My ice cream melted. My knees felt like it did too. But Kawashita saved both.
"Are you sure you don't want any?" I opened the second and last mini cup of strawberry flavored Häagen-Dazs, swiping the ice cream off the lid with a small spoon. "You won't even let me pay for this and the one we wasted."
"You eat it. I don't like ice creams that much." Kawashita took the cap from me, placed it on the floor, and then leaned back.
"Or any sweets at all," I said, scooping up a mouthful, resting my knee against his.
His eyes widened a fraction. "That's true. But I still can't believe you'd eat it in here."
I grinned. "You delivered it here."
"Your knees hurt and I thought hot water would help." He propped both arms on the edge of the tub.
"And you're saying you didn't want to join me after what we did?" I raised an eyebrow.
We were sitting face to face, huddled in my square small bathtub filled with white, warm, murky water that smelled of milk, soap, and a hint of floral scent from the shampoo. Kawashita made me take a bath after he got me on my knees on the entranceway. I washed while he went out to buy the replacement ice cream. By the time he returned, the vapor from the bath had lifted.
"You know I did. I would have intruded in you even if you hadn't invited me." Droplets from his hair trickled down to his neck down to his chest then back to the water.
"Are you sure you have the luxury to be doing this? I'm sure the last train had left, and you have classes tomorrow."
"I like that you aren't ticklish, Reiko-senpai." He grabbed my foot from under the water and held it close to his chest, massaging it. I jerked away in response but he snatched it back. His smile faltered. "I am sure I want to be here unless…unless you're kicking me out already?"
"Do you want me to tickle you?" My voice came harsher as I pulled back my right foot, scowling. "If I wanted you to leave, I wouldn't have invited you to eat ice cream with me when I know you don't like sweets."
"You know I couldn't have said no. You had me at bath." Kawashita tilted his head. "I was just making sure in case you only felt obliged because I treated you with that ice cream and got you that beer."
"Should I felt obliged?" I raised an eyebrow, placing back my knee against his, linking my left leg with his right one, grazing his thigh with my toes.
"You remember about that fight we had about you drinking," he said tentatively.
"And your smoking." I nodded. "I remember. What about it?"
"I have a proposition." He grinned and linked the other legs. "I won't smoke until I turned twenty, but you can't drink in the bath as long as we're together."
"Just in the bath?" I asked. "I don't have to lower my intake?"
Kawashita nodded.
"How many times did I tell you how good you are with your words?"
"Plenty already?" He shrugged, grinning. "Is that a yes?"
"For our lungs and liver." I raised the cup of ice cream.
"Just finish it, Reiko-senpai. It's starting to melt." He took the cup from me and offered me a spoonful.
An idea formed in my mind. Smirking, fixing my gaze at him, I gobbled up the ice cream. Kawashita offered the next spoonful and I took it, moaning a little. He shook his head and gave me the third one. I licked the spoon first before putting it in my mouth, moaning loudly this time.
"I'm imagining that that spoon is your dick." I bit my lips, wiggling my eyebrows at him.
"You wanted to lick me that much?" He grinned, his eyes disappearing.
"Do you have to ask?" I took the spoon and ice cream from him and leaned back on my side, taking the last bite.
"Next time." Kawashita tugged me closer and kissed me on the mouth. His tongue slid through, tasted and took the almost melted strawberry goodness as he moved away. He grimaced as his Adam's apple bobbed up and down.
"Tastes so good and sweet, right?" I smirked.
"No." He took my hand and pressed a kiss on my knuckles. "You taste sweet and exquisite."
My jaw dropped and I shook my head, failing to hide the embarrassment from his comment. I cleared my throat several times. "You're becoming bolder with your words, Kawashita-kun."
"I'm merely telling the truth. No ice cream could compare."
I gaped at him, unable to think. The bath might be hotter than I thought. "We should get out now."
"Already?" His tone was teasing. "Are you embarrassed?"
"I'm not," I replied too quickly.
"You are. You can't even look at me." Kawashita grabbed my foot and pulled me closer.