownment.

He supposed there was always a chance at reconciliation, but how likely was that, especially since she had chosen to make the ultimate commitment to him? In just six more months, she would officially be all his, and he would finally be afforded the honor of calling her his wife. 

The corners of Dane's lips tipped into a smile, and with his focus still on the rice lanterns that hung from the ceiling, he eased out a pleasant sigh. Somewhere along the way he must have closed his eyes, because the sound of Jeneda's voice caused his lids to flutter open.

"You must be thinking of something nice."

"Sure am." His eyes followed her movements as she sat on the edge of the mattress and began to lotion up her body. 

"I'm tempted to ask, but knowing how kinky you are, you were probably imagining some unusual sexual technique."

"Actually, I was thinking about you." He eased the bottle out of her hands, then gestured for her to lie back on the bed. 

"What abut me?" She asked as he began to gingerly rub cream across her still tender breasts.

"How grateful I am to have you in my life, and how happy I'll be to finally call you my wife."

She smiled, then closed her eyes and sighed as he lovingly lotioned her pretty brown skin. "By the way, we've still got a wedding to plan, so we're going to have our hands pretty full when we get back to San Francisco."

"It'd probably be best if we hired a wedding planner, right? Less stress for us, and we can just focus on the smaller details."

"Yeah, but we'll still need to create a guest list, decide on a spot to exchange our vows, and have some sort of idea about color schemes. Not to mention, I still have to pick out my dress."

"We've got six months, honey. Plenty of time to figure things out."

"I know. But times goes fast, and I don't want to wait until the last minute."

"Everything will be fine," he said. "So just relax and let all of that tension out of your body."

Almost immediately the tenseness in her body disappeared, and as Dane swept his lotion- covered palms across the dips and curves of her body, he heard her utter a pleasured noise. 

His fingers grazed her hips before moving down to her legs, and after sweeping his hands across the flesh of her inner thighs, he massaged her calves and then her feet. It wasn't long before she closed her eyes again, and uncertain as to whether or not she was still awake, he softly called out to her.

"Turn over baby, so I can lotion your back."

She slowly turned onto her stomach, and as her gorgeous backside came into view, he squirted a generous dollop of cream onto her ass cheeks. 

"Thought you said you were going to lotion my back?" She mumbled against the pillow. 

"I am, just taking a short detour."

A faint smile crossed her lips, followed by a small murmur as he gently kneaded her fleshy butt. His palms moved tenderly against her skin, creating circular patterns on her ass, and as he finally massaged his way along her back, a long, drawn out moan escaped her lips.

"Feel good?" He asked.

"Wonderful." 

With her face partially obscured by the pillow, Dane couldn't see much of her expression. But every muscle that he touched just melted beneath his hands, so that was a clear indication that his hands were working magic on her. By the time he reached her shoulders, her breathing had grown shallow, and her lips had parted to release sleepy little murmurs. 

No longer of use, the bottle of lotion was set aside, and maneuvering his body so that he lay beside her, Dane leaned in to give her a gentle kiss. His tongue found hers just long enough to engage it in a dance, and as he pulled back to look into her eyes, he saw they were heavy and half-lidded.

"I love you," he whispered against her lips.

"I love you too."

His fingers tangled into her curls to cradle her head against his chest, and with her soft feminine scent mingling with his earthy, masculine one, he held her in his arms.



Velvet Kisses Ch. 07



*So I finally managed to update quickly. Probably a good thing that I did, because I have a feeling that the next installment may take a bit of time to write. Anyways, this is a pretty long chapter, so I hope that's okay with you guys. Thanks for continuing to read!* 

After spending a month surrounded by the manic, neon-saturated streets of Tokyo, San Francisco seemed weirdly calm and somewhat dreary. At half past noon on a cold and fog-filled Sunday afternoon, Dane and Jeneda landed at San Francisco International Airport. Suffering from jet lag and in dire need of a hot shower and warm bed, they dazedly picked up their suitcases from baggage claim.

As soon as they exited the sliding doors that led to curbside pickup, they were spotted by Ethan, as well as Luna, who excitedly waved as they approached the exhausted couple. 

Hugs were exchanged, and dozens of questions came flying right at them, but neither Dane or Jeneda were in the mood for much chit chat, so the ride home was spent with a sparse exchange of words.

Upon reaching their loft, Dane and Jeneda thanked Luna and Ethan for the ride, and after promising that they'd all meet up for dinner over the weekend, the couple headed for their apartment. 

Once inside, they dropped their baggage at the door, then promptly undressed in preparation of a bath. After their clothes were shed and the bath was drawn, they sunk down into the tub, and with perfectly synched sighs, they allowed the hot water to soothe their travel weary bodies. 

"It's great to be home again," Dane murmured.

"Mmmm, sure is." Jeneda allowed her lids to slightly lower, and in a drowsy tone of voice, she said, "I can't get over how huge this tub is."

Dane gave a gentle chuckle. "After being in Japan for an entire month, just about everything seems oversized."

"It's wonderful, though. I really missed taking baths."

"So did I. I think I've got a permanent bump on my skull from hitting it so many times on that low shower head in our Japanese apartment."

"Poor baby." She pouted her full lips, then stretched out a leg to stroke it along his inner thigh.

"So...about our wedding," he said, "where do you think we should get married?"

"I don't know..." Her voice trailed off, but as a thought sprung into her head, she excitedly asked, "How about Grace Cathedral?"

"I like that idea," he said with a smile. "And it is where we got engaged, so I guess it's as perfect a spot as any."

"The only thing is, we're six months away from the date. And for a cathedral that iconic, they may already be booked up for spring."

"Possibly. But we can at least give it a try, right?"

"You're right, I need to think positive." She stretched out her arm to retrieve a bottle of soap from the rack that was attached to the claw foot tub, but before she could retrieve it, Dane grabbed hold of it.

"That's my job," he said. "Come closer so I can rub down that gorgeous body."

Jeneda positioned herself so that her back was against his chest, and with half-lidded eyes, focused fully on the sensation of his soapy hands caressing her body. Along with her breasts, he was very thorough in washing her pussy, and made sure to use a gentle touch as he parted her outer lips to wash the delicate flesh within. 

In addition to being stimulated, she also felt incredibly relaxed, and took great enjoyment in having him so lovingly bathe her. By the time he finished soaping her up, she was way too chilled out to even think about cleaning her hair. But luckily for her, Dane seemed all too pleased to continue pampering her.

"Want me to wash your hair, too?" 

"Sure, go for it," she said. 

He grabbed a bottle of shampoo, then squirted a generous dollop into his palm and began sifting his fingers through her locks. 

"Any ideas on where we should have our reception?" He asked.

"Haven't given much thought to it yet. But if you've got any suggestions, I'd love to hear them."

"How about the Bentley Reserve?"

"That's a really fancy place."

"I know, and I remember you saying you didn't want a big, over the top reception, but I think It'd be the perfect spot."

"I wasn't disagreeing," she said. "I think It's a fantastic idea. And I've never actually been inside, so It'd be pretty amazing to having our reception there."

"Then that's where we'll have it." 

His fingers continued to massage her scalp, gliding through her tight, wet curls with surprising agility that she didn't expect. Once she had a head full of suds, he pulled out the stopper to drain all of the dirty water out of the tub. Then he grabbed the detachable shower head and began rinsing the soap out of her hair. 

The soft tug of his hands in her hair, coupled with the scent of shampoo, was so soothing that her body went completely boneless. Tranquilized from the heavenly scalp massage, Jeneda was incapable of fighting off the slow tide of sleep, and allowed her eyelids to fully drift closed. 

She remained conscious just barely long enough to feel Dane carefully lift her in his arms, and as he placed her on their large, comfy bed, she murmured drowsily. The warmth of his body soon pressed against hers, and together they drifted off into a much needed sleep. 

* * * *

"You blinked," Dane said.

"Did not," Jeneda rebutted.

"Did too." He widely grinned, then brushed the tip of his nose against hers. "It's okay, though. A few more seconds, and I would have blinked first."

She smiled, then threw the covers off her body and slipped into her kimono robe, which was red and black with a cherry blossom pattern. Curious as to the state that her hair was in, she reached up to run her fingers through it, and on finding that her curls were slightly tangled and frizzy from being damp all night, she uttered a mild groan.

"I must have *really* been tired. I never go to sleep without combing my hair out first."

"You nearly fell asleep in the tub. Guess my fingers really worked their magic on you."

"As they always do." She leaned over to press a gentle kiss to his lips before pulling back to ask, "How about some coffee?" 

"I'd love some."

She headed for the kitchen to start up the coffeemaker, and once it was gurgling and emitting steam, she got busy at fixing a batch of pancakes. After a trip to the bathroom, Dane joined her in the kitchen, scratching his boxer-clad butt as he leaned against the counter. 

"Plans for today?" He asked through a yawn.

"I have to drive out to Marin to meet with a client. After that, I'm heading to my studio." She threw a handful of blueberries into the pancake batter, then gave it a few gentle stirs. "What about you?"

"Sean wants to meet up to discuss working on a collaborative series of graphic novels."

"Sounds fun," she said before asking, "Sean...he's the one who came to our engagement party, right?"

"Yep." He took a swig of milk from the carton that was sitting on the counter, then stole a blueberry from a small bowl. "By the way, he wanted me to ask you about Luna."

"He's interested in her?" A smile crept onto Jeneda's lips.

"Very. He thinks she's real cute, and wants to know if she's going out with anyone."

"As far as I know, she's single. Not sure if she's ready to get into another relationship just yet, though."

"Bad breakup?" 

Jeneda nodded. "Her last boyfriend cheated on her."

"Think she'd be open to at least having a date?"

"Maybe. I'll give her a call and see if she's up for it." 

"Cool." Dane watched as Jeneda ladled pancake batter into the skillet, but quickly took the bowl from her as oil popped out and struck her on the arm. After placing a cool, wet towel against the burn on her arm, he flipped over the pancake that was in the skillet, then added more batter. "Now that I think of it, wasn't she flirting with my cousin Bradley at our engagement party?"

"Bradley was flirting with *her,* Jeneda said.

"And she was happily reciprocating."

"Well, Bradley is a good looking guy."

Dane turned his head to look at her. "Not as good looking as me though, right?"

"Of course not," she said with a little smile. "You're not only sexier, but amazingly skilled with a spatula. And you know what they say about a man who's good with his hands."

Although totally cliché, the line did bring a smile to his lips. It certainly didn't hurt that she was also eyeing him up and down in a clearly desirous way. 

"My hands are up here, babe," he said as her gaze landed on the crotch of his boxer briefs.

"Oh, I know where they are."

His smile turned into a grin. "Seems like I remember Luna and Bradley sharing a ride home together that night."

"You're right, they did."

"Kinda makes me wonder if anything happened between them."

"According to Luna, she just dropped him off and went home."

"So that means she's still available."

"Not necessarily. She could have hooked up with him while we were in Japan."

"I guess you're right. I need to call Bradley and see if I can get any information out of him." He used the spatula to remove the last two pancakes from the skillet, then plopped them onto a sizeable stack. "Let's hurry up and eat, so we can get in a quickie before you leave."

"I should have known that was coming," she said. "It has been nearly twenty-four hours since you were last inside of me."

"Keep up that sarcasm, and I'll bend you over my knee and give that firm ass of yours a nice, hard spanking."

"You'll have to collar me first, because I don't submit very easily to spankings."

"No need to collar you," he said. And we won't be using toys or roleplay, either. It'll just be me and you, one on one, and enjoying a nice, hard, fuck." As if to emphasize how horny he was, he glided a hand beneath the hem of her kimono, then fondled the crotch of her already damp panties. "So, what do you think?"

Thoroughly turned on, she swallowed. "Forget breakfast. We can always eat later." 

Dane smiled, and with Jeneda pulling him along by the hem of his boxers, he happily allowed her to guide him out of the kitchen and toward the bed. 

* * * *

"Whoa. Wait a minute." With a stunned look on her face, Luna asked, "What the heck is this?"

"What does it look like?" Jeneda asked as she glanced over at Luna. "It's a collar." 

"I can see that. But who is it for?"

"Read the inscription, and you'll find out."

"Property of Dane," she read aloud, and with a raise of the brows, she focused her attention back on Jeneda. "Dane bought you a submissive collar?"

"Alright, *Jeneda*." A large grin crossed Ethan's face. "Taking a walk on the wild side."

Jeneda gave him a brief smile before sidling up beside Luna, who stood next to the bed examining the collar. "That's right, he did. And by the way, I don't remember giving you permission to look through this box." She grabbed the collar from Luna's hand, then placed it back in the mini cedar chest that was normally kept hidden beneath her and Dane's bed. 

"I dropped my lipstick and it rolled under the bed." An innocent tone laced Luna's words. "I wasn't actively looking for the box, it was just right there, in front of my eyes."

"And so you decided to open it."

"It's in a decorative cedar chest engraved with Japanese characters," she stated. "How could I not?"

"Really, Luna. How nosy can you be?"

"I'm not nosy," she rebutted. "Just extremely curious."

A roll of the eyes was followed by a playful scoff as Jeneda shook her head.

"Are you seriously into this S&M stuff, or are you just doing it because Dane enjoys it?" Luna asked.

"It's not S&M," Jeneda said. "What Dane and I are into falls under dominance and submission." 

"Wow, you know the proper terminology and everything. Just what exactly did you and Dane get up to over there in Japan?"

"Yeah, you never did give us the full details," Ethan said. 

Jeneda took a seat on the bed, and with Luna and Ethan lounging beside her, she began to fill them in, starting from the very first day of their month long visit, to the last few weeks, which she and Dane had spent by visiting numerous temples, museums filled with ancient artifacts, and natural hot springs. 

During their visit, they'd also managed to obtain an appointment with a master Japanese swordsmith, who for a substantial fee, had created an impeccably crafted katana for Dane.

"Wow, sounds like you guys had an amazing time," Luna said as Jeneda finished relaying the events of their thirty-day trip.

"And those host clubs sound fantastic," Ethan said. "I bet those guys were really cute."

"Well they definitely weren't unattractive," Jeneda responded before adding, "By the way, I got you both a present."

She retrieved a large shopping bag from the floor next to the bed, then pulled out the gifts that she'd purchased for Luna and Ethan. 

Luna happily accepted her gift, and wasted no time in opening the large gift box. "No way, a kimono?" Luna lifted the floral print garment from its gift box, then stood up from the bed so she could try it on. "Jeneda, this gorgeous. Thank you so much." 

"You're welcome." She allowed Luna to pull her into a hug before turning her focus on Ethan, who was unwrapping his own present.

"You didn't have to get me a gift, Jeneda. I would have been perfectly happy with just a dinky souvenir or-" Ethan's voice cut off as he ripped away the tissue paper surrounding the item, and upon noticing what it was, he said, "No way. You did*not* get me gay manga."

"When I saw those in the store I figured you would get a kick out of them, so I decided to get you the ten volume set."

"Ten volumes? Okay, you're trying to kill me here, right?" He tore off the plastic that surrounded the books, then began enthusiastically thumbing through the pages of one of the mangas, which was tilted, "Big Buddy's Hole."

Eager to see the contents of the book, both Luna and Jeneda sat on either side of Ethan, and as each page was flipped, they commented on the explicitly drawn images.

"Wow, this manga is even filthier that I guessed," Jeneda said with a smile on her face.

"I know. Don't you just love it?" If Ethan's grin stretched any wider, it would have split his face right in half.

"Okay, just what exactly are those two men doing?" Luna asked. "And how is that position even remotely possible?"

"Oh honey, if you want it badly enough, *any* position is possible," Ethan said.

Unable to tear their eyes away for even a second, they excitedly remarked on the intense sex scenes, and unabashedly gaped at the provocative situations that the manga characters found themselves in. 

So thoroughly engrossed, they completely lost track of time, and didn't stop reading until they'd finished all twenty-five pages of the X-rated comic book. 

"Excellent," Ethan remarked. "Best gift I've ever received."

"And you still have nine other books left to enjoy," Jeneda said. "Looks like you've got quite the evening ahead of you." 

"Already can't wait to get home." He pulled Jeneda into a long, warm hug before saying, "You're completely awesome, you know that?"

"Hey, my pleasure. Just try not to be so greedy and read them all at once."

"I can try, but I can't promise."

Jeneda smiled, then glanced at Luna, who was sifting through a small pile of Japanese candy that was situated in the middle of the bed. "So Luna, I've been meaning to ask you about Bradley."

"Yeah? What about him?"

"What's the deal with you two? Are you dating?"

"No, we're just hanging out."

"When you say hanging out, what do you mean, exactly?"

"Going out to lunch, meeting up for coffee..." Having settled on a soy sauce flavored Kit Kat, she unwrapped the package and took a generous bite. "A few days ago he took me to this really swanky restaurant called Benu."

"You went to Benu?" Jeneda asked. "I hear it takes months to get a reservation."

"Bradley knows the owner, so I guess his connections got us in."

"Their food is supposed to be amazing," Ethan chimed in. "What did you eat?"

"To be truthful, the meal Bradley ordered was so fancy I couldn't even figure it out. But I do remember that I ate a thousand year old quail egg."

"You're joking, right?" Ethan's lip curled in disgust. "That must have been absolutely disgusting."

"Actually, it was surprisingly good. And it's not actually a thousand years old. Bradley said it's just a quail egg that's been preserved for several months."

"Still, that's pretty gross." 

"It's all about the experience," Luna said. "When you go to a high class restaurant like that, you have to be open minded and try new things."

"Yeah, thanks but not thanks," Ethan said. "I'll stick to food that hasn't been aged to the point of being rotten."

"That's the thing about uncultured people such as yourself, Ethan," Luna joked. "You have no sense of adventure, no real interest in anything that exists outside of your own little world."

Ethan playfully rolled his eyes, then shared a look with Jeneda, who wore a smirk. 

"Well It's good to know that he's treating you well," Jeneda said. "When are you guys going out again?"

"Saturday night. He's taking me to Chez Paris, and then to the opera.

"Chez Paris *and* the opera?" Ethan rose his brows, then gave her a grin. "Oh yeah, this guy is *definitely* expecting to get laid."

"Of course he is. That doesn't mean I have to give in, though."

"No, it doesn't. But after a full month of spoiling you with all of these expensive meals and amazing outings, he must be getting a little impatient."

"He'll live. If he truly wants to be with me, then he'll stick around. And if not, then I'll know he was just looking for an easy lay."

"I understand you wanting to make sure that he's totally into you before giving up the goods," Ethan said. "But Bradley is a hot piece of ass. How the hell have you managed to resist fucking him for an entire month?"

"Hasn't been easy," she said through a mouthful of candy. "And I do admit nearly caving in on our last date. But then I just remind myself that if he's waited this long, he'll probably wait even longer."

"Well just to let you know, Dane has a friend that's interested in you, as well," Jeneda said. 

"Who?"

"His name is Sean. He was the tall guy with curly hair at the engagement party."

"Oh, him." There was an air of indifference to her tone. "He was cute, but not really my type."

"Why not?" Jeneda asked. 

"I don't know..." She slightly scrunched her nose, as if catching the scent of something foul. "He was just a bit boring and forgettable."

"Ouch," Ethan said. "So basically he's been relegated to nice guy status."

"Bradley's a nice guy, and I like him, so that's not what turns me off. Sean just doesn't do it for me."

"Okay," Jeneda said. Just thought I'd let you know."

"Enough about me," Luna said. "Let's talk about you and Dane. How exactly did he turn you into such a kinkster? And don't say that the collar thing wasn't his idea, because I know it was."

"I don't know...it just kind of happened."

"Come on, Jeneda. You've gotta give us more details than that."

"Well, I guess you can say it started a few months ago. We were having dinner one evening and it came up in conversation. He asked me if I'd be up for trying some new stuff out, and I said that I would. And from there, it just kind of progressed."

"Go on," she expectantly said. 

"Go on, what? There's nothing more to tell. That's it."

"You can't just leave us hanging," Luna said. "Give us the good stuff. We want to hear more."

"Nope, I've already said enough." She checked the time on her cell phone, then slipped it into her purse and grabbed her keys from the table next to the door. "Anyone in the mood for Zachary's pizza? I'm treating."

"First you buy me a collection of gay manga and now you offer me free pizza? You are officially my most favorite person in the world." Ethan slipped into his jacket, then grabbed his stack of mangas from off the bed before joining Jeneda at the door.




Velvet Kisses Ch. 07



"Clever way of diverting me from the topic," Luna said as she zipped up her quilted jacket. "But I'm not going to forget, so you'd better prepare yourself for a relentless and thorough inquisition."

"Ask away, Luna. But you're not getting any answers out of me."

"That's what you think," Luna rebutted.

With a smile on her face, Jeneda opened her mouth to respond. Yet instead of allowing words to drift out, she only remained quiet and led the way with her friends following behind.

* * * *

"It's all set," Jeneda said as she hung up the phone. "We're spending Thanksgiving in Key West."

"Your mom's okay with having us there for the three-day weekend?" Dane asked.

"Yep. There's plenty of space in the house, and she's very insistent that we stay in the guest room."

"Okay, sounds good." But it wasn't good, and needing to quell the tension that was building in his stomach, Dane took a generous sip of his Bailey's spiked coffee before once again speaking. "I guess It's all set, then."

"Try not to act *too* excited, hon." With a mug of coffee in hand, Jeneda took a seat on the couch beside him. "This is only my mom we're talking about, here."

"I'm sorry. It's not that I don't want to meet her, because I definitely do. I'm just feeling a little nervous about this trip."

"She'll warm up to you, baby. So there's no reason to be worried, okay?"

"I doubt that she will, but It's not her I'm worried about. It's your dad."

"Why?" Her forehead slightly crinkled. "My dad won't even be there." 

"He told me to stay away from the rest of his family, and that he didn't want me anywhere near them. He said it right to my face, at that truck stop diner."

"So because he threatened you, you want to call the whole trip off?" She shook her head, then hastily added, "It would be rude to turn down my mom's invitation." 

"I'm not asking you to do that, Jeneda. I'm just letting you know, this doesn't seem like such a good idea." 

"I can promise you one hundred percent that my dad will not be there. My mom just told me he already decided to spend Thanksgiving with his sister, so there's absolutely no chance of him showing up."

"Even if he doesn't, word could get back to him about our trip. And if he finds out, there's going to be trouble."

"He won't find out, Dane."

Her words were firm, and the look on her face conveyed sureness. But it did not good to ease the anxiety that he felt, because his mind kept flashing back to his fateful run-in with Jeneda's father. Sure she'd been there to see how angry Gary had gotten, but she hadn't noticed the ferocious look in his eyes. 

Or if she had, she'd completely forgotten, because the look on Gary's face had not only convinced Dane that Gary was capable of delivering a thorough ass whooping, but of completely disemboweling him on the spot. No, clearly she hadn't seen Gary give him that murderous look, because if she had, she wouldn't be so calm and collected while he was a jumbled ball of nerves.

"I really want you to meet my mother, Dane. We're getting married in five months, and It'd be nice if she got to know you before the day of our wedding."

He really didn't want to do this. He didn't have a good feeling about it at all, and although he knew it was important to get in good with her mother, he just couldn't shake the terrible feeling that disaster was ahead. He hoped to God that he was wrong, though, because they'd already been through a hell of a lot of shit, and he wasn't keen on rooting around for more.

*There is no way out of this,* a voice from within told him. *Just be a man and show her you're not afraid. If you pussy out, you'll lose her respect.*

Knowing how true those words were, he could only accept what was, and come to grips with the fact that there was nothing he could do to get out of it.

"You're right, honey," Dane said. "I do need to get to know her, and I'd also like to meet your brother as well, so let's spend Thanksgiving in Key West."

A smile graced her heart shaped face, and she looked up at him with her big eyes. He leaned in to give her a soft kiss, and after pulling back to lock gazes with her, he tenderly stroked her dainty chin.

"Everything will be fine," she said. "We'll have an amazing time, you'll see."

"Yeah." He gave her a genuine smile, then pulled her closer so that he could cradle her in his arms.

* * * *

While San Francisco had been cold and rainy at the hour of their departure, Key West was pleasantly warm and exuded a laid back, no worries kind of vibe. With It's combination of Victorian, Bahamian, and New England style homes, Key West's architecture was as diverse as its residents.

Following a fifteen minute drive from the airport, Dane and Jeneda arrived at their destination, which was a charming, cream-colored house with lime green shutters. After retrieving their baggage from the back of the car, they trailed behind Jeneda's mother, Monica, who wore a green and blue tropical print dress that complemented her deep brown skin. 

No sooner had they crossed the threshold to enter the house, did the scent of lemon hit them full force, and Jeneda's mouth instantly watered as she realized that her mother had been baking. 

"Are those lemon bars I smell?" As if hoping for an affirmative response, Jeneda's stomach grumbled loudly.

"I always make them for you when you come visit, don't I?" Dimples graced Monica's smooth, brown face, and with a gesture of her arms, she welcomed her guests in. "For the next three days, my home is your home, so please, make yourselves comfortable."

"Thank you, Mrs. Evans." Dane unzipped his jacket, then loosened the scarf that was wrapped around his neck. 

"I hope you two brought some cooler clothes," Monica said as she eyed their winter attire. "The weatherman said temperatures will reach the mid eighties by the time noon rolls around."

"We brought plenty of shorts and T-shirts. Bathing suits, too." Jeneda removed her stylish knitted hat so that her freshly straightened hair could breathe, then hung her jacket on the coat rack by the door before asking, "Where's Calvin?"

"He's picking up your brother from Shady Palms. Should be back any minute now."

"They let Riley come home for Thanksgiving?" Overly excited at the news, Jeneda's voice took on a slightly high pitched tone. 

"Yes. We managed to get him cleared for a three day visit, so we get to keep him until Sunday."

"That's wonderful. Thank you, mom." She enveloped her mother in a tight hug before pulling away with an almost embarrassed look on her face. "I know you didn't do it just for me. But still, thank you."

"No need to thank me, baby. It just wouldn't feel right, us celebrating Thanksgiving here without Riley." As if suddenly remembering that Dane was also present, Monica gave him a weak smile. "We'd better get you to the bedroom so you can change. Can't be too comfortable in those winter clothes." 

"Thanks," Dane said. "I am starting to get a little hot."

Monica ushered the couple through the living room, which was kept cool by an efficient ceiling fan. Along the way, they passed a sphinx cat who was sunning himself next to an open window, as well as several colorful paintings that adorned a lime green accent wall. 

Once they reached the guest room, Monica pointed out a closet where they could find extra towels, and also mentioned that she'd stocked the medicine cabinet in their attached bathroom with extra toiletries, in case they had forgotten any of their own. She then headed out of the bedroom to give them some privacy, but before closing the door, she offered a few more words. 

"No need to hurry, but when you two are ready, I'll have some lemon bars and iced tea waiting for you." 

"Thanks mom, we'll be out in a bit," Jeneda called out to her as she closed the bedroom door.

"Your mom is nice," Dane said. "And surprisingly, she doesn't seem to hate me."

"See? I told you she would warm up to you." Eager to change into something cooler, Jeneda quickly stripped out of her jeans and sweater, then retrieved an airy sundress that was mint green and had lace trimmed spaghetti straps.

She wasn't quick enough to put it on, though, because before she knew it, Dane walked up behind her and looped an arm around her waist. And with just enough forcefulness to make her heart skip a beat, he tilted her chin upward and gave her a long, heady kiss. 

When he finally unsealed his mouth from hers, she was left a little breathless, and gazed up into his dark, beautifully hooded eyes. 

"Thank you for bringing me here," he said. "I feel honored to have the chance to meet your mother and brother."

"You're welcome, sweetie. I'm really happy you decided to come."

They shared one more brief kiss before changing into their clothes, and once Jeneda was clad in her sundress, and Dane in a T-shirt and pair of black jeans, they headed for the kitchen. Monica was checking out the instructions on the back of a box of stuffing, but as she noticed Jeneda and Dane enter the kitchen, she poured them both a glass of iced tea and cut them a lemon square.

"Thanks mom," Jeneda said as she accepted the cold beverage and lemony pastry.

"Looks delicious, Mrs. Evans. Thank you." 

"Dinner's at six, you two," she said as they sat down at the kitchen table. "But I made some chicken and sausage gumbo to tide us over until then."

"Sounds good," Jeneda said. "Haven't had your famous gumbo in a long time."

"I've never had gumbo before," Dane said. "Is it just a really spicy soup, or what?" 

With her eyes fixed intently on Jeneda, Monica asked, "You never made gumbo for Dane?"

"I've tried cooking it loads of times, mom. And it always comes out terrible."

"That's because you don't follow the recipe that I gave you. You have to do it exactly as I wrote it down."

"I do. But the sauce always comes out way too spicy."

"Then you reduce the cayenne pepper, or dilute it with lime or lemon juice."

"Tried that. It was still way too hot."

Monica pushed out a sigh, then lightly shook her head as if to convey mild frustration. 

"Jeneda makes really good creamed chicken," Dane suddenly chimed in. "And she has this killer recipe for steak. I don't know what she does to it, but it tastes way better than any steakhouse I've ever been to."

Finding it sweet that he'd bragged on her cooking, Jeneda lowered her head slightly, then gave him a little smile. He returned it with one of his own, then resumed eating his half devoured lemon square. Monica, who was watching them from her spot in front of the stove, seemed pleased by Dane's boasting of her daughter's cooking, and allowed a smile to spread across her face. 

The sound of keys jingling outside the front door caused Jeneda to rise to her feet, and with Dane following right behind her, she made a beeline for the living room. As soon as they reached it, the door opened to reveal Jeneda's brother, who crossed the threshold in an electric wheelchair. Directly behind him was Calvin, Monica's husband, but Jeneda hardly even noticed him, because her focus was pinned entirely on Riley. 

Clearly just as excited to see her as she was him, Riley broke out into a giant smile, and let loose a noise of overjoyment as she enveloped him in a tight hug. It felt so good to be able to smell and touch her brother again, that she was tempted to just keep on hugging him. But she also wanted to get a good, close-up look at his face, so after giving him a kiss on the cheek, she pulled back to gaze at him. 

"I've missed you so much," she said. It's so good to see you again."

"Good see you, too." 

Although his speech was still noticeably imperfect, she was pleased to hear that he was slurring a lot less, and she also noticed that he was dropping fewer words than the last time she'd seen him. 

"I see you got a haircut." She smoothed a palm against his closely shorn head, which was normally covered by short, tight black curls. "Decided it was time for a change, huh?"

"Penelope cut it short. She says I look more--" His voice sloped off, jaw tensing and fist clenching as he did his best to spit out the remaining words. "--handsome this way." "Oh, so it was nurse Penelope that did it for you." A smirk crossed her lips as she exchanged a look with her stepdad, who was standing directly behind Riley's wheelchair. "Well next time you see Penelope tell her that I want you to grow it back. Because *I* think you look just as handsome with your hair, as you do without it." 

"Okay." Riley slightly lowered his head as a sheepish grin crossed his face. 

Jeneda turned her head to look at Dane, and grabbing him by the hand, she coaxed him closer toward her brother. "I want you to meet someone, Riley." 

As if noticing him for the very first time, Riley turned his attention on Dane, and with a somewhat wary expression, looked him in the eyes.

"This is my fiancée, Dane. Dane, this is my brother, Riley." 

"Hello, Riley." Dane extended his hand. "It's great to finally meet you." 

Riley jerkily shook hands with Dane, then gave a nod of acknowledgment before looking back at Jeneda. "Getting-- married?"

"Yes." 

"When?"

"Six months from now. Think you'd be interested in coming to San Francisco to see your big sister tie the knot?"

"Of course coming. I'm your brother." 

"Good, because I wouldn't have it any other way," Jeneda said before allowing her eyes to drift to her stepfather, who was a fiftyish man with wire rimmed glasses and a faint Jamaican accent. 

"Nice to see you again, Calvin," she said. "How have you been?"

"Very good, thank you," he said before focusing his hazel eyes on Dane. "I'm Calvin, Jeneda's stepfather."

"Nice to meet you, Calvin." 

"Likewise." Although his demeanor was friendly enough, there was something in his gaze that seemed almost judgmental. "Welcome to Key West, and I hope you'll enjoy your stay here."

"Thank you. I'm sure I will," Dane said as he shook hands with Calvin.

"There's my beautiful son," Monica called out as she entered the living room and made a straight line towards Riley. "It's so good to have you home for Thanksgiving." She bent over to give him a hug and kiss before saying, "Let's get you in the kitchen, and I'll make you a big bowl of chicken and sausage gumbo."

Riley patted his stomach, and with Monica following beside him, he maneuvered the joystick on his wheelchair so that it moved forward.

"It'd probably be a good idea if we all got some food in our stomachs," Calvin said to Dane and Jeneda as they entered the kitchen. "It'll be another six hours before dinner."

Upon reaching the fridge, Monica retrieved a large bowl of pasta salad, then set it beside the pot of gumbo that was sitting on the granite countertop of the kitchen island. "Help yourselves, everyone." 

Along with Riley and Calvin, both Dane and Jeneda lined up to serve themselves a portion. But before Jeneda even had the chance to fill her plate, Monica gently pulled her towards the stove.

"Let the men eat," Monica said as she handed Jeneda an apron. "You and I have cooking to do." 

Jeneda barely had time to tie on the apron before her mother handed her a knife, and as she saw the collection of mixing bowls, bakewear, cutlery, and various kitchen contraptions that covered the countertop, she knew that the next few hours would be spent putting her hands to good use. 

"Don't just stand there, Jeneda, start chopping up those vegetables." Monica gestured to a bowl that was filled with brightly colored squash. "Once you're finished, I want you to help me make the stuffing. Then we'll start on the sautéed vegetables, and after that, the pumpkin pies...."

Monica continued to rattle off item after item, and with knife in hand, and slicing through the vegetables, Jeneda listened to her mother prattle on. 

* * * *

"Great work, ladies. You really outdid yourselves," Calvin said as he helped himself to a heaping scoop of candied yams.

"Yeah, everything tastes really amazing." Dane slathered a thick slice of turkey with gravy from a ladle, then helped himself to another piece of bread. "Especially these sweet rolls." 

"The recipe for those rolls have been in our family for years," Monica said. "My grandmother Addie from Louisiana is the one who taught me how to make them."

"Are you from Lousiana as well?" Dane asked. 

"Born and raised."

"I didn't notice an accent," Dane said. "I never would have guessed you were from the south."

Monica smiled. "I was still a child when my parents moved to California, so unfortunately I lost it a long time ago."

"Have you gone back to Louisiana since?" 

"Every summer." She took a bite of her crab dressing, then sipped some wine before asking, "What about your family? Are they originally from San Francisco?"

"Both my mom and my dad are. But my grandparents on my dad's side were born in Japan."

"When did they move to the States?"

"My grandpa arrived when he was a teenager, and my grandma came over just before starting elementary school."

"Jeneda told me that the two of you took a trip to Tokyo."

"Yeah, we were there for a whole month."

"That's quite a length of time. You must have had a lot of fun."

"It was amazing, Jeneda said. We saw and did a lot of interesting things." 

*Lots of interesting things. And kinky ones, too,* she thought as the corners of her lips tugged into a faint smile.

"Well, Jeneda's always wanted to travel to another country, so I'm glad that she finally got the chance to do it," Monica said. 

"I'd like to take her overseas again for our honeymoon. I was thinking Hawaii, or possibly New Zealand. But It's entirely up to her as to where we'll spend it."

"Wow, sounds like you've got quite a decision to make, Jen Jen." 

Jeneda smiled at her mother, then took a sip of wine before responding. "Won't be an easy choice to make, but the good thing is, I can't go wrong with either destination."

"Well wherever you two decide to go, I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time." Monica rose to her feet, and after retrieving two pies that were being kept warm in the oven, she placed them both on the dinner table. "Bourbon pecan, and pumpkin pie. Take your pick, or have some of both."

Everyone helped themselves to generous portions of both pies, and along with a cup of chicory coffee, munched on their desserts.

"So Dane," Calvin said between bites of pie, "Monica tells me you're a graphic novelist."

"Yeah, I've got a project called Odd Souls that's done pretty well, and not too long ago, I released a graphic novel called Gonzo City."

"What's it like working in that industry? You make pretty good money doing that, or are you still working to build a name?"

"Dane's already well known," Jeneda proudly chimed in. "He's got quite an impressive fanbase, and just signed a lucrative deal with a Japanese publisher who's buying foreign rights to his graphic novels."

"Congratulations." The look on Calvin's face conveyed respect for Dane's accomplishments. "It must have taken quite a bit of time and effort to build up your career and stand out from your competitors."

"Actually, It's happened fairly quickly. It's only been a year and eight months since I got my first graphic novel published."

"That *is* fast." Calvin slowly sipped his coffee, then asked, "And before getting published, what line of work were you in?" 

Clearly unprepared for the question, Dane allowed a stretch of silence to precede his words. "To be honest, I wasn't doing a whole lot with my life. At least nothing respectable, that I can be proud of."

"I see." He paused to take a sip of coffee before continuing. "I remember Monica telling me you had some trouble with the law."

"Yes, I did. But that's all over now."

"So no more thieving, then. You're not going back to that way of life?"




Velvet Kisses Ch. 07



"*Calvin.*" Jeneda's voice was harsh and cold, a sharp contrast to her usual soft and polite tone. 

"Let him speak, Jeneda." Monica's voice was almost stern sounding. 

"I just want to make sure you're on the right path, now," Calvin continued. "Because I care about Jeneda, and don't want her getting mixed up in any bad situations."

"I gave up that life a long time ago, and I can assure you I have no intentions on going back to it," Dane firmly said.

"It's good to hear you're making an effort to stay on track, but what's stopping you from attempting to pull another robbery?"

"Why would I do that?" Dane asked. "I'm making a perfectly good living in my chosen field."

"You served a seven month prison sentence for planning a computer chip heist, so apparently you've got some financial issues." 

"The reason I did that wasn't for money."

"Then why did you do it?"

"Calvin, that's enough," Jeneda angrily said. "Stop interrogating him." 

"He has the right to ask these questions," Monica said. "You're our daughter, and we need to know these things."

"I'm *your* daughter, not Calvin's. And it's none of his damn business what Dane did, because It's in the past."

"Baby, he was just released from prison four months ago. We need some type of assurance that he's out for good."

"He just told you that he's changed, and on a better path now. What more do you want from him?"

"Jeneda, It's fine." Dane grabbed her hand and held it tenderly in his. "They're just concerned, and rightfully so, because I did do some really stupid things."

"I'm an adult, not some teenager that they need to protect. And I don't appreciate them grilling you like this."

"Please don't be angry with us, Jeneda," Monica said. "But after hearing everything that your father told me and Calvin about Dane, we're a little nervous about you making such a huge commitment to him."

"You're my mother, and I get why you're concerned," Jeneda said. "But Calvin has no right to butt into my personal life, and he sure as hell doesn't have the right to question Dane. He's not my real father and never will be, so why is he even involved in this discussion?"

"I don't need to have blood relation to care about you, Jeneda. I'm married to your mother, so of course I care what happens to you."

"Well thank you very much for your concern, but I'll be just fine. Now if you'll excuse me, I'd like to have a moment alone with my fiancée." 

Jeneda rose from her chair, and with her hand still clasped in Dane's, she coaxed him onto his feet and away from the kitchen.

* * * *

As they stepped out onto the porch, a balmy breeze blew gently past them, carrying with it the scent of approaching rain. As if beckoning them toward it, a lime green porch swing swayed with the breeze, and with Jeneda leading the way, Dane followed behind her to the far end of the porch.

"I was okay in there," Dane said as the swing creaked beneath their weight. "You didn't have to bring me out here, you know."

"I know you were okay. But it really bothered me to see my stepdad giving you such a hard time."

"Any father would have done the same. It was just his way of showing concern for you."

"Maybe so, but I still think he crossed the line. There's a time and a place for everything, and the day of Thanksgiving was not the proper moment for him to cross-examine you."

Dane shifted in his seat so he could cradle Jeneda's face, and with his thumb tracing the curve of her cheekbone, he looked deep into her eyes. "It's okay, Jeneda. Really." 

The slight crinkle between her brows instantly softened, and instinctively, she angled her body towards him. As if seeking to tantalize her, his fingers followed the curve of her elegant neck, then slowly drifted across her smooth, bare shoulder.

"You cold?" He asked.

