Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 7

am I." As soon as Jonathon was close enough to touch, he laid his hands on him, running them up and down Jonathon's arms, feeling the slide of silk beneath his palms. "Do you like your gifts?"
    Jonathon placed his hands on Kazuhiro's waist. "I love them. How do I look in them?"
    "You make them look beautiful." Kazuhiro grinned and leaned closer to him, his lips nearly touching Jonathon's. "Even if I hadn't intended for you to wear all of them at once."
    Jonathon laughed softly. "But I loved each of them so much, I couldn't decide which I wanted you to see me in first."
    "You made a good choice." Kazuhiro caressed the Jonathon's bare chest, his gaze following where his fingers traveled over Jonathon's skin. "And it'll build anticipation as I take each one off you."
    "I like the sound of that." Jonathon dipped his head slightly, searching for Kazuhiro's gaze. "Did things go well with Saigo-san?"
    Kazuhiro nodded. "He thought I should've killed Barrett, but he also said I handled the situation with great honor and I should be proud. I think it was because of that he wasn't upset when I told him I'd soon be leaving Kyoto."
    Jonathon pulled in a startled breath. "Leaving? For where? You know I'll go with you."
    Kazuhiro chuckled low in his throat. "I do know that, even if I asked you not to. And it'know s nothing to be concerned over. I'm returning home, and you'll be going with me. That's one of the reasons I'm leaving. I want to take you to my family home and lands."
    Jonathon's smile returned. He wrapped his arms around him and looked into Kazuhiro's eyes. He knew how meaningful it was that Kazuhiro wanted to take him to his ancestral home. Part of him had feared when the time came for Kazuhiro to return there, that he would leave him in Kyoto. Even though Kazuhiro told him he could stay at his side, he understood how some daimyo and samurai had boundaries. But it seemed from Kazuhiro's words, there would be no such boundaries between them.
    Jonathon stroked lightly up and down the back of Kazuhiro's neck. "You truly mean that?"
    "I wouldn't say it if I didn't. When I told you that you could stay with me, I meant it. And to stay with me means to go where I go."
    Jonathon lowered his gaze. "But I know that's not wholly true. There'll still be things you do and places you go that I can't."
    "Now that is what's not true."
    Jonathon looked up to Kazuhiro's eyes again. "What about meetings like tonight?"
    "This was the last of those. My friends and allies about you now. While some aren't certain they're ready to accept you, all trust my judgment, including Saigo. He actually wants to meet you before we leave."
    Jonathon closed his eyes, giving himself a moment to feel the joy rising inside him.
    Kazuhiro pulled him closer. He nuzzled Jonathon's cheek, whispering, "You look very happy."
    "I am." Jonathon caressed Kazuhiro's cheek with the backs of his fingers. "It may be strange of me, but here, with you, I feel more at home than I have anywhere in a very long time. I know I'm an outsider, and I'll probably always be viewed that way, but I feel that I'm where I belong."
    A warm smile graced Kazuhiro's lips. "You're not an outsider. You may have come from a different land, but even before arriving here you had your arms open to our culture and you've embraced it since. You're one of us." He brushed his thumb across Jonathon's bottom lip. "And you're also mine."
    Jonathon's breath fled at Kazuhiro's declaration. He could only express himself in one way. He pressed his lips to Kazuhiro's, kissing him deeply, putting all his passion and happiness into it.
    Kazuhiro tightened his arms around him, returning the kiss with equal emotion. Jonathon sucked Kazuhiro's tongue into his mouth, and as he released it, Kazuhiro did the same to his.
    The kiss came to a slow end with both of them smiling.
    Jonathon gave him a light, tender kiss. "You've done so well for someone who wasn't sure he wanted to be kissed."
    "Yes, I'm happy I decided to be open to that aspect of you rather than you speaking my language."
    Jonathon laughed and attempted to halfheartedly push Kazuhiro away. "I thought I've gotten much better in the past couple weeks."
    "You have. Your swordsmanship, however…"
    Jonathon gasped, but Kazuhiro brought their lips together, smoothing over Jonathon's pretended offense with a smiling kiss.
    With each second, the kiss grew more heated. Kazuhiro drew back from Jonathon's lips, but only to cover his neck in kisses, licks, and