In Deep Kimchi (30 page)

Shaundra nearly choked on her coffee. “He is not. He’s engaged. All I am to him is a temporary fascination. I don’t think you come across many African American females and he’s curious.”

Satoshio folded his arms in front of him. “Then why do you think he hit Ichiro? They’ve been like brothers from the moment they met.”

“Because he’s a bully.”

“No, because he’s jealous. He doesn’t want Ichiro in your bed.”

Shaundra blushed as the image entered her head. “But he’d look so good there with all that hair spread out on my pillow.”

Satoshi’s head bobbed up and down. “You love his hair too?”

Shaundra stopped the fantasy and stared at him.

He shook his head in denial. “I’m not gay,” Satoshi assured her. “I just have this thing for his hair. Always have. I think I’m jealous because mine won’t grow that long or feel so soft.”

“Is it really soft?” Shaundra asked, forgetting about her food.

Satoshi lifted his cup and sipped. “Yes, and he keeps it squeaky clean.”

Shaundra trembled involuntarily. “I think I better stop talking about Ichiro’s hair before I…” Shaundra clamped her legs tight.

Satoshi smiled wickedly at her. “I would be glad to assist you with your little problem.” He pointed downward toward his crotch.

“I do not have a little problem.”
Think happy thoughts. Think happy thoughts
.

He leaned closer. “I am not an innocent like Ichiro. I do know that look. The thought of him and that hair has you aroused.”

Shaundra fanned herself with a napkin. “Okay, so I admit that it has me curious.”

“And wet.”

She tossed the napkin at him. “You are horrible.”

"And you are one sexy author.”

She was going to strangle him if he didn’t stop. Shaundra put her finger to her lip to silence him. “Shush, that is a secret.”

He leaned back in the seat. “How long are you going to tease the two of them?”

“I’m not teasing. Something always comes up at the wrong moment.”

“It wouldn’t with me.”

Her head did that spin thing again. “Huh?” She looked over at him.

“Does this come as a surprise that I might be interested in you too?”

Shaundra shook her head. God, he was so beautiful too. “No, you made it perfectly clear a moment ago when you offered to help me with my little problem. The only thing I can’t figure out is why?”

“Because I have a feeling that there is more to Shaundra Morrison than meets the eye.”

Shaundra reached for her glass of water and took a big sip before answering. “No there isn’t.”

“Come to Osaka and prove it to me.”

“Ichiro and Yori won’t let you get near me.”

“I’m near you now and, besides, Masaaki has warned them to stop this bickering.”

Takumijo entered the restaurant and headed toward their table. He was dressed in a pair of jeans that rode low on his narrow hips, a white sleeveless sweatshirt that had seen better days, and a pair of sandals. His long hair was mussed like he’d just stepped out of the showers.

Damn, is this misery ever going to end?

 
“Satoshi, this is low even for you.”

Satoshi straightened up in the seat. “What do you mean?” he asked innocently.

Devil child
. She picked up her cup of coffee and sipped as she eyed Takumijo’s muscles.

Takumijo joined them at the table. “Sneaking out with Ms. Morrison for an early morning rendezvous while Yori and Ichiro are stuck in their rooms like two caged animals.”

Shaundra smiled from behind her cup of coffee and tried not to choke.

“No, I believe I have done worse stuff, and you could at least say good morning.”

Takumijo said something swiftly in Japanese and signaled for the waitress. The young woman hurried over bearing a menu and a very big smile. “I’ll have what they’re having, but double portions. That workout has me famished.” The waitress went off giggling. “What are you two up to this morning?” he asked, reaching for a piece of sausage from Satoshi’s plate.

“We are discussing Ms. Morrison’s trip to Osaka with us.”

“You're going to like Osaka. It’s very beautiful this time of year, and you have to see our home. It has a rehearsal and a dance studio.”

Shaundra cut into a pancake and popped it into her mouth. She chewed carefully and then swallowed. “I think those are the most words I’ve heard you say since we met.”
Dry panties, yeah
. Takumijo did not see her as a conquest.

“I figured it was about time I got acquainted with the woman who may or may not be the end of Aomori.”

“Damn,” Shaundra replied as she frowned at him. “Maybe you shouldn’t talk to me.”

“All I’m saying is you have three of my friends all emotionally involved with you. So, if you’re going to come with us to Osaka, I guess I have to be the one to protect you from them.”

The waitress returned with his food and Takumijo rewarded her with a smile and sent her on her way.

Satoshi made a face. “I don’t see why all these women like you.”

Takumijo flexed a muscle at him. “Because they have good taste.” He began eating his meal.

