Calming the Storm (Crimson Storm Chronicles Book 2) Page 5

  “WOOF!” Urufu cheered.

  “Correct,” Yoshi confirmed. “I guess you probably remember that Storm’s pocket watch has charms similar to these. We gave them to her as confirmation of our love and so that she had a little reminder of each of us. We decided that if we’re going to be serious in this relationship, we have to prove that. After everything we’ve experienced in the last nine weeks, we’ve all come to terms with what we want, as well as our feelings for you, Crimson Jiyuna. Some of us may be more confident than others, but I think with time, our relationships will build and inevitably grow stronger. We love you and hope you still want to date us. We got your parents’ formal approval, and Urufu seems to like us.”

  The other guys got up and lined up where Yoshi stood. They all bowed their heads in respect to me. “We won’t act like there won’t be any challenges, but we’ve been able to survive some major blows, and we’re still all here, together,” Aki commented.

  “We respect if you don’t want to be with us anymore for whatever reason,” Haru continued.

  “But we hope we can continue to stand by your side, both as your guards and as your partners in this relationship,” Malachi added.

  “Regardless of your decision, thank you for loving us, even though we all have our own issues and still have flaws and insecurities we have to face,” Quillian acknowledged.

  “And we thank you for accepting us into your home when we were nothing but strangers, and trusting us to help you adjust to the circumstances you were randomly placed in,” Itsuki finished.

  I stared at each of them, unsure what I could possibly say in that moment. I knew what I wanted and didn’t have any second thoughts about my decision as I glanced at the men before me. We’d met under the weirdest circumstances, but they accepted me. They loved me regardless of what everyone else said, and even though they struggled with their own grief with the loss of the woman they once loved, they were willing to try again. Willing to open their hearts for me.

  Knowing they were able to do that was enough for me to say the following words. “I love each of you, and I want this. You’ve loved me when at some points I struggled with loving myself, with all the negativity that clouded my mind and tainted my vision of who I could be. Instead of contributing to the hate, you countered it with love, and my feelings of appreciation continued to grow. Words can’t express how happy I feel to be in a relationship with six amazing men who would do anything to ensure my safety, as well as strive for peace here in Nokamato and Homatomashi as a whole. I’d be overjoyed to accept this gift and want to continue being with all of you. Arigato. From the bottom of my heart, thank you all.”

  The guys had wide smiles on their faces. I used my free hand to wipe away my tears.

  “I think we’ve made Crim cry at least five times today,” Quil pointed out.

  “Just blame Malachi so that her father doesn’t slice our cocks off,” Itsuki replied with a small grin.

  “My cock will not be used as a sacrifice for you haters,” Malachi huffed as he walked over to me. He grabbed a tissue from a box on the coffee table and sat down next to me, helping me wipe my tears away.

  “Have to admit, Crim is kinda cute when she cries,” Haru complimented.

  I had to laugh. “I’m ugly when I cry. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Adorable,” Itsuki whispered to Haru.

  “You two are a bunch of sweet talkers,” Malachi pointed out.

  “That’s coming from Mister Hottie McHot Pants who is always too sizzling hot for anyone but Crimson.” Yoshi sighed.

  “And they ain’t hating,” Aki added.

  “Hmph. Just ignore them, Crimson. You’re a masterpiece when you cry. Like the Mona Lisa,” Malachi declared.

  “There he goes.” Quil huffed, and we all laughed.

  Aki walked over to my other side as Urufu hopped down to our feet. “I’ll help you put it on,” he volunteered.

  I nodded quickly with a broad smile and passed the bracelet to Akihiro. I held out my wrist, and he helped me put it on. I couldn’t help but lift it up and stare at its unique appearance. It practically glittered in the light. It would be hard not to get distracted and look at it over and over again.

  “Oh, by the way, it’s waterproof,” Yoshi revealed.

  “And fireproof,” Itsuki added.

  “Basically lifeproof. We got the jeweler to place a spell on it so that it can withstand anything: heat, water, snow, you name it,” Quil explained.

