by Blue Saffire
“Hm-mm. I have a nice boy I want you to meet when I return.”
I sit up and toss my legs over the edge of the couch. I must be hearing things. I pull the phone from my ear to look down at it.
“What?”
“Nice boy. He comes from a nice family. You’ll like him. He’s going to be a surgeon.”
“Daddy, um… I don’t think I need help finding a date.”
Ryan stiffens next to me and I peek at him to see the murderous look in his eyes. It’s like last night all over again. I think I even see smoke coming out of his ears.
“You are twenty. It’s time we find you a nice match. A nice boy to marry and start a family with.”
“Um, I think I can handle finding my own dates, Dad. Thanks though.”
He makes a sound on the other end of the phone. “You will meet him.”
My mouth drops open. This is how it always is. My father tells me what he wants. It never has anything to do with what I want.
I’m so frustrated, I almost toss my phone across the room. I want to FaceTime him and let him see my boyfriend sitting right next to me, but I know I’ll do none of that. I rub my temple instead.
“Can we talk about this when you get back first?”
“Yes, you come to the house and we will talk before he arrives for you to meet him,” he says.
Ugh, why do I bother? My mother’s words ring in my ear. I’m going to have to stand up for myself.
This is one step too far. I’ve done everything my father asked me to. This isn’t fair. My love life should belong to me. It’s not a degree or a major that I can have on the side. I want to pick someone I want to be with and fall for.
That golden gaze stares back at me. I sigh into the phone. I’m going to have a problem when I hang up. I can already see it.
“I’ll talk to you later, Daddy. I want to get some studying done.”
“Watashi wa, anata o aishiteimasu.”
I sag my shoulders. Now I feel like a jerk. My father does these things out of love. Ne tries to tell me that all the time.
“I love you too.”
We end the call and I keep my focus on my lap. I can feel the anger rolling off of Ryan. I wait for him to say something, but it never comes.
When I chance a look at him, he’s not looking at me. He’s staring at his phone clenched in his hand. I watch him closely as he responds to a text then puts his phone away.
“Everything okay?”
“You should tell your father you’re seeing someone. It’s the safest thing for everyone.”
I’m a little taken aback by his words. Is he threatening my father? Me?
I’m not too sure I like this side of him. I go to scoot away from him, but he reaches for me and places me onto his lap. He strokes my cheek and leans in to peck my lips.
I can see the war happening within his eyes, but I’m not understanding it. Whatever it is he’s battling with, he lets it go and buries his face into my neck. I relax as I feel the tension leave his body.
“Are we good?”
“Yeah,” he breathes against my neck. “I’ve never shared well. It’s what got my ass tore up all the time. I’d push Toby and Braxton around for touching my toys.”
I snort. “I’m not a toy.”
“No, you’re something way more precious than that.”
“My father means well. I’ll talk to my mother. She’s the best at reasoning with him. If I can get her on my side, this meeting will never happen.”
Ryan scoffs and kisses my neck. “It’s never happening regardless. Don’t sweat it.”
I go to ask him what he means, but he silences the question with a kiss. Soon my father and his nice boy are forgotten. I have a hot man right here in my arms.
Ryan
I look at the text on my phone. Kiyoshi thinks he’s a funny motherfucker. I was straight with him when he asked me if I was interested in his daughter.
“Yes, very,” I replied.
“I see. You do know that she’s younger than you?”
“Yes, I’m aware. She’s only five years younger than me.”
He nodded as he held my gaze. “I need a favor from you. I need you to watch over Nene while we address the coming issues. You can insert yourself into her life as a friend.”
I smiled at him. “I have no problem with that.”
“When I say a friend, I mean a platonic friend.”
I frowned and my brain shut down from there. Yes, I had every intention of inserting myself into Carmen’s life, but not as a damn friend. I can’t believe he’s trying to set her up with someone.
