Gitar Lessons

Writers: Eimi, Yvonne
Date Posted: 16th October 2007

Characters: Kiomo, Thalia
Description: Kiomo and Thalia spend a little time alone, and Kiomo gives her something to think about
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 6, day 9 of Turn 4

"And you put your fingers here--" Thalia plucked at Kiomo's fingers until she had them where she wanted them on the frets, "--to play a G."

"Hmm, I'm lucky my fingers are so nimble," he grinned as he contorted his hand to fit the fingerings. "How long did it take you to learn these again?"

"I started when I was six or seven. Mother thinks that all Ladies ought to know at least the basics of music so that they cannot embarrass themselves at Gathers and Turnover."

"Ah yes," Kiomo chuckled, flexing his fingers. "The same reason my father had for making us all learn how to dance."

"I also know seventy-two embroidery stitches, three different ways of curtsying, and calligraphy." Thalia rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. "Just don't ask me to cook my own breakfast, because I wouldn't know where to start!"

"That's all right. I will make _you_ breakfast," he said, giving her his most charming smile. The one he had noticed had a tendency to make her feel all flustered.

Predictably, it worked. Thalia flushed a little and glanced down at the gitar between them to avoid his eyes. "Ah.. well. Perhaps some day."

Oh yes, it was just that easy. Too bad getting her to drop her panties wasn't as easy as that. **Patience...** he reminded himself.
"Show me the F again? I can't seem to get that one."

"Here, here, here and here." Thalia adjusted his fingers on the strings, grateful that Kiomo hadn't pursued that particular line of conversation. One moment he was the perfect gentleman, and then something... a slip of the tongue... "You strike me as the type to have run off from lessons as a small child."

"No more than the other boys. I was actually a very scholarly student." He made noise of frustration as he tried to move from one chord to another. "You know, I think this would be much easier if I could follow you. Here." Kiomo stood to his feet and gestured for her to follow.

Thalia looked confused, but picked up her gitar from where Kiomo had set it down and did as she was bid.

"Now," he moved behind her and wrapped his fingers around hers as they gripped the neck of the instrument, his other hand coming to rest lightly on her hip, "you strum and I'll finger the chords and you tell me what I'm doing wrong."

The Lady flushed and her heart beat like a drum. She placed her fingers on the gitar's strings all the while acutely aware of the feel of Kiomo's hands, and the heat radiating off his body behind her. She felt reckless - she often felt reckless with the Holder's son. Her fingers sought and found the strings to produce an F beneath Kiomo's fingers while her other hand strummed a quick bar.

"Hmm," he hummed, so close to her ear she could feel the stubble growing on his chin. "I like the way that sounds."

"Really." She smiled a little, then launched into a quick trill of notes that Kiomo had no hope of following. "And what about that?"

"Now you're just being difficult," Kiomo chuckled, his hand sliding from her hip to her stomach, gently pulling her back against him. "Let's try that again more slowly."

"But it's no good when it's played slowly!" Thalia protested. His palm felt hot against her skin through the thin fabric of her dress. "Some teacher you are," he softly teased, letting his lips graze the edge of her ear.

"I can't help it!" she protested, a little breathlessly, "If you want a good teacher, see Carlan. I get a little bored with endless, unlinked notes!"

"Then perhaps we should take a break?" He pulled her even closer against him, brazenly kissing the skin of her neck. Kiomo hadn't come to her room for a gitar lesson anyway.

She shivered, her nerves more alive than they had ever been in her husband's embrace. But she pulled away slightly under the pretext of putting her gitar gently down. "Shall we go for a walk, then?" As long as no one saw them leaving her room together... shards, would the tongues wag!

"No," he murmured, reaching for her once more, "I don't want to go for a walk."

"Kiomo..." she sighed, and let him draw her against him. His lips brushed hers, then kissed her properly. Her head swam and she felt like a heroine in one of her novels, and she let her body melt against his.

This was the response Kiomo had been hoping for - willing and compliant. He knew that willingness had its limits, but he was certainly going to test them before this night was over. It was easy to push now and apologize later. Getting carried away in the heat of the moment was a plausible enough excuse, especially when she was feeling it too. She let herself - for a moment. No matter how much Thalia wished to be someone she was not, she was still a Lady of the Blood. Kiomo's kisses were sweet but not appropriate. After a moment, she leaned away, her cheeks flushed and her lips swollen. "I believe that _I_
need to go for a walk."

**Shards...** Kiomo had hoped for more. **Little steps...** he silently reminded himself. If she had let him be so familiar once, she would let him do so again, moving the bar little by little. He just had to be patient. "Shall I escort you?" he asked softly, acting the understanding gentleman.

She closed her eyes. **Think of Aslian!** "Perhaps it would be better if you did not."

Kiomo sighed, letting his disappointment show. "All right," he murmured with a small, understanding smile. "Then I suppose we ought to say goodnight." His fingers reached up to gently cup her cheeks as his lips caressed hers before leaning in for a soft but thorough kiss. He didn't push it, but he certainly wanted to leave her with something to think about. "Good night, my love."

"Goodnight." She ushered him quickly out and closed the door. For a moment she stood there with her hand on the knob, fighting a ridiculous urge to go after him, but instead she turned and went to find her jacket and gloves. **A walk to clear my head will be just the thing,** she thought. **Things are getting much too confusing.**

Last updated on the October 25th 2007

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Gitar Lessons