#irresistable

“Of course, my lord.” You approach hoping your lover won’t see through the effort you were trying to put into acting normally. “You seemed very attentive during war council. Did you have any questions about what was discussed?” He asked as you walked up to the dias. “Not really.” You replied attempting to sit on the floor near him but his hand darted out to catch your wrist. “You are still too far away my little fireball. Come closer.” Without waiting for a reply he pulled you much closer. In fact, you barely had a chance to blink and you were on his lap. “L-lord Nobunaga?” “Shhh it is just us little one.” He said dropping his devil-my-care expression and instead donning one of his real smiles. “Were you cooking this morning? You smell particularly sweet.” “N-no! Hideyoshi just let me have tea after I dropped off his mail this morning. It wasn’t anything special though.” “Hmmm… you had tea with Hideyoshi yet you did not have time to spend with me this morning?” His eyebrows dipped in a pout that summoned a smile to your lips. “I thought you had a lot happening this morning before war council. I’m sorry I would have come if I’d known you wanted me.” Suddenly his lips were close enough to your ear to tickle the sensitive skin along your neck. “Haven’t you learned your lesson yet? I always want you (YN).” You gulped as a fierce blush suddenly burned across your cheeks. “Nobunaga!” You hissed pulling back so you weren’t quite so intimately close. What if someone just walked in to the main hall? This wasn’t exactly a private room! “Very well. We will leave that discussion for later. Instead I want you to tell me why you seemed so solemn today?” “Solemn?”

“During war council it appeared you were trying to summon your own private rain storm.” A mischievous smile played on those sultry lips and for a moment it was hard to focus on what he was saying. Maybe the two of you had been apart too much this week? “I-I was just feeling… a little useless.” You admitted hesitantly. “Useless?” Genuine surprise flickered in his beautiful eyes. “I’m not very good at taking notes during war council and I certainly don’t contribute much. Sometimes I find myself wondering why you even have me come to them.” You admitted dropping your gaze from his. His long elegant fingers cradled your chin tipping your face upward so you were once again meeting his gaze. “Does every soldier have a purpose Mai?” He asked gently. “I don’t know. I guess so.” “What if each soldier tried to take command of an army. What might happen then?” He releases his hold on your chin only to trace a warm path with his fingers across your cheek and down your throat. “Well, I’m certain that would be a bit confusing.” You admit hesitantly. “Do you feel it is important for my soldiers to follow a commander then?” He began fingering the seam of your kimono which ran along your shoulder as though he were inspecting it’s quality. “Yes.” “And if each commander understands what I—their leader—intend to do during a battle. Do you feel it may be more likely that our army will work together for our success?” His eyes once again lifted and focused on yours making your heart pound a little faster. “Yes, it would be much more likely.” He smiled wrapping his arms around your waist and drawing you closer to him. Soon you are nose to nose and his gentle expression makes you want to melt into him and forget where you are or why you are talking about this. “Do you see then, why I might want you to be here for war council?” He asked gently. “It certainly isn’t to take notes—that is Ranmaru’s job as my page. So why would I want you here? You who are both my lover and the Chatelaine of this castle. Why would I want you here.” “So, I… understand what you are doing? And maybe what you might need from me?” “Very good. It seems you’ve rediscovered my favorite expression.” “What expression is that?” He touched a gentle kiss to your lips the warmth of it spreading from your mouth down to your heart which ached to stay here in his arms forever.