Shifting uncomfortably at my tone as I continue to scroll through the games. Her delicate throat moves. Briefly, I wonder if she’s fighting back tears.
“Ev.” Eyes darting up, she regards me with somber apprehension. I want to curse myself for making her feel so much anxiety.
“It’s okay.” Tugging her into my lap I press a kiss to the crown of her head. “This just gives us more time to get our shit together.”
“Will we though?” The question is shaky and I don’t know if she’s relieved we didn’t conceive or is as disappointed as I am. I find myself not wanting to ask.
Cupping her face, I cover her mouth with mine. Gently I persuade her to open for me but stop short of making either of us want more.
“Hai.” Leaning back, I nod for the controller. “But don’t think I’m going easy on you because you’re cranky.”
Chapter 12
Stalemate ???
Takashi
“What’s your deal?” Bridget asks as she eyes me pulling the chopsticks she stabbed me with free of my samurai knot and placing them inside the jade case I keep them in when not wearing them.
“Nothing but the inconveniences Akchiro has foisted upon us with his actions regarding that nuisance of a woman, Prosperity Shipmoore.” Casting my gaze towards her, I see the way she bristles at the mention of her friend.
“What do you mean?” Sitting up from the cushions of the bed where she was reading. Her tablet is completely forgotten as she waits for me to fill her in.
“Porter and Bishop Shipmoore are here following a lead that she is here in Tokyo. They’ve made it clear they will not stop until she’s returned to them.”
Shrugging off my clothes. I stand before her naked, liking the way her eyes snag along the lines of my body — my dick in particular.
“Well, I don’t blame them.” Huffing, she crosses her arms, her expression taking on a certain stoniness as she drags her gaze away from my hardening dick to my face.
“Hai, me either.” I concede, liking the way her shoulders relax at my words. “However, should they prove to be a nuisance, it could cause unintended consequences. The fallout won’t just be among the local clans but cause an international incident where they to go after our holdings.”
Which is what Riyu, and I told Akchiro earlier after the two brothers showed up at our meeting. Our unflappable older brother remained just as unmoved at our words. He’s consumed with the imminent arrival of his new child, a girl this time, and left it to us with a brief “Handle it. Don’t kill them.”
“Hai.” We bowed in deference. Meeting my twin’s eyes, I didn’t even bother saying what we were both thinking. Love has softened him. So has it done to us all.
“Fuck,” I hiss.
“That bad, huh? Y’all have finally run up on some motherfuckers you can’t just dismiss out of hand.” She titters, looking at me with smug satisfaction.
“Omae wa toraburu-mehkah da,” I grunt, not bothering to have her come with me, as has become our custom.
“Aw, tink. Don’t call me a trouble maker.” She giggles.
Ignoring her, I take my time in the shower, washing the stress of the day away.
When I return she’s no longer in the bed. Sighing, I follow the faint scent of her into the living area.
“Did you eat?” she asks needlessly as she sets food out on the table for us both.
“You waited for me?” she dips her head prettily, trying to hide her smile at the low rumble that’s taken over my voice.
“Come, I know you much be famished after all that criming.” Shrugging she arranges everything neatly before me sitting in at the traditional seating.
“Domo.” Bowing my head a little in thanks, I dig into simple three-course fare of soup, steak with steamed vegetables followed by salad.
Soaking in the small respite of domestic bliss. I let myself enjoy this moment with this woman whom I can’t seem to stop thinking about every waking moment of my life.
It’s almost laughable we — Riyu and I ever thought we could resist the lure of them having been captivated as we were from the first interview with them along with the dozen or so other fledging tech firms we were interested in investing.
