by Azure Boone
“Don’t bother,” Akira called out. “It takes practice. My secretary will have to fix it. Even I can’t balance it.”
I reluctantly gave up and walked away, hands in my pockets. “Not your average snowman, that one.” Oh my God, shut your mouth.
“It’s a replica of kagami mochi. A New Year’s tradition here in Japan,” Nobu explained.
Anna turned to Akira. “So, Mr. Tong, how did you enjoy your stay in America? I do hope you found the perfect place to situate?”
His eyes went tumultuous and locked on her. “We’ve decided not to relocate.” Nobu sat on the edge of Akira’s desk. “I insist you allow us to escort you to our home. Our driver can bring you to fetch your things at your lodgings later?”
I opened my mouth to protest and ran into Anna’s bubbly “Splendid idea.” I was going to kill her.
“Jessie here loves everything Japanese.”
Neither of them glanced my way. “What about you, Anna?” Nobu asked.
Akira studied her intently still. Did she not see that? Did she not worry about what he was seeing?
Damn her and her need for attention.
“Where did you say you were from, Anna?” Akira asked.
She turned to him. “Oh, I don’t think I did.”
I held my breath, waiting.
“Illinois.”
“You have family there?” Akira asked.
“Only my brother, Jessie, here.” She turned to me. “We like to keep family together. Even in business.”
Akira glanced at me again, and I promptly stroked my beard and continued inspecting the decor.
“Nobu, cancel our meeting.” Akira stared at Anna. “I’m sure our guests are tired and are ready to relax and eat. Call the house and see that a proper meal is prepared.”
“Gladly.” Nobu bowed to Anna, nodded at me, and left.
Akira got up. “If you will, please follow me.”
We did. Anna dared a glance at me, and I tried to murder her with my eyes. She answered by biting her lower lip and raising her brows.
I followed last with my Neanderthal gait, hand in pocket, fingering my beautiful engagement ring while wondering how this charade would end.
We got to the parking garage, and I realized I couldn’t go through with this charade. “’Scuse me, Anna, can I have a word with you?”
She turned.
I nodded at Akira. “We’ll just be a minute. Excuse us,” I said gruffly.
“Of course.”
We walked a few steps, and I stood with my back to Akira. “What in the hell are you doing?”
“Getting you to his house,” she whispered, eyes wide.
“Like this?” I gritted, referring to my outfit.
“Well, what else? Would you prefer to go as a woman?” she said under her breath.
I glared at her, my jaw clamped.
She leaned in close. “You’d be with the men.” Her brows bounced.
Like I gave a raccoon’s ass about that. My mouth opened, then shut as I considered. With everybody trickling out of the building to leave work, having that talk with him now was out of the question. I wanted to be alone when I confronted him anyway. Shit, Anna was right; I could get closer to him as a man.
Maybe even find out how he felt about my sister. And if there was another woman he loved. Right before I ripped my clothes off and revealed myself.
“Fine.” It was all I could manage.
* * * *
Kat was there. Ugh, I wanted to scratch her eyes out. She was all over Akira, and it made my gut burn. She wore no bra. And of course you could see her nipples through her fitted red silk dress with the scooped neckline that dipped low enough to show off half her tits. There was little peace of mind that he didn’t seem the least interested, not when his brooding gaze kept landing on Anna.
Anna didn’t seem to notice with Nobu practically spooning her. She was officially his piece of ass for the evening—that was clear. I watched Akira, trying to see how he felt about that. And I did not like what I saw in his face. Fury. But why, exactly?
Huh. I’d damn sure find out. Soon as dinner was over.
“Let’s enjoy the evening in the garden,” Nobu suggested, getting up from the table and pulling Anna with him.
I watched Kat try to kiss Akira, and he turned his face away, taking it on the cheek, murderous gaze still frozen on his face.
He got up and followed Nobu and Anna, not even seeing me. Kat and I trailed after.
