Temper: Deliverance: Book Three of the TEMPER Saga, page 23
It won’t end, right? I’ll never escape her. She’ll haunt me forever. And now, each time I look in the mirror… An anguished moan escaped her. I won’t see those scars anymore. Only her.
“Lana san. What happened?”
A low cautious voice pierced through the tempest howling in her head. A warm appeasing hand came to rest on her forearm. Strong fingers with enough power to maim in a blink and with skills that always left her begging for more. A hand tugging her away from the awful place she was stuck in.
Curse or no curse, I guess I’m not done relying on him to snap out of it.
With a shaky breath, she opened her eyes and entwined her fingers with Honda’s. He didn’t pull back, not anymore, and a part of her still marveled at that. At their incredible, deep and wonderful transformation, as individuals and as a couple.
“I was such a hopeful fool, or rather, I lied to myself,” she muttered, the exhaustion of the day catching up. “What did I think, with parts of my old life coming up to the surface, like bubbles? Why am I even surprised something like this would happen, with so many people with ties to… to that time and place?”
Honda put an arm around her waist and pulled her against him. He had taken off his black jacket and tie, undone his two top buttons and his sleeves were rolled back. A look that never ceased to make her heart go wild.
“Old ghosts, then?”
“The ugliest.”
She buried her face in his shoulder, grateful for the late hour and lack of audience that allowed them to let their guard down. His grip tightened, and his pulse quickened in his neck.
“Will you tell me about them?” His growl sent sparkles flying to her core, and she pressed herself against him. For a split second, Lana toyed with the picture of Giacometti, nose broken, and shoulder dislocated, sobbing on the carpet of his hotel room, pleading for mercy. She and Honda towering above him, her high heel ready to strike.
She liked it. A bit too much.
He’s a pig, but he can’t pay for them.
“No,” she whispered, “I’d rather you take me upstairs. I’m done for today.”
“Indeed. Come, we have a surprise for you.”
He replied to her puzzled reaction with a raised eyebrow and led them to the elevator, his hand on the small of her back. It was time to leave all the madness of the day behind, and focus on something much more real, important and wonderful. But her worries couldn’t go away with a snap of fingers despite knowing that only sweet and delicious things waited for her.
After the doors of the elevator had closed, she sagged against the wall with a groan, raised a leg and pointed at her shoe.
After the doors of the elevator had closed, she sagged against the wall with a groan, raised a leg and pointed at her shoe.
“Goshujin sama, you wanted me to keep those on, but they’re killing me. I’d like to –” With a gasp of surprise, she watched as her husband pressed the stop button. The cabin came to an abrupt halt.
“Hold on a while longer, little mudansha,” Honda ordered with a dangerous glint in his eye while he closed in on her. “Time to remember some of our first lessons in pain management. I promised Yuki I would bring you all ready and relaxed to her, and you are far from being in the right state of mind.”
“Ah… did you… did you, now?” Lana stuttered, blushing hard with excitement. The temperature in the elevator had suddenly jumped through the roof. A glance at a blinking red light in a corner above them told her the security camera was on. A shiver of desire ran along her back.
“What are you –”
A finger on her lips shushed her. “Be silent now,” Honda growled with a smoldering gaze. “If you are filled with frustration, you will be unable to offer Yuki all the devotion she deserves.”
He kneeled at her feet and placed one of her legs over his shoulder before tugging her long dress up until it pooled on her hips. Still, given the angle, whomever watched the security screens wouldn’t see her most intimate parts. His mouth started at her ankle and then moved up at a terribly slow speed until he reached the fleshy part of her thighs which were already moist.
“The shoes stay on, but this is unnecessary.” He ripped off her black panties and stuffed them in his back pocket. A gasp escaped her when burning fingers dug in her flesh, soon joined by a hot and wet tongue. The tip tickled her clit and two thick fingers dove inside her.
“Ah, yes! Oh, more please!”