"No, why?"

"You've got goosebumps all over your chest." His index finger traced the neckline of her sundress before dipping down to glide along her partially exposed cleavage.

Silence spun between them as they sat on the porch swing, but soon a light rain began to fall, filling the space around them with soft pattering noises. With the temperature still pleasantly warm, they were perfectly content to remain on the porch, and with fingers tenderly linked, their eyes locked into a steady gaze.

Slowly their lips began to drift closer, then brushed lightly in an almost kiss. With soft, languid strokes, Dane dragged his tongue along Jeneda's lips, admiring the shape and plumpness of them before allowing his tongue to venture within. 

With effortless skill and unparalleled expertise, he probed the sweetness of her mouth. As was customary in everything that he did, Dane was wonderfully thorough, and soon he had Jeneda moaning into the increasingly passionate kiss. 

So engaged in the hot silkiness of their oral embrace, the couple grew completely oblivious to everything surrounding them, and could have continued on indefinitely. But their moment was suddenly cut short as the porch screen door creaked open. 

"Jeneda still here?"

Like horny teenagers on the verge of getting busted, Dane and Jeneda quickly parted from the kiss, then averted their gazes to Riley, who was slowly wheeling himself towards them.

"Hi, Riley," Jeneda called out in an unusually high voice.

Perhaps noting the awkwardness of their body language, Riley allowed his wheelchair to come to a halt. Then he simply sat in silence and blinked at the couple. 

"Hey, sweetie. Wanna come over here and hang out with us?"

"Hang with you?"

"Yeah. Come talk with us." Jeneda smiled, then gestured for him to come closer.

A moment of hesitation passed before Riley moved his wheelchair closer, then once he reached the swing where they were seated, he began to speak. "Leave no goodbye. Why no goodbye, Jeneda?"

"I didn't leave, Riley. I only came out here to cool down and get some fresh air."

"Leave me. Thought you going back home."

"I'd never go home without saying goodbye." She leaned forward to take his hand in hers, then tenderly rubbed the back of it with her palm. 

"Mad at me?"

"No way, I'm not mad. I'm happy to be here, and really glad that I have the chance to spend Thanksgiving with you."

Riley returned her smile with one of his own, then directed his gaze at Dane. "Calvin told things you did. Bad things."

"Yes." Dane paused for a moment, then reluctantly continued on. "I have done some bad things, and made some terrible decisions that I shouldn't have. But It's all in the past now, and I'm very sorry for what I did."

"Won't hurt Jeneda?" 

"No. I would never do that. I love your sister, and would rather die than have any harm come to her."

"Promise take care of her. Tell me keep safe and never hurt her."

"I promise to keep her safe, and I swear that I will never hurt her. You have my word, Riley."

Rather than give a response, Riley only offered Dane a long, hard stare, as if to express that he was taking Dane at his word. Then finally, in a jerky and uncoordinated, yet somehow completely dignified fashion, he extended his hand toward Dane.

"Shake."

Dane firmly clasped palms with Riley, and also shared a nod that seemed to be a silent confirmation between the two men that the handshake was indubitably binding. As Jeneda watched the whole thing play out before her, the love that she felt for her brother instantly doubled, and a proud smile crossed her face at the look of seriousness on her brother's face. 

Although she was the eldest between them, it suddenly felt as if Riley was *her* older sibling and not the other way around. She guessed she shouldn't have been too surprised though, because ever since he was a preteen, Riley had seemed wise beyond his years, and somehow made her feel as if he truly *could* fill the role of an older brother. 

Just as the three of them were beginning to engage in conversation, a voice called out from the other end of the porch, and in synch, the three of them turned their heads to see who it was.

"You guys doing okay out here?" Monica asked as she popped her head out of the screen door to look at them.

"We're fine," Jeneda said. "Just getting some fresh air and having a little chat."

"Well come on inside and have a cup of pumpkin buttered rum. I just made it fresh, so get it while it's hot."

With Riley leading the way in his wheelchair, Dane and Jeneda headed inside, where they saw that Calvin was seated in the living room on a cushy white armchair. Monica took a seat directly next to him in a chair that was identical, then gestured for Dane, Jeneda and Riley to help themselves to one of the mugs that were waiting for them on the coffee table. 

While Dane and Jeneda took a seat on a sofa across from Monica and Calvin, Riley situated himself so that he was neither on one side or the other, as if to illustrate that he was taking on the role of the mediator. 

A long moment of silence stretched on as the five of them sipped their creamy beverages, and for awhile, it seemed as if everyone was purposely avoiding eye contact by staring into their cups. But like all awkward situations, what seemed to be a neverending moment finally came to an end, and with a clear of his throat, Calvin broke the stillness.

"I'd like to apologize," he slowly said to Dane before adding in a disclaimer. "Not because I feel I'm in the wrong for what I said, but I was a little harsh in the words that I chose, and it definitely wasn't appropriate conversation for the dinner table." 

Calvin paused for a moment as if to think over his words, then took another sip of his drink before continuing on. 

"The reason Monica and I invited you here for Thanksgiving dinner wasn't to give you a hard time and bring up your past. We did it because we wanted to get to know you, and find out what type of a person you truly are." 

"We never intended to make you feel uncomfortable," Monica chimed in. "And we apologize for doing that. "It's just that I've had reservations about this relationship for quite some time now, so naturally I've been uncertain and a little worried about Jeneda's decision to commit herself to you, Dane."

Monica looked down at her hands, and for a few moments, she absentmindedly fiddled with one of her gold bracelets. 

"Vincent was a dear family friend," she said as she lifted her eyes to once again meet Dane's. "A truly wonderful man that deserved to live much longer than he did. But I do realize that you weren't responsible for his death. And I also know that although you played a part in the situation, it was never your intention to do anything malicious."

"It really wasn't," Dane said. "It was a horrible situation, and I wish like hell that I could take it back. But since I can't, all I can do is hope that the people I've wronged, will eventually find it in their hearts to forgive me." He lowered his gaze for a moment, then let out a heavy sigh before directing his attention back to Monica. "I don't deserve forgiveness. I know I don't," he confirmed. "But I still want it." 

Monica smiled weakly. "You do deserve forgiveness, Dane. And you also deserve to find peace within yourself. It may take awhile for those things to happen, but eventually It'll all work out."

"I hope so."

Jeneda took his hand in hers and squeezed it as a sign of sympathy and reassurance, to which he responded by squeezing back and giving her a light smile.

"It's taken me awhile, but I've finally worked through my feelings of pain and resentment," Monica said. "And I can now say with all honesty, that I do forgive you, Dane."

Visible relief flooded his face. "Thank you, Mrs. Evans. I really appreciate that."

"I didn't do it only for you," she said. I did it for myself. And also for Jeneda." 

"I know it took a lot for you to do that," Jeneda said, "so thank you, mom."

A soft smile graced her lips. "You're a smart girl, Jeneda. And ultimately you're the only one who knows what's best for your life. So I'm sorry for questioning your choices, and I want you both to know that you have my blessing on your marriage."

"Thank you," they said in unison.

"And by the way, you stop calling me Mrs. Evans," Monica said to Dane. "From now on, I'm Monica."

A pleased expression graced Dane's face at her comment, and with a nod of agreement, he said, "Okay, Monica."

"Now that we've got that all sorted, why don't we play some cards?"

"My vote is for football," Calvin said, and with the flick of a button, he switched on the widescreen TV. 

"Does football come on this late?" Monica stole a glance at the clock above the entertainment system. "It's already nine p.m." 

"Of course it comes on this late." He flipped through a few channels before locating the football game, which was already into the second quarter. "It's Thanksgiving day, Isn't it?"

Monica playfully rolled her eyes, then shook her head and emitted a little sigh. "Guess It'll just be us four then," she said to Dane and Jeneda before glancing at Riley.

"Watching game." Riley's eyes were glued to the television screen, and without looking away for even a second, he added, "Don't want play cards."

"Okay. What about you two?" With hopeful eyes, Monica glanced at Dane and Jeneda.

"Hate to leave you hanging, mom. But we're kind of exhausted from the flight."

The look on Monica's face conveyed disbelief at what her daughter had said, and for a moment, Jeneda almost expected her mother to call her out on the fact that five hour flights didn't usually result in jet lag. But instead of voicing her skepticism, Monica only gave Jeneda a crooked little smile which seemed to say, 'Yeah, right. I know why you're *really* going to bed so early.'

"Alright you two, enjoy the rest of your evening," she said with a little smile. 

"Night, mom." Jeneda rose to her feet, then shared a warm hug with her mother.

"Goodnight, Monica," Dane said as she pulled him into a hug. "And thank you again for the delicious dinner."

"You're very welcome, Dane. But I can't take all of the credit. Jeneda did most of the cooking, so she's the one you should be giving thanks to."

"I definitely will," Dane said as he shared a knowing smile with Jeneda.

After saying their goodbyes to both Riley and Calvin, Jeneda and Dane headed to the bedroom, where they promptly undressed in preparation to bathe. Luckily for them, it was more than large enough for two people to shower at the same time, so they took advantage of the spacious tub and indulged in some much needed alone time. 

Twenty minutes later, and with skin that was perhaps a little too well scrubbed in particularly intimate places, they found themselves cuddling in bed. 

Their limbs intertwined, tangling together so that the heat of their bodies mingled. While her hands roamed over his narrow hips and hard, hairless chest, his coasted along her soft globes of flesh and moist, welcoming crevices.

Their lips came together with just enough pressure to withdraw soft sighs and faint moans, and occasionally they would murmur loving words, but for the most part, they allowed their eyes to do the talking. Somewhere along the way, sleep gradually beckoned them. And with skin against skin, they fell asleep entangled in each others arms.

* * * *

It was the tangle of his fingers in her hair that gently roused Jeneda to consciousness, but the unexpected heat of Dane's tongue between her legs was what made her push out a heavy gasp. 

She opened her eyes slowly, allowing her eyes time to adjust to the dimly lit room, which was just slightly illuminated by the first rays of dawn. At first she focused on nothing in particular, but as her gaze came to land on the top of Dane's head, she sighed with satisfaction at the sight of him ardently eating her out.

His tongue, which busily pleasured the velvety wetness between her parted thighs, moved with tireless effort, withdrawing soft moans and barely restrained cries of uninhibited ecstasy. 

For a second she was convinced that she would pass out from the intensity of his ministrations, but being the gifted lover that he was, he was thoroughly skilled in repeatedly building her anticipation. 

It would have been easy to fall prey to frustration, or even indulge in a bit of whining in hopes that it would encourage him to grant her a climax, but rushing was the last thing that she wanted him to do. So, with parted lips and legs spread as wide as they would go, Jeneda closed her eyes and indulged in the gratifying sensation of being thoroughly devoured. 

His tongue did wicked things to the delicate flesh between her thighs, moving with such dexterity that it literally rendered her breathless. For this reason only she was unable to praise him as he so deserved, but it was perfectly acceptable that she was unable to speak, because her body did more than enough communicating for her. 

Her hands lowered to his messily tousled hair, fingers sliding through loose waves so that she could hold his head firmly in place. But being the dominating lover that he was, he resisted her grip just enough to retain command over the erotic act that he was performing. 

His stiff, pink tongue seemed to instinctively know just how and when to apply more pressure, and as her fevered sighs grew louder in volume, he continued on with unrelenting enthusiasm. His tongue consumed her clitoris greedily, not letting up for even a moment, and when the tension built up to unbearable proportions, she finally gave into an intense climax. 

She bit her tongue hard to muffle the scream, and yet it still found its way past her parted lips, as if to attest to Dane's amazing oral skills. Her body arched, crotch thrusting against his still moving tongue, and with clumps of his hair still fisted in her hands, she released a satiated whimper. 

Content in the fact that he'd thoroughly satisfied his lover, Dane removed his head from between her legs, then positioned his body so that he was hovering above her on the weight of his arms. 

As he looked down at her, she gazed up at him, taking in his beautifully sculpted cheekbones and dark, slanted eyes. Her hands moved upward to sift through his sleep tousled locks, and for a moment she was content to simply admire the silky softness of it.

But she soon found that her lips were craving the touch of his own, and very gently, she coaxed his head lower so that his mouth was flush with hers. The seam of her lips was effortlessly parted as he slid his tongue into her mouth, and she earnestly returned his kiss with equal tenderness. 

Their lips parted so that they could share an adoring look, but it was cut short as Dane settled beside her on a large, fluffy pillow. He clearly wasn't content to simply lay there, though, because in a suddenly swift and effortlessly smooth move, he grabbed Jeneda by the hips and pulled her on top of him. 

"Ride me," he said in a raspy, sexy voice.

More than ready for his long, thick cock, she eagerly positioned her entrance above him, and with a sigh of heady relief, sunk down onto his weeping, engorged erection. The groan that came from his lips only made her more eager to fuck him, and with passionate ardency, she began bouncing up and down.

It didn't take long at all for her to build up a nice, steady rhythm, and soon Dane was rolling his hips along to the tempo that she'd set. His hands shifted upward so that he was grasping her waist, and in a commanding tone of voice that sent a little shiver down her spine, he summoned her to pick up the pace. 

"Harder. I wanna see those beautiful tits bounce."

She earnestly obliged, maneuvering her body so that her breasts jiggled and swayed with each up and down motion of her hips. She groaned a little at the increased friction that came along with riding him harder, and knowing that he was hypnotized by the sight of her bare, plump breasts, she leaned forward just slightly to enhance his already terrific view. 




Velvet Kisses Ch. 07



"Yeah, that's nice," he groaned with eyes that were half-lidded and dazed with lust. "Just like that, babe."

He lifted his fingers to pinch and pull at the taut pebbles that capped her pert breasts, then cupped them in his hands and squeezed them together. Along with the sensation of his cock sliding in and out of her pussy, the feel of him fondling her tits was enough to bring Jeneda to the verge of a second orgasm. 

But she knew that Dane still had yet to reach his own, and was intent on making sure that he reached climax first. It was the least she could do, considering he'd just given her an amazingly gratifying wake up call. 

"Dane," she softly cried out, digging her nails into his hard, smooth chest. "Oh babe, you feel so good." She released a low groan, then allowed her back to arch and head to loll back. 

He groaned in response, lifting his hips up powerfully so that they matched the measured and insistent rhythm that she had created. The noises he made became increasingly desperate, and with eyes focused intently on the union of their genitals, he watched his cock repeatedly plunge in and out of her well lubricated hole.

"Yeah, that's it," he said through harsh, unsteady pants. "Ride that cock." 

And with every bit of endurance that she had, she did. Her lips parted at the sensation of him growing thicker inside of her, and sensing that he was on the verge of release, she picked up the pace. 

"Fuck yeah," he breathed. "Keep going, babe. Don't stop."

Still gripping her hips, Dane sunk his fingers into the soft flesh, and with a few more desperate, jerking movements, he came deep inside of her. 

"Fuck." A strangled grunt passed his lips, and with one last pump for good measure, he spurted out another thick jet of semen. 

Seeing him in such a euphoric state drove Jeneda right over the edge, and with a final gasp of his name, she reached her own orgasm. She shuddered as she came, then collapsed on top of him with a soft sigh. 

One of her hands came up to clasp his broad shoulders, and with her cheek flush against his leanly muscular torso, she breathed in his manly scent. A few moments passed before he brushed a palm against her back, then very tenderly, he moved her hair away from her face so that he could gaze into her eyes. 

"Nice way to say good morning, huh?" He asked.

"Best way there is." Her lips quirked into a soft smile, and she smoothed a palm across his lightly sweaty chest. 

"I just hope nobody heard us," he said. "We got a little loud there towards the end."

"My mom and Calvin are pretty deep sleepers, so I doubt they heard a thing. And Riley's sleeping in the room off to the side of the kitchen."

"Good. Because the last thing I want is an awkward moment at the breakfast table."

"Don't worry, I'm sure we're in the clear." She yawned and stretched out her limbs. "I could really go for a cup of that chicory coffee."

"Yeah?" He softly murmured.

"With plenty of cream and sugar. And maybe a piece of pie to go along with it."

"Is this your way of asking me to make you a cup?"

"Just a gentle suggestion. I'm not forcing you, or anything." 

He faintly chuckled. "Any preference on the flavor of pie?"

"Bourbon pecan would be nice."

He gave her a soft peck on the lips before saying, "I love you."

"I love you, too."

He gently disengaged himself from her arms, then slipped into a pair of jeans and a crumpled T-shirt. He headed for the door, and with a look over his shoulder, he said, "Back in a bit."

Jeneda listened to the soft patters of his footsteps as he made his way down the hall, then turned onto her stomach and burrowed her cheek into the cushiony pillow. She didn't know whether it was the exertion of riding Dane's cock, or the fact that he'd woken her up at five a.m., but she was finding it increasingly hard to keep her eyes open. 

As a few minutes turned into twenty, she drowsily wondered what was taking Dane so long to return. She guessed it was taking some time for him to get the coffee maker up and running, but even if that was so, he had to be close to finishing. 

Not wanting to seem impatient, she allowed another fifteen minutes to pass before she finally gave up on waiting, and after slipping into a pair of underwear and her kimono robe, she made her way to the kitchen. 

With its pale blue walls and large windows that looked out onto the well-kept patio, the kitchen had a warm and welcoming atmosphere. As she entered the room, she was surprised to see that Dane was sitting at the kitchen table with Riley, who was looking down at what seemed to be a book or some sort of thick magazine. 

It wasn't until she'd reached the kitchen table that the two men finally took note of her presence, and with a smile on his lips, Dane pulled out the chair directly next to him. 

"Sorry for the wait, honey. I had some trouble with the coffee maker, but it seems to be okay now, so it shouldn't be longer than a few more minutes."

"No worries, I can wait." She turned her attention to Riley, and after giving him a kiss on the cheek, she said, "Morning, baby brother."

"Good morning." He flashed his dimples, then gestured toward the book in front of him, which happened to be one of Dane's graphic novels. "Dane show me his books. He sign his name and give to me." 

"Nice," she said. "Give him a couple of years to become famous, and you can sell it on ebay." 

"Not sell," he firmly said. "Gift for me. Don't give away."

"I was joking, sweetie." She gave him a smile and rubbed the back of his hand. "I think It's awesome that he gave you an autographed copy, and I'm glad you're getting a chance to check out his work." 

"She says she's joking, but she isn't," Dane said to Riley. "She's just using me for my potential fame."

"That is not true." A wide grin split her lips. 

"Then why are you smiling?" He asked.

"Because It's ridiculous, that's why."

"Uh-huh." He playfully lifted a brow, then turned his gaze to Riley, who was watching their playful banter with an expression which was a cross between mild amusement and uncertainty.

"He's joking, Riley. I'm passionately in love with him, and he knows it." As if to confirm, Jeneda leaned in to give Dane a tender peck on the lips.

Although it was brief, Riley clearly found that the kiss lasted too long, and lowered his head so that his eyes were focused intently on the graphic novel in front of him. 

"Alright Riley," Jeneda said as she pulled back from Dane's lips. "You can look up now, we're no longer kissing."

He did look up, but only slightly, so that his attention was still on the book. Dane cleared his throat awkwardly, then rose to his feet and headed over to the coffeemaker, which had finally stopped gurgling.

"Can I get you some coffee, Riley?" Dane asked as he retrieved three mugs from the cabinet.

"No cream, no sugar," he said without looking up. 

"Seriously?" Jeneda asked. "Since when do you take your coffee black?"

He lightly shrugged, yet still gave a response. "Nurse Penelope always make that way."

"Do you ask her to make it black, or does she just do it on her own?"

"She make her coffee black, so I drink same way." He lifted his eyes to meet Jeneda's, but upon noticing the faint smirk on her face, he quickly lowered his gaze.

"I see." Jeneda glanced at Dane as he placed their coffees and three slices of pie on the table, and seeing that his expression mirrored her own, her smile widened. "You seem to have quite a connection with Penelope," Jeneda said as she looked back at her brother. "She must really be something."

"Yeah. Take care of me and treat me nice," he said before quietly adding, "Like her a lot." 

A soft smile crossed her lips at the latter part of Riley's sentence, but the wave of sadness that followed reminded her of just how much his life had changed since his biking accident. 

Years ago, before acquiring brain damage, Riley had openly shared his future wishes with Jeneda, and had mentioned his desire to settle down and start a family. Since he'd always been mature for his age, Jeneda wasn't all that surprised to hear of his plans, but she had been a bit concerned about him getting tied down so early in life. 

Yet now, as she sat across from her wheelchair-bound brother, she felt terribly heartbroken, and wished like hell that he had gotten the chance to start a family. Here she was, only five months away from becoming a married woman, and yet Riley was still alone and damaged beyond repair. 

It didn't seem right or fair for the things he'd wanted to be so cruelly out of reach. But that was the way that things were, and sadly, they would mostly likely never change. Her eyes softened as she gazed at her brother's face, and with compassion etching her features, she reached out to take his hand in hers. 

"That's great, Riley," she said before releasing his hand. "I'm glad she takes good care of you." 

Jeneda watched as he clumsily lifted his coffee cup to his lips, then sipped it with loud, slurping noises. Her eyes followed the way that he lifted his fork, noting the jerky movement of his hand as he angled the chunk of pie toward his mouth. It was impossible not to notice the way that pieces of food fell out of his mouth as he chewed, and it was also completely heartbreaking. 

On the verge of tears, she abruptly averted her gaze, then picked up her fork and dug into her own piece of pie. Yet as deliciously rich as it was, she found herself unable to fully enjoy it. 

Perhaps sensing her sadness, Dane rubbed her thigh soothingly, then laced his fingers through hers. She lightly squeezed his hand in response, and with palms clasped beneath the table, they ate their pie in silence.

* * * *

The sun was just beginning to set as a compact SUV arrived curbside at Key West International Airport, and after collecting their luggage from the trunk, Dane and Jeneda paused to say their goodbyes.

"We had a wonderful time mom, thanks for the invite." 

"Anytime, sweetheart." Monica pulled Jeneda into a hug and gave her a kiss before sharing an embrace with Dane. 

"It was great meeting you, Mrs. Evans, and I look forward to seeing you at the wedding," Dane said as he pulled back from the hug.

"Looking forward to it as well, Dane. And remember, It's Monica, not Mrs. Evans."

"Right," Dane said with a smile. "Well thanks for having me, Monica."

"Anytime." 

"Nice meeting you, Dane." Calvin said as he extended his hand. "Come visit us again soon."

"Definitely." Dane gave him a firm handshake before directing his attention to Riley, who was gazing up at him from beneath the bill of a baseball cap. "It was great meeting you, Riley. Hope we'll get a chance to hang out again soon."

"Nice meet you, too," Riley said as he shook hands with Dane. "Take care my sister, and thanks for book."

"I will, and you're very welcome."

Jeneda bent down to give Riley a long hug, then kissed him on the cheek and pulled back to look at his face. "I love you, and until we see each other again, take care of yourself."

"Love you too." His eyes filled with sadness, and in a slightly wavering voice, he said, "Call me get home."

"I will. As soon as I walk through the door, I promise." She smoothed her palm against his cheek, then reluctantly pulled away. 

"Have a safe trip, you two," Monica said, and with a wave, she watched the couple make their way toward the ticketing area.

As they walked away from the curb, Jeneda took one last glance over her shoulder. Then with Dane by her side, she disappeared through the sliding glass doors.



Velvet Kisses Ch. 08



*Thank you for the feedback that was left on the previous chapter. I love hearing what you guys think, and I'm glad to know that you're still entertained. Thanks for your continued support!* 

*

"Well, here we are," Dane said as he pulled into the winding driveway of his parent's stately house. "Ready to go shopping?"

"Not exactly," Jeneda said. "To be honest, I'm pretty nervous."

"Of what?"

"I don't know..." She let her voice trail off as she thought of a way to explain how she felt. "I've never spent time alone with your mother before, so I guess I'm just a bit unsure about how we'll get on."

"You'll get along just fine, why wouldn't you?"

Jeneda gave him a look, to which he in turn offered a faint smile. "That was an obvious question, wasn't it?"

"She's not my biggest fan, Dane. We both know that."

"No, she Isn't," he said as he put the car in park. "But clearly she's making an effort to get to know you, because why else would she invite you to go shopping for wedding dresses?"

She lightly sighed, then smoothed a palm over her asymmetrical sweater tunic, which was paired with some leggings and long black boots. "You're right, I need to loosen up and stop being so nervous."

He cradled her cheek with his large palm, and with a reassuring look, he said, "I want you to enjoy yourself, okay? This is a special day for you, so have some fun."

"Okay." 

His lips brushed hers in a soft kiss, then together they exited the car and headed toward the mansion. After climbing the steps to the majestic double doors, Dane pressed the doorbell.

The soft clicking of heels let them know that someone was approaching the door, and as it opened to reveal Kitty, they saw that she was outfitted in a cream-colored button down cashmere cardigan and black pencil skirt.

"Darling, It's so wonderful to see you," Kitty said to Dane as she opened the door wider, and with a gesture of her arm, she invited the couple to enter. 

"It's great to see you too, mother." As Dane entered the foyer, he pulled Kitty into an embrace, then placed his palm on Jeneda's back to gently coax her closer towards his mother. "As requested, she's all yours for the afternoon.

"Splendid," Kitty said. "I've been looking forward to this shopping trip for quite some time now."

Jeneda smiled, then gave a polite nod. "Hello, Kitty. It's nice to see you again."

"Likewise, my dear." 

Surprised at the warm reception that Dane's mother had given her, Jeneda blinked in surprise, and found herself stunned that the smile Kitty offered seemed genuinely friendly. She didn't have long to stand there in amazement, however, because Dane's father descended the curved staircase that led into the entryway. 

"I thought I heard the doorbell," Naohito said as he reached the bottom step. "Nice to see you two back home again." 

"Hello, Mr. Takahashi," Jeneda said with a smile. 

"I think we're past formalities now," he said to Jeneda. "You can call me Naohito." He gave her a small wink, then diverted his attention to his son. "Ready to get started, Dane?"

"Get started on what?" Kitty curiously asked. "Where are you two planning to do?" 

"Guy stuff, Kitty. Nothing you ladies would be interested in."

"I see." She grabbed her Chanel clutch from the small foyer table next to the door. "Well enjoy your manly day, and I'll see you later this afternoon."

"Have a wonderful time, love." Naohito gave her a peck on the lips.

"See you in a couple of hours," Dane said as he handed Jeneda his credit card. "Have fun, and pick out something real nice." 

"I will." 

They shared a brief kiss, then with Kitty leading the way, Jeneda followed her out of the door. As they descended the steps to the curved driveway, Jeneda was surprised to see a uniformed man in a chauffer's hat standing next to a two-toned, silver and gray Maybach. She couldn't help but openly admire the sleekness of it, but it wasn't until the chauffer opened the door that she realized just how luxurious the car truly was.

The seats, which were fully reclining, were made from cream-colored leather so soft that it could have almost passed for silk. Along with a panoramic moon roof, small fridge and flat screen TV, there was also a partition window that separated the front of the car from the passenger compartment. 

Never before had Jeneda been inside of such a luxurious vehicle, and as the driver put the car into gear and drove them away from the mansion, Jeneda began to feel as if she'd somehow switched places with another person. 

"Normally I would have taken my Bentley," Kitty said as they pulled out onto the street, "but I thought it would be nice for us to have a chat while driving into the city, so I hired a chauffeured car." 

"It's very nice." Jeneda allowed her gaze to drift across the folded laptop trays, which were fashioned from cherrywood. 

"Yes, but It's not a Bentley." Kitty leaned forward to open the tiny fridge, and along with a bottle of Perrier, she also retrieved two chilled, long stemmed glasses. "Sparkling water?"

"Yes, thank you."

Kitty filled a glass for Jeneda, then one for herself before settling back against the seat. "You and I have never really had a proper conversation, Jeneda, and I feel as if we may have gotten off on the wrong foot."

Uncertain of how to answer, Jeneda hesitated before speaking. "Well we're pretty different, aren't we? So I guess It's just a matter of finding common ground."

"We are both women who enjoy shopping, so that's one thing we have in common."

"And we both love Dane."

"Yes, there is that as well," Kitty said. 

"Beyond that, I'm not sure what other things we have in common. But I'm certain we'll discover something else."

Kitty only lightly smiled, and with an unreadable expression, she studied Jeneda's face. "To be truthful, I wasn't sure what to think when I first met you. You seemed like a nice enough girl, but I just wasn't particularly fond of you being with my son."

Although Jeneda wasn't the least bit surprised by Kitty's admission, she hadn't expected her to be so forthcoming. But she was glad that Kitty had finally confessed her true feelings, because the tension that usually hung between them finally seemed as if it were beginning to dissipate. 

"Can I ask why not?" 

"Please excuse my bluntness, and I hope you don't take offense to what I'm going to say, but you just aren't the type of woman that I imagined Dane settling down with."

"I see." Jeneda lowered her eyes to her drink, then took a sip from the chilled glass, as if hoping it would soothe the sting of Kitty's words. 

"It's just that ever since Dane was a boy, I've had this vision of how his life would turn out. And I know it sounds terribly idealistic, but I did have an image in my mind of the type of woman he would marry."

"And that woman you imagined looked nothing like me, I suppose."

Kitty lightly sighed, then set her drink in the cup holder. "I do admit I was surprised to find that Dane was dating someone who looked so different from his previous girlfriends. But my reservations weren't about your ethnicity, Jeneda."

"So It's about money, then. You think I'm with him for financial gain."

"When I first met you, I was convinced that you were. But my opinion of you has changed."

"And now how do you see me?"

Kitty pressed a button that controlled the privacy partition, and only after it had completely lifted, did she finally begin to speak. 

"It wasn't until recently that Dane confessed all of the details of his criminal past."

"So you know what he did. He told you about his involvement in Vincent's-"

"Yes." She held up a hand to halt Jeneda from saying anything more, then took a sip of her drink before continuing. "Up until a month ago, I'd been under the impression that the only crimes he'd committed were engaging in cargo theft, and planning the robbery of that computer chip firm. But when he told me about that terrible accident, and the role he played in covering up the evidence, I couldn't have been more horrified."

Kitty lowered her gaze to her manicured hands, and after adjusting her wedding band so that the large diamond was centered on her finger, she once again lifted her gaze. "Dane told me how upset you were at him, but that you eventually forgave him and allowed him back into your life."

She didn't say a word in return, only continued to listen as Kitty carried on.

"I know about the situation with your father, and what led up to your estrangement from him."

A dull ache rose in Jeneda's chest at the mention of her dad, but before a lump could lodge itself in her throat, she quickly swallowed it back. 

Anyone who goes through as much pain and sorrow as you and Dane have, deserves to find happiness. And clearly you make my son very happy, so who am I to try and stop you two from being together?"

A smile tugged at the corners of Jeneda's lips, and with a look that was a cross between relief and happiness, she said, "So you're okay with us being together..."

"Yes, Jeneda. I am," Kitty said with a gentle smile.

"Good. That's great."

Jeneda was just finishing the last of her sparkling water as the chauffer pulled up to the curb, and after putting the car in park, he came around to open the passenger door. Kitty exited first, and then Jeneda, who stepped out onto the sidewalk to gaze up at a sign that proclaimed the establishment beneath it as St. Claire Bridal.

For a building with such an upscale façade that seemed purposefully intimidating, the interior of the bridal salon was surprisingly relaxed, yet also exuded a chic elegance. 

Sparsely stocked with only the highest quality gowns, St. Claire Bridal was clearly the type of establishment meant for consumers with the most discriminating taste. And as Jeneda slyly eyeballed some of the pricetags hanging from the gowns, she came to the conclusion that St. Claire's customers must have also had an unlimited amount of funds. 

"Welcome, ladies," said a perky redhead with an ample bosom and strikingly long legs. "My name is Shauna. How can I assist you?"

"My future daughter will be getting married in three months, and we need to find her a fabulous dress," Kitty said. 

"Congratulations," Shauna exclaimed as she looked at Jeneda. "Any preferences as to the type of dress that you're looking for, or would you like us to help you pick one out?"

"Some assistance would be lovely, thank you," Kitty said.

"Follow me, and I'll show you our collection." Shauna led them toward a rack next to a floor to ceiling window, where she began browsing through the various gowns. "If you're going for the fairytale look, this dress would be absolutely perfect." The gown she retrieved from the rack had an intricately beaded bodice and a big, poofy skirt.

"It's very pretty, but what about this one?" Jeneda asked as she pointed out a strapless dress with a mermaid style bottom.

"That has a plunging neckline," Kitty said. "Surely you don't want that for your wedding day." Without even giving Jeneda a chance to respond, she waved the dress away, then pointed out another gown, which was satin with a high neckline and slim, A-line skirt. 

"It's nice, but a bit plain," Jeneda said.

"Plain?" Kitty's brows rose, as if to convey that she was insulted. "No, my dear. This is timeless, elegant, and very classy."

"I appreciate your input, Kitty, but It's really not my style."

"But It's impeccably tailored. At least try it on to see how it fits you."

Already more than certain that she was *not* going to buy the dress, Jeneda was tempted to give Kitty a flat out no, but not wanting to come across as rude, she chose instead to give a polite response.

"Well I guess I can give it a try..."

"It'll fit you beautifully, I just know it," Kitty said. 

With Shauna guiding her along, Jeneda checked out half a dozen more racks of gorgeous gowns, and picked out several dresses that she liked. But it seemed that nearly every dress that caught her eye was met with disapproval from Kitty, which made the whole shopping experience more than a little frustrating.

Forty minutes later and with twelve dresses in hand, Shauna led Jeneda and Kitty towards the fitting area, which consisted of several cubicles to change in, as well as a large, open area with white chaise lounges and floor to ceiling mirrors. 

"I'll leave you ladies to it," Shauna said while placing the dresses on a garment rack with wheels. Then, with her gaze resting directly on Jeneda, she offered a gentle smile, as if conveying her sympathy to Jeneda's plight. "Good luck." And with that she was off, leaving Jeneda and Kitty alone in the spacious room. 

Since she hadn't gotten the chance to check out the price tags while shopping, Jeneda decided it might be a good idea to see just how expensive the gowns were. She didn't want to draw attention to herself, though, so she tried to make it seem as if she was checking out the details of the various gowns. Her attempt at discreteness, however, proved unsuccessful.

"There's no need to look at the price tags, Jeneda," Kitty said. "Dane is taking care of the bill, remember?"

"Just checking out of curiosity," she said. Yet no sooner had those words left her mouth, did she find herself shocked at the price tag on a beaded gown with Chantilly lace and a chapel length train. "Seven thousand dollars? Oh, wow. I didn't know it was *that* expensive." 

Kitty sidled up next to her, and as she saw the dress that Jeneda was referring to, she said, "This is a couture wedding gown with hand stitched lace, and it was imported from France. I can assure you It's well worth the price tag." 

"Yeah, but seven grand is a bit outrageous, Isn't it?"

"You're getting married. Next to giving birth, it will be the most important day of your life."

"But I'll only wear it once," she said while sorting through the other eleven gowns. "I don't want to blow seven grand on a dress that will end up collecting dust in my closet."

"I do hope you're joking about allowing it to collect dust," Kitty said. "These are high end gowns, and must be properly preserved in your closet to maintain their beauty."

"I just think the money would be better spent on something else. Like a vacation, or saving for a house."

Kitty gave a little sigh. "Trust me, you do *not* want to skimp on your wedding dress." She removed one of the gowns from the rack, then handed it to Jeneda. "Why don't we start out with the one I picked out for you? Try it on and see how it fits."

"Okay." She accepted it with reluctance, then slipped into the changing room to try it on. 

Once she was zipped into the satin gown, she walked out into the main area of the fitting room, where Kitty was seated on a white, tufted armchair.

"Oh my, that is a stunning gown." Kitty rose to her feet, then walked closer to Jeneda so that she could closely inspect her. "The fabric is gorgeous, and the cut is absolutely exquisite." 

Jeneda had to admit that the craftsmanship was top knotch, but the design of the gown was a bit matronly. From the high neck collar, to the capped sleeves with pearl embellishment, it was nothing like the wedding dress that she'd imagined herself getting married in. And although she hated to ruin Kitty's mood by admitting that she didn't like the gown, she knew it was important for her to be completely truthful.

"So, what do you think?" Kitty smoothed a palm over the satin material of the A-line skirt, then looked hopefully at her.

"It is a nice dress, but It's just not my style."

"Oh." Kitty's lips drew into a straight line, and with more than a note of disappointment, she said, "Well, we can't have you getting married in a dress you don't like, can we?" 

As if hoping that Jeneda would change her mind, she wistfully ran a palm along the satin sash, which was made from crisp silk taffeta.

"I really do appreciate your input," Jeneda softly said. "I hope you know that."

"Yes. Of course I do, my dear." She thinly smiled, then retrieved another dress from the garment rack. "Let's see how this one fits you." 

Jeneda accepted the dress, and after changing into it, she modeled the gown for Kitty.

"What do you think?" Jeneda asked, and this time she was the one who was wearing a hopeful expression.

Kitty's brows faintly crinkled. "It's a bit tight, don't you think?"

"It's supposed to be form fitting," Jeneda said. "That's the style of the dress."

"Yes, but your bust is popping out, my dear. Not the best look for a woman on her wedding day, is it?" 

Jeneda liked the style of the dress, but as she gazed at herself in the mirror, she did have to admit that the gown was pretty boobalicious. She and Dane were getting married in a cathedral after all, not to mention the fact that elder relatives from his side of the family would be attending, so it probably wouldn't be the best idea if her cleavage garnered too much attention.

"You're right," she said, "I guess it is a bit exposing." 

She went into the fitting room to change, and after zipping herself into the third gown, she walked out to show Kitty.

"No. It's all wrong." Disapproval was written all over Kitty's face.

"Why?" Glancing into the mirror, Jeneda could see no faults at all with the gown, which had spaghetti straps and was fashioned from Georgette chiffon.

"You're getting married, Jeneda. Not going to the prom." As if to confirm that her word was law, Kitty lifted a glass of wine to her lips, then gingerly sipped it as she gazed off at a point somewhere beyond Jeneda's shoulder.

Simultaneously frustrated and impressed at the elegant and effortless fashion in which Kitty had dismissed the dress, she briefly considered purchasing it anyways just to show her soon to be mother that her opinion was not the only one that mattered. But then logic stepped in, and she realized that buying the gown out of spite would not only be incredibly impulsive, but also completely stupid. 

"I really don't think It's all that bad," Jeneda said before walking closer to the mirror. "Actually, I think It's pretty cute."

"Cute, yes. But that's not exactly the look you want on your wedding day, is it?" 

As Jeneda's dark brown eyes met with Kitty's blue ones, she grudgingly realized that the woman did make an excellent point, and retrieved another gown from the garment rack next to her. 

"Allright, I'll try on the next one."

Unlike the previous gowns, it took some time to fully encase herself in it, but as soon as she was fully in it, she immediately knew that the dress was more special than the others. Yet knowing how hard it was to please Kitty, she inwardly prepared herself to be met with a criticizing stare, and with reluctance, exited the fitting room.

The moment Kitty laid eyes on Jeneda, she studied her from head to toe, as if actively searching for a flaw that she could point out. Then, with a very intense gaze, she watched Jeneda slowly approached the three-way mirror. 

With its delicate, sweetheart neckline and fitted bodice, the top of the ivory wedding dress had a romantic look to it. The bottom half, which consisted of organza layers that clustered and swirled into pretty rosettes, added detail and dimension to the long, flowing train. 

Finished with a corset closure, the back of the gown added a dash of spice, and perfectly cradled Jeneda's womanly curves. Along with being ethereal and princess like, the dress was stunningly dramatic, and far exceeded all of the other gowns she'd tried on so far.

As Jeneda stared into the mirror, Kitty stepped beside her, and with a look on her face that was openly admiring, she said, "Oh yes, this is the one."

After their never-ending difference of opinions, she'd never expected for her and Kitty to reach concordance on a gown. But as she gazed in the oversized mirrors at her reflection, she absolutely and unequivocally agreed that it was indeed *the* dress.




Velvet Kisses Ch. 08



"Yes," Jeneda said. "This is definitely the dress I'm getting married in."

A pleased smile crossed Kitty's lips. "Dane is going to love you in this dress."

Jeneda flashed a smile, then adjusted her stance so that she could check herself out from alternate angles in the three-way mirror. 

