Page 8 of Daigo

"What do you say, darling?" Unbuckling his belt, he leaned over to do hers.

"I know what you're doing," she murmured, eyes focused on the wealth of dark hair.

"It's hard not to since you see me doing it."

She poked at him. "You know what I meant. You're trying to distract me and probably convince me that this IVF is not a good plan."

"Am I?" he asked mildly. Tucking his hand under her chin, he lifted her face for the kiss that melted her bones. "How am I doing?"

"What?"

The dazed look on her lovely face had him grinning. "Almost there. Let's go eat."

Riku, with his ample girth, greeted them personally, the stained apron tied around his waist, his smile wide and welcoming, pleasure lighting up his liquid dark eyes.

"If it isn't my favorite couple!" Clapping his wide hands, he ushered them into the shadowed interior with its bright red wallpaper and faded booths and pointed them to a seat at the back to ensure privacy. "I swear, Miz Shelby, you look more beautiful than ever. Each time I see you, it's even more so."

"It's the lighting in this place." Going on her toes, she kissed his cheek and had him blushing like a schoolboy. "You need to get it fixed."

"It suits the ambiance. You came in at the perfect time. We just hauled in a fresh catch of parrotfish. Steamed fish with okra and carrots on the menu. Shall we start you out with some fish soup?"

"Why not?" Daigo leaned back and glanced at her for confirmation.

"How about some of that famous pineapple juice?" Shelby asked.

Riku winked at her. "With extra ginger, just the way you like it."

He ambled away, leaving them alone. It was too early for the lunch crowd, and breakfast had already been cut off.

"I remember the first time you brought me here." Shelby had shaken off the pressure of the meeting and was determined to enjoy the moment with him. He had taken time out of his very busy schedule to not only accompany her to the clinic, but to take her away from it all.

"I was trying to impress you." Reaching for the bowl of nuts, he scooped some out and handed her half.

"By showing me that you were not stuck up. I called you that."

"And more." He paused as the waitress came over with their soup and juice.

Amusement came when Shelby noticed the long, eloquent look of desire the svelte Japanese woman was giving her husband, who didn't even glance at her.

"Thank you." Shelby forced the woman to look at her and noticed the faint blush coloring her cheeks. "That will be all for now."

With a slight pout to her lips, she marched away.

"What was that about?"

"She has a crush on you."

He looked over at her in genuine surprise as he took a sip of his juice. "She's a child."

Shelby laughed softly and dug into her soup. "She's young, yes, but what does age have to do with anything?"

"She's a waitress," he pointed out.

Her tapered brows lifted. "And I'm a store owner."

"You're different."

"And you're a snob."