A Haunted Love - 7. Chapter 7

Chapter 7

“The sun is shining…” Hideki studied Kazuma’s face. There was a faded scar on the corner of Kazuma’s right eye. Kazuma’s eyes were closed, which was the only reason he could see the scar.

Kazuma opened his eyes, his hands behind his head.

“You’re not looking at the sun.”

Hideki smiled.

“I’m watching you,” Hideki said, tracing Kazuma’s jaw.

Kazuma shifted, bringing his right hand to push hair out of Hideki’s eyes.

“You’re the only one,” Hideki said.

“The only one?”

Hideki felt his face flush with heat. He started to look down but Kazuma stopped him with a finger under his chin.

“Tell me,” Kazuma said in a gentle tone.

Hideki met dark eyes.

“I have a flaw.”

“Just one?” Kazuma asked.

Hideki grinned.

“Well, of course I have many flaws, in many areas. But, when it comes to relationships, I have one flaw.”

“What flaw?” Kazuma asked.

“I don’t feel the same as my partner does.”

“Pleasure?” Kazuma asked, his hand sliding between them to where Hideki’s trousers were unzipped.

Hideki’s cock hardened eager for Kazuma’s touch, aching need sweeping through his body when Kazuma wrapped warm fingers on him.

“You seem to feel that fine,” Kazuma said with a wicked smile.

Hideki blushed and buried his face in Kazuma’s chest.

“That’s not what I meant. I don’t worry about a person I’m with. I don’t—”

Hideki broke off and closed his eyes when Kazuma withdrew his hand and rolled to the side, moving Hideki until he was on his back. He trembled at Kazuma’s touch, at Kazuma’s kisses, deep inside it felt as though he were standing on unstable ground.

“Look at me,” Kazuma said.

Hideki opened his eyes and met Kazuma’s gaze.

“What are you trying to tell me?”

Hideki bit his lip. Letting out a soft sigh, he dropped his gaze to Kazuma’s lips.

“I’ve dated before,” Hideki said. “Had sex with dozens of partners, I’ve hurt Haru doing it. He has feelings for me, and I know it, but I don’t…care.”

“Hyde,” Kazuma started.

“It’s different with you,” Hideki said quickly. “You’re different somehow. I feel like I’m going to go insane when you kiss me. I—don’t want to care, yet I do…it’s confusing.”

Kazuma shifted over him, until their lips were a breath away.

“I like you confused.”

“Do you?” Hideki asked. “Coz I don’t know what I’m doing. I don’t want to resist you. I don’t want to fight this, I don’t want—

Kazuma kissed him cutting off his tirade.

Hideki closed his eyes with a soft moan, allowing Kazuma to take him over. Kazuma’s tongue swept into his mouth, exploring, igniting passion until Hideki could only cling to Kazuma’s broad shoulders. Kazuma helped him pull off his shirt, dragging it off with unrestrained need. Hideki undid his trousers, lifting his hips to help Kazuma take them off. Meeting Kazuma’s gaze, Hideki unzipped Kazuma’s trousers, and let out a breath when Kazuma took his lips in another searing kiss. They lay on a blanket in the middle of the woods making love without a care for what lay beyond or in the future.

***

Haru watched Hideki come apart in Kazuma’s arms, eyes closed in pleasure, fingers digging into Kazuma’s back, clinging and moaning. Their passion so hot, it aroused him even from this distance. Hideki wrapped his arms around Kazuma, his legs wrapped around Kazuma’s waist, as he let that bodyguard take him. In the woods, with wild abandon…jealousy burned so deep inside him, hot tears spilled down his cheeks, yet he couldn’t look away.

He kept holding his binoculars, eyes glued to Hideki’s handsome face as he came apart in another man’s arms.

What a beautiful face, Haru sighed.

He’d hoped to see Hideki come undone for him that way, but it seemed as though that wouldn’t happen.

Haru watched Hideki and Kazuma kiss amid smiles, and soft chuckles…pain stabbed him deep in the heart, and he lowered his hand, afraid he’d go mad with jealousy.

Haru barely paid attention on his walk back to his family’s property. All he could think about was Hideki coming apart in Kazuma’s arms.