  “Lava?” I asked out of curiosity.

  “Yes, but let’s not test that theory.” Haru chuckled.

  “Or any of the dangerous ones. You can wear it when you bathe. That’s the safest trial option available,” Malachi teased.

  Quil grinned and winked at me. “I volunteer to witness that trial.”

  “You’ve already had plenty of times to be with Crim. Give the rest of us a chance,” Malachi grumbled.

  “You two are so loud.” Haru rolled his eyes.

  Itsuki smirked, leaning in to whisper into Haru’s ear. He still intentionally spoke loud enough for us to hear. “Again, he’s just helping pile on the evidence needed to get Hotaka to slice his cock off. Maybe if it's long enough, he’ll cut it in parts.”

  Aki, Yoshi, and Quil burst into laughter while Malachi pouted his lips. “First my cornrows, now my precious cock. What’s next? My mane?” he whined.

  “You don’t have a beard so stop being dramatic,” Quil replied, coming over to where we sat. He patted Malachi on the shoulder.

  “I think we’ve delayed enough for one last gift,” Aki announced with a wide grin.

  I blinked, sitting up in confusion. “Another one? I don’t need anything else, I really don’t,” I insisted, lifting my hands in a defensive position and waving them anxiously. “You guys have already spoiled me more than enough.”

  “Ah, but you’re missing a present from ME!”

  My eyes grew wide, and I turned my head to see Hakua in the hall holding a platter of some type of dessert.

  “H...Hakua?!” I choked, and her expression softened.

  “Did you really think I’d miss your birthday celebration after we were forced apart by that bastard of a man? Not at all! I had to hide in your room for hours, jeez! At least I had my phone to play sudoku,” she admitted before walking forward. She came over to where the guys stood and lowered the dessert to the table.

  It was decorated with pink and gold candles that were lit. The top had white frosting and was littered in pink and gold petals in the shape of cherry blossoms. The bottom half of the dessert shifted to pink and had gold flowers around the base. The candles were arranged into two circles, and in the middle read ‘Happy 23rd Birthday, Crimson Jiyuna’ in light pink icing.

  “You guys…” I whispered, unsure how to ask them what this was, but somehow knew it was special. Since this was the first time I’d celebrated my birthday, I’d never enjoyed such western desserts. I had seen them before sometimes in the bakeries, but never inquired what they were because I felt one would buy them when they celebrated something, and I didn’t necessarily have anyone to celebrate with but myself.

  Celebrating my birthday alone in my house was already lonely enough. I could only imagine eating sweets and bawling my eyes out because I was sad to be spending another year feeling the way I did.

  Hakua nodded in understanding before she spoke. “This is a special cake I got that was made in Homatomashi. It’s from the top bakery in the country, and I wanted my best friend to have the best for her 23rd birthday and unsealing of powers celebration. The guys, your parents, and I wanted something that was simple but still celebrated you and your newly obtained powers,” she explained.

  My parents returned to where the guys stood, hand in hand with prideful grins on their faces. “I know we never really celebrated with cake or decorations, so we asked your men to help us make this a good first experience,” Mother stated.

  They all crowded around the cake, with
Malachi and Aki moving off the couch to join them, leaving me sitting alone on the sofa with Urufu at my feet.

  “Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Crimson. Happy birthday to youuuuuu.” They cheered and clapped.

  I laughed with happiness, and Hakua walked over to whisper in my ear. “Make a wish and blow out the candles,” she explained. I nodded and closed my eyes, making my wish. Then I opened them and leaned forward to blow out all 23 candles.

  “Best birthday ever,” I whispered, and everyone smiled and nodded in agreement. I watched Hakua and the others help get plates, and I looked down to Urufu who looked just as happy as I felt. Her pink eyes twinkled with her joy, and she rubbed her head against my leg.

  I reached down to pet her and took a moment to stare at the wonderful people in my living room. Nine weeks ago, I was a human who had no friends, with a boyfriend who couldn’t care less about me unless we were in the sheets, and a family who hated me for what I was.

