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She s new"

He hadn’t expected that response "I promise no pictures"

"You alant pictures Which makes ?"

"Probably"

She laughed, as he’d hoped

"Go on, beautiful, and get ready forfro the tension

He looked around the binding area one last ti a mental checklist Bamboo pole Tatami mat Cushion Scissors Water Blanket The paper lanterns stationed at various points on the rafters above the patio eht to work by Luckily the moon was full He’d already double-checked his ropes and scattered them across the patio

Once his preparations were corown up with a space like this in his childhood ho walls, empty, save for the small altar His mother used to send hi Soather her thoughts With the addition of futons, it served as a guest roo a spiritual connection But that was exactly what it felt like now

Ronin rei Instead of using one of his official belts proclai his jujitsu rank, he tied a han obi around his waist The informal belt had been crafted fro to retain that thread of connection between them, but one he needed And the bonus? The belt also doubled as a blindfold

A few katas loosened his muscles He pulled his hair back, bowed to the altar, and slipped out of the room

As soon as Ronin stepped onto the patio, the buzz of power sizzled through hi--waiting for hi the clothing he’d had created specifically for her

She’d twisted her hair up and secured it atop her head, leaving the back of her neck exposed He longed to rub his e how quickly they bristled against his lips, feeling her skin quiver froht the stillness in the atmosphere fit his mood, yet even without a breeze the sweet scent of cherry blossoms perfumed the air

Before he approached her, he spread the blanket beneath the cherry tree in the garden Then he knelt behind her and feathered a kiss at the base of her hairline