After all of the turbulence that she and Dane had been through, it was surreal seeing herself in a wedding dress, and she gazed at her reflection in wonder as she realized how close she really was to becoming his wife. 

Five more months. Or seventeen weeks, to be exact. She was more than positive about that number, because ever since he'd proposed, she'd been keeping track on a calendar. And although a number of months still stood between her and that very special date, she was already overly enthusiastic to say goodbye to Jeneda Larkson. Soon, before she knew it, she would be Mrs. Jeneda Takahashi.

And as the thought ran through her head, her smile widened. 

* * * *

The scent of aging parchment permeated Dane's nostrils, reminding him of the bygone days he'd spent as a youth browsing the towering built-in bookcases that surrounded him. With its woodburning fireplace, mahogany wall-panelling, and spiraling staircase that led up to higher shelves of the floor-to-ceiling bookcases, the mansion library was undeniably stately.

Dane had spent countless rainy days with book in hand while relaxing in the tufted leather chairs, but now, as he sat in front of his father, who was seated behind a large oak desk, he found himself extremely uncomfortable. 

Something was off, he could feel it, and the wonder and excitement that he used to associate with his parent's awe-inspiring residential library, had been replaced with feelings of nervousness and slight dread. 

If his father's face was anything to judge by, Dane indeed had every right to feel apprehensive. And as he gazed at his mother, who was seated behind the large oak desk directly next to her husband, Dane noticed that her lips were drawn in a hard, thin line. 

*She's nervous*, Dane though. Which was strange, considering she'd never been the type to get anxious. And if she was prone to apprehension, she sure had a damn good way of hiding it, because she always appeared calm, collected, and unerringly graceful. So just why, exactly, *was* she giving him such an uneasy look?

His eyes roved from his mother to father, and then back again before once again coming to land on his dad, and after clearing his throat, Dane nervously spoke.

"So, what is this all about?" 

Naohito gently sighed, then exchanged a look with his wife. 

"Go ahead, Naohito," Kitty said. "Show him the papers, so we can get this over with."

"What papers?" Dane asked.

Slowly, and with obvious reluctance, Naohito slid a thin stack of papers toward Dane, then met his eyes with an unwavering look. "It's a prenup. Your mother and I had the papers drawn up earlier this week."

Dane hastily grabbed the typewritten document from the desk, then scanned the words with haste as he leafed through the pages.

"Unbelievable," he said. "I can't believe you two actually went behind my back and had a prenup created without my approval." 

"Your father has worked hard to get to where he is today," Kitty said. "And he's gone to considerable lengths to ensure that your future is financially secured. It's not just your trust fund we're protecting, but multiple properties that we jointly own, as well as the lighthouse that was handed down to me by my grandparents. Not to mention the sizeable inheritance you'll receive once we pass on."

"I can't ask Jeneda to sign a prenup. Not after all that I put her through."

"It's for your own protection," Naohito said. "Insurance, just in case anything goes wrong." 

"Nothing will go wrong," he firmly stated. "Why are you trying to doom my marriage before It's even started?"

"That's not my intention, and you know it." 

"Do you realize what she's been through?" He angrily asked. "What she's sacrificed in order for us to be together?

"Yes," Kitty said. But that doesn't mean we're foolish enough to not protect our assets."

"Right, *your* assets. *Not* mine. So why are we even having this conversation?" 

"Everything that is ours is yours. You know this, Dane."

He slapped the papers down on the desk, then pushed them back towards his parents. "No. I cannot and I will not do this."

"Dane, please," Kitty pled. "You need to be smart and protect your future."

"I said no." Dane's lips pressed tight, and as his gaze drifted to the wall behind the desk where his parents were seated, he noticed an oversized portrait which hung proudly in a gold frame with decorative moulding.

The subject of the painting, which happed to be Kitty's great-grandfather William, seemed to be looking down at Dane with an authoritative expression. It probably didn't help that he was also wearing a military uniform, and although Dane knew that the portrait was only a likeness of the long deceased man, he couldn't help feeling as if William was somehow judging him with his steely gaze. 

No longer wishing to keep his attention on the realistic portrait, Dane averted his eyes from the distinguished looking man, then planted them back on his serious-faced parents. 

"You realize what will happen if I do this, right?" Dane's face took on a pained expression as if the mere thought caused him to experience heartbreak. "Jeneda will think I don't trust her, and start to have doubts about marrying me."

"If she truly loves you, she'll sign it," Naohito said. 

"She's already proved beyond a doubt that she does. How much more pain and suffering does she need to go through in order to prove her loyalty?"

Both Kitty and Naohito fell silent at this statement, and for a long moment, the only sound in the room was the ticking of a grandfather clock that resided in the far corner of the library. Dane felt a small sense of triumph at the fact that his parents were unable to provide a response, but that moment was short lived as he realized that they were clearly still unwilling to budge on the idea of a prenup. 

"Just admit you think she's a golddigger." His voice had risen with the last word, and his gaze was accusatory. "Come out and say it, because I know that's what you're thinking." 

"That Isn't true," Kitty said. "I've grown to like Jeneda, I truly have. But people can change, and sometimes unexpected things happen in life."

"We can handle the unexpected, and as for us changing, we'll cross that bridge if we ever get to it. But I will not insult Jeneda by asking her to sign this contract."

With frustration written plainly across their features, Kitty and Noahito shared a brief look. Then, with a small huff of frustration, Naohito leaned forward in his tufted chair and clasped his hand together on the top of the desk. 

"We need you to be on board with this, son. Otherwise we'll be forced to take other precautions."

"Such as?" There was an edge to Dane's voice.

"We'll have to make adjustments to the will."

"Great. While you're at it, why don't you revoke my trust fund, too? That way I really get the message that you're punishing me."

"I didn't say we were cutting you out of the will. Only that Kitty and I will have to make changes to guarantee that our estate is secure."

"Do whatever you want, I don't care." Dane stood up from his seat and made hasty steps away from his parents, but before he could get very far, his father called out to him.

"Think it over, son."

The words only served to further annoy Dane, and without glancing back, he left his parents to stare after his retreating form. 

* * * *

"Hold still, I'm almost done," Jeneda said as she kneeled before Dane on the polished concrete floor of her art studio.

"I am holding still," he responded. "It's my penis that won't stop moving."

"I'm surprised you can still feel anything at all." Using strips of linen that had been covered in warm plaster, she continued to wrap Dane's cock in the thick, gooey substance. "The first layer of gypsum I wrapped you in is nearly set, so your sensitivity should be nearly nonexistent."

"It's the visual that's getting me off," he said as he stared down at her kneeling form. "I just love it when you're on your knees."

She briefly lifted her eyes to meet Dane's and gave him a little smile. Then, with light, gentle touches of her hand, she applied a final coating of plaster to his dick. Once she was completely satisfied with her work, she rose to her feet, and after wiping her hands off on a wet towel, she took a sip from a bottle of water. 

"Well this is something I never expected," Dane said as he stared down at his plastered-up crotch. "A reproduction of my cock, to be featured in an art exhibit of male genitalia."

"Well it is a work of art, Isn't it?" She lowered her eyes to give it an admiring gaze, then pulled him into a passionate kiss.

Dane groaned into her mouth and moved his lips ardently against her own. One of his hands lifted to squeeze her supple breasts, and as their oral embrace intensified, she slid her fingers through his lush, wavy hair. 

As usual, Jeneda found herself effortlessly lost in the heat of his mouth, as well as the soft scent of masculinity that radiated off his naked body. 

Yet as badly as she wanted him to pin her to the floor and have his rough, dominant way with her, she knew that getting him further aroused was a less than marvelous idea. So with great reluctance and more than a touch of disappointment, she broke away. 

"Why'd you stop?" Dane's brows crinkled as he stared quizzically at her.

"That erection of yours has to shrink, otherwise It'll never come out of the mold."

A groan of frustration left his lips at her explanation, and he lowered his eyes to the hardening gypsum that surrounded his penis. "How long before the plaster sets?"

"It already has set," she said. "I'm waiting on you, so I can slip the cast off."

"Once I get hard, it takes a lot to get me soft again. So this could take awhile."

"Here. Distract yourself with this." Jeneda handed him a Science Daily magazine, which was already spread open to a particular article.

"The Biology Behind Menstruation?" Dane's brows drew together as he eyed the lengthy article. 

"You want your erection to go down, don't you?" Jeneda asked as she started cleaning up the pot of warm plaster and leftover strips of linen that were laying on a sheet of newspaper. 

"Yeah." 

"Then read it."

Dane released a nasally sigh and with visible hesitancy, followed Jeneda's suggestion.

As Jeneda cleaned up the mess, she regularly snucks peeks at Dane, and found herself thoroughly amused by the intensely serious expression on his face. If she hadn't known any better, she would have guessed that he was actually interested in the article. 

But knowing him as well as she did, she knew that what appeared to be concentration was actually dismay, and that he was learning far more than he'd ever hoped to about the inner workings of the female body.

Only two minutes elapsed before Dane closed the magazine, and with a bit of a wide-eyed expression, he said, "Okay. I think I'm good to go now, so let's get this thing off." He tossed the magazine aside, then looked down at his plastered penis.

Eager to see the result, Jeneda lowered herself so that her head was level with his crotch, then carefully began to wiggle the cast off of his penis.

"There you go getting on your knees again." A smile creased his handsome face as he watched her. "I like that."

"I know you do." The corners of her lips tugged upward, and with a tight, firm grip, she enclosed her palm around his plaster enveloped penis.

Thanks to the Vaseline she'd smeared on his cock, the gypsum material slipped effortlessly off Dane's shaft, and after setting aside the mold, she wiped him down with a Kleenex.

"Mmm, that feels good, babe." He pushed out a breathy sigh before adding, "Fuck, I'd really love to nail you right now."

"We can have sex later," she said. "Right now I need to prepare the cast for exhibition."

Cradling it as she would a baby, Jeneda allowed herself a moment to closely study the reproduction of Dane's penis, which wasn't just erotically stimulating, but nearly perfect looking. Just like the real thing, the phallic replication was long, thick, and slightly curved. 

It was so superbly formed, that Jeneda couldn't help but wonder if the plaster penis would be just as skilled at hitting those hard to reach spots located deep inside of her. Not that she would ever consider substituting it for the real thing, because clearly it was Dane's impeccable lovemaking techniques that drove her so crazy in bed. 

"So a replica of my penis is getting more attention than I am." Dane lifted his brows as he gazed down at Jeneda, who was still on her knees in front of him. "If I wasn't so horny, this would be pretty damn amusing." 

Broken from her thoughts, Jeneda looked up at her fiancee with a smirk on her lips. "You're jealous of your own penis?" 

"As weird as it sounds, yes I am." He bent down so that he was on her level, then closely inspected the mimetic image of his manhood. "Pretty close. Not as good as the original, though."

She smiled, then rose to her full height and placed the plaster cock on her work table, which was already set up with tubes of flesh colored paint, a large jar of water, and various paintbrushes. 

"So this cast of my penis, how exactly is it going to be used again?"

"It'll be featured on the Wall of Erections at my friend's art installation."

"Wall of erections?" Dane lightly chuckled. "Okay. And how many other penises will be there?"

"Around forty or fifty."

"Sounds like I'll have stiff competition."

"Ha, ha, ha, very funny," Jeneda said while playfully rolling her eyes.

Dane grinned. "Sounds like an interesting exhibition. Too bad I won't be able to see it."

"You're not coming?" 

"Will Luna and Ethan be there?"

"Of course. I have to invite them, they're my best friends."

"Then I won't be there."

"Come on, Dane. Look at your penis." She gestured toward the plaster reproduction on the table before saying, "It's gorgeous, you have nothing to be embarrassed about."

"Thanks for the ego pump, babe, but I'm not ashamed of my manhood. It'll just be a little awkward hanging around with your friends while my cock is prominently displayed on a wall."

"Please?" Her bottom lip jutted into a pout.

"You're incredibly cute, you know that?" He combed his fingers through her soft, flat ironed hair, then lowered his lips to hers in a gentle kiss. "But the answer is still no."

A faint whine of disappointment passed her lips, but knowing that he'd firmly decided not to attend, she made no attempts at getting him to change his mind. Turning her attention to the cast on the table, she picked up a paintbrush. 

She swirled it in a jar of water, then dipped it into the palette, which held a variety of pigments she would combine to mimic Dane's pale skin tone. While she kept herself busy at painting, Dane grabbed his boxer briefs from the floor and started to put them on.

"Leave them off," Jeneda said without looking up from her work. "I want you naked."

"You haven't taken a thing off for me yet."

"Because you haven't asked."

"Alright," Dane said. "Take your top off."

She set down her paintbrush, then removed her off-the-shoulder sweater and tossed it to the floor.

"Bra too," he demanded.

She unclasped her brassiere so that her tits were freed, then allowed the undergarment to join her sweater on the floor. 

"Mmm, much better." He took a seat on a stool directly next to her work table, and with his eyes affixed to her bare breasts, he gave a gentle command. "Continue painting."

She did so with contentment, allowing her paintbrush to sweep across the mushroom shaped head of the penis before guiding it down the long, thick shaft. It didn't take long at all before she was fully in the zone, and soon it almost seemed as if the paintbrush were moving on its own. 

Once the phallus was completely painted, she took a moment to simply gaze at it. Then, with satisfaction over a job well done, she dropped the paintbrush into a jar of water. 

"Wow, you did an incredible job," Dane said as he checked out the anatomically correct model. "Very realistic."

"Thanks." 

"If you ever want to switch careers, you would do very well as a dildo maker."

She snorted, then wiped the paint off her hands with a damp washcloth. 

"Enough playing around with the replica," Dane said as he sidled up behind her. "I need some attention, and this time I'm not taking no for answer." As if to reinforce his words, Dane's shaft poked needfully against her backside, which was covered in a pair of tight yoga pants that molded to her taut, round ass. "Get naked so I can fuck you," he rasped against her neck.

Overly eager to have his raging hard-on inside her, Jeneda immediately stripped out of her pants and underwear, then took Dane's hand so that he could lead her toward a compact sofa in the corner of the studio. As soon as they reached it, he gently pushed her onto her back, then positioned himself on top of her so that one of her legs was resting on his shoulder.

His fingers delved between the swollen lips of her pussy, making sure she was nice and wet before proceeding. Then with a gliding thrust, he impaled her silken heat, sliding so hard and deep that it forced a sharp gasp from her parted lips. 

Soon he was drilling her as hard as he could, and with his hands possessively gripping the soft flesh of her hips, he lustfully took pleasure in her fevered body. 

* * * *

Situated in the Ashby Arts District of South Berkeley, Artsy Fartsy was an art gallery that showcased everything from modern art, to neo-surrealism. Well known in the community for its diverse group of talented artists, Artsy Fartsy was the type of establishment where aging hippies, old money yuppies, and college kids contentedly converged. 

Normally, on a December evening as blustery cold as it currently was, Jeneda would have preferred to stay home and snuggle beneath the covers with Dane. But since she was a contributing artist in the exhibition she was currently perusing, spending the night in hadn't been an option. 

It didn't bother her too much, however, because she always welcomed a night out with Ethan and Luna, who were also in attendance and engaging in light chit chat with her.

"So where is this wall of erections?" Luna asked as they strolled past an installation of art that featured a giant, neon colored mushroom encased in a huge snow globe.

"Over there in the back, not too far from the Human Furniture exhibit." She gestured toward a platform where a naked woman was kneeling on hands and knees, with a large piece of glass against her back that served as a tabletop.

"They even have a human bookshelf," Luna said. "That's pretty cool."

Perhaps noting that the subjects of the art installation were all women, Ethan stuck his hands into his pockets, then offered an exaggerated sigh. "Are we still going to the penis exhibit, or not?" 

"Don't get your panties in a bunch," Luna said. "It won't kill you to look at a naked woman every now and again."

"Might not kill me, but I sure as hell don't wanna see it," he said before retorting, "and by the way, I'm free-balling tonight, so there's nothing for me to get in a bunch."

"More information than we needed, Ethan, but thanks for sharing." A smile crossed Jeneda's lips, and with an air of excitement, she led her friends toward the exhibit that she'd participated in. 

"So, which one of these is Dane's?" Ethan asked as they approached a wall that was filled with casts of erect penises.

"Take a guess," Jeneda said.




Velvet Kisses Ch. 08



"That one." Luna pointed toward a phallic reproduction that was gold and had veins so swollen, they seemed on the verge of bursting. 

"Nope."

"How about the one on top, very center?" Ethan asked. 

"Try again," Jeneda said with a smirk.

"Dane seems like the type of guy who would go for a cock piercing, so I'm guessing It's the one in the third row, second from left," Luna said.

"Still wrong."

"Just tell us already," Ethan said. "We're dying, here."

Reveling in her friends' intense curiosity, Jeneda purposely hesitated a few moments before finally giving in. "Fifth row, dead center." 

"Really?" Ethan and Luna asked in perfect unison, then with comical synchronicity, they took a few steps forward to offer the phallic reproduction a closer inspection.

"Wow, he's pretty hung, Ethan said as his gaze drifted over the slight curvature of the plaster shaft. "Gotta admit, I'm impressed."

"Not bad." Luna's eyes were intently studying the replication, which jutted proudly from the wall in all of its glory. 

"Not bad?" Ethan spoke in a tone of voice that seemed to imply he was insulted. "We are looking at the same penis, right?"

"Take a breath, Ethan. Remember, this is Jeneda's *fiancé* we're talking about here." 

"It's okay," Jeneda said. "It is on display, so you're completely entitled to your opinion."

"See?" Ethan asked. "She *wants* us to comment on it. Why else would she invite us to this exhibit?"

As if thinking over his words, Luna studied the plaster cock for a few more moments. "Okay, he's got a nice penis. But to be truthful, I've seen better."

"Where?" Jeneda and Ethan simultaneously asked.

"I've seen better," she affirmed. "And that's all I'm going to say." She turned on her heel, then slowly strolled away from the wall of erect phalluses.

A look was exchanged between Jeneda and Ethan, and for a few more moments they just stood there with a look of slight puzzlement on their faces. But then Ethan's eyes widened in realization, and with a smile on his lips, he called out after Luna.

"You slut, you slept with Bradley."

Luna swiveled to face him, and with a look of embarrassment plastered across her face she said, "That's just great, Ethan. Say it loud enough for everyone in the room to hear."

Ethan briefly glanced around to see that there were more than a few people eyeing them with smirks on their faces, but being the extrovert that he was, he only shrugged it off.

"So what, who cares?" He waved his hand to dismiss the onlookers. "I want the details. And I want them *now*."

"When did it happen?" Jeneda asked. "And why didn't you tell us?"

"Yeah, why didn't you?" Ethan firmly chimed in.

"I was waiting for the right time," Luna said.

"Well the time is now, so spill the beans, sister."

Luna's eyes roved from Ethan to Jeneda and then back again before a faint smile graced her olive-toned face. "Not here. I'll tell you over dinner."

"Trudy's is right around the corner. Let's go there," Jeneda said.

"I'm sick of Trudy's. Let's go to The Grubstake, instead."

"I second that vote," Ethan said. "I think we could all go for a cheesesteak with garlic fries.

Not one word of protest was spoken in response, and with eagerness, they headed out of the gallery and into the night.



Velvet Kisses Ch. 09



*Sorry for the long wait! I know I've been slow on updating lately, and I do apologize for that. I hope you enjoy this chapter, and thank you all for the continued comments and votes!*




Also known as Little Osaka, Japantown was a section located in the Western Addition of San Francisco. Consisting of six city blocks, Japantown was home to a number of supermarkets, hotels, electronics vendors, malls, and Japanese restaurants. Although it was only ten thirty in the morning, the streets were already filled with a number of cars, but being the excellent driver that he was, Dane effortlessly maneuvered his gray Prius along the congested road. 

Uncharacteristically silent and giving off an anxious energy that was palpable, Jeneda was situated in the passenger's seat right beside him, rifling through a small stack of notecards that were in her lap. Perhaps noting his fiancee's uneasiness, Dane allowed his eyes to briefly drift from the road, and with a faint smile, he offered some comforting words.

"No need to be nervous, sweetheart. My grandparents have already met you, and fully approve of you in every way."

"Glad to hear it, but I'd still like to learn a few Japanese words so I can converse with them in their language."

"Their English isn't that limited," he said. "And whatever they don't understand, I'll translate."

Rather than offer a response, Jeneda only continued to shuffle through the notecards, which had a variety of greetings and respectful phrases for one to offer when speaking with elders. Although terrible at pronouncing Japanese words, Jeneda figured the least she could was make an effort to greet Dane's grandparents in Japanese. 

She was so determined that she'd spent the entire car ride endlessly revising, and although she was now pretty confident in both her pronunciation and understanding of the various words that she'd learned, she did still have a few questions.  

"Obaachan, or obaasan?" She asked Dane. "Which one should I use when greeting your grandmother?"

"Obaasan is more formal, so I'd go with obaachan, since you've already been introduced to the family."

"And your grandfather would be ojiichan, correct?"

"Yes, very good." Dane's lips curved upward. "I'm impressed with your pronunciation."

"Thanks." She returned his smile before looking back down at her notecards, but the feel of Dane's hand caressing her thigh broke through her concentration. 

"You look beautiful, by the way." His eyes flickered from her petal shaped earrings to the garment that she'd chosen to wear.

Outfitted in a pale blue dress with satin lining and a delicate lace overlay, Jeneda was perfectly dressed for the occasion they were en route to, which happened to be a pre-marriage ceremony that would take place at a Japanese tea house. 

Thanks, you look nice too." Her eyes traveled from his well-cut velvet blazer to his black jeans, which slightly outlined his crotch in the most delicious way. "Very nice."

Noticing where her eyes were focused, Dane gave her a smile, then watched as she slowly ran a palm over the slight bump of his denim clad manhood. The friction that her touch created caused him to faintly groan, yet despite the arousal that he clearly felt, he removed her hand and gently placed it back on her own lap. 

"You keep touching me like that, and I'll have a full-on erection by the time we arrive."

"Can't help it if your performance this morning left me craving for more." 

"Your libido is off the charts, babe." His hand, which was still resting on her leg, moved further upward to venture beneath the hem of her dress. "You just can't get enough of me, can you?"

"So you can touch me, but I can't touch you?" She lightly pouted. "No fair."

"You can easily hide your arousal, darling. I can't." As if to test this theory, he brushed the tips of his fingers against the warm, moist crease that lay between her smooth brown thighs.

"Okay, stop," she said. "I didn't bring a change of panties, so It'd probably be best if you didn't touch me anymore.

He lightly chuckled, then removed his hand from beneath her dress before saying, "Now you see why I didn't want you touching me."

He turned onto a street that was lined with flowering plum and cherry trees, and after pulling into a parking lot that was located behind the Japanese tea room, he parked the car and they both got out of the vehicle. Except for a few white, puffy clouds, the sky was clear and vibrantly blue.

The air, which was pleasantly crisp, had a clean, earthy smell that only came after days of heavy rain, and although Jeneda wasn't the slightest bit cold, she did appreciate how lovely it felt to be bathed in the soft rays of the sun.

"This celebration that your parents arranged for us today," she said as they walked hand in hand to the front of the establishment, "What's the Japanese word for it again?"

"Yuino. It's a special ceremony to celebrate our upcoming union and the joining of our two families."

"Yuino." As she repeated the word, she noticed how nicely it rolled off of her tongue.

It wasn't until they reached the front of the building that Jeneda began to once again feel nervous, but as she spotted a familiar figure standing in front of the door to the tea room, she broke out into a smile.

"Mom, you made it." She quickened her pace, and upon reaching her mother, pulled her into a hug. "So glad you're here. Thanks for coming."

"No need to thank me, baby. What kind of a mother would I be if I wasn't here to take part in this special event?" She gave her daughter a kiss on the cheek, then pulled back from the hug to look at Dane, who was patiently waiting to exchange greetings. 

"Great to see you, Dane."

"Wonderful to see you too, Monica," he said while enveloping her in a hug. "We're happy to have you here."

"And It's wonderful to be back in San Francisco," she said. "What time is the ceremony beginning?"

"As soon as my side of the family gets here." He glanced at his watch before saying, "Which should be at any moment."

"No rush, I can wait." Monica slipped her fingers through Jeneda's hair, which had been freshly washed and flat ironed earlier that morning. "Your hair looks fantastic, Jen Jen. And your skin is gorgeous. What are you doing to it?"

"Nothing special. Just keeping up the same old routine I've have for years."

A smile tugged at Monica's full lips. "Guess it was silly of me to ask. Of course you're glowing, you're in love." 

Jeneda returned her smile. "I spoke to Riley's nurse yesterday. She told me he's been using some sort of gait harness system. Supposedly it's a top of the line product that will get him walking again."

Monica nodded. "It's sort of like a walker, but designed to support his body so that he doesn't fall down."

"Does he exclusively use only that, or is he still reliant on his wheelchair?" Dane asked.

"The gait harness is only for use while he's in physical therapy," Monica said. "So he hasn't quite reached the point where he's completely independent of his wheelchair."

"But he has been making steady progress," Jeneda added. "His nurse Penelope says that he's becoming more confident, and that his leg muscles are getting stronger everyday." 

"That's wonderful," Dane said. "So things are getting better, then."

"They are, but he's not quite over the hurdle yet," Monica said. "One day at a time, that's what I keep telling him."

Dane offered a nod and warmly smiled. "I'm sorry he couldn't make it out here to be with us today, but we do still hope to see him at the wedding."

"He wouldn't miss it for the world. Everytime I visit him at the nursing home, all he can talk about is how excited he is for you and Jeneda's wedding."

"Glad to hear it," he said. "Once again, we really do appreciate you traveling out here for the yuino. Especially considering you'll have to fly back out here for the wedding in another two months." 

"It's no problem at all," Monica said. "I'm more than happy to do it."

No sooner had Monica spoken those last words, was her attention suddenly diverted to two cars that were pulling up to the curb. The first vehicle was a white Bentley that Jeneda immediately recognized as belonging to Kitty, and the second was a silver Mercedes so fresh off the production line, that the plasticky aroma of new car drifted out as the driver's side door was opened. 

Clad in a tailored suit that was just as sleek as his Mercedes, Bradley pressed the button on his key fob to engage the locks, then strolled towards Dane, Jeneda, and Monica with hands casually tucked into his pockets.

"You must be Jeneda's mother," he said upon reaching Monica, and extended his hand for her to shake. "I'm Bradley, Dane's cousin."

"Nice to meet you, Bradley. I'm Monica."

"Pleasure to meet you, Monica. It's great to have you here." He offered a charming smile, then turned his attention to Dane and Jeneda. "So, the big day is only two months from now. You two getting the jitters yet?"

"Not at all," Dane said. "If I had it my way, we'd get hitched tomorrow."

"Ditto on that." Jeneda briefly focused her eyes on Dane to give him a look of adoration. "No point in being nervous when I'm getting married to the man of my dreams."

"You two are so perfect for each other, that you almost make me want to get married," he said before quickly adding, "Emphasis on the word *almost*."

"It'll happen one day, just wait." A faint smile played at Dane's lips. "Somewhere out there, your future wife is already waiting for you."

"Oh yeah?" Bradley lightly chuckled, then checked out his reflection in the glass window of the Japanese restaurant. "Well I don't know about that," he said as he ran his fingers through his slicked back hair, "but the girl I'm seeing right now *is* pretty special."

This brought a smile to Jeneda's lips. "I'm glad to hear things are going well between you and Luna."

"Exceptionally so," Bradley said. "As a matter of fact, we're planning to meet up later this evening."

"You taking her out to dinner?" Dane asked.

"Nope. We're spending a quiet night at my apartment." 

"Nice," Jeneda said. "Well I hope you enjoy your evening together."

"Yes. We definitely will." Bradley's brilliant green eyes sparkled, as if to suggest that he were imagining something a little naughty, but as his gaze came to rest on the well-dressed couple that was exiting a white Bentley, he offered a smile. "Aunt Kitty and Uncle Naohito...good to see you."

"Bradley. How are you, my dear?" Kitty gave him a cheek to cheek air kiss before focusing on Monica, who extended her hand.

"Hello. I'm Monica, Jeneda's mother."

"Katherine, but everyone calls me Kitty," she said while clasping palms with Jeneda's mother. "And this is my husband, Naohitio."

"Pleasure to meet you, Monica." Dane's father gave her a warm smile as he shook her hand. 

"Nice to meet you, as well."

"Please forgive us for being late," Kitty said. "We do apologize."

"No problem," Monica said. "I had these two to keep me company.

Noting that Monica was gesturing to Dane and Jeneda, Kitty warmly smiled at the couple, then gave her son a hug and a kiss before greeting Jeneda. 

"As always, you look wonderful, Jeneda. And that dress is lovely."

"Thanks, Kitty. You look great, as well."

Along with a cream colored boatneck dress, Kitty was wearing a pair of designer pumps that probably cost more than Jeneda's entire outfit. A string of flawless pearls surrounded her long, graceful neck, and her smooth, blonde hair was fashioned into a side-parted bob. 

"Thank you, my dear," Kitty said before gesturing to a small group of people that were waiting to be introduced. "This is Rebecca, my mother. And my father, Howard."

The older couple exchanged pleasantries with Jeneda's mother before stepping back to allow Naohito's parents to be introduced. 

"This is my mother, Mitsuko." Naohito motioned toward a petite woman with silvery gray hair that was swept up in a decorative hair comb, before gesturing to the man who stood beside her. "And Shinji, my father." 

The elderly couple bowed their heads in respect, and in return, Monica did the same. Last to be introduced was Naohito's sister Rosalind, as well as her husband John, who faintly resembled the actor Daniel Dae Kim. 

"Well now that we're all properly introduced, why don't we head inside and begin the ceremony?" Kitty asked, and with Naohito by her side, she led the way into the Japanese tea room. 

As soon as they entered, a geisha attired in a peach colored kimono and white, split-toed socks was there to greet them, and with small, shuffling steps, she led them towards a private, sectioned off area. Before entering, the geisha gestured for them to take their shoes off. Then with bare feet, they all followed her through a square doorway that was so small, they had to hunch over in order to cross the threshold. 

Along with several tatami mats, the room was outfitted with a low, wooden table which was just large enough to comfortably seat all twelve guests. There were pillows on the floor so that they could comfortably kneel, and globe-shaped paper lanterns hung from the low ceiling. 

In traditional Japanese style, one of the translucent sliding walls was fashioned from rice paper, and had been slid back to showcase a gorgeous Japanese-style garden, which had a quaint wooden bridge that curved over a pond full of koi fish. 

If that wasn't enough to exude tranquility, there was also a bamboo water fountain located in the corner of the room, which emitted the smooth sound of gently flowing water.

With a sweep of her arm, the geisha motioned for them to kneel around the table, and once they were comfortably on their knees, she lowered herself as well. 

With keen interest, they all watched on as she bowed over a variety of utensils. Then with ritualistic grace, she began cleaning a variety of cooking objects, with included a small iron pot, a whisk, a tea bowl, and a bamboo tea scoop. 

Once the instruments were cleaned, she poured a scoop of green tea powder into the iron pot, and after mixing it with the hot water, she poured the green concoction into the large tea bowl. The geisha then bowed towards Shinji, Dane's grandfather, and offered the bowl of tea so that he could take the first drink. 

Shinji took a generous sip, then turned the bowl before passing it to his wife, Mitsuko. She took a sip as well, and after turning the bowl so that the next person's lips wouldn't touch the same place, she offered it to her son. After taking a drink, Naohito passed it to Kitty, who then offered it to her father and mother. 

Once Bradley, Rosalind and John drank from the bowl, Dane took a sip of his own, then handed it to Jeneda, who took a drink before passing it to her mother. With no one left to sip from the bowl, the geisha accepted it from Monica, and with just as much attentiveness as before, she began slowly and consciously cleansing the equipment. 

Once she was done, the geisha collected all of the utensils and wrapped them in a quilted piece of fabric. And with an elegance that was admirable, she slowly rose to her feet and made shuffling steps towards the door. Upon reaching it, she turned to face the twelve guests who were still kneeling at the table, and with a deep bow, she bid them goodbye before hunching over and exiting the small door. 

For a few moments everyone just sat there in silence, as if afraid to disrupt the peaceful quietness that pervaded the room. But after half a minute passed, Dane's grandfather, Shinji, rose to his feet. Then with cane in hand, he made small, careful steps toward a sunken hearth that was built into the floor. 

He added more charcoal to the fire so that it was rekindled, and after lighting a funny looking pipe that he'd retrieved from the pocket of his suit jacket, he retook his seat next to his wife. 

Noticing that the pipe was much smaller and slimer than ones she'd seen before, Jeneda watched as Shinji took a deep drag from it. As he exhaled, a cloud of smoke swirled around his face, and after passing the pipe to his son, he made an announcement in Japanese. 

"My father says It's time to present gifts to the engaged couple," Naohito translated before taking a puff from the pipe, and after blowing out smoke, he passed the pipe to Kitty's father. 

Since Dane's grandparents were the eldest at the table, they were given the privilege of offering their gifts first, which were wrapped in ornate rice paper. Dane and Jeneda accepted the gifts with a bow of their heads, and with equal eagerness, they opened the package together. 

As the contents were revealed, Jeneda curiously eyed the fishy smelling object, which was phallic shaped and had a wood-like texture. Puzzled as to what it was, Jeneda offered Dane a questioning look, causing him to lightly smile in return. 

"It's katsuobushi," Dane said. "A dried fish that's similar to tuna."

"Oh." Not wanting to appear rude, she offered both Shinji and Mitsuko a polite smile, then bowed her head and said, "Domo arigato."

The elderly couple bowed their heads in return, then spoke a few words that Jeneda guessed were meant to acknowledge her appreciation.

"Do you know what katsuobushi is for?" Dane asked as she once again lowered her head to eyeball the thick slab of dried fish.

"To eat."

He lightly chuckled. "Of course you eat it, sweetheart. What I meant was, there's a special reason that they gave it to us."

"Okay." She lifted her eyes to his as a signal for him to explain.

"It represents virility."

"Oh." 

Suddenly feeling very self-conscious, Jeneda allowed her eyes to drift towards Dane's grandparents, who were giving her a direct gaze that made her feel more than a little awkward. As if she wasn't already feeling uncomfortable enough, she could feel the eyes of everyone else watching her as well, and not knowing what else to do, she allowed her attention to drift back to Dane. 

"So do I just cook it whole like this, or..." 

"My mother will show you how to make it," Naohito chimed in.

"Okay, great." She glanced at Mitsuko and gave her a little smile before once again bowing her head. 

The next gift from Dane's grandparents was a package of dried seaweed, so Jeneda had no doubts as to what its use was. But since the gifts they were receiving all had a special meaning behind them, she found herself curious about the symbolism.

"This type of seaweed is called Konbu," Dane said. "It's supposed to bring us many happy and healthy children."

"I see." Jeneda smiled and bowed her head before saying, "Arigato," to Dane's grandparents. 

In response, Mitsuko spoke some words in Japanese, and with patience, Jeneda waited for Dane to translate. Yet rather than immediately interpret, Dane offered a few words in response to his grandmother, then lightly chuckled before sharing their conversation. 

"Obaachan wants grandchildren," he said, and with a grin on his face he added, "She also says that the katsuobushi and konbu are potent fertility foods, so if you're not pregnant by summer, then she'll know that we didn't make use of her gifts." 

More than a few people kneeling at the table let loose unbridled chuckles, and as Jeneda felt someone lightly elbow her in the side, she turned her head to see that her mother was wearing a broad smile.

"You better get busy cooking, Jen Jen, because Mitsuko Isn't the only one waiting for grandkids."

"Yeah, okay. No pressure at all, right?" Her lips tugged upwards as she reached for the next package in the stack of gifts. 

"This type of folding fan is called Suehiro," Dane said as the gift was revealed. "It's hand painted, and represents a happy future."

"Wow, this beautiful." she said before offering thanks in Japanese to Mitsuko and Shinji. 





Velvet Kisses Ch. 09



"The next few gifts are from me and Kitty," Naohito said as he pushed forward two packages that were wrapped in decorative rice paper. 

Deciding to open the smaller one first, both Dane and Jeneda excitedly tore the wrapping paper off of a small gift box, which held a decorative heart that was fashioned from strong twine.

"Is this hemp?" Jeneda asked as she lifted the decorative heart from the small gift box.

"Yes. The word for it in Japanese is Shiraga," Naohito said.

"You're going to have to help me out with this one, dad," Dane said. "What's the meaning behind it?"

"Hemp is very strong, and made to withstand lots of pressure." He pointed toward the heart, then said, "You notice how the fibers of the hemp are white?" 

"Dane and Jeneda simultaneously nodded. 

"That symbolizes the gray hair of old age. So by giving you this heart made of hemp, Kitty and I are wishing you a long and joyous future together."

"That's beautiful, dad. And thank you too, mom," Dane said.

"You're welcome, darling," said Kitty.

"This really is a very thoughtful gift," Jeneda said. "Thank you both for the well wishes."

"You're very welcome, Jeneda," Naohito said before gesturing toward a metallic gold gift bag. "Now open the second present."

Not needing to be told twice, Jeneda reached her hand into the bag and lifted out a bottle of sake.

"Dad, this is daiginjo sake," Dane said as he glanced at the label on the bottle. "The most expensive sake in the world."

"Yes, I know," Naohito said. 

"It cost five hundred dollars a bottle."

His father simply smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling with faint amusement.

"Wow." Dane ran his thumb along the embossed label that was wrapped around the bottle. "This is a fantastic present, but we would have been perfectly happy with just a bottle of Hakkaisan Ginjo or Kubota Suiji."

"Dane, just accept the gift already." Bradley, who was seated on Dane's right side, clapped a hand on his shoulder as a gesture of lightheartedness. "Unless you find yourself *really* uncomfortable with the idea of drinking such an expensive bottle of alcohol. Which in that case, I'd be more than happy to take it off your hands."

"Not a chance, but nice try, Bradley," Dane said before once again addressing his father. "Thank you so much dad. We'll definitely enjoy this."

"Yeah. Thanks a lot, Naohito," Jeneda added.

"No problem. I'm glad you two like it." He smiled, then pointed to the bag and said, "There's also a sake set in there, as well. 

Jeneda reached into the bag once again, and after procuring four sake cups, as well as a tall sake flask, she admirably studied them. "Wow, these are beautiful." 

Made of high quality porcelain, the sake set was painted a deep red color, which created a beautiful contrast against the black and white kanji symbols which were inscribed against the porcelain surface. 

"Thank you so much, Naohitio."

"You're very welcome."

Monica, who was last to present her gift, placed a large shopping bag on the table in front of Jeneda and said, "This is from me and grandma Addie. I hope you both like it." 

"Thanks mom, I'm sure we will." 

There was a rustling of tissue paper as Jeneda procured the item from the bag, and as a large quilt was revealed, a number of people around the table moved in closer to check it out.

"Wow, this is beautiful." Jeneda ran a palm across the expertly crafted wedding quilt, which was constructed from alternating patches of white cotton and red silk. "It must have taken you guys forever to do this."

"Only three days. Your great-grandma Addie is a master quilter, so it went a lot quicker than I expected." Using her index finger, she pointed towards a square of red silk that was centered directly in the middle of the bedspread. "You'll notice we monogrammed your initials, and if you check out the top right corner of the quilt, you'll see that we stitched two interlocking circles, which represent you and Dane becoming one." 

"That's beautiful, mom," Jeneda said as she ran the pad of her thumb over the linked gold rings.

"What's the meaning behind this block?" Dane pointed out a square that contained a pie crust.

"It's meant to illustrate that your family will always be held firmly together," Monica said before adding, "I know you and Jen Jen don't have a family yet, but with the help of the fish and seaweed that Mitsuko gave you, I'm expecting you won't be childless for very long."

Several of the guests kneeling at the table lightly chuckled, and with a smile on his lips, Dane's translated the words that Monica had spoken so that his grandparents could be let in on the joke. In response, both his grandmother and grandfather laughed, then replied with some words of their own.

"Obaachan and Ojiichan want me to tell you that you did a wonderful job on the quilt," Dane said to Monica. "And that you can look forward to grandchildren soon, because the seaweed and fish they gave me and Jeneda always work as expected." 

"Good." Monica smiled, then rubbed a palm against Jeneda's back, who only lifted her eyebrows and offered a weak smile in return.