We entered an oasis type of patio with plants and fountains everywhere. I strutted out, scanning for a place to park my ass till I figured out what to do. I glanced at Akira, who took a seat where it seemed he could watch Anna. I circled toward a chair that allowed me to observe him discreetly.
The floor dropped out from under my right foot, landing me in the ground-level fountain on my right.
Startled gasping erupted from the onlookers as I flailed my arms in effort to keep from toppling entirely into it. But the fountain bottom was knee-deep and mushy, stealing my leverage. I landed face-first in this water bed of grass.
“Grab my hand. Grab my hand,” Anna gasped.
“I got it,” I growled. But no, I didn’t have it. What the hell was this? Quickgrass? Every move I made seemed to tangle my limbs in the stinky shit more, making me feel like a drunk wallowing in mud.
“Here, take hold of this.” A pole appeared before me, and I latched on to it, struggling to keep my fake beard out of the water. I sputtered and grunted as masculinely as I could manage.
It was Akira who pulled me out of the lagoon from hell. I made a furious dash inside.
He followed!
“There’s a bathroom here with towels and a robe.”
I glanced back long enough to see the direction he pointed, and hurried to what turned out to be a huge bathhouse.
“Did you injure yourself?”
I turned to him, then spun back around. “Uh, no. I’m fine,” I muttered gruffly. Now. Confront him now! My body trembled as I fought for the courage.
“I’ll get a servant to get you some dry clothes.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
There was a brief pause. “You can’t stay in wet clothes. It’s freezing.”
“Maybe you can show me to my room. I’m a bit tired anyway. Perhaps you can watch after my sister? Forgive me for saying, but that brother of yours doesn’t hide his intentions.”
“I am profusely sorry about his behavior. Please forgive him.”
“A man is a man.” I faced him after seeing all of me was still intact. “Not many men can resist her.”
“She’s…very beautiful.”
Pain sliced through me. “Well, if you like her, you’d better act.”
“She reminds me of somebody, that’s all.”
“Oh? From America?”
“Yes.” His answer was nearly sighed.
“Sounds like you really liked this…woman my sister, uh, reminds you of.”
“I love her.”
I turned to the mirror and groomed my beard, clenching my eyes. “Love, you say? That’s a strong word.”
“Not strong enough, really.”
I opened my eyes to find my brow hanging. I quickly patted it back in place only to have it fall again.
Shit.
“Come. I’ll show you to your room.”
I held my hand on my brow and faced him.
He stared. “Did you hit your head?”
“Uh, no. Just a…a small headache.”
“Maybe we should get you checked.”
“Said I’m fine.” I made my voice harder.
“Perhaps some aspirin, then?”
“Yes, that would work.”
I followed him out. “Nice home you have, by the way.” I peered around, wondering where his bedroom was. “You, uh, mind giving me a tour?”
He hesitated, regarding the patio where Anna’s laughter could be heard. “Of course.” I made notes. Specifically how to get from m
y room to his. Turned out the bedrooms were centrally located. Thank goodness, or else I’d need a GPS to find my way. He left after returning me to my room, and I waited till I was sure he was well gone before creeping to his. I found my way to his closet and hid among his delicious clothes. Oh God, it was heaven.
I stripped out of my wet clothes and found what felt like a silk robe. I slipped it on.
Then I waited.
Chapter Sixteen
I woke up startled, forgetting where I was and what the hell I was doing. I nearly panicked in the dark, then stilled, listening. Had something woken me? Then I heard it. I sucked in my breath. Oh my God, somebody was having sex in the next room. My heart thundered as I listened.
“God, that son of a bitch!”
I crept to the closet door and peered through the wood slats. Somebody paced in the dark. It was Akira. I let out a sigh of relief as my heart slammed my ribs at being this close to him. He was furious. He grabbed his head and sat on his bed. I put my hand on the door and took a deep breath. I opened it slowly.
Akira jumped to his feet, then froze. He stared at me hard. “I thought… What are you doing in here?” I could see he was torn between being firm and confused.