  Now I was surrounded by men who loved me, my best friend who always looked out for me, my own familiar who brightened my day, and a family that reassured me I belonged and was loved.

  I felt my Kitsune run happily within my head, and my grin widened at her presence. Her being a part of me now made me feel whole and powerful. I no longer felt out of place or incomplete. I closed my eyes, praying to my ancestors my wish would come true.

  I wish to protect the people in my life, and I pray no one can tear apart the bonds we have.

  “Ah, more Aki,” I whispered in his ear as my fingertips dug into his skin.

  He kissed my neck in response as our hips moved in rhythm, his cock deep inside me. We were both drenched in sweat, and our moans echoed through my room. The moonlight shone through the window, illuminating our naked bodies.

  My hard nipples pressed against Aki’s chest, and the slight movement of my body made the hard buds shift slightly up and down in a repetitive motion, only adding to the various sensations running through me as I felt the growing build of pleasure.

  Aki lifted his head to gaze into my eyes, and I got lost in those green orbs dazed with passion. I glanced at his ears, which twitched, but noticed his tails remained still even as he moved. I didn’t know how to explain how I currently felt. Aside from getting closer and closer to another orgasm, I felt something else – something stronger, more dominant that wanted control.

  I’d been trying to fight it, but it was getting harder to ignore. I tightened my arms around his neck, pressing myself even harder against his body until our lips were just inches apart. His arms were around my lower waist, and he slowed down his movements, eying me carefully.

  “Crimson,” he whispered. I noticed the hesitation in his husky voice.

  “What’s wrong?”

  I pressed my forehead against his and took a second to calm my rapid exhales, hoping my body would take this chance to calm down from my previously growing high.

  “I…don’t know how to explain it,” I confessed. Aki was quiet for a moment before he removed one of his arms from around my waist and glided his hand up my bare back. The movement was slow, but it sent tingles through me, and the dominating urge increased.

  “Are you feeling like you want control?” he questioned quietly.

  I pulled back just slightly so my eyes locked on his and slowly nodded. “I feel like if I don’t have control, I won’t be satisfied if that makes sense? I’ve never felt that way before. We’ve done three rounds already, but it’s like my body won’t relax until it gets its way. And I feel even more turned on when you’re in your Kitsune half form,” I confessed, lifting my hand to run it through his long gold-orange locks, which had a slight glow to them.

  He looked like he understood, and an appreciative smile formed on his lips while his green eyes brightened with delight. “I don’t want you to fight it anymore.”

  “Why?”

  “I’ll explain later. It’s hard to think straight with my cock inside you like this,” he admitted with a lazy smirk that made me blush.

  “Are you sure? I…hmmm. Not to say I haven’t had the opportunity to be the one to please a man, but I haven’t had enough experience yet to be confident in it,” I admitted, unsure how I would even proceed with such a thing. I wanted to keep enjoying how his cock slid inside me and hear his moans, but I also wanted to hold the reins to our passionate exchange. I just didn’t know how.

  Aki nodded in understanding, unwrapping his arm from around my waist. He flipped us over and laid back, placing his hands behind his head as he took an appreciative glance down my body. His eyes lingered on my breasts before he returned his gaze to my intrigued one.

  “Let go, Crimson. Stop fighting the urge. I know it’s scary and you’re worried about making a mistake, but when we’re in the bedroom, there isn’t anything you can do wrong. This is our playground for you to enjoy however you wish. Take a calming breath and let go. Just allow your body to do what it wants to do,” Aki instructed.

  I took his advice without a second thought because I could barely think straight anymore. The urge for his body was far greater than I’d ever felt before, and even though we’d stalled our sexual momentum, it had done nothing to calm my body.

  I leaned forward and smashed my lips against his. I slowly moved my hips and enjoyed how Aki’s breath hitched, and he let out a quiet moan between kisses.

