In Deep Kimchi (27 page)

“Itadakimasu,” Ichiro said. “I humbly receive.”

“Itadakimasu,” Shaundra repeated.

Ichiro smiled at her again, making her feel the flush all the way down to her toes.

“You learn fast.”

“That’s because you said it so gracefully that I was able to understand.”

He picked up his bowl of rice with his left hand and the chopsticks with his right. Ichiro lifted the bowl to his perfect mouth but he did not touch the bowl with it. He began eating the rice.

Shaundra’s stomach clenched as eating took on a different meaning to her brain. She picked up the bowl and began to eat her rice.

Ichiro put down the bowl and picked up his soup, wrapping his lips around the rim.

Shaundra watched with interest as he swallowed. His Adam’s apple bobbled. Hmm, definitely a man. If there was any doubt, this was a dead giveaway. She lowered her empty rice bowl and stared down at the Miso soup. It contained tofu, wakame and scallions. She drank the soup, but didn’t remember what it tasted like because she was so distracted by Ichiro’s presence.

Ichiro reached over, grabbed the chopsticks, picked up a piece of meat and fed it to her before eating a piece himself.

She’d been in Tokyo long enough to know that sharing food this way was a type of intimacy. “Thank you.”

“You are welcome, Shaundra.”

Ooh, she liked the way her name sounded coming out of his mouth. “That was so delicious.”

He smirked. “You are easily pleased.”

Before the meal was over, he had fed her Yakimon, Namasu, and Aemon, describing them as grilled fish, raw fish in vinegar sauce and vegetables. She had to take his word for it because she didn’t remember tasting any of it. He polished off the sake and Shaundra made a face.

“You’re not much of a drinker, are you?”

“Not really. I’ve tried Shochu once.”

He stopped drinking and curiously eyed her. “You’ve tasted Shochu?”

Shaundra nodded. “Only once. It made me do bad things.”

He raised that eyebrow again. “I won’t ask you to elaborate.”

And she didn’t want to. Yori, that bastard, had intentionally ordered it to see what it would do to her. “Thank you.” Fortunately, he did not try to get her to drink any more sake. She was tipsy enough as it was. It tasted awful and it had a powerful kickback.

Ichiro reclined back on his elbow. “Tell me something about your family.”

Shaundra relaxed. “What do you want to know?”

“Tell me about your kids.”

“They’re fairly good children, not too much trouble, but they do have their share of issues. My eldest daughter, Juanda, has a set of twin boys.”

Ichiro’s eyes widened. “You’re a grandmother?”

“Yes, is there a problem with that?”

“No, I love kids.”

Shaundra sighed. She’d figured he might. “Anyway, she thinks it’s my job to take care of them on the weekends or any time she feels like dropping them off. I love my grandkids, but I need my free time to write.”

“And your youngest daughter?”

“My baby is similar to me. She worries about me and she wants me to have a life.”

“I think I like her already.”

“The boys are very protective. They have they own lives, but call every day to make sure I’m alive.”

“So what did they think when you told them you were coming to Tokyo?”

Shaundra frowned. “No one complained except Juanda and Donald.”

“Is Donald one of your sons?”

She shook her head. “No, my ex-boyfriend.”

Ichiro perked up. “Ex? You man the one we discussed the other day?”

Shaundra pouted. “Yes, he broke up with me this morning after he saw the picture of Yori and me in the newspaper. He accused me of having an affair with him.”

“Are you?”

Shaundra shook her head. “No.”

Ichiro’s smiled broadened at her admission. “You wanted to end it with him anyway, so why care how it happened? Just be thankful that it happened and you didn’t have to hurt his feelings.”

“I guess you’re right. He found someone else.”

“He’s a fast mover.”

“Not really. He’s probably had his eye on her for a while. She’s probably a younger, more attractive woman.” She didn’t feel like talking about Donald anymore. Not with Ichiro staring at her.

“Younger like me?”

Her panties dampened again. Shaundra blushed. “Hell yeah.”

Ichiro rose. “Let’s get out of here. I have other places to show you.”

He helped her up to her feet and he got an eyeful of thigh again. He took out his wallet, extracted some money and put it into a leather billfold, then left it on the table for the waitress.

Shaundra swayed a little.

“No more sake for you,” he teased.

“I’m not drunk.” She followed him back past the kitchen where he said good-bye to Mr. Daisuke and thanked the other chefs for an excellent meal.

“You bring her around here again,” Mr. Daisuke replied. “I like her and she brings out the best in you.”

“Will do,” Ichiro answered.

“How is your place coming?”

“I was just about to take Shaundra to see it.”

“Did I spoil the surprise?”

“No,” Ichiro replied as he waved good-bye and led her through the restaurant and out the door. He helped her into the car.

