Steam curled lazily in the bath, soft ripples spreading over the surface of the hot water.
The faint scent of lavender oils clung to the air, soothing yet intimate, making the whole bathroom glow with a hazy warmth.
Shiki leaned back against the smooth stone wall of the bath, arms resting casually along the edges.
His body was half-submerged in the steaming water, droplets clinging to his skin, sliding down his chest.
His expression was calm—almost lazy—but his eyes held that unmistakable sharp glimmer.
On his lap, facing him, sat Ai. Naked.
Her knees bent on either side of his hips, her arms clutching tightly around his shoulders, and her entire face flushed a scarlet so deep it rivaled the glow of the lantern light.
"S-S-Shiki…" she whimpered, trembling as she buried her face against his neck. "Wh-why… why do I have to sit like this?!"
Shiki tilted his head, lips brushing the shell of her ear as he murmured, "Because this is the reward you wanted, kitten. Or did you forget already?"
Ai's whole body shuddered, her thighs squeezing against his sides. "Th-that was… I-I didn't think you were serious!!"
"I'm always serious when it comes to you," he said smoothly, his tone low, velvety.
Ai squealed, hiding her face deeper into his neck. "Stupid husband…"
Shiki smirked, one hand coming up to stroke along her back, his palm tracing down the dip of her spine. "Mm. Still, you're not running away."
Her grip on his shoulders tightened. "I-I can't exactly run away when you're holding me here!!"
"But you're not trying either." His lips brushed her temple. "That means you don't mind."
Ai's heart thumped so loudly in her chest she was sure he could feel it. She bit her lip, trembling, before mumbling into his skin. "…I-it's embarrassing."
"Good," Shiki whispered, his lips ghosting lower along her jaw. "You look cutest when you're embarrassed."
Ai's head snapped up instantly, her wide eyes locking onto his, her face crimson. "D-d-don't say things like that!!"
Shiki chuckled, leaning closer until their noses almost touched. "Why not? It's true."
Her breath hitched, her lips parting, but no words came out. She could only stare at him—at the warmth in his eyes, the way his smirk softened into something gentler when it was just for her.
Her chest felt like it might burst.
"Shiki…" she whispered, her voice trembling.
Shiki closed the gap, capturing her lips in a slow, teasing kiss.
Ai gasped against his mouth, melting instantly, her hands clutching at his shoulders as if he were the only thing keeping her afloat.
He kissed her leisurely, unhurried, savoring every little whimper that escaped her throat, every tiny shiver that coursed through her.
When he pulled back, her lips were swollen, her eyes hazy.
"You taste sweet, kitten," he murmured, brushing his thumb over her lower lip.
He said all this stuff to make her happy even though he can't even feel or taste her.
Ai squeaked, covering her mouth with both hands. "S-s-stop saying embarrassing things!!"
Shiki leaned closer again, kissing the backs of her fingers until she dropped them in fluster. Then, without warning, his lips trailed down to her neck.
"A-ahhh!" Ai yelped, jerking slightly as his mouth pressed against the sensitive skin beneath her ear. "S-Shiki!! N-not there—!"
But he ignored her protests, his teeth grazing gently before he sucked lightly at the spot.
Ai trembled violently, clutching his shoulders as soft, breathy whines spilled out of her. "Nnn… ahhh… st-stupid… mean husband…"
Shiki's hands, which had until now rested innocently on her waist, began to roam. Slowly, deliberately. His fingers slid up her sides, his thumbs brushing the swell of her breasts.
Ai froze, her eyes going wide. "S-S-Shiki—!!"
"Yes, kitten?" His voice was all low velvet, like he already knew what she was about to say.
"You're… you're touching…!!" she squeaked, her body twisting in his lap, though not pulling away.
"Of course I am." He pressed a kiss to her collarbone, his hands cupping her fully now, his thumbs brushing across her hardened nipples underwater. "They're mine to touch."
Ai's breath caught in her throat, her eyes squeezing shut as the heat spread through her body. "D-don't say things like that…!!"
"Then don't make such cute sounds when I touch you," Shiki whispered against her skin, his fingers kneading gently, teasing.
Ai whimpered, burying her face in his chest, her whole body trembling as pleasure built in tiny shivers. "S-Shiki… you're… you're so mean…"
Shiki chuckled, tilting her head up with a finger under her chin so he could kiss her again.
This time, the kiss was deeper, hungrier, his tongue slipping past her lips as she gasped.
Ai moaned softly into his mouth, clutching him desperately, her body arching into his hands.
The water rippled around them as she shifted in his lap, the movement only pressing her closer against him.
Shiki pulled back just enough to murmur against her lips, "Do you like it, kitten?"
Ai shook her head furiously, her face bright red. "N-no!!"
Her trembling body and ragged breaths told another story.
Shiki smirked knowingly. "Liar."
He kissed her again, this time trailing down her throat, his lips dragging slowly along her damp skin until he reached her chest.
Ai gasped, her hands flying to his head in panicked fluster. "Shiki!! Y-you can't—!!"
But her protest melted into a sharp cry when his mouth closed over one of her breasts, his tongue teasing her nipple as his hand continued kneading the other.
"A-ahhh—!!" Ai's voice echoed in the steamy room, her back arching, thighs squeezing around his hips. "Nnn… Shiki… n-not there… it feels… too weird…"
Shiki hummed against her, the vibration making her squeal. "Weird? You mean good."
"N-nooo!!" she whined, her body trembling helplessly against him.
He released her with a soft pop, his lips curling into that dangerous smirk again as he looked up at her dazed, flustered face.
"Kitten," he murmured, voice dark with promise, "this is just the beginning of your reward."
Ai's tears pricked at the corners of her eyes—not from sadness, but from the overwhelming storm of sensations she wasn't used to. She clung to him tightly, trembling.
"Shiki… you're too much…" she whispered, her voice shaky and needy.
Shiki's arms wrapped firmly around her waist, pulling her snug against his chest. He kissed the top of her head, his lips lingering in her damp hair.
"You're mine, kitten," he said softly, almost tenderly despite the fire in his eyes. "And I'll keep spoiling you… whether you can handle it or not."
Ai sniffled, burying her face against his neck again. "…stupid… mean… but I love you."
Shiki's smirk softened into a rare, genuine smile as he kissed her hair once more.
"I know."
The steam curled around them, wrapping the two of them in their own little world—a bath filled not just with warmth, but with the kind of intimacy Ai had only ever dreamed of, and Shiki had every intention of deepening.
Her "reward" had only just begun.
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END OF CHAPTER : 34 : BATH REWARD!
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