Her husband placed her other leg on his free shoulder, and she had to hold on the railing running along the cabin wall with all her strength. A heavy sob wracked her when the flat of his tongue did a slow and languorous dance all along her slit. His fingers opened her wide and he pushed inside. His slow precise pace was her undoing. Gushing juices coated his chin, but the hungry, voracious noises he uttered sent her head spinning again. Something snapped inside her, and a fresh surge of raw desire blackened her vision.
With a grunt, Lana pushed herself away from the wall and brought Honda on his back, straddling his face, not caring for the carpet burning her knees. It took him a couple of seconds to register what she had done, and she used it to her advantage.
Moving down to sit on his chest, she grabbed his hair and cupped his jaw to lick clean his chin and mouth before pushing her tongue past his lips. Out of breath, she broke her invasive kiss before he recovered enough wits to flip her on her back.
“Goshujin sama, I swear… I swear I’ll obey and serve in our bedroom, you’ll get my pure, devoted deference, but here… now… I...”
She groaned, eyes shut and jaw aching with tension; with a shaky sigh, she rested her forehead on his, hating the tears running down her temples but loathing even more the dreadful words of that pig shooting through her head.
Naughty piece of ass… spitting image… like mother, like daughter...
“Lana san!” Her husband’s hand seized her neck; reluctant, shy almost, she met his gaze. He brought his lips against hers. A tempest of emotions swam on his face, and she was transported back to all those weeks and months before, when they fought in the most primal way to keep sane and pushed each other to new limits.
“Take what you need,” he urged.
A sharp intake of breath. Eyes locked. The world around them dissolved. Rippling muscles under her fingers, galloping heartbeats, and burning desires mingling were the only things left. Her lips turned into a snarl.
“You!” Her hand snatched behind her back and slipped inside his pants. “Inside me!”
Her teeth caught his lower lip, she sucked and tugged at it, enjoying the growl rising from his chest, and how his fingers gripped her hips. As soon as his twitching erection was freed, she lowered herself with a single swift move. As one, they threw back their heads, caught in pure bliss.
Lana grabbed his wrists for balance and control and began to ride him hard and fast, fucking him, not caring for rhythm or pace, even less for his own release, or that anytime now, somebody would pry open the doors of the elevator, and that anyone behind the cameras could enjoy the best show of their life. Only a basic, primitive urge drove her, and her mind went blank, submerged by the all-consuming frenzy that gripped her.
With a choked scream, sweat stinging her eyes, Lana climaxed with a painful intensity she hadn’t felt for some time, and Honda followed right behind. The warm sensation of his cum filling her made her hum with pleasure but also brought her back to her immediate surroundings.
“Oh… oh my…” Her hands flew to her face as she struggled to catch her breath. “I don’t know what happened here, I mean, it felt like…” Like before. But, we’re not that anymore, right?
Her husband sat up, arms going up her back and holding her. “It felt like you needed this above anything else, beloved,” he whispered in her hair. “Are you quite all right?”
Sidestepping the many layers behind his simple question, she gave his cheek a small kiss.
“Much better, yes. I can go to Yuki sama now.”
Honda opened his mouth, but a muted bang on the elevator doors reminded them of where they were.
“Anyone in here? Is everything all right?”
Lana grinned while they got back on their feet and put some order in their clothes.
Well at least this guy didn’t get the memo about what’s been going on in here.
“Yes, we are fine,” Honda replied with his booming voice.
“Okay, we are opening the doors, please wait a moment…”
“Lana san, your makeup…”
With a muffled curse, she hurried to check out her face in her pocket mirror and rubbed away the disaster around her eyes. The doors opened, and they walked out, putting on an air of exasperated boredom under the profuse apologies of two hotel staff and an elevator technician.
I hope they don’t realize we pushed the button...
They took the stairs, and her shoes went off without any further comment. Honda had enough sense to let it slide. But as they came out on the 20th floor, Lana couldn’t repress a fit of nervous giggles.
“What about the surveillance tape?”
“I will make sure it is deleted,” Honda replied, obviously not worried. “Here we are, room 2022. Now, close your eyes. It is a surprise, Lana san,” he reminded her with a long-suffering sigh when she opened her mouth.
