Akchiro did not let his benign musings mislead him, though. He knew from which cloth he was cut—his mother was just as ruthless as he, with her sons being her primary focus. He was sure that had she not been overwhelmed with grief at the time, she would have dispatched the uncles that betrayed their father herself. That knowledge had prevailed when he initiated his plan to rid the world of his fathers’ killers. He lost no sleep over it. He’d done the world a service. He respected the power he wielded, and he was determined to always act with honor. He would never lie to his mother about something as important as Flower and what she was beginning to mean to him. To do so would dishonor them all.
“Hmm. Her name?” His mother settled back into the cushions of her sofa, her eyes never wavering as they speared him on the spot.
“Flower Ellington.” He cast his eyes down in respect, “Though she is as beautiful and resilient as the lotus.”
“Intriguing—Hana. The name is so whimsical.” His mother chuckled softly, “And her career?”
“Marketing, though she has taken time off to join her friends here as they launch their business.”
“BITE is the company we selected to invest in last year,” Takashi chimed in, “However, that was not under Akchiro’s purview. He met her quite serendipitously.”
Akchiro thought it hilarious that his brothers stood beside him as they often did as boys when they were all called before their parents to give an account of their naughty behavior.
“Akchiro-san was as surprised as we when it was discovered that his Flower was acquainted with the owners of BITE.” Never let it be said that Riyu would miss an opportunity to stir the pot.
“We are sure that there is no foul play afoot on this chance association?” As usual their mother was already thinking ahead. “What better way to ensure their success than to ensnare the owners?” Her pointed look did not miss his brothers, who both visibly stiffened. Affronted they were not. Caught. No wonder they were so invested in his relationship.
“You cannot engage in liaisons with subordinates or colleagues as you well know, so you will table whatever simmering interest until the acquisition is complete or terminated.” Their mother knew them all so well. She picked apart their desires, just as she had when they were children.
“Hai!” They both bowed. They knew this, so Akchiro didn’t know what they played at. Neither of his brothers were ever at a loss of female companionship and like him they dated a wide variety of women. He wondered if working so closely with BITE had proven to be too much of a temptation. He made a note to sever that connection and put another team in charge of the project. If the feelings were genuine, nothing would stop the connection and if they weren’t, then they would dwindle over time.
“She’s not there.” Riyu winked at Akchiro as he headed for his car.
Akchiro tilted his head in his direction waiting until his mischief got too much for his brothers to contain.
“Your Flower. She’s going out with the BITE women.” The smugness on Takashi’s face informing him that she knew where Akchiro’s woman was when he did not was not to be borne.
“We were just about to meet them.” Riyu’s eyes sparked with mirth. Akchiro’s exasperation mixed with the grudging respect.
“Mother has already admonished you two about your little pets.” Akchiro motioned for his brothers to proceed him on the drive.
“They are just friends, like minds about tech. They have some fascinating innovations planned.” Takashi’s tone rang true, but looking at Riyu, Akchiro wasn’t so sure.
“Take me to her,” He nodded to his brothers, ignoring their laughter. He didn’t care. He would seek her wherever she was because he’d be damned if he spent another night away from her.
Chapter 9
“So, he hasn’t been back since he walked out that day you were watching Jane the Virgin?” Evangelina’s quirked eyebrow and tapping foot told Flower everything she needed to know about what her friend thought of the current goings on in her life. The outrage was pouring off her in waves. She didn’t bother to hide her disdain. But why should she? Flower had confided in them knowing this was going to be both her friends’ reaction. Like how fucking dare he? Their loyalty to one another was unquestioned. They would tell her the brutal truth then hug her. Woe be to his unfortunate soul should he walk through that door, however unlikely.
“He called. He had to go to Osaka on business.” Flower pulled the fluffiness she encased herself with closer. He’d called every day and they talked, though it seemed strained, with long pauses as they struggled to get past the argument that had left them both raw. He barely spoke beyond pleasantries, and she knew it was more than his typical self because he’d been more open before that kiss, and she could not fathom what had come over him. It seemed as if he was pulling away. As if he regretted their association.
