A Fox's Maid Read online

  Nearly froze, because as he moved toward her with his slow and steady gait, like a predator stalking its prey, she took one involuntary step back to counter his increasing closeness. However, while she did indeed move backwards, a part of her wanted him to reach her, to capture her, to pin her in place and claim her mind, body and soul. She squashed this part with ruthless efficiency―or rather, she tried to. She didn’t have much success.

  “W-we shouldn’t…” The pale blue dusting her cheeks, reminiscent of winter, darkened in hue, becoming deeper and spreading across the bridge of her nose. The color complemented her nearly translucent white skin. “… I-i-it’s not right.”

  He smirked at her, and in doing so, made Christine’s breathing hitch and her heart skip a beat.

  “Oh, but it is right. Nothing could possibly be more right than what we’re about to do.”

  Christine stopped moving, or rather, the wall behind her impeded her ability to move anymore. This did not stop him, and he continued moving forward until his body was practically melded to hers. A combined noise of surprised gasp and pleased moan escaped her parted lips as his masculine body pressed against her more feminine one. A most unusual heat pooled in her loins, contrasting sharply with her cool body temperature.

  “No… I don’t want this…” she muttered, half-heartedly trying to push him away even as her heart begged to let him take her.

  “But you do,” he countered, his eyes narrowing in a combination of amusement and bishounen sensuality. Christine noted that the only thing he needed to be a picture-perfect pretty boy was an inordinate amount of sparkles surrounding him. “You would have used your powers to freeze me in place if you didn’t want this.”

  Christine had nothing to say to that. It was true. She was just being stubborn.

  “I want you, Christine.”

  Christine gasped, both at the way he said her name―with an intense, sensual growl that caused her panties to become damp―and the way he ground his pelvis against hers, sending tendrils of arcing ecstasy through her body, like an electric jolt, only infinitely more pleasant.

  “I want you so badly, Christine,” he continued, his lips hovering right next to her ear. His breath was hot on her earlobe, sending goosebumps across her skin and a delightful tingle through her core. “And if you don’t want me, then you’d better push me away now, before I end up doing something you’ll regret.”

  She looked into his eyes, their foreheads nearly touching they were so close. His blue eyes were hooded with desire, with lust, for her. He wanted her, badly. And if she was being honest with herself, Christine wanted him just as much.

  Her eyes fluttered closed as she tilted her head up and parted her ice-blue lips. He wrapped his arms more tightly around her waist, pulling her closer against his solid, masculine body. She quickly wound her arms around his neck in return.

  Was this it? Was this the moment she had been waiting for? The moment they would…

  “Christine.”

  His hot breath washed over her mouth, causing her body to shudder pleasantly. She could feel her desire for this man, for this moment, burning within her. She’d never desired something so fervently before. It caused her unbearably chilly body to undergo a most pleasant combustion.

  “Yes, Kevin?” Her voice was nothing more than a breathy whisper filled with longing.

  “It’s time for you to get up.”

  “What?”

  ***

  Christine opened her eyes…

  … and found herself staring at a ceiling. Her ceiling. There was an annoying beeping in her ear―her alarm clock, she realized belatedly. She blinked several times, lifting her hand to shut the infernal noise-making machine off, while also taking note of her sudden surroundings. Her body was covered in a thin layer of sweat and felt incredibly cold, even though she had the heater turned up to 95 degrees. There was a slight damp spot on her sheets underneath her bum—and along her inner thighs. Her left hand was also buried in her panties.

  She blinked several more times.

  Then her face became mottled with righteous anger… and shame, but mostly righteous anger.

  Tsundere mode: activated.

  “T-t-t-that IDIOT!” Christine roared, throwing her sheets off and jumping out of bed, her face bluer than a blueberry popsicle. Steam burst out of her ears like an eruption of Old Faithful. The walls, floor and ceiling became covered in a layer of ever-expanding hoarfrost, which moved along every surface like an alien entity threatening to invade her personal space.

  Christine barely noticed what her out-of-control powers were doing to her room, busy as she was raging.