I wanted to lose it while she was on the phone with her dad, but I held it together. Carmen has no idea that I know her father. If I’d said the wrong thing I would’ve blown it all.
Instead, I texted Ne and asked him what the fuck his father is up to. He responded with a shrug emoji. That’s not good enough.
If I have to get Felix involved to find out who this guy is so I can pay him a visit, I will. Whatever happens, one thing’s for sure Carmen isn’t meeting anyone. The text from my brother is the confirmation I need to calm the fuck down.
Felix: Find out what you can. I’ll handle the rest.
“Is my bed too small?”
I look down at Carmen as she lies on my chest. I rub a hand down her smooth sexy back. She smiles and snuggles closer to my chest.
“It’s the tiniest bed I’ve ever been in, but I’m fine. It means you have to stay close,” I reply.
“It is not the tiniest bed you’ve been in.” She giggles. “Although, seriously. What are you, six seven? This has to be uncomfortable for you.”
I lift a brow. “Are you saying you want to go to my place?”
Her cheeks start to glow. “No. I just want you to be comfortable. You haven’t fallen asleep.”
I lift my shoulders. “I don’t sleep much as it is. I’m not complaining.” I brush a lock of hair out of her eyes. “You were knocked out. You want some help going back to sleep?”
She places a kiss on my chest and that feeling from earlier returns. I search her face as she looks down at the spot shyly. Reaching to pinch her chin, I lift her head.
“I woke to go to the bathroom.”
“But you’re still in bed with me,” I tease.
“You’re warm. I don’t want to move.”
I chuckle. “I’m into a lot of kinky shit, but golden showers isn’t one of them. You better get up.”
She laughs and slaps my chest. I peck her lips before I let her get up and go to the bathroom. I watch her ass sway as she goes to grab my T-shirt to slip over her head.
Damn, I’m a lucky bastard.
I prop my head up on my hands as I stare at the ceiling. This bed is small. I’m tempted to talk her into going back to my place, but I know that’s out of the question. Kiyoshi’s men are surrounding the neighborhood keeping watch.
I grin. He’s probably steaming from reports of me staying overnight. I’m only doing my job. It’s better if I protect Carmen up close and personal.
My phone rings, grabbing my attention. I turn for the bedside table and pick it up. My lips turn up higher when I see who it is.
“Hello, Matsumara.”
“Why are you still there?”
“We’re celebrating her birthday. You do know that friends do that?”
He makes a sound in the back if his throat. “At two in the morning? Go home.”
“Dad, I’m not feeling the love. You asked me to do a job. I’m doing it.”
“You are testing me. If I were your father you would know better.”
“Ah, but you’re going to make such a good father-in-law.”
He scoffs. “My daughter has better taste. Go home.”
“Yeah, she does taste good.”
“Don’t make me kill you. If you’re not gone in five minutes, I will send my men in.”
“To get killed? Nah, you don’t what that. I’ll leave, but Matsumara?”
“What?”
<
br /> “Stop trying to set her up. I told you I’m interested. I’m not playing. I’ll take his head off. She’s mine.”
He laughs at me, causing me to get pissed. I’m not joking. Carmen is off-limits.
“You make bold claims, Ryan. Respect would have you come to me and ask to date my daughter, not demand it.”
“I’m dating your daughter.”
He laughs again. “See. No respect. You still approach me as a friend and not the father of the girl you wish to pursue. She will meet who I choose.”
With that, he hangs up the phone. I grind my teeth and sit up. I will leave, but only because I want to make rounds through her neighborhood to familiarize myself.
“Were you talking to someone?” Carmen asks as she enters the room with a frown.
“Yeah, it was work. I have to go.”
The disappointment on her face makes me reconsider staying the night. I’m surprised I didn’t get a call last night. Yeah, I’ll be making rounds and checking to see how alert Kiyoshi’s men are.
I stand and pull her into my arms. I take her lips in a deep kiss and hold her close. I love that she melts into me. The fact that I tower over her is a turn on too.