Satoshi touched her hair again. “Ms. Morrison does not need protection from me. I am harmless.”

Shaundra brushed it away.

Takumijo swallowed. “About as harmless as a tarantula. I bet you’ve already made a pass at her. He turned to her. “Don’t be taken in by his sweet talk. Behind those big brown eyes beats the mind of a serial Romeo.”

Shaundra laughed. She hadn’t known Takumijo had such a sense of humor. “I’ll be on my guard.”

“So, you are agreeing to come to Osaka?”

Ichiro entered the restaurant dressed in a pair of black jeans with silver chains running through the belt hoops and around one of his legs. He also wore a skin-tight, black sleeveless T-shirt that showed off the muscles of his well-developed chest. His hair was pulled back in a ponytail and the most of it was shoved beneath a baseball cap except the tail and the bangs. Talk about adorable and sexy.

Satoshi followed her eyes to the door. The crotch of her panties dampened.

“Your eyes didn’t flicker like that when Takumijo walked in.”

Shaundra blushed.
Busted
.

“Our baby has grown into a babe magnet,” he told Takumijo.

Shaundra fanned herself. “He sure has.”

Ichiro walked over to her at the table, bowed, and then kissed her hand as he sat down next to her. He smacked his lips. “Maple syrup.”

“Care to join us?” She spotted the bruise under his eye. She reached out and touched it. Ichiro winced. “I guess that hurts.”

“Well worth it.”

She ran her finger down his cheek to his chin. “Hopefully it will never happen again.” She beckoned him closer and kissed the spot.

“I have a bruise right here,” Satoshi told her for attention.” He pointed to his lips.

Shaundra got over, walked over to him and kissed on him on the lips, surprising him, and then returned to her seat.

Ichiro chuckled. “You better enjoy that because it is the only one you’re going to get.”

Satoshi sat stunned. “That was so delightful.”

The waitress had returned and stood there staring at Ichiro, quite flustered, like she was about to faint in his presence. “What can I get for you, Mr. Yoshida? Would you like some coffee?”

“Do you have any Shochu?”

Shaundra laughed at the private joke.

“What’s so funny?” Satoshi asked.

“Shochu makes Ms. Morrison adventurous.”

“No,” the waitress replied. “We do not serve alcohol.”

“Then I’ll have some tea, fresh fruit and wheat toast.”

The young woman left, obviously shocked by their conversation.

“I sure hope she’s not a fan girl,” Shaundra replied. “I’d hate to have her poison my food.” She looked up at the door. Aomori’s leader entered.

“Damn,” Satoshi replied. “Those eyes do that for him too.”

“What are you mumbling about?” Ichiro asked Satoshi as Shaundra fed him from her plate.

“Nothing, and since when do you eat pancakes?”

“I am suddenly developing a strange liking to them.”

“Good morning,” Yori said as he approached.

“Good morning,” Shaundra replied. “Would you care to join us?”

He did so hesitantly and sat on the other side of Takumijo.

She fed Ichiro again and the young man licked the syrup from his lips.

Shaundra sighed. Heaven couldn’t get any better than sitting around a table eating pancakes in the presence of the four handsomest men in the world.

The waitress returned with Ichiro’s food and nearly fainted when she saw Yori. “Good morning, Mr. Morioka.”

Yori nodded at her and she broke into a big, stupid grin. She handed him a menu.

“I don’t need one,” he said, watching Shaundra still feeding Ichiro. “I know what I want.”

“Yes?”

Shaundra looked over at him and he stared back.

“What I want isn’t on the menu.”

Shaundra gulped. Apparently, he meant her.

Chapter Seventeen

“Do I look okay?” Shaundra asked Dorothy as they walked into the ballroom after the grand opening of KiNii.

“You look smashing, and red is definitely your color.”

Shaundra hated formal events, dreaded wearing a long gown, and after an hour of walking in high heels, the balls of her feet would be screaming for mercy. She pulled at the straps of her gown. “I hope I don’t flash anyone in this halter top. My boobs are just popping out of this thing.”

Dorothy chuckled. “Like I told you before, if I had your figure, I’d be letting it all hang out.”

Dorothy was dressed for her age in a long blue gown with a matronly collar while she was showing a lot of cleavage. She had to stop Harper from choosing her clothes and underwear. The thong and garter he had picked out for her tonight was simply shocking.

“You look beautiful. Stop fidgeting.”

“This thong is sliding up my butt and cutting off my circulation.”

Dorothy chuckled, led her into the ballroom and up front to the podium stage where she and the rest of the authors would sit during the beginning of the program. Jackson, Riley and the four Asian writers were already seated.