“Girl, fuck that—fuck him. Move in with us.” Bridget patted her leg. “He’s hot, as are his brothers, but you don’t need that turmoil. He’s way too fucking moody.”
“Yes, get up off this sofa and go back in that bedroom and pack your shit and let’s go.” Evangelina tossed back the gin and tonic she’d actually made for Flower before sitting it on the geode table and standing, looking like a gorgeous avenging angel in a black one-piece jumpsuit that she’d paired with a cashmere cape. Flower hadn’t even known capes were back in style but her friends, ever the fashionistas, had informed her that Saint Laurent, D&G among others debuted capes in Milan this season. Flower knew she wouldn’t be able to resist getting one. She loved capes. She had to get it sized just right for her petit form, but she was so in. She couldn’t wait to flash with a cape at their next brunch. As soon as she dealt with whatever this was with Akchiro.
She snuggled deeper into soft plushness of the throw just as she had since he left days ago in the middle of their Netflix binge watch session. An activity that he’d had no problem with before he kissed her. She’d been careful not to let things get out of hand after that first night her period made its unexpected arrival. She didn’t want to be cruel and test him, but he’d acted as if she’d crawled up into his lap and kissed him instead of him insisting she lie beside him so he could rub her back, which she had not minded one bit, but that kiss was his doing. All him.
“Well, you are looking sad and despondent and that will not do! This is not who we are. Letting men ruin our fucking days, hours, minutes, or seconds is a big fat no. Come out with us and decide later. Give us a chance to soften you up with alcohol and dancing,” Bridget urged, opening a shopping bag she’d brought with her. She took out a crimson red cape and laid it in Flower’s lap with flourish. “We got you this because we love you and knew you’d love it. By the time you come back tonight, you won’t be worried about anything other than getting some rest because you’re coming with us even if we have to drag your ass outta here by all that gorgeous hair you haven’t had down since he left. There is more to Japan than him, sis. Plus, he’s not sitting around pining over you, he taking care of his business.” Always the gentler one, but boy did she know how to drive truth home like no one else.
“Damn straight.” Flower dragged herself up from the couch she’d practically lived on the last few days. She hadn’t wanted to get back in the bed they slept in together because it smelled the littlest bit like him, not to mention she longed for him that first night and every night since. Tears had come, and she’d had no way to stop the feelings that’d taken over at the loss of him. But if he could go on with his life, she’d be damned if she let her emotions stop her. This was just what she needed. To get out of this apartment that taunted her at every turn with memories of him.
Flower hurried to shower and dress. Loving the feel of the cape and the outfit her friends had gifted her with. They knew her style, and she looked darling, she had to admit, giving herself a swift perusal in the mirror, taking in the effect of the black fifties-style vintage cut pants and the kitten top on her petit frame. The cape was close-fitting in front, ta
pered to a snug fit under her voluptuous breast with a swing in the back. The black and red complimented each other. The height of her heel almost made her feel tall, but she smirked to herself giving one last look at herself, making sure the coronet she braided her hair into was secure. She looked elegant and sexy. And she shoved the needy bitch that longed for Akchiro to see her like this deep down before plastering a smile on her face and going out to meet her friends.
“Wow, chick, you look gorgeous.” Evangelina walked around her before hugging her from behind.
“Gorgeous, let’s go and slay.” Bridget nodded, a proud smile breaking out before she hugged Flower from the front.
“You guys are the best, besties.” Flower muffled inside their embrace.
“We know,” they said in unison, hugging her tighter.
