Her lips were soft and tasted of strawberries as she slowly and passionately kissed Raiden. He wanted to touch her. He knew she had to be soaking wet. Hell, he was on the verge of coming. Raiden was feeling proud. He wanted to stand a little taller because he knew this was all for him. As she took the kiss deeper, she found his nipples and began touching and teasing them.
Raiden moaned and thrust his hips at her. “Baby, you’re killing me. Please let me touch you.”
“Not yet.” She trailed her tongue down his chest and licked at his nipples as both hands clasped his hard pre-cum-soaked cock.
Melting from her touch, Raiden stayed glued to the door, afraid he would explode at any moment. “Please, Hi.”
A small, sneaky giggle floated up from Hitomi as she went to her knees. Her hands caressed his thighs as her tongue darted out to taste the liquid on the tip of his hard, swollen cock. Looking up at him with a naughty smile, she said, “Mmmm…just a little more, baby, and I will let you move.”
“You’re gonna get it, Hi.” Her tongue stroked the underside of his cock while her thumbs caressed his balls. “Wha…What is it…Pay–Payback…” He was dizzy with lust. He wanted to slam into her, making her scream his name. Apparently, Hitomi unleashed just a touch of talent she had hidden. Using one hand to cup his balls, she held his cock in the other one. She swirled her tongue around his cock before she took him into her mouth and caressed his balls again. Guttural moans came from Raiden. When she looked up at him, he knew his eyes were so dark with desire, and from the way her eyes widened, it frightened and excited her at the same time. He gave her a weak nod in warning. He was going to fuck her good when he got his hands on her. Instinctively, Raiden thrust his hips at her, encouraging her to continue torturing him with her mouth.
Grabbing hold of his thighs, she began taking him into her mouth until the tip of his cock touched her throat at a slow pace. She kept her pace painstakingly slow and steady. She had him so primed and ready, he could erupt at any moment. She was testing his patience. He was trying his best to obey her rules of not touching. His willpower was crumbling.
* * * *
The anticipation of what he was going to do to her had her so wet her own juices had soaked her panties and slowly started to flow down her legs. Continuing her slow pace, she heard Raiden growl. Her chopsticks were pulled out of her hair, his hands tangled in her hair as he began to fuck her face. “Dammit! I’m not coming this way. Not tonight.” He pulled her to her feet. “Damn, you are sexy woman!” One firm tug at the ribbon on her bra and those plump breasts were in full view for Raiden to suckle. “Mmmm baby, you are delicious.” He nipped and teased each breast while his hands quickly worked on the ribbons on her hips. “Hot damn, Hi, you are soaking wet. I have to taste you.”
“No. I need you now, baby. Please.” Begging Raiden was turning Hitomi on.
“You’re the boss, sweetheart.” Moaning deep, he took her by the hand and went to sit in his oversized armchair. Once seated, he pulled Hitomi by the waist as she threw her legs over the side of the armrests and settled on top of him. She could tell her move had startled and excited him.
Hitomi was coming out of her sexual shell.
Holding his gaze, she lifted herself up and took hold of his cock as she lowered herself onto him. For a few long moments, they simply looked into each other’s eyes. Raiden’s burning gaze made Hitomi feel as if he could see deep into her soul, aware of her needs and desires. Being with him made her complete.
An uncontrollable sigh floated in the room when their lips touched. The kiss became sensuous and extremely passionate. Raiden’s hands caressed all of Hitomi’s body as he began undulated movements of his hips. Her hands tangled in his hair as she whimpered. The need for him overwhelmed her. A lightning bolt laced with craving and hunger must have struck them both.
The kiss eased, and Raiden lowered his head and sucked in a nipple. Pressing his hand to her back, he brought her body closer to him.
As if reading his mind, she said, “Hold my waist tight, Raiden.” He did as instructed, never questioning. She slowly leaned back and braced her hands on his forearms, opening herself up completely and extremely exposed to his strengthening thrusts. Each savage thrust caused every one of her nerve endings to burn with the need to have more of him, deeper, harder.
