"Revenge is a dish best served cold." Ancient Klingon proverb
"Lina ... Why do I have to wear a dress?"
"How many times do I have to explain this to you, Gourry?" Lina gave his hair another twist and pinned the long braid up on the side of his head.
Gourry sat in the chair slowly stewing in his own irate juices. "As many times as it takes, Lina. Why do you insist on dressing me up like this?" He lifted the skirts of the dress he was wearing and shook them -- hard enough that Lina had to smack his hand to keep him from ripping it.
"Stop that! You'll tear it!"
"Good. Maybe then I won't have to wear it." He folded his arms across his chest and slouched down as far as he could go.
The red-haired sorceress glowered down at her husband. "You tear this and I'll take the price of it out of your hide. Do you have any idea how expensive silk is?"
"No, and at the moment I don't care."
"Well, you'd better care. And don't fold your arms over your chest like that; you'll ruin your bust." She tugged at his arms until he dropped them to his sides. "Sit up!"
"Why?"
"So I can finish your hair, Gourry! What's the matter with you; don't you want to help Zel find a cure?"
Pulling his face into his own sulky glower, Gourry shook his head. "If it's so important to him, let him come put on a dress and dragged to a party, then."
"He can't, and besides, I don't want to get his hopes up in case this turns out to be a ... er, bust." Lina finished pinning his braided hair into two large buns on either side of her husband's head and stepped back and admired her handiwork. "You look gorgeous, Gourry!"
He snarled at her but didn't say anything more. Instead, he turned his head and refused to look at her. She stood there, head cocked to the side and hand on her hip and grinned at him.
"Oh, come on, quit pouting, Gourry. It's just for one night," she said, tugging him for him to stand up. She pushed his arms away from his sides and put her hands on his "breasts" to make some minor adjustments to their shape and position. Gourry turned bright red and looked away.
"That's what you said the last time, remember? 'Gourry, it's just one more time. I swear, Gourry.' And it isn't, is it? You always find some excuse to dress me up like a girl and I'm getting tired of it, Lina! What are you doing?" he demanded as she went behind him and lifted his skirts up over his hips so she could reach his bra.
"Have to fix this," she said as she slipped her fingers under the strap and adjusted the band as it went around his chest.
He squirmed. "Cut it out, Lina!" Trying to pull away from her and tug the skirts down over his exposed backside, he pulled the bra strap out of her fingers and it snapped back into place against his back. "OW!" he shouted, jumping away from her. "That hurt!"
"It slipped!" she said, though she had to cover a grin with her hand.
He glowered at her as he pulled the skirts back over his backside and wriggled his shoulders to get the bra to settle into place around his chest. "Like hell it slipped. You did that on purpose. Damned thing!"
"I did not! And stop that! You'll ruin everything!" She pushed his hands away. "Leave it alone!"
"It's uncomfortable! All right, if I've got to dress up as a girl, why can't I at least wear some trousers? With a blouse and a bra I'd still look like a girl, wouldn't I?"
Lina faced him squarely. "Because, love, you're supposed to be a woman and women don't have bulges in their pants from having their plumbing on the outside. And yours, dearest, is quite big, and while I enjoy the fact that it is, it's kind of hard to hide, now, isn't it? Do you understand?"
Gourry's face flushed and she could feel the heat coming off of him. He hung his head and sighed a resigned sigh. "All right, all right."
"Besides," she said, pulling a tube of lipstick out of her bag and approached him. He didn't even bother to pull away this time. "It's a party. Women don't wear trousers to parties." She spread the lipstick on his lips.
"All right, all right! You've made your point!" He leaned down and shoke a finger in her face. "This is absolutely the last time, do you hear me? And I'm only doing it because Zel's a friend!"
She stared at him past his finger and her lips began to tremble as her eyes started to tear up. "G-Gourry ... " she started.
"Oh, no ... Don't start that," he said, pulling back and turning in his chair. "You're doing that on purpose because you know I can't stand to see you cry ... Stop it, Lina," he said as she turned the waterworks on high. "Lina, stop ... All right! All right! Just stop it, please?" He clenched his fists and leaned forward and planted them on his knees and gritted his teeth.
"Thank you, Gourry!" Lina's tears were instantly forgotten as she bounded forward and caught his hand. "This really is the last time, love! And it is for Zel! This guy is supposed to have a magical device that can change stone golems into flesh! Just think, Gourry, if it works, Zel will be human again and neither he nor Amelia will have to put up with that tight-assed Council pestering them! Surely that's worth a night of inconvenience?"
Grumbling, the blonde swordsman allowed himself to be pulled across the room to the door to their room. He barely had time to catch the wrap and evening bag that Lina tossed at him before he was jerked through the doorway and down the hall of the inn and out the door to their waiting carriage.
Once they were settled, Gourry finally found the time to catch his breath. Lina lounged on the seat opposite him and he glared at her. "If this magical doohickey exists, then why hasn't Zel or Amelia heard of it and gone after it themselves?"
"I've told you, Gourry, this guy keeps it a secret. A big secret. The only reason I know about is ... Well, I have my ways."
"Some bandit told you, didn't he?" Gourry fixed her with a cold stare. Lina flushed. "Well ... maybe." She waved her hand, dismissing it. "That doesn't matter, though! Can you imagine the look on Zel's face if it turned out to be true and we could present it to them as a sort of late wedding gift?"
Gourry took a deep breath and looked away from her, face so full of enthusiasm, and let it out in a huff. How could he argue with that? It would make Zel and Amelia very happy and could he really begrudge them one night of having to wear a dress?
The ride to the local "laird's" manor house was silent. He watched the scenery go by without seeing it as he thought over the last few days and their events. He and Lina had decided to go shake down some bandits about three or four days ride out of Seyruun, to relieve the boredom of staying in Seyruun for so long. Even for Lina, the novelty of having her own estate and title was wearing thin, especially with all the social functions they were now expected to attend. Not that either Amelia or Zelgadis would say anything, but how could they not go, when Zelgadis was their friend and needed their moral support?
That was how they had ended up in the little town of Brin. They'd been out harassing the bandit gang when Lina had come flying back to where he was dispatching the last of them, babbling something about a possible cure for Zelgadis. After a day or two of research, she'd announced that they were invited to the laird's manor -- only she hadn't mentioned such minor details as she'd managed to get into see him by claiming to be there with her sister!
"He likes to flirt, Gourry! He'd never agree to see us if it were me and my husband!"
"I don't like this, Lina," Gourry had said, not quite understanding what she'd had in mind. Looking back, he should have known what she was planning. "How am I going to keep you safe from this guy? And when is your sister going to get here? We've got to get back to Seyruun!"
Lina paled at the mention of her sister then grabbed up a nearby pillow and whacked him over the head with it. "Not my real sister, you dummy!"
"Ow! Then who?"
"YOU!"
The rest was history. And now he was sitting here in a dress on his way to visit a womanizing laird who thought he was Lina's sister. Lina kept assuring him that nothing could go wrong, that all they would do was go socialize a little, get him to show them his magic-turning-stone-to-flesh-doohickey, and then they'd be out of there. Somehow, he just knew things wouldn't be that easy. Call it premonition, precognition, a queasy, sick feeling in the pit of his stomach, but he knew something was going to go wrong. When Lina Inverse was involved, things had a tendency to not go quite as expected ...
"Wake up, Gourry!" Lina said, poking him in the shin with her foot.
"I'm awake," he replied dully.
"Sure you were. You couldn't have been; you were snoring. Oh, we've got to think of a name for you."
"What's wrong with my name?"
"It's hardly a girl's name," Lina drawled. "I don't think it's going to fit."
"Well, just don't come up with something stupid like 'Lala' this time."
"Oh, why not?" Lina said with a wicked grin. "It was a cute name."
Deciding not to dignify that with an answer, he suggested, "How about Lea?"
The sorceress was about to protest but paused and gave him a smile. "That's perfect. Lea it is, then. Lina and Lea, just two pretty -- "
"Don't start that. I got enough of that from you and Amelia that time, okay?" He tried to hide the pained look, but she caught it anyway. Deciding to relent a little, however, she reached across and took his hand.
"Poor Gourry. It won't be that bad, I promise. And I'll protect you if anything should go wrong."
"Wrong?" Gourry asked with a touch of panic. "What could go wrong?"
Lina pulled back, hands up and outstretched as if she were calming a wild animal. "Nothing, Gourry! Nothing!! Trust me!"
He stared at her a moment then relaxed. "All right."
She nodded but didn't have time to say anything more as the carriage rolled to a stop and the door opened. "Looks like we're here," she said and climbed out of the carriage. Deciding there was nowhere else to go, Gourry climbed out behind her, nearly tripping on the long skirts of his white dress. Catching himself, he stood behind Lina as she sized the place up. He glanced up at the marble building and dismissed it, but he could tell Lina was sizing it up: It wasn't nearly as impressive as theirs and it was showing signs of disrepair. The servants' uniforms were threadbare and patched, and the gardens needed tending badly.
"Welcome, welcome," a bent little man who had to be the butler said as he hobbled down the stairs towards them. "His Grace is expecting you, Lady Lina! And your sister ... " The little man stopped and had to back up to look Gourry in the eye. A strange grin split his face. "Ah! His Grace will be so pleased!" he said cryptically before turning away and leading them up the steps.
Gourry looked after him uneasily. "Lina, I don't like this ... "
"Stuff it, Gourry!" she hissed as she elbowed him into silence. Fixing a jaunty smile onto her face, she grabbed his arm and dragged him after the butler. There was nothing he could do except follow along after her and try not to trip on either his skirts or hers.
The bent little butler lead the two of them into the manor house and through the foyer. As they traveled further into the house, towards the back, Gourry caught the taletell signs of neglect: Bit of gold rubbed off here, a threadbare rug here. All this in spite of the lamps kept dim to hide the signs. Looking at Lina, he could tell that her quick eye was noticing them, too, as her expression darkened. Good. Hopefully that would mean they could get out of here soon and he could get out of this silly dress. It wasn't as bad as some of the others she'd conned him into -- or that mermaid costume that Amelia had forced him to wear -- but still. He hated the drafts!
Finally, they were shown into a large dining room. The butler bowed and left them alone, saying he would return with the laird in just a few moments. Gourry stared at the table: There were four place settings, and only four. Stomach knotting, Gourry put a hand on Lina's shoulder and leaned down to whisper in her ear. "I thought this was supposed to be a party, Lina."
"It is, Gou -- Lea," she whispered back harshly. "A private party! Now hush and let me do the talking, all right?"
Wincing, Gourry straightened and looked around warily. Why did he let her talk him into these things? Never again, he swore silently to himself. This was absolutely the last time!
Behind him, the door opened, startling him. He whirled around, feeling as jumpy as a cat in a room full of rockers. And just when he thought he couldn't get any jumpier, he found new heights to which to jump.
"Well, well, well ... What do we have here?" A short, skinny, balding little guy in his mid-sixties or so stood framed in the doorway and eyed the two "women" with a gleam in his eye that usually made Gourry go for his sword when it was directed at Lina. Now, however, he found himself on the receiving end and it felt ... creepy. And vaguely dirty. Suddenly, his shoulder blades itched and he had a burning desire to go back to the inn and take a bath, scrub himself clean, then take another one just to be certain.
"Allow me to present His Grace, Lord Gregory." The bent little butler stepped aside so that his liege could move forward.
Lina moved forward and held out her hand. "Charmed," she said. Gregory brushed past her with hardly a second glance. He descended on Gourry, reaching for his hand. Nonplussed, Gourry didn't quite have enough time to pull it away before it was engulfed in the other's hot, sweaty hands and twisted around so he could plant a wet kiss on the back of it.
"Oh, my dear! When you said your sister was a beauty, I had no idea you meant you were bringing a goddess with you!" He peered up at Gourry, who stood nearly two feet taller than the other man, through rheumy green eyes. His thin lips pulled back in a grin that sent the hairs on Gourry's neck climbing over one another in an attempt to get away.
"Erk ... " was all the swordsman managed to get out as he tried to extricate his hand from the nobleman's grasp. For a little guy, he sure had a strong grip. There was no way to get his hand back without making it look suspicious, however. The little man pulled him towards the table.
"And what is your name, you lovely creature?" Gregory asked, pushing Gourry into a chair on the right hand side of the long table, completely ignoring Lina as she stood there and fumed.
"L-lea," Gourry said in a falsetto.
"Lea," Gregory repeated. "What a lovely name. Clarke, why don't you see to Miss ... "
"Lina. Lina Granverse," Lina supplied through clenched teeth. She glared at Gourry, staring daggers at the back of his head until he turned in his seat and stared at her in mute appeal.
"Of course, Father," Clarke said, coming up beside Lina and holding out his hand. Lina looked at him for the first time and nearly melted: Where his father was old and wizened and shriveled (and downright repulsive), Clarke was a woman's dream come true. Thick black hair fell in waves back from his forehead; his features were even and the green eyes in his tanned face were clear and piercing. Recovering, Lina allowed him to tuck her hand into his arm and escort her around the table. She felt Gourry's eyes on her and turned to see him glaring at her -- and at Clarke. She stuck her tongue out at him then gave Clarke a brilliant smile.
"Why, thank you, Your Grace," she said, affecting a rather gauche accent as she sat. She could feel Gourry still glaring at her out of the corner of her eye but she ignored him and kept her attention on the son of the laird they were here to sweet talk.
He smiled a smooth smile at her, one that made Gourry's hands and jaw clench as he wanted to launch himself out of his chair and strangle this Clarke guy. However, at the moment, Gregory was keeping his hands occupied.
"Ah ha ha ha!" he said with a forced laugh, catching the lecher's hands and prying them forcibly off his knees. "Naughty naughty!" Grimacing, he scooted his chair further down the table only to find Gregory scooting his right along with him.
"Come now! You don't have to play these games with me!" he said, reaching out for Gourry's hand again. The blonde swordsman smacked his hand away with a little extra force this time.
"I ... I'm shy!" he said, looking at Lina for help. "Aren't I, sister dear?"
Lina looked up and over and gave him a wicked grin. "Oh, don't let her fool you, Your Grace. She just likes to play hard to get."
"Liiiinaaaa ... " Gourry growled.
"Leeeaaaa ... " she growled back at him, threatening him with bodily harm with a mere glance.
Swallowing hard, Gourry turned his attention back to Gregory, put his hand in front of his mouth and laughed softly. "That sister of mine," he tittered. "Such a joker."