* * *
“This club is so exclusive, no one gets in here. It’s like a state secret. But we got an invite because Evangelina has an admirer,” Bridget murmured and smothered her giggle as they stepped out of the glass enclosure of the elevator into posh surroundings. The lights were dim, but the wall was a glittering waterfall that caused light to reflect off every surface. People milled around drinking and conversing as they transversed the tiered entrance overlooking the entire club. The dance floor was three levels below and to get there they would have to walk along the spiraled floor that led to a gradual descent each level, housing different entertainment, finally ending at the edge of the dance floor. There were dancers hanging from the ceiling doing intricate aerial moves in sync with the music. The atmosphere gave off a sexy but elegant vibe.
“Let’s get a drink.” Evangelina pulled her over to the bar that ran along the whole wall of the entrance level.
“So, why is this the first I’m hearing of this admirer?” Flower looked at her friends after they’d been served their drinks.
“Because it’s bull, that’s why, and plus we were worried about you.” Evangelina gave Bridget a little shove for emphasis.
“I don’t know how much bull it is. But when you are sent a message that someone thinks you’d like to see this club. It seems like that to me.” Bridget shrugged.
“Sure, Jan,” Evangelina huffed, the euphemism adding an exaggerated roll of her eyes.
“It seems like a stretch, Bri—” Flower trailed off seeing her both women’s eyes round just as she felt a hard press against her body. Then nothing. His clean, crisp scent enveloped her. Her heart almost jumped out of her chest as memories assailed her of the last time he held her. Her throat threatened to constrict, but she swallowed past it, determined not to let him know the effect his presence had on her.
“What are you doing here?”
Flower started, nearly dropping her drink were it not for the swift hand coming to grasp it out of her hand just in time. His words were clear, clipped and held a soft menace. She felt heat rush to her face. Anger and hurt met and clashed inside her heart. She could see her friends reading the emotions on her face and theirs transformed to match hers.
“I could ask you the same thing since you said you were in Osaka.” She cut her eyes over her shoulder at him before picking her glass out of his hand and taking a sip.
“I only recently returned. I had business here with my brothers, then I was coming to you.” He gripped her shoulder and turned her around to face him. She allowed her eyes to track up from his chest, which was at her eye level, to his throat where she wasn’t sure if she wanted to kiss or strangle him, to his jaw where she saw the muscle ticking and wondered if his anger and frustration matched her own, and finally to his eyes. Her breath caught at the passion and heat that shone in his eyes and something more, so much more that was troubling, and she dare not name.
“As I asked before Flower, why are you here?”
“I didn’t know I needed your permission to go out.” Flower raised her head higher; she didn’t owe him anything. He was not entitled to her life. She heard a low chuckle and looked beyond him to see two equally gorgeous men standing a few feet behind him. The one laughing gave her a nod and said something so quick that Flower couldn’t catch it. She looked back at Bridget and Evangelina, who both shrugged. So, it wasn’t just her, they were way more fluent than she and they couldn’t understand that particular dialect. Looking back at Akchiro, she saw that his face had gone glacial.
“You would have my face, Flower?” His words were softened and for her alone. Her heart twisted at the thought that she may have inadvertently humiliated him in front of his family. But still…
“If you must know, my friends wanted to take me out, since I was abandoned so horribly by my errant boyfriend the other day, that is, if you could even call him that…” Her foot clicked against the marble and jasper flooring as she tapped it for emphasis.
His eyes flicked behind her then back. “Introduce me, to your friends, Flower.”
She blinked. She expected him to stalk off or greet her words with stony silence, but now she was flummoxed to say the least. Turning back to Bridget and Evangelina, Flower made the introductions, watching Akchiro bow deeply to both women before they returned the gesture. The conversation changed into small talk about sites and activities in Japan because mentioning work was a huge faux pas and Akchiro nor Evangelina and Bridget would ever make such an error. The brothers joined them and were introduced as Takashi and Ryu. More samurai names, Flower thought, not surprised. There was a simmering undercurrent that Flower couldn’t quite place between Takashi and Evangelina. And Bridget seemed to have become a nervous mess. This was Bridge around hot guys since forever; she was almost as bad as Flower.
