Chapter Thirteen

M y lips are still tingling.

I kissed Kado.

The thought is repeating over and over in my head as I try to calm my racing heart. I think I could have kissed him forever. The only reason I pulled back was because I needed to see his reaction.

He looked in awe as he stared at me. As if I changed his entire world. It's such a powerful feeling knowing I did that for him.

I wanted to go back for more, but my head is a jumbled mess now. The butterflies in my stomach are stirring like crazy, making me feel lighter than I have in a long time. I really like him. Like a lot more than I thought was possible.

Turning toward him, I go to move closer to him, desperate to kiss him again, but a door slamming has me jumping in my seat while I whip my head to see where the noise came from.

It's the house we are watching. A man is walking a bag of trash to the curb.

"What do we do?" I whisper as if the man can hear me all the way over here.

Kado taps my hand. I look over to him, but he is looking at the man. I turn my hand over so I can capture his. I smile when the corner of his lip twitches as if he wants to smile.

Several minutes go by. We watch the man go back into the house, then all the lights go out. Neither of us moves right away, not knowing what the man will do next.

Kado looks to me as if he is conflicted. Like he knows what he needs to do, but he doesn't want to because I'm here. My guess is he wants to go get that trash.

"Go. I'll wait here. I won't move an inch. I promise."

He looks relieved. Then he surprises me, leaning over to press a chaste kiss to my lips.

My hand finds my lips as I watch him cross the street. My heart is in my throat as I stare at the house, hoping the man really is in bed.

I start to worry about Kado. What if this is a trap? What if the man is waiting to attack him?

My hands clench into fists at the thought. I won't let him be defenseless. I promised him I wouldn't move, but I will if his life is in danger. I wish I had a gun or something. Anything to protect him. Not that I know how to fire one.

Why am I so helpless? I don't like this feeling. Not at all.

I keep my eyes on Kado until he makes it back to the car, only he doesn't get in. He comes to my side, then kneels on the ground. I want to open my door and ask him what he is doing, but I restrain myself.

He looks through the trash, pulling a few items before running it back across the street. Then he goes to the trunk, popping it before pulling something out. I watch as he bags everything. Then he returns to the trunk.

When he finally gets back in the driver's seat, he smells strongly of hand sanitizer.

"What did you find?" I ask as soon as he gets in the car.

He shakes his head, pulling out his phone.

Nothing good. Grabbed a few things for fingerprints and DNA to confirm his identity.

"Oh." I deflate.

He taps my temple, making me want to smile. I like how he communicates. It's endearing.

"I was hoping for more."

He nods, settling back in his seat.

We sit like that in silence as we stare at the house. I'm lost in my thoughts. I know what I want, but I don't know how to ask for it.

"I want to learn how to shoot a gun," I blurt out.

I glance over at a frozen Kado. His eyes are wide.

He draws another question mark, this time on my arm.

"When you went to get the trash, I was worried. What would happen if someone ambushed you? I would be stuck here not knowing what to do. I want to be able to protect you."

He types out a response on his phone.

My job is to protect you. Not the other way around.

"No. That's not okay. You can protect me, but that means I get to protect you too. I won't waver on this. So are you going to teach me, or do I need to figure out how to find Miya and have her?" I cross my arms over my chest.

He sighs, but I see the small smile on his face.

Then he points at himself.

"Good. Glad you agree."

I do this all the time. You don't need to worry. I'm a professional.

I stare at the phone, realizing I don't know nearly enough about what he does. I want to know it all, though.

"Tell me more about what you do. You sit outside a lot? Did you watch… him like this?"

He nods slowly before he starts to type.

I watched him for many weeks before I completed that job.

I swallow hard. "You saw me then?"

Many times. Honestly, you are the reason I took so long. I liked looking at you.

Taking a deep breath, I ask the question I really want to know. "Is that why you took me then?"

He hesitates.

"Please, Kado. I want to know. I want no secrets between us."

He bows his head as if he concedes. It takes him several minutes, and when I finally get the phone, I see a long paragraph.

Steeling myself, I finally read the words.

The short answer is yes. I took you because I had become bonded to you by watching you. I liked the way your hair looked. The way you would dance around to the music. I especially liked when you would give a real smile. I hated watching all of that drop when you had to go inside that house. I hated the fact that he got to flirt with you and make you come to him at all times of the night. Truth is, I was supposed to make his death quick and clean. I lost control with him because of the image of you in my head. When you happened to come over, I knew I had a decision to make. I wasn't letting you go, though. Not when you were finally within my reach.

My eyes tear up at his words. He wanted me even then.

"You didn't know me." I sniffle.

He pulls my face up before touching his heart. Then he nods.

He knew me in his heart. That's all that mattered to him. He didn't care about anything else.

"What if I turned out to be someone you hated? What if I couldn't cook or I was messy?"

He shrugs, reaching out to touch my hair. Then he smiles at me, his hand going over my heart.

"You can't just say that you knew me in your heart. That's not true. You had no clue who I was."