Eyes closed, that sensual mouth open in a silent scream, hair damp with sweat…Hideki’s beauty undid him. Haru wanted to own it, see Hideki that way forever, in their bed...

The path blurred and Haru wiped his tears with his sleeves. Reaching the property line, he moved two pieces of wood to the side, and slipped through the fence fast. The Takadas’ security had never discovered his secret entrance into their property, but with that Kazuma around, he needed to be more careful. He closed the space, making sure the wood was even with the rest before he started walking back to the main house.

Once inside the house, he went to his study to call Jin.

“I want the bodyguard gone,” Haru said in greeting when Jin answered. “Do something, Jin.”

“Did you spy on Hyde again?” Jin asked.

“They’re tangled in the woods. It’s like he doesn’t care who comes upon him having sex anymore.”

Jin chuckled on the other end.

“Haru, you’re the only one who goes to the woods to spy on Hyde. The security team knows to leave him be when he’s there.”

“Whose side are you on?”

“The side that won’t get me yelled at?”

Haru scoffed. “You promised me it would end soon. Why is that Kazuma still here?”

Jin paused on the other end then said, “This was never going to be easy, Haru. You knew that from the beginning. Kazuma is a variable we didn’t expect.”

“Then let’s stop it,” Haru said with a sigh. “If Hyde is safe, we’ll go back to the way it was and I can figure out something else.”

“What?”

“I said we stop it,” Haru said.

“That’s impossible, we’ve come too far.”

“Jin.”

“You don’t understand the situation.”

“What don’t I understand?” Haru asked. “This was great when it started. Hyde and I, we were getting closer. When he got in trouble, he’d call me. We stayed together but now…it’s working against me. So, stop it Jin.”

“You’re an idiot if you think we got into this because of your obsession.”

Jin sighed.

“What are you saying?”

“I’ll see if we can get the bodyguard out of the picture, but know this, Haru,” Jin said. “We’re no longer in control.”

“Jin,” Haru started, but then the line went dead.

***

“Idiot,” Jin said dropping his phone on his desk. “His obsession with Hideki is useful, but it’s becoming a hindrance.”

Jin stared at the woman seated across his desk. He had known her all his life. The anger in her dark eyes was familiar, almost assuring.

“We need to find a way around the bodyguard,” Jin said. “This Kazuma, he’s thorough, and persistent. We need to end this soon.”

“I had hoped to play with Haru longer, but you’re right, I’m getting bored,” the woman said. “Alright, make arrangements. Send Riku the file on Kazuma. The part about a dead client in a box should make for interesting reading.”

Jin smiled. “I wonder if that will be enough.”

“Trust me,” the woman said. “Riku is obsessive about his son’s safety. He won’t want Kazuma around Hideki when he learns the truth.”

***

“Do you want to go out?” Kazuma asked Hideki on Saturday morning.

They lay naked on Hideki’s bed, tangled in each other’s arms. It was Kazuma’s favorite position since the afternoon in the woods. He loved having Hideki’s responsive body, listening to needy moans, and their intoxicating kisses. He combed through Hideki’s hair.

“Do we have to go out?” Hideki asked, kissing Kazuma’s bare chest. “We can stay here and forget the trouble outside. This is easier for you anyway.”

Kazuma sighed.

“You shouldn’t do what’s easier for me, Hyde. If you want to go out, then you should. You’re hiding away here.”

Hideki shifted, propping his head up on Kazuma’s chest.

“Don’t you like us staying here?” Hideki asked.

Kazuma grinned and swept hair out of Hideki’s eyes.

“Do you need to ask?”

Hideki smiled, and Kazuma felt the impact deep in his soul. Hideki’s smile had that effect on him, as a light would have on darkness.

“If you want, I can take you out,” Kazuma said. “We can go get that motorcycle you left at the store.”

“I don’t want to ride,” Hideki said.

“Fine, then we’ll go on a simple date.”

“Simple?” Hideki asked.

“Yes, simple,” Kazuma said, urging Hideki to get up. Hideki’s naked body was gorgeous in the morning sun. Kazuma traced his fingers down Hideki’s flat stomach and brushed Hideki’s lips with his. “You and me, exploring the city.”