“I’ll call you in the morning. We still have plans tomorrow. Make sure you have plenty of nasty, dirty dreams about me.”
She releases that sweet laugh. “Will do.”
“That’s my girl.”
Chapter 9
First Date
Carmen
I run my sweaty palms over my dress and look in the mirror. I couldn’t focus in class today. All I could think about was Ryan.
I’m nervous about our official first date. I don’t know what to expect and I had no idea what to wear. I turn to face Gigi and she has a big goofy grin on her face.
“You look awesome. That dress fits you perfectly,” she says.
Thanks to her I have something to wear. She had this dress in her closet with the tag still on it. It’s not something I’d normally buy, but I do like it.
It’s a black bodycon dress that stops mid-calf and hugs all my curves, but also flatters what I feel are my imperfections. No matter how much I work out at the gym, my tummy rebels and stays pudgy.
I’ve tried all the clean eating advice. None of that works for me. It’s been this way all my life. I accept the skin I’m in. I know for a fact Ryan does.
I bite my lip. I wonder if he’ll like this dress. “Maybe I should change.”
“Nooo,” Gigi drags out and falls back onto my bed. She starts to kick her feet like she’s having a tantrum. “You look great. Don’t do this. It’s perfect.”
I sigh and turn back for the mirror. She’s right. It’s a perfect balance of dressy and casual. I’m ready for whatever Ryan has planned.
“Okay, you’re right,” I say right before the doorbell rings.
“I’ll get it,” Gigi sings and shoots off of my bed for the front door.
My heart is pounding. I shouldn’t be this nervous. We’ve already had sex more than once. That’s the hard part out of the way, right?
My phone buzzes with a text. I pick the phone up to see it’s my mom. I groan and read the message. My nerves are already shot, I don’t need one of my parents to make me a freaking mess for the rest of the night.
Mom: New Tachis came in. See you in the morning.
So like mommy. I can almost feel her excitement through the phone. I smile.
Okay, I’ll be honest. My mother and I have a weird way of bonding. The woman has gained some interesting hobbies from marrying my dad. Hobbies that she’s shared with me since I was a little girl. My mom is totally badass.
I shoot her back a text as I get a little excited for tomorrow’s visit. I’m sure she’s going to make it a long one. It’s in the middle of that text that I hear a groan that pulls my attention.
His heat hits my back before I can turn. Ryan places a hand on my waist and turns me to face him. With his other hand, he grasps my chin between his fingertips and lifts my face. My lips are crushed by his almost instantly.
Ryan aims to devour as he consumes my mouth. I wrap my arms around his waist and give in to the kiss. His mouth is warm and welcoming. The taste of something citrusy flavors his tongue.
“Hey,” he says against my mouth when he breaks the kiss. “You look amazing.”
I give a shy smile. “Thank you. You do too.”
He does. He has on a suit and tie. I wasn’t expecting that. It brings a huge smile to my face. I’m more confident in my choice of dress.
He groans again. “Let’s get out of here before I hem you to the bed and forget about going out.”
He takes my hand and entwines our fingers and leads me out of the room. My belly warms and dips a little before the butterflies take flight. Gigi has a big smile on her face as we pass her in the living room. She waves and I give a wave back as Ryan opens the door for me.
We make it to his Mustang in silence. It’s not until he’s behind the wheel that he turns to me and looks my face over. He leans in and pecks my lips.
“I’m going to have to kick someone’s ass tonight if they stare too long. Brax always has my bail money,” he says and winks.
“You’re kidding, right?”
“Nope,” he says and starts the car.
Ryan
I don’t know what I did to deserve this, but Carmen is perfect. She’s funny, gorgeous and smart. I’ve never had so much fun on a date.
Dinner was enlightening. Not only is Carmen shy, she’s fascinating to watch. It’s like she’s always looking for the camera angle into the lives of the people around her.