He held her firmly and thrust hard, grinding inside of her. “Damn I can’t get enough…” He craved to have this connection with her. “I’m losing myself in you, Hi.”
She moaned with pleasure. “Oh baby, more please.” With a shaky voice, she spoke. “More.” Two strong thrusts into her pushed her. “Pull me up.” Sitting upright, she continued the strong, steady, hard, deep thrusts. “More,” she whispered. “You feel so good inside of me.”
Moving faster, Raiden slid his thumb down to tease her clit. “Come, baby.”
She moved her hips, meeting his thrusts as she bucked her hips toward his thumb in need. Her nails dug into his shoulders as he sped up his movements and gave firmer strokes to her clit.
“I–I…” When her first orgasm hit, it was brutal. She was glad Raiden muffled her screams of passion by covering her mouth with his. The multiple orgasms left her winded as she felt Raiden blasting his seed into her. It seemed like she rode those waves for days. Her movements eased and she laid her head on Raiden’s shoulder.
Still inside of her, pressing their hearts closer together, he said, “I love you.” Her body stiffened, losing the ability to breathe, and slowly tears ran down his chest and arm.
Chapter 9
Walking into the ballet studio brought back fond memories for Hitomi. The high-gloss wood floors, walls lined with mirrors, and the wooden bars all sent her back in time. Hitomi and her sister Miki had a short stint as ballerinas. They joined every activity and sport available; they drove their parents crazy. Sticking to an activity was a different story altogether. The girls usually made it through three or four sessions before losing interest. Miki usually followed whatever Hitomi did when they were young. Hitomi simply had a strong curiosity and thirst for knowledge, wanting to know how to perform said activity, not necessarily sticking to it. There wasn’t a sport out there that she didn’t know how to play.
Watching Kimi stretching, Hitomi could only smile at how cute she looked in her black leotard, cream tights, black and cream striped legwarmers, and black ballet shoes. Her hair was in a bun, and she was sporting a small tiara around it. Hell, this little girl didn’t mess around.
Oh no she didn’t. Hitomi did a double take. Kimi had on glittered lip gloss. My kinda girl. Hitomi couldn’t help but admire this eight-year-old girl. Sure, Kimi had energy to burn and interests galore, but no matter what she was participating in, she went for it with a passion.
* * * *
Standing at the back of the ballet studio, yet to be noticed, Raiden loved watching his daughter practice. Sure, he complained as he would load up the checkout counter with legwarmers and leotards in every pattern and color, but he knew how his daughter was. She didn’t ask for these things to get attention or act like a spoiled brat. Kimi was simply focused, serious, and wanted the full getup for practice.
He watched how Hitomi and Kimi silently talked to each other during practice. Aside from the obvious racial differences, a stranger watching the two of them would think they were mother and daughter. Hitomi sat front row in the chairs placed off to the side for the parents. He noticed that whenever the instructor complimented or corrected Kimi on toe position or other moves, she always looked at Hitomi for approval. Hitomi would give Kimi a small thumbs-up and a smile when a compliment was given. And she would do a “chin up” move and mouth “It’s okay” and still smile at her when she was corrected.
I’m in love with her. I can’t believe I told her.
He thought about how easy it was to invite Hitomi into his and Kimi’s circle. The few women he had gone out with had never been around his daughter. And the only other people he’d trusted her with were the Lacoste
family. Although he hadn’t seen Hitomi since college, Raiden didn’t have any qualms about her being with Kimi. It amazed him how fast and easy his daughter took to Hitomi. The night after his business meeting with Hitomi, he had spoken to Kimi about her. The first words out of her mouth were “She’s coming to my soccer game, right?” There was something about this woman that had his heart kicking into overdrive every time he was around her.
There were two things that tugged at him about last night after dinner. One: Although he did not expect it, she did not say, “I love you.” Two: They did not use a condom. Not that he wouldn’t mind having more children with Hitomi. It would be good to actually have the conversation before anything like that happened.
