Page 85 of Curses & Kitsune

We both moan as Jinta drops his hips, taking me in until I’m balls deep, and starts to ride me so hard the bed shakes beneath us. Hauling him down, I devour his lips, losing myself in the incredible heat of his body and his urgent kisses.

All right, so maybe our lives will never be normal. We’ll never be normal. We can’t be, not after everything we’ve been through.

As Jinta chants my name as he cums, and I hold him in the exquisite aftermath of our passion, I don’t care what’s normal and what isn’t.

We’re going to take this life and make it our own, and I can’t wait to see what adventures we create together.

Epilogue

Jinta

“Will it hurt?”

Ren grins at the nervousness surely written all over my face. “A little bit.”

The tattoo artist, Ren’s girlfriend, Misaki, turns on her needle. “Don’t be scared,” she says, lips dancing with mischief. “Just think about how much he’ll like the design when it’s done.”

The design Misaki made for me based on the vague description I gave her really is beautiful, and I can’t wait to show it to Raiden when it’s done. Misaki brings the needle close to my exposed chest, and I squeak. Ren laughs, earning her a glare. “Hey, I brought you along for emotional support, not to mock me,” I remind her.

“Sorry, sorry! You’re just so innocent. It’s cute.”

I snort and take her hand, holding tight. She wouldn’t say that if she knew I’d let Raiden eat my ass until I’d cried last night. Just remembering makes me blush.

“Ready?” Misaki asks.

I nod, but I end up closing my eyes tight and squeezing Ren’s hand so hard she yelps. When the needle touches my skin, I gasp in pain. It feels like the sharp sting of a bee, but as the minutes pass, the adrenaline kicks in, and the pain starts to become more tolerable.

“I can’t believe it’s been five years since your ceremony,” Ren says, distracting me from the needle buzzing over my skin.

The memories of our wedding still make my heart flutter. Even though werewolves don’t get married, Raiden didn’t hesitate to help me plan the ceremony.

We’d picked a beautiful temple and said our vows before a roomful of employees from the restaurant, coworkers and sources I was friendly with from my days as a reporter, and dozens of yakuza from both the Takada-kai and the Namikawa-kai. After, we’d picked up our certificate of partnership, gone out to an amazing dinner, and fucked our brains out during the flight to our honeymoon in Thailand.

It was amazing. Well, aside from a bit of drama, but let’s face it, it wouldn’t be us without a little excitement now and then.

“I know,” I say, all breathless and dreamy. “It still feels like yesterday. How are things with the yakuza?”

Ren shrugs. “Can’t complain. Sometimes, I miss running the Blue Lotus. We should go for drinks sometime. You can meet the new bartender.”

Ren keeps us up to date on everything that goes on in the Namikawa-kai. Thanks to her and Hirano’s mutual efforts, there’s been lasting peace between both yakuza groups. So far, hunters have left Tokyo alone. It’s hard to say if that’s because of the combined forces of Ren’s and Hirano’s packs or because of a rumor that Raiden Noboru singlehandedly slaughtered every single member of the Blades of the Onryo. Either way, I’m glad none of us have to deal with them anymore.

“How’s the restaurant?”

A full-on grin spreads over my face. “It’s great. We’ve been working on this exclusive curry recipe that goes on the menu this weekend!”

Nothing makes me happier than cooking with Raiden and running the business together.

“I can’t wait to try it!” Misaki chimes in, moving the needle over my skin. “The okonomiyaki you make is some of the best I’ve ever had, by the way.”

My cheeks flush with pride. “I’m glad to hear it.”

For the next hour, we gush over food. Finally, Misaki sets down the needle, cleans the area she tattooed, and covers the tattoo with plastic wrap. “And, done. How’s it look?”

Jumping up, I go and look in the mirror for a better view. “Whoa…” It’s perfect. Somehow, Misaki made it look even better than the sketch she’d done for me. It’s a simple design, nowhere near as elaborate as Raiden’s beautiful tattoos, but I think he’ll really appreciate the symbolism. Since it’s our fifth anniversary, we both decided to surprise each other with tattoos symbolic of our relationship. I wonder what design Raiden will get.

After Misaki has given me instructions on how to care for my tattoo as it heals, Ren gives her a kiss, and we leave the parlor together. The sun shines bright in an ocean of blue sky, and the air is hot with the arrival of summer. Ren checks the time. “I need to get back to headquarters, but I’ll bring Misaki over to the restaurant for dinner.”

“Sounds good,” I say, giving her a wave. “See you later!”

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