Gregory chuckled. "I understand, my dear. I understand perfectly." He jumped out of his chair, grabbed Gourry's hand and hauled him out of his chair. Gourry nearly fell over as the little man pulled him through the double doors at the end of the dining room and signaled to someone up on the musician's balcony. Then the swordsman's heart sank as he heard soft music playing and found Gregory standing in front of him. "Let's dance, my dear. It will give us a chance to get to know one another better." The laird smiled up at him as he took the taller man's hand.
His own smile was a rictus as Gourry allowed Gregory to pull him onto the ballroom floor. He didn't have much of a choice, not with Lina there poking him in the back and practically pushing him into the laird's arms. As if that weren't bad enough, when the blonde turned to plead silently with his wife to get them out of there, he found her snugly ensconced in arms of Gregory's son -- and standing way to close to him. She was practically resting her head on his shoulder as they danced! He opened his mouth to say something only to have his angry comment die aborning as Gregory tightened his arms around his waist and laid his head on Gourry's chest.
The swordsman's head snapped around so fast he could hear the bones in his neck pop. He stared down in horror as the shorter man smiled blissfully while burrowing his face into Gourry's "bust." Shit, Lina, he thought to himself, rolling his eyes heavenward and grimacing right off his face. What have you done this time?
A soft laugh behind him drew his attention to Lina and Clarke. Lina was leaning into Clarke's arms and muffling her amusement over Gourry's discomfort behind her hand. He gave her a deathly glare and looked away from her.
Unfortunately, that left only Gregory and Gourry wasn't sure what he was going to do about him. The laird was holding him tightly, hands on his hips and face buried in his chest, and swaying gently to the music. Gourry, himself, was trying to touch the disgusting little man as little as possible; it was bad enough that whatever he used on his hair smelled rancid and cloying and he was getting the full impact. On top of that, the guy reeked of tobacco smoke, which he never liked to begin with. And he was getting a little too friendly with his hands ...
"Ah!" he screeched as Gregory's hands moved down over his hips and into what Gourry considered "off-limits" territory. He pushed away and tried to disentangle himself from out of Gregory's clutches. The laird was not so easily put off, however.
"Oh, you really are a beauty, do you know that? Feisty and full of life!" He pulled him closer with a surprising amount of strength for such a little man.
"Oof!" Gourry's eyebrows shot upwards. "Now, now ... Mustn't get fresh!" he said, putting a hand on the other man's chest and pushing as hard as he could. Gregory was not to be put off however. An evil gleam in his eye gave
Gourry only a moment's warning. "AAAAHHHHH!!!!" the swordsman screeched as the laird's hands moved down and around to cup his buttocks and squeezed!
"Come on, Lea, my girl," he said, using the opportunity to pull him down to his face level. "Give us a kiss."
"No!" Gourry shouted, forgetting the falsetto. He managed to plant one hand on Gregory's face and pushed. Gregory, however, reached around even further and squeezed the back of Gourry's lap again.
Thrown off-balance again, Gourry tripped forward. Gregory pulled him forward and covered his mouth with his own. Gourry's eyes went wide as he found himself being kissed by this little toad of a man -- and worst of all, being felt up by him as well!
This time, Gourry did not hesitate to use his full strength against his assailant. Shoving backwards with all his might, he sent Gregory to land on his butt on the parquet floor of the ballroom. "Cut it out, you toad!" he shouted, then spat and wiped his mouth on his sleeve. He turned around to look for Lina but not before Gregory jumped up and caught his hand.
"My word, but I like you!" There was a frightening gleam in the little man's eyes that made Gourry step back a pace. He gathered his wits and hardened his eyes.
"Let go of me or you'll be sorry."
"Let go of me or you'll be sorry, you bastard!"
Both Gourry's and Gregory's eyes went round at the screech from behind them. Gourry turned and Gregory peered around the taller man. Immediately, flames appeared around Gourry's form as he took in the scene: Clarke had Lina in a hold much like the one Gregory had had him in, only being taller than Lina had her bent backwards. "Come on, you little witch! I just want a kiss!"
That was all Gourry needed to hear. The fiery aura as bright and deadly as any Lina had ever summoned up still burning around him, he stalked over to the two and grabbed a handful of Clarke's ruffly, white shirt. "Excuse me," he said.
Clarke looked up at him. "Get lost, bitch. Go see to my father's needs."
Gourry's eyebrows shot up again. "What did you call me?" he asked in a surprisingly calm voice.
"I called you a bitch. Now get over there like you were paid to do so!" Gourry's eyes flickered over to Lina, who was biting her lip and looking a little frightened. Turning his attention back to Clarke, however, Gourry nodded. "That's what I thought you said." He let go of the other man's shirt and smoothed down the front.
Clarke shrugged his coat back into place. "That's better -- " He didn't get any further for Gourry's fist decided then and there to put a dent in his face.
"Gourry!" Lina shouted, covering her mouth with her hands as Clarke went flying into the nearest wall. He slid to the floor and lay in a heap underneath the impression he'd left in the wall.
The swordsman grabbed Lina's hand and turned. "We're leaving. Now," he said, heading for the doorway and the front of the manor. He found Gregory standing in his path and looking as giddy as a schoolgirl.
"You're not leaving, are you?" the little laird. He looked from Lina to Gourry and back. "We've only just started getting to know one another."
"Sorry, Your Grace," Gourry said stiffly. "But your son was trying to assault my wife."
"Oh, him. He deserves what he gets, the pervert -- " It was Gregory's turn to have his eyebrows shoot upwards. "Your ... wife?" He looked at Lina then back at Gourry. The blonde swordsman braced himself for what was bound to come. Only ... It wasn't quite what he expected: A joyful smile cracked the toad's face and he actually clapped his hands. "How grand!"
"Eeh?" Lina and Gourry said in unison.
"But ... You're so pretty to be a man! Not that I'm complaining, mind you, but I have to be certain ... " Before Gourry could move, Gregory's hand shot out and grabbed Gourry between the legs. "Yes! You're really a man! This is even better!"
The color in Gourry's face drained away to leave him as pale and white as his dress. This, however, was the last straw. Taking firm hold of Lina's hand, Gourry knocked Gregory aside and proceeded to walk quickly through the manor house to the front.
"Gourry, wait! Stop! We haven't seen what we came to see!"
"Forget it, Lina. I'm not staying in this pervert's house one moment longer than I have to." He shuddered and stepped up his pace a little.
"Wait!" Gregory called from behind them. Gourry yelped and broke into a run. At the front doors, he pushed aside the butler and kicked open the doors to get outside as fast as possible. As he took the steps down to their waiting carriage two at a time, pausing only long enough to sweep Lina up into his arms against her protests and throw her into the carriage and climbed in after her, Gregory ran after them. "I'm not picky! It doesn't matter that you're not a woman, you see! Come back, Lea!" He leapt onto the carriage and tried to grab Gourry.
"Get us out of here!" Gourry shouted at the driver as he huddled back into the seats away from Gregory's questing hands. He placed a booted foot on the toad's chest and pushed him out of the carriage to land on his backside in the dust of the drive.
They were both quiet for a time as they watched the weeping form of Lord Gregory kneeling in the dust and calling for Lea. Then Lina looked sideways at Gourry and bit her lip again. Taking a deep breath, she opened her mouth to say something.
"Don't say a word," Gourry said, not looking at her.
"But Gourry ... "
"I said not a word, Lina." His voice was shaking.
Not one to be put off, she opened her mouth wide again, ready to rip into him for bungling the whole trip! They hadn't even had a chance to ask about the magical device! "No!" he barked sharply just as she was about to speak, sitting up and twisting around to look out the window.
Fuming, she turned and looked out her own window at the passing scenery. Stupid jellyfish! she shouted at him in her mind, but couldn't quite bring herself to do it out loud. She'd save that for when the recriminations started. Let him yell at her first, then she could yell back and not feel like a heel for having made him go along with this plan in the first place.
So she stared out the window at the trees. Or their shadows, as the long summer evening finally relinquished its hold on the world and let night cover the land. They still had quite a ways to go until they hit the town. Each moment that passed in silence she grew more and more tense. Gourry should have started yelling by now. Sneaking a glance in his direction, she saw him pressed back into the corner of the seat and rubbing his upper arm with his hand. His free hand gripped his knee, alternating between white-knuckled tension and smoothing the silk jersey of his dress between his fingers. This worried her; Gourry never indulged in nervous habits. He must be really angry if he was doing it now.
As she continued her covert observations, his hands spasmed suddenly. She stiffened as he reached up and tore the buns out of his hair, and ripped the braids apart. She winced; jerking his fingers through the tangles like that had to hurt and yet he continued until all traces of the double braids she'd put in his hair earlier were gone. That done, he pulled his arms into the dress, squirmed around and finally shoved them back out again, dragging the stuffed bra out and heaving it through the window. Pulling up the skirt, he slouched back, legs spread wide in typical guy-style, punched down the material between his legs, then leaned back with his arms folded over his chest and proceeded to brood for the rest of the ride.
Lina swallowed hard and looked away from her angry husband. She could feel the anger coming off him in waves. Maybe she should just not say anything about anything when they got back. At least until he had a chance to calm down.
Maybe she should just not say anything about it at all ...
Maybe she should just not say anything. Period.
Lina was jolted awake from a light doze as the door to the carriage slammed shut with considerable force. She looked around and found herself alone outside the inn. Gourry was already disappearing around the corner of the inn towards the kitchens. Probably to avoid the crowd in the common room. She was all ready to get angry for him not even bothering to wake her up but the thought of the silent ride back from Gregory's manor stopped her. Instead, she climbed out of the carriage, paid the driver, and entered the inn through the common room.
At the top of the stairs, she saw Gourry coming up the back stairs. He paused at the top and gave her a black glare before proceeding to their room. She approached cautiously, almost fearfully, as he jerked on the door handle. It was locked and Lina had the only key. Pulling it out of her bag, she inserted it into the lock only to have him shove her aside and twist it hard enough to nearly break it off in the lock. Slamming the door open, he entered their room, leaving her standing in the hallway. The door slammed in her face as she tried to enter. Wincing, she pushed open the door and softly closed it behind her.
Across the room, Gourry was ripping the dress off -- literally. He grabbed the cowled neckline and with a effortless tug parted the expensive silk jersey right down the front. Lina winced as it tore; it had cost her a pretty penny to find that dress in Gourry's size. But she remained silent and leaning against the door.
When the dress was in shreds on the floor around his feet, Gourry sat down and ripped off the white leather boots, giving them the same treatment as the dress. Soon they were nothing but scraps of white leather scattered about on top of the silk. Then finally the silk stockings and lacy women's underwear that Lina had forced him into simply because she'd felt like it. He stood there in a patch of moonlight, clothed only in the silk of his hair, head down and fists clenched at his sides. She gulped and wondered if she should go find another room for the night. This was not like Gourry at all; this was seriously starting to frighten her. Every little thing she'd done to the man she called husband and friend came back to haunt her as he stood there, looking like a wild man ready to explode at the slightest provocation --
Just as that image was forming in her mind, he finally turned and looked at her. His mouth was hard and pulled into a thin line; his eyes were burning pits the color of a gas flame. He was breathing hard as he fixed her with those flaming eyes and raised his hand and pointed at her.
"Do you have any idea what sort of humiliation you put me through tonight, Lina? You've done some pretty awful things to me over the years we've known each other, but I think tonight has got to be the worst. Not only did you make me dress up like a girl, you lied to me about the party. Then as if that weren't enough, I find out that that, that ... pervert paid you for us to be there!"
Lina tried to glare back at him out of pure, contrary defiance. "What's so bad about that? I was only trying to get a look at that device he had! It wasn't even for me! It was for Zel!"
Snarling with rage, he took two quick steps forward and grabbed her arms and hauled her up. "I don't give a damn about your 'devices!' Not if it means I have to get my ass squeezed by a perverted little toad like Gregory! He kissed me, Lina! And he felt me up! If you wanted that damn device for Zelgadis so badly, we should have gone in there like we normally do, you flinging fireballs and me slinging my sword! Instead you let someone pay you for us to be there! With the intention of -- of -- " His voice choked off and he couldn't continue for a moment. Swallowing hard, he continued in a hard, cold voice, staring into her eyes. "Do you know what that makes us? What you did to me? What you did to yourself?"
"I never intended for that to happen and you should know it!" she shouted up at him. "How was I supposed to know that he'd turn out to be a lech? I thought we'd be able to go in, sweet talk him a little, ask him to show the device to us, grab it and get out while making a nice little profit to boot! I didn't know he was going to find you so attractive!"
"You didn't know so that makes it all right, does it?" His anger was getting the best of him and his hands tightened on her arms and she winced.
"Yes!" She struggled against him. "Let go of me!"
"For Ceiphied's sake, Lina, when are you going to grow up and realize that people aren't playthings?!" He gave her a sharp shake, making her yelp in pain as her head connected with the door.
"Gourry! You're hurting me!" She wasn't sure which hurt more: The fact that he was yelling at her -- and was right -- or how he was squeezing her arms or the crack on the head. Gourry had yelled at her before, but he had never laid a hand on her!
He froze and stared down at her. The flame in his eyes went out and he released her so suddenly she slumped against the door. "Gods ... Lina," he said softly in a shaking voice then whirled away. "I'm going to get cleaned up. I feel dirty." He stalked off to the bathroom door and yanked it open. "I don't know how long I'll be; don't bother waiting up." Stepping through, he pulled the door shut behind him, separating the two of them. She heard the bolt being pushed home and the finality of that sound echoed around the room.
Lina stared at the door a moment before she slid down the rough wooden surface of the door to sit in a pile of black skirts and misery. "Gourry ... " she whispered as she listened to the sound of running water from the other room.
"Dammit."
That softly spoken word had more emotion injected into it than a shouted diatribe listing every slight, real or imagined, every misdeed, every cruel word that Lina had thrown at him just that night alone could ever have carried. Gourry leaned back in the tub, letting the warm water flow around him and tried to let it wash away the memory of the horror that this evening had become. For perhaps the hundredth time, he wiped his mouth and tried to get the foul taste of being kissed by Gregory out of it. It had to be his imagination, but he could still taste and smell the disgusting little man, feel his hot, sweaty hands on him, touching him ...
He shuddered, rested his head against the wall behind him and closed his eyes. Damn Lina and her schemes. They wouldn't be so bad if they didn't always seem to involve putting him in women's clothes. This was the worst yet. And yet ... Her words came back to him: I never intended for that to happen and you should know it!