She complied, screwed her eyes shut and let him guide her inside. Right away, a powerful and delicious scent took her aback.
“Ah, finally! I was beginning to worry,” Yuki’s cheerful voice welcomed them. “Come in, neko chan. Careful… yes, right here. Perfect. Open your eyes now.”
24 - A Love Tempered by Hardship and Duty
Hands flying to her face, Lana yelped and would have crumbled down but for the hand of Honda holding her elbow. Words wouldn’t come out, only a meaningless stutter. She reached out for Yuki who entwined their fingers together, eyes bright with unshed tears and obviously struggling with her own emotions.
The large and exquisite executive suite was filled with flowers. Red, orange, and pink roses; purple and white orchids; all interspersed with pink, green and white arrangements. Wherever Lana looked, it was a burst of enchanting colors. On the tables and furniture, by the bed, on the floor. At the center of the living area, a canopy had been set up with white translucent fabric draped across the upper space and along posts covered with pink roses.
Lana let out a strangled sob. “It’s so beautiful, so amazing!” She stared at her companions who grinned back at her.
Taking his time, Honda put his black tuxedo and necktie back on then pressed on the small of her back to lead her to the canopy before taking her left hand in his. It took him a few moments to find his words, and his voice was thick when he spoke.
“We know what today meant for you, Lana san. And what it stirred. Over the past weeks, Yuki and I have talked extensively about it. The three of us, we are married, yes, bound in a way that many couples are not. But the way it happened, and this past year...” He shook his head, wistful.
“We’ve been running to catch up with what’s been happening to us, and haven’t taken the time to celebrate it,” Yuki piped in, picking up two bouquets on a table before joining them. “Even less express what it means, for each of us. The kind of public and cheerful event Gabriella san and Yoshiro san enjoyed today isn’t an option. Neither is the more formal and sober ceremony goshujin sama and I had so long ago. But…”
“But we want you to get the chance to experience something joyful,” Honda continued. “Something remarkable. Worth remembering and talking about years from now. Not only that night where… where everything went wrong.”
The three of them stood under the canopy now, and a dumbfounded Lana could only gawk at her two partners, struggling to process their words and what surrounded her.
“And this is not only for you, Lana san, but for the two of us as well,” Honda added with a meaningful look at Yuki who responded with a beaming smile.
“Yes, indeed. Do you remember, sweetling? The day of the earthquake, what I told you about goshujin sama and me, about our marriage?”
Startled by the question, Lana blinked and needed a few seconds to find her voice. “Of course, I do.” She straightened up and gave her spouses a small grin. “I remember it very well because even then, it sounded like a… not a lie, but utterly wrong. Not a love story? From the moment I saw you together, especially during our first night, your mutual adoration slapped me in the face.” A blush creeped on her cheeks. “Everything you do together, for each other. It’s not mere duty and devotion. This is love, and I have to say, it was sometimes hard at the beginning to not be... envious.” she finished, meek and embarrassed by her confession of less than stellar feelings.
A warm hand forced her to look up again to meet Yuki’s eyes that shone with unshed tears.
“You saw what we didn’t want to admit and that we wish to celebrate, too. And for all that is worth, I am so sorry that you had to stay in such an emotional limbo for so long.” She threw a side glance at their husband who hung his head low. “But I understand your struggles and pain, and the terrible burdens you both carried. I’m still angry and sad, but this is your story, and not my place to comment.”
Lana choked under the emotional wave rising in her chest. “If anything… those first tumultuous months made all of us stronger, don’t you think? Like when a blade is heated, put through fire to make it even more resistant. What’s the word?”
A large smile bloomed on Honda’s face. “Tempered. Yes, the image is perfect. Our bonds were tempered by our hardships and made unbreakable. So tonight is all about celebrating the love made of steel we share in so many ways. Yuki san?”
“Take this bouquet, sweetling. See how it matches mine? I had them prepared when we ordered Gabriella san’s.”
Taking it, Lana choked back fresh tears, and sniffled hard a couple of times, fidgeting with the flowers.
