The tip of Adrian’s tongue darted out to wet his lips. When he spoke, his voice was low and smoky. “Jasmine. You smell like the night-blooming jasmine that grows on the grounds of the Omari clan.”
Haru closed his eyes and held his breath for a moment as joy surged through him. Adrian was truly himself and always would be. There was no need to rush now. Adrian was ensnared and didn’t realize it.
“Will you help me become your Haru again?” he asked after he was sure he could speak in a calm, collected tone.
“Yeah. Okay.”
Without another word, Haru sat on the floor between Adrian’s legs with his back pressed to the bed. Gentle fingers worked through his hair, removing silver rings, slender chains dotted with tiny diamonds, and other colorful gems that sparkled in the light. Each item Adrian removed, he dropped into Haru’s waiting hand. The pile grew big enough that aclinksounded as each gem and ring hit. Haru would have happily tossed them to the floor, not caring one bit about the fortune in jewelry he held. But he cradled the collection because he didn’t want Adrian to accidentally tread on one in his bare feet.
At last, Adrian combed his fingers through his hair, free of any and all obstructions. “That’s better.”
Haru climbed to his feet and crossed the room to the low bureau. He placed all the pieces of jewelry he held onto the surface and picked up a rubber band he used occasionally. With a couple of quick twists, his long hair was gathered into a messy bun on top of his head.
“Step one is done.” He turned to Adrian and held out his hand. “Will you help me remove Yujian’s scent?”
To his surprise, Adrian didn’t argue. He rose, took his hand, and walked with him into the bathroom. Soft lighting reflected off cold, white marble and gold fixtures. Adrian reached into the shower and adjusted the water while Haru shed the clothes he’d put on not more than an hour ago. As soon as the water was ready, Adrian joined him in stripping. Clothes landed in haphazard piles on the white marble tiles. There were only the sounds of falling water, the rub of fabric, and their frantic breaths.
The second Adrian was naked, Haru pulled Adrian into the spacious shower stall. Steam filled the enclosed area, but Haru had no problem finding Adrian’s parted lips. Haru turned them so that they were both in the hot spray. His hands slid over wet skin while he devoured Adrian’s perfect mouth. He would never grow tired of kissing this man. The taste of him, the feel of him, the wonderful sounds he made—all of it sang out to his soul.
A chuckle escaped Adrian, and he put his hands on Haru’s chest, pushing to create some space between them. “This isn’t getting you to smell like jasmine. You’re still wearing cologne.”
Haru preferred to continue what they were doing, but he also wanted Adrian to feel more at ease. He twisted and grabbed a bar of soap. He placed it into one of Adrian’s hands.
“Wash the smell away,” Haru instructed.
Adrian lifted the soap to his nose and took a sniff. His head jerked back and his nose wrinkled. Haru almost laughed at the confusion in his elegant gray eyes.
“I don’t understand. It doesn’t smell like jasmine. It doesn’t smell like anything,” Adrian complained.
“Because my scent does not come from soap or a spray of cologne.” Haru covered Adrian’s hand with his own and directed the soap to press against his chest. “This is to wash away the smell you dislike.”
A wicked smirk replaced Adrian’s confused look. With renewed vigor, Adrian ran the bar of soap across Haru’s chest and down his stomach. He lathered up Haru’s arms before coating his own hands in soap so he could hit the pulse point of his throat. As those clever hands wandered much lower to thoroughly wash every part of Haru’s body, Haru pushed Adrian into the wet tile and captured his mouth in a blistering kiss. He’d remained passive until now, letting Adrian have his fun, but Haru’s restraint was dissolving like snow in that first spring rain.
“Be careful, my Adrian. I want you too badly. I wouldn’t want to take you while I still smell offensive,” he growled.
Adrian grinned at him. “You’d never do anything I didn’t want you to. If I said stop, you would stop instantly.”
Haru’s heart skipped at Adrian’s confident words. Adrian trusted him completely. But he still had to stir the pot.
“That means I must keep your tongue too busy to say such a horrible word.”
Haru leaned in for another kiss, but Adrian dodged, moving deeper into the spray. He pulled Haru along. “Rinse,” he commanded, even as the water hit his face.
The soap that had clung to his skin raced down body, washing away the last remnants of Yujian so that there was only Haru left.
Haru turned off the water and pulled Adrian out of the shower. They quickly dried off, both of them giggling like fools, knowing what was coming next.
Adrian moved to the counter, looking over the few assorted toiletries they’d brought with them. “Okay. Where is it?”
“What?” Haru laughed, guessing what Adrian was thinking.
“The cologne or perfume. Maybe an aftershave.”
Haru caught Adrian’s hand and pulled him into his embrace. “The jasmine scent does not come from a bottle. It is me.”
As Adrian opened his mouth to argue, Haru closed his eyes and called on his magic, bringing it right up to the surface of his skin. He stopped a hair’s breadth from shifting.
“Ah!” Adrian cried out. “What the hell?”