He grabs his phone, typing another long message.

I did know you. I watched the way you would help the elderly lady down the street when you saw her out. The way you would pet the neighbor's dog as you passed. The smile on your face when you looked at the flowers down the road. You never made eye contact with anyone else, but you showed that you have a kind heart. Then I noticed the way your body would be fatigued. How no matter how tired you were, you always came when he called. It showed your work ethic. You also have integrity. I know he kept money in that house. You could have taken it at any time because he left it out for anyone to see. You never did. You think I don't know you, but I knew what mattered then. Now I know even more. I hope to spend every day learning even more until there is nothing between us.

My hand finds my mouth as I process the emotions running through my head. I had no idea anyone was watching as I did those things. I went along with my life, unknowing that there was a threat in the shadows. I guess that's the point. Kado is good at his job because he fades into the background. He knows how to become one with the environment around him. His muteness isn't a weakness for him. No, it's an asset. He doesn't make a single noise as he moves about.

He could have taken me at any time. I would have been defenseless against him. He's also proved that he wants me and has wanted me since he first saw me. He didn't, though. He was going to let me go on and lead my life, oblivious to his obsession.

Then I walked in on him, and he saw it as fate.

Slowly, I look up at him. He's not looking at the house as I thought. No, his eyes are on me. He has a job to do, but right now he is more concerned with me. Fuck if that doesn't make me like him more.

It's as if the universe saw all my hard work and struggle and decided I deserved something better. It didn't happen in the way I imagined, but I never did like conventional things.

So maybe Kado is my destiny as much as I am his.

Leaning across the console, I kiss him softly, then I sit back in my seat, taking his hand in mine as I look back at the house.

"So how much longer do we have to stay here?"

I should have taken Lucy with me on a job sooner. It changed everything for us.

When she kissed me, my entire body felt like it was on fire. As if it were lying dormant for my entire life, like Snow White. All I needed was someone to come along and kiss me alive again.

No, not someone.

Lucy.

Anata.

My dream come true.

When she told me that I could kiss her anytime I wanted, I thought she was saying it to be nice. I didn't plan to take her up on it. I figured I would only try it if it felt right.

I didn't need to worry, though. Lucy has taken the lead from me.

Every morning, after she completes her morning routine, she comes and kisses me on the lips. Then she kisses me again before I leave or when I come home. Sometimes she will kiss me randomly as she passes.

It's not just the kissing, though. She's become more affectionate overall. She holds my hand all the time now, not only when I initiate it. She hugs me and cuddles next to me.

It has my body all kinds of confused. My dick stands at attention more now than it ever has.

Of course I know about masturbation, but I never considered it before. Sure, I would feel things from time to time when I was younger, but nothing that ever lasted. As I got older, it faded away. I thought everyone felt like this.

I know Kai and Kenji thought I wasn't into women for a while. Then they realized men did nothing for me either. No matter how many times they tried to hook me up for the night, I never took the bait.

They finally gave up, thinking I didn't like anyone at all, regardless of their gender. I would have agreed with them.

Then I met Lucy.

Now, I get boners at the most inconvenient times. Like when she is kissing me. Or laying her head in my lap.

It has me on edge. I don't want her thinking I have nefarious intentions with her. I'm content with how we are. If nothing else happens, I would be fine with it. As long as she stays with me.

"You're thinking awfully hard over there."

Her voice stirs me from my thoughts as she comes around the back of the couch, running her hands over my shoulder and down my chest. My eyes fall closed as I relish the feel of her hands on me. I like this. A lot.

After a moment, she comes around the couch, sitting next to me.

"What's wrong?"

I shake my head, leaning down to kiss her. She lets me, but as I back away, she grabs my head, deepening the kiss. I follow her lead, my own hands digging into her hair. She moans into my mouth, making my dick come alive once more. I want to cover it, but at the same time, I can't let her go. I'm so lost in the kiss.

Like every other time, I try to stay respectful, matching her pace. When she moves her hands to my chest, I keep mine in her hair. When she pushes me back, breaking our kiss only long enough to climb onto my lap, my hands fall to her hips. She straddles me as she cups both of my cheeks, kissing me deeply once more. My hands clench against her tiny sleep shorts, trying to keep her from seeing the evidence that I am way too excited.

She doesn't care, though. She slides closer to my body, positioning herself over me as she continues to kiss me. Her tongue strokes against mine, winding my body up even more. I feel like a tightrope ready to snap at a moment's notice. As much as I'm enjoying it, I feel so out of my element. I have no idea if I should be moving my hands or doing something different. I'm a fish out of water.

Lucy either doesn't notice or she doesn't care. She pulls away from my lips, staring me in the eyes with a wild look in her own.

"Tell me if I move too fast, okay?"

I nod, feeling dumbfounded. I wouldn't stop her from doing anything to me, even if it wasn't good.

She doesn't need to know that.

She kisses me on the lips once more, but then she kisses across my cheek, down to my neck. It tickles, but it also feels good. Then she pulls back, pulling her shirt up over her head, revealing her bare chest.