"I notice you added cranes to many of the squares," Naohito said as he leaned in to have a closer look at the quilt. "Did you know that they're a Japanese symbol of good fortune and longevity?"

"I did," Monica said as she turned her attention back to the bedspread. "I thought it would be nice for the quilt to also represent Dane's Japanese heritage, so I did some research online, and when I found that crane's mate for life, I decided that they had to be a part of the wedding quilt."

"I'm amazed at the detail you put into this," Dane said. "Thank you so much for this incredible gift. And if I can call your grandmother to give her my appreciation as well, that would be great."

"I'll be sure to give you her number, Dane," Monica said. "I'm sure she'd love to hear from you."

"I'm speechless, mom," Jeneda proclaimed. "I don't know what else to say, except that you truly outdid yourself."

"Thanks, but I can't take all the credit. Your great-grandmother Addie is the one who did most of the work."

"But still you contributed. So thank you for that." She gave an appreciative smile.

"You're welcome, baby. It was my pleasure."

"It really is a fantastic quilt." The admiration in Naohito's voice was obvious. "And adding the cranes in was a fantastic idea." 

"The craftsmanship is exquisite," Kitty chimed in. "Very impressive, indeed." 

"Thank you." Monica's smooth, brown face lit up from all of the compliments.

"Well, I guess this concludes the gift giving portion of the ceremonial procedure," Naohito announced, and with his eyes on Dane and Jeneda, he continued. "We hope you enjoy your gifts, and on behalf of everyone in attendance, we wish you a long and very happy future together. 

"Thank you," the couple simultaneously said, and with matching smiles, then shared a brief peck. 

With the formal part of the ceremony now over, all of the guests were free to engage in chit chat, and they jovially did so while being served tea and various confections which were referred to as, 'wagashi.'

With several conversations going on all at once, the room became filled with soft chatter, as well as the light clinking of teacups against saucers. Dane and Jeneda, who were endlessly questioned about their upcoming wedding, as well as their honeymoon destination, barely had a moment to think before being besieged by the next question. But instead of feeling overwhelmed, they were both graced with a sense of excitement, and more than happy to satiate the curiosity of their guests. 

Every once in awhile, Jeneda would feel Dane rub a palm against her lower back, and sometimes he'd even graze his fingers along the top curve of her ass. They'd share a knowing smile, then go back to conversing with the guests, but there was no denying that they were eager to get in some alone time. 

Eventually Dane's arm ended up wrapping around her waist, and in a deep, yet smooth voice that made the hairs along the back of her neck stand to attention, he leaned in to whisper in her ear.

"Ore ketsubou tame fakku kimi."

"What?" Her eyes shifted to meet his. 

"You'll find out later," he softly said before placing a tender kiss behind her ear. 

And with not another word, he went back to conversing with Bradley. But Jeneda was too fuzzy headed to include herself in their conversation, let alone think about anything except the hot flush of arousal that was building in her lower belly. 

* * * *

After two hours of shaving, waxing, plucking, moisturizing, and otherwise beautifying her body, Jeneda slipped into a floor-length evening gown with a silver beaded bust and black, sequined bottom. Along with a lace up back that showed off her curves, the dress had a slit that reached mid-thigh. Her hair, which had been curled and styled into a sexy updo with a side-swept bang, showed off her long, elegant neck and smooth, brown shoulders. 

To top off her Valentine's Day look, she'd chosen to wear a pair of chandelier earrings, which sparkled beneath the pendant lights that dangled from the cathedral ceiling of the loft apartment. 

As she glanced at herself in the mirror, she knew without a doubt that her attire for the evening was certain to impress Dane, and after grabbing a beaded evening clutch, she turned on her heel and headed towards the living room. 

As soon as he heard the soft clicking of her heels, Dane looked up from the magazine he was reading, then stood up from the couch and watched her approach with a hungry gaze. Delighted by his reaction, Jeneda gave him a little smile, then came to a halt right in front of him. 

"Wow." Dane's eyes dipped from her perfectly made-up face to her breasts, before coming to rest on her right leg, which peeked out from the thigh-high slit of her dress. "You looking amazing."

"Thanks." She flashed a brilliant smile, then looped her arms around his neck and tilted her chin upward. 

He kissed her tenderly yet lightly so that her lipstick remained intact, then pulled back to give her another once over. "You look incredibly sexy tonight. How expensive was the dress?"

"I paid just over $200 for it. Why?"

"I'm thinking I might rip it off by the end of the night." As if to convey that he was seriously considering it, his fingers lightly tugged at the flimsy strings which created a criss cross pattern against her exposed back.

"Normally I wouldn't agree to destroying a brand new evening dress, but I guess I wouldn't be entirely opposed, as long as you made it well worth my while."

"Oh, I think we both know I definitely would." His nearly black eyes darkened even further.

More than a little aroused from his intense gaze, Jeneda emitted a light groan, then ran her fingers through his lush, dark hair. "Still keeping me in suspense, or are you finally going to tell me where we're going?"

"You'll find out once we get there."

She pouted, yet despite the look of slight disappointment on her face, Jeneda's entire body was buzzing with excitement. 

"It's Valentine's Day, sweetheart. Wouldn't be very romantic if I told you what I had planned, would it?"

"Guess you're right," she said. 

He led her toward the door, and after taking the elevator to the ground floor, they exited the building. The first thing Jeneda noticed was a sleek black limo, and as her eyes drifted to a uniformed driver who stood at attention next to the passenger door, he tipped his hat and opened the door. Once she was seated in the car, Dane climbed in beside her, and after closing the door behind them, the driver took his place behind the steering wheel. 

"I wasn't expecting a limo," Jeneda said as the vehicle pulled away from the curb and made its way down the street. 

"Only one of many surprises I have for you this evening." He retrieved a bottle of wine from a bucket of ice, then popped the cork and poured her a glass.

"Thanks," she said as he passed it to her, and after taking a sip, she took his hand in hers and stroked the back of it with her thumb. "You really know how to woo a girl, don't you?"

The corners of his lips quirked upward. "It's the least I can do, considering how happy you make me. And besides, you deserve the best."

She leaned in closer so that her nose nearly touched his, and with her chocolate brown eyes gazing deep into his she said, "You're wonderful."

"And you're beautiful." His palm coasted along the exposed leg that peeked from between the slit of her dress until his fingers bumped against the edge of her panties. "Satin." His eyes took on a lustful glimmer as he added, "Nice."

She pulled his face to hers and gave him a slow, wet kiss, savoring the slightly minty taste of his mouthwash as his tongue joined with hers. The scent of his aftershave drifted into her nostrils, stimulating not only her olfactory glands, but also her sex drive, which was already raring to go. 

Her breath deepened as his silky tongue probed her soft, warm mouth, but before she could fully indulge herself in the decadent kiss, he abruptly pulled back.

"Gonna have to blindfold you," he said as he procured a strip of silky material from his pocket.

"Why?"

"Because if you see where we're going, It'll ruin the surprise."

"The last time you blindfolded me, I ended up on my knees with my ass in the air." 

"I don't remember hearing any complaints from you," he said. "There was, however, quite a bit of moaning and begging for more."

Jeneda lightly smiled before saying, "Go ahead, blindfold me." 

She closed her eyes, and as Dane secured the strip of silk around her head, she lightly sighed and unconsciously wet her lips. Although her eyesight had been taken from her, Jeneda could feel the weight of Dane's stare, and as his breath tickled the lobe of her ear, a light shiver ran through her body.

"You're turned on." 

He said it so matter of factly that she had no choice but to agree, and with a slight nod of her head, she said, "Maybe a little."

He lightly chuckled and ran a finger along her arm, causing goosebumps to rise along her velvety skin. "Not to worry, you'll have me soon enough. And when you do, I promise I'll be very thorough in pleasuring you."

The words he spoke made her instantly wet, and her breath slightly quickened as he traced a finger along the swell of her cleavage. For the remainder of the drive, neither one of them spoke a word. And due to the silence that passed between them, the sexual tension that Jeneda felt only seemed to heighten. 

Although she no longer had use of her eyesight, she undoubtedly knew that Dane's eyes were pinned intently on her. It wasn't just the fact that she could feel him staring at her, but the way that his palm gingerly stroked her soft face. 

Every now and again he would give her a soft, lingering kiss, and sometimes his hands would roam downward to slide along the fabric of her dress, but for the most part, he was frustratingly well behaved. 

Since they were spending a night out on the town, she supposed she should have been grateful that he wasn't messing up her makeup and hair by ardently ravishing her. But as soon as he'd slipped the blindfold over her eyes, memories of the kinky nights they'd shared in Japan came rushing back to her, and now she was horny and seeking some serious sexual attention. 

Dane knew what she wanted. She could tell by the way he was teasingly caressing her body, and the way he lightly tugged at the thin straps of her dress told her that he was definitely in the mood. There was something incredibly sexy about the way that he was silently watching her, and she definitely wouldn't have stopped him if he'd made an attempt to engage her in a bit of naughty fun. 

But to her disappointment, he did little more than simply touch and kiss her. Forty minutes passed before the limo finally came to a stop, and as the smell of jet fuel, along with the unmistakable sound of plane engines reached her ears, Jeneda excitedly posed a question.

"We're at the airport?"

"That's right." Dane removed the blindfold, then studied her face as he waited for her reaction.

Jeneda gazed out at the view that lay beyond the window, and with wide eyes, she said, "We're taking a private jet?"

"Of course. You didn't think I would take you on a regular plane dressed like that, did you?" 

"No. But I also didn't think you were taking me on a plane at all. I figured we were just going out to dinner."

"We will be having dinner, but not in a restaurant."

"Then where?" She asked.

He brought his hand to her chin and gently cradled it, then looking deep into her eyes he said, "It's a surprise, baby. Just enjoy the uncertainty and allow the night to unfold, alright?"

She nodded, and with a still-stunned expression, stared at the jet which idled on the tarmac. Clearly relishing her surprise Dane gently smiled, and after stepping out of the car, he extended his hand to assist her in getting out. Her long, shapely legs were revealed as the slit in her dress parted, and with grace, she rose to her feet.

"Enjoy your evening." The chauffer gave a polite nod to the couple, then watched as they made their way across the pavement of the runway. 

Still in awe that they were actually about to board a private jet, Jeneda allowed her eyes to rove over the exterior of the plane, which was white with metallic gold accent stripes.

"I really didn't expect this," Jeneda said. "Setting all of this up must have cost you a fortune.

"Well it definitely wasn't cheap," Dane said. "But I really wanted this to be a Valentine's Day you would always remember, so I decided to splurge and charter a plane for the weekend."

"We're going away for the weekend?" She asked with a panicked look on her face. "But I didn't bring a change of clothes, and what am I supposed to do about toiletries?"

"It's all taken care of, so you can relax." 

"What do you mean?" She asked as they climbed the short flight of metal stairs to the entrance of the plane. 

"There are two suitcases in the luggage compartment beneath the plane. They're filled with everything we could possibly need for two days, so believe me when I say that you'll have everything you need."

"I do believe you." As they entered the cabin of the private jet, Jeneda noticed that it smelled pleasantly of cherries and vanilla. "I'm just a little curious to find out how you knew what to buy for me."

"I've been studying your morning routine for nearly a week. I know what type of facial and hair products you use. I purchased duplicates of your Mac makeup, and I also packed a couple of your favorite outfits." 

"I'm impressed," she said as they sat down in plush, leather swivel chairs. "Sounds like you went through a lot of trouble to make this weekend happen."

"You're more than worth it." 

Jeneda linked her fingers through his, then gave him an adoring look. "Could you be more perfect?" 

"I don't know, but I can certainly try." He smiled, then gave her a peck on the lips before pulling back to check out their surroundings. "So, what do you think of the plane?"

"I've never seen anything like it," she enthusiastically said. "I'm totally blown away." 

Large enough to seat seven people, the interior of the jet was done up in a white and black color scheme. Instead of tiny laptop trays, there was a generously sized wood table for Jeneda and Dane to share. Its high gloss finish was so reflective that Jeneda could see her face in it, and along with a bottle of champagne and chocolate covered strawberries, there were also feta cheese and cucumber skewers laid out for them to munch on. 

Mounted on one of the cherrywood walls was a flat screen TV, which displayed the logo of the private jet company, and a large, long mirror was affixed to the ceiling to give the impression of a more spacious interior. 




Velvet Kisses Ch. 09



Just when she thought it couldn't get any better, she noticed a perfectly coiffed stewardess make her way down the spacious aisle with two martini glasses, which were filled with a crimson colored drink. 

"Welcome aboard, Mr. and Mrs. Takahashi." She flashed a set of movie star white teeth before saying, "My name Is Melanie, and I'll be your stewardess for the duration of the flight. May I offer either of you a raspberry passion cocktail?"

"We'd love one," Dane said.

The stewardess set the martini glasses on the lacquered table in front of Dane and Jeneda, as well as a few cocktail napkins that were emblazoned with the company's fancy logo.

"We'll be taking off in just a moment. In the meantime, if you need anything at all, please don't hesitate to use the call button. 

"Thank you, Melanie." Dane gave a polite nod.

As soon as the flight attendant turned around and headed back down the aisle, Dane placed his hand on the leg that peeked out from the slit in Jeneda's dress, and with a look that was filled with utter adoration, he gazed into her eyes. 

"She called us Mr. and Mrs. Takahashi," Jeneda said. "Guess she didn't get the memo that we aren't married yet."

"We're practically married," Dane said. "Only two more months and we'll be officially hitched." 

"I've been counting the days ever since you first proposed." 

"Yeah?"

"Sure have." She took a sip of her raspberry cocktail. "Sixty days, fifteen hours, and thirty-two minutes."

"Just off the top of your head like that, huh?" A wide grin spread across his face. "You must have a countdown timer on your phone."

"It's an iPhone wedding app."

"I see. Well as far as I'm concerned, we're already technically married."

"How do you figure?"

"It's a state of mind. Even before I slipped that ring on your finger, we were totally committed to one another."

"You're right, we were." She extended her hand so that she could look at her diamond engagement ring, which glinted in the soft lighting of the plane's cabin. "Have I ever told you how much I adore this ring?"

"Several times." He lifted her hand to his mouth, then tenderly kissed the back of it before saying, "But feel free to mention it as often as you like."

The plane began to move forward, and after picking up enough speed for takeoff, it lifted off the ground and ascended into the air. Once the jet reached a cruising altitude, the pilot voice came over the intercom to inform them of how long the flight would be. He did not, however, mention what their destination was, which only served to further Jeneda's curiosity.

"So the pilot's in on this surprise thing too, huh?" She asked. "I notice he didn't say which city we're heading to."

"You really are dying to know, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am." She stared expectantly at him in hopes that he would spill the beans, but to her disappointment, he chose to remain mum.

"Sorry, love. But I can't help you."

Her lips formed into a gentle pout, yet instead of encouraging Dane to satiate her curiosity, it only brought his attention to the fullness of her mouth.

"There you go pushing those lips out again," he said. "You really have a way of getting me hard and horny, don't you?" 

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

But of course she did, and although it truly hadn't been intentional, she couldn't help but be pleased by the fact that he enjoyed gazing at her mouth. After all, why else had she chosen to apply glossy red lipstick, if not to draw his eyes to her nice, juicy lips? 

He gave a little smile in response to the words that she'd spoken, and after retrieving a plump, chocolate covered strawberry from the tray that was on the table, he positioned it between her lips so that she could taste it. The bite she took was generous, and with pursed lips, she lightly sucked on the berry to keep the juice from spilling over her bottom lip. 

Jeneda emitted a contented noise as she indulged in the sweet, succulent fruit, but before she could take another bite, Dane removed the berry so that his mouth could join with hers. His lips moved with such passion that it deepened her breath, and rendered utterly helpless by his masterful tongue, she lightly groaned and allowed him to take control of the kiss.

As their tongues bumped and tangled, Jeneda placed her hand on Dane's lap. Her palm slid languidly toward the crotch of his dress pants until meeting with his semi-hard cock, and with a muffled moan, Dane pulled back from the heady kiss. 

"You keep touching me like that, and we may have to join the mile high club."

"Wouldn't be too difficult if we did," she said. "The panties I'm wearing were designed for easy access."

"Crotchless?" His voice had noticeably deepened. 

"Lace-up." 

"Mmm. Very nice."

With his hand still resting on her smooth thigh, he languidly moved it further upward until the tips of his fingers brushed against the v-shaped crease between her legs. Unsurprisingly, Jeneda went from mildly turned-on to ragingly horny in the span of just a few seconds. 

Already moist with anticipation, she felt herself become even wetter as his thumb found her distended clit, and although there was a piece of fabric serving as a barrier to his digit, she still jolted at his sensuous touch. 

"You like that?" His voice was husky, and heavy with lust. 

She nodded and allowed a breathy sigh to escape her parted lips, then snuck a glance at the flight attendant to see if she was currently watching them. Perhaps noting her slight apprehension, Dane followed her gaze, and on seeing that the stewardess was situated in a corner seat that was specially designated for crew members, he looked back at Jeneda.

"Don't worry about the flight attendant," he said. "She knows not to come back here unless we press the call button."

"But we're right in her line of sight," Jeneda said. 

"She's reading a magazine. And even if she did know we were up to something, It's her job to ignore us."

Powerless against his ministrations, she moaned at the feel of his thumb coasting against the fabric of her panties. His touch was teasing and just barely palpable, but it was more than enough to drive her crazy with want. 

Somewhere along the way, her palm found its way to his crotch, and wanting to see just how hard she'd made him, she firmly squeezed the bugle in his pants. His cock twitched in response to the touch of her small hand, and as he released a husky grunt, she felt a familiar pressure build in her loins. 

So wrapped up in the amorous moment they were sharing, they chose to abstain from the appetizers that had been laid out on a silver tray, and instead fed from each other's lips. When they weren't engaged in heavy kissing, they gazed deep into each others eyes, or tenderly brushed noses while whispering loving words. 

It took just over two hours before the plane touched down on the runway, and more than a little aroused from all the petting they'd done, both Dane and Jeneda took a moment to gather themselves before heading for the front of the aircraft. To Jeneda's surprise, Dane shrugged out of his suit jacket, then wrapped it around her bare shoulders before offering some advice.

"Might want to button up the jacket, honey. The weather out here is a lot colder than San Francisco."

Still completely clueless as to their current location, Jeneda could only follow beside him with an inquisitive look on her face. But as they reached the air hostess who was standing next to the door of the plane, her curiosity was finally satiated.

"Welcome to Aspen, Colorado." The stewardess smiled broadly at the couple before adding, "I hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day, and enjoy your weekend."

"Thank you," Jeneda said, and with Dane following behind her, she began descending the metal stairs that led to the tarmac. 

Like a slap to the face, a gust of cold air came right at her, causing her to shiver and pull Dane's jacket tighter around her sexily outfitted body. For a moment she found herself wondering if the pilot had accidently bypassed Aspen, and instead landed in the South Pole. 

But the biting chill that she felt didn't have long to wrap itself around her, because she soon reached a silver Mercedes that was parked just a few steps from where the plane had pulled in. 

With gentlemanly quickness, Dane opened the door so that Jeneda could get comfortably seated, then closed it behind her and headed around to the driver's side. The engine was already idling, so the interior of the car was nice and toasty, but as Dane settled into his seat beside her and gave her a warm, wet kiss, Jeneda felt her skin flush. 

No sooner had their lips parted, did she open her mouth to ask him a question, but she didn't even have a chance to get a word out before he offered a statement of his own.

"Patience, my love. You'll find out soon enough." 

"How soon?" She asked.

Rather than offer a response, he only gave her a little smile. And with a turn of the wheel, he maneuvered the Mercedes so that it drove away from the runway and onto a path that led to their destination.



Velvet Kisses Ch. 10



*Thank you all for your continued interest in Jeneda and Dane's journey. I hope you enjoy the chapter!*



The paved road that snaked through a forest of fir and evergreen trees led to Estes Park, a mountain village that was situated in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Along with the majestic looking land mass, Jeneda was thoroughly enchanted by the neverending thicket of greenery that surrounded them. She was also astonished by how clear and beautiful the sky was, and couldn't stop admiring the beauty of the oncoming sunset. 

So enthralled with the view that lay beyond the passenger window, she spent the entire drive just staring out at the breathtaking scenery. But as the winding road that they were traveling along came to an end, she noticed a large sign that identified the attraction they were approaching as the 'Rocky Mountain Tramway.' 

After pulling into a parking lot, Dane maneuvered the car into one of the spaces, then cut the engine. Jeneda barely had time to get her seatbelt off before he came around to open the passenger side door, and after closing it behind her, he took her hand in his and lead her towards the entrance. 

"Well this is a surprise," Jeneda said as they walked hand in hand. "How'd you come up with this idea?"

"I wanted us to have a nice romantic Valentine's dinner, but not in a restaurant," Dane said. "So I started doing some research on the internet, and I found this place." 

As they approached the ticketing area, a man in a pair of creased slacks and a uniform jacket offered them a greeting, then led the way toward an aerial cable car that was waiting at the pick-up terminal.

"I guess I should have asked this before, but you're not afraid of heights, are you?" Dane asked Jeneda as they followed behind the uniformed tramway employee.

"Not at all."

"Good. Then we should have a fantastic evening." He lightly squeezed her hand and gave her a little smile. 

Upon reaching the pick-up terminal, Jeneda noticed a number of couples who were outfitted in fancy gowns and perfectly tailored suits. While some of them were waiting around to be assigned a cable car, others were already entering their assigned cabins, which had a metallic and black chrome exterior, as well as large panoramic windows that offered 360 degree views.

Impressed by the stylish design of the aerial trams, Jeneda could only imagine what the interior of the cabins looked like. But she didn't have to rely on her imagination for very long, because the uniformed employee they were following, gestured towards an awaiting cable car.

"Enjoy your evening, and have a wonderful Valentine's Day," he said.

"Thank you." Dane gave the man a smile, then followed behind Jeneda as she entered the aerial lift.

Large enough to seat six adults, the interior of the cable car was outfitted with two small benches, which were positioned directly across from one another. Sandwiched between the two benches was a small table, where a main course of beef tenderloin with sautéed asparagus and parmesan mashed potatoes was waiting to be eaten. 

Along with the mouth watering scent of the gourmet meal, the aerial lift was also perfumed with the fragrance of gardenias and red roses, which were strung together and hung along the borders of the windows for decoration. 

The ceiling, which was illuminated with soft blue ambient lighting, added a dramatic effect to the interior, and also enhanced the sultry atmosphere of the cabin. If Jeneda had been aware that her mouth was hanging open, she would have promptly closed it. But it seemed that Dane didn't mind at all, because he was studying her expression with a content look on his face. 

"I'm guessing your silence is an indication that you like what you see."

"Love, not like," she corrected.

"Good. I was hoping to impress you, so I'm glad that I was successful."

Still unable to believe just how stunningly beautiful the interior was, she allowed herself a few more moments to gaze in silence before finally letting loose some words. "I'm sorry, I'm speechless. I really don't know what to say."

"It's fine," he said with a smile. "Take all the time you need."

Jeneda's gaze, which had been darting in every direction excitedly, eventually came to once again rest on the small table, where two plates of food were patiently waiting to be devoured. 

Her stomach growled at the sight of the gourmet meal, and with not another moment of hesitation, she took her seat and spread a napkin across her lap. Once Dane was seated directly across from her, he poured them both a glass of champagne, then rose his crystal flute in preparation of a toast. 

"To our love, which only grows stronger with each passing day."

"To our love," Jeneda affirmed. 

They clinked their glasses softly together, then each took a sip before digging into their awaiting meal. While feasting on the impeccably delicious food, Dane and Jeneda gazed out of the panoramic window at the sky, which was beginning to take on lavender and pink tones. 

Gradually those lighter colors began to darken, and as streaks of deep purples and indigo blues took over, the last rays of the setting sun illuminated the snow capped mountains that were off in the distance. 

"Are those the Rocky Mountains?" Jeneda asked as she pointed towards the rugged land mass.

"Sure are." 

"How beautiful. I can only imagine how amazing they must look up close."

As she continued to stare out at the amazing scenery, Jeneda felt Dane take her palm in his. Although he'd done it countless times before, she still marveled at how small and delicate it looked in contrast to his own larger hand, and as her eyes lifted to meet his own, she noticed that he was giving her a soul-probing stare. 

"Thank you for this," she said. "This is the best Valentine's Day of my life."

"We still have many more to share together."

"Yeah, but I honestly can't imagine how you could possibly top this."

"I'm up for the challenge," he said with a little smile.

"I know you are." A brief pause preceded her next words. "That's what I love about you. You're not afraid to go the extra mile."

His lips quirked upward, and after a few more moments of gazing at her in silence, he offered some adoring words.

"You're amazing."

"No. *You're* amazing."

"You're more amazing," he rebutted, and with an expectant gaze, he waited for her to follow up.

"You're stupendously wonderful."

"And you're astonishingly phenomenal."

Rather than respond with some more words of her own, Jeneda only mirrored his intense gaze.

"What's wrong? Can't come up with a better word to top me?" A wide grin graced Dane's angular features.

"I could if I wanted," she said. "But I decided to let you win this one."

"Uh-huh. Sure. Whatever you say."

Her face lit up with a smile, and with a glance towards her chocolate soufflé, she grabbed a spoon and dipped into it. No sooner had she taken the first bite, did Dane pick up a tiny pitcher of cream, and as he slowly drizzled it over the soufflé, Jeneda stirred it into the hot chocolate contents.

"Mmm." Jeneda licked her lips to relish the mixture of chocolate and cream, then dipped her spoon back in to have another taste.

"Good?" Dane asked.

She nodded, then used her utensil to gesture to his own soufflé, which was still sitting on its saucer untouched. "You have to try it. It's delicious."

"In a bit. Right now I'm enjoying the view."

Her lips tilted into a crooked smile, and with exaggerated enthusiasm, she slowly licked the chocolate covered spoon clean.

"Now you're just hamming it up," he said with a grin.

"You ask for a show, then that's what you'll get."

"Any kind of a show?" A naughty glint had appeared in his eyes. 

"That depends. What exactly do you have in mind?" 

He leaned back in his seat, then thoughtfully stroked his chin while staring into her eyes.

"You look like one of those diabolical characters in the cartoons," she said.

A light chuckle escaped his lips, but as his gaze drifted to her chest, his expression turned lustful. 

"You're not wearing a bra."

"My dress has an open back, so I couldn't wear one."

"But you still chose to wear panties."

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I'm used to wearing them."

"Have you ever gone pantyless in public before?" 

"No."

"Not once?"

"Never."

"Interesting..." His voice trailed off, as if he were thinking over what she'd just said. "If I asked you to go pantyless, would you do it?

"What, you mean right now?"

"Now, or any other time that I request."

"I don't see any reason why not."

"Fantastic." He took a slow sip of his wine before continuing to speak. "I've said it once, and I'll say it again. You really are the perfect woman for me."

"And you're my perfect man," she said.

They leaned in to share a soft, languid kiss before pulling back to once again stare into each other's eyes.

"You haven't tasted your chocolate soufflé yet," Jeneda said as she gestured towards the rich confection.

"Not to worry. I'll get plenty of dessert later tonight."

The husky tone of his voice caused a flush to envelop her entire body, and she shifted slighted in her seat in an attempt to relieve some of her building arousal. 

"Seriously." She dipped a spoon into the creamy dessert, then lifted the generous portion to his lips. "You have to try it."

Dane opened his mouth to accept the spoonful, and with a nod of his head he said, "You're right. It is delicious. But not nearly as delectable as that sweet little pussy of yours."

Jeneda felt her pulse race a little faster at the words that he'd spoken. "How much longer is this tram ride?" 

Dane glanced at his watch. "Half an hour. Why?"

"Because there's something else I'd like to swallow, but It's not on the menu."

"I see." The expression that crossed Dane's face could only be described as pure, unadulterated lust. "Well I certainly wouldn't want to deny you that pleasure."

Jeneda slipped off her right pump, then stretched her foot out so that it made contact with Dane's leg. She slowly slid it upward, lifting it higher and higher until it was firmly planted in his lap. Then maneuvering her toes so that they pressed across his crotch, she began to gently massage his ball sack. 

"Jeneda..." His voice came out breathy and his lips parted in preparation to speak again, but instead of words coming out, he only managed a soft groan. 

Clearly still in awe over her giving him a foot job, he dazedly stared down at her beautifully manicured toes, watching them gracefully slide up and down the clear outline of his expanding cock. Although she couldn't see it, Jeneda could feel how large he was growing for her, and happily relished each and every one of his breathy sighs. 

She was so into the moment that she didn't even notice they were approaching the terminal where they'd first taken off. But even if she had, it wouldn't have made any difference, because she was insistent on keeping her foot planted exactly where it was.

Luckily for her and Dane, the table they were sitting at was covered with a white cloth, so her legs were obscured from view. But the foot that was tirelessly caressing his straining shaft was fully visible to anyone who would enter the tram, so Dane placed a napkin over his lap to conceal it. 

As soon as the cable car pulled into the pick-up terminal, the doors slid open. A waiter with a mop of curly red hair and a pale, freckled face entered the cabin, and with admirable efficiency, he began to clear away the dishes. 

"Any coffee or tea this evening, sir?"

"Yes. Coffee, please." Dane's body had grown rigid and tense, as if the building pressure of his arousal was threatening to obliterate the last shreds of his restraint.

Not slowing her ministrations for even a moment, Jeneda continued to fondle Dane's cock with her long, slender toes, as well as the ball of her foot, which moved ever so sensually along the length of his hardening shaft. The server, who was busily clearing away dirty dishes and wine glasses, didn't have the faintest clue as to what was going on right in front of him. 

This only made the moment all the more thrilling for Jeneda, and although she knew it was a cruel thing to do, she just couldn't restrain herself from seeing how much closer she could drive Dane to the edge. With all of the dishes cleared from the table, the red haired server was now free to place cups and saucers in front of Dane and Jeneda, as well as spoons, sugar, and a pitcher of creamer.

"Our specialty coffees for tonight are Irish Crème, Vienna Strudel, and Cupid's Kiss, which is especially popular this evening, given the fact that It's Valentine's Day," said the waiter. "Which would you prefer?" 

"Jeneda?" Dane diverted his attention to his fiancée, who was sitting across from him with a faint smile on her lips. 

"I'm tempted to go with the Vienna Strudel, but I'm thinking we'd be better off with the Cupid's Kiss," she said to the server. "Can you describe the difference in flavors to me?"

"I certainly can," the waiter said with a smile.

Jeneda listened on as the attendant indulged her faux curiosity, rattling off a variety of terms and fancy descriptions. She nodded every now and again to convey interest, but her mind was on anything except gourmet coffee. 

With a dexterity that surprised even herself, Jeneda managed to unzip Dane's trousers with her toes. Then, with a delicate yet firm pressure that caused him to shift in his seat, she ran her foot up and down the length of his distended shaft with deliberate slowness. 

The entire time she did this, she kept her eyes pinned on the waiter and continued to smile and nod as he finished his spiel. But Dane's cock, which was plump and aching for relief of the building pressure, was leaking so much pre-cum that his boxer briefs had several damp patches. This made Jeneda even hornier than before, and in response, the gentle caresses that she was giving him became increasingly aggressive. 

By the time the waiter finished explaining the difference between the two flavors of coffee, Dane had managed to pull his cock out through the hole in his boxer briefs, and with a feather light touch that undoubtedly drove him crazy, Jeneda began sliding the rounded ball of her foot along the engorged head of his penis. 

It didn't take long before she lifted her left foot so that it could work in conjunction with the right one, and with the bare soles of her feet gripping either side of his cock, she began to languidly jack him off.

"So what you're saying is, the Cupid's kiss has more of a buttery, caramel flavor, while Vienna Studel has hints of vanilla and chocolate," Jeneda said to the waiter. 

"Precisely." 

"They both sound wonderful, but my vote is for Cupid's Kiss." Jeneda averted her attention to Dane. "What about you, honey?"

"Cupid's Kiss sounds fine." Dane's features were strained, as if it physically hurt to suppress the pleasure that was threatening to show up on his face. 

The waiter nodded, then poured them both a cup of coffee before setting the thermal pitcher on the table between them. "Anything else I can get for you two?"

"No, I think we're good," Jeneda said, and with the silky soles of her feet still gently pumping Dane's penis, she directed a smile his way. 

"Excellent," the waiter said. "Glad I could be of service, and enjoy the rest of your evening."

As soon as the doors closed behind him and the cable car took off, Jeneda removed her feet from Danes lap and dived beneath the table. She positioned herself between his legs, and with an ardency that pushed a hot gasp from his throat, she took him fully into her lush, tight mouth. Along with a string of curse words, Dane released several heady groans, and with a light bucking of his hips he pushed himself even further down her throat.

Normally Jeneda would have been a little overwhelmed by his enthusiasm, but she was incredibly cock hungry and overly eager to suck him off, so she was able to take on the extra length without much of a problem. This clearly delighted Dane, and to show his appreciation he let loose a stream of deliciously carnal noises that sent a pulsing heat between her legs. 

Puckered tightly around his velvety rod of flesh, Jeneda's lips slid up and down with a smooth, steady rhythm. As if moving on its own volition, her tongue worked just as hard as her mouth did, sliding along the underside of his cock with just enough pressure to enhance the friction of her lips. 

To Jeneda, Dane's cock was like the most delicious lollipop in the world, and the longer she sucked, the louder his groans became. She also loved how his cock became thicker as he moved to closer to climax, and spurred on by the thought of him shooting his load down her throat, she really began sucking his cock for all that it was worth.

"Jeneda..." he moaned deeply and burrowed his fingers into her elegant updo. "Oh babe, yeah....just like that." 

She pulled her head back just slightly so that her eyes could meet his, then gave him a look that expressed just how much she enjoyed being on her knees before him. She also maneuvered her mouth so that he could fully see the in and out motion of his juicy cock, as well as the movement of her saliva covered hands, which were pumping him in time to the movement of her lips.

Soon his breathing grew harsh, and as the rumbling timbre of his lustful groans mingled with the sloppy wet noises of her mouth, Jeneda knew he was at the point of no return. His body quaked violently, jerking with spasmodic-like movements as he sprayed a jet of hot cum down her throat. 

Every drop he released was like a reward for her efforts, and with unbridled appreciation, she swallowed it all. Once he'd gone fully soft in her mouth, she pulled back and allowed his penis to pop out from between her lips, and after zipping his pants and pulling herself up from beneath the table, she took a seat beside him.

"Wow." Still reeling his orgasm, Dane's face had taken on a sort of dazed expression. "I don't know how you managed to do it, but you've topped yourself. That was a dynamite blowjob." 

She wiped her lips off with a napkin, then leaned in to share a kiss with him before pulling back to respond. "Just a token of appreciation for this incredibly romantic evening you planned out for us."

"I consider it my duty to make you happy. You are the love of my life, after all." He lifted her hand to his mouth and graced it with a kiss.

"And you're the love of mine," she said while looking deep into his eyes.

Perfectly content to just sit there in complete silence, they continued to hold hands while sharing soft, sweet kisses. Eventually their gazes drifted to the panoramic window, and as they stared out at the star filled sky, Jeneda found herself amazed at how clear and brightly they shone. She couldn't even remember the last time she'd seen one star, let alone a whole cluster that blanketed a large portion of the sky. 

"Beautiful, aren't they?" Dane asked as they stargazed. 

"Absolutely," Jeneda said as she rested her head against shoulder.

And with hands still clasped, they stared reverently at the majestic night sky.

* * * *

Nestled in the Rocky Mountains on five acres that overlooked hundreds of majestic pines, the mountain chalet that Dane had driven them to was exceptionally beautiful. Dubbed "Chalet Tara," the exterior of the cabin had a contemporary style to it, while still maintaining the rugged beauty of a mountain ski lodge of yesteryear. 

With its wide, overhanging eaves and floor to ceiling windows that offered a view of the stunning scenery that Aspen was so famous for, Chalet Tara was more than worthy of the breath that had been taken away from Jeneda upon her first sight of it.




Velvet Kisses Ch. 10



"Not a bad looking place, is it?" Dane asked as he came up behind Jeneda and wrapped an arm around her waist. "It belongs to my parents. But they only come up here every once in awhile, so it stays empty most of the year."

"It's stunning." She allowed herself a moment to gaze at the fir and pine trees that surrounded the two-story domicile before focusing her attention on the stone and timber-frame exterior. "It seems really roomy inside."

"It is. Plenty of space for a family." He hugged her tightly against his body. "Not trying to pressure you, but if we did ever decide to have children, this would be a great place to bring them for vacation."

"How many bedrooms?" Jeneda asked as she gazed at the snow covered eaves.

"Already planning the number of offspring we'll have, huh?" The inflection of his voice suggested that he was smiling. "There's four bedrooms. More than plenty of room for our future son and daughter."

She gently laughed. "Sounds like you're the one doing all the planning. And how do you know I'll be willing to let you impregnate me more than once?"

"Of course you'll be willing." He nuzzled her neck, then gave her a few tender kisses along the shoulder. "You know I'm irresistible."

She softly giggled, then grabbed his hand and led him towards the double entry doors. "Take me inside and show me around."

Snow crunched beneath their shoes as they as they made their way forward, and after slipping the key into the lock, Dane opened the door and gestured for Jeneda to enter first. He punched a code into the keypad on the wall to disable the alarm, and with Jeneda following behind him, he led the way into the main part of the house.

Beautiful enough to be featured in an issue of Architectual Digest, the living room was accentuated by a large stone fireplace, weathered oak floors, and floor to ceiling windows that looked out on the snow covered forest that surrounded them. 

If the massive flat screen TV wasn't enough to keep its owners occupied, then the state-of-the-art sound system would definitely provide hours of entertainment. 

Vaulted ceilings and exposed wooden beams added depth and volume to the room, and family photos, which were strategically placed on an accent wall that was illuminated by track lighting, provided a homey feel to the otherwise pristine looking chalet. 

Wanting to get a closer look at the photos, Jeneda made her way to the illuminated wall. The first snapshot that her eyes were drawn to was of a family photo, which judging by the dated haircuts and style of clothing, had been taken in the 80's. It featured Dane as a 

toddler, as well as his parents, who were all posed in front of a giant Christmas tree adorned with fancy ornaments.

A gentle smile touched Jeneda's lips at the slightly cheesy, yet undeniably cute family photograph, but as her gaze drifted to another snapshot, which featured a nine-year old Dane, she found herself thoroughly amused.

"That's quite the smirk you're wearing," said Dane, who had stepped up behind her and threaded his arms around her waist. "Care to share what you find so amusing?"

"I just can't get over this neon colored ski suit you're wearing in this photograph." She lightly giggled before continuing on. "Even your snowboard is neon green. And those high top shoes...." She leaned closer to the snapshot to check out the details of his footwear. "Are those LA gears?"

"Yes they are."

"Wow." The grin she was wearing nearly split her face in half. "That's too funny." 

"It was the early 90's. Everyone dressed like that."

"I didn't."

"You never wore LA gears?"

"Yes. But not neon clothing."

"Then you didn't truly experience the 90's, and I feel very sorry you."

"Oh, I experienced the 90's," she said before turning to face him. "I just didn't do it in blindingly garish outfits."

"That's it," he said. "I've had about all I'm going to take from that mouth of yours."

"You didn't say that earlier when I was down on my knees." 

"That's because your mouth was full, and your lips were pleasantly occupied."

"So what you're saying is, you prefer me kneeling before you like a submissive little pet." 

"Funny you should say that, because you seem right at home in that position. And I think you know as well as I do that those pretty little lips were made to be wrapped around my cock."

"No argument there," she huskily said, and as he leaned in closer, she angled her head to allow him better access to her mouth.

A breathy moan came from her lips as he aggressively kissed her, claiming her mouth with a hungry urgency that made her wet and eager for more. While his hands were busy venturing beneath the thigh high slit of her evening gown, Jeneda utilized hers by coaxing off his black velvet blazer. 

Yearning to have him naked and inside of her as soon as possible, she wasted no time in undoing the buttons on his dress shirt. But before she could shed the useless garment from his body, he led her up a fight of stairs and toward a master bedroom. 

On entering the carpeted room, Dane adjusted the dimmer switch so that the mood was properly set. He took off his shirt and undid his belt before pulling off his pants and boxer briefs, then took Jeneda by the arm and coaxed her toward a king sized bed that was placed in front of a panoramic window. 