I stopped and stood still where I was. Did he think I was Anna?
“Where’s my brother?” he asked.
“I want you, not your brother.”
He remained a still, dark statue, face hidden by shadows. “I’m sorry. I love another woman.” My heart almost burst right there. I knew I should’ve confessed then, but I couldn’t. Not yet. “I can make you feel good.”
He snorted. “No offense. But there’s only one woman who can make me feel good.” I took a few more steps toward him, my throat closing up with a sob. “Akira,” I barely whispered.
“Who are you? he growled, stepping toward me.
“Sarah,” I strained.
He stormed past, and I jumped when the light came on. He stared at me, frozen, his eyes, his face full of torment and disbelief. Then he moved so fast toward me. I couldn’t breathe. Not until his arms pulled me to his hard body, his lips crushed mine, and his warm tongue plundered my mouth with a furious passion.
I sobbed as I hungrily scraped my fingers over him. His scalp, his neck, his shoulders. Our breaths came hard, mixed with whimpers and moans. He pressed his hands against my butt, forcing his erection against me, making my pussy throb.
“Aki,” I gasped weakly as I held on to his shoulders while his mouth and teeth found my neck and sucked. Liquid desire replaced the strength in my legs, and he lowered me to the floor. His fingers were on my pussy, stroking softly. Akira’s eyes clenched tightly as though he thought he’d never be able to touch me again. His eyes remained closed as he plunged his finger inside me. I cried out over and over, arching my back with the explosion of pleasure.
Akira’s mouth was on mine, his tongue and lips so hungry. When had he gotten naked? Oh God, he felt so good pressed between my legs. I embraced his broad back, feeling every warm silk ridge, moaning softly, but wanting so badly to scream my joy. His cock slid along my pussy.
“Oh God, yes. God, yes. Fuck me, Aki.”
He drove into me with a stifled roar. Then he fucked me so fast and hard I could only hold on tight and fight not to scream. I bit my lower lip and thrashed my head. Akira’s entire body seemed to try and ram through mine. His mouth at my ear filled my world with the delicious sounds of his strained groans.
I came so suddenly, it felt like I erupted from my core. I squeezed his sides between my legs, my body arching with the intense pleasure, then squirming as the climax milked every muscle in my body.
Akira kissed my open mouth as love raged through me.
He rolled until he was on his back with me on top. He embraced me tightly with his arms and legs. I lay on his chest, winded and satisfied, listening and feeling his heart race hard. Heaven.
He finally stirred and helped me up, hugging me tight, his hands roaming over every inch of my body as he nuzzled my ear and face with his nose. I could feel him smelling me. I returned every gesture with exact measure, letting him know I felt the same. He led me by the hand through a doorway. His private bath came into view when he flicked on the lights. He went to the shower, turned on the water, and when the temperature was right, he stepped in and pulled me into his arms. While the water ran between us, he kissed me so tenderly and stroked my face with one hand, pressing me close to his body with the other. He seemed lost in the feeling, closing his eyes, brushing his lips over mine and his nose over my skin as he slid his tongue in and out of my mouth in a delicate, careful way. Like he’d gotten this rare chance to have what seemed impossible to him.
There were no actual words. But I love you, I need you, I missed you were understood so completely.
I stood there, letting myself enjoy it, telling myself it was never going away; this is how it would be forever. I let my head fall back with the ecstasy of it. Having this man loving me so fiercely and completely. This was my purpose. Loving and being loved. That was it. Everything else was second to that. I’d found the center of the universe, and I could do anything from there.
I would do anything to protect it.
Courage and need bloomed inside me. Akira responded to the urgency in my touch. He was already glued to me, so when he moved forward, it forced me to step back until I was against the glass shower wall. His body still pressed to me, he glided his hands down my arms while gazing into my eyes, silently saying, I want to show you what you mean to me. How much I want you…need you…love you. His fingers locked into mine, and he raised my arms, pinning them against the glass. He stepped back, his eyes moving over my face, neck, then stopping on my breasts.