  “I can’t believe it! First he barges back into my life like some kind of sparkly vampire from a teenage romance novel, then he has the gall to not even remember me, and now he’s invading my dreams, too?!”

  Christine’s mind conjured an image of Kevin, his handsome face smiling as he told her how he hoped they could become friends. Her face became a much darker shade of blue, as a combination of outrage and embarrassment swept through her body with the power and intensity of a Category 5 hurricane.

  “DIE!”

  Several shards of ice flew from her hands to impale the wall behind the imaginary vision of Kevin that her mind had conjured. She didn’t even notice that she had just punctured several holes in her wall.

  “You think you can invade my dreams like that, asshole?! I’ll show you!”

  More ice flew from her hands, turning the wall into Swiss cheese. Christine remained utterly oblivious to the destruction she was causing to her own house. She would have noticed in any other circumstances, but her outrage was such that the only thing on her mind was killing the illusory image of Kevin, which her subconscious had projected for her to take her frustrations out on.

  “DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE!”

  ***

  “I’m really sorry about that, Kevin,” a contrite Lilian said several minutes after Kevin had nearly died of blood loss.

  They were in the dining room getting ready to have breakfast. She sat down at the table while Kevin served her a plate of whole-wheat pancakes and a glass of orange juice. The beautiful two-tails actually had the decency to look mildly embarrassed, if the redness staining her cheeks was any indication.

  “I had no idea why I didn’t wake up in time to make breakfast for us. And I’m sorry about how I, well, you know…”

  “It’s fine.” Kevin breathed out deeply, pushing his own embarrassment back with ease of practice. He still couldn’t believe he’d suffered a nosebleed like that! He wasn’t Eric! “It wasn’t like I disliked it or anything…”

  “Did you say something, Kevin?”

  “N-no!” Kevin squeaked. He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, giving Lilian a grin so wide that his eyes were forced shut. “I didn’t say a thing! Nope! Not a thing!” He nodded effusively. “Yep, I didn’t say anything!”

  “Really?”

  Lilian stared at him, frowning. Kevin found that he couldn’t look directly at her when she did this, yet also found himself incapable of looking away; or maybe he just didn’t want to look away. What an unusual and uncomfortable feeling.

  “Are you feeling alright?” Lilian continued, looking at him with a concerned gaze. “You’ve been acting a little strange this morning.”

  “Strange? Why would you say that? I haven’t been acting strange at all! Aha-hahahaha!”

  Lilian gave Kevin a queer look, clearly not convinced by his horribly fake laugh. High-pitched and forced, there was absolutely nothing natural about it. He eventually trailed off when he realized this, and tried everything humanly possible not to squirm underneath that vivid green-eyed stare.

  After several more seconds of staring, Lilian shrugged, concluding that Kevin’s unusual behavior must be a human thing. He nearly sighed in relief.

  “Thank you for making me breakfast. It’s very good.” She changed the subject easily enough, cutting a slice of pancake with her fork, spearing it and t
aking a bite. It was good, most certainly, but the reason she enjoyed the food so much wasn’t just because of its pleasant taste, but also because Kevin was the one who cooked it for her.

  “Well, it’s not broiled fish with steamed rice, miso soup and pickled vegetables, but I suppose it’s alright.” Kevin remembered how Lilian had made them a traditional Japanese breakfast several times since their meeting almost one month ago. It had been outstanding and made Kevin feel almost like he was living in Maison Izumo, a boarding house in one of Eric’s favorite manga. Her food had been so good that he completely ignored the oddity of a kitsune raised in Greece being capable of cooking traditional Japanese cuisine.

  “It’s better than alright.” Lilian beamed at him. “You’re a really good cook. I always enjoy eating the food you prepare.”

  Kevin’s cheeks suffused with warmth.

  “T-thank you,” he mumbled, turning his head so Lilian wouldn’t see him blush. He knew it was probably too late for that―Lilian was staring right at him―but that had never stopped him before, and it definitely wasn’t going to stop him now.