* * * *
Feeling eyes on her, Hitomi turned toward the back of the room and caught sight of Raiden staring at her. She could not contain the huge grin that slid across her face when she saw him. She motioned for him to come up there with her. She had saved him a seat.
Raiden quietly took the seat beside her. He put his arm around her chair and caressed her arm with his thumb. He waved excitedly with his right hand when Kimi caught sight of him.
“You didn’t tell me how talented Kimi was.”
He shrugged. “What can I say? She takes after her dad.”
Hitomi elbowed him in the side. They both muffled their laughter. He was a proud dad indeed.
Practice ended and they waited while Kimi gathered her things. He leaned over and whispered in Hitomi’s ear, “I missed eating lunch with you today.”
“I missed eating lunch with you, too.”
What’s wrong with me? Why am I afraid to admit aloud that I love Raiden? I’m positive he’s expecting me to reciprocate the words he shared last night. He has not mentioned it yet but I’m sure he will. Having him in my life has made me feel complete, and meeting and falling for sweet little Kimi was an unexpected bonus. Having both of them in my life is what I’ve been missing.
She was comfortable with Raiden. It felt as if they had never lost touch.
He gently squeezed her into him. “I like the way you think, Hi. I missed you more.” He inhaled deeply and groaned softly in her ear. “I love being in your company, Hi. Do you think you could handle seeing me more than once a day?”
Hitomi placed her hand on his knee and looked into his eyes, studying them. As if in doubt. “I’d love that, Raiden.” She knew she had to be blushing. She felt the burn of her cheeks and didn’t care.
They did not have time to discuss anything further. Ballet classes had ended and the children began gathering their things. At the last minute she realized Kimi was running straight toward them.
Or rather toward Hitomi.
“Okay. Should I be jealous?” Raiden teased.
“Hitomi, did you see me? How did I do?” Kimi asked as they stood to greet her.
Hitomi winked at Raiden and then answered Kimi. “You were great, my little Kimi. Just try and make sure when she corrects you, you try and remember so that it won’t happen again.” She cupped her chin and gave her a loud smack of a kiss on her head. Hitomi couldn’t understand why Kimi was so silent. Did I say that in a harsh way?
She looked from Kimi to Raiden. She was lost to what was going on. Did she miss something? “What?” She directed at Raiden.
“It’s just…”
“My mommy used to call me ‘my little Kimi,’” she said, smiling at Hitomi.
Hitomi smiled weakly at Kimi and looked to Raiden with the “Oh” look. She could tell he was fumbling to find the right words. Before Raiden could speak, she looked back to Kimi and apologized.
“It’s okay. I like when you say it, too.” She gave Hitomi a reassuring hug.
“Are you sure, Kimi? I don’t want to use the special name your mommy called you…”
“I was special to Mommy. I’m special to you.” Being a typical child, she changed the subject without blinking. She finally acknowledged her dad. “I’m hungry. Come on, Hitomi. Let’s go.” She started toward the exit.
Hitomi and Raiden exchanged comical looks. Raiden shrugged his shoulders in complete amusement. Hitomi was astonished at how mature Kimi was. “Well hell, I guess that conversation is resolved and over? I can see now I won’t win too many arguments with her.”
Raiden let out a deep, hearty laugh. “Nope. Welcome to my world.”
* * * *
“Are you the one who keeps bringing me here?” Hitomi’s voice trembled as she braced a palm on the big oak tree that faced the playground. Her knees felt as if they would give out at any moment. As the woman walked toward her, it seemed the blinding rays of the sun blocked the view of the woman’s face.
“It is you that brings you here, Hitomi. I am only your guide,” the woman answered.
“Guide? Guide for what? Am I dead? Is this a dream? I don’t understand.” No matter what angle Hitomi cocked her head, she couldn’t get a clear view of the woman’s face. And she was only inches away from her.
“I will share what I’m allowed to. Some things you will have to figure out on your own. But you need to listen carefully. Okay?” Hitomi nodded as the woman continued. “Take a good look around. What do you see?”