Sighing, he felt his anger slipping away -- until the memory of Gregory grabbing him between his legs to confirm his manhood returned with startling clarity. And the little turd had still wanted him! He brought his knees up while he wrapped his arms around his suddenly upset stomach and groaned. No, no ... Lina might not have meant for it to happen, but that didn't change the fact that it had happened. She wasn't getting off as easily as she had in the past. The swordsman shook his head, closed his eyes and grimaced. No, he had to be made to feel better about this whole thing. But...how?
And yet the answer eluded him. What could he do that would make her understand just how much she'd humiliated him? How much it had hurt? Without hurting the two of them at the same time?
He shifted, sending the water sloshing over the edge. Slouching down until the water was nearly up to his chin and his knees were sticking up, he stared at the ripples that spread outward from his movements. He could really use some chocolate right about now. It wouldn't solve anything, but at least it would make him feel better.
Another sigh forced its way outward. Muttering, he splashed the water a bit as pent-up anger finally forced itself out. "Stoopid Lina, dressing me up and making me do things she knows I hate. How would she like it if I -- "
Thoughts skidding to an abrupt halt, his eyes opened wide as he hit on a way to make her understand. Oh ... His summertime blue eyes lit up as he thought about the possibilities. He knew just how to do it, too. Well, not everything, but he could work out the details. When they got back to Seyruun, he would get what he needed and then ...
An uncharacteristically wicked smile twisted the corners of his mouth upwards as he sat up and grabbed the soap and a washcloth. Setting to work, he scrubbed himself clean in record time and pulled the plug. Standing, he grabbed a towel and dried himself off, almost whistling as he did so. Yes, this was going to be quite a learning experience for Lina, one he was going to enjoy teaching her.
Dry and feeling quite a bit better than he had an hour ago, he slid back the bolt and went into the bedroom. The room was dark, but the moonlight coming in through the window was enough to show him the small figure huddled under the covers on the bed. She was drawn up into a tight ball nearly on the edge of the bed. Something in his chest twisted; he hated hurting her, but that didn't lessen his own hurt any. However, now that he knew what he was going to do, he found he wasn't feeling quite so awful as before.
He lifted the top sheet and slid between them. Scooting over until he was right up against her, he put his arm around the small woman and tried to pull her close to him. She was stiff and unresponsive and pulled away. "Lina," he whispered softly into her ear.
She remained adamantly silent. Gourry sighed and kissed her neck. "Lina," he repeated softly. "Come on." He put his arms around her and pulled her around. "I'm sorry I yelled, Lina, but I was mad and hurt and ... Well, getting kissed by Gregory kind of freaked me out."
The small woman finally relented and looked up at him. He could see her eyes shining in the darkness and was surprised to see that her eyes were sparkling with tears. "No, I'm the one who's sorry, Gourry. I should never have done that to you. You have every right to be angry with me." She buried her head against his chest and he felt her body shaking as she sobbed.
"Shh ... " he crooned, rubbing her back lightly. His resolve to teach her a lesson wavered, but he steeled his will. She had to be made to understand that a few tears weren't enough to make up for toying with other people. But, for the moment ... "Don't cry, Lina," he said softly, pulling her more tightly against his body and running his hands up to her neck. He tilted her chin up and he looked into her eyes a moment then kissed her. She trembled at first then slowly her arms went around his neck and she held him fiercely while she returned his kiss. Soon Gregory, his lecherous intentions and the whole horrible evening were forgotten as they gave much needed comfort and solace in each other's bodies and touch.
"Master Gabriev."
The voice, clipped and proper-sounding, woke Gourry from a light doze. He opened his eyes and blinked, for the moment forgetting where he was, then remembered: He was lying in a lounge chair in the shaded gardens of Gabriev Manor.
He winced. I'm never going to get used to that, he thought. Technically the manor house belonged to him and Lina equally, but he tended to think of it more as Lina's than his. She was the one that wanted the fancy house and the title and all the trimmings that went with it. However, there were some things about it that he liked, so he couldn't complain a great deal.
"Master Gabriev," the voice repeated, reminding him that there was someone else there, waiting for his response.
"Yes, Regin?" he asked, putting his arms behind his head and closing his eyes again. This was one of the things he liked: Being able to come out into the gardens and take a nap in the shade while Lina was busy with her research. If he hung around inside while she was busy pouring over her musty old books she insisted on trying to talk to him about what she was doing, and while it wasn't that he wasn't interested per se, it was well ... It all just confused him. Magic was magic to him and that was that. And while Lina knew that, she still had a tendency to pummel him when he could fathom only a fraction of what she was talking about.
"A package has arrived for you, sir." Regin held out a silver tray with a small white card on it. Gourry reached out and took it, a puzzled look on his face.
"A package?" he asked, opening the card and looking at the elegant printing on it.
"Yes, sir. It's waiting for you in the main hall." Regin bowed and turned to leave.
"Package," Gourry repeated. Then the address on the card he held registered in his brain. Instantly galvanized into action, he jumped up off his lounge chair and hurried inside, nearly knocking Regin over in the process. He grabbed the little man, helped steady him, murmured an apology then dashed inside.
In the main hall, he spotted the white box bound up with cord sitting on a chair. Glancing up the stairs to make sure Lina wasn't there, he hurried over and ripped off the cord, and pulled the lid off. Inside, the contents were wrapped in tissue paper which he pulled back carefully. A satisfied grin spread across his face as he saw the contents. Perfect.
Folding back the tissue paper, he carefully replaced the lid and stuffed it under his arm. Deciding against the front stairs, he hurried through the house to the kitchens (where he paused to steal a chicken drumstick from behind the cook's back) and up the back stairs. Holding the drumstick firmly in his mouth, he eased open the door to their bedroom and slipped inside. He tiptoed over to the door to the sitting room where Lina did her research and put his ear against it. She was muttering to herself, occasionally punctuated by a screech followed by a moment of silence. He grinned. Lina really threw herself into whatever she was doing. Good. She shouldn't hear him, then.
Gourry turned away from the door and looked around as he chewed thoughtfully on a mouthful of chicken. Where to hide this ... ? Under the bed was out; Lina would spot it right away. Same with on top of the wardrobe. But inside ... He crossed the distance and opened the door. Ah. Behind his armor, yes. He stuffed the drumstick in his mouth again and carefully slipped the box in behind his stacked armor and wedged it into the corner. Perfect. He shut the door, took the drumstick out of his mouth and quietly exited the room. Whistling softly to himself, he headed down the front stairs and back out into the gardens, a sly grin on his face. He'd been waiting all week for what was in that box. With it, he was going to teach Lina a lesson she'd never forget. They'd hardly been back in Seyruun a day after returning from the fiasco at Gregory's manor when he'd formulated his plan and gone into the city to make arrangements. And now, finally, tomorrow ... He returned to his lounge chair grinning maniacally, and put his free hand behind his head while he gnawed on the decimated remains of the drumstick. Tomorrow morning, Lina was going to learn a very important lesson. Laughing softly to himself, he nodded. It would be a long time before she dressed him up in women's clothes again! A very long time indeed. Leaning back, he went back to his nap to dream about everything he was going to do -- starting tomorrow morning.
Yawning, Lina stretched like a cat against Gourry's warm body, pressing herself against him and draping her arms over his broad shoulders as he lay on his stomach next to her. Grinning lazily to herself, she ran her hand over his back, tracing the firm muscles there as she took her time to wake up. There truly wasn't anything better in this world than waking up with him by her side. Leaning in close to him, she wrapped his braid around her hand and tugged gently. "Wake up, Gourry," she whispered.
"Mmmm ... " he murmured, shifting and pressing his face into the pillow.
"C'mon, Gourry! Time to wake up!" She dropped his braid and shoved against him, managing to push him all of about an inch or so. Unable to use physical means to shift him, she resorted to foul play. Crooking her fingers, she ran them lightly up his sides and under his arms.
"Gah!!" he shouted and pushed himself straight up and away from her. She followed him mercilessly, grinning wickedly, until he rolled away from her, caught her hands and held them captive. "Stop!" he panted.
"You're really something, you know?" she said. "Who ever heard of a ticklish warrior?" But she leaned in close and kissed his nose. "Wanna make love?" she asked in a sultry tone.
He grinned and pulled her into his arms and kissed her. When he pulled away, she moved her kisses down to his neck and hooked her leg over his. But to her surprise and chagrin, he gently pushed her back. "Wait, Lina," he said, kissing her mouth. Shifting backwards, he slid off the bed and went to the wardrobe. Curiously, Lina watched him, enjoying the sight of him moving around skyclad and his hair out of the way. Grinning like a cat, she rested her chin on her hand and just ... looked.
When he stepped back and turned around, he was holding a large white box. As he approached the bed, her curiosity boiled over and she sat up.
Climbing on the bed, he set the box down in front of her. "What's this?" she asked, reaching for it.
Placing his hand over hers, he pushed it down to the bed. "Lina," he said with a bit of a grin. "You remember that party at the Palace, oh ... a few weeks ago?"
"Which party, Gourry? We've been to a lot of them." She gave him a strange look.
"The one where we snuck off into the garden and I had my way with you?" He leaned down and took her chin in his hand. "The one where you promised me anything?"
She swallowed hard and nodded slowly. "Yeah, I remember ... I think." Lina's eyes slid away from his intense gaze.
He turned her face so she had to look at him. "Well, Lina, I'm calling in that promise."
Lina felt the bottom fall out of her stomach. "Y-you are? How?"
The swordsman leaned forward and kissed her lips before he answered. "I'll explain when I come back." One more kiss and then he climbed off the bed and grabbed up his robe to shrug it on.
Taken aback, she sat up. "Gourry! Wait! What's that supposed to mean? Come back from where?"
"I'm just going downstairs to send the servants away for the day and get breakfast. I'll be back in twenty minutes." He belted his robe closed, put on his slippers and was at the door before he turned back to her. "Oh, the box? Put on what's inside. Only what's in the box; nothing more, nothing less." Giving her a wink, he turned the knob, slipped through and was gone. Lina stared at the panel in bewilderment. Normally, the mention of breakfast would have had her running for the dining room, but she'd all but lost her appetite. Transferring her bewildered gaze to the white box in front of her, she carefully lifted the lid. Setting it aside, she pulled back the tissue paper.
What she found aroused her curiosity once again. She put her hands into the pile of black material and lifted out --
Her breath caught in her throat and she dropped the dress. In disbelief, she picked it back up and shook it out: Yes, she hadn't been mistaken! It was -
"A maid's uniform?" she screeched. "How dare he?" She scrabbled in the box, pulling out a white apron and hat, a pair of black silk stockings with a garter belt and a pair of black high-heeled shoes. "Does he really expect me to wear this?" she demanded of no one in particular.
But then the memory of her promise returned. She had promised him anything. "Damn," she muttered. As she looked at the crumpled uniform in her hands, she thought about what he might be planning and a small smile played over her lips. "Okay, Mister. I see what you're getting at. I never thought something like this would turn you on, but if it does ... " She licked her lips and climbed off the bed and started getting dressed.
It was then that she realized that there were certain items missing. She dumped out the box and ripped apart the tissue paper before admitting to herself that there were no underthings. Now Gourry's comments about putting on only what was in the box made sense. "That pervert," she muttered as she sat and pulled on the stockings, strapped them to the garters and stepped into the shoes. She looked down at herself and blushed furiously as she realized how short the skirt was. "That pervert!" she shouted again. "Where did he get this?"
Her head snapped up as the door opened and Gourry stepped into the room. He stopped and looked at her as he pushed the door shut behind him.
Grinning, he nodded. "It fits. Nice ... " he drawled, looking her up and down and lingering on certain parts of her anatomy longer than others. "Turn around," he ordered.
"What?" Lina demanded. "What the hell are you talking about?"
The blonde came forward and leaned down. "I want to see what it looks like on you," he said with a grin.
"You can forget that!" Lina turned back towards the bed and reached for the ties to the apron. Suddenly she was having serious second thoughts about this whole thing. There was something ... dangerous about Gourry this morning.
He grabbed her arm and pulled her around, gently, but still with enough force to let her know he could easily force her if he wanted. "Lina, your promise."
"Pick something else, Gourry. I'm not doing this."
"No," he said softly but firmly. "This is what I want. You made a promise to me, Lina; keep it."
She looked up at him, into those depthless blue eyes. They were as intense as the morning sun outside the window, and both pleaded and demanded with her to keep her promise. She swallowed the lump in her throat and still trying to deny that she could resist him, ripped her eyes away from his. "I didn't know this sort of thing turned you on, Gourry. I guess, if that's what you want, though -- "
His hand on her shoulder stopped her. "This has nothing to do with that, Lina," he said quietly.
Lina looked up at him again and this time she realized that there was something more than sex behind his request. "Then what is it about? Why make me dress up like this?"
"Why did you make me dress up as a woman the other night?" he asked in a low, level voice.
Her stomach turned over. "I -- " Caught off guard, Lina couldn't say anything at first. Then she rounded on him. "Don't tell me you're still mad about that? I thought we'd settled that!"
"I'm not mad, Lina, but it's far from settled. That's what this is all about. You see," he said, leaning forward and putting his mouth close to her ear and whispering, "I'm not asking you to just dress up, but you've got to do what I tell you to do for one full day. Everything I say. Without question and exactly as I say it. Just like you did to me. And no magic," he added after a pause.
"So you want to humiliate me?" she demanded, something in her chest squeezing and making her wince.
"Not exactly," he said softly. "There's no one here except us; no one will ever see you like this except me. I promise."
Lina turned her head away him and hugged herself. "And if I say no?"
"Then you take off the dress, put on your clothes and we go about a normal day. That's all. This has to be your choice, Lina. I won't force you. But once you agree, you will do as I say for the rest of the day."
Lina's heart twisted and she bit her lip. Damn him! her inner voice shouted. If he'd been demanding about the whole thing, she could have shoved him aside, beaten him up a little and told him to drag his mind out of whatever perverted gutter he seemed to have dropped it into -- and washed it out with soap for him, too -- but with him standing there, giving her the choice to refuse ...
That was it. She'd just refuse to do it. She turned and looked up at him, the words already forming on her lips, and yet ... They lived a short life as she found she couldn't say them. Swallowing, she nodded, captivated by the intensity in his eyes. "All right. I'll do it."
She'd expected him to crow or carry on for having coerced her into this plan of his. However, there was none of that; instead he leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. "Thanks, Lina," he said softly.