I couldn’t help but cringe a little. Being around women with perfect boobs had taken its toll. I watched his face carefully, my breaths telling on me. His eyes sought mine, and I wondered at the turmoil reflected in his gaze and pinched skin between his brows. “Anata wa utsukashii desu.” The words seemed to hurt him.
I studied his full lips, parted for his labored breaths. “What…does that mean?” I whispered.
He turned my hands so my palms pressed the shower. “Hold on for me.” His voice croaked.
I swallowed and pressed my hands into the shower walls. Beginning at my wrists, he traced my arms until his fingers circled my breasts. He claimed them gently with both hands. “I said…you are beautiful.” The sincerity of his words, and his palms lightly moving over my erect nipples, made me dizzy.
My heart sped up, wanting that to be true. For him. So why would his insult about my breasts that day in New York choose this moment to sting my heart?
He searched my face, and I must’ve been an open book. “I lied that day.” The continuous circles over my nipples was an intoxicating persuasion. “How could I know when I’d never seen?” My breath came faster as heat gathered to the point of pain between my legs. I tried to focus.
“They’re…not very big,” I whimpered as his face eased closer.
His lips brushed mine, and the back of each finger strummed lightly over my nipples. I panted as he hovered next to my mouth. “No, they’re not very big.” His silky words warmed my mouth as his tongue traced my upper lip. “They’re very perfect.”
I was either hardheaded or starving for more persuasion. “You’re just…saying that.” My words barely squeaked out.
He pushed a leg up against my throbbing clit, and I moaned, pressing my pussy on him, needing to ease the ache as well as feed it.
“Look at me, Sarah.”
My heavy lids rose, unable to deny such need in his voice.
He used that same leg and lifted one of mine against the glass. When it was hiked up high and I was open for him, he traced my entire shape with a finger, stroking over my pussy lips and then along my wet slit. “Perfect,” he whispered, twirling the tip of his finger oh so slowly at my entrance. “Everywhere.” His twirling finger made its way to my clit, and I held his gaze as the soft
tip circled right on the hard bud with such gentleness.
I pressed the walls hard, loving it, wanting it.
He watched my face as his finger twirled its way back down to my begging entrance. “You have no idea”—he wiggled his finger inside—“what you do to me.”
The pleasure was unbearable. My eyes shut, and I began to make desperate mewling sounds. I couldn’t think anymore, only feel. His breath hit my face, hot and unsteady as he swirled that finger deeper until his hand was pressed firmly against my body.
“Tell me.” His words rasped my lips as his finger stroked that spot deep inside with a sensual rhythm, his other hand rolling my nipple.
Do it. That was all I could think to tell him. Yes, do it, please.
“Tell me you believe me.” He flicked hard and fast, and I cried out, my legs losing strength.
“Yes.” I gasped. “Yes.” To everything he said, anything he said.
He traced my parted lips with his tongue, then sucked as he went back to sensually rubbing over my center, his other hand sliding up my neck and ending at my jaw, holding firmly. His lips melted into mine.
I stood there, receiving the pleasure, unable to think beyond simply enduring. His tongue made love to my mouth with the same precision as his finger.
He removed his finger, and I whimpered at the loss. His tongue never stopped adoring my lips as the head of his cock pressed hard against my opening, poised, ready.
“Aki.” I spoke his name weakly into his mouth.
His lips gradually unfused from mine, and my eyes fluttered open. He stared into my gaze and slid his cock, inch by inch, into me.
The amazing feeling stole my breath. He studied the effect he had on me, stroking his fingers over my face. “You look so good when I’m fucking you.” He thrust in to the hilt. Pinning me with his throbbing cock, I watched his gaze darken into something deliciously feral. He locked his fingers in mine again, then held them against the shower and stood to his full height, forcing me to slide higher on the wall till I was on my tiptoes.
“I need to wrap my legs around you,” I cried, desperate.
He looked down, then back up at me. “Does it hurt?”
I shook my head.