My eyes have to be bugging out of my head. I'm in shock as she pulls my shirt over my head too. Then she starts kissing down my chest, knocking me out of my stupor.

She slides off my lap, leaving me disappointed, but then she starts to unbutton my jeans. She taps my hip, smiling up at me.

I lift my hips as she pulls my jeans and boxers down, leaving me naked on the couch. I feel a little bashful being naked in front of her for the first time. She doesn't look like she minds, though. Instead, she looks like she wants to devour me.

"Sit back and enjoy this," she tells me.

Then she sucks my dick into her mouth.

An involuntary sound comes from my mouth at the motion. It's warm and wet. It feels like heaven.

She pulls off for a moment. "Don't hurt yourself."

For some reason, her being stern with me has made me hotter than I was before. I want to say yes, ma'am , but that would only anger her. I'm not sure I want her to take her mouth away from me again.

It's selfish, but I want to see how far she goes with this.

She continues to suck and lick me, driving me up a wall. It doesn't take long before I feel like something is going to burst. Before I can, she pulls off of me.

"Hands in my hair. Pull my hair. Thrust against my mouth. I need you to fuck my face, Kado."

I don't hesitate. What my girl wants, she gets.

I bury my hands in her long, luscious locks and begin to thrust against her. She gags, but her nails dig into my thighs, telling me I better not stop.

Three thrusts later, I feel my entire world come undone. My eyes fall shut as my cock twitches in her mouth. She continues to swallow over and over until I'm spent. Then she licks the aftermath from my skin.

When she climbs back into my lap, she has this cocky smile on her face. Like the cat that ate the canary. She is so proud of herself.

My hands find their way into her hair again as I pull her to me, kissing her deeply, my tongue chasing the taste of myself on her tongue.

When I finally pull back, she's breathless.

I tap her chest, getting her attention. She looks up at me, her eyes glazed a bit.

"Yes, Kado?" she asks.

I move my hands to her shorts, pulling them down a little.

She smiles at me. "You want to return the favor?"

I nod. I have never done it before, but I want to for her. The guys have talked about it. I know what to do in theory. I've just never seen or done it myself.

It can't be that hard, right?

"Yes, Kado. You can eat me out." She giggles a little before moving from my lap.

She stands in front of me, pulling her shorts down. Then she lies on the couch, putting her legs on either side of me. I twist her body and help her sit up like I just was, kneeling between her legs this time.

Then I lean in, my fingers opening her up to my eyes. I'm nervous all of a sudden. I thought I knew what to do, but what exactly do I lick? They talked about sucking and biting too, but that sounds a bit much. Won't that hurt?

I'm starting to panic a little, a first for me, but then she taps the top of my head.

"Don't worry so much. I'll teach you."

Her fingers come down and pull a little piece of skin back.

"Lick and suck this. It's my clit. You can circle your fingers around it too." She moves down to her opening. "Then you put your fingers here. If you curve them up toward the ceiling, you will feel a bundle of nerves. It's called a G-spot. It makes it better. Keep thrusting, licking, and sucking. You'll be able to tell if I like it. I'll make noise like crazy. I'll never fake it with you. I promise."

Looking up at her, I feel love pour through me. The way she is patient with me is special. I don't think anyone else would be. I never thought my inexperience would be a problem, but now I wish I had more of it. I wish I knew what to do.

I take her pointers though, circling the clit as she called it. She starts to make little mewling noises. I continue doing that, leaning forward and kissing her skin as I do. Pulling my fingers away from her clit, I insert one inside of her. I curve it up and thrust. As I do, I try to feel what she is talking about. When I can't right away, I insert a second, then a third finger. She gasps as I continue to thrust. Her breathing is coming faster.

"Clit, Kado. Lick it," she demands.

Using my free hand, I pull the skin back, licking it over and over. As she starts to moan, I feel more confident. I keep going, sucking and licking, trying to make her scream louder. I keep the pace up with my fingers as well, determined to make her come. I want her to feel as much pleasure as I do.

She grips my hair like I did her. I love the pain of it. Then she thrusts against me. I let her use me, doing everything I can think of to get her there.

When she stiffens over me, her pussy clenching against my finger, I understand why she looked so proud.

I'm ready to start preening from the way she screams my name. I want the whole world to know that she is mine, and I made her feel good. Then again, I want no one to know what she sounds like when she lets go.

I look up at her with awe in my eyes as her breathing starts to slow. She looks at me with pure contentment in her eyes.

I'm sure mine are filled with hearts. They have to be with the way I feel about this girl right now.

I knew I was obsessed with her from the start. My feelings for her were different then. Now they have grown into something more.

Looking at her all blissed out, I can finally understand what Kenji and Kai feel for their women. I get why they always say they would do anything to make them happy. To protect them with their lives.

Everything makes sense to me now.

She pulls me up onto the couch next to her, cuddling in my arms as she lays half on my chest.

I stroke her hair, marveling at the revelation that just hit me.

I love her.

I love Lucy.