"Yeah, yeah." Lina pushed him away irritably. "So what do you want me to do first, Gourry -- "
"Master Gabriev," he corrected.
"What?"
"That's what you're going to call me today. Master Gabriev." He straightened and looked down at her.
"You're pushing it, Gourry."
"Lina, you agreed to the terms, now you have to abide by them."
She took a deep breath and clenched her fists. "All right, all right! What do you want me to do, Master Gabriev?" She made the title a curse.
"I think breakfast will be good. Bring it to the sitting room." He turned and crossed the room towards the door to the sitting room and pulled it open.
"Breakfast?" she shouted as she followed after him into the sitting room. He went to the overstuffed wingchair set in front of the fireplace and lowered himself into it. "How am I supposed to get breakfast? You sent the servants away!"
"Oh, that's not a problem. I had them fix it and bring it on a cart before they left. It should be waiting outside the door." He gathered his blue robe around him and put his feet up on the ottoman. "Well, go on," he said, shooing her towards the door.
Giving him one of her patented Death Glares, she shook with rage. "Yes, sir, Master Gabriev," she muttered between clenched teeth, then turned and stomped over to the door. Indeed, there was a cart waiting outside for them. She pulled it into the room and wheeled it over to the table next to Gourry. Fuming, she filled a plate and handed it to him.
"Thank you," he said. "Coffee?"
Silently, she poured him some coffee and set the mug on the table next to him. "Anything else?"
He stabbed a sausage with his fork and stuck it in his mouth. Lina suddenly realized that she was ravenous. She wondered if he was going to let her eat or not.
"It's a bit chilly this morning. How about a fire?" Using his fork, Gourry pointed at the fireplace.
Suppressing a growl, she stepped around him and up to the fire place. It hadn't been lit in a while as they normally didn't come into the sitting room until later when it was warm enough not to need one, so it was cleaned and logs laid just waiting for a flame. She knelt down and pulled open the mesh screen, and cupped her hands. She muttered a few words, then blew on the tiny flame that appeared between her hands. A tiny tongue of flame licked at the logs, blackening them. Good ... Just a bit more, she thought to herself. Just a little more -- "AAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!"
The tiny tongue of flame turned into a jet as she screeched. The spell winked out and she whirled around to fix Gourry with a glare, knocking away his foot from where he'd put it between her legs. "What do you think you're doing?" she demanded.
He looked innocent. "Just enjoying the view."
"The ... view ... " She blushed bright crimson as she realized that the short skirt of the uniform probably revealed more than it concealed. Add to that the fact that she wasn't wearing any underwear ...
"You're a damn pervert, do you know that?" she snarled, jerking the skirt down as far as it would go.
"I'm a damn pervert, what?" he responded.
"You're a damn pervert, Master Gabriev."
He grinned. "That's better." Leaning back, he stuffed another sausage into his mouth and chewed.
"You didn't really want a fire, did you? You just wanted to see me bend over!" Gourry's sunny brows shot up. "Now, would I do that?"
"In a heartbeat. Look, are you going to let me have some breakfast or not?" She looked at the rapidly disappearing pile of food.
He looked over and surveyed the cart. "I suppose I should let you eat. Can't have you fainting. Come here." He patted his lap.
Eyes narrowing suspiciously at him, she asked, "Why?"
"You want to eat, don't you?" His grin was wicked.
"Yeah ... "
"Then come sit on my lap and I'll feed you."
She gaped at him. "You'll what?"
He leaned forward and caught her wrist and pulled her up. "You heard me," he said.
"Gou -- Master Gabriev! Stop it!" She struggled, but to no avail. She found herself ensconced on his lap, one arm around her waist and the other holding a fork with a sausage stuck on the end.
"Open up!" he said, still grinning wickedly. As she struggled, he managed to get the sausage into her mouth.
Pausing, she glared at him while chewing furiously. No sooner did she finish and swallow that one and open her mouth to screech at him, than he shoved another one into it.
She just couldn't compete with him when he was like this, she realized. Not when she'd made her promise. So she sat there, on his lap (and knowing full well that while his sword was in the wardrobe in the other room, his other sword was drawn and held at the ready), and let him feed her. Actually, once she stopped struggling, it was ... quite pleasant.
"Now, that wasn't so bad, was it?" he asked as he fed her the last bit of egg. He put the fork on the plate and picked up a napkin and wiped her lips.
"Well ... I guess not," she said sulkily, unwilling to admit she'd enjoyed it. His erection was poking her leg and she shifted a bit, deliberately rubbing against it. He hissed and she grinned. "Is there anything else I can do for you ... Master Gabriev?" she whispered in the same sultry whisper she'd used earlier when asking if he'd wanted to make love. Leaning in close to him, she wriggled her shoulders, revealing more of the soft flesh of her breasts in the low cut neckline of the uniform.
As expected, Gourry's eyes locked on that sight and his breathing became harsh and ragged. He put his hands on her waist and ran them up to cup the bottom of those breasts of which he was so fond. Moving his fingers upwards, he carefully undid the top buttons of her dress, opening it to well past her cleavage. With a heartfelt sigh, he leaned forward and pressed his open mouth against the skin between her breasts.
Lina let out a soft exclamation of pleasure and leaned her head back and closed her eyes. The feel of his mouth on her skin was something she loved; he was so talented in ways she'd never expected. She shifted so that she was kneeling over him and buried her hands in his hair, being careful not to pull at his braid. Holding his head close against her, she moved her hips over his, rubbing herself against his throbbing manhood.
She opened her eyes and looked upwards and wondered when she'd gotten so turned on. One moment she'd been fuming and ready to kill her golden-haired lover and now she was so hot for him she could barely control herself. The knowledge that the only thing separating them was the rich silk of his robe pushed her excitement that much higher. He knew it, too, as he was thrusting up lightly with his hips, straining to reach her all the while tenderly kissing her neck, tracing delicate patterns on her skin with his tongue then breathing on them lightly. Chills ran down her spine and she purred happily as he moved up to tug on her earlobe with his lips. Her eyes slid closed as a cunning smile curved her lips upwards. He was so easy to control, she thought. Soon she'd have him begging for her and they could put this silly charade behind them. She let one hand slip down between them, reaching for and finding his erection. She gripped him tightly, eliciting a soft intake of air into her ear. A feline smile spread across her lips as she worked him, bringing him to a fever-pitch with just a few strokes. His hips bucked upwards and she scooted forward, letting go of him and fighting with the silk of his robe, wanting him inside her, feeling her own heat on her hand ...
Abruptly, he sat pushed her back and stood her on the floor in front of him. She trembled and if he hadn't been supporting her she would have collapsed at his feet. "Gourry!" she gasped, feeling as if she had a bucket of cold water poured over her.
"Not yet, Lina," he said in a voice that rasped like steel on stone. "I need a bath," he said after he'd collected himself a moment, voice nearly back to normal.
"W-what?" she stammered, still off-balance.
"A bath. Go draw me one. And be quick about it." He let go of her when he was sure she wasn't going to sit down without support and leaned back in the chair and pulled his robe about him.
"You want a bath?" she grated. "You stopped our love-making because you wanted a bath?"
He nodded. "That's what I said, all right. Now, go do it. I'll be right in."
Taking a deep, angry breath, Lina nodded. "All right, I'll go draw your stupid bath, G -- Master Gabriev." She turned on her heel and stomped towards the door to the bath.
"Hey, Lina!" he called after her.
She halted but didn't turn around. "What is it this time?"
"You forgot to curtsy."
The flame-haired sorceress turned around and stared at him. "I forgot to what?"
"Curtsy. All the maids do that whenever I ask for something, you know."
Lina looked as if she was about to explode -- but only for a moment. She smiled, a sickly sweet smile that one usually didn't see on her face unless someone was about to die. She bobbed quickly. "I'll go draw your bath now, Master Gabriev," she said, turned and glanced quickly over her shoulder to see if he was watching her or not, then walked with an exaggerated sashay to the door and through it.
Gourry swallowed hard as he stared at the door long after it was shut and the sight of Lina walking away from him in that short skirt with the tops of her stockings peeking out from underneath it had disappeared from all by his mind's eye. He wanted to go in there and take her on the floor, right there and then. It took great strength of will not to jump up and do it. He wanted this to last the entire day and somehow he knew that if he let her get the upper hand he would never regain it. And tumbling her so soon after he'd started would give her that upper hand; he knew that for sure. It would be hard, but he could do it! Leaning his head back in the chair, he closed his eyes and gripped the arms until his knuckles turned white and concentrated on regaining his composure.
A moment later, he heard the door open again. Lifting his head, he opened his eyes and saw Lina there. "Your bath's ready, Master Gabriev," she said in a perky voice.
"Thank you," he said formally, pushing himself out of his chair and going to the bathroom. She opened the door for him and even curtsied as he passed her; he gave her a sideways look as he passed. Admittedly, even with the promise he'd gotten from her, this abrupt change in behavior nevertheless had him worried.
"It's nice and hot, just how you like it," she said, pushing the door closed and following him to the oversized tub. "May I take your robe?" she asked.
Nodding, his hands went for the belt but she pushed them away. "Oh, no, Master Gabriev! You must let me do that for you," she cooed as she untied it. Going around behind him, she reached up and pulled it off his shoulders and hung it on the hook on the back of the door. "There you go," she said as she turned back and pushed him towards the tub. "Get in, get in. It will get cold!" Lina gathered up the long, golden rope that was his braid and held it up as he looked nervously down at her. "Go on!" she insisted.
Gourry leaned down and tested the water with one tentative finger. Well, it wasn't boiling and his flesh didn't dissolve so it wasn't acid. In fact, it looked like normal water with small wisps of steam wafting off the surface. Taking a deep breath, he stepped into the water, alert for any sign of anything out of the ordinary.
The water was hot just as she'd said, and it felt good. Sitting down, he let himself lean against the backrest and draped his arms over the sides.
"Ah ... " he said with a contented (if wary) sigh. "This feels good." A slight tugging on his hair sent him forward with a jerk -- a jerk which was aborted half-way and he was forcibly slammed back against the tub.
"Gah! Lina!" he snapped, rubbing his head and squinting at her with one eye.
"Yes, Master Gabriev?" she asked innocently, still holding his braid in her hands.
"What are you doing?"
"Unbraiding your hair, Master Gabriev. So I can wash it for you." She cocked her head at him and gave him a curious look. "Is there a problem, Master Gabriev?"
He sighed and settled back against the tub back. He had a feeling that he was going to be very tired of hearing "Master Gabriev" by the end of the day. "No, no problem. Just ... be more careful."
"Certainly, Master Gabriev." Her voice dripped honey. Briefly he wondered if he should try to disappear before morning came. He leaned back, closed his eyes and let her work on his hair. Unknown to him, Lina was grinning wickedly as she watched him.
By the time she'd worked the plaits out and had started brushing out the night tangles, Gourry had relaxed enough to enjoy the feeling of having his hair brushed. Her hands were sure and gentle as she drew the brush through the thick mass of golden silk, savoring the feel of it as it slipped through her hands. Sitting there, brushing his hair, she could almost forget the ridiculous promise he'd gotten out of her.
But ... she just couldn't let this sort of thing go unchallenged. Yes, she'd agreed to do what he said, even if it meant wearing this outrageous outfit, waiting on him hand and foot and play his little games. And she had no doubt what some of those games would be. Stupid men, always wanting to exert their dominance over the weaker sex. Well, two could play at that game. She'd nearly had him earlier, she thought as she cast her mind back to breakfast. She was just going to have to try harder. First thing, though, lull him into a false sense of security. Patience, Lina, she whispered to herself, reluctantly gathering his hair and twisting it over his shoulder so that it would stay out of the way.
"Master Gabriev, please lean forward so I can scrub your back," she said in sugared tones.
He shifted his weight forward so that she had access to his back. Picking up the sponge and the soap, she set to working up a sudsy lather. Leaning forward herself, she applied the sponge to his wide shoulders and back, realizing she had a golden opportunity here. As she moved the sponge across his hard muscles under smooth skin. Taking the sponge in both hands, she scrubbed up and down, moving across the broad back in a way she knew he loved. As she expected, he arched his back and grabbed the sides of the tub to steady himself. His head came back and with his hair pulled to the side as it was she caught a glimpse of the strong column of his throat. A throat she could lean forward and devour with her mouth and reduce him to a pile of quivering jelly -- she knew because she'd done it before. And yearned to do it now. But that, too, would have to wait.
Dipping the sponge into the warm water, she lifted it, dripping, and rinsed the soap from his skin, allowing the water to drip down his back in long rivulets. Then she did his shoulders and arms, leaning in close to him and making sure he got an interesting view down the front of her dress. Lina felt his eyes latch on her and yet, nonchalantly she reached across the tub and took his wrist, lifted his arm and proceeded to wash him thoroughly.
After his arms, his front received like treatment. The scratchy sponge produced interesting reactions as she stroked the line of his neck down to the vee at the base of that strong neck, and across muscles rendered rock-hard and well-shaped from years of swordplay. She watched him surreptitiously as she let it linger for just long enough that it couldn't be taken as a deliberate action, but longer that it necessarily had to be on the more sensitive areas.
She moved her hand down, over his stomach that was harder than normal as he held his breath under her touch. And even further down, under the water as she headed for the juncture between his legs.
Lightning quick, his hands snapped up to grab her wrists. "Uh, where are you going?"
"I have to wash all of you, don't I?"
"I think you can go on," he said, lifting his foot onto the edge of the tub. She arched an eyebrow at him but moved down to wash his feet and legs, feeling the strong corded muscles of his calves and thighs under her hands as she supported them. Gourry had beautiful legs, she thought to herself. Damn fine legs. All the way up to his --
She coughed a bit and sat back on her stool. "Okay. You're done. Stand up." She leaned over and picked up one of the fluffy bath sheets that were stacked on a table nearby and shook it open as she stood.