As if to advertise the swollen rod of flesh that jutted proudly from between his thighs, Dane sat down on the bed with legs widely parted. Then with an expression that perfectly expressed his deep lust for her, he spoke to her in a deep, smooth voice.

"Take off your dress and show me your panties." 

Still fully dressed and standing before him, Jeneda started to lift the fabric of her floor length evening gown, but before she could, Dane halted her with words.

"No, not that way. Turn around and I'll unzip you."

She maneuvered herself so that her back was facing Dane, then eagerly waited for him to pull down the zipper, which was situated just above the crack of her butt. 

"I really like this dress," he said while coasting a finger along the criss-cross strings of her open back gown. "It shows off your nice, sexy curves."

Dane firmly squeezed one of her toned butt cheeks, then untied the lace up back of her dress before slowly pulling down the zipper. The dress made a faint swishing noise as it pooled around Jeneda's feet, but since she was still standing with her back to Dane, she was unable to see the look on his face as he first caught sight of her underwear. 

"Wow. You really know what I like, don't you?" He allowed one of his digits to glide along the corset-style underwear, which were made of black satin and had criss-cross lacing that ran along the length of her butt crack.

"As soon as I saw them, I knew they'd be perfect for tonight."

"And they are," he said. "I absolutely love them."

He teasingly plucked at the criss-cross lacing before undoing the knot that held it all together, then gently pulled her underwear down until they fell around her ankles. Jeneda's breath hitched as he leaned in to place a kiss on each of her butt cheeks, but it was the sensation of his hot tongue slowly creeping along the crack of her ass that pushed a particularly sultry moan from between her full lips. 

Now fully horny and ready to be fucked, Jeneda eagerly waited to see just how kinky he would get. But as usual, Dane was all too delighted to drag out the moment for as long as he could. 

Rather than continue to lick her, he decided instead to trace a finger along the split of her butt, which in turn only made her crave the feel of his tongue even more. If that wasn't enough to drive her crazy, the feel of his breath definitely was, and as his hands began to slowly part the cheeks of her ass, she breathed a little quicker. 

As her small, puckered hole was fully exposed, Jeneda waited with bated breath. Her heart raced and her thighs slightly quivered as he gingerly stroked a thumb against the forbidden area, but as quickly as he had begun to stimulate the snug entrance, he suddenly arrested his ministrations.

"Turn around."

She did as told, and as her eyes came to land on his face, she noticed his gaze drift from her breasts down to her tummy, before coming to rest on her clean shaven pussy. As if wanting to confirm that it was truly as soft as it looked, Dane coasted a few fingers along the sensitive area.

"Completely bald, just as I like it." He tenderly kissed the silky smooth region, then brought his gaze up to her face. "Did you get a Brazillian wax?"

"Yes."

"Very nice," he said. "And you used that lotion I like."

"Of course. I had to make sure I smelled good for you, didn't I?"

Dane smiled, and with a languid slide of his palm, he caressed the curves and dips of her flawless brown skin, which was so decadently soft, that it rivaled silk. With eyes full of adoration, Jeneda watched on as he admired the flare of her hips, as well as the flesh of her thighs, which had always seemed a little jiggly and too wide for her liking. 

But it seemed as if Dane didn't take note of these imperfections at all, because the way he was smoothing his hands over her body made her feel like a complete goddess. 

She tunneled her fingers through the soft, free-flowing waves of his hair, and as he lifted his eyes to meet hers, she saw the look of love that was written across his face. They shared a moment of simply gazing at one another, then in a voice that was smooth and also a little domineering, Dane gave a command.

"Lay down on the bed."

She climbed onto the mattress and positioned herself comfortably against the red and black comforter, then watched as Dane situated himself so that he was on top on her, with his weight balanced on his forearms. 

"Close your eyes," he said. 

Jeneda did, then waited excitedly for his next move. 

The mattress shifted slightly as he maneuvered his body, and after several long seconds of complete silence, Jeneda felt the sensation of something being placed against her neck. This led her to wonder if he had purchased another submissive collar for her, and after lifting her head to assist him in securing the object around the graceful column of her throat, she requested permission to lift her lids.

"Can I open my eyes now?"

"In a bit. Just one more minute."

What seemed like several minutes turned out to only be a few seconds, and in a gentle voice, Dane finally gave her permission to lift her lids.

"Alright. You can open your eyes."

She lifted her lids, and as her attention came to focus on the hand mirror that Dane was holding above her face, she caught sight of what was being reflected back to her. A small gasp fell from her lips, followed by her jaw dropping open as she gaped at the lavish piece of jewelry around her neck.

"You got me a necklace?"

"Yep. Happy Valentine's Day, sweetheart," Dane said. 

"Dane, It's beautiful." She ran her fingers along the artful sweeps of round diamond accents, which gracefully formed teardrops that were filled with pear-shaped sapphires.

"Glad you like it."

"I *love* it. Thank you, baby."

"You're welcome." He set the mirror on the bedside table, then allowed his mouth to join hers in a brief kiss.

Jeneda, however, was clearly intent on expressing just how much she truly appreciated the present, because as he made a move to pull away, she deepened the kiss even further. 

Dane echoed her enthusiasm by sweeping his tongue across hers, and with an expertise that drove her completely mad with passion, he provocatively stroked her mouth. By the time they pulled back to look at one another, she was left with a feeling of breathlessness that had her heart beating just a little quicker. 

"Thank you again, baby. I really, really love it."

Dane softly chuckled at her enthusiasm. "Good. That's the reaction I was hoping for."

He unpinned her hair and combed his fingers through it a few times so that it fanned out on the satin pillow, and with an eroticism that made her tingle all over, he began licking a hot trail around one of her protruding nipples. 

A sighing moan passed her lips and she arched upward, then let out a soft cry as he flicked it with his tongue. Her other sensitive peak was fully hardened and aching for stimulation, and as if to assure it that it would receive the same treatment, Dane possessively cupped it in his hand. 

By the time he got around to suckling the tight bud, she was desperate for penetration, and lifted her legs so that her ankles were hooked above his butt. Her hands came up to rest on his broad, toned shoulders, and with a feral look in her eyes, Jeneda released a carnal demand.

"Fuck me."

Something flickered in Dane's eyes at the sound of her words, and with his gaze glued firmly to hers, he guided his arousal to her juicy center. With one hard thrust he pushed deep inside of her, then withdrew slightly before driving back forward. 

She whimpered as he stretched the tight hole that so greedily devoured his throbbing length, but it wasn't until he increased the force of his thrusts that she really became vocal.

Although leanly built, Dane possessed a deceptive amount of strength, and it didn't take much at all for Jeneda to feel helpless beneath his masculine form. The way he so effortlessly overpowered her drove her mad with lust, and nothing turned her on more than the hard, sharp angles of his body dominating her soft, womanly frame.

Jeneda didn't know it was possible to love someone as much as she did him, and as her legs tightened around his waist, she knew with the strongest conviction that she was tied to him forever. 

With every moan that she gave, Dane maneuvered his hips more aggressively, pushing deeper and harder into her slick tightness. His body moved against hers with a languid slowness that was just as titillating as it was graceful, and as their bodies rocked together with increasing passion, a string of words tumbled enthusiastically from her lips. 

"I love you."

"I love you too," he said while looking deep into her eyes. 

She didn't know whether it was the way that her fingers were pressing into his tight, narrow butt or the sound of her repeatedly calling his name, but somehow he sensed her desire before she even had a chance to speak. 

"Want it harder?" 

"Uh-huh," she said in a voice that was ragged and breathy.

Dane adjusted her legs so that her ankles rested on his shoulders, and with palms gripping her waist, he began pummeling her with strokes that were harder and deeper than before. Each thrust that he gave her was full of intent, and purposely angled to hit those spots that he knew would drive her over the edge. 

Exquisitely stretched and spread wide open for his pumping caresses, Jeneda cried out loudly, rocking her hips to his delicious rhythm. Her hands fisted in the silk sheets, holding tightly to the slippery fabric as the friction of his thrusts intensified. 

Focusing her eyes on his handsome face, Jeneda marveled at how in control he was, and how steady and firm his body was on top of hers. A light sheen of sweat covered his smooth, toned chest, and the lean muscles of his arms lightly rippled from his exertions. The raw lust in his hooded eyes completely electrified her, and the way his warm breath fanned across her neck made her body break out in tingles. 

As he sensed his woman nearing her peak, he began pumping faster in an attempt to send her over the edge. Jeneda's body, which was soft, yielding, and powerless compared to his, accepted each and every one his forceful thrusts. 

Sharp gasps fell hotly from her lips, and as the pleasure built to unbearable proportions, her nails bit deeply into the flesh of his shoulders. Her body convulsed into a chain of spasms, and with a choked cry of unbridled gratification, she lost herself in a blindingly explosive climax.

Hot nectar flowed thickly from her silken heat, and as the smacking sound of skin-on-skin became louder, the harsh noises Dane released became increasingly urgent. 

While Jeneda's face was contorted in the most blissful of expressions, Dane's was concentrated and calculating. His palms clung to her hips with unyielding roughness, and showing not a shred of mercy, he continued to pound her already well fucked pussy. 

Her come surrounded his cock, covering not only her thighs, but also his balls with its slippery essence, and as Dane finally reached that point of no return, he cried out her name. His eyes rolled into the back his head, and with a sharp jerk of the hips, he came hard into her creaming pussy. 

She clenched around him as he filled her with his seed, then let out a whimper as he pumped into her a few more times. Flushed with exertion, Dane pushed out a moan, then rolled off of her body and onto his back. 

Blissfully relishing their post-coital moment, the couple took a few moments to simply lay there in silence. But soon Dane's pale fingers were reaching out to find hers, and with gentleness, he pulled her flush against his long, lean body. They shared a soft and slow, yet provocative kiss, then pulled back to stare into each other's eyes.

"I feel terrible not having anything to give you as a Valentine's Day gift," Jeneda said as she stretched a silky leg out over his hairy one.

"You are my gift." Dane stroked the curve of her cheekbone before adding, "Everyday that I wake up with you by my side, I remember how lucky I am to have you."

"Ditto on that," she said. "But I really do feel bad not having a gift for you."

"I told you not to get me a present," he said. "This day is about you, not me."

"It's a day for the both of us." She nuzzled closer against him so that his earthy, masculine scent fully enveloped her. "You made me feel like a queen today, so I think you deserve something nice in return."

"You gave me a fantastic blowjob," he said. 

"Yeah, but you can get a blowjob anyday."

"Not while traveling over the Rocky Mountains in an aerial cab car."

"I guess you've got a point there." Her mouth curved into a light smile as she seductively grazed a few fingers along the planes of his smooth chest. "So you really don't want me to do anything special for you tonight?"

The sultryness of her tone made it very clear what she was hinting at, and this didn't go unnoticed by Dane, who was studying her face with intent interest.

"Well maybe there is one thing...," he said in a voice that had thickened with lust.

She already knew what he was going to say, but that didn't stop her from waiting expectantly for him to continue.

"I've always wanted to fuck you in the ass."

The pit of her belly tightened in response to Dane's naughty words, and with the tips of her digits coasting lightly over the distinctive V-line of his lower stomach, she said, "I was going to save that until our wedding night, but now that you bring it up, I think tonight would be perfect."

"Really?" The look of surprise was evident on his face. 

"Yes, really," she said. "Ever since our trip to Japan, I've been thinking about us trying it out, and I've decided that I want us to do it."

"Are you sure?" His eyes searched hers, as if fully expecting her to retract what she'd just said. 

"Positive." She gazed deep into his eyes as she said it, and with a look that expressed just how serious she was, she spoke to him in a low, sultry voice. "I want you to take my anal virginity."

Now fully erect, Dane shifted his weight so that he was straddling her body. His dark hair fell around his face, providing a striking contrast against his fair skin, and as Jeneda gazed up into his nearly black eyes, she noticed an expression that was both predatory and lustful take over his handsome features.

"You better be completely sure that you want this, darling. Because once I get going, I won't be able to stop." 




Velvet Kisses Ch. 10



"I know, and I do want it. Not a shred of doubt on my part." She then quickly added, "Just be gentle with me, alright?"

"Of course. You have my word, sweetheart." He moved in to sweetly kiss her lips. 

"I'll need to take a shower first so that I'm nice and clean," she said as their mouths parted. 

"If you need a hand, I'd be happy to offer some assistance."

"Thanks, but I think I can handle it." She brushed noses with him, then took off her heels before rising to her feet and heading for the attached bathroom.

Upon entering, she noticed how nice and warm the stone floors felt, and also couldn't help but appreciate the ultra modern toilet, which had a heated seat that kept her butt nice and warm. 

After relieving herself, she pinned her hair up high on her head, then stepped into the walk in shower, which was large enough to comfortably fit two people. She lathered up with cherry scented body wash, and after rinsing herself off, she followed up by giving her perineal region some special attention. 

Wanting to make sure that she was as clean as possible for Dane, she pushed a soapy finger into her anal canal and meticulously washed the puckered hole until it was thoroughly clean. Then she angled the removable shower head so that it rinsed away all of the sudsy foam. 

Having painstakingly bathed herself, Jeneda felt more than confident that she was ready to receive Dane anally, and after drying herself off with a luxuriously soft towel, she took a moment to gaze at her reflection in the mirror. 

Her attention came to rest on the diamond and sapphire necklace around the column of her throat, and she lifted her hand to run the tip of her finger over the sparkling gemstones. She was still in awe that Dane had purchased such an extravagant gift for her, and her heart swelled with joy at the thought of being so loved and cherished by Dane. 

She released her hair so that it fell around her shoulders, and after running her fingers through it a few times, she began to lotion up her body. To her surprise, it was the exact same brand that she religiously used, and she found herself marveling at just how perfectly Dane had set everything up for her. 

He really was incredibly thoughtful, and along with being unbelievably sexy, he was the best lover she'd ever had. Just the thought of his cock in her ass was enough to make her wet, and as she reapplied her lipstick in the mirror, she found herself thoroughly excited at the thought of him taking her in such a forbidden place.

Once upon a time, the thought of anal sex had completely disgusted her, but ever since she had met Dane, she'd loosened up considerably and found herself engaging in all sorts of kinky acts that she previously would have considered untasteful. 

Now, as she stood there thinking about her life pre-Dane, Jeneda came to the conclusion that she'd been a tad on the prudish side, and was glad that he'd opened her mind to experimenting in the bedroom. She added some gloss to her lips to give her red lipstick a bit of shine, and after confirming that the rest of her makeup was still intact, she exited the bathroom.

As she entered the master suite, she saw that Dane was sitting on the edge of the bed. His eyes followed the planes of her body, drifting along the swell of her round breasts to her smooth, shaven womanhood. 

He watched her with such intensity that it almost seemed as if he was seeing her naked for the very first time, and although she knew that wasn't true, it didn't stop her from feeling a little flustered beneath his gaze. By the time she came to a stop in front of him, his gaze had lowered from the smooth expanse of her legs to her crimson colored toenails, and that was where his attention remained pinned.

"Put the shoes on." He briefly directed his gaze to her silver, open toed heels, which were laying haphazardly on the plush white carpet where she had kicked them off.

Jeneda bent down to pick them up, and after securing the intertwining straps around her foot, she pulled herself up to full height. Now standing before him with only a necklace and a pair of high heels to adorn her body, she was on display, and ready to be used for his pleasure. 

Sporting an erection that looked painfully hard, Dane appraised her body in silent thoughtfulness, as if weighing all of the options that were undoubtedly going through his mind. With such an intense stare pinned directly on her, Jeneda could nearly see the gears turning in his head, and her heart beat a little quicker in delicious anticipation.

"Turn around so I can see your ass," he said.

She did turn, and as her gaze came to fall on the panoramic window in front of her, she stared out at the snow covered mountains beyond.

"Get down on your knees."

She did so unhesitatingly.

"Now arch your back," he commanded. "Show me your asshole."

She maneuvered her body to improve his view of her backside, then eagerly awaited further instruction. Yet instead of making another demand, Dane suddenly fell silent, leaving her to wonder as to what was coming next. 

Along with the fact that she couldn't see him, the position that she was in left her feeling completely exposed and incredibly vulnerable, as she wasn't just naked, but baring the most intimate spot on her entire body. 

It made her feel a little dirty being posed in such an indecent way, but it was also a huge turn on. Knowing that he was fully in control caused a sexual heat to envelop her entire body, and as the silence stretched on, she found herself nearly writhing in anticipation. 

Finally, after what seemed like an insufferable amount of time, she felt Dane's long fingers stroking the swell of her ass. She groaned as he gently kneaded the curve of her butt cheeks, and as he squirted some lube onto her tightly puckered hole, she released an embarrassingly wanton moan.

Dane faintly chuckled at her response, then sunk two fingers deep inside her pussy before pulling them out and noisily licking the juice off of his fingers. "You're soaking wet. Does the thought of me fucking your ass turn you on that much?"

"Yes." Her voice came out soft, barely louder than a whisper.

"Mmmm." He ran his finger along her spine until it reached the crack of her shapely ass, where he proceeded to finger her snug entrance. "My naughty little cock slut." 

She gasped at the sensation of his pinkie sliding into her anus, then rocked back and forth a few times in an attempt to increase the delicious friction.

"You're very eager, aren't you?" He withdrew his digit from the tightness of her hole, then fondled her crinkled entrance with the tip of his thumb before pushing his index finger inside of her. "Don't worry, I'll give you something bigger to grind on in a minute."

She moaned at the pleasure of being spread a little wider, but when he exchanged his index finger for an object with a noticeably larger girth, she realized that he was preparing to stretch her open even further with a butt plug. 

As it pressed against the tip of her butthole, the first thing she noticed was that it wasn't made of silicon, but glass. Then she felt the ribbed texture of it, and that was when she figured out that it had a fancy spiral design. Rather than push the toy inside her, Dane twisted it in a clockwise motion, so that it gradually entered her as if it were a corkscrew. 

Loving the unique sensation that it gave her, Jeneda let out a deep, throaty noise, then poked her butt out a bit more so that the plug pushed in a bit deeper. With her eagerness apparent, Dane continually manipulated the phallic-shaped object so that all four inches were embedded in her rear. 

With her puckered hole now considerably loosened, Dane was afforded the chance to move the plug in and out of her at a slow, yet steady pace. She gasped at the feel of the toy massaging the delicate tissues of her rectum, and as he gradually thrust the toy more aggressively inside of her, Jeneda's cries of pleasure rose in volume.

Her desire to have his cock had become so unbearable that an insistent ache had built between her thighs. She wasn't just relishing the feel of the butt plug, but completely lost in the sensation of it, and it was then that she knew she was ready to take the next step. 

Something in her body language must have told Dane that she'd reached the point of wanting more, because he slowly withdrew the plug from her ass, then set it aside before pressing his mouth to her ear. 

"Are you ready to have your ass stretched out by my cock now?"

"Yes." Her body gently quivered at the thought of what was about to take place.

"Then get up, so we can lay on the bed."

They both rose to their feet and went over to the mattress, where Jeneda got into position to receive him in her ass. Once situated behind her, Dane squirted a generous amount of lube on her already well-greased butthole, and with the head of his cock resting against her puckered entrance, he prepared to penetrate her. 

Although it had just been pleasurably stimulated, the tight ring of muscle that served as gatekeeper to that forbidden hole immediately clenched up. Jeneda supposed that it had something to do with the fact that in comparison to the slim butt plug, Dane's cock was noticeably bigger. 

She'd always loved the way he so completely filled her up, but now that he was attempting to penetrate a hole much tighter than her pussy, she found herself wishing that he was a bit on the smaller side.

"Relax, baby. I'll go nice and slow, I promise." He gently palmed one of her full, heavy breasts, then tweaked her nipple before making another attempt to slide past the pursed ring of muscle. 

This time her sphincter relaxed, and with gentleness, he nudged the slippery head of his cock into her snug crevice. They both cried out at the exact same time, but while his was a keen moan, the sound that Jeneda released was a faint whimper. She bit her lip and tried to ride through the pain, but as he continued to push into her, another sound of discomfort fell from her parted lips. 

Dane immediately halted the movement of his hips, and in a voice that was filled with concern, he asked, "You want me to stop?"

"No. It's not unbearable, I just didn't expect you to stretch me so wide." 

"You sure? Because if you need me to stop, then I will." 

"Really, I'll be fine. I want this."

He leaned over to tenderly kiss the back of her neck, then spoke to her in a soft, reassuring voice. "It'll feel better soon, sweetheart. Just give yourself a minute to loosen up." 

With the head of his cock still in the tight grasp of her ass, Dane gave her a few moments to adjust to his size. Then with palms cupping the fleshy curve of her buttocks, he gently pushed forward so that his erection slipped past another ring of muscle. 

Her breath quickened at the feel of her tightness being stretched, and with a faint grimace marring her soft features, she sunk her nails into the pillow in front of her. 

The sting she felt was considerable, and yet there was also a part of her that didn't just enjoy, but actually relished engaging in such a taboo act. With each inch that she took, her spinchter muscles relaxed just a little bit more, and this allowed Dane to push further in until half of his shaft was embedded between her butt cheeks. 

His fingers tangled into her hair, catching it in a knot before lifting it away from her shoulders. She quivered at the feel of his warm breath dancing across her skin, and as his lips brushed a particularly sensitive spot on the back of her neck, she released a soft sigh. 

Almost immediately, however, a keening noise escaped her throat as he began to gently thrust into her, and for a few moments the burning sensation of him penetrating her ass was all that she could focus on. But soon the pain gave way to delicious pleasure, and she began rocking her hips along to the passionate tempo that he'd set. 

A groan fell from Dane's lips at her impossible tightness, and with fingers twisting tighter in her hair, he thrust slow and softly into her, as if he were savoring every in and out motion of his penis.

"You like that?" He hot breath puffed against her skin. "Do you love having your ass fucked by my long, hard cock?"

A lust-filled utterance was all she managed to release, and with fingers tightly clenching the silk sheets, she did her best to steady her body against his increasingly ardent thrusts. One of his hands slid beneath her body to massage her swaying breasts, while his thumb moved in a circular motion to bring her nipples to full erection. 

By the time he brought a finger down to her clit, she was arching her back to increase the friction of his strokes, and as her moans of pleasure steadily intensified, the gyration of Dane's hips took on a sense of urgency. 

"You feel so good, baby." His lips trailed delicately along the back of her neck, placing open mouthed kisses against her silky skin. "So soft and warm and tight."

With her cheek resting against the pillow, all she could do was emit a muffled moan, but the throaty quality to her voice made it starkly obvious that she was loving every minute of their kinky lovemaking. His movements, which were becoming a little less gentle and more untamed, incited moans from Jeneda that were so erotic, they sent delicious tremors through her own body. 

"Tell me how I feel inside of you." Dane's voice came out silky and darkly seductive. "Describe what It's like to get fucked in the ass for the first time."

"Mmm, feels good..." Rendered breathless from his deliciously sensual strokes, she found it nearly impossible to put into words just exactly what she was feeling. 

"Does it turn you on having my dick in a place where it doesn't belong?" 

"Yes...only for you," she moaned in reply. 

"Damn right It's only for me," he said in a tone that was heavily possessive. "You're my fiancée. Your ass and pussy belongs to me now." 

The dark edge his voice had taken on pushed a hot gasp from her mouth, and with hips that were perfectly angled to receive his impassioned strokes, she took every inch that he had to give her. 

"What a dirty girl you are," he gasped hotly against her neck. "Letting me stick my cock in your slutty little hole." 

Her insides clenched at the dirty words he used, but as Dane's fingers began working their magic against her clit, a whimper left her mouth. She panted his name in response, then slightly shifted her body to enhance the feeling of her nipples brushing against the sheets.

"Anatano shiri jinkou tame toru watashino ondori. Your ass was made to take my cock," he translated before gently sucking the lobe of her ear. 

With fingers still lightly fisting her soft locks, Dane angled Jeneda's head back so that he could capture her lips in a slow, deep kiss. She moaned into his mouth and mirrored the fervid strokes of his tongue, but the overwhelming sensation of his shaft sinking further into her, caused her to break their oral embrace and release a salacious groan. 

"Like it when I push deeper?" he asked in a voice that was laden with lust.

"Uh-huh," she breathed.

He carefully measured his strokes so that her cries of pleasure rose in volume, and as heady moans turned into full fledged cries, the coil in Jeneda's stomach clenched tighter and tighter. 

Grunting more and more, Dane continued his pumping caresses, driving as deep and hard as he possibly could. Then with one last thrust into her ass, his body stiffened above her.

"Iku yo," he grunted out loudly, and with a guttural moan of manly lust, he released himself inside her.

Jeneda's ass took every drop of his spunk, squeezing the softening shaft until it was completely drained of his milky white seed. Hot sparks of pleasure shot through her spine as warm come flooded her tight crevice, and with a loud moan that tore from her throat, she reached her own release. 

"Dane..." His name escaped her lips on a husky exhale, while her fingers clutched desperately to the pillow in front of her.

She heard him groan behind her as he pulled out, but it wasn't until he'd collapsed beside her on the bed, that Jeneda saw the dazed look of satisfaction on his face. 

"Fuck." His chest rose and fell quickly from the pants he released. "That was incredible."

She nuzzled up against him, then lightly murmured her approval before releasing a soft sigh. 

"You okay?" He lifted her chin slightly upward so that he could gaze deep into her brown eyes.

"Better than okay. I'm great."

"Good." He kissed the top of her head, then ran his thumb along the edge of her jaw. "I got a little out of control there towards the end, so I just want to make sure that you aren't in pain."

"I am a little sore, but It's nothing I can't handle."

He placed a gentle kiss against her forehead, then the tip of her nose before allowing his lips to make contact with hers. Her hand lifted to slide into the softness of his hair, and with her lips pressed tightly to his, she caressed his mouth with the silkyness of her tongue. 

They parted to lock gazes, breathing softly and in perfect synch with one another. And with a tenderness that fully expressed their love, they held one another. 

"Anata unten watashi ikareta. You drive me crazy, you know that?" He translated before drawing lazy patterns along the curve of her hip.

She smiled and trailed her fingers over his chest. "This was the best Valentine's Day ever, babe. Thank you again for such a wonderful evening."

"No, thank *you*." He cupped her cheek with the palm of his hand and leaned in to give her a kiss so soft and sweet, that her body slackened beneath his. 

He gently squeezed her ass, then scooped her into his arms and effortlessly lifted her off the bed. A light gasp passed Jeneda's lips at the strength he possessed, and with arms wrapped around his neck, she gazed adoringly up at his face.

"Where are we going?" She asked as he rose to his feet and started padding across the plush carpet.

"To shower. Then to the roof so we can take a soak in the hot tub."

"There's a hot tub on the roof?"

"Sure is," he said with a smile. 

And with arms wrapped tightly around her naked body, he carried her into the bathroom.



Velvet Kisses Ch. 11



*Thanks for the lovely comments that were left on the previous chapter. :)I hope you will continue to enjoy the upcoming installments, and a big thanks to everyone for your continued interest!!* 

*

Two days later, on a frigid Sunday evening, Dane and Jeneda departed from Aspen. After three days of being loved up in a place as sublime as the Aspen wildnerness, Jeneda found herself wishing that they could put off their return trip home. But with less than two months until the wedding, there was plenty that still needed to be done. 

It wasn't until they'd boarded the jet and were en route to San Francisco, that she was finally able to focus on her wedding checklist, and with pen in hand, she began reviewing a list of to-do's. They were only five minutes into the flight before her nonstop scribbling caught Dane's attention, and with a curious look, he leaned over to see what she was writing.

"Don't stress yourself out over the details, babe," Dane said. "My mom hired a wedding planner, so you don't have to worry about a thing."

"Yeah, but I need to give my input about the cake, bouquet, and color theme. And I still haven't gone shopping for bridesmaid dresses, so I really need to get started on that." She scrawled a few words onto the pad of paper, then briefly diverted her attention to Dane. "I was thinking we could go with a red, white, and black color scheme for the reception, but I'm open to suggestions if you'd prefer something different." 

"Red and white are good luck colors in Japanese culture, so I think that'd be a good pick," Dane said. 

"Do you think we should have an all white cake, or a colorful one instead?"

"I don't know," Dane said. "Whatever you think would be best, I'm good with too."

Jeneda glanced back down at the pad of paper. "What about after the wedding? Should we immediately leave for the airport, or stay in a hotel and depart the next morning?" 

"Definitely a hotel." Dane's hand stretched out to caress her legs, which were clad in a pair of sheer black stockings and long leather boots. "I think we'll both be eager to celebrate our first night together as husband and wife, don't you?"

"Absolutely." She pressed her lips to his in a gentle kiss, then pulled back to once again focus on the pad of paper in front of her. "The wedding invitations have to go out by no later than the end of this week, and we need to contact the photographer to see if he can set up a photo booth for the reception."

"Just let the wedding planner know, and she'll take care of it for us."

While Jeneda kept scribbling away, Dane watched on. But he soon reached out to gently take the pen from her hand, and with eyes that seemed to implore her, he softly spoke some words. 

"Relax, okay? Everything will be taken care of." 

The tension in her body visibly loosened. "Sorry. I'm being annoying, aren't I?" 

"No, but I do think you may be stressing yourself out a bit." He moved his palm along her thigh so that his fingers grazed lightly against her stockings.

Jeneda's eyes drifted downward, and on noticing that his hand had disappeared beneath the hem of her skirt, she looked up at him with a lifted brow.

"Stress relief," he said. 

A smile crossed her lips. She closed her eyes and allowed her head to fall back against the headrest, and parting her thighs ever so slightly, she arched softly into his touch. 

* * * *

The baggage claim area of San Francisco International Airport was teeming with people, all of whom were moving along in a dozen different directions. Even with her hand clasped tightly to Dane's, Jeneda worried that they might somehow be separated, and clung tightly to him as they maneuvered through the swarm of passengers. 

Already filled with anticipation due to her approaching wedding day, Jeneda was overly delighted to have her family in town. She'd been looking forward to it for weeks, and was especially eager to see her brother, who was accompanying her mother for a week long visit that would lead up to her and Dane's wedding. 

As she walked side by side with her fiancee, she stole a lingering glance at him, and couldn't help but feel a touch of pride at the fact that in only five days, he would officially be her husband. Considering all that they had been through together, it still seemed a bit surreal that they were actually getting married, but every moment of suffering that they'd endured to reach this point had undeniably been worth it. 

After bumping countless shoulders with visibly weary passengers, they finally reached the arrivals area. With so many different people surrounding them, it proved a bit difficult to focus their eyes on one spot for very long at all. But as soon as Jeneda caught sight of a tall, handsome black man hobbling toward them on forearm crutches, her eyes widened in shock. 

On noticing the look of complete surprise on her face, Riley broke into a broad smile, and with the click, click of his crutches accompanying him, he slowly made his way towards her. 

"Riley?" So astonished at the sight of him standing and not in a wheelchair, she didn't even take notice of her mother, who was trailing behind him with a huge smile on her face.

"Bet you didn't expect this," Riley said as he came to a stop in front of her.

At a loss for words, Jeneda took a moment to simply stare in awe at him. Then she pulled him into a hug so fierce, he nearly lost balance and dropped his crutches.

"Whoa." He lightly chuckled and did his best to return the hug. "Good see you, too."

"Sorry," she quickly uttered, but only after getting in a good, long hug, did she finally release him from the over enthusiastic embrace. "When did this happen?" 

"Started using that g-g-gait harness six months ago, but it wasn't until last week that I finally got out of that -- " His eyes twitched, jaw tensing as he struggled to release the remaining words. " -- damn wheelchair and started using these crutches."

"It's so crazy seeing you like this." Realizing that her words may have come off as bit insensitive, she quickly added, "I mean It's wonderful, but It's kind of weird."

"I know. But It's -- great to be back up on my -- feet again. Pretty su-surreal, know what I mean?" 

Still astonished that her brother was actually standing in front of her, Jeneda reached up a hand to clasp it over her mouth. She felt her eyes begin to moisten, but before she could stop it from falling, a big fat tear rolled down her left cheek. 

"No tears, Neda. Don't cry." Settling his weight on one of his forearm crutches, Riley reached an arm out to pull her towards him. Then with loving gentleness, he looped an arm around her back. 

"Sorry, I don't mean to. It's just...." She wiped away the hot tears, then sniffed a few times before continuing on. "I've wanted this to happen for so long."

"It took three -- long years, but finally got my legs back." 

Hugging him tighter, she allowed him to soothe her with his compassionate touch, and with eyes that were still shiny with tears, she pulled back to once again look at him.

"I'm so happy for you. You've worked really hard to get to this point, and I just want you to know that I'm incredibly proud to be your sister." 

He smiled and reached out to wipe away one of the tears that still lingered on her cheek, then smoothed a palm over her hair before responding. "Th-th-thanks, sis."

They came together in one last hug before parting to look at Dane and Monica, who were watching on with smiles of their own. 

"Congratulations, man." Dane held out his hand for Riley to shake. "It's great to see that your recovery has gone so well." 

"Thanks," Riley said while clasping palms with him. "I appreciate the support, Dane."

"And of course you know how proud I am." Monica was positively beaming at Riley. "You're an inspiration to us all, son."

He smiled, and with Jeneda and Dane on his left side, and Monica on his right, they all made their way out of the airport and into the daylight of a nearly cloudless, but windy April afternoon. As they walked toward the concrete parking structure, Jeneda chatted about bridesmaid dresses with her mother, while Dane and Riley conversed about the latest video game consoles. 

Once they reached the car and were buckled in, Dane maneuvered his Prius out of the jam packed parking lot and onto the road that would take them to the highway. But their smooth journey towards home was quickly thwarted, as the freeway they entered was bumper to bumper traffic nearly the entire way. Normally this would have irritated Jeneda, but she was busily engaged in conversation with Riley and Monica, so she barely took notice of the horrific traffic situation.

"I still don't understand why you guys are staying in a hotel," Jeneda said as she turned in her seat to look at Riley and Monica. "Calvin Isn't flying in until the day before the wedding, so you may as well hang out with us until he arrives."

"That's five days from now," Monica said. "We don't want to inconvenience you and Dane."

"But it wouldn't be an inconvenience," Jenenda said. "That's why I made the offer."

"We'll be fine, Jen Jen. Besides, you two are getting married in a week, so I'm sure you've got more than enough to do without having to worry about us crowding up your apartment."

"We live in a huge loft, mom. There's more than enough room for three people."

"Thanks for the offer, sweetheart, but we'd really be better off in a hotel."

"Okay. Well if you change your mind, the offer is still open." Turning her attention to Riley, she said, "You're looking good, little brother. You put on a bit of muscle since the last time I saw you."

"Lifting weights," he said. "W-work out a lot now."

"Yeah, I can tell," she said while eyeing his shoulders, which were noticeably broad even beneath the sweatshirt that he was wearing. "So...what's this I hear about you and Penelope?" 

A sheepish grin crossed his face, yet instead of responding, he only lightly shrugged.

"Come on, give me the details," Jeneda urged. "Mom told me that you two have been spending a lot of time together."

"She's my nurse. Have to spend time with me."

"You know what I mean." Her lips tugged upward. "From what I hear, you two went out on a date."

"Not date, just hanging out."

"They went out for ice cream," Monica chimed in. 

"They let you leave the nursing home to go out with her for ice cream?" 

"Only go to Shady Palms for therapy now. Living with mom and Calvin until I can g-get my own place."

"Wait a minute, you're living with mom and Calvin now? Since when did this happen?" Jeneda averted her gaze from her brother to her mother, and then back again.

"Moved in few weeks ago. Doctor said now that my brain is functioning at a higher level, I don't n-n-need to be at the nursing home anymore."

"Riley, that's wonderful. Why didn't you tell me?"

"Wanted to surprise you."

Jeneda glanced at her mother, as if hoping to confirm that what she'd just heard was actually true.

"I would have told you, but he swore me to secrecy," Monica said. 

"Wow." Her face lit up from pure astonishment. "This is wonderful news." 

Both Riley and Monica smiled at Jeneda but remained quiet, as if wanting to allow her a moment to let it all sink in. 

"So this thing between you and Penelope...," Jeneda said. "Is she your girlfriend, or what?"

"Just a good friend."

"Why only a friend? It seems like she really likes you."

"Penelope is still his physical therapy nurse, so they can't have a full-fledged relationship," Monica said. 

"Oh right, because she would be crossing professional boundaries," Jeneda replied. 

"Exactly. So as of right now, they can't take things any further than friendship."

"That's gotta be frustrating," Jeneda said while looking at her brother. "Have you thought about getting a new nurse?" 

"Don't want a new nurse. Only want Penelope."

"But if you get a new physical therapist, then you would be free to date her."

"Feel comfortable with her. We started together and we fi-finish together." 

"Guess I can't blame you for that," Jeneda said. "It's been a long, hard road, so it only makes sense that she should be there to see you through to the end of it." 

"Things will work out for them," Monica said assuredly. "Riley only has a few more months of physical therapy to go, so he's nearly there."

"I'm so proud of you, little brother," Jeneda said with a smile. "The progress you've made has been unbelievable."

"Couldn't have d-d-done it without you and mom supporting me."

"We were happy to, sweetheart." Monica affectionately patted his hand. "And will continue to, as long as you need it."

Jeneda offered a smile to affirm the words that her mother had spoken, and as she looked admirably at her younger brother, she knew without a shred of doubt that he was going to be just fine. 

* * * *

Home of the 72 ounce steak challenge, the Texan Roadhouse was a colorful looking establishment situated along Interstate 280. Along with a huge American flag that was painted on the side of the restaurant, there was also a pair of bull horns mounted on top of an unlit neon sign that was cut into the shape of Texas. 

With such an ostentatious display of stately pride, the family steakhouse was the last place Jeneda would have ever expected to patronize. But per Riley's request, it was the restaurant that he'd chosen for their afternoon meal. 

"Are you sure you want to eat here?" Jeneda asked as she pulled into the gravel road parking lot. 

"You said I could pi-pick any place I wanted," Riley said as he grabbed his crutches from the backseat.

"You're right, I did." She cut the engine, then ran her fingers through her hair before checking her makeup in the rearview mirror. "But when I told you that I was treating you to lunch, I figured you would want to go somewhere nice."

"This seems like an okay place to me." He opened the passenger door, then carefully maneuvered his body so that he could stand on his forearm crutches. 

"But this Isn't even your type of restaurant." She pressed a button on the key fob so that the door locks were engaged, and after joining Riley by his side, she walked with him towards the entrance of the restaurant. "You hate steak. You think It's gross."

"Have really g-good burgers here," Riley said. "I checked their menu out online."

"If you wanted a good burger, I could have taken you to Max's. They're right in the city, and one of the best rated restaurants in the state."

Riley said nothing in return, only shrugged his shoulders and concentrated on moving his body forward with the aid of his crutches. As they reached the double doors that led into the restaurant, Jeneda attempted to open them. But before she could, Riley somehow managed to shift his weight on his walking implements and do it for her. 

She gave a thank you in return, then headed into the restaurant with him following behind her. Along with a sweet, smoky scent that hung heavy in the air, the smell of grilled meat invaded their nostrils.

A Patsy Cline tune drifted from the speakers that were hidden in the ceiling, and the wood paneled walls were adorned with autographed pictures of famous western singers. As they approached the hostess podium, a thickly-built blonde in a cowboy hat gave them a welcoming smile, and in a southern drawl that Jeneda couldn't help but find charming, she offered a warm greeting. 

"How ya'll doing today?"

"Great." Riley returned her friendly smile.

"Wonderful. Will it just be two for lunch?"

"No, three. We're here to m-meet our dad."

"What?" Jeneda swiveled her head to look at Riley, who to her complete frustration, only continued to cast his gaze on the pretty hostess. 

Noting the expression of discontent on Jeneda's face, the hostess hesitantly offered some words. "So It's a party of three, then..." She averted her glance to Jeneda before allowing her eyes to once again rest on Riley's face.

"Yeah. He hasn't arrived yet, but when he does, can you g-guide him to our table?"

"Not a problem," the waitress said. "What's your last name?"

"Larkson."

She scribbled it down on a pad of paper that was attached to the podium, then grabbed three menus.

"Right this way," she said, and with the hem of her western style dress swishing lightly to the movement of her generous hips, she led the way toward their table.