“They are so beautiful. Everything is. Listen…” she cleared her throat. “It was never my big, childhood dream to get married, even less to have a white-dress wedding.” Her voice faltered. “Yes, today was challenging, but not just because I never thought we would do something like this.” She shook her head, refusing to let any thought of her destroy this precious moment. “I didn’t need this,” she pointed at the beautiful room around them, “to feel loved and cherished by both of you. You express it every day, and the joy of raising our precious Isao together is the best proof of that.”
This time, a heavy sob shook her from head to toes, and she pressed the back of her hand against her mouth, turning to stare at the wall. Her companions gave her the space she needed, and when she faced them again, more or less under control, Honda cleared his throat a couple of times. He took out a box from the inside pocket of his jacket.
“Finding a good balance between publicity and discretion is hard, but we hope you will like this solution.” Opening the box, he revealed three simple, unornamented rings. “While not in line with our traditions, more and more people here wear these in Japan. Would you –”
A shrieking Lana jumping at his neck cut him off, and he almost lost his balance catching her. “Yes! Yes yes yes! Oh, I’m so sorry!” She let go of him, flustered and embarrassed by her childish reaction.
Yuki bursted out laughing; their husband growled with disapproval, but his hard kiss was telling enough.
“Beautiful, aren’t they? Pure white gold.” Yuki said, cheeks flushed with excitement. “And look inside!”
With trembling hands, Lana took one ring. Sure enough, their names were engraved, theirs in Chinese characters, hers in the English alphabet.
“Then allow us, Lana san.” Honda said, taking one of the smaller rings. She offered him her left hand.
He seized it in his large palm, joined by Yuki who grasped softly her wrist. Lana met his eyes, and her heart swooned at how bright red his ears had turned.
“Lana Martin san, with this ring, I express once more my pledge to be your husband, to protect and respect you, to uphold my duty toward you, and to show you care and devotion for the rest of my days, in health and sickness.” His voice was rough, and she gave his hand a firm squeeze.
Then it was Yuki’s turn. “Lana Martin san, with this ring, I also renew my sincere desire to be your wife, to protect and support you, to be at your side, to love you for the rest of my days…” Her voice faltered, and she had to take a few deep breaths. “In health and sickness.” They put the ring on her finger together. “Please, you should be the one putting ours on,” Yuki instructed.
Lana gathered her thoughts. Vows are not enough. There’s so much I want to tell them.
She took Honda’s hand and the largest ring, but then gave it a dubious look.
“Oh, don’t worry, it fits,” he chuckled, as if reading her mind. “But remember, no jewelry allowed during practice. We need to take them off before stepping on the mats.” Lana laughed along; joking helped her nerves. Still, her voice quivered a little.
“Honda Naruhito san, goshujin sama, father to my son. You have taught me the real meaning of strength and courage. Resilience. The incredible joy of placing myself in your care. Thank you for your trust, for letting me help you. For welcoming my passion and making it bloom. For… grounding me here with you and freeing me. For our beautiful boy. With this ring, I express once again my boundless love and devotion for you, my promise to fulfill my duty toward you, my sincere desire to be your wife, and to remain by your side for the rest of my life, in health and sickness.” The ring slid easily on his finger, and she admired how the white gold stood out on his tanned skin.
Lana then cradled Yuki’s lithe left hand in hers.
This. All of this is happening thanks to this woman. Their catalyst, their anchor, their lifeline.
“Honda Yuki san… amore mio, I love you so much,” Lana blurted out, tears flowing out freely now. “Thank you for taking me in. For showing me who I am and how to embrace it. For supporting us at our worst, and for your fierce love. For your forgiveness. For not running away when you could have... Dio mio, when you should have.” Wordless, eyes shut, Yuki shook her head in denial. “And for being such a wonderful mother to my son.” After another deep breath, she placed the last ring on Yuki’s finger. “My wife, with this ring, I renew my vow to spend my life with you, to shower you with love and support, to make sure your every wish and need are fulfilled, to honor you with my body and soul, and to take care of you, in health and sickness.”