Her husband looked thoughtfully at her then with a quirked eyebrow of his own, he shifted his weight and stood up. The water cascaded off his form and splashed onto her as he stepped out of the tub to stand there before her in all his nude, male glory. It was quite obvious that he was if nothing aroused even more than before. If he was expecting some sort of reaction, he was disappointed as Lina didn't bat an eye as she spread the open towel across his chest and started mopping the water off of him. Still, it didn't prevent him from standing there, hands on his hips and grinning down at her as she dried him off in a completely business-like manner. Going down onto her knees, she dried his legs down to his feet, then -- without looking up -- said, "Turn around, please." She was glad she was looking down because she couldn't suppress a grin at the soft groan he made. But he complied and turned around to let her get the rest of him. Repeating the pattern in reverse, Lina dried his calves, back of his knees, thighs and finally came to that place where his legs stopped. And Lina stopped. Never mind his legs, she thought -- he had a gorgeous rear. A small, sharp-toothed grin twitched her lips upwards. Unable to help herself, she leaned forward and used her tongue to lick off a small droplet of water that had halted in the small of his back, balanced just on the cusp of the convergence of his hips. Letting the towel drop, she laid a small hand over the tight muscles of his backside and felt them clench under her touch.
Back arching, Gourry took an involuntary step forward. Letting loose with a sharp hiss, he tried to twist around and grab her, but she had a strong hold on him, and he couldn't reach her unless he wanted to sit down abruptly. That and the fact that her sharp nails were digging into the sides of his hips while she nibbled at the small of his back and he didn't particularly want to stop her. "Lina," he gasped as the feel of her raspy tongue on his skin sent even more blood flowing into erectile tissues, increasing his arousal to painful levels.
So he stood there, held captive by the kitten-claw pinpricks of her nails, back arched slightly, feet splayed for balance as she did interesting things with her mouth to the flesh just above his hips. Hands clasped tightly at his side, his breathing became ragged and harsh. When she moved even further downward, he let out a soft, gasping cry and grabbing at her hands, he sank to his knees to crouch between her legs.
As he dropped slowly to the floor, Lina let her tongue and mouth trail upwards to match his downward movement. She put her arms around his narrow waist as she leaned into him and covered his lap with her hands, cupping his manhood between them. A cry escaped his lips as he threw back his head. Sitting up as best she could without losing her grip on him, she latched her mouth on the flesh of his neck, dragging one fang-tooth along the corded muscle there. He gasped and rolled his head to the side to give her more room to devour him while his fingers twined with hers around his arousal. It was hard to remain detached from his excitement and she felt herself growing warm in response to his soft cries and moans. Using just the tip of her tongue, she found the pulse-point on his neck and tickled it, leaving behind a warm wetness that she breathed out upon. The response was nearly instantaneous: He whimpered and clenched the muscles of his buttocks while trying to sit up slightly. Mercilessly, she pressed his hips downwards with her arms, while she kissed the pressure point. Kissed it, suckled at it, caressed with her tongue, all the while gripping him with her legs and moving her hands around his member.
Over and over he whispered her name, trying to thrust up with his hips a little each time she moved her hands down on him. How had this happened? he tried to reason with a part of his brain that was suffering from the altered blood flow to other parts of his body. Only one thought managed to pierce the lust-induced haze that surrounded him: He had to regain control. Another part of his brain responded differently. This had stopped being about control and teaching Lina a lesson. It just wasn't his way to keep up the pretense after he'd made his point. Besides, would he really be loosing control if he took her? Not when that was what he wanted more than anything. And right now, it was all he could think about.
Abruptly sitting up and breaking away from her, he twisted around and grabbed her by the arms and jerked her around. She squeaked softly as he stood her in front of him with his hands on her waist and captured her mouth with his. He kissed her roughly, mouth locked on hers as his hands bunched up the skirt to her dress. Her mouth was dark and velvet and oh so warm as he forced his tongue into it. Barely he was aware of her hands on his arms, clutching him, straining forward though he kept her immobile while he kissed her. Slipping first one hand under the black skirt, then the other, he bunched it up out of the way so there was nothing to get in the way as he pulled her forward and down onto his lap and impaling her in one smooth motion.
"AH!" she cried out as he slid into her completely. Gods, she was hot, he thought, latching his mouth to her throat and using his tongue to memorize every line and curve from the small indentation behind her ear down the cords that ran from behind her ear to the small vee in the base of her neck and back up the other side. Once that was done, he began a similar exploration of her face, laying soft kisses on her brows, the bridge of her nose, brushing his lips over her eyes, cheekbones, over her small, pointed nose then finally down to her shapely lips. He sealed his over hers in a passionate, needing kiss as he rocked in and out of her.
She cried and mewed into his mouth as he refused to relinquish it, invading it with his tongue, exploring that rich darkness with deliberate purpose. His hands, flat against her back, moved downward to cup her backside and pulled her up further onto him while he shifted forward and sat up on his knees, taking her with him. She clutched him tightly around the waist with her legs, pulling herself ever closer, but her hands remained loose on his shoulders, running her fingers up and down his neck, under his still-damp hair, gently tickling the back of his neck, trusting him completely not to drop her even in passion. Her head fell backwards as he moved within her, pushing her pleasure towards the boundaries with each stroke. There was no need to hold back, nor did she want to hold back. When the tremors began, she gripped him with her legs, straining against him.
"Gourry, oh, please don't stop, Gourry! I'm, I'm ... Oh GODS!!" And with that she came explosively around him. She raised herself by pulling on him, bringing herself up and seeking his mouth with eyes blind with passion even if they'd been open. He met her and covered her mouth yet again as he lowered her to the floor and catching her hands, twining his fingers with hers and holding them over her head. On his knees, he pressed downwards into her, harder, pounding into her, his passion climbing higher with each stroke. Her legs were locked behind his waist, pulling her up as tightly against him as she could while she panted and sobbed and begged him for more. Another stroke, and one more ... There was no way he could hold back any longer. Raising his head so that his lips were barely brushing hers, he whispered, "Now, Lina." His lips were soft, warm velvet on hers as she nodded, eyes tightly closed and tears leaking out from under them. Her breathing quickened as he touched his tongue to her bottom lip, pressing her mouth open slightly to admit his tongue, letting it dart in and out of her mouth in much the same manner as he was doing with another part of his body her hers. She moaned and twisted her fingers in his grasp. "Gourry," she whispered with a sob against his mouth, then her back arched and she screamed.
She pulled him over the edge and into his own climax. Relentlessly, he thrust downwards as light exploded behind his eyes. His cry mingled with hers as he collapsed on top of her, wrapping his arms around her body to clasp her close. Gourry buried his face in the nape of her neck and whispered to her over and over how much he loved her as wave after wave crashed over him. Lina's fingers twisted in his hair, pulling none-too-gently at it and cupping the back of his head.
When they'd both grown calm and still, Lina pulled his head up so she could kiss him. Smiling up at him through heavy-lidded eyes, she murmured,
"I love you, too, Master Gabriev," before kissing him on his beautifully shaped lips. They curved upwards as he looked down at her.
"I like the sound of that," he said softly, kissing her. "This is an interesting situation here," he said, glancing down at her beneath him while he propped himself on his elbows. He cupped her breasts through the fabric of her dress. "It's been too long since I got to pin one of the maids to the bathroom floor."
The soft look on Lina's face hardened as she glared up at him. "Just what is that supposed to mean?"
"Exactly what it means," he replied, leaning down and nuzzling her ear. She pushed him away. "Pretend I don't know what it means, Gourry. Exactly how many times have you gotten to 'pin one of the maids to the bathroom floor?'" He couldn't possibly be serious ... could he? A cold, sinking feeling started in the pit of her stomach.
"Including today?" he asked, grinning impishly where she couldn't see him.
"Yes. Including today."
"Hmmm ... Once." He tightened his arms around her and sat up, pulling her small figure up with him. Leaning forward, he kissed the tip of her nose. "Had you worried, didn't I?"
Lina smacked him on the arm to cover her relief. "You're awful!"
"I know." Gourry pulled her close and kissed her again. "But you still love me, right?" he asked with a cocky grin.
"You know I do." She leaned forward to kiss him. "Or I wouldn't have let you do all this."
His grin turned soft and he looked into her eyes. "I know," he repeated. Reluctantly, he let her stand up when she pulled away even though he wanted nothing more than to go on holding her against him. He satisfied himself with pulling her forward and kissing her between her breasts, adding a gentle tickle with his tongue.
"Gah! Stop that, Gourry!" she giggled as she playfully pushed him away. Stepping away, she kicked off her shoes and started unbuttoning the dress.
"Uh ... Lina," he asked, watching her. "What are you doing?"
She reached around her and pulled the ties to the apron loose. "I'm going to go get dressed."
Gourry stood up and grabbed her hands and stilled them. "Oh, no you're not."
Lina gaped up at her husband. "C'mon, Gourry! You've had your fun, it's time to let go of this, right?"
He shook his head, setting his golden hair to swirling about him. "Oh, no, Lina. I said the whole day, and I meant the whole day. And you agreed."
"Gourry!" she whined. DAMN! Why did he have to pick today to be so stubbornly adamant about things?!
"No, Lina," he said firmly. "The rest of the day."
She turned to face him, pulling her hands from his and putting them on her hips. "And just what are you going to make me do all day long, eh, Gourry?" He shrugged and leaned down to retrieve her apron from where it'd fallen.
"I don't know. I'll make it up as we go." He held out the apron to her.
Lina didn't move for a moment as she glared at him, then snatched the apron away, and tied it back around her waist. "Yes, Master Gabriev." Finished with the apron, she started doing up the buttons when he stopped her.
"No, leave it like that," he said. "I like it."
She looked down at the neckline of her dress which was now open well past her breasts. "Pervert," she muttered and turned away to get her shoes. He grabbed her from behind and put his arms around her body and his chin on her shoulder. "Why am I a pervert for liking to be able to see in your shirt?" He slid one of his hands inside and cupped her breast. "I like your body, Lina. You're sexy, you're beautiful and you're mine."
She flushed and nearly melted into his arms. Hell, there was no reason not to melt so she did it anyway. "Gourry," she whispered, softly. "What did I do to deserve you?"
"I dunno," he said with a grin. "We'll figure that out as we go along, too. Right now, I'm thirsty. Get me some lemonade?"
She sighed and drooped. He just wasn't going to get distracted. "Yes, Master Gabriev."
"Good. I'll be on the balcony. You can bring it there." He gave her neck a quick kiss before releasing her and turning away.
Lina watched him get his robe off the hook behind the door, giving his backside an appreciative inspection before it was hidden from view by the blue and gold silk robe. "I'll be right there, Master Gabriev," she called as he exited the bathroom. She followed him out of the bathroom, but as he turned to go into the bedroom where the balcony was, she exited and made her way to the kitchens to get him a glass and a pitcher of lemonade. Out of sheer contrariness, she put two glasses on the tray; he could at least share it with her. Picking up the tray, she made her way back through the house and to their bedroom.
Outside on the balcony, he was lounging in one of the patio chairs, long legs barely covered by the skirts of his robe. The sun was nearly overhead and he was lying back and looking as contented as a cat asleep in the warm sunlight. She set the tray down on the table near him and poured some lemonade into it. "Your lemonade, Master Gabriev," she said.
Without opening his eyes, he unfolded one of his long arms from behind his head and held out his hand. She put the glass in it then poured herself some and went to sit in another chair. Just as she'd sat down, he opened his eyes and looked at her sideways. "My feet ache, Lina. I'd like a foot rub."
Lina froze with her glass halfway to her lips. Then she looked at him. Then she gaped at him. "What?"
"Come rub my feet," Gourry said, lifting one long leg. He arched a finely shaped golden brow at her.
Grinding her teeth, she put her glass down on the table and stood up. She went to the end of the lounge and made a curt motion for him to lift his feet. He did so and she sat down and he lowered his feet into her lap. As she took one large shapely feet (how the heck did he manage to have handsome feet as well?) in her hands, she started planning her own revenge. What should she do to him that would be sufficient to make up for this? she wondered. Sleeping on the couch for a month? Torture? Nothing that would maim him, of course ... Just something that would make him remember. She thought about it as she massaged his foot.
"Ah ... That feels so nice, Lina," he crooned as he leaned back against the chair and sipped his lemonade. A wicked grin spread over her face and she set it down in her lap in preparation to rub the other one when she "accidentally" let her fingernail scrape lightly across his instep.
The effect was instantaneous: He jack-knifed off the chair, spilling lemonade down his front and getting a fair amount up his nose. "Oh, Master Gabriev! How clumsy of you!" she said, and reached for the towel on the tray she'd brought. "Here, let me help you," she said sweetly, mopping up the mess.
Coughing, he grabbed the towel and wiped the lemonade off his face. Glaring at her over it, he leaned over and set his glass on the table. "You did that on purpose, didn't you?" Gourry demanded.
She opened her eyes wide and affected the air of an innocent kitten. "Of course not, Master Gabriev! Whatever gave you that idea?"
He narrowed his sapphire eyes at her. "I wonder." He finished mopping himself up, thankful that the lemonade wasn't the sugary stuff that was commonly served at the Palace. Throwing the towel onto the table, he leaned back. "All right, that's enough foot rubbing. Go get a book."
"What book?"
"Any book. What are you reading now? Go get it and bring it out here. I want you to read to me."
Lina flushed and shook her head. "Uh, you don't want me to read that book to you, Master Gabriev. It would put you to sleep."
"I don't care. Go get it. Now, Lina."
She glared at him. "Oh, all right. But don't say I didn't warn you."
Climbing off the lounge, she stomped inside to get the book she was reading. It would serve him right for her to read it to him, the bastard. She found it under the bed where she'd tossed it the night before and stomped back out to the balcony.
Gourry had relocated to the large, double lounger where the two of them often sat together in the evenings, cuddling and enjoying each other's company and watching the sun set. He was lying diagonally across it and with his feet hanging over the edge. His hands were folded across his stomach and he was dozing. She had to admit that lying there, golden hair spilling over the lounge, he certainly looked like a contented lion basking in the sun.
Shaking that thought aside, she shoved his foot. "So where do you want me to sit?" she asked belligerently.
"Right here." Gourry patted the cushions by his head as he sat up and piled the pillows against the arm rest before holding his hand out to her. Shaking her head, she crawled onto the lounge and let him "arrange" her on the cushions. When she was positioned to his liking, he turned and laid his head on her lap and got himself comfortable.
Holding the book up, she watched him with forced patience. When he'd finished squirming, she asked with equally forced politeness, "Comfy?"
"Mmm hmm," he murmured with a silly grin on his face. His eyes were closed or he would have seen her jaw tighten dangerously. Just as he got settled, she started her own squirming.
"Hey! What are you doing?" he demanded, cracking a sapphire eye and peering up at her.
"Getting comfortable."
"Stop squirming," he ordered, putting his head down firmly.