  My hand enjoyed the soft texture of his long hair while we continued to kiss furiously, and I began to increase my pace. My body felt hot from the inside out, and I could feel my Kitsune’s possessiveness. She wanted Aki to know that he and his Kitsune were ours. I realized as I continued to ride Aki faster and faster, that I felt an indescribable warmth flow through me.

  My ears felt weird, like they weren’t in their normal place, and my hearing suddenly heightened, which only added to my growing arousal as I listened to Aki’s moans and heavy exhales.

  He opened his eyes, and they widened slightly before they glistened with satisfaction. “Crimson…so beautiful,” he panted. I leaned back in to kiss him slowly but continued to move at a fast pace. Aki groaned loudly while his cock grew harder inside me.

  “Crim…Crimson, fuck…I…so…close.” I grinned in satisfaction, loving how far gone he looked and how close he was to climaxing, thanks to my rapid sensual movements. It gave me a sense of control and power to be giving him pleasure, just like how he’d aimed to please me during our night together at the ski resort weeks ago.

  As I was close to climaxing, I leaned in and bit his neck hard. It was unexpected, but the action made Aki’s body grow rigid and he came.

  “CRIMSON!” he roared. I removed my lips from his flesh and lifted up. Just then, my body grew hot, and I enjoyed the feeling of his hot cum shooting into me and filling me slowly. My body locked as I arched my back, unable to fight the rush of pleasure that hit me in waves.

  “AKI!” I cried out as I closed my eyes, enjoying every second of my release. I felt hands gripping my waist, ensuring I wouldn’t fall to the side as I focused on catching my breath while little aftershocks ran through me. I felt satisfied and so did my Kitsune, who felt really close to the surface. It was as if she could take control at any second, and I could feel her energy running through my veins.

  “Crim, are you satisfied?” Aki asked. He was still catching his breath, and I opened my eyes to see a wide grin and a soft expression on his face.

  “I think so,” I admitted between exhales. I allowed myself to relax as my shoulders slumped. Aki leaned up so that we were face to face, but I still had him inside me, neither of us willing to part from our sensual connection just yet.

  “How are you feeling?” he asked.

  “Really hot.”

  “I know you’re hot,” Aki joked, and I grinned, leaning in to kiss him slowly on his lips.

  He lifted his hand and ran it through my shoulder-length hair. I opened my eyes and noticed how silver the strands looked. They had a slight glow to them which lef
t me confused.

  “Silver?” I wondered aloud, and Aki’s grin widened.

  “Have you noticed a difference in your body?” he questioned.

  “Um…my hearing seems to have heightened. Uh…my butt kind of feels weird…not like…well, you know what I mean.” I grumbled the second part, unsure how to explain it. I wanted to look behind me, but a tiny part of me was afraid.

  “Look back,” he encouraged. I paused at his request, glancing anywhere but at him. His hand moved to press against my left cheek, navigating my head so that I couldn’t avoid his gaze.

  “Are you scared?”

  “Nani…” I mumbled quietly, trying to ignore the fear I felt.

  “Crimson.”

  “A little. I’m nervous I may see something I’m afraid of. Like…I don’t know. It’s hard to explain,” I confessed.

  “It’s nothing you should be afraid of, or I would have said so. I promise you,” Aki whispered reassuringly, pressing his forehead against mine. “You’re just ten times more attractive to me in this form,” he admitted. I noticed a slight glow in his green eyes as he spoke.

  “Form?” My voice was barely a whisper, but I felt my Kitsune’s excitement. She clearly loved the little compliment and was anxiously waiting for me to look at my back for some reason.

  “Yes. Just look, I promise you won’t be disappointed,” he reassured me.

  I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded, slowly turning my head. I gasped at the sight of multiple tails swaying behind me.

  They looked almost exactly like Aki’s but had an interesting pink glow to them that contrasted with the pure white fur which took up 75% of the length of the many tails. Only 25% at the ends of my tails were a neon pink with little silver symbols on them that glowed on and off.

  I removed one of my hands from Aki’s chest to reach up to the top of my head, but he stopped me, wrapping his hand gently around my wrist.