“What about security?”

“I’ll handle it,” Kazuma said with a small smile.

Hideki stared at his smile for a moment, and then kissed him. Kazuma sunk his fingers into Hideki’s hair, an appreciative moan escaping. He loved kissing Hideki, loved it when Hideki initiated it. Then when the kiss ended, Hideki gave him the world.

“I trust you,” Hideki said without hesitation.

Kazuma took Hideki out to the main town, walking along the streets, talking about nothing and everything. They argued about eating red sweet potatoes and ice cream. When he bought the sweet potatoes for Hideki, Kazuma laughed as Hideki ate them with gusto. Hideki bought the ice cream, and shared his potion when Kazuma finished his first.

Hideki dragged Kazuma into an arcade and they played video games, with Hideki winning each time. Kazuma wasn’t proud of his competitive side, because it annoyed him when Hideki won. When he lost a game the third time, he grabbed Hideki’s arm and dragged him out of the arcade not sure he could take another loss.

When they got tired of walking, they sort refuge at a charming restaurant called Minna Café housed in a very old wooden building surrounded by trees. Hideki chose a table by a large window. Kazuma sat across him marveling at how easy it would be to remain by Hideki’s side.

His phone buzzed, and Kazuma checked the alert. It was Sora clearing the immediate area.

“Something wrong?” Hideki asked.

“No.” Kazuma smiled. “All clear, no one following us.”

“How does that work?” Hideki asked. “That time we ran through the forest, someone was helping us. Who was it?”

“Her name is Sora,” Kazuma said. He held out his left arm and pointed at the small bump on his inner wrist. “This is a tracking device, she knows where I am at all times, which goes for you.”

Kazuma removed the earplug he had in his pocket, and showed it to Hideki.

“She lets me know what’s going on through this.”

Hideki took the earplug and studied it.

“Can she hear us talking?”

“I have it off,” Kazuma said. “She’ll send me messages with my phone for now.”

Hideki nodded and handed the earplug back.

“And the coin you gave me?”

“Do you have it with you?” Kazuma asked.

Hideki tugged a chain he wore around his neck and held up the coin clipped to a small hook.

“Good,” Kazuma said. “She can track that too. In case I lose sight of you…which I’m not planning to do, Hyde.”

“About Haru,” Hideki started.

Kazuma frowned.

“We don’t need to discuss him right now.”

Hideki smiled.

“Jealous?”

“I don’t like how possessive he is with you,” Kazuma said, his frown deepening. “It’s disturbing.”

“Don’t blame him,” Hideki said. “It’s my fault. I made him lose someone he cared about.”

When Kazuma didn’t comment, Hideki met his gaze.

“In high school, Haru loved a boy in our class...” Hideki sighed. “His name was Takuya.”

“Keijo Takuya,” Kazuma said, and Hideki’s gaze widened. “I know every bad incident that has ever happened to you.”

Hideki sat back in his seat.

“You know how Keijo died?”

Kazuma nodded.

“Fell over a building.”

“I killed him,” Hideki said then.

“He held you hostage,” Kazuma protested. “That isn’t your fault.”

“I drove him to that roof,” Hideki said, guilt coloring his words. He folded his arms against his chest and shook his head. “I knew how Haru felt. I also knew that Keijo cared about Haru, in an almost obsessive infatuation. I was lonely, and Haru was my only friend. I couldn’t let him go. So…I played with Keijo’s emotions. It drove him over the edge.”

“Hyde—

“Keijo is the one who came up with that nickname,” Hideki said with a slight smile. “In our happier moments, we would sit on the roof at school and eat lunch together. Haru was happy then. Keijo made him laugh.”

“You’re not responsible for Keijo’s death,” Kazuma said then. “Keijo made the decision to see you that night.”

“Yes, because he wanted me to stop interfering with Haru.” Hideki’s gaze shifted to the windows. “When Keijo fell, I thought it was a dream. It didn’t seem possible I’d been the one to drop him.”

“They said you were screaming when security came to find you,” Kazuma said.

Hideki sighed.

“I—the only thing I remember is Haru’s expression that night.”