Clearly trying his best to avoid speaking with Jeneda, Riley awkwardly hobbled along on his forearm crutches. His face was set like stone and his gaze was focused straight ahead, but this did nothing to deter Jeneda from attempting to get some much needed answers out of him.

"Speak to me, Riley. Tell me what's going on."

"You know what's g-going on. We're here to meet dad," he said over his shoulder.

"And you didn't think to mention it on our way over here?" Her voice had become strained due to the nervousness that she felt. 

"Because I knew you wouldn't come," he rebutted.

"You still should have told me."

Having reached their table, both Jeneda and Riley settled into the booth, and with a look on her fact that expressed utmost displeasure, she pinned him with an intent gaze.

"This is a complete waste of time. He doesn't want to see me, and you know it."

"You're getting m-married in four days," he said. "He needs to be there to walk you down the aisle."

"He's not interested." Her voice held a note of irritation. "I already asked him if he would come to the wedding and his exact words were, 'I'd rather pass another kidney stone than give you away to that soulless bastard." 

"M-maybe he'll change his mind."

"No, Riley. He won't." 

"Can't g-give up. Keep trying and maybe he'll forgive you." 

"I've done nothing to be forgiven for." A slight crease formed between her perfectly arched brows as she hastily added, "And if you think I'm apologizing to him then you can just forget it, because It's not happening."

"Not asking you t-to apologize," he said. "Tell him you ne-need him to be at the wedding. Let him know how important it is to you."

"He knows how important it is to me and he doesn't care."

"Try, Jeneda. You have to try."

"So what if I do and he still says no?" She asked. 

"Then I'll give you away," he said. "I'll wa-walk you down the aisle myself." 

For the first time in the past five minutes Jeneda's face softened, and with an expression of pure gratitude, she stretched out a palm to take his hand in hers. "Thank you, Riley. That's incredibly sweet of you to offer."

"Don't have to th-thank me. You're my sister and I l-love you."

She gave his hand a firm squeeze, and in a voice that was slightly hoarse with emotion, she said, "I love you, too. And thank you for being so supportive of me and Dane."

"No problem. That's what I'm here for."

With a rhythmic swish of her hips, the blonde waitress approached their table with glasses of water in hand. But upon noticing who was trailing right behind the blonde server, her mouth drew into a straight line.

"Looks like your dad finally made it," the waitress said to Riley as she set the glasses of water on the table. "You're nearly the spitting image of him, you know that?" She smiled at him before turning her head to look up at Gary, who was standing right beside her with a barely visible smile.

"Thanks, but I think he's far better looking than I ever was," Gary said.

"I think It's fair to say that you passed on some pretty good genes." She looked at Riley and then Jeneda before resting her gaze back on their father, who was impressive in both the height and bulk of his body. "Why don't you get settled in, and I'll be back in a bit to take your order."

Gary gave her a nod before she turned and headed off toward another table. Then with eyes focused directly on Riley, he offered a greeting.




Velvet Kisses Ch. 11



"It's good to see you, son."

"You too, dad."

"Jeneda." Gary's expression turned cold as he offered her a nod of acknowledgment. "I wasn't expecting to see you here."

"I'm just as surprised by this meeting as you are," she said.

Gary maneuvered his lumberjack-like body into the booth next to his son, and with a long, low sigh through his nose, he turned his head to look at Riley. "This was supposed to be a day for you and me to hang out. I said nothing about bringing Jeneda along." 

"You need to make up with her," he said. "This has g-gone on long enough."

"We've had this discussion before, Riley. And I already told you that our relationship is irreparable."

"She's your daughter. You're su-supposed to be there for her, no matter what." 

"Why should I be there for her?" Gary asked crossly. "She lied to me, and protected a man who killed my best friend."

"I didn't lie to you, and Dane didn't kill anyone," Jeneda said. 

"He was an accomplice to a murder that would have been solved if you'd turned him in." Gary's tone had turned bitter with the last few words. "But instead you chose to keep it a secret and betray your family; the people who have loved and taken care of you since birth."

"I've apologized for that, dad. And I've felt like shit for nearly a year now because of this guilt trip you've put on me. What else do you want me to do?"

"Nothing. Go ahead and get married to the creep, I'm sure you'll have a wonderful life together."

The words he'd spoken hung so heavily in the air that instead of approaching their table with her trademark peppyness, the blonde waitress hesitantly stepped forward. She retrieved a pad and pen from the pocket of her apron, then looked at Jeneda, who offered a thin smile. "Are ya'll ready to order now, or should I give you a bit more time to look over the menu?"

"We'll need more time, thank you," Jeneda said.

"Not a problem. I'll give you a few more minutes." 

As the waitress turned and walked away, Jeneda looked back at her father. But no sooner had she allowed her gaze to once again rest on him, did she find herself wilting beneath his angry stare.

"What you did was unforgivable. You crossed a line, Jeneda. A very serious one."

"I fell in love, dad. Last time I checked, that wasn't a crime." 

"You know what I'm talking about." His jaw tightened. "You're marrying a man who has no redeemable qualities whatsoever. He's a thief and a liar, and he intentionally disrespected my wishes when I demanded that he stay away from the rest of my family."

"Going to Key West was my idea, so you can't blame that on him," Jeneda said. "And he had every right to meet mom and Riley. He's my fiancée, and whether or not you like it, he's a part of the family now. 

Gary made a noise of disgust, then rose to his feet with a scowl so fierce, Jeneda unconsciously shrunk in her seat.

"Alright, I'm done here. I'll give you a call later, Riley." He didn't even bother to look at Jeneda before storming away and making a beeline for the door.

"Dad, wait." Riley grabbed his forearm crutches and awkwardly rose to his feet before hastily following behind Gary, who had already reached the door.

Not wanting her brother to be on his own, Jeneda trailed behind him until they reached the exit, where they barely had time to notice Gary head to the rear of the building and toward an area where a number of semi-trailer trucks were parked. 

"Dad, s-stop. We ne-need to talk," Riley shouted out after him.

"I'm done talking," Gary said. "This conversation is over, so just let it go."

Having finally caught up to his father, Riley positioned himself directly in front of the metal steps that led up to the big rig's driver door. "No." His voice was firm and deeper than usual. "You're g-going to make up with her, so st-stop t-trying to avoid this."

"Move aside, Riley." He tried to walk around his son so that he could climb up into his truck, but was effectively blocked as Riley adjusted his stance.

"It's time to f-forgive her, dad. She doesn't de-deserve to be continually per-per-persecuted f-for..." His voice trailed off and a crease appeared between his brows as he struggled to push out the remaining words, yet no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't seem to spit out the rest of the sentence. "Per-persecuted f-f-for..."

"Riley, It's okay," Jeneda soothingly ran a hand over his shoulder in hopes that it would ease the distress he felt. "He's made his decision, and I'm fine with it. Honestly. Now let's just go, alright?" 

"No." Although he was resting his weight on crutches, his stance was firm and his mouth was set in a determined line. "I'm not l-leaving unless he agrees to come to the wedding."

"Not happening," Gary said.

"D-damn it, dad. St-stop being such a jackass."

Surprised at the language that had come out of her sweet brother's mouth, Jeneda diverted her gaze from Riley to her father, who looked as if he'd just been slapped hard in the face.

"Watch your language, son." Gary's baritone voice had taken on a stern tone. "I know you're upset, but that doesn't give you the right to disrespect me."

Clearly unfazed by his father's authoritativeness, Riley held his gaze unwaveringly. "The day after I h-had my accident, you made a promise to me."

Not a word passed Gary's lips in response, but it was clear from the way his face had softened, that he fully understood what Riley was talking about.

"It was three years ago, but I st-still remember everything you said to me in that hospital room."

A stretch of silence passed between the two men, during which Jeneda found herself unable to do more than shift awkwardly on her feet. 

"You said that if I got better and started to walk again, that you would spend more time off the road and with m-me and Jeneda."

"That's why I set up this meeting," Gary said. "So that we could go on a ride together."

"But you didn't invite Jeneda."

"I've made it very clear why she's not welcome."

"You made a p-promise, dad." Nearly glowering, he stared his father straight in the eyes. "You said you would sp-sp-spend more time with the *both* of us."

At six foot three, Gary should have been able to effortlessly intimidate his son into lowering his eyes. But it was clear that he was not only obligated to acknowledge the promise, but make good on the words that had been pledged three years ago. 

"So what do you want to me to do?" He asked huffily. "Just forget what she did and pretend as if it never happened? Because I can't do that, Riley."

"I'm not asking you to f-forget, I'm asking you to forgive."

Gary lowered his eyes and stuffed his hands into his pockets before letting out a heavy sigh. 

"Look at her, dad." 

With reluctance, Gary lifted his gaze to his daughter's face. His expression remained stern and his mouth was set in a hard line, but for the first time in nearly a year, Jeneda saw something in his eyes that seemed to hint at forgiveness. That moment, however, was very fleeting, because the sliver of compassion that had shone through her father's formidable exterior was quickly extinguished. 

"I can't do this right now," Gary said as he looked back at his son. "And I won't be forced into faking it." 

Although Riley had maintained a solid stance to block his father from getting into his 18 wheeler, Gary managed to maneuver himself around his son, and with hardly any effort at all, he climbed up into the elevated driver's seat. 

"I'm sorry, son," was all he managed to say before he closed the door behind him.

No longer standing tall but with shoulders sagging in defeat, Riley sadly watched on as his father started up the engine and put the big rig into gear. He broke his gaze only briefly to glance back at Jeneda, and as she walked closer to place a hand on his shoulder, she could see just how truly sorry he was at having failed her. It was such a sorrowful look that she couldn't help but place a hand on his shoulder, and with a thin smile on her lips, she offered some appreciative words.

"Thanks for trying. That was really sweet of you."

The corners of his lips just faintly quirked upward, but as he averted his attention back to the red 18 wheeler before them, his mouth formed into a thin, straight line. What happened next took place so quickly, that Jeneda barely even noticed Riley move away from her. 

One minute, her gaze was planted on the tractor trailer's giant wheels as they began to move forward, and the next, her attention was suddenly diverted to her brother, who for some strange reason, had chosen to step right out in front of the imposing big rig. 

With barely a moment to react, Gary had to slam on the breaks, which resulted in an angry squealing noise as the truck came to an abrupt stop. Riley, who stood less than a few inches from the big rig's shiny chrome grill, hadn't even flinched, and wore an expression which could only be described as staunch determination. 

With hurried movements that punctuated his anger, Gary hopped down from the cab of his truck, and face flashing with anger, stomped over to the spot his son was currently occupying.

"What the hell is the matter with you, boy? You gone crazy, or something?"

As Gary came to a stop beside him, Riley looked up at his face with an expression that showcased his fierceness. "You're taking her with you."

"What?" The V-shaped crease between his brows deepened even further. 

"You're taking Jeneda with you."

"Why the hell would I do that?" 

"Because you ne-ne-need to work things out with her. And if you're s-stuck in a truck together, then I'll know that neither of you will be able to escape."

"I don't think this is the best idea," Jeneda said as she stepped forward. "I'm getting married in three days, Riley. Now Isn't the time for me to be going on a road trip."

"You'll be home by tonight," he said before resting his attention back on his father. "Right, dad?"

"She's not coming with me, Riley."

"She is."

"Get out of the way, son," Gary growled. "I have a drop to make, and I'll be damned if I run behind schedule because of this nonsense."

"I'd rather not tag along with him," Jeneda chimed in. "So please, move out the way and let dad by, Riley." 

"Both of you s-shut up, and g-g-get in the damn truck."

"You're out of line, boy," Gary said through gritted teeth while pointing a finger scoldingly toward his chest.

"Dad, please. Just li-listen to me."

Gary fell silent and crossed his arms in front of his chest. Then with a heavy sigh that made his nostrils flare, he waited for Riley to once again speak. 

"When I f-first started recovery, all I could think about was how b-b-badly I wanted to get out of that wheelchair so I could w-walk Jeneda down the aisle."

Gary's angry expression didn't change a bit, but Jeneda's features instantly softened as she listened to her brother continue speaking.

"It's supposed t-to be your job, dad. But when she told me how angry you were with her, I knew th-th-that I would have to be the one to do it for her." He paused, adjusted his stance on his forearm crutches, and then started taking again. "I w-worked really hard, went through a lot of p-pain to get to this point. Wanted to make her proud, and show you and mom that I could do it." 

A brief moment of silence passed as Riley allowed the words he'd just spoken to fully sink in. 

"If I could put aside my pr-pride and learn how to walk again, you can overcome your ego and forgive Jeneda. So stop m-m-making excuses and be there for her." 

What had formerly been a hard, angry stare on Gary's face had finally relaxed into a look of compassion. His body was no longer rigid, and his arms were no longer crossed against his barrel of a chest. 

A few moments passed before he finally reached out for his son, and with a tenderness that was deeply touching, he pulled Riley into a tight hug. By the time they pulled back from the embrace, Jeneda's vision had slightly blurred, but before the tears could fall, she wiped at the corners of her eyes.

"I love you. You know that," he said as he released the younger man from his embrace. "And I'm incredibly proud of you." 

Riley smiled, then shifted his eyes briefly to his sister before resting his gaze on his dad. "Jeneda needs you at the wedding, just as much as she needs me." 

"Okay." There was more than a hint of reluctance in his voice.

"So you'll come..." Riley dragged the words out slowly, as if he could hardly believe that his father had actually given an affirmative response."

"I'll come," Gary said. "But she's marrying this bastard without my blessing, so I'm not giving her away."

"After a-all I s-s-said, you still-"

"I said I would go, Riley. End of discussion." Gary turned and headed back to his truck, but as he opened the driver's side door, his gaze drifted towards Jeneda, who was still in awe at the events which had just transpired. 

"Are you coming, or not?" Gary asked.

"I thought you already agreed to come to the wedding," she said.

"I did. But we have important things to discuss, and I'll be on the road for the next two days, so if we're going to do this, then it has to be now." 

"I drove out here with Riley. I can't just leave him behind."

"Mom has a rental car," Riley said. "I'll just give her a call, and she'll pi-pick me up." 

Now effectively locked into accompanying her father, Jeneda had no choice but to give her brother a goodbye hug, and after pulling back to look at his face, she spoke a few last words. "I hate that you're making me do this, but at the same time, I love you for it. Does that make any sense?"

"Yes." He smiled before adding, "And you're welcome."

She leaned in to give him a kiss on the cheek, then made her way towards the red 18 wheeler, which was already idling and ready to take off. With the passenger seat so high above the ground, it took a bit of effort for Jeneda to climb the aluminum steps that led up to the cab. 

But once she got settled into her seat and strapped on her safety belt, she noticed that Riley was standing off to the side, watching as the semi-trailer rolled forward and slowly made its way out of the parking lot. She gave him a wave goodbye, and after receiving one in return, she took in a deep breath of air, then slowly let it out. 

"So, where are we going?" she asked.

"Livermore. But we have several deliveries to make on the way out there, so you may as well settle back and get comfortable."

Realizing that her body was indeed stiff with tension, she took his advice. But as he steered the big rig onto the freeway and towards their destination, she got the feeling that the journey ahead would be anything but relaxing.



Velvet Kisses Ch. 12



Riding in the cab of a semi truck was far less exciting than Jeneda remembered. But miraculously, the interior of the truck smelled exactly the same — like diesel, fast food, and WD40. The last time she'd been in an 18-wheeler was fifteen years ago, when she'd accompanied her father on a cross country trip at the age of fourteen. That summer had been a special one for her, filled with good memories of riding shotgun as her father told all sorts of fascinating tales about life on the road. 

But now she was fully grown, and as she sat beside her truck driver father, she couldn't help noticing the gray hairs at his temple, nor could she ignore the frown lines set deep in his forehead, or the crinkles around his eyes. It was almost scary how quickly fifteen years had passed by, and although she would have much preferred not to think about it, she found herself wondering how much longer he would be around. 

Before she could get too deep into her contemplation of mortality, she allowed herself a moment to check out the wood-panelled dashboard of his truck, which was filled with all sorts of knobs and switches that controlled things she probably couldn't even imagine. One of the cup holders was housing a giant Big Gulp cup, and old hamburger wrappers were tucked between the seats and the center console. 

Pieces of paper with scribbled phone numbers littered the top of the dashboard, as well as a well-worn logbook that was stained with greasy fingerprints. But it wasn't until her eyes came to focus on the CB radio, that she found herself intrigued, and without even thinking about it, she removed the microphone from its mounting bracket.

"Wow, you guys still use these things?" 

"Yes, and don't mess with it. It's not a toy." He grabbed the transmitter from her hands and placed it back into its holder.

"Sorry. Not trying to mess things up. I'm just curious, is all."

Gary said nothing in return, only kept his eyes pinned on the highway, which seemed to stretch on forever before them. With only the sound of the big rig's engine to fill the inescapable silence, Jeneda anxiously waited for her father to speak, but to her disappointment, he remained frustratingly quiet. It took nearly ten minutes of waiting in vain for her to finally lose patience, and with annoyance lacing her tone, she finally broke the stillness.

"So are you going to talk to me, or what? Because if you keep giving me the silent treatment, it makes this whole trip we're taking together pretty pointless."

"I'll speak when I'm ready," he said. As if to prove his point, he allowed several more moments to pass before he finally did. "When Vincent died, it felt like a part of me went with him. He was like a brother to me, and it was because of him that I was able to get through some very hard times in my life."

Jeneda looked down at her hands, which were clasped awkwardly in her lap.

"The pain is still there, Jeneda. After nearly two years, it still hurts like hell to know he's not around anymore, and even though I know in my heart that he's truly dead, I still sometimes find myself hoping that he somehow survived."

This proclamation caused Jeneda to lift her gaze and look at her father, who was hunched over the large steering wheel. 

"I know it sounds crazy, but It's true," he said. "I never have been comfortable with change, and Vincent's death was a huge one that I never quite came to grips with." He maneuvered the semi truck so that they veered into the lane that would take them to Santa Clara, then settled into a cruising speed. "Vincent was my only true friend, and now that he's gone, I'm all alone."

"No you're not, dad. You still have me and Riley."

"Your brother lives in Key West, and you..." He suddenly halted his speech, as if afraid that he might say something regretful. "You have your own life to live, and I'm not going to intrude on that."

"But it wouldn't be an intrusion," she said. "You're my father. I want us to have a proper relationship."

"I want that too, Jeneda."

Sensing a 'but,' she waited for him to continue.

"But I have a lot of pent up anger inside of me, and I don't think It's fair to try and repair things between us when I'm in such a negative place."

"We can take small steps," she said. "Maybe start out by talking on the phone every weekend. Then gradually build up to going out for coffee or even lunch."

"Yeah, maybe." 

"How about a definitely?" Her eyes seemed to implore him for an affirmative answer. 

"I really want us to be on friendly terms again."

Disappointingly, Gary remained quiet.

"Dad, please. I'm begging you, here. Can't you put aside your feelings toward Dane and treat me like an individual? Just because he's my fiancé, doesn't mean that I cease to function as a singular person."

"I know that."

"So give me a chance, and let's make things right." 

"I love you, Jeneda. God knows I do. But I would be a liar if I told you that I've completely forgiven you for being with Dane."

"It takes time, I understand. But how can we ever work things out, if you refuse to take the first step and let me back into your life?"

A moment of silence passed, then two, before Gary finally released a small sigh. "Okay, "I'm willing to try. But how exactly do we do this?"

"We've already started, dad," she said. 

And as she gazed straight ahead at the road they were traveling along, she experienced something that she hadn't felt in a long time – a sliver of inner peace. 

* * * *

By the time they finally dropped off their delivery in Livermore, it was already half past seven and as evening fell, the temperature was beginning to drop. Not having been prepared for the impromptu trip that she was taking with her father, Jeneda had nothing more than an off the shoulder tunic and a pair of jeans to keep her warm. 

Although it was less bitterly cold than it had been for the past few nights, it was still chilly enough to warrant an overgarment and that was how she came to be clothed in her father's sweatshirt, which was emblazoned with the statement, "This Is How I Roll." Directly beneath those five words was an image of a big rig, which was nearly identical to the one that her dad actually drove. 

Aside from the fact that it nearly hung down to her knees, it actually felt rather cozy, and did an excellent job of keeping her warm in the truck, which thanks to a broken heater, was unpleasantly cold.

"Sorry about the heater," Gary said as he maneuvered the truck into the parking lot of a Norm's restaurant, which displayed a huge banner that proclaimed, "Truckers Welcome." "The heater broke a few days ago, and I haven't been able to get it fixed yet."

"No worries. Your sweatshirt is keeping me pretty warm." 

"Looks like It's nearly swallowing you whole." He gently smiled and cut the engine, and as he got out of the big rig, so did Jeneda. 

Featuring a style of architecture that was typical of the mid-century era, the eating establishment had a space age design, which featured an upswept roof and large, slanted windows that looked out onto the nearly empty street. They walked side by side to the restaurant, and on entering the well-lit coffee shop, they were shown to a table by a tired looking waitress who looked barely old enough to vote. 

While Gary sipped a coffee that was loaded with sugar and cream, Jeneda slowly drank her rich hot chocolate. They sat in silence for several minutes before she finally posed a burning question, which had been on her mind for several weeks. 

"Have you seen Adrian or Daniel around lately?"

Gary quirked his brow and regarded her with curious eyes for a few moments before saying, "From what I hear, Daniel is back in prison. And as for Adrian, I haven't seen or heard anything about him."

"So you don't talk to him anymore." 

"No, of course not," he said. "Not after what he did to you."

She took a swallow of her cocoa, then licked away the whipped cream that had collected on her top lip. "I know you already refused to walk me down the aisle, but the offer is still there if you change your mind between now and Saturday."

"I won't change it," Gary responded while giving her a serious look.

"Please reconsider. Can't you put aside your feelings toward Dane for just one day?"

"No, I can't. And I'm not budging on my decision, so there's no use in trying to get me to change my mind."

Her lips pressed tight and she picked up a menu, purposely holding it in front of her face as she scanned the various items that were offered for dinner. A palpable tension hung in the air as they sank into a tense lull in conversation, but as the waitress came by to take their order, the silence between them was finally broken.

'What can I get you?" 

"I'll have a bowl of clam chowder and grilled cheese sandwich," Jeneda said.

"And for you?" The waitress flatly asked while looking at Gary.

"Country fried steak. Go heavy on the mashed potatoes and give me extra gravy, too."

The server wrote Gary's order down on a small pad and took their menus, but before she could walk away, Jeneda amended her own order.

"You know what, forget the grilled cheese. I'll just have the clam chowder." 

"Okay." The waitress scribbled out the item on her pad, then headed off towards the kitchen. 

"You gotta have more than a bowl of soup," Gary said. "That's not a proper meal."

"Chowder is fattening enough. The last thing I need is grilled cheese to go along with it."

"You don't need to go on a diet, Jeneda. You're at a perfectly healthy weight."

I'm getting married in four days. I need to look my best."

Gary said nothing in return, only took a sip from his mug, then set it back down so that he could pour more sweetener into his already sugary coffee.

"Easy on the sugar, dad. You've got less coffee than you do sweetener in that cup."

"I've been drinking my coffee like this for years now," he said. "Keeps me alert."

"Can't be too healthy, though." A look of concern crossed her features as she studied the creases and furrows that time had added to her father's face. 

"Hasn't killed me yet," he simply said, and took a large gulp of his beverage as if to testify to his statement. 

Jeneda took a sip of her own hot drink as well, then placed the cup on the table and traced the rim of it with her thumb. "Dane is a good man, dad. He's been wonderful to me, and treats me better than any other guy I've ever dated."

"I'm glad he treats you well," he said, but the trace of bitterness in his voice was a contradiction to the words he had spoken.

"Are you really?" She asked. 

"Of course. You're my baby girl, and I only want the best for you."

She gave him a soft smile. "It's been a long time since you called me that."

"Well you are my baby girl. Nothing will ever change that."

It warmed her heart to hear the words that her father had spoken and although Gary chose to purposely forgo eye contact and instead gaze out of the window, she could tell that his serious and somewhat distant demeanor had lessened just a bit. 

"I'm giving a rehearsal dinner on Friday," she said. "I'd love to have you there if you can make it."

"I can't."

"Oh." Her face fell. "Why not?"

"I'll be busy."

"Doing what?"

"Just busy." 

Before she could follow up with another question Gary rose to his feet, and with a barely audible mumble of "be right back," he set off towards the restroom. She'd only been sitting alone for less than a minute before her cell phone made a chiming noise, and after retrieving it from her purse, she glanced at the display screen to see that she had a text message from Dane.

*Hope things are good with you and your dad. When you coming home?*

She keyed in a response.

*Shouldn't be more than a couple of hours.*

*Can't wait to see you.*

*Can't wait to see you, either.*

*I'll keep the bed warm for you.*

This brought a smile to her lips but before she could offer a reply, another text came through.

*I was thinking we could try something a little different tonight. You up for it?*

She input her response.

*Do I ever say no to you?*

*Mmmm. Get your sexy ass home NOW.*

She briefly looked up to see if her father was anywhere in sight, but upon noticing that he wasn't, she promptly turned her attention back to her cell phone and typed in a reply.

*What would you do if I was there right now?*

Knowing that her father could be back at any minute, she impatiently waited for Dane's response.

*Tell you to get on your knees, then make you beg to be collared.*

*And what else?*

*Have you pose with ass up, pussy exposed and ready to receive my hard cock.*

Now thoroughly turned on, she started to type in a reply but before she could, Dane followed up with another stimulating text.

*But I wouldn't stick it in immediately. You'd have to worship my cock first, and convince me that you deserved to get fucked.*

Her fingers flew over the tiny keys as she input her reply.

*I love it when you get all dark and dominating.*

*I know you do. Now hurry up and get home so I can use you like the little cock slut you are.*

Her body flushed in response to his lustful words, but she didn't get a chance to reply, because her father was headed back towards the table. He barely had time to slide into his side of the booth before the waitress arrived with their food, and without a moment of hesitancy, he dove into his chicken fried steak. 

Having always been a fan of clam chowder, Jeneda finished her bowl of soup in no time at all and once sufficiently full, she pushed the bowl away from her and wiped her mouth off with a napkin. With his plate now empty, Gary retrieved a toothpick from the pocket of his jacket and stuck it in his mouth. 

He signaled the waitress for their check and after leaving enough money to cover the bill as well as a tip, he rose to his feet. Jeneda stood up from the booth as well, and together they made their way out of the restaurant and back to the big rig. 

As her father drove, Jeneda gazed out at the passing scenery of the small city, which was not only quiet, but had a small town atmosphere. Known as a mecca for wine connoisseuers, Livermore had an abundance of boutique wine shops, as well as several independent coffee houses and a plethora of historic buildings. It was such a quaint city that Jeneda couldn't help but admire how idyllic looking it was, but her attention was pulled away from the window as she heard the sound of her father's voice.

"So other than being a thief and a loser, what else do I need to know about him?" 

Ever since leaving the diner, Gary hadn't offered even so much as a word, so Jeneda was taken aback by the sudden break in stillness. 

"He's not a loser. And his past has nothing to do with the man he is today, so please stop calling him a thief." 

Gary flexed his jaw a few times before posing another question. "Does he have any children?"

"No."

What about siblings?"

"He's an only child."

"He ever been married before?"

"Not that I know of."

"You didn't think to ask him?" Gary averted his attention from the road just long enough to show her how deeply knitted his eyebrows were. 

"No."

"Well why not?"

"He never mentioned he was married before, so I guess I just figured that this would be his first time."

"You don't guess, you ask. This is the sort of thing you find out while dating, not four days from walking down the aisle."

Noting the sternness in her father's voice she said, "I highly doubt he's been married before. He would have told me if he was."

"You're assuming. You don't know that for a fact."

"Yes, I do." Her voice had grown firm and her body instinctively became rigid. "He wouldn't keep it a secret from me."

"Why not?" Gary asked. "He kept Vincent a secret from you."

For a moment she couldn't help but think over the words that he had spoken, but when she realized that she was allowing herself to be taken down the wrong track, she quickly fired back a rebuttal. 

"This Isn't going to work, dad. So you can just stop, okay?"

"What Isn't going to work?" 

"This thing you're doing," she said. "You're trying to make me doubt him. That's the plan, Isn't it?" 

"You've already made it clear he's number one in your life, so clearly nothing I say will make you change your opinion about him."

The energy between them was getting tenser by the minute, and not wanting to add any fuel to the already growing fire, Jeneda decided to instead focus her attention on the road in front of them. 

"I'm just asking you to be smart about this," Gary said. "You've known this guy for little more than a year, and yet you're already getting married to him. Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"Positive. Now can we please change the subject?"

"No. I'm entitled to ask questions and I'll keep asking for as long as I like, so get comfortable, because we've got a long ride ahead of us."

She let out a small puff of air and clasped her hands tightly together in her lap. 

"Does this guy have a job?"

"Yes he has a job."

"What type?"

"He's a graphic novelist."

"Doesn't sound like a solid career," Gary said. "Is he planning on doing that for the rest of his life?"

"Yes and he's made quite a name for himself, so It's definitely something he can do long term." 

"What kind of a family does he come from?"

"A very nice one," she curtly replied.

"So they're not criminals," Gary said. "They're decent people."

"Why would they be criminals?" 

"The apple doesn't fall far, Jeneda." 

"You're right, it doesn't," she said with a pinched expression on her face. "And Dane is a wonderful man, so I guess that's a testament to Kitty and Naohito's parenting skills."

This shut him up for a few moments but before very long, he was rattling off more questions. 

"What do his parents do for a living?"

"His father is president of a wealth management firm, and as far as I know, his mother doesn't have a job."

"So she's a housewife."

"I guess you could call her that." Yet as soon as the words left her mouth, she realized that the term was much too simple to describe someone as elegant and upper-crust as Kitty. "Actually, she's more of a socialite."

"They sound like snobs," Gary dismissively said.

"They're not. Come to the rehearsal dinner and you'll see how lovely they are."

"I already told you, I'm busy."

"I know that's what you told me," she said. "But we both know that Isn't true."

She guessed that the icy look her father gave her was designed to make her drop her gaze, but she met his stare boldly, as if daring him to deny what she'd said. "Why *won't* you come to the rehearsal dinner?" 

"Because I'm afraid I'll do something I regret."

"Such as?"

Gary sighed heavily and gripped the steering wheel tighter before saying, "The sight of him makes me sick to my stomach. You can't expect me to share a dinner table with a guy like that."

Disappointed, Jeneda looked away so that her focus was planted on the view beyond the windshield, where vintage-style street lamps lined the sidewalk. A light fog had begun to settle in, causing the road in front of them to be partially obstructed, so Gary turned the high beams on. 

Shrouded in uncomfortable stillness, Gary and Jeneda both remained wordless, as if afraid to break the delicate silence of the moment. Every once in awhile, bits of static and the sound of people talking would come through the CB radio, but for the most part, the interior of the cab was painfully quiet. So much, in fact, that Jeneda found herself searching for something to comment on. 

"Do you have a CB handle?" she asked.

He nodded. "Buckshot Gary."

"What's the story behind the name?" 

"Went hunting with a couple of buddies some years ago and got a pellet of buckshot embedded in my left shoulder."




Velvet Kisses Ch. 12



"You never told me that happened. When was this?"

"Six years ago."

"And you're just telling me *now*?"

"I wouldn't have told you at all, if you hadn't asked."

"Why not?"

"Because it isn't a big deal. And I don't really see the point of you knowing I got hit with a pellet of buckshot."

"You were in a hunting accident, dad. You didn't think that was the least bit worthy of mentioning?"

"No, I didn't."

"Did you ever tell mom or Riley?"

"No."

"Wow." She lightly shook her head while resting her eyes on his face. "I can't believe you never told us."

"Your mother and I were already broken up by then, and you know how your brother feels about hunting."

"You still should have told us," she said. 

It wasn't anything major." 

"You could have died."

"It was one pellet, Jeneda," he stated huffily. "Now let it go, alright?"

If the firm tone of his voice wasn't enough to convey his annoyance, the stern look on his face definitely was. Knowing better than to push him any further, Jeneda decided to halt her interrogation, and instead focused her attention on the CB radio, which was emitting a variety of conversations that were faint, yet audible.

"Full grown rolling eastbound at the 16."

"Got a smokey report for anyone who...."

"Chickenboy out here. Anyone wanna talk?"

Snatches of conversation continued to weave their way through the static of the CB radio, and with ears perked, Jeneda listened on. 

"....red hair, green eyes. Anyone wanna party, meet me at Gunsmoke off of 285 at..."

"...couple of lot lizards swarming..."

"Concrete blonde at Circle K. Little rough around the edges, but she's got a pair of lips that can suck reaaaaal good..."

"You shouldn't be listening to that," Gary said as he turned the volume down on the CB radio.

"I'm an adult, dad. It wouldn't be the first time I've heard dirty language." 

"Still shouldn't be listening to it." He waited a full minute before turning the volume back up, at which point, there came the sound of a voice that was so thick with a New England accent, it was nearly impossible to make out."

"Hey, who's out there? This is Road Ranger, got a copy?"

Gary retrieved the microphone from its mounting bracket, then spoke into it.

"Buckshot Gary out here in Livermore. How're things on your end, Road Ranger?"

"Had a rocket crotch cowboy just cut me off. Nearly forced me off the shoulder and right into a ditch. Thought I was goin' to the boneyard there for a minute."

"Damn motorcyclists," Gary said. "There's a lot of idiots out there on the road. You newbie's gotta be careful."

"Aint' no newbie anymore," Road Ranger defensively replied. "Been on the job now for almost a year."

"Yeah, okay." A gentle laugh passed Gary's lips. "Still haven't earned those stripes yet, baby Pete."

Road Ranger let out a playful scoff.

"I got my daughter in the truck with me today," Gary said. "Say hello to her." 

"Well hi there. It's nice to finally meet ya."

"Nice to meet you too," Jeneda said as she accepted the CB microphone from Gary.

"My name's Pete, but my CB handle is Road Ranger. Been a friend of your father's for a year now. He's a great guy."

"I'm pretty fond of him too," she said with a soft smile. "I notice you have an accent. You from Boston?"

"Maine."

"I see. Well you're the first Mainer I've ever spoken to."

"Mainer..." He let out a light chuckle before adding, "You're cunnin', you know that?"

"Cunnin'?" Jeneda's brow furrowed. 

"Means cute."

"Oh, I see."

"So what you doin' riding shotgun in that big ol' smelly rig?" Pete asked. "Your father force you to come along?"

"No...not exactly." Jeneda stole a look at her father and noticed that his eyes were still on the road, but the way his head was just slightly cocked told her that he was listening intently to the conversation. "I don't see him very often, so we're spending some quality time together."

"Ayuh. I don't have a daughter myself, but I know how important that father-daughter bonding thing is. You two enjoy yourselves and make some good memories, alright?"

"We will." 

"It was nice talkin' to you, Jeneda. And take care of yourself."

"Likewise," she said before passing the transmitter back to her father.

"Gonna bug out now, Pete. Drive safe and look out for those bear baits."

"Ayuh. Catch you later, Gary."

Jeneda's father placed the microphone back into the holder that was mounted on the dashboard, then made a sharp right turn into the parking lot of an ice cream shop. 

With its plastic picnic tables and vintage neon sign, the frozen dessert chain looked like an establishment that time forgot. Due to the growing number of large scale ice cream franchises, the mom and pop joints had been on the decline, so Jeneda was thoroughly surprised to find out that such a place was still in existence. 

"This place is still in business?" she asked as her father maneuvered the 18-wheeler into the drive-thru. 

"Forgot all about it, didn't you?" He lightly smiled, then cast his gaze on the faded drive-thru menu. "Is frozen custard still your favorite?"

"Haven't had it since I was fourteen, but I'm sure It's just as delicious as I remember."

"Two scoops in a waffle cone, right?" 

"Yes." Amazed at his memory, she slightly lifted her brows. 

"Don't look so surprised," he said. "I remember a lot of things from your childhood."

"Welcome to Dolly's. How many I help you?" Questioned a voice through the drive-thru speaker.

"Two scoops of frozen custard ice cream," Gary said. "And I'd like it in a waffle cone."

"Anything else?" 

"I'll take your Banana Boat Supreme, with extra whipped cream and plenty of pineapple sauce."

"Will that be it?"

"Yes."

"$6.21 will be your total. Pull forward, and we'll have your order ready at the next window."

After receiving their food, Gary maneuvered the big rig into a parking space so that they could enjoy their frozen treats. Rich, creamy, and just as custardy as she'd remembered it, Jeneda's soft serve ice cream wasn't just delicious, but downright decadent. 

"So much for your wedding diet, huh?" Gary asked with a smile as he noticed how much she was enjoying her cone.

"I'll work it off," she said self-assuredly, then took another lick before seeking out a napkin to wipe off her mouth. 

"They didn't give us any," Gary said as he realized what she was searching for.

"Seriously?" Her eyes drifted from the console between the seats to the top of the dashboard, which was littered with post-its and a variety of fast food wrappers. "How could they not give us any napkins?"

Gary shrugged. "Guess they forgot. Might have some towelettes in the glove compartment, if you wanna check." 

Jeneda did check, but she had to rifle through a plethora of registration papers, as well as plastic cutlery and several packs of cinnamon flavored gum. With no napkins in sight, she considered giving up the search, but on locating a hidden compartment further within the glove box, she decided to have a look inside. 

She did locate a small stack of napkins, but she never got the chance to wipe off her mouth, because the Polaroid that she discovered caused a sudden dread to hit her at the core.

Focusing her eyes on the subjects of the aged photograph, she noticed that one of them was her own father. If she had to guess, she'd assume he was at least twenty years younger in the picture that she was holding, but that wasn't what made her stare so long and hard at the snapshot. Directly next to her father was a pale skinned woman with dark brown hair that was teased into a fluffy, 80's hairstyle. 

There was an infant in her arms who was swathed in a blue blanket, so she was pretty certain that the child was a boy. But what Jeneda wasn't sure of was the identity of the baby, because as far as she could tell, the newborn in the woman's arms didn't resemble Gary in the slightest.

*But newborns don't always look like both of their parents,* she told herself. *So the lack of resemblance means nothing.*

Ignoring the voice, she looked from the baby's face to that of the mother's before focusing her gaze on the younger version of her father. Then tearing her eyes away from the picture, she looked at her current-day dad, who was seated behind the wheel of his big rig. 

Completely oblivious to the fact that she had found the Polaroid, Gary continued to enjoy his sundae, scooping up nuts and whipped cream while gazing out at the neon sign above the ice cream parlor. Uncertain of what to say or even how to say it, Jeneda just stared at him, as if suddenly seeing him for the very first time. Then finally in a slightly shaky voice, she posed a question.

"Who is the woman in this picture?"

Gary turned his head to look at Jeneda, and upon noticing the photograph in her hand, he stopped chewing. A few moments passed before he lifted his gaze to hers, but he didn't make eye contact for very long before once again shifting his focus to the snapshot.

"Where did you find that photograph?" He asked.

"In the glove box."

His gaze shifted to the compartment built into the dashboard, and on noticing that the hidden alcove was open, he looked back at his daughter.

"Why did you go in there?"

"You told me to look in the glove box, so I did."

"Did I also tell you to look in the hidden alcove?"

A long, hard stare was all she gave in return before lifting the photograph so that it was level with his face. "Tell me who she is."

Gary swallowed the nuts and whipped cream that was still in his mouth, then placed his banana split sundae on the top of the dashboard. 

"Her name is Aileen."

With eyes still pinned intently on him, Jeneda impatiently waited for him to continue.

"She was a friend of mine some years ago..." His voice tapered off as he saw the look of disbelief on Jeneda's face, and perhaps knowing that she wasn't going to buy his bullshit, he blew out a heavy breath.

"The truth, dad," Jeneda said in a stern tone of voice. "I want to hear it."

"Alright, she was more than a friend. We had a relationship."

"And this baby in the picture." She briefly averted her gaze to look at the infant who was held lovingly in his mother's arms. "Is he yours?"

"Yes."

"So you have another son," she said. "Riley Isn't your only one."

He nodded.

She looked at the picture again, this time studying it as close as she could so that she could make out the details of the infant's face. "Are you still in touch with him?"

"Yes, I am."

"And what about the mother?"

"She's no longer around."

She slowly shook her head. "I don't believe this."