Even as she blew out the candle on the slice of birthday cake I ordered for her, she watched the waitress with curiosity. Granted, our waitress was distracted. Carmen and I both figured out why as we observed her.
“She has a crush on that waiter,” Carmen whispered across the table once the waitress stumbled over her own feet and blushed to her roots.
“Yeah, I picked that up too.”
We looked at each other and laughed. It was then that I realized how at ease I felt with this girl. She’s not like girls I’ve dated in the past.
For example, now she’s in a batting cage in three-inch heels and that fucking dress that’s an added turn-on. The craziest part is that the dress covers most of her body. I’ve never seen someone show so little skin and still pull off looking so sexy they’ve kept me semi-hard all night.
I bite my lip as I watch her swing the bat. The blue lighting casts a glow against her face and it’s hot as fuck. I’m going to kiss John for suggesting we all chip in for this place. It’s our personal playground. When we want to blow off steam outside of the range or the ring, we now have this place.
A batting cage, golf range, arcade, paintball—we’re not finished, but the place is shaping up to be exactly what we all wanted. Most of all, it’s private. There’s no one else here as Carmen and I have a great time.
Dinner was great, but this part—getting to see her smile and relax—has been the best part of the date. Her laugh rings out as the bat connects with two balls in a row. She’s not bad at all. I think my girl has a competitive streak in her.
I like it.
“Did you see that?” she sings as I pause the machine.
She turns to me with a bright smile on her face. The helmet on her head not taking a thing away from her beauty. I step inside the cage and saunter over to her.
She tilts her head back to look up at me as I tower over her. Palming her face, I look into her eyes. I can’t help running my finger across her full lips.
“I saw it,” I breathe. “You’re gorgeous no matter what you’re doing.”
She lowers her lashes in that shy way I love. I take the helmet from her head and the bat from her hand and drop them to the floor. The music muffling the loud clattering sound they make just a bit.
Carmen lifts her hands to my chest as I wrap my arms around her and start to sway her to the music. It�
�s an old song, but sexy as fuck in this moment. “Knockin’ da Boots” by H-Town fills the air around us, I bunch her dress up until I can bend my knees and wedge a leg between her thighs.
Our slow sway turns into a slow rock and grind. Our gazes are locked together and her lips are parted. The look of awe on her face is priceless.
Yeah, we had a simple slow dance at the wedding, but it wasn’t enough for her to know how serious my moves can get on the dance floor. As I keep her hips swaying and dance her around the batting cage, her face lights up.
“You’re a really good dancer,” she says.
“I haven’t shown you my best moves yet.”
She gives me a side-glance. “Why do I get the feeling you’re talking about more than dancing?”
I lick my lips. “Take it how you want to take it.” I wink at her and watch as her cheeks glow and her pupils dilate.
She shakes her head. “You’re nothing like I thought you would be.”
I lift a brow. “How so?”
“Yes, you’re arrogant when you want to be, but you’re also sweet, funny, and…” She shakes her head again. “I don’t know. I expected you to be a dick, honestly. You know, the guys that get what they want and they ghost you. Guys like you never stick around with girls like me.”
I dance her over to the cage until her back is pinned to it. Dipping my head until we are nose to nose, I look her in her eyes. I don’t know where she gets this idea from that she’s such a forgettable being. All I think about when she’s not around is her. How could I walk away from her?
“To most people, I probably am a dick,” I say against her lips. “But that’s something you never have to think about. When it comes to you, I’ll be everything you want me to be, everything you need me to be. I told you, baby, this is for keeps.”
With that, I take her lips and lift her hands to pin them over her head. I don’t think I can keep my hands off of her any longer. I wanted to hold out and make this date about having fun, but having her in this cage, I have some other fun in mind.
She whimpers into my mouth and I take the kiss deeper. I can never get enough of her sweet mouth. Her full lips drive me crazy. I want to nip, lick, and suck at them all night.