"G -- Master Gabriev, I can't read to you while my back is screaming in pain because the armrest is digging into it," she explained as she leaned forward and shoved a cushion behind her into a more comfortable position.
"There," she finally declared.
"Hmph," he muttered, putting his head back down. "Okay," he said.
"Okay?"
"Start reading."
Lina sighed and opened the book to where she'd stopped the previous day. Finding her place, she started reading.
"'Don't they? We're talking about the spiritual realm here, Stan -- which is presumably neither micro- nor macroscopic. What quantum aspects would apply, do you suppose?'
"'None. You see, that is the very point, Tyber. It is a different realm; therefore, these aspects cannot apply. Contemporary physics does not prove, disprove, agree, or disagree with a mystical belief system.'
"'I'm inclined to disagree. If laws apply throughout the universe and the spiritual realm is inclusive of this universe, such laws must apply. Otherwise, you could argue that there is a breakdown in the belief system and the laws are useless.'
"'No. Scientific theory has nothing to do with a spiritual worldview. Spiritualists examine the universe directly, while we physicists examine the universe through the abstraction known as mathematica -- which is just the language of the reality, not the reality itself.'
"'Interesting switch, Stan,' Tyber complimented him, then set about to negate the viewpoint. 'So now science is abstraction and religion is reality. Isn't that contrary to -- '"
A faint buzzing noise interrupted Lina's narration. Looking down, she saw Gourry had fallen asleep and was snoring lightly. She shook her head and smiled ruefully to herself. He'd lasted less than five minutes. Not quite as long as she'd expected. Good thing she hadn't stopped at one of the more ... interesting parts of the book.
Sighing, she took a moment to just look at him as he slept; it was something she liked to do sometimes when she woke up before he did or woke in the middle of the night and would cast a small lighting spell to let her see his features. In sleep they were relaxed and there was an ... innocence about them that she treasured. There was no one else like Gourry in the whole world, and he belonged to her. There were days when she wondered what she'd done to deserve someone like him, and there were other times when she wondered how she'd managed to get stuck with him. There were more of the former than the latter, thankfully. He was a rare man, caring and loving even when those that were supposed to be his friends (and lover) treated him the worst.
Then there were days like today when he proved he could be just as big a bastard as the other man. Even as she thought this, though, she had to smile. Gourry being a bastard was a far cry from someone else being a bastard. He hardly ever did anything like this without provocation and she had to admit he'd had provocation enough for his actions today. Besides, it wasn't as if he was actually trying to humiliate her and she trusted him not to get too weird on her.
Brushing his bangs out of his face, she smiled and lifted her book and continued reading in silence.
The first thing Gourry was aware of was that he was lying on something soft and warm. Smiling as he remembered where he was and how he'd gotten there, he shifted and pushed a hand under Lina's leg, curling his legs under her thigh. He turned his head slightly and rubbed his cheek against her leg, savoring the feel of the silk stocking beneath his chin.
"You're not reading, Lina," he said, not opening his eyes.
"Yes, I am," came the distracted reply. There was the sound of a page being turned.
He opened his eyes and looked up at her. She was reading but not to him. "Lina, you're supposed to be reading to me," he said.
The sorceress lowered the book and looked at him. "But you were asleep. How am I supposed to read to you if you're asleep?"
"Well, I'm not now, so read." He laid a kiss on her thigh.
She bit her lip. "Uh ... G -- Master Gabriev, you really aren't interested in this book."
"Of course I am."
"But it put you to sleep!"
"Lina, quit arguing and read, okay?" She blushed red as her hair and swallowed hard. Gourry looked up at her curiously. "Why are you blushing?"
"I'm not blushing!" she snapped, holding the book up between them so he couldn't see her.
"Yes you are." He reached up and pushed the book back down. "You're as red as your hair. What is this, anyway?" He lifted the book and read the spine. "High Energy? What's it about?"
"Er ... well ... you see," she hedged. "It's -- Amelia loaned it to me."
"Did she, really? That doesn't tell me what it's about." He took it from her protesting fingers and rolled over. "Maybe I should read it to you. Where are you?" he asked, holding it up and flipping through the pages.
"Give that back!" she screeched as she snagged the book back. "All right, if you really must know. Here." She opened the book and leaned back. Putting it securely in front of her face so he couldn't see her, she started to read where she'd left off:
"It was time to engage the opposition. He reached for the hem of her nightgown, pulling it up over her head. Without delay, he lifted her onto her lap facing him. His hands clasped her ankles, bringing her legs securely around his waist. Then he lifted her chin with his forefinger, locking their sights together.
"'What's this for?" she whispered, so as not to interfere with the procedure. "'I'm getting myself into a state of excitement for you ... '"
Lina trailed off, unable to read any more. She could feel Gourry's burning gaze right through the book itself. She gripped the book and tried to resist the urge to move it. She read the next few words. "He rubbed his har -- " and trailed off, raising the book a few inches.
Gourry's clear blue eyes met hers in a curious gaze. "Go on," he said, motioning with his hand. "He rubbed his what?" The look on his face, though, was enough to let her know he knew what was coming next.
Giving him a deathly glare, she put the book between them again, cleared her throat then continued.
"He rubbed his hardening member against her stomach.
"Her eyes widened in affirmation.
"'See; it's working.'"
Gourry listened to the words then reached out and pushed the book up so he could see her face. "You got this from Amelia?" Lina blushed and nodded. "And where did she get it from?"
"How should I know? Where do you usually get books? The library?"
"And ... has she given you other books like this before?"
"Uh ... maybe," she evaded. "One or two ... "
"I see. Well." He grinned at her. "Do go on. This is highly ... informative material, Lina. I'm surprised you didn't share it with me sooner."
"You really want me to go on?" she asked, dumbfounded. She hadn't known quite what to expect when he found out what she'd been reading, but it certainly wasn't this.
"Oh, yes. I'm curious to learn more about what's going on."
"Okay ... " Clearing her throat, she lifted the book and started reading again. "He draped her arms around his neck, bringing his head down to hers. The flat of his palms splayed against her bare back.
"'Now I want to see if it's possible for me to convey to you my sense of excitement ... '
"His lips immediately took hers in a deep soul-robbing kiss. Strong, white teeth gently captured her upper lip ... "
Gourry listened to the words Lina was reading, parts of his brain and anatomy responding partly to what was being described, partly to the fact that Lina was reading it to him and partly from lying so close to her. He shifted more, and placed a kiss on the top of her thigh. She faltered and looked down at him. "Don't stop," he said softly, using the fingers of one hand to play with the tops of her stockings.
She went back to reading as he stroked the soft skin of her upper thigh. He pushed the skirt back, letting him see her creamy skin above the jetty black of her stocking, and then further up, the coppery curls that covered the junction where her legs met. He pushed his hand up under her skirt, reaching for and capturing those curls and tugging lightly before running his fingers through them.
Hissing, Lina involuntarily shifted, slipping downward on the cushions and letting her legs slide apart. Taking that as an invitation, he worked his thumb between her legs, outlining the folds there with the tip. He smiled as Lina closed her eyes and whispered something soft.
"Keep reading, Lina," he whispered, pressing his thumb harder to her. She fumbled with the book and found her place again.
"'Am I exciting you, baby?'
"His breathy words tickled the sensitive vee at the base of her throat, raising goosebumps ... Oh, Gourry ... " This last was said in response to him slipping his thumb inside of her and pressing upwards.
"You like that?" he asked, shifting himself up onto an elbow and looking up at her. Released from his weight, she let her legs fall open to let him have more room. "Am I exciting you?"
"Yes," she breathed, letting the book fall unnoticed from her suddenly nerveless fingers. "Gods, yes."
"Good." He removed his thumb -- stilling her cry of protest with a quick stroke along her outer folds then quickly slipped his hand under her leg and pushed it up and over his shoulder. Scooting upwards between her now splayed legs, he continued stroking her between her legs as he'd been doing just seconds before. "And this?"
The sorceress arched back against the cushions, reaching behind her and grabbing the armrest. "Yes," she whispered between clenched teeth. "Please ... "
He smiled and leaned down and kissed the soft flesh of her inner thigh, right where it joined with her torso. Her response was a cry that sounded like a sob. He played with her, pushing up her skirt and drawing his tongue along that seam to the point of her hip then down to the top of her stocking where he paused to suckle at her skin. Not softly, but hard and with determination. Pausing, he lifted his head until his lips were only just barely touching her skin and exhaled on the moistness left behind. Lina's entire body shuddered as she moaned. She spread her legs even wider, inviting him into her most secret places with that action, encouraging him, pleading with him to stop his slow torment of her and to please, please kiss her, touch her ...
Sensing her need -- No. Gourry could do more than sense it. Her need flooded through him until it overpowered his own. It filled every sense: Smell, touch, taste, hearing and sight. Lurching up, he moved his fingers downward until they were just outside her warm opening and slipped inside her. Then, like a hawk descending, he lowered his head to touch his tongue to her swollen and throbbing center.
She screamed when he touched her. Wrapping her legs around his shoulders, she brought her hands around to cup his head and tangle her fingers in his hair. He was trapped, but willingly so, as he licked and kissed and stroked those warm dark areas that only he knew and which he knew so well. He drew his long fingers out, dragging them just so to give her the most stimulation as he sealed his mouth over her flesh and sucked it into his mouth. Using just the very edges of his teeth, he bit down on her nub, then flicked it with his tongue while at the same time thrusting his fingers into her again.
Another scream followed close on the heels of the first one. He grinned and chuckled, letting the deep vibrations in his throat add another level to her pleasure. Lina moaned deep in her throat, twisting her fingers in his hair, pulling at the cowlicks and the bangs that brushed her thighs.
"Gourry, don't stop, if you stop now I swear, I'll kill you!!" Another sharp cry escaped her throat as he pulled on her with his teeth and twisted his fingers in further.
He stroked her fast and furious, working them in further and further each time, until finally, he pressed them in as far as he could and twisted his hand so the palm was facing upwards. Deep inside her, he moved his fingers, bending them and pressing upwards into her searing warmth, then wiggled them just the tiniest bit. If he'd been able to see it, he would have seen Lina's eyes fly open as she let loose with another scream as she came with enough force to send several of the pillows cascading off the lounge.
"Gourry!!" she shouted, clutching at his hair and arching her back under his onslaught. The convulsions that wracked her threatened to pitch them both onto the floor of the balcony. Gourry tightened his hold on her while she was helpless in their grasp for what seemed forever. Just when he thought it was over, he pressed upwards with his fingers again and it set off another set of waves crashing over her. Twice more he was able to make her climax like that before finally, sobbing, she begged him to stop. Lifting himself from her, he gathered her up and laid down beside her, pulling her close, holding her grounded while she came back to herself. She curled up next to him, shivering and mewling like a kitten as she clung to his robe. Kissing her softly on the top of her head, he stroked her sweat-dampened hair, and whispered softly to her, calming her like he would a wild animal.
"Shh, Lina," he whispered over and over into her hair, breathing in her scent, and his breathing quickened as her personal perfume surrounded him, enticed him. He stroked her back, pulling her closer. "I love you, Lina."
"Love me like that again and I may just die," she gasped, nuzzling his chest above where his robe crossed over it. She snuggled close to him, right up against his side with every intention of not moving for at least an hour.
"That good?" he murmured into her ear.
"Better than good." Resting her head against his chest, she let her eyes close and soon she was asleep. Gourry smiled and settled back himself. A nap would be good, he thought. It was warm out here but not enough to be uncomfortable. Lulled by the warm sun, soft breezes and the sound of Lina's even breathing, he was soon as fast asleep as Lina.
Lina came awake slowly, not wanting to move from the warm nest she was in. Opening her eyes, she found Gourry curled around her, arms holding her tightly against him. She was halfway inside his robe and the heat of his body warmed her cheek and palms where they lay against his skin.
Twisting slightly, she tried to disentangle herself from his possessive grasp without waking him. Miraculously, she succeeded and crawled off the lounge and headed back into their bedroom. Quickly, she took care of some pressing business in the washroom, pausing to run a brush through her hair and straighten her dress. Shaking her head at how indecent it was being unbuttoned so low, but she grinned in spite of herself. This was a side to Gourry she had only seen glimpses of previously and ... it excited her. But it was time to turn the tables on him.
Hurrying out, she glanced through the bedroom doors; he was still asleep on the lounger. Good. She exited the bedroom and hurried downstairs to the kitchens. Rummaging in the cabinets, she quickly put together a quick sandwich which she munched on while collecting the other items she wanted. She grabbed a tray and piled it with her weapons of choice. Positioning everything on the tray, she picked it up and hurried back upstairs. Surprisingly, Gourry had still not awakened from his nap. She'd half expected him to have roused and to be bellowing for her but he was still curled on the lounge. The sun was going down fast and the early summer Seyruun nights could get chilly. Lightly putting her hand on his arm, she shook him lightly. "Master Gabriev," she called softly. "Wake up." When he didn't respond, she shook him harder. "Wake up, you jellyfish, or you're going to catch cold!" she yelled.
He came awake with a start and sat up. "What?" he said, looking around wildly. "Oh ... What'd you do that for, Lina?"
"You wouldn't wake up and it's getting cold out here and I don't want to put up with you and your whining if you catch a cold. You're such a baby when you get sick," she said, turning and heading back inside, neatly evading his hands as they reached for her.
"I'll show you whining," he said as he hopped off the lounge and ran after her. She screeched and ran inside and put a table between them. They engaged in an elaborate dance around it, until with a growl, Gourry lunged across and caught her arms. Sliding across the table, he swung his long legs around and stood over her, holding her fast. "Got you."
"Come on, Master Gabriev!" she said, laughing, twisting her arms in his hold in an effort to break free. "Now stop it or I won't get you dinner!"
He froze. "Dinner?"
Smirking, she nodded. "Yeah, dinner. Now go over there and sit down and behave yourself!" She pointed at the chair in front of the fireplace where he'd had her serve him breakfast. There was a covered tray sitting on the table and a green bottle standing next to it.
Gourry went over and picked up the bottle. "Champagne? You know I hate this stuff, Lina. Why'd you bring it?"
She snatched the bottle from him. "It's not for you, you hayseed. It's for me. I figure I deserve something after all the humiliation you've put me through today." She carefully placed the bottle back on the table. Turning to him, she pushed him into the chair and placed a napkin on his lap. "All right, dinner." She lifted the lid off the tray to reveal a bit of sliced bread, sliced meat and cheese. "Dig in."
