In Deep Kimchi (19 page)

“You have it all wrong,” Yori argued. “It’s just a photo. Ichiro can have Ms. Morrison. I have no plans of getting in his way.”

“You better not. He’s been writing some kick ass songs since he met her. I’m beginning to like her, too, for that reason.”

Satoshi chuckled, even though the situation was far from funny. Those two idiots were in love with the same woman. This could only end badly for all of them.

“Don’t you think you should apologize to Ich?” Takumijo asked.

“For what? I haven’t done anything wrong.”

“Then just go out there and talk to him. It’s his first love and he’s hurting.”

“Shit,” Yori replied. “You guys need to stop babying him. Ich is a full-grown man. If he wants Shaundra, he better grow some balls and asked her out.”

“He won’t do it as long as he thinks you’re interested in her,” Takumijo replied.

“Okay,” Yori finally agreed. “Anything to get you off my back.” He stormed out of the room, leaving Takumijo and Satoshi alone.

“This is going to end badly, isn’t it?” Takumijo asked.

“Oh yes,” Satoshi agreed. “And we’re going to suffer the repercussions.”

* * * *

Why me?
Yori thought as he made his way into the other room. This was one of those times he hated being the leader.
What am I going to say to him
? He couldn’t put his own feelings into words yet. He dug his hands into his pocket and sighed. Why was life so difficult?

Just do the right thing
, a tiny voice whispered into his head. Yori frowned. One of these days he was going to punch that little voice of reason right in the mouth.

He entered the room and stopped. Ichiro was seated slump-shouldered on a cement bench in the garden facing the wall. Guilt and envy gnawed at Yori’s gut. Ichiro was his friend…his baby brother. “You really like her, don’t you?”

Ichiro raised his head quickly and turned around to face him. “I don’t know what you mean.”

Yori pulled his hands out of his pockets, walked over and sat down next to him on the bench. “Don’t lie to me, Ich,” he said angrily. “If you like her, why don’t you ask her out for a date like I told you before?”

Ichiro lowered his head. “I’m afraid she’ll turn me down. After all, I am