Chapter 16: A Night of Temptation
The moon hung high in the sky, its silver glow spilling through the window as Kazuki lay in bed, his mind refusing to calm down. The events of the day replayed in his head — Tara's bold advances, Elara's intense warnings, the lingering heat of Tara's touch.
"I need to clear my head," Kazuki muttered, sitting up. He threw on a shirt and quietly slipped out of the room, making his way toward the courtyard.
The night air was cool against his skin as Kazuki stepped into the courtyard. The garden was empty, the soft rustle of leaves the only sound breaking the silence.
"Can't sleep either?" a familiar voice purred.
Kazuki's heart skipped a beat as Tara stepped out from the shadows, her figure wrapped in a thin, silky robe that clung to her curves. The fabric shimmered in the moonlight, revealing more than it concealed.
"T-Tara?" Kazuki stammered, taking a step back. "What are you doing out here?"
"I could ask you the same," Tara said, her eyes gleaming as she sauntered closer. "Couldn't sleep. Too many... distracting thoughts."
Kazuki swallowed, his back pressing against a stone pillar as Tara closed the distance between them. "Tara, I..."
"Shh," Tara whispered, placing a finger against his lips. "Why so tense?" Her finger traced down his neck, stopping just above his collarbone. "I thought we were friends. Can't a friend help another... relax?"
Before Kazuki could respond, Tara leaned in, her breath hot against his ear. "Unless... you don't want me to."
Kazuki's entire body tensed as Tara's lips brushed against his jaw, her hands sliding up to his shoulders, pulling him closer. "Your heart's racing," she whispered, her lips dangerously close to his. "Are you afraid? Or... excited?"
"Tara..." Kazuki's voice was a strained whisper, his mind foggy, his body betraying him as her scent filled his senses.
"You don't have to say anything," Tara said, her hands moving to his chest, her fingertips trailing down his torso, her robe slipping slightly to reveal more skin. "Just... feel."
Kazuki's pulse thundered in his ears as Tara pressed herself against him, her lips capturing his in a slow, deliberate kiss. Her body molded against his, warm and soft, her hands tangling in his hair as she deepened the kiss, her tongue sliding against his with a sensual, teasing rhythm.
Kazuki's hands gripped her waist, his mind a whirl of confusion and desire, his body responding despite the warnings flashing in his head.
"Mmm..." Tara moaned softly, pulling back just enough to catch her breath, her lips still grazing his. "See? That wasn't so bad, was it?"
Kazuki's chest heaved as he tried to gather his thoughts, but before he could speak, another voice shattered the silence.
"Kazuki?!" Elara's voice echoed through the courtyard, her eyes wide as she took in the sight of Tara pressed against him, her robe half-open, her lips swollen and glistening.
Tara smirked, her eyes never leaving Kazuki's as she whispered, "Oops. Looks like we got caught."