Hideki glanced at him, his brown eyes sad.

“Defeat, pain, I had put it there,” Hideki shook his head. “Haru didn’t talk for weeks. When he did, he made me promise never to leave him.”

Hideki leaned forward, elbows on the table.

“That’s why you have to stop being so hard with him. He’s—

“Punishing you for something that you couldn’t control,” Kazuma cut in, remembering Haru warning him away. “Haru is in love with you.”

“I know that too,” Hideki said.

“And?” Kazuma asked.

“I think I’m in love with you,” Hideki said. “Which complicates things a lot more.”

“You’re what?” Kazuma stared at Hideki’s clear brown eyes, so beautiful he was tempted to kiss him in this very public place.

Hideki smiled and Kazuma caught his breath.

“I’m in love with you, Kazuma.”

“Why would you say that to me here?” Kazuma asked, well aware of the old couple seated at the table behind Hideki.

The dozens of customers seated around the restaurant, talking, laughing…he wanted to kiss Hideki senseless and that would get them thrown out in a minute.

Hideki laughed.

“Because, I’m still the manipulative bastard I was in high school. Your reaction is enough answer for me, Kazu.” Leaning across the table, Hideki whispered into his ear. “I can’t wait to get home, so you can show me exactly how you feel. I’m hard just thinking about it.”

Kazuma clenched his fists and closed his eyes when Hideki blew into his ear and sat back in his seat with a sly smile. Their server appeared at their table and Hideki ordered for both of them.

“I’m going to get back at you for that,” Kazuma said later as they walked back to Hideki’s home. “I wanted to lay you down on that table and kiss you senseless, grandmas and grandpas be darned. I’d have given them a show like no other.”

“You have mad restrain,” Hideki said, holding Kazuma’s hand tight as they entered the gates.

“Tease,” Kazuma accused.

“You love it,” Hideki said.

They teased each other on the walk up the driveway to the front door. Kazuma opened the door for Hideki. He closed the door and bumped into Hideki who had stopped. Placing his hands on Hideki’s shoulders, he too stopped when he saw Riku, Phillip and Rui.

“Dad,” Hideki said, his tone filled with pleasure. “You’re home early.”

“And you’re not where you’re supposed to be,” Riku said, his tone hard. “You’re on lockdown, Hideki.”

“I was with him,” Kazuma said. “We were within the city, he was perfectly safe.”

“You’re not someone who can assure me of my son’s safety, Mr. Daiko,” Riku said, his tone forbidding. “You’re no longer in charge of Hideki’s security.”

“What?” Hideki took a step forward. “Why are you doing this?”

“Don’t fight me, Hideki,” Riku said. “We’ll talk about this later.”

“How about now,” Hideki said. “This is my life too, right? I feel safe with Kazuma. What has he done that would make you change your mind? You said he was the best in the industry.”

Riku ignored his son’s arguments and instead held Kazuma’s gaze.

“Does Josephine mean anything to you?” Riku asked. “The eighteen year old girl found dead in a warehouse off the coast in Hong Kong. She was under your care, wasn’t she?”

Kazuma’s hands dropped away from Hideki’s shoulders to his sides. He took a step back from Hideki, his gaze on Phillip.

“I’m sorry,” Phillip said, worry in his eyes.

“You might be the best but I can’t entrust you to my son, Mr. Daiko,” Riku said.

“What is he talking about?” Hideki turned to look at him. “Kazu—

“Josephine was Kazuma’s last assignment,” Riku told Hideki. “She was kidnapped and ransomed for ten million dollars. Her parents paid the price, but Kazuma didn’t make it in time to save her. She suffocated to death in an icebox.”

The truth sounded so harsh in the light of day.

Kazuma couldn’t escape the memory of Josephine curled up in that awful box he’d found her in, her eyes closed as though she were sleeping. For a second, he saw Hideki that way, and fear arced through his stomach, paralyzing him.

“I’ll hand over to Rui, right away,” Kazuma said, breaking the ensuing silence. “I’ll be out of the estate in ten minutes.”

Riku gave him a sharp nod, and before Hideki could speak, Kazuma hurried down the corridor to the security room followed by Rui.

***