  Wanting to get off the topic of his cooking skills―he didn’t deal well with praise when it wasn’t about track―Kevin swiftly changed the subject.

  “So, um, I was thinking we could go see a movie today.”

  Lilian perked up, literally. The tips of her foxy ears pointed straight towards the ceiling and her back straightened. Even her two bushy-red tails were directed upwards.

  “A movie?”

  Glad that he was able to direct the conversation away from his cooking, Kevin nodded. “Yeah, there are a few new movies that just came out a little while ago. I haven’t had a chance to see them yet.”

  Since meeting Lilian and dealing with the drama that accompanied her, he hadn’t been able to see any of the new movies that had come out. He hadn’t even considered going until about two days ago.

  “What kind of movie did you want to watch?” Lilian looked positively curious.

  “There’s this one movie I want to see about a group of people who are saturated with cosmic radiation and gain superpowers. It’s one of those action movies about superheroes and villains and stuff.”

  “Humans gaining superpowers?” Lilian lips curled in amusement. “You humans have the most fantastical story ideas. I guess that’s one of the reasons I’ve always been so fascinated by your kind. All of you possess such incredible imaginations.”

  Kevin’s brow furrowed. “Was that an insult?”

  “Not at all,” Lilian shook her head, smiling, “I think you’re misunderstanding what I meant—that was a compliment. Other yōkai might feel superior to humans because we have powers and you don’t, but I’m not one of them. Kotohime always told me that humanity’s imagination is what has led them to some of the greatest achievements in history for both human and yōkai.”

  “Ah, I see, Kotohime…” Kevin thoughtfully scrunched his nose. “That’s your maid, right?”

  “One of them. Kotohime has been my maid and bodyguard ever since I gained my second tail. Our other maid is her sister, Kirihime.”

  Right, he’d nearly forgotten that Lilian’s family had two maids. That was so not fair. He wanted a maid, too! He could just imagine what having his own maid would be like.

  A girl in a French maid outfit stood before him, her skirt barely covering her any of her thighs. It was so short that every movement she made revealed her white panties and black garters. The low-cut bodice allowed him to see titillating hints of cleavage, the short-sleeves leaving the silky skin of her arms visible. A bonnet sat atop the crown of her head, whilst beautiful red locks of hair glimmered down her back like a gentle wave. Bright green eyes smiled at him.

  “Welcome home, Master. Would you like me to take your coat?”

  “Yes, I would. Thank you.”

  “You are most welcome. Now then, Master, what would you like first? Would you like me to make you some dinner? Or maybe you would like me to draw you a hot bath? Or, perhaps you would like… me?”

  “I think I’ll take you, my dear. Right here. Right now.”

  The maid giggled. It was a beautiful thing to hear.

  “Very well, Master. Would you like to take me on the bed, the couch, or the dining room table?”

  “Let’s do the table this time. Is that okay with you?”

  “Of course.” She smiled at him. “Anything for my Master.”

  “Kevin?”

  “…”

  “Hello? Lilian to Kevin?”

  “…”

  “Muuu, I hope you’re not ignoring me.”

  “…”

  “I’m stripping naked right now.”

  “Don’t strip in the kitchen!” Kevin shouted, red-faced and breathing hard. He blinked several times.

  Then his eyes landed on Lilian.

  She was still fully clothed.

  He pouted.

  “That was a mean thing to do.”

  “Sorry, Kevin,” Lilian giggled, “but you were spacing out for a second there. I had to get your attention somehow.”

  “Whatever,” Kevin mumbled, trying not to let her words get to him. He couldn’t believe he’d been daydreaming like that! And about Lilian, of all people! Lilian! In a maid outfit! A sexy maid outfit! What the hell was wrong with him?

  He started eating, hoping that if he did something it would take his mind off the admittedly hot daydream he’d just had.

  “Ne, Kevin?” Lilian asked into the pervasive silence.

  Kevin didn’t look up as he cut a slice of pancake and stuck it in his mouth.

  “Yes?”

  “Since you’re taking me to the movies, would that make this a date?”