"I didn't mean for you to find out like this," Gary said.

"You didn't mean for me to find out at *all.*"

"I was going to tell you eventually."

"Like when?" She asked. *When* were you going to tell me, dad? Because I honestly believe you were going to keep this a secret forever."

"No." He shook his head before quickly adding, "I was going to tell you, I just didn't know *how.*"

"Bullshit," she loudly said. "You just hoped I would never find out, and I would have gone the rest of my life never knowing I had another brother."

"No," he said. "That Isn't what I was planning."

"Who is he?" She snippily questioned.

"I already told you, he's my son."

"No, I mean who is he today? What's his name? Where does he live? What type of a person is he? Tell me something, anything, so I can try and understand this."

"You know who he is."

"What are you talking about?" Her brows drew together. "I don't know him." 

"Yes, you do." 

A tense moment of silence followed, during which Jeneda and Gary simply stared at one another.

"That baby in the picture...." Gary paused, then dryly swallowed before finally pushing out the remaining words. "The baby in the picture is Adrian."

A blank look crossed her face as she struggled to process the information that she'd just been given. A heavy feeling settled into the pit of her stomach and for a moment she felt as if she were going to be sick, yet at the same time she also felt like screaming. 

She wanted to swear but she was too shocked to speak, and as a feeling of disorientation set in, she became certain that the ice cream she'd just eaten would be promptly regurgitated.

"What?" Although fearful to accept the truth, she anxiously waited for him to repeat what he'd just said. 

"Adrian is your brother."

She let out a humorless bark of laughter, then blinked a few times before finally saying, "You have got to be kidding me." She lowered her gaze to the photo in her hand, then looked back up at her father. "The baby in this picture is Adrian..." 

"That's right." 

"And he's your son." 

Gary nodded.

She looked at the photo again. "But he doesn't look anything like you."

"He takes after his mother."

For the countless time since she'd first discovered it, Jeneda studied the Polaroid. Focusing her attention on Adrian's mother, she took note of her long, straight nose, and also noticed her blue-gray eyes. They weren't just beautiful, but absolutely striking, and this led her to form a mental image of Adrian, which in turn caused her to remember how much she'd always admired his eyes. 

They were the exact same shade of blue-gray as the woman in the picture, and as she compared the photograph of the pale skinned lady to the image of a grown-up Adrian in her head, she knew without a doubt that the woman in the Polaroid was definitely his mother. 

"I never would have guessed he was biracial," Jeneda said.

"A lot of people probably wouldn't. Aileen's genes were clearly more dominant."

Still trying to come to grips with the fact that she and Adrian shared a bloodline, Jeneda stared blankly at the Polaroid. As she sat there in silence, she came to the revelation that genes could, and often did work in crazy ways. 

While her father had dark brown skin and a wide nose, Adrian had more of an olive toned complexion, and possessed more Caucasian-looking features which nearly mirrored those of his mother's. Ever since joining the military, Adrian's hair had been worn in a buzz cut. But now that Jeneda thought back to his adolescent years, she did recall that his hair had been curly. 

She'd seen lots of Italian people with curly or even coarse hair textures, though, so Adrian having a less than straight texture of hair hadn't piqued her curiosity in the slightest. There was, however, one thing about him that had always made her wonder, and now that she knew the truth about his identity, it made perfect sense as to why she'd always felt a sibling-like connection to him. 

"No wonder he always felt like a brother to me." She slowly shook her head, trying to grasp the monumental scale of the secret that had just been revealed. "I always felt like we were really close, but in a way I couldn't explain."

Gary shifted in his seat a little, and with his attention directed to a point that lay beyond the windshield, he said, "I'm sorry you had to find out this way."

"Truthfully, or are you just saying that?"

He turned his head to look at her. "I really mean it."

She stared at him for a moment before asking, "Does Adrian know that you're his birth father?"

"No."

"What about his mother? Does he know her?"

Gary shook his head. "She died six months after Adrian was born."

Jeneda lowered her gaze to the photo, and with a touch of sadness in her voice, she offered a few words. "So that's why you decided to give him away to Vincent and Stefania. Because his mother died, and you knew that bringing him home to live with me and mom would have caused too much trouble."

He nodded. "I would have had a lot of explaining to do to your mother. Not to mention, she would have never accepted him as a part of the family." 

"How do you know? Maybe she would have, if you'd explained the situation to her."

"Right." He gave a humorless laugh. "After confessing that I not only cheated, but fathered an illegitimate child with another woman, she would have welcomed Adrian into our home with open arms." He shook his head as if to convey how ridiculous he found her statement. "You can't possibly believe she would have done that."

Jeneda briefly lowered her eyes to the Polaroid in her hand before looking back up at her father. "You mentioned that this woman-"

"Her name was Aileen," Gary said.

"Okay." Taken aback at the abruptness with which her father had cut her off, she waited a few seconds before speaking again. "You mentioned that Aileen died six months after Adrian was born."

"That's right."

"Adrian and I are only a few weeks apart. So you got mom pregnant around roughly the same time that Aileen became pregnant with Adrian."

"Yes, that's true," Gary admitted. "And I'm not proud of myself, so you can stop giving me that look."

"I just don't understand how you could do something like that. Did mom mean anything to you at all?"

"Of course she did," he roughly said. "I loved her very much."

"Did you love Aileen as well?"

"Yes. But it was different with me and her." His gaze drifted momentarily to the sprinkles of rain that were beginning to hit the windshield. "We had more of a physical connection that anything else. Your mother and I had something really special."

"Then why did you cheat on her?"

"I was on the road for long stretches of time. I was lonely, and Monica and I were having marital problems."

"So that made it right to screw around on her with a woman you met on the road?" 

"I didn't say that."

"How dare you try to make excuses. Mom was pregnant and alone, and probably just as lonely as you were." 

"I know, and I'm really not trying to downplay what I did."

"Sounds like you are," she snappily replied.

"What I did was wrong, I get that. But it was a long time ago, and I had a very good reason for doing it."

"You abandoned your *son*. Don't you feel any guilt?"

"Of course I do. You think I'm happy that I had to give up my boy?"

"He deserves to know." 

"What would be the point of me telling him the truth? It would only complicate things and create unneeded confusion."

"Because It's the decent thing to do. He doesn't even know his true identity. He's part black and he doesn't even know it!"

"And telling him now as a full grown adult would be a good idea, would it?" 

"Vincent, the only man that he ever knew as a father, is dead. His adopted mom and his birth mother are also deceased. You're the only real family he has left, and he's completely unaware that you're connected to him by blood. Doesn't that bother you in the least?"

"It bothers me, but telling him the truth would be a very bad idea."

"Why?" 

He gave her a hard look. "I've already explained myself, Jeneda. I'm not going over it again."

"You're a massive hypocrite, you know that?" She narrowed her eyes at him. "How dare you judge Dane, when you not only cheated on mom and had a child with your mistress, but kept him a secret and gave him away to your best friend." 

"I fucked up, I get that," Gary said. "But you can't compare what I did, to the disgusting crime that Dane committed."

"At least he owned up to what he did. You lied to your family and gave your illegitimate son away just to cover your own ass. What Dane did was accidental, and completely out of his control." 

"Don't compare me to Dane." His jaw clenched tight and his teeth were bared in a snarl. "That little shit has done far worse than I ever did, so don't you dare fucking compare me to that sick bastard."

"Go to hell, dad." Jeneda angrily swung the passenger door open and started to climb out of the truck, but before she could, the sound of Gary's voice made her halt her movements.

"You get out of this truck and we're done," he loudly said. "I won't come to the wedding, and you can forget about us ever speaking again."




Velvet Kisses Ch. 12



Jeneda whipped her head around to look at her father, who glowered at her from behind the giant steering wheel of his 18-wheeler. 

"You want to cut me off again, go ahead," she dared him. "Abandoning your family is what you do best, so keep at it, because it's clearly working out just great for you."

She clumsily climbed down the metal ladder that was attached to the semi trailer, and without so much as one look back, stormed away from the truck. She walked hastily, not caring about the steady sprinkle of rain that was frizzing up her hair, nor the fog that was beginning to wrap itself around her. 

She walked quickly and with purpose, although she didn't have the faintest clue of where she was going. It was the dead of night and she was on foot in a strange town, so there really weren't a whole lot of options. But thankfully she was in possession of her cell phone, so she retrieved it from her purse. 

She quickly dialed in Dane's number and pressed the call send button, then waited impatiently for him to pick up. It only took two rings before he did, and as soon as his voice came onto the line, she instantly felt the tenseness in her body dissipate. 

"Hey baby, you almost home?"

"No." Her voice wavered slightly. "I need you to pick me up."

"What happened? I thought you were with your dad?"

"I was. But we had a fight, and now I need a ride home."

"Where are you?"

"In Livermore."

"And you're all alone?"

"Yes."

"He just left you there?"

"No, not exactly." Now half a block from the frozen dessert establishment, she was beginning to wonder why she hadn't just hung out there, instead. "I'll explain everything later on, but right now I really need you to pick me up."

"I'm on my way, honey. But I'll need an address or cross streets in order to find you."

She halted her steps and looked around for a street sign, which wasn't easy to do, considering that the fog surrounding her had grown very thick. She walked a few more steps before reaching an intersection, but before she could make out the signs that identified the converging streets, the low rumble of a large engine caused her to turn on her heel. 

A beam of headlights cut through the fog that enveloped her, and although she was blinded by the high beams that were pointed her way, she knew without a doubt that it was her father's tractor trailer. 

"Hello?" Dane's worry-filled voice came through the receiver. What's going on, sweetie? Talk to me."

"I'm still here, just give me a minute."

The sound of heavy footsteps came first, then there was the unmistakable sight of her broad shouldered father, who walked towards her with an intimidating demeanor. Although Jeneda was fairly tall, she felt dwarved in comparison to his six foot three stature, and as he came to a stop in front of her, she lifted her gaze to meet his. Gently, he took the phone from her hands, and after placing it against his ear, he spoke into the receiver. 

"It's okay. I'm driving her home." 

He pressed a button to end the call before handing the cell phone back to Jeneda, and with a calm, slow gait, made his way back to the idling truck. She headed for the passenger side door, and after climbing up the rig's ladder, she slid into the seat and shut the door behind her. As soon as she got her seatbelt on, Gary put the car in drive. They'd been traveling for less than a minute when her cell phone began to ring, and on noticing that it was Dane's number, she pressed the phone against her ear.

"Hello?"

"Is everything alright?" Dane asked.

"Yeah, everything's fine. My dad is driving me home, so no need to worry, okay?"

"You run into any more trouble, just give me a call."

"I will."

"Be safe, and I'll see you soon."

"Okay. See you in a bit," she said before slipping the phone back into her purse. 

As they came to a stoplight, Gary reached into the sleeping berth behind the driver's seat. He retrieved a thick blanket and placed it on Jeneda's lap, but instead of using it to warm herself up, she tossed it back into the sleeping compartment. 

"No thanks, I'm fine." 

"No you're not," Gary placed the blanket back on her lap. "You're wet and you're shivering. Now warm yourself up before you catch a cold."

She unfolded the blanket and spread it over her body, then settled back against the seat with a weary sigh. No longer on the street, but traveling along a winding road that snaked through windmill farms and dry pasture, Gary and Jeneda rode in stillness. 

Every once in awhile a motorcycle or car would cut in front of them and zip along the nearly empty thruway, but other than that they were the only vehicle on the road, and completely encased by a deafening silence. The thick fog only added to the feeling of isolation and loneliness, but with decades of professional driving under his belt, Gary handled the twists and turns of the desolate road with no trouble at all.

"I know I was a lousy dad and I'm sorry for that," he finally said. "But what's done is done, and staying mad at me won't do anything except put us right back where we started."

"I'm not mad," she softly said. "Just shocked and really disappointed in you." 

Although his gaze was fixed on the road in front of them, Jeneda could see the shame in his eyes, as well as in his body language.

"So besides Vincent and Stefania, who else knew about Adrian?" Jeneda asked. 

"Vincent's mother."

"And nobody else?"

He shook his head.

"Do you ever plan on telling Adrian, or are you going to keep this a secret forever?"

"It's no longer a secret," Gary said. "Now that you know, so will everyone else."

"No, that's your job," she said. It's up to you to let everyone know the truth."

Gary let out an uneasy sigh and gripped the steering wheel a bit tighter. 

"Did mom ever find out that you were cheating on her?" 

"She had her suspicions but she never found out about Aileen," he said. "The reason she filed for divorce, was because she got tired of being a trucker's wife." 

As the thruway narrowed to one lane, Gary eased up on the gas, taking special caution so that the 18-wheeler remained within the white road markings.

"Can't say I blame her," he continued. "Sometimes I was on the road for weeks at a time, and when I did get to spend a few days at home, I was too tired to give her the proper attention she deserved."

Jeneda looked down at her left hand, studying the engagement ring on her finger. Ever since she'd been a teenager, she'd sworn she would never get married, and she knew that her parent's failed marriage had played a large part in her coming to that decision. But now, as she sat there beside her father, she was more convinced than ever that everything happened for a reason. 

The unfortunate demise of her parent's marriage had made her more aware of what she *didn't* want, and somehow that had led her to finding a man who was perfect for her, yet beautifully flawed in a way she truly appreciated. 

As this thought passed through her head, she found herself once again looking at her father, and that was when her thoughts turned to Adrian. And as she started thinking about her half-sibling, she began to feel more than a little sickened.

"The first person I kissed was Adrian," she suddenly blurted out.

"What?" Gary took his eyes off the road to look at her, and in the process, nearly drove off the black asphalt and into the field of dry pasture that flanked the thruway. 

"I had my first kiss with him when I was thirteen," Jeneda said. "He was the very first boy I was ever intimate with." 

"When you say intimate, you only mean kissing, right?" He lightly swallowed, as if to suggest that he was afraid to even entertain the thought of something more serious having happened. "You two didn't do anything else, did you?" A panicked expression came into his eyes. 

"No, and thank God we didn't. But Adrian has always had a thing for me, so things could have gone further."

"Oh my God," Gary said. "If I'd known, I would have kept you two apart."

"Well what did you expect?" She asked. "Didn't it ever cross your mind that something could have developed between us?"

"No, it didn't," he said. "The thought never even came into my head."

"Yet another reason why you should have told me he was my brother," she said in a stern voice.

"I already feel guilty, Jeneda. No need to rub it in."

But she did want to rub it in, and a part of her hoped that the shame he felt was overwhelming. After being kept in the dark for so many years, Jeneda not only felt lied to and completely betrayed, but confused and uncertain as to the sudden change in family dynamics. If that wasn't enough, she felt disgusted with herself for having kissed her own brother, but she did thank her lucky stars that she'd never allowed Adrian to have sex with her. 

"I'm sorry, Jeneda."

As her father's voice cut through her thoughts, she turned her eyes away from the rural scenery and rested her attention on his face.

"I'm sorry for keeping this a secret from you, and most of all, I'm sorry for pushing you out of my life. You didn't deserve that."

"No, I didn't," she softly said.

"It's just I've always been a bit overprotective of you, and the idea of you marrying someone like Dane...." He suddenly hated his speech, as if to force back the words that he really wanted to say. "The thought of you with him really pisses me off."

Jeneda said nothing in return, only waited for him to continue on.

"Your mother and I raised you with the intentions of being with a good, honest man. And from what I can tell, Dane is neither of those things."

"People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones," Jeneda said.

"You're comparing me to him again?" There was a rough edge to his voice, and his face flashed with anger as he looked at Jeneda. "I may have made some horrible decisions in my life, but that doesn't make me a bad person."

"That's not what I said," she replied. "But considering your own checkered past, I really don't think you should be criticizing Dane." 

Unable to counter that statement, Gary turned his eyes back on the road. 

"He deserves a second chance, dad. Just the same as you." 

Gary released a long, deep sigh through the wide bridge of his nose. His lips pressed tight and his brows knitted together. He clenched his fists a few times around the large steering wheel, and then finally in a flat tone of voice that conveyed his discontentment, he grumbled some words. 

"I'll try, but I can't make any promises." With trained precision, he maneuvered the truck off of the narrow, one lane road and merged onto a four lane highway before adding, "I still don't like him and I probably never will, but if he truly makes you happy then I guess I have to accept that."

Although his words were tinged with bitterness, they still gave Jeneda hope and brought a faint smile to her lips. By the time Gary pulled up in front of the loft that Dane and Jeneda resided in, the fog had somewhat lessened. But the rain was still coming down in light patters against the windshield. 

"It was good seeing you, dad," Jeneda said as she unbuckled her seatbelt and gathered her purse. 

"It was good seeing you, too. And thanks for the company."

"Anytime." She smiled and opened the door so she could climb out of the truck. 

Gary watched her climb down the metal ladder attached to the rig, and upon seeing that she was safely on the ground, he leaned over to close the passenger door. But as his hand clasped the door handle, he paused to give his daughter a thoughtful look. 

"Jeneda?" 

"Yeah?" She gazed up at him from her spot on the ground. 

"If the offer's still open, I'd like to walk you down the aisle."

"Really?" Her eyes slightly widened.

"Yes. That is if you still want me at your wedding."

"Of course I do, why wouldn't I?"

Gary lowered his eyes for a few moments before once again making eye contact. "Thank you."

"For what?" She asked.

"Your forgiveness," he said in a voice that lightly cracked with emotion. "And for being my daughter."

"You don't have to thank me for that." A soft smile curved her lips before she added, "Have a safe drive home, and I'll see you at the wedding."

"Take care, baby girl." Gary gave her a smile of his own, then pulled the passenger door shut.

Jeneda watched as her father put the truck into drive and slowly pulled away from the curb. She kept her eyes on the 18-wheeler until it was completely out of sight. Then she turned around and headed for the two-story brick loft that she called home.



Velvet Kisses Ch. 13



*Hard to believe that this story is nearing its end, but it is. At most, there will only be two more chapters left. Thank you all for your continued interest, and I hope you'll enjoy the chapter.*




"What about this one?" Jeneda asked as she held up a dark red bridesmaid dress that was made out of satiny fabric. 

"Not bad." Luna walked closer so she could check out the Y-neck bodice and cinched waist. "Actually, it's really cute."

"Try it on and see how it fits." Jeneda passed the dress to Luna, then took a seat on a cream colored sofa that was situated in the middle of the stall-less changing room. 

"What about me?" Ethan asked as he sat down next to Jeneda. "I'm your bridesmaid, too. What am I going to wear?"

"A suit."

"How about a dark grey one with a satiny red tie and matching pocket square?" 

"I like that idea," Jeneda said. "Dane's groomsmen are wearing grey suits too, so you'll not only complement them, but Luna as well."

Now stripped down to her underwear, Luna prepared to slip into her bridesmaid dress, but before she could, Ethan commented on her physical appearance.

"Your abs look amazing, Luna. Are you on a diet?"

"Nope, but I have been getting a lot of exercise."

"Share your routine," Jeneda said. "I'd love for my stomach to be that flat."

"Lots of sex. That's what my workout routine consists of."

"I have plenty of sex with Dane and my abs aren't nearly that defined."

"That's because you aren't using the right positions," she said. "Cowgirl is best, but you have to use your stomach muscles, rather than your legs. The bridge is also excellent for working your abs, but you need to have really good balance in order to pull that one off."

"Noted and filed away for future reference. Thanks for the tips, Luna."

"Always happy to help." She smiled, then checked out the image that was reflected back to her in the mirror. 

"You and Bradley must really be fucking your brains out," Ethan said. "Your ass is glowing."

"What?" Luna twisted her head around to check out her backside in the three way mirror, and on noticing the bright red handprint that adorned her left butt cheek, she lightly gasped. "Wow. I didn't think it would leave behind such a visible mark."

"I guess kinkiness runs in the family." A light smirk crossed Jeneda's lips. "Seems like Bradley's got a bit of freak in him, just like Dane."

"He's not boring, that's for sure. But if he brings out any whips or chains, I'm outta there," she said before turning away from the mirror to look at Jeneda. "So three more days until you get married, huh? You getting nervous yet?" 

"A bit. But I'm more excited than anything else."

"I'm really glad to hear you worked things out with your dad. Must be a huge weight off your shoulders to know he'll be giving you away at the wedding."

"It's great to have him back in my life," she said. "But I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that Adrian is actually my brother."

"I can't believe he kept such a huge secret like that for so many years," Ethan said. "I can only imagine how Riley and your mother will react when he tells them the truth."

"My mom told me that my father invited her and Riley out for lunch today, so I guess he decided to go ahead and get the confession over with."

"I don't know how you're keeping it together, girl," Luna said. "If I were you, I'd be a complete basket case."

"I don't have time to fall apart." Jeneda rose to her feet, then walked over to where Luna stood so that she could zip up her bridesmaid dress. "I'm getting married in a few days, and the last thing I want to do is mope around feeling sorry for myself."

"That's right, this is a time for celebration, so don't let anyone bring you down," Ethan said. 

Now zipped into the dress, Luna gave her reflection a long, thoughtful look before posing a question to Jeneda. "I know you're still getting used to the idea and everything, but do you think you'll ever sit down and have a talk with Adrian?"

"Nope," Jeneda said. "For one thing, it would be incredibly awkward and totally strange, considering that we once had a thing for each other."

"You had a crush on Adrian?" Ethan's eyes grew wide. "I thought you said that *he* was the one who liked *you*."

"He was. But when I was thirteen, I had a mad crush on him."

"But you guys never did anything more than kiss, right?"

"Nope."

"Thank God," Luna said.

"A kiss is pretty innocent," Ethan said. "Just be glad you didn't go any further."

"I'd be seriously pissed at your dad if I were you," Luna said. "Adrian is hot, and if I were you at that age, I totally would have done him."

"That's because you're a slut," Ethan said in a joking tone of voice.

"Takes one to know one, babe," she quipped back. 

Jeneda smiled at their playful banter, then pulled Luna's long curly hair behind her back so that the bustline of the bridesmaid dress was fully exposed. "When my dad first told me I *was* really mad, but eventually I realized that being angry was a waste of energy." 

"Amen, sister." Ethan stood up and joined Luna and Jeneda at the floor to ceiling mirrors. 

"And to elaborate on my answer to your earlier question," Jeneda said to Luna, "the other reason I would never consider sitting down to have a talk with Adrian, is because of what he did to Dane."

"That really was unforgiveable," Luna said. "Beating Dane within an inch of his life was horrible enough, but ratting him out to the police and getting him thrown in jail just took it to a whole other level."

"Adrian's sadistic," Ethan added. "So I really don't blame you for not wanting to ever speak to him again."

"I don't want to talk about Adrian anymore, so let's change the subject." Jeneda removed a piece of lint from the strap of Luna's dress.

"We could talk about how hot I look in this dress," Luna said.

Ethan and Jeneda exchanged a smile. 

"I don't wanna brag or anything, but red has always been my color." She adjusted her stance so that she could check out the back of the dress in the three way mirror. "Damn, my ass looks good in this dress." 

"Calm down, girl. You're getting drool all over it," Jeneda said with a smile. 

"Yeah, okay. You look pretty hot," Ethan admitted. "Now get changed so we can pay for the dress and get some lunch."

"Let's go to Mindy's," Luna said. "They have really good shrimp cocktail and killer mimosa's."

"Actually, I was thinking we could let Jeneda pick the restaurant." The look that Ethan gave Luna was a clear signal that couldn't be misinterpreted.

"Yeah, sure." Turning her gaze on Jeneda, she offered a smile. "Anywhere you want, hon. Our treat." 

"Actually, I wouldn't mind having shrimp cocktail and a mimosa, so I'm good with Mindy's." Jeneda unzipped the bridesmaid dress so that Luna could slip out of the satiny fabric. "I will, however, happily accept your generous offer to pick up the bill."

Once Luna was back in her street clothes, the threesome headed for the cash register. A few minutes later they were on their way to the restaurant, happily chatting as they walked along.

* * * * 

"Hey honey, sorry I'm home so late." Jeneda tossed her keys into the dish next to the door, then shrugged out of her fitted blazer as she looked at Dane, who was shirtless and seated in a red velvet armchair with a mug of coffee in hand. "After lunch we went to a movie, then headed over to Ethan's to hang out for a bit." 

"You could have phoned," he said while watching her step out of her tall boots. "You were due home at eleven thirty. It's now a quarter till one." 

"I'm sorry. Were you worried?" 

"Of course I was." His eyes followed the swaying of her hips as she walked over to where he sat, and as she bent down to kiss him, he allowed his tongue to brush against hers. "I missed you," he said as their lips parted.

"Missed you too." She gave him a little smile, then began to strip out of her clothing. 

It wasn't just the intensity of his stare that made every nerve ending in her body come alive, but the way that he sat in the armchair with legs spread wide. Along with being a very masculine pose, it also gave her an exceptional view of his crotch, which was beginning to visibly harden inside of his pants. 

After seductively removing her skirt and silk tank top, she took of her bra and panties, then started to peel off her thigh high stockings as well. But before she could remove the silky material from her legs, Dane gave an order.

"Leave them on."

Noting the authoritative tone to his voice, Jeneda removed her fingers from the lace hem of her stockings. She stood back to up to her full height, and with a fluttering in her stomach that was all too familiar, she expectantly waited to see what he would do next. 

Along with stylish pendant lights that were suspended from the exposed ceiling beams, there were also a few candles burning, which gave the space around them a soft, sensual glow. With her eyes keenly focused on Dane, Jeneda noticed how flattering the candlelight was to his already gorgeous face. His pale skin seemed to glow in the sepia-toned light, and his thick, black hair had a luster to it that made her want to lace her fingers through it. 

As she looked at him, he looked at her, but not a single word passed his mouth as she stood there naked in front of him. The naughty gleam that had appeared in his eyes, however, made it pretty clear that he was planning something wickedly naughty, and this was the thought that ran through her head as a delightful tingle ran up her spine. 

"*Anata dakara sekusi,*he finally said in a low, smooth voice. "You're damn sexy, you know that?"

She smiled and ran her fingers through her flat ironed hair before responding, "You make me feel sexy."

His lips curled into a faint smile as he slowly raked his eyes down her nude body. "You enjoy being desired, don't you?" 

"I enjoy being desired by you," she softly said.

"And others." His eyes peered deep into hers, as if willing her to give an affirmative response. "You like turning men on and making them want to fuck you."

Curious as to where this interrogation was leading, she lifted her brows. "I take pride in my appearance," she admitted, "but that doesn't mean I deliberately go out looking for attention from strange men."

"That isn't what I was implying." He silently regarded her for a moment before speaking once again. "I just want to know if you enjoy having other men stare at you." 

"Sure, who doesn't like being admired?" She said. "But to be honest, I hardly get any attention from guys when I'm out on the street."

"They check you out," Dane said. "You just don't realize it."

"Okay." Her mouth quirked into a half smile. "I guess I'll just have to take your word for it."

He leaned forward and reached out a hand so that he could touch her right leg, and with one of his fingers tracing patterns on the lacy edge of her silk stocking, he gazed up at her with his captivating eyes. "You seem to really like showing off these sexy legs in short skirts and stockings."

"They're my best physical feature," she said. 

"What about your ass?" His palms slid upward until they met with the delectable curve of her backside, where he proceeded to roughly massage her butt cheeks. "Those tight jeans you wear really emphasize how shapely it is." 

"You're right, they do," she said before adding, "If something accentuates a part of my body that I think looks good, then I'll wear it."

This brought a smile to his lips, and with a languid slide of his hands, he allowed his palms to find the curve of her waist. Offering a gentle sigh in response to his touch, Jeneda focused her attention on his hands. 

Lightly calloused from all of the drawing he did for his profession, Dane's palms were broad and manly, and yet his digits had an elegance about them that reminded her of a pianist's fingers. There was something mesmerizing about the way they were shaped, and as she continued to look at them, her lower half throbbed at the memory of how masterfully they'd previously manipulated the crevice between her thighs. 

"You really should have called to let me know you were going to be late."

As his voice broke through the silence, her eyes drifted back to his face. "Didn't mean to worry you, I just lost track of time."

"Yes, I know." His hands moved down to caress the sensitive flesh of her inner thighs before his fingers sought and found her clit, which was already taut and visibly swollen. "Staying out late was a naughty thing to do. I should punish you for that."

The rash of goosebumps that broke out all over Jeneda's body was so immediate, she barely had time to realize that it was triggered by his words, and as his lust filled eyes took on a deeper intensity, it was then that she knew he was shifting into dominant mode. 

"Punish me how?" The eagerness in Jeneda's tone couldn't have been more evident, and she keenly watched as he retrieved her submissive collar from the small table next to his armchair. 

"On your knees," was all he said in response. 

She lowered herself so that her knees were touching the polished concrete floor, then obediently waited as he secured the strip of leather around her neck. 

Once it was encircling her neck, he attached a chain leash to the O-ring that hung from her collar. He gently tugged on it to ensure that it was properly attached, then cupped Jeneda's chin so that her eyes were fixed directly on him. 

"Do you completely surrender yourself to me, and acknowledge that you exist purely to indulge every one of my desires?"

"Yes," she said in a soft voice.

"And you're in complete agreement that my masculine presence is a gift, and as such, you consider it not only an honor but your duty to serve me?"

"I do."

"Your body is a vessel for my cum, and as such, you'll do whatever it takes to get me off." 

"Yes, sir."

"Not sir, master. You shall only refer to me as master," he corrected. "Call me out of name and you'll be swiftly disciplined. Understood?"

She nodded. 

"Do you remember your safeword?" 

"Violet."

"Good. Then we're ready to begin." With tender softness he slowly kissed her, then rose to his full height and gently jerked on her collar so that she would follow.

Knowing full well that an attempt to stand would be met with disapproval, Jeneda remained in a subservient position, crawling behind him as he led the way to the bed. Upon reaching it, he turned to face her and gazed down at her kneeling form. 

"It's time for your punishment," he said. "I want you on all fours with your hands stretched out in front of you."

Jeneda promptly followed his demand, positioning herself so that her back was arched, and her buttocks was poking up in the air. Apparently it wasn't good enough for Dane, however, because he followed up with another command.

"Lower." Placing his foot on the back on her head, he forced her face down closer to the polished concrete. "I want your nose touching the floor."

As the tip of her nose brushed against the cold concrete, it fully sunk in that she was completely at his mercy, and had been reduced to a human pet that would be used as nothing more than a living sex toy. Due to the fact that her hair was surrounding her face like a curtain, she had to rely on her ears in order to figure out what was going on. Although it was very faint, she did pick up the sound of Dane's soft footsteps as he circled her subservient form. 

She could feel his eyes raking up and down her nude body, making her feel as if she was some type of fascinating specimen that was being studied under a microscope. 

His gaze was as palpable as a physical touch, and along with being incredibly probing, it had the power to make her skin flush with desire. She was so turned on that she was nearly panting, and as she felt Dane finally kneel behind her, her nipples grew tight and her body tensed with expectation. 

"Tell me why you're being punished," he said while lightly coasting a palm over her firm buttocks. 

"Because I didn't call to let you know that I would be coming home late." 

"And?"

At a loss as to what else she had done wrong, she blinked.

"You wore a short skirt and sheer stockings. Those boots you had on were quite slutty, as well."

"I thought you liked it when I dress sexy."

"I do. But I wasn't around to enjoy it, was I?"

She couldn't deny the words he had spoken, so she simply remained quiet.

"You belong to me and no one else," he said in a low, deep voice while slowly wrapping the leash around his hand so that the collar around her neck grew more restrictive. "Your body is mine. Your orgasms are mine. Your heartbeat is mine. Your entire sexual being is under my control. Do you understand?"

"Yes." Her voice came out breathy and slightly muffled, due to the fact that her lips were nearly touching the floor.

"Then you're in complete agreement that the discipline you're about to receive is not only well deserved, but will be fully appreciated and taken in stride, so that you will adjust your future behavior to my satisfaction."

"Yes, master."

"Very good." He smoothed his hand down the length of her spine, then firmly cupped her left butt cheek so that the tips of his fingers dug into her flesh. 

A few seconds later, his hand was no longer there. She heard the sound of his feet padding against the floor as he walked off to the other side of the loft. Nearly a minute passed before he returned, and after placing an object in front of her kneeling form, he gave her permission to look up.

"You may rise from your position." 

Jeneda pulled herself up so that her legs were tucked beneath her, then directed her attention to the washcloth, disposable razor, can of shaving cream, and plastic dishpan that was situated on the floor. Her gaze then lifted to Dane, who had once again grabbed her leash and was holding it firmly in his hand. 

"Get busy shaving my pussy," he said. "And don't stop until it's completely smooth."

She grabbed the can of shaving cream and squirted a generous amount onto her crotch, then picked up the razor and began removing the light stubble with long, careful strokes. Dane watched as she did it, studying the movement of the razor as it coasted along her delicate mound. 

Each pull on the disposable blade brought her closer to achieving the slick baldness that Dane preferred, and as she carefully maneuvered the razor toward the slick petals of her sex, Dane squatted down to her level so that he could examine her work. 

"I don't want any hair left." He gently pulled on her labia so that it was tautly stretched, which in turn assisted Jeneda in removing the hair along the outer edges of her pussy lips. "Make sure you get it all, understand?" 

She nodded, swishing her razor around in the dishpan of hot water before following up with a second shave to catch any stray hairs that may have eluded the sharp blade. Once she was certain that all of the stubble had been completely removed, she placed the razor on the floor and focused her attention on Dane.

"Better?"

With a powerfully scrutinizing gaze, Dane closely inspected her shorn slit, coasting his hand against the front of her pubic area before brushing his thumb along the edge of her vaginal lips. Exquisitely sensitive from having been shaven so close, Jeneda's pussy was especially vulnerable to his touch, and her body jolted as he ran a finger along the strip of skin between her anus and vagina.

"Good girl. You did an excellent job." He wiped her down with a warm washcloth to remove the remnants of shaving cream, then rose to his full height.

"Sit up."

Jeneda did as told, adjusting her position so that she sat back on her heels with palms resting against her thighs.

"Hands behind your back."





Velvet Kisses Ch. 13



She did as commanded.

"Remove my pants and boxers," he said. 

Uncertain of how to go about doing it without the aid of her hands, she gave herself a moment to think it over. Her eyes drifted from the button of his jeans to his zipper, then up to his belt loops. Luckily he wasn't wearing a belt, so she didn't have to worry about removing that. But as she maneuvered herself upward so that her mouth was level with the fly of his pants, she knew that undoing the clasp would be a challenging task. 

With an ineptness that made her feel a bit silly, she gripped the button of his jeans between her lips, then used her front teeth to undo the fastener from its hole. It took nearly two minutes before she was finally able to do it, and as the top of his pants loosened, she felt a tiny sense of accomplishment at having finally been able to pull it off.

That feeling of achievement was short lived as her eyes came to rest on his zipper, yet not wanting to appear as if she was uncertain in her ability to accomplish the task, she unhesitatingly grasped his zipper between her teeth. Slowly, and with extreme carefulness so that she wouldn't chip her teeth, Jeneda pulled the zipper down. 

Inch by inch it continued to lower, and for a moment she found herself amazed at how smoothly the slider was gliding along its track. But as it suddenly halted and refused to move any lower, she let out a frustrated breath. Gripping the zipper tighter, she utilized just enough force so that it wouldn't damage her teeth, and with a nice, firm tug, she tried again. But the zipper was clearly intent on remaining exactly where it was. 

"Having trouble, pet?"

The mocking tone in Dane's voice only served to increase her frustration, and with a noisy exhale through her nostrils, she conveyed that she was. As if hoping that the power of her thoughts would help it to budge, she released the fastener from her mouth, then pulled back to offer it a glare. As far as she could see, there wasn't anything obstructing the track on which the zipper was located, so she couldn't understand why it had gotten stuck. 

Dane's gaze remained intently on her as she stared at the zipper, and although she knew that it was her duty to undress him by herself, she found herself wishing that he would lend a helping hand. Slowly, she lifted her eyes to meet his, and with the best puppy dog face that she could muster, silently conveyed her need for help. 

"A submissive never lets down her master," Dane said. "Even when the task is difficult, she keeps on going until it's been successfully completed."

Having received the message loud and clear, she lowered her gaze to his crotch. She positioned her teeth around the zipper, and with re-doubled efforts, made another go at pulling it down. This time the slider moved freely along the teeth of the zipper, and as Dane's boxer briefs were finally revealed, an audible sigh left her lips. 

Getting his pants down proved to be just as challenging, but with a lot of patience and plenty of contortionist-like moves, she finally managed to slide his jeans all the way down to his ankles. Next came his boxer briefs, and after tugging them down with the aid of her teeth, she got busy at pulling the material off around his feet. 

From start to finish, it took her ten minutes to fully disrobe him, and with not a stitch of clothing left on his body, Jeneda could finally relax. The tension in her body immediately began to dissipate, and as she locked her eyes with Dane's, she noticed his lips curl into a pleased smile. 

"Well done, kitten. You did such a fine job with that mouth of yours, I'm going to allow you to suck my cock."

Placing his palm against the back of her head, Dane coaxed her closer to his erection, which was stiff and pointing towards her face. As if begging to be tasted, the thick tip of his shaft was swollen and shiny with precum, and more than happy to oblige, Jeneda encircled the rim of his hardness with the tip of her tongue. He jerked in response to the feel of her wet appendage, then threaded his fingers through her hair as she fully took him into her mouth. 

"Good girl," he groaned as the tip of his cock touched the back of her throat. "You really know how to please your master, don't you?" 

Spurred on by his praise, Jeneda drew her lips into a tight circle, and with a masterful technique that she'd developed from tireless practice, she licked and sucked him with long, purposeful strokes. 

He groaned and jerked on her leash when she allowed the head of his cock to pop out of her mouth, but his groan of dissent soon transformed to one of ecstasy as she began avidly licking his balls. She sucked one into her mouth and gently massaged it with her tongue, then licked his other velvety sac until it was glistening with saliva. The moan he released came from deep in his throat, and with a tenseness that made his body as taut as a string, he tightened his grip on her hair.

His eyes had glazed over and his breath came in soft pants. His lids briefly lowered as he fully lost himself in the sensation, hoarse moans falling from his lips as her lush mouth suckled his heavy balls. His cock was weeping so much precum that it was dribbling from his penis, and with his palm greedily clutching the back of her head, he held it firmly in place. 

Allowing the vein that ran along the underside of his cock to guide her, Jeneda dragged her hot tongue all the way up his straining shaft. Once she reached the head, she drooled all over it so that it was nice and wet. 

Then taking his swollen hardness into her mouth, she sucked him at a nice, steady pace. Wanting him to know how much she enjoyed the sensation of him growing thicker and harder in her mouth, she gazed up at him through her long, thick lashes. 

It wasn't long before he was pumping his hips to the rhythm of her mouth, continually picking up speed until she was forced to clutch his hips for stability. A masculine grunt ripped from his throat as he was sucked to completion, and with one last buck of his hips, he shot his load into her mouth. 

It was the longest, hottest release she'd ever swallowed, and like the subservient pet that she was, she accepted all that he had to give her. Once his balls had been completely drained, he withdrew his softening erection from her mouth. Jeneda licked her lips to remove the remnants of his semen, then gently kissed the tip of his cock to show her appreciation at having been allowed to swallow his cum. 

"That was wonderful, angel." He smoothed a palm over the top of her head before adding, "I can tell by the way you were sucking my cock that you were hungry for my cum."

"I'm always hungry for it," she said in a low, husky voice.

"Mmm..." He traced a thumb over the curve of her mouth. "So naughty and nasty, I love it." 

With a jerk on her leash, Dane indicated that he wanted her to rise. She did so obediently, but in the span of a few short seconds, she found herself on the bed with Dane straddling her body. As was usual whenever he locked his eyes with hers, she found herself in a kind of lustful daze, and as he positioned his face so that it was inches from hers, the faint scent of Prell shampoo drifted into her nostrils. 

"You remember when I asked you about knifeplay?" 

"Yes."

"I think tonight would be an excellent time to try it out." He retrieved a silk scarf from the pillow behind her head, and with tenderness, began binding her wrists to the iron headboard. 

Initially, it was the slippery sensation of the sash against her skin that turned her on, but as Dane knotted the satiny material so that it just slightly bit into her wrists, prickles of arousal rose along her body. 

A glint of shiny metal was all she managed to notice before she realized that Dane was holding a dagger with an ornate handle, but before she could rest her gaze on the weapon for very long, he maneuvered the knife so that it was no longer in her line of sight.