Hitomi did a slow three-sixty. All she saw was lush green grass and no one else around for miles. “We are in a park. Children are playing on the playground, but we seemed to be the only adults around.” Locking eyes with the woman. “I don’t understand.”
“Besides you and me, what do you see?”
“Children?”
“Exactly.”
Afraid of where the woman was going with this conversation, she said, “It still doesn’t answer my question of why I am here.”
“I have been coming to you for three years, Hitomi. It is time.”
“Time for what?”
“What you want most. You have everything within your grasp. It’s time.”When Hitomi looked down, her belly protruded and there was movement. Words wouldn’t come forth. Her hands slowly caressed the wonder that lay beneath. Hitomi’s head snapped back up to the woman with tears in her eyes. Her questioning look lingered.
“Why now?” she whispered, finally starting to understand what this was about but not hoping for it at the same time.
“It was not time before. Now it is.”
“I’m afraid.” Her voice was so low she barely recognized it.
“I was not sent here for that. For three years I have waited for you to speak to me, but you never did. I had so much to share with you. Most of that is no longer necessary because now you are on the correct path. And now it is time.”
“Can’t…not again. I’m not strong enough.”
“You have to trust in yourself, Hitomi.”
“I can’t…I can’t…” Tears poured from her face as the baby inside her continued to move and kick.
* * * *
Hitomi woke up crying as usual and shaking. “I will never let that happen to me again,” she muttered as she rose from the bed and went through her morning routine, intent on pushing the dream from her memory.
Chapter 10
For six years, it had broken Natalia’s heart to watch Hitomi intentionally shut her emotional side down. Natalia knew better than anyone that there was nothing wrong with working hard to get your business going and growing strong, building up its reputation. But Hitomi would refuse to go anywhere that may look like she was interested in being flirted with like clubs or social gatherings, even when her friends begged her countless times. And God forbid they try and fix her up. She wouldn’t talk to them for weeks at a time until she finally calmed down enough to get over it. That didn’t stop Duran, and Natalia was glad he did it.
A couple of years after her divorce, it was brutally clear that she wanted to be alone. No matter how hard Natalia tried, she couldn’t convince Hitomi that she wasn’t cursed or defective. Any conversations in this category always landed on deaf ears. That’s why Natalia was amazed at how Raiden had captured her heart without realizing
it. It was Duran and his sneaky plotting that put those two back together again.
* * * *
“That is the look of a secret shared between lovers. Tell me, Hi, is that the look of love?” Natalia asked as she stood in the doorway of Hitomi’s office. She had no idea how long she’d been standing there staring at her best friend with the look of love plastered all over her face. This was a sight she wouldn’t get tired of seeing on Hitomi.
I’ll be damned. Hitomi is in love and doesn’t even know it…or she’s too stubborn to admit it. I guess she is willing to let Raiden into her heart, but how far will she allow it to go? Please don’t let her screw this up. I haven’t seen her this happy in a very long time. And she adores Kimi as if she’s her own.
When Natalia called earlier that morning, Heather had informed her that Hitomi’s standing lunch date, Raiden, had a last-minute meeting and Hitomi would be free for lunch. Natalia decided to bring lunch with her.
Looking up with surprise like her hand had been caught in the cookie jar, Hitomi quickly closed the card and laid in down in front of her. “Hey Nat, how long have you been standing there?” Hitomi asked.
“Oh, long enough to recognize that look. What was that you were reading?” She pointed to the small card on her desk. She didn’t miss the way Hitomi’s face flushed when she looked down at the card.
“Raiden.” She sighed, lost in thought. “I mean, the card is from Raiden. About a week after our first meeting, he started this. Once a week there’s a card waiting for me somewhere. I never know where it’s going to turn up. He’s a great man,” she said as she motioned to her sitting area. “Sometimes I pull the cards out and reread them.” Natalia didn’t miss the quick flash of doubt flashed across Hitomi’s face. “Thanks for bringing lunch, but I didn’t know you were coming.”
Alexander, Kortny - Love, Interrupted (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 8