  Unprepared for such a forward question, Kevin swallowed the food while also sucking in a gasp of air, causing the bite of pancake to become lodged inside of his airway.

  “Inari-blessed! Beloved!”

  He heard Lilian’s shout, but couldn’t say anything, as he was a little too busy choking on bits of pancake. His hands went to his throat, clawing at it in panic as he struggled to breathe.

  A hand rested on his back and started rubbing it. The act felt strangely soothing, warm even, and Kevin could feel the food somehow getting dislodged from inside of his windpipe, almost as if it was dissolving.

  “Are you alright?” a worried voice asked in his ear.

  “I-I’m fine.” Kevin coughed several more times, pounding his chest with a fist to dislodge that last bit of pancake, while also silently berating himself. He really should have learned not to eat when Lilian was about to speak by now. Nothing good ever came of it.

  “Here, drink this.” Lilian handed him a glass of orange juice, which Kevin drank greedily. “Better?”

  Kevin continued drinking until all of the orange juice was gone, sighed, and then set the cup on the table. He cast a grateful smile in Lilian’s direction.

  “Much better, thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.” Lilian returned his smile with a beautiful one of her own. As she sat back down in her chair, the gorgeous two-tails resumed their previous conversation. “Now, about that date…”

  “D-date?!”

  “Yes, date.” Lilian looked at him oddly. “That is what it’s called when two people of the opposite gender go out together, isn’t it?”

  “Ah… w-well, yes, it is.” Kevin scratched his cheek with his left hand. “B-but, I don’t think… I mean, this isn’t really a date, right? I mean it could be, but, uh, well, a date sort of implies that… you know… that you and I… I mean, that we…”

  “You’re speaking nonsense, Kevin.” Lilian’s lips curved into a delightful u-shape. She wasn’t quite sure if Kevin was at the Gibberish of Love stage yet―he wasn’t spouting embarrassing non sequiturs, after all―but he was definitely Emotionally Tongue-Tied. He even seemed to be undergoing a minor Dere Dere moment of denial, which was normally something only tsunderes like a certain violent yuki-onna did.

  Lilian th
ought it was adorable.

  “Right.” Kevin’s shoulders slumped, as if he wanted to disappear into his seat. “Sorry.”

  Lilian resisted the urge to pull the teen to her bosom and smother him with affection. Keep calm, Lilian. Remember, slow and steady wins the race. Those words gave her the strength to resist her overly enthusiastic disposition when it came to giving Kevin more love and affection than he was capable of handling.

  “You don’t need to apologize. I’m just happy we’re going to be doing something together, just the two of us.”

  She placed her hands over his. Kevin looked at their hands, then up at Lilian’s face, at the soft curve of her lips. His pink cheeks darkened in hue and he looked away, though he didn’t jerk his hands out from under hers, which Lilian considered a small victory in her battle for Kevin’s heart.

  “Ah, um, me too,” he mumbled, causing Lilian’s smile to widen. She may not have her mate yet, but it was only a matter of time. All the signs were there.

  Yes, Kevin was as good as hers.

  Ufufufu…

  ***

  Two hours after breakfast, Kevin and Lilian were riding to the mall.

  As was routine, Kevin pedaled while Lilian sat behind him, her arms around his waist and her right cheek resting against his back. She could feel his heartbeat from this position, thumping in a steady, though fast-paced, rhythm. It was a reassuring sound, one that she loved hearing. It would not be inaccurate to say that she would gladly stay like this forever if she could.

  Her eyes closed as she allowed the soothing beat of Kevin’s heart to lull her senses. She scooted just a bit closer, pressing her body more fully into his. Maybe it was just because of the cold air hitting them as they rode down the street, but Kevin’s body seemed much warmer than usual. It was so incredibly soothing. So soothing that she could just…

  “Lilian?”

  Lilian blinked at the sound of her name being called. It took several seconds to realize that Kevin was the person calling her. It took her several more seconds to notice that her face was pressed against his back, and longer still to realize that she had been drooling on the back of his shirt.