“I want to dance. Are you ready to dance, Flower?” Bridget asked a little too fast and a tad too loud after the pleasantries and chitchat ended. A clear sign that she was nervous about something or someone. Maybe it was the fact that the men were essentially her and Evagelina’s bosses. Dancing was right up Flower’s alley. That was the main reason they had come in the first place. She’d gone through the trouble of getting ready and doing her hair. She felt more than saw Akchiro stiffen in response. She knew what he wanted—to go home with her. Now. And damned if she didn’t want that very thing. Yet she’d hate to let her friends down after they had gone to so much trouble for her. They’d dragged her otherwise morose self out of that apartment for a night of dancing and fun—their go-to remedy for any type of heartbreak and disappointment. Flower hesitated because to be honest she wanted nothing more than to be alone with Akchiro. She needed to yell at him then kiss him, but she knew that he would never kiss her in public—that was not his way.
“I know you had to pry me off the sofa.” Flower felt like a sad sack for bailing on her friends. “But I’m not really up for dancing tonight.” All she got were knowing smirks and eyebrow quirks from her friends, who nodded and pulled her in for a hug.
“He is fine as hell, girl.” Bridget lips brushed against her ear making her squirm because her friend knew it tickled.
“Hells, yeah. Get that dick but don’t let nobody mistreat you,” Evangelina buzzed into her other ear. “No man is worth that.”
Flower pulled back nodding and watched as they linked arms and headed down to the dance floor. Followed by the two brothers who seemed as if that was the last thing they wanted to do.
“Will you allow me to take you home?”
She looked up into the onyx depths of his eyes that looked down at her with grim confidence. “I guess.” Flower brushed past him toward the entrance.
Chapter 10
Flower felt like she was returning to the scene of a crime. The last time she was in this bathroom, she’d been so excited, only to have that feeling crushed by the unfortunate arrival of her period, yet tonight she was in the clear. She looked at herself in the mirror and had to admit she liked what she saw. She was by no means fashion-model skinny. Her body was curvy and held a lushness that she appreciated and was thrilled that Akchiro seemed to love. When she felt his eyes on her, she felt her body come to life. The secr
et places within her sparked and seared, burning hot for the satisfaction she knew only his touch would assuage.
She kept it simple with her attire for tonight. She knew he wouldn’t be interested in an ostentatious display with ruffles and frills. She wore a simple silk nightgown edged with lace. The material fell in a sweetheart neckline that tapered underneath her breasts, held there with crisscrossing lace bows with the hem fluting just above her knees. She twirled, happy to see the fluted hem take air and display the matching barely there thong peeking out at the crest of her bottom checking as she did that no part of her did not gleam because being Ashy Anne her first time was not acceptable.
Taking a deep breath, she tried to quell the nervousness that caused her pulse to accelerate. He’d wonder why she was so on edge, and she didn't want anything to ruin their time together. She’d elected not to say anything about her virginity after much forethought and hoped he wouldn’t notice. All the hymen business had been proven to be a myth, anyway. If she was aroused and well lubricated, then everything would go smoothly. She knew she was more than ready for him. This was the night she'd longed for and Akchiro was the man she desired above all others.
The room was dim—and empty. Looking around, she took in the abandoned space. Had he left the flat? Not after the way he’d sat beside her on the ride home from the club. He’d only held her hand this time, with his thumb rubbing over the back in slow, methodical circles. It was maddeningly erotic. It took everything in her not to squirm, not to climb his long lean body and be damned anyone who saw. The intensity pouring off him made the air around them thicken with anticipation. She'd wondered briefly if he’d take her there in the back seat. But she knew better. Sex in such a public place was not his way. Sex anywhere with her must not be his way either, she huffed, not seeing evidence of him anywhere. She was tempted to go search him out, but how fucking pathetic would that make her? Nope. Not happening. Her disappointment in herself could not be borne if she were to chase a man down. No, she’d wait. If he came back, fine, if not then she’d take care of herself and go to sleep.
Lotus Flower Bomb: The Mogul Series Book Two Page 8