"So, what do you think?" He used the dull edge of the blade to trace her jawline before moving it along the curve of her neck and down to her collarbone. "You up for a bit of knifeplay?"

Before she could speak a word, he placed the cool blade against her chest, and with a feather light touch, dragged the knife further down until it met with her left nipple. To Jeneda's surprise, it instantly perked up, then grew rock hard as Dane maneuvered the tip of the knife so that it circled the stiff piece of flesh.

"I guess that gives me my answer," he said with a soft smile, and just as gingerly, began sliding the edge of the dagger against her right breast. "So no reservations at all?" His dark eyes peered searchingly into her chocolate brown ones. "You aren't the least bit nervous about me sliding a sharp knife against these smooth, gorgeous tits?

"No," she softly said before adding, "I trust you." 

"Good. That's very good." As if to test the words that she'd spoken, he increased the pressure of the knife so that the tip of the blade slightly pressed into her nipple. 

Although it wasn't hard enough to draw blood, the move did cause Jeneda to give a sharp intake of breath. Yet despite her fear, she also felt a rush of excitement that left her heart beating a little quicker. 

"Still trust me?" Dane asked as he lifted the knife and began slowly dragging it down her torso.

"Yes." 

And she wholeheartedly did. But that didn't stop her from feeling a wild thrill as the coldness of the blade kissed her smooth, brown stomach. Goosebumps broke out over her feverish skin, and although she was trying very hard to remain still, it seemed as if her abdominal muscles were intent on quivering. The knife caressed her skin with cool precision, making swirls and patterns on her satin-soft flesh. 

Dane was clearly well experienced and had a very steady hand, but this didn't stop Jeneda from thinking about how easily the dagger could puncture her skin. Having never been under the blade of a knife before, it should have frightened her. Yet somehow the feeling of helplessness that came along with engaging in the risky activity made the whole experience all the more thrilling. 

Along with the physical stimulation there was also a psychological one, and she was strangely aroused by the sensation of a sharp, dangerous object being trailed along her skin. 

This was the thought that ran through her head as she lifted her gaze to his face, and on noticing the look of intensity that was plastered across it, she began to wonder if he wasn't in some kind of a trance. It certainly seemed as if he was mesmerized, because his hooded eyes had taken on a lustful glint. It was a raw, primitive expression that she'd seen countless times before, but there was something especially sexy about the way he was currently studying her that really made her hot. 

With meticulous slowness, Dane continued to slide the dagger further downward until the razor sharp steel made contact with the waistband of her panties. A flick of his wrist was all it took for the knife to slice through the lacy fabric, and now fully exposed and without any barrier against the gleaming knife, her pussy was bared for his gaze. 

A breathless gasp passed Jeneda's lips at the sensation of the blade drawing against her hairless femininity, but it wasn't until he began gently moving the tip of the dagger along the outer edge of her pussy lips that her pulse began to quicken. 

Knowing that the slightest movement could result in a cut, she kept her body completely still. The apex between her thighs, however, was throbbing in expectation, and her inner muscles repeatedly clenched, as if signaling their need for something to grasp.

"Your pussy is wet," Dane said with a faint smile. "You must really be enjoying this."

Although her heart was hammering in her chest, she was indeed enjoying it, and found not only the physical sensations absolutely delicious, but the psychological aspect of it as well. So deeply entranced by the intensity of the moment, she found herself unable to tear her eyes away from the knife, which glinted dangerously under the soft light of the candles. 

With delicate carefulness, Dane caressed her dampened folds with the flat of the blade. Then maneuvering the knife in his hand so that the handle was facing her slit, he gently guided it into her velvety snugness. 

A soft moan fell from her lips at the feel of him driving the handle deeper inside of her, and with complete unabashment, she spread her legs even wider. Half lidded with lust and excitement, her eyes were keenly fixed on the movement of the knife, watching as Dane pushed it in and out of the delicate folds of her pussy. 

At first he thrust it into her at a slow, gentle pace, but as her whimpers rose in volume, he deepened his manipulations. This brought forth moans that were even throatier than before, and Jeneda began bucking her hips back and forth to increase the already delectable friction that the ornately engraved knife provided her. 

"What a kinky little fucktoy you are." Dane's eyes twinkled merrily, as if taking great pleasure in the fact that she was getting off on such a salacious act. "Does it turn you on, having the handle of my knife stuffed deep inside of your hot wet cunt?"

Unable to respond with more than a lustful moan, Jeneda threw her head back and gazed dazedly at the ceiling, but a sharp tug on her collar abruptly brought her attention back to Dane, who was staring down at her with an animalistic glint in his eyes. 

"Eyes on your master," he said. "You're not to look away unless given permission, understand?"

The nod that she gave let him know that she did, and with a cry that was just as heady as it was raw, she stared deeply into his eyes. Jeneda had been so into the moment that she'd completely forgotten about the collar around her neck, let alone the chain leash that was attached to it. But now that she'd been reminded of her pet-like status, it further elevated her excitement and sent an electric current right through her achingly sensitive center. 

"Who do you belong to?" While maintaining the in and out motion of the knife, he swirled it around in her velvet-like hole.

"You," she breathily replied. "I belong to you."

"Say my name." He tightened his grip on her leash just slightly so that she took notice and really paid attention to what he was saying. "Say the name of the one who owns you."

"Master." The words left her mouth in a hot gasp, followed by a hoarse moan.

"That's right," he darkly purred. "Moan for me like the horny little slut you are."

Aching and desperate for more stimulation, she let out an even louder cry while rolling her hips. The air was charged with an erotic energy she had never experienced before, and the rush she felt was incredible.

"Do you love the feeling of being owned?" He asked. "Of being so powerless that you're nothing more than a vessel for me to stick my dick inside of?"

"Yes."

"How much do you love it?" He questioned in a low, sexy tone. "Tell me." 

Her breathing had picked up, making it difficult for her to respond, but the way her face was contorted into an expression of ecstasy was a clear sign that she was intensely aroused. Soft groans passed her lips as she gyrated lightly against the knife and her brows were slightly furrowed, as if to convey how intently she was focusing on the present moment. 

Marveling at the hot flow of juices that continuously spilled from her cleft, Dane continued to masturbate her with the handle of the knife. Her breathing steadily accelerated and her lips pursed into an 'O' shape, but due to the feathery strokes he was giving her, she found herself perpetually on the edge of what she knew would be an intense orgasm. 

Yet although she was filled with an almost angry need, she couldn't deny the intense thrill she was receiving at being collared, leashed, and penetrated by the handle of a wickedly sharp knife. 

You're a very naughty girl," Dane said while maneuvering the weapon so that the round handle moved faster inside of her. "Getting off on something like this."

A whimper was pushed from her lips as Dane lowered his mouth to one of her jutting nipples, and as he began to gently suckle it, she moaned and twisted against her restraints. 

Aching for the sensation of something thicker inside of her, Jeneda arched her hips, bucking them roughly against his own. He responded by pressing the hard contours of his body against her softer, more feminine form, and with eyes peering deep into hers, he withdrew the handle of the dagger from her slippery heat. 

A breathy cry escaped her throat as his hard cock greedily impaled her core, pressing harder and deeper until he was fully lodged inside of her. Jeneda's hips lifted into the air so that the angle of penetration was increased, and with legs wrapped around his narrow waist, she drew him tighter against her.

Utilizing the strength in his leanly muscled arms and thighs, Dane began pummeling into her at a hard, fast rhythm. There was a power behind his thrusts that made her feel as if she were little more than a warm hole for his needs, but that was exactly the way that she liked it. She loved being his toy, and couldn't get enough of the helpless feeling that came along with being used like a fuck doll. 

With her wrists still bound to the headboard she was unable to steady herself, so with each in and out motion of his cock, her body jerked to the rhythm of his frantic motions. She guessed that Dane must have taken notice of the way her body was lurching forward, because he tightened his hold on her leash. 

A pleasured moan escaped her lips at the sensation of the collar tautening, and as he continued to hammer her with savage thrusts, she loudly cried out at the sweet, wet friction that was created. The sex was rough, powerful, and intense in a way that left her feeling intoxicated. Somehow it was almost too much pleasure for her take, and yet at the same time, she found herself needing even more. 

With an ease and adeptness that took Jeneda completely by surprise, Dane undid the knot in the scarf that was binding her hands to the headboard. He flipped her over so that she was in the correct position to be penetrated from behind, and with his fist still clasping the handle of her leash, he eased into her with one firm thrust. 

"Unnhh." She groaned at the hot glide of flesh to flesh, then rocked her hips to match his insistent rhythm.

This only lasted for a short time, however, before Dane took complete control, and with his palm grasping her waist, he stilled the movement of her hips that so that he could drive as deep and hard as he wanted. The faster his thrusts came, the louder she moaned, and as he continually gained speed Jeneda found herself on the verge of a very powerful orgasm. 

Suddenly, and with a stunning amount of force that knocked the breath right out of her, Dane's palm connected with her rear end. Her body jolted forward, lips parting in a silent gasp. She didn't even have to time to suck in a breath before he spanked her again, and as it was promptly followed up with yet another stinging slap, she let out a husky moan. 

"I knew you were a kinky girl," Dane softly said while leaning in closer so that his lips were right next to her ear. "You always did like being taken hard...."

His palm delivered a firm swat to her quivering backside.

"...love having your hair pulled during sex..."

Another hard smack, this time quicker and more direct than the last. 

"...and you love having your nipples bitten and pinched."

Her round bottom jiggled as he spanked her again, leaving behind a sting that was certain to last a few days.

"Don't you?" He questioned. 

"Y-yes," she barely managed to breathe out. 

There was more power behind his large hands than she had expected, so she was left a bit stunned at just how hard the spanks had been. But as the seventh smack came down across the flesh of her tender ass, she found herself not only welcoming the feel of Dane's broad palm against her rear end, but craving the stinging sensation that came along with it.




Velvet Kisses Ch. 13



Clearly more interested in giving her a nice, hard nailing, Dane put all of his effort into fucking her, and as he did, his balls slapped loudly against her ass. The grunts of pleasure that tore from his throat mingled with the wet suction of his tireless pounding, and as the smacking noises increased in tempo, Jeneda gave her surrender and called out his name. The sound of her crying out was enough to send him over the edge, and with an explosively loud moan, he reached his own dizzying climax. 

His body twitched with each spurt of cum that left his cock, breath ragged and rough as he lost himself in the sweet satisfaction of release. His fingers tightened considerably on her hips as he gave a light shudder, but as his body grew slack against hers, his grip loosened and he fell against the bed.

A few moments passed before she felt the flat planes of his body press against hers, but having been fucked completely senseless, she was helpless to do much of anything except bonelessly lay there. It took the brush of his fingertips against her skin to break through the drowsy haze of approaching sleep, but as he gently nipped the sensitive area along the back of her neck, her eyelashes slowly lifted.

"Hmm?" The drowsy utterance was all she managed to release before Dane pressed a tender kiss against her jawline. 

"Don't fall asleep on me yet," he said. "This is the last evening we'll spend together before the wedding on Saturday."

A moan of discontent was preceded by her words. "You're right. I forgot all about that." She turned onto her other side so that they were laying face to face with arms wrapped around each other. 

"You forgot about our wedding?" His lips pulled into a crooked smile. "And here I was thinking you were just as excited as I am."

"You know what I mean, dork." She brushed a palm against his chest before sliding it up to rest on his shoulders. "Staying apart the night before our wedding is kind of a silly tradition, don't you think?" 

"Actually, I think It's sorta nice."

"Really?" Her brows slightly lifted in surprise. "If I had it my way, we'd spend the last night together."

"But then we wouldn't get any sleep."

"Why not?" She asked before quickly answering her own question, "Oh, right. Because we would stay up late having sex."

"Exactly."

"Guess It's not such a bad thing that we'll be apart, then." She ran her thumb along his Adam's apple. "I have to look perfect for my man on my wedding day, don't I?"

"You always look perfect to me," he said.

"Well I want to look *extra* perfect."

They shared a kiss in the dwindling candlelight, indulging in the taste of the other's lips while their hands languidly glided over each other's bodies. When they pulled back, they took a moment to savor the stillness before disturbing it with more words. 

"You getting the jitters yet?" He asked. 

"No jitters, just ridiculously excited."

"Same here." He smiled and looped his arm around her waist so that she nestled closer against him. "So, you got anything crazy planned for your last night of freedom?" 

"Luna and Ethan are treating me to a night on the town. What about you?"

"Bradley knows this really great steakhouse in North Beach, so we'll start out by having dinner there first, then hang out on a party bus and drive around to a few bars."

"I guess you'll also be hitting the strip clubs."

"Naw." He shook his head before adding, "Strippers at bachelor parties are overrated. I'd rather waste my money on beer."

"I'm surprised." A light smile curled her lips. "I thought for certain you'd take advantage and indulge in a bit of debauchery the night before our wedding."

"Already get plenty of that here with you," he said. "And besides, who needs a stripper when I already have a woman that enjoys doing all of the naughty, nasty things that I love?"

"You corrupted me." A smirk flashed across her face. "Before I met you, I hadn't done half of those dirty acts, let alone fantasized about them."

"I know, and that's what turns me on." He allowed his finger to caress the area located above the crack of her butt, then reached down to cup her spanked bottom.

"We should probably get some sleep," she said through a yawn. "Your mother has a day at the spa booked for tomorrow, and she wants me to bring my mom along so that they can get to know each other a little better." 

"Glad you'll have a chance to rest up before the wedding," he said. "I invited your brother to go out to lunch with me and my dad, then afterwards we'll probably head back to my dad's house and play some video games on his home theatre system."

"Riley will love that." She hooked her leg over his and burrowed her face into his neck before allowing her lids to drift downward. "Rehearsal dinner is at seven, right?"

"Yep. Then we part ways and head out with our friends."

"So much going on," she said in a drowsy tone of voice. "Lots to do before we get married."

He leaned over to blow out the candle that was still burning on the nightstand, then took her back in his arms and kissed the top of her head. "Go to sleep, spunky. 

"Spunky." Her lips curled into a lazy smile. "Haven't called me that in a long time."

"Yeah, I know." 

He laced his fingers through hers. And together, they drifted off to sleep.



Velvet Kisses Ch. 14



*This is it, the last chapter. After writing about these two for a year and four months, it will be very difficult for me to let them go. But at the same time, I am also looking forward to focusing on a new story that has been on my mind for quite some time now. 

A huge thanks goes out to each and every one of you for your support of both Velvet Roses and Velvet Kisses. All of the votes, comments, and reads that I have accumulated really mean a LOT to me. So thank you again for your interest in my stories.

I hope you will find this last chapter to your liking. In my opinion, it was the best way to end the journey of these two. I hope you'll agree.* 

*

For the past ten minutes, Jeneda had been trying her best to sit still. But that was a very difficult thing to do when the pressure in her lower stomach was becoming increasingly intense. Gently sighing, she shifted in her seat, and in the process received an irritated look from the wedding hairstylist that was manipulating her hair into an elaborate updo.

"Everything okay?" Heavily lined in black kohl, the cosmetician's eyes seemed to implore her for an affirmative answer.

"Sorry to break your flow, but I need to pee," Jeneda said.

"Again?" Monica, who had been engaging in light chit chat with Dane's mother, came over to the Hollywood style vanity table where Jeneda was seated. "You just went half an hour ago."

"What am I supposed to do? I can't help it."

"No need to be nervous, my dear," Kitty said as she gazed at Jeneda's reflection in the mirror. "This wedding is going to be perfect." 

"It's not nerves," she said. I just drank too much water this morning." No longer able to ignore the fact that her bladder was screaming, Jeneda rose to her feet and headed for the bathroom as quickly as she could.

"Wait!" Worry laced Monica's voice as she followed on Jeneda's heels. "You'll need someone to hold up your dress."

In her panic to reach the toilet, Jeneda had forgotten how elaborate the train of her gown was, and nearly busted a gut trying to figure out the best way to pee without soiling the fabric. By the time her mother came into the bathroom, Jeneda was already reaching beneath her dress and clumsily removing her panties. She didn't have to struggle for very long, however, because Monica sprung into action and lifted both the flowing train and soft, tulle skirt. 

"Oh thank you, mom. Thank you, thank you." She sat on the cool porcelain seat, and with a long sigh of satisfaction, relieved herself. 

With her mother's assistance, Jeneda arranged the skirt of her wedding dress so that it was once again perfectly in place, and after washing her hands, she and Monica returned to the spacious mansion bedroom. 

"All better?" Kitty asked with a smile.

"Much," Jeneda said.

The hairstylist glanced at her watch before stating, "We need to get a move on. The chauffer is set to arrive in an hour, and I'm not even halfway through your hair."

Noting the slight edge in her voice, Jeneda retook her seat in front of the lighted vanity table. Without hesitation, the hairdresser began to work her magic on Jeneda, manipulating her locks into an updo that was not only elegant, but specially designed to draw attention to her bridal headpiece. 

Along with meticulously sculpting her hair into a pattern of interlocking swirls, the hairstylist also created a few delicate tendrils around her face, which perfectly complemented her soft, feminine makeup.

As soon as her hair had been completed, Kitty took Jeneda by the hand, and with a glance Monica's way she said, "I'd like to steal your daughter for a moment, if it's okay with you."

"Not a problem, Kitty," Monica said with a smile. 

Walking side by side, Jeneda and Kitty entered a walk-in closet, which was so huge that it could have been a bedroom of its own. Noting the floor to ceiling cabinets with mirrored doors, Jeneda took a moment to check out her reflection, and was stunned at the image that was cast back to her.

With its delicate, sweetheart neckline and fitted bodice, the top of the ivory wedding dress had a romantic look to it. The puffed out skirt, which consisted of organza layers that clustered and swirled into gorgeous rosettes, added detail and dimension to the long, flowing train. 

Finished with a corset closure, the back of the gown added a dash of spice, and perfectly accentuated the lower curve of her back. Along with being ethereal and fairy tale like, the dress was stunningly dramatic, and made her feel like royalty. 

"You look beautiful."

The sound of Kitty's voice caused Jeneda to turn around, and on seeing the smile on her mother's lips, she couldn't help but notice that she seemed extremely pleased.

"Thank you." 

Kitty offered a gentle nod, then opened a sliding drawer and retrieved a vintage brooch from a small, silk lined box. Fashioned from green and white Swarovski crystals that were arranged in the shape of a peackock, the piece of jewelry had an art deco style to it, and sparkled beneath the light of the chandelier which dangled from above. 

"This belonged to my grandmother," Kitty said as she held it in the palm of her hand. "She presented it to me on the day I got married, so I figure it only proper that I do the same for you."

"It's beautiful." She leaned in to admire the craftsmansip. "But I couldn't possibly accept a family heirloom. It looks far too expensive, and I -" 

"Of course you can," Kitty interjected. "Every bride needs something that's borrowed, doesn't she?"

As Kitty handed the brooch to her, Jeneda noticed that it had some weight to it, which only confirmed her suspicions that the decorative crystals were indeed genuine. 

"Attach it to the stem of your bouquet," Kitty said. "It'll perfectly accessorize those red roses and white tulips."

"I really appreciate this, Kitty. And I consider it an honor that you're entrusting me with this precious family heirloom." 

"It's my pleasure, dear." 

The whispery sound of fabric made Jeneda and Kitty turn their heads, and on seeing that Monica was heading towards them, they gave her a curious look. 

"Sorry to interrupt," Monica said, "But the chauffer is ready and waiting downstairs."

"Thank you, Monica. We'll be right down," Kitty said.

Layers of organza swirled loosely around her legs as Monica turned and left them in privacy. With stillness surrounding them, Jeneda and Kitty once again made eye contact, and after a long moment which was filled with palpable expectancy, Dane's mother finally spoke. 

"I believe in being completely upfront with people, so It's probably best that I come clean with you about something."

"Okay." Feeling a slight twinge of nervousness, Jeneda waited for Kitty to continue.

"Five months ago, Dane's father and I had a prenup created."

"A prenup..." Jeneda blinked a few times, then softly swallowed to push back the tiny lump that was growing in her throat. 

"Yes. I know it probably seems quite callous of us to suspect that you would be untrustworthy, but with our sizeable net worth, I'm sure you can understand our concerns."

"I understand it," she said. "But what I don't get, is why you waited the day of the wedding to tell me about it."

"This wasn't our intention. We wanted to let you know sooner, but when Dane reacted so harshly to our even mentioning that he get you to sign it, we -" 

"Wait a minute, Dane knows about this?"

"Yes. Didn't he tell you?"

"No, he didn't. This is a complete surprise."

"Oh, my. I was certain that he would tell you."

"He didn't."

Kitty's brows slightly lifted at the sternness of her tone. "I guess that's not too surprising. He loves you very much, and probably didn't want to cause you any emotional pain."

"He's a very thoughtful man," she simply said. 

Only moments before, the energy had been upbeat and full of positivity. But now there was a tenseness in the air which hung like a curtain between the two women. 

"Is that the prenup?" Jeneda asked while spotting a small stack of papers that was laying on top of a built in dressing table. 

"Yes." 

She walked closer to check out the document in detail, and after briefly leafing through the stapled pages, she retrieved a pen from a decorative pencil holder and hastily signed the contract.

"Your signature is no good, Jeneda."

"What do you mean?" She turned to look at Kitty, who was regarding her with a straight-faced expression.

"As you've probably noticed, Dane hasn't signed it yet. And he doesn't intend to. Which clearly means that he trusts you completely."

"Of course he trusts me," she dryly said. "We've been through hell and back together. He knows I'm not with him for his money." 

"I don't believe you are either. But I would be lying if I told you that I wasn't the slightest bit nervous about leaving my assets unprotected."

"And your husband's, as well."

"Of course." A brief pause preceded her next words. "This may come off as insincere, but I truly do hope this prenupial business won't get in the way of our building a relationship. I've grown quite fond of you over these past five months, and I want you to know that I'm pleased to have you as a part of the family."

What had formerly been an icy expression on Jeneda's face was now melting into a softer one. "Do you really mean that?"

"I've never been coy, Jeneda. I'm very upfront with my words, you know that."

A part of her wanted to foster the resentment that had bubbled inside of her, but that would have been far too easy. If there was one thing she didn't need in her life anymore, it was emotional baggage, and she had no intentions of harboring ill feelings towards the woman who had brought her soon-to-be husband into the world. 

Averting her eyes to the mirrored doors of the floor to ceiling cabinets, she caught sight of her reflection. But no sooner had she begun to look into the polished glass, did Kitty join her side. Now standing next to one another, the two women studied each other's reflections, as if suddenly seeing each other for the very first time. 

While Jeneda was adorned in a designer wedding gown that made her feel as if she were a real life Cinderella, Kitty was outfitted in a floor length satin dress with a mermaid skirt and matching bolero jacket. From head to toe, both women were perfectly put together. 

Deep in her soul, Jeneda knew that she was fully ready to become Dane's wife, and although she wasn't a mind reader, something told her that Kitty was ready for this change in Dane's life, as well. It had undoubtedly been a long road to acceptance for her, but the time had finally come for her to give her baby boy away, and it seemed that she had made peace with that. 

Not a single word passed between them as they stood there gazing into the mirror, yet somehow they were able to come back into harmony with one another. With a gentle touch on her shoulder, Kitty signaled for Jeneda to adjust her stance. Maneuvering her body so that she was face to face with the blue eyed woman, Jeneda offered her a soft smile. Kitty returned it with one of her own, then grabbed Jeneda's hand and placed her palm over the back of it. 

"Dane made a wise decision in picking you as his wife."

"Thank you." Her lips curled into a soft smile.

"Thank *you* for making my son so happy." 

A few moments passed before it dawned on them that they were running low on time, and after grabbing a silk clutch bag from a cubby hole shelf, Kitty led the way out of the walk-in closet. "We're running late, my dear. We'll have to hurry and get you to the cathedral." 

Making hasty steps, they headed for the winding staircase, where they quickly, yet carefully descended the marble stairs. With her long train flowing behind her, Jeneda had to be especially cognizant of the way she walking, and nearly tripped a few times in her haste to reach the foyer. As soon as she did, Ethan and Luna stood up from the tufted suede bench they were sitting on, and with wide smiles, embraced her in a hug. 

"Glad you two finally made it," Jeneda said. "You were supposed to be here over an hour ago. What happened?"

"Long story, girl. We'll tell you later," Ethan said. "But we brought your shoes." 

"So that's where they were." Kitty's brows furrowed together slightly as she regarded Ethan and Luna with a disapproving look. "What's the story behind this? Why are you in possession of her shoes?"

"You told us to get something blue, so we did." Ethan held up the pair of ivory wedding pumps so that the bottoms of the shoes were exposed.

"What on *earth*?" Kitty leaned in to have a closer look at the heels. "Why is there tacky scribbling on the soles?"

"It's not scribbling," Luna chimed in. "They're wishes of good luck from all of her friends."

"And as you can see, every message is in blue marker," Ethan said. "So it's her special "something blue." Pretty neat, huh?"

An exasperated sigh left Kitty's mouth, yet instead of opening her mouth to say anything more, she only led the way toward the front door. "We really do need to get moving. We're already fifteen minutes behind schedule." 

Flanked on one side by mother and by Ethan and Luna on the other, Jeneda descended the sort flight of steps that led to the winding driveway, where a vintage Rolls Royce was parked.

"No *way*." Upon reaching the car, Ethan ran a finger along the lustrous white paint, which was accented by gleaming chrome that highlighted the side of the hood and the fenders. "What year is this car?"

"1937." Kitty said it disinterestedly, as if Ethan were a nuisance that she couldn't wait to get rid of.

"When you said you were going in a Rolls Royce, Jeneda, I didn't expect this." Mirroring Ethan's awestruck expression, Luna admired the body of the car, which featured sweeping, uninterrupted lines and large, chrome headlights. "These are the type of cars you see in those old gangster movies."

"Suicide doors, too?" Ethan watched on as the chauffer tipped his hat, inviting Kitty, Jeneda and Monica to climb into the vehicle. 

Unable to hide her amusement at Ethan's fawning over the vintage automobile, Jeneda lightly smirked and offered her friends a wave. "See you at the church." 

They waved back at her, then headed toward Ethan's Jetta, which was parked directly behind the Rolls Royce. Once Jeneda, Monica, and Kitty were comfortably situated in the backseat of the classic car, the chauffer started up the engine and maneuvered the vehicle out of the winding driveway. Fifteen minutes later, they were well on their way to their destination. 

* * * *

The weather was unbelievable. Gorgeously sunny, with only a few fluffy clouds set against a deep blue sky. Postcard worthy, as her father would have said. But in her eagerness to reach the church, Jeneda found herself focusing less on the passing scenery, and more on the display screen of her mother's cell phone. 

She could have sworn that just a minute ago it had been a quarter to one, but now, as she stole another glance, she saw that it was already half past two. Surely it must have been some sort of a time slip, because how could forty five minutes have suddenly elapsed? 

Allowing her eyes to drift to the chauffer, she noticed that he was driving with the deliberate slowness of someone who was out for a lazy Sunday drive. From what she could tell, he seemed like a nice enough guy, but her patience was beginning to wear thin and it was her wedding day after all, so she was fully within her rights to make a request.

"I'm sorry, but could you please drive faster?" Jeneda asked. "We're running a bit late and I was hoping to arrive before three."

"Already doing the speed limit, miss," he said while giving her a look in the rearview mirror. "Can't go any faster."

*Speed limit, my ass,* she thought while meeting his gaze in the small mirror attached to the windshield, but as she glanced at the speedometer to confirm his statement, she was amazed to find that he was indeed at the thirty five mile per hour mark. 

"Don't worry, Jen Jen." Monica gave her a reassuring smile. "We're only fifteen minutes away." 

Managing little more than a weak one in return, Jeneda nervously swallowed. With the ceremony set to begin at three, there would be little time to take pre-ceremony photos, let alone touch up her makeup and calm her nerves. 

With a deep inhale, she did her best to focus on positive thoughts, then slowly let out the air so that her anxiety began to dissipate. It was during this moment that she felt something being placed on her lap, and as she looked down to see what it was, she realized it was made of silk and in the shape of a square.

"You need something old, right?" Monica's eyes followed the movement of Jeneda's hands as she picked up the piece of fabric for closer inspection. "It's a handkerchief that was made from your grandmother's wedding gown."

A sweet fragrance wafted from the square of fabric, enticing Jeneda to press it against her nose, and on doing so, she caught the scent of Lemon Pledge.

"It smells just like her," she said while taking another sniff, then lowered the handkerchief so that it was once again resting on her lap.

"Lemon Pledge was always her signature scent." A soft smile crossed Monica's lips as she retrieved a safety pin from her purse. "When I told your grandmother that you needed something old for the wedding, she suggested this handkerchief idea."

"That was very thoughtful of her." She ran a thumb across the satiny fabric before reading the words that were embroidered across it. "Dane and Jeneda. April 16, 2014.

"What lovely embroidery," Kitty said while admiring the square of silk. "Your grandmother has quite the talent."

"Yes, she does." Jeneda gave Kitty a smile, then watched her mother attach the handkerchief to the inside of her wedding gown.

"All you need now is something new," Monica said.

"Not to worry, my mother has that one covered." Kitty touched up her lipstick with the aid of her compact mirror, then slipped it back into her purse and glanced at her watch. "We really are cutting it very close, aren't we?"

"We're only a block away." 

As soon as her mother spoke those words, a surge of excitement swept through Jeneda's body. Absentmindedly, she reached up to touch the sparkly earrings that dangled from her lobes, then fingered her bridal headpiece, which was adorned with tiny rhinestones and freshwater pearls. 

"Darling, your veil is already perfectly in place," Kitty softly scolded. "Please stop fiddling with it."

"She's nervous," Monica said while grabbing Jeneda's hand and giving it a squeeze. "A dozen thoughts are probably going through her head right now."

"That's perfectly understandable, but at present moment, she doesn't need to think. All she needs to do is look beautiful and the rest will take care of itself."

As the car pulled up in front of the Gothic cathedral, both Monica and Kitty gave Jeneda a once-over, checking everything from her hair to her shoes, before finally reaching agreement that her appearance was on point and absolutely perfect. 

Kitty was first to exit the car, and then Monica before Jeneda slowly and carefully stepped out of the Rolls Royce. As soon as she did, the wedding photographer began snapping away, alternating between wide and long shots so that he could increase his chances of taking the perfect photo. 

Once the photographer had taken several snapshots, she headed towards Ethan and Luna, who were standing next to a wide flight of steps that led to the cathedral's grand entryway. Directly next to them was Jeneda's father, who wasn't just beaming, but positively exuding happiness. 

As soon as she reached him, he pulled her into a long, tight hug, and for several long moments, they embraced. When they pulled back to look at each other, both had eyes that were moist and on the verge of tears. 




Velvet Kisses Ch. 14



"My God, you look beautiful," he said. "Just like a princess."

"Thank you." 

"I really am thrilled to be here, baby girl. Thank you again for allowing me this honor."

"It's my pleasure, dad." 

Gary held out his arm so that she could take hold of it, and with her heart thumping in anticipation, Jeneda readied herself to walk down the aisle. Ahead of them was Ethan and Luna, who were also getting into position so that they could lead the way as bridesmaids. 

"Oh, I almost forgot." Ethan retrieved a flat, decorative package that was the size of his palm from the pocket of his suit jacket. "Dane's grandmother, Mitsuko, wanted me to give you this."

"Any idea what it is?" Intrigued by its tea bag shape, Jeneda curiously eyed the small gift. 

"Well, you already have something old, borrowed, and blue, so I'm guessing it's your something new." He gave her a smile, and as the processional music began, he and Luna walked arm in arm up the flight of steps that led to the entrance of the church.

"Nervous?" Her father asked as they waited their turn to begin moving forward. 

"Not really. I'm emotional, more than anything else."

"That makes the two of us." Gary gave her one last admiring look before focusing his attention on the entryway of the church, where the wedding usher was giving the signal for them to walk forward. "Here we go."

Slowly, and in perfect step, Jeneda and her father ascended the wide flight of stairs. As they reached the top, they crossed the threshold and entered the church, where they found all of the guests standing and staring and quietly whispering to each other. 

A feeling of breathlessness came over Jeneda as she realized how many people were in attendance, but as she spotted her mother and Riley in the crowd, the corners of her lips tugged upward. Wearing the same expressions of open admiration, Monica and Riley gave her a gentle smile. 

Between the sea of faces that gazed at her from the pews, and the constant flash of the photographer's camera as he took shot after shot, she was having trouble deciding where to look. But as her eyes drifted to Dane, who was wearing a look of pride on his face, he became the only thing she could focus on. 

Rather than simply emanate joy, Dane fully embodied it. He stood tall and dignified in his custom tailored suit, looking dashingly handsome as he waited for her to join his side. Giving him a gentle smile of her own, she continued walking gracefully forward, a powerful warmth spreading through her chest as the distance between them lessened. 

When they finally reached the last pew in the cathedral, Gary took his daughter's hand, then placed it in Dane's so they could tenderly join palms. Now standing side by side, Jeneda and Dane shared looks of utter adoration, but before they could lose themselves too deeply in one another, Jeneda's father placed a meaty palm on Dane's shoulder. 

"Take care of my baby girl," Gary said while staring directly into his eyes. "Be a good husband and treat her well."

"I will, Mr. Larkson." Dane gave a firm nod. "You have my word." 

With his part fulfilled, Gary took a step back and waited for the minister to commence. Outfitted in a dark robe and white clergy stole, the priest rested his gaze on Jeneda and Dane. Then in a clear voice, he began to officiate the wedding.

"We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of this lovely couple, and to give recognition to the strength of their love. As they prepare to join their lives, it is important to understand that everyone in attendance has been invited to share in their happiness, and as such, we must all give our blessings for them to experience the joy and lifelong commitment that they deserve."

Thoroughly taken by the sight of her soon to be husband staring lovingly back at her, Jeneda barely heard the rest of the words that were being spoken. But as it came time to exchange their vows, her ears perked up and her pulse kicked up a notch. 

"Who gives this woman to be married to this man?" Asked the minister.

"Her mother and I," Gary said in a loud voice.

The minister gently nodded before saying, "You may be seated." 

Jeneda's father stepped away from the altar and took a seat in the pew next to Monica and Riley.

"If the groom would like to exchange his personalized vows, he is asked to do so at this time," said the priest.

Taking both her hands in his, Dane locked gazes with Jeneda. He lightly cleared his throat and in a strong, smooth voice, began to speak the words he had so carefully crafted in advance. 

"I, Dane, take Jeneda to be my wife, knowing in my heart that you will always be my best friend, my partner in life, and my one true love. I promise to love and devote myself to you, and to be faithful until the very end. In sickness and health, in joy and sorrow, I will eternally be by your side. You are my love, my life, and the woman I have chosen to grow with in both mind and spirit. My commitment to you is unbreakable."

"Jeneda, please offer your words of devotion to Dane," stated the minister.

"In the presence of God and before our family and friends, I, Jeneda, take Dane to be my husband. I promise to be faithful to you alone, and to love and cherish you as the exceptional man that you are. From this day forward, for better or worse, I give you my fullest devotion and neverending support. As your wife, this is my sacred vow that I promise to keep until we are parted by death. I love you.

By this time, Jeneda was fighting back tears. Dane's eyes had become very moist as well, and as they continued to gaze at one another, they gently squeezed palms. 

Should there be anyone who has cause why this couple should not be united in marriage, they must speak up now or forever hold their peace."

Silence pervaded the large cathedral, confirming that everyone in attendance was in support of the loving couple. 

"Wedding rings symbolize the unbroken circle of love, and by exchanging them you are both entering into a sacred bond." The priest directed his eyes towards Bradley, who was in possession of both Dane and Jeneda's wedding rings.

After giving both of the bands to the minister so that they could be blessed, Bradley stepped away from the altar.

"May you honor the commitment symbolized by these rings which you now give to each other." The priest made the sign of the cross, then lightly bowed his head as he said, "Amen."

Dane accepted Jeneda's ring from the minister, and with eyes locked deep into hers, slid it onto the third ring finger of her delicate hand. "I give you this ring as a symbol of my everlasting love, and as a promise to cherish and respect you until death do us part."

The minister handed Dane's wedding band to Jeneda, and upon accepting it, she pushed it onto her soon to be husband's finger. 

"I, Jeneda, give you this ring as a symbol of my everlasting love, and as a promise to cherish and respect you until death do us part."

"And now, by the power vested in me by the State of California, I hereby pronounce you husband and wife." The priest focused his gaze on Dane as he said, "You may now kiss the bride."

While Dane's hands went for her hips, Jeneda's palms came to rest against his shoulders. Their lips came together in a passionate kiss, and although they should have broke for air a whole lot sooner, the moment was too utterly fantastic for them to care about offending anyone's sensibilities. But of course they eventually had to end the oral embrace, and after pulling away from one another, they turned to face the pews that were filled with guests. 

"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Takahashi," the priest said as he watched the married couple head forth into the awaiting crowd.

All at once, everyone in attendance converged upon them, shaking hands and patting shoulders while offering congratulatory statements. There were so many people crowding around the couple that they soon became more than a little overwhelmed, but they were filled with far too much excitement to do anything else but broadly smile. 

A couple of people in attendance were complete strangers to Jeneda, but the majority of guests were either relatives of Kitty and Naohito, or friends of her own. After weaving through a sea of endless guests, Jeneda and her mother were able to finally embrace. Riley was next in line to offer her a hug, and with a grin so wide it nearly split his face, he pulled her against him.

"Congratulations, sis. I'm really happy for you."

"Thanks." She wiped away a tear that was rolling down her cheek, then accepted hugs from Luna and Ethan."

"Congratulations, Mrs. Takahashi," Luna said with a smile.

"Couldn't be any happier for you," Ethan cheerfully chimed in. "But please don't kick us to curb just because you got married. We're all sisters until the end, got it?"

She offered a nod before saying, "Not to worry. You two will always be my best friends."

Wondering where her father was, she turned her head to see that he was conversing with Dane, but since there were so many people chattering all at once, it was difficult to hear what they were saying. She did, however, notice that Dane offered his hand for Gary to shake. 

Judging by the look on Gary's face, it seemed as if he was completely thrown off by this action. But after a long moment of simply staring Dane in the eyes, he finally clasped palms and shook his hand. As Jeneda watched this, a smile tugged at her lips and when her father came over to give her a hug, she embraced him tightly.

"I love you, Dad." Her voice cracked with emotion as she pulled back to look him in the eyes. "Thank you for being here."

"The honor is all mine, Jen Jen."

It took quite a bit of maneuvering for her and Dane to make their way through the throng of guests and out of the cathedral, but finally they managed to reach the steps that would lead them to the vintage Rolls Royce waiting at the curb. With fingers laced and steps perfectly in synch, the newly married couple made their way down the flight of stairs. 

As they reached the bottom, the chauffer opened the door and they both slid into the backseat. Dozens of camera flashes went off as people got in last minute photos, and with a wave to all of their family and friends, Jeneda and Dane said their goodbyes. 

With a smooth, sudden movement, the car pulled away from the curb and they were off, pulling onto the street and towards the reception. But before Jeneda could fully process the magnificent event that had just taken place, Dane pulled her closer against his body. 

"Finally, I got you all to myself."

"Not for long. We still have to get through the reception, remember?"

"We're cutting out early though, right?" His breath fanned hotly against her neck as he leaned in to tenderly kiss it. "We only get one wedding night, so we better enjoy it." 

"Yeah, maybe. We'll see how it goes," she said with a broad smile. 

"Promise me we'll leave early." An intent look came into his eyes as he said, "Give me your word, or I'll take your right here in the backseat of this car."

"You will not." A soft giggle left her lips at the mere thought of them engaging in such a raunchy act. "Even you aren't *that* uninhibited."

"Wanna try me?" His coasted a palm along her back until his fingers found the satiny ribbon that was holding her corset closure together. 

"You better behave yourself." She playfully wagged a manicured finger at him. "Or else I'll tell your mother that you were trying to get nasty with me in the car."

A hearty chuckle left his lips. "I love you, Mrs. Takahashi."

"Love you more," she softly uttered. 

Her hands traveled upward to tangle in his long, silky hair, and with an abundance of passion that made both of them moan in desire, their lips came together in a velvety kiss.