"Is this all?" he asked, eyeing the sparse meal.
"That's it. You should have thought of this when you sent the servants away." She moved the covered bowl back, out of his reach as she reached for a slice of bread and piled some meat and cheese on it for him. "Here you go," she said, handing it out to him.
He took it forlornly and bit into it. "Yeah, I guess I should have."
"Yup." She stepped back to watch him eat.
At first, he tried to ignore her, but became increasingly nervous as she just ... stood there, watching him. "What, Lina?" he finally said around a mouthful of bread and meat.
She shook her head with a completely innocent look. "Nothing, Master Gabriev," she replied. "Just waiting for you to finish up. That's what I'm supposed to do, right?"
That didn't lessen his nervousness any. She was up to something, he could tell. But ... what? Knowing Lina, he'd find out soon enough. May as well finish his dinner first and face it on a full stomach. So he did just that.
"That wasn't bad," he said, leaning back and licking his fingers. "We've had worse on the road."
"Indeed we have, Master Gabriev. Here, use this. It's a lot better at getting your fingers clean than licking them." She handed him a towel. He took it as she moved to uncork the champagne bottle. Neatly removing the cork with a minimum of effort, she quickly filled the single flute that was visible. She raised it to her lips and looked at him over it as she touched her tongue to the rim. "Are you sure you don't want some champagne, Master Gabriev?" she crooned.
"Positive." He leaned forward to hand her the towel, but she missed and it fell to the floor. "Here, let me get that," she said, putting her flute down and bending over to retrieve the towel. Gourry felt the blood rush to his loins as he could see straight down her dress.
"Er, let me have that again. I missed some." She handed it to him and he tossed it away from him. "Oops. Could you get that?"
It was her turn to look at him funny but she did as she was told. She had to turn around and bend over -- and Gourry's breath was a sharp intake as even more blood was reassigned from its usual work load to temporary reassignment at the South Pole.
Lina looked up at him, noticed him watching her closely -- then felt her face flush hotly as she realized what she'd done. Her eyes glittered wickedly as she dropped the towel again. "Oh, my. How clumsy of me." And she bent over to pick it up again. Glancing behind her, she could see his eyes bulge -- as well as his robe which he clutched close around his waist -- and straightened slowly.
"Yes," he murmured. "Very clumsy." He looked over at the table and picked up the knife that was on the platter. Casually, he threw it on the floor in front of him.
"We must both be suffering from clumsy spells tonight or something," Lina said, bending over slowly and picking up the knife. She let him have a good look before she straightened and turned back to him. With a sly grin, she handed put the knife on the tray. "Still feeling clumsy? No? Good." Without letting him answer, she turned around and sat back down and picked up her champagne flute. Passing it to her other hand, she reached over and twitched the cover off the bowl and took something out of it. Gourry watched mesmerized as she dropped a ruby-colored strawberry into her flute then lifted it to her mouth and sipped.
"Ah ... " she said, licking her lips in a suggestive manner. "I love champagne. I really don't understand why you don't like it, Gourry dear." She tipped the glass up and took another drink, this time drawing the strawberry into her mouth. When she lowered the glass, she used her free hand to take the fruit from her lips and sucked on the end. "It's especially good with strawberries." Her smile turned wicked as she bit down.
The swordsman sat there watching her eat the fruit while the pressure in his loins became unbearable. When she'd finished with it, he raised a hand and crooked a finger at her. "Come here, Lina," he ordered in a low, authoritative voice.
She looked at him over the rim of her glass as she was finishing the rest of the wine. Deliberately lowering her glass, she refilled it, then went to stand over him, looking down while twirling it around in her fingers. "Yes, Master Gabriev?"
His hand flew out and caught her wrist so fast, she didn't even have time to react. He jerked her forward -- not hard, but with enough force to let her know he meant business. Catching the flute in his other hand, he set it on the table then caught her other wrist and pulled her downward until she was kneeling between his spread legs in front of him. Startled, she put a hand on either of his strong legs as he ran his hand through her hair and pulled her forward -- towards the juncture between his legs. "I think you know, Lina," he said, his voice husky and laced with lust provoked by her sensuous consumption of the strawberry.
As he pulled her forward she clutched at the silk of his robe, bunching it up and pulling it back to reveal his manhood, standing erect and demanding attention in the midst of a patch of golden hair. Her hands moved up his legs and her fingers curled around him as he tugged her forward, closer to him. She came willingly, angling him upwards as she touched her tongue to the tip.
A deep shudder of pleasure ran through him, and he twisted his hand in her hair while he brought the other around to stroke her cheek with his fingertips. She drew her tongue down his underside, exploring the veins standing out in relief due to his arousal. He pushed first one, then two fingers against her lips, forcing them inside her mouth. She paused while she touched her tongue to their tips after which he drew them out again, spreading the warm moisture across her cheek and jaw. She smiled to herself and resumed her downward course with her tongue.
Using her tongue as her instrument, she sketched and played with her medium upon the ultra-sensitive canvas of his skin. Down, skirting into the thick, soft hair that covered him, around, then up to the tip only to repeat the action. Occasionally, he would add his commentary with a soft touch upon her cheek or chin, more than once borrowing from her and sketching the line of her nose and her arching brows.
Soon, however, he grew tired of her teasing him. With a soft moan deep in his throat, he put his hand on her neck and gently guided her up, slipping his hand behind her head. Eyes tightly closed and using touch alone, he used his other hand to steady himself, long fingers finding the warmth of her mouth, then brought her down on top of him. He hissed sharply and threw his head back as her darkness engulfed him. Only for a moment: He lifted his head and forced his eyes open to look down watching her, to see her taking him into her lovely mouth.
Softly he said her name as she moved on him, lips spread tight around him. Lightly, her teeth scraped against him, providing strange and different sensations from the other ways they had of making love. Exciting, enticing, erotic. He played with her hair, curling its crimson glory around his fingers while she moved steadily on him, up and down, pleasuring him. The other rested on her shoulder, unconsciously moving her at what pace felt best. The sight of him disappearing into her mouth, swallowing him nearly whole ... A gasp escaped his throat as he pushed her back suddenly, off of him. She sat back, then forward, resting her chin on his leg next to him and grinned seductively up at him while stroking him with both hands. "What's the matter, Master Gabriev?" she whispered.
It took him a moment to find his voice. "I want to take my time," he said, trying to return her seductive grin and finding himself feeling slightly dazed instead.
"Ah," she said knowingly turning her gaze on what she was doing with her hands. She stroked him for another few minutes before sitting up. Keeping one hand tightly around him, she leaned over to the table and grabbed up her champagne flute.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"This is thirsty work," she said, taking a sip of the wine. A devilish glint appeared in her eyes as she glanced up at him. Before he knew what she was doing, she'd taken the flute and tipped the contents over his manhood, drenching him in champagne.
"Ah!" His response was ripped from him as the wine hit his heated skin and immediately started to cool. Before he could move, Lina was between his legs again and he was in her mouth. "AH!! Lina!" he shouted yet again, throwing his head back. She'd kept the wine in her mouth instead of swallowing it, so instead of the moist heat he'd been expecting, the inside of her mouth was cool. She swirled her tongue against him, pressing the liquid against his skin until it warmed, released it, then repeated it. The abrupt temperature changes had him gasping for air by the time she finally applied a strong suction and swallowed the wine.
Raising her head, Lina opened her lips and lifted herself off him, letting just the tip of her tongue barely touch him, playing into the opening there, teasing him. His hand in her hair clenched, tugging at it painfully.
"Ow! Gourry!" she cried, pulling away and sitting back.
"Oh ... " he breathed, releasing her and smoothing her hair. "Sorry." Barely able to think for what she'd done, he gripped the arms of his chair and leaned his head back, closed his eyes and concentrated on simply breathing ... Breathe ...
A cold splash brought him nearly upright. "Lina!" he shouted. Fixing him with an imperious glare, she continued to pour the champagne over him, letting it run over his skin and the fingers of the hand that held him, between his legs and onto the floor. When she'd drenched him, she set the bottle down nearby and used both hands on him, massaging the wine into his skin, spreading it over his member and further down, onto the glands that she cupped gently between her fingers. Then she set about lapping it up. Gourry was helpless under her touch. He could no more move than he could wish the sun to stop rising and he had less desire to do so. Head back, the strong, finely carved arch of his neck glistened with sweat as the cords stood out in sharp relief. The muscles of his arms straining while his hands gripped the arms of the chair so hard the wood creaked, he sat there, immobile, legs spread apart while this flame-haired witch knelt between them and worked her magic upon his flesh. Her tongue was bright fire, her mouth sweet darkness, her fingers bitter ice and between the three they brought him to the edge of being and teased and coaxed and cajoled and pleaded before they finally shoved him over. He was falling, spiraling down from a great height towards Lina. No, not just towards her, but into her. She knelt there ready to catch him, hands and arms strong and steady for all her diminutive size. The spasms of his release wracked his body again and again until he was helpless, leaving him as blind and uncoordinated as a newborn kitten. The blood roared in his ears and he lay sucking great gasps of air into tortured lungs and thought that if he died right then, he'd die the happiest man on earth. In fact, he wasn't altogether sure he wasn't dead. If it was death, then it was a damn fine place to be.
"Gou-rreeee ... " A sing-song voice called to him.
"Uh?" Once he'd known how to talk. Right now his brain had short-circuited.
"Gou-REE ... " the voice repeated, insistent this time.
"Uh?" he repeated.
"GOURRY!"
"WHAT?" His speech centers finally kicked in with a vengence.
"Are you okay?"
"No. I'm dead."
"You can't be dead. You're talking to me."
"You're dead, too. You killed the both of us." He opened his eyes and found himself looking into her crimson eyes, clouded with what looked like concern. "It was a damn fine death, however." He grinned at her and reached up to touch her face. He slipped his hand behind her neck and pulled her down to kiss her. Her lips tasted of warm champagne.
She kissed him back, slipping her arms around his neck. "Don't be ridiculous," she said against his lips. His arms went around her waist and pulled her close as she crawled onto his lap and curled up. He felt something cold on his chest and he opened his eyes to see she'd placed the bowl of strawberries and was chewing while she looked thoughtfully at him.
"Are you pleased, Master Gabriev?" she asked, picking up a strawberry and holding it against his lips.
He opened his mouth to take in the tart-sweet fruit and bit down. "More than pleased," he murmured, leaning his head back and letting himself drift along as he chewed. When he'd swallowed that one, he felt another one press against his lips and took that one as well.
"That's good. I would certainly not wish to be accused of not performing my duties sufficiently, Master Gabriev."
Gourry opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling a moment before seeking out her sparkling ruby eyes. "Lina," he said, taking a strawberry from the bowl and putting it to her lips. "You don't have to call me that any more."
Her eyes did not lose their sparkle as she opened her mouth and let him feed her the berry. "I'm not sure I know what you mean, Master Gabriev. Your day isn't up yet."
His fingers delicately traced the line of her cheekbone to her ear. "I meant, you don't have to do any of this any more. Have I made my point?"
Lina looked into his sapphire eyes. Her first, flippant response died as she felt his need for an honest answer. "Yes, Gourry," she said quietly. "You have. It's not very pleasant being forced to wear something you don't want to wear and made to do things you don't want to do." The smile he gave her was the brightest, sincerest one he had. His hand slipped behind her head and pulled her close. Their lips met and they kissed deeply for several minutes before she pulled away. Picking up a strawberry, her smile turned wicked as she touched the end of his nose with it. "But, if I'd known that you'd react like this, I would have pushed you a lot further a long time ago."
"Lina ... " he growled, taking the bowl and sitting up. He opened his mouth to say something more but she just popped the strawberry into it and hopped off his lap and laughed. As he fought with his robe and the bowl, she kicked off her shoes and danced out of the way. Roaring, he launched himself out of the chair and after her. The belt to his robe slipped from around his waist and he grabbed it up as he set the bowl down on the table and started after his red-haired wife. "Come here, you wench!" he shouted, skirting the table and reaching out for her.
"Now, now, Master Gabriev, sir!" she said, backing away. "What if your wife were to come in and find us like this?" She nodded at his open robe which did very little to conceal his body. Her own uniform was pulled askew and she was in danger of exposing herself.
Grasping the length of silk in his hands, Gourry gave her a predatory grin. "She'd probably fireball the two of us," he said, advancing on her with the belt stretched between his hands. "But I know for a fact that there's no danger of that happening." She retreated for every step forward he took, keeping the distance between them constant. When his eyes flickered up to look at something over her shoulder, she stumbled and turned to see what he was looking at.
He pounced, and slipped the sash around her upper arms and pulled her close, trapping her against his body. "Tricked you," he said just before leaning down and capturing her lips. "You fell for one of the oldest tricks in the book," he added with a chuckle as he pulled back. "Never look away from your opponent's eyes."
"Oooo ... I'm going to get you!" she said, lifting her fists and pounding against his chest. "Let me go!" But her struggles weren't really in earnest. All they really did was bring her into closer contact with his body and his hardening manhood.
"You are, are you?" he asked with a low laugh. Dropping the sash, he grabbed apron and with a quick jerk, ripped it off her. "Time to get rid of this, I think," he said dropping it to the floor and going for the front of her dress. He slipped his hand inside and pulled, popping the last few buttons off then forced it off her shoulders and down. It soon joined the apron on the floor. His hands slid over the garter belt that held up her stockings then pulled away. With a grin, Gourry looked down at her. "I think those can stay."
"You think so, do you?" she asked, reaching up and slinking her arms around his neck. "And just what are you planning on doing, Gourry? Now that your wife has discovered you playing house with the maid?" She pulled him down and kissed him.
"This," he whispered against her lips as he scooped her up in his arms and carried her into the bedroom. Instead of placing her on the bed, however, he set her on her feet next to the bed. Taking a firm hold of her, he turned her around so that she was facing it then pushed her over. He ran his large hands down her arms and captured her hands in his then placed them on the bed, holding her securely. He leaned into her, pressing against her from behind.
"Oh ... " she breathed, her eyes half-lidded. The tall swordsman leaned down and used his chin to nudge the crimson glory of her hair out of her neck so that he could nuzzle it with his lips and tongue. She shuddered with delight as he kissed the point between neck and shoulder, sending chills down to her lovely behind then using his teeth to scrape lightly along her flesh. Her head came back and she cried out while the muscles of her posterior clenched, driving her back against him.
"What do you think?" he whispered into her ear, taking the soft lobe between his lips and tugging slightly.