The night air kept her awake after the food and the sake. “What is this place the two of you were discussing?”

“My dream,” Ichiro answered. He closed her door, then walked around, got into the car and started it. “I’ve always dreamed of owning my own restaurant. Mr. Daisuke helped me find the perfect commercial location and it’s just about finished.” He drove for about a half hour telling her about his plans for the future. She could listen to his sweet voice forever, wondering why he chose only to use it for her and Mr. Daisuke.

Ichiro parked the car again. This time, they were in a bigger lot in a commercial part of town. This was perfect for this type of business. He helped her out once more and she took in the view of the new building designed with black, sloping Japanese roofs, and red brick outer walls. Construction vehicles and machinery rested in the parking lot, but all the workers had gone home for the day. He escorted her up the stairs and then opened the door.

“Wow,” Shaundra exclaimed as they stepped inside. It didn’t have any furniture yet, but the walls were painted, the baseboards and crown molding was in place, and it felt homey.

“I really would like you to see it when it’s finished.” He described everything in detail as he took her around the place. There were even a couple of private rooms in back like at Mr. Daisuke’s restaurant.

“Do you plan to be the chef?”

“Not in the beginning,” he said with a sigh. “I will be busy with Aomori for a while. But I do intend to use my family’s recipes and some that I have created. I have hired a manager to look after the place until I return from military duty and retire from the band. After that, I plan to devote myself to this business full time.”

Military service. She had forgotten about that. He had to serve two years before he was thirty, which would probably extend his contract with Mr. Niigata for two extra years.

“When is it expected to be completed?”

“In December. Hopefully it will open by Christmas.”

“But you won’t be back off tour by then.”

He sighed again. “Yes, I know.” He escorted her back through the restaurant and out the door. “I’ll get to enjoy it one day.” He helped her back into the car. “I have one more event planned for this evening,” he announced as they headed back toward the freeway. “Dancing.”

Shaundra blushed, remembering Ichiro’s erotic movements on stage last night. “Are we going back to the club in Shibuya?”

“No, the lounge at the hotel. I don’t want to give Mr. Niigata a heart attack once he discovers that I don’t have the guards. There is a live band performing tonight and I’m in the mood to party.”

So much for his freedom
, she thought as they entered the city limits once again.

Ichiro parked the rental car a safe distance away from the other cars and they got out and went back inside the hotel to the lounge. A waitress escorted them to a booth. The place was crowded and the band played a mixture of songs. Ichiro turned to the waitress. “I want to dance with the lovely lady first and then we will order drinks.”

Shaundra sat down, but Ichiro remained standing. He left her at the table for a moment, walked over to the band and spoke to the lead singer before returning to her.

“A man’s request,” the lead singer announced to the audience.

The next thing she knew, Ichiro was leading her on the floor to the opening chords of
Love Serenade
by Barry White.

Shaundra gulped.
This is serious love enhancement music
. Before she could react, she was in Ichiro’s arms, pressed against his chest and swaying slowly to the music.

* * * *

Satoshi and Takumijo slid into a booth in the hotel lounge wearing dark clothes and dark shades to disguise themselves. Satoshi nudged Takumijo and pointed toward the dance floor at Ichiro and Shaundra Morrison.

Takumijo stared. “Is that Ichiro dancing slowly with a Shaundra Morrison?”

Satoshi nodded. “I’m shocked too. Ichiro never dances at any other time except for practice and on the stage.” The waitress arrived at their table again. “Two beers.” She left again. The music changed several times during the next couple of minutes, but Ichiro and Shaundra did not stop dancing.

“This is serious,” Takumijo stated. “It’s like the two of them are in a world all their own.”

“Maybe they are,” Satoshi replied, a little upset inside to think straight. Why hadn’t he made a move when he had the chance to?

“I don’t care what Yori says. I think the two of them have slept together already.”

Satoshi watched the dancers’ movements below the waist. Their pelvic areas touched. “If they haven’t made love yet, I suspect that it will happen before the night ends. There is just so much a man can take.”

“There’s something I haven’t figured out yet,” Takumijo replied. “Why is she with Ichiro now when in the beginning she seemed to like Yori?”

“Yori is engaged to Amaya,” Satoshi explained.

“So?”

“So, you know Yori. He wants to do the honorable thing, so he’s told Shaundra about his engagement, which is like giving Shaundra his permission to forget about him and to date Ichiro. I think Shaundra cares for both Ichiro and Yori, but in different ways.”

“Still confused.” The waitress returned with their beers and left.

“Yori is in love with Shaundra Morrison, but he can’t have a relationship with her because he is engaged to Amaya. He has a decision to make, but he doesn’t know what to do. So, while he’s confused and terrified, Ichiro has fallen for her too. Since Ichiro doesn’t think Yori will break up with Amaya, he’s not wasting time moving in.”