"Gourry, please ... " she pleaded, pressing back harder against him. He was fully aroused now and nestled between the soft cushions of her backside. "I need ... " Her voice was choked off by a sharp gasp as he breathed into her ear.
"Oh, you do? And just what do you need, Lady Gabriev?" he whispered.
"I need you," she replied without hesitating. "I need you, Gourry." She threw her head back as he continued to nuzzle her neck and drive her wild with his attentions. "Touch me, fill me ... " Lina gulped for air. "Love me ... "
He pushed her hair around and gave similar attentions to the other side of her neck. "How can I resist a plea like that?" Releasing one of her hands, he slid his own around and across her stomach to reach between her legs and grasp himself. His fingers grazed her hot sex as he sought her opening by touch alone, then guided the tip of his member into her.
Crying out as he slipped inside her, Lina pushed backwards, letting her legs slip further apart to allow him better access. Gourry watched her closely as he stroked her folds as they opened to accomdate him. He pulled back a little, feeling the heated moisture that clung to him spill over and onto his fingers. He spread it onto her folds and onto her sensitive center, massaging it into her flesh. He slipped a finger on either side of his manhood as he pushed himself back into her, pressing her flesh against him as he moved within her.
She called his name loudly. "Oh, gods, Gourry! More!" she pleaded, twisting her head around and searching blindly for his mouth with hers. He met her and they kissed, long and passionately while he moved steadily in and out of her. He touched and caressed and played with her core, pulling as much reaction from her as he could.
Without warning, she dropped onto her forearms on the bed and thrust her hips upwards against him as hard as she could. Her cries were stifled sobs as he felt the muscles that surrounded him convulse suddenly. Standing up, he grabbed her hips and pulled her backwards onto him, holding her steady while she was caught in the throes of her climax.
"Gourry?" Lina whispered when she'd ridden the waves and come back down the other side again.
He leaned over her, his hair spilling like a sheet over them both. Linking his fingers through hers, he put his mouth close to her ear and whispered back, "Yes?"
"You're incredible." Lifting herself, she looked at him as well she could and smiled warmly and lovingly at him.
"I know," he said, kissing her shoulder. He moved forward, wrapping his arms around her, and lifting her onto the bed. He knelt by her, pulling her up and onto his lap. Putting her arms around his neck, he pulled her close for a deep, loving kiss.
She pulled herself close to him, kissing him both tenderly and hungrily at the same time. She gathered his hair into her hands and pulled it over his shoulder as she pushed him backwards onto the bed. He shifted, moving himself so that he was in the center of the bed and stretched his long legs out under her. Gourry put his hands on her waist and slipped them up her smooth flesh to her breasts, which he cupped tenderly while she lifted herself up on her knees over him. Leaning forward and into his strong hands, she put her hands flat on his chest. By shifting around just so, she managed to work him into her then sat back with a soft, drawn-out sigh of pleasure that Gourry echoed.
Lina arched her back, running her hands up his arms to where he was fondling her breasts. Leaning her head back, she cupped his hands and encouraged him, pressing those hands she loved to herself, guiding him and showing him what she liked best. He responded by doing what she tacitly encouraged, squeezing gently, then taking her distended nipples between his fingers and rolling them gently, making her gasp with pleasure. Leaving him to his own devices there, she slipped her hands down and across her stomach and laid one hand flat against her lower belly, right over the soft mound of flesh where her legs joined. She could feel him inside her, long and hard and hot. Opening her legs a little more, she managed to sit down just a bit further upon him. When he tried to move, thrust upwards with his hips and into her, she placed both hands on his hard stomach and looked into his beautiful blue eyes.
"Shh, Gourry," she crooned softly to him. "Don't move." His brows creased as he looked into her eyes and she smiled softly. "Just let me feel you."
Reaching forward as best she could without losing any of his length inside her, she reached up and brushed his golden bangs out of his eyes so she could see both of them then used the tips of her fingers to brush away the creases between his brows. "Just let me feel you inside me." Her fingers trailed down to cup his cheek.
He nodded, giving her a smile. Taking one hand off her breasts, he gently took hold of the hand lying lightly on his face and brought it to his lips and placed an open-mouthed kiss on the inside of her wrist. His tongue lightly touched her skin there before he shifted his hold and moved steadily up her arm.
Shivering, Lina gasped and let her lips open slightly, breathing rapidly through them. Using just the tip of her tongue, she moistened them and watched him through heavy-lidded eyes. She slid her other hand further up his body, to his chest, and rested it over his pectoral muscle. Her fingers dug lightly into the hard muscle under his smooth, tanned skin, moving over his chest and finding the small, sensitive nub of his nipple with her fingers. His breath came ragged on the skin of her inner arm as she rolled it lightly between her fingers just as he had done to her. This brought a slow, lazy smile to her lips and she squeezed again then pressed down with her fingers.
Clutching her wrist tightly, he moaned against her arm while his hips bucked upwards, forcing himself deeper into her. She pulled her arm out of his grasp and placed both hands on his chest. "No, Gourry. It's not time yet. Just lie there and feel me around you, while I feel you inside me. Tell me what it's like, lover," she whispered to him. "Tell me how it feels to be inside me." Her eyes, as intense and burning as molten rock, gazed steadily into his, drinking in their pure, life-giving breath.
His voice was husky and forced when he tried to answer her and he had to pause a moment to let his throat open before he could answer her. "It's ... How do I describe it, Lina? It's ... right. I'm a part of you. That's what I want to be more than anything when we make love: A part of you. Inside you, not just like this, but ... " He hesitated, reaching for the words. "All of me."
Her blazing eyes slid closed a moment as she smiled. Her head came down and her scarlet hair tumbled around him, bringing the scent of lavender to his nostrils. Lavender and the salt of sweat mixed with her own special perfume and together they aroused the male beast inside him. Swallowing hard, he lifted his hand to her face to outline her features with trembling fingers. He brushed his thumb across her smiling lips and she opened them. Pressing his advantage, Gourry pushed a finger inside her mouth, touching her tongue and running it around the inner recesses inside. Her tongue twisted around his finger, doing to it what she'd done to the other part of him that was buried deep inside her now, and the memory aroused him even further. He cried out as he felt himself growing even harder within her, bordering on pain. So full of love was his heart that it was close to breaking.
The small woman atop him reached up pulled his hand down, and laced her fingers with his. Opening and fixing him with those smouldering eyes, she leaned forward slightly and whispered, low and throaty, "Have you ever wondered what it's like to have you inside me?" Hypnotized by the intensity of her gaze, he could do no more than nod mutely. "It's a wonderful feeling. You fill me to bursting, and not just with your body. I feel your love, Gourry, inside me, around me; it's a part of my very being. I can no more live without you than I could live without my breath. You are that breath, and my blood and my soul and, oh, Gourry, I -- " She broke off abruptly and dropped herself on top of him, putting a hand on either side of his face and sealing her mouth over his in a rough, demanding kiss. His arms went around her and held her tightly as she ground her hips against his. He could feel her inner muscles tugging at him and it was too much. Holding her, he rolled them over so he was on top of her and thrust deep into her. Their cries mingled as they kissed each other while he moved his hips so he could stroke her inner recesses, to give them both the satisfaction they craved. Lina's hands clenched in his hair, her small fists lost among the long golden strands.
Over and over her body pulled at his, coaxing him, demanding that he join her. He gave up his will to her, like he had so many times before, and felt something within his heart open. Light poured through and engulfed them both. Where there had been Lina and Gourry before, now there was only one, a whole made complete by the joining of the halves. Gourry's half reached out to the Lina half and they touched first hands then lips then they forgot the world they'd left behind.
It was fully dark when Lina woke. A glance at the clock that stood on the table by the bed told her that it was early morning with still at least an hour before the sun came up. She blinked into the darkness that was lit by a thin slice of moonlight coming in the window. How ... ? Oh. They must have fallen asleep right after that last bout of love-making. She certainly didn't remember doing so, though. Not surprising considering the intensity. She smiled sleepily in the dark.
A pair of strong arms were wrapped around her, holding her tight and close even in sleep, and a long, shapely leg was thrown over hers. The flame-haired sorceress lay still and listened to Gourry's regular breathing, feeling his chest rise and fall against her back and his warm breath on the nape of her neck as it tickled the hairs there slightly. Lina smiled to herself and shifted backwards, pushing herself closer to him; instinctively his arms tightened. Her hands clasped his arms tightly; he may be the one curled around her, but her hold on him was no less possessive. Her fingers played with the soft, golden hair that adorned his forearms while she tried to get back to sleep.
Sleep had other ideas, however. Lina found herself wide awake and thinking back over the previous days events. What a day! She was almost sorry it was over -- but not enough to want to volunteer to continue the pretense he placed her under. But it had been exciting once she'd gotten used to the idea of following Gourry's orders. He showed this side of his personality so rarely sometimes she forgot that he could be forceful and commanding when he wanted. For all he let her bully him, force him to do things he didn't want to do, and even physically coerce him at times, he was still a powerfully built man, weighing twice what she did and towering over her. He could easily carry her on his shoulder and not complain. There'd been times when he'd pinned her to the bed while they were making love and she could not move a muscle under him. When he did turn commanding ... She felt a stab of excitement low down, deep in her belly at the thought.
However ... as he'd once told her, paybacks are hell. There was no way she was going to let this go unpunished. No one did that to Lina Gabriev and got away with it -- not even Gourry.
Grinning wickedly, Lina lay there for a few moments, thinking about what she could do to him to demonstrate her point. Then she knew. Moving quietly, so as not to wake him, she raised her hand and muttered a single word: Sleep. She waited a moment to make sure the spell had taken and then slipped out of Gourry's arms and headed towards the wardrobe. Pulling a stool over, she opened a door then used the stool to reach the top shelf and a folded bundle of black silk. She also grabbed her dagger before shoving the stool out of the way and kicking the door shut with her foot. Taking both back to the bed, she sat on the edge and set the dagger down beside her. Letting the silk fall over her legs, she held it up and examined it carefully. It shimmered with an iridescient sheen in the moonlight that filtered in through the window. Grabbing a handful in each hand, she yanked and twisted on it. She couldn't even begin to tear it. Nodding to herself, she picked up the dagger and nicked the edge at the top. The silk resisted, but the enchanted dagger cut through the Orihalcon threads. It parted reluctantly and she pulled it against the sharp edge of the dagger, neatly slicing it into four long strips.
Once she had those strips ready, she carefully set her dagger on the table and looked at her sleeping husband. With a bit of tugging, she managed to get him moved onto his back in the center of the bed. Taking one strip of the Orihalcon silk, she wrapped it around his right wrist, tying it securely and checking to make sure that it wasn't too tight. Lifting his arm, she used the other end of the silk to secure him to the headboard. She repeated this for his other arm and his feet.
Stepping back, she dusted her hands as she surveyed her handiwork. Beautiful, she thought. A masterpiece. Oh, she was going to enjoy this, she thought to herself as she caught up her robe -- a match to his blue and gold one -- and headed into the bathroom to take the bath she hadn't been able to take yesterday. Let him sleep a little more; he'd need his strength for the upcoming day. Maybe more, she thought with a chuckle.
"Gourry ... " a soft voice called to him through the darkness. Something soft tickled his ear and traced the line of his jaw and neck before coming back up to flick against his nose. He turned his head away as he felt a sneeze coming on, and lowered his hand to rub the tickle away.
Or he tried to lower the arm that was over his head to his nose. His muscles were straining to obey him, but for some reason his arm wouldn't move. Nor would the other one when he tried it.
"Gourry ... " came the voice again, accompanied by the soft tickle. "Are you awake?"
He finally recognized the voice. "I'm awake, Lina," he said, turning his head towards the sound of her voice. "But I can't move." His eyes opened reluctantly to look at her.
She was leaning on her elbow, looking down at him, and holding something white and soft in her hand. "There's a reason for that," she said, smiling beautifically at him as she touched the white thing to his face and let it drag down his neck and chest.
"Why's that?" He tried to lower his arms, and looked up. "What the -- " Black. Blackness held him firmly down on the bed. Panic welled up in him and he pulled against it, raising his legs to give himself some leverage. Only ... His legs wouldn't move, either. Raising his head, he looked down and found the same blackness holding his legs, too.
"Lina!" he shouted as he strained against his bonds. "What's going on? Who tied me up?" Nothing. He pulled harder. They did not break.
"Oh ... Not much," Lina purred, looking him up and down. She lowered the white object in her hand down onto his face and let it slide over his neck to his chest and acrosss his stomach then back up. Now that he was awake, he could tell that it was a feather, one of those large, frilly ones from the large, flightless birds that inhabited an island they'd visited way out past the barrier. He sneezed as it tickled his nose again. "I just tied you up, that's all."
"You -- " he started before another sneeze interrupted him. Rubbing his nose on his arm, he glared at her. "Why did you tie me up? C'mon, Lina, untie me and let me up."
"No, Gourry. Not yet." She shook her head, setting her still-damp curls to dancing around her face. "You see, Gourry dearest, lover, sweetheart ... " He cringed inwardly at the string of pleasantries; the only time Lina indulged in such things was right before she was getting ready to fireball someone. "Paybacks are hell."
His cringe deepened. He should have known that Lina wouldn't let what he'd done to her go unpunished. "Lina ... It was a promise, fair and square!"
Nodding, she lowered the feather over his face again. "Yes, it was. I fufilled my promise to you -- but I never said I wouldn't get you back." Leaning his head back, he groaned. "Come on, Lina ... " He pulled at the silk that bound him to the bed, putting all his strength behind it. The silk did not yeild. The headboard, however, creaked ominously.
Lina swatted at him. "Stop that. You break this bed and you'll be sleeping on the floor for a month."
"Lina," he said, voice low and dangerous. "Let me up."
She raised herself up and leaned down over him. "I said no, Gourry," she whispered as she touched her lips to his for a brief kiss. Sitting up, she ran the feather down his chest, across his stomach and across his hips, letting it drag across his manhood. "Not until I'm ready," she said with a grin as she watched him jump under that silky caress. A sharp intake of air accompained it.
"S-stop that!" he stuttered, biting off a laugh. Lina's grin widened and she moved the feather up his sides to the undersides of his arms. He strained and pulled at his bonds as he tried to escape the torture she was subjecting him to. "Stop!!"
"Oh, come now," she said, still grinning evilly. "Who ever heard of a ticklish warrior?"
His answer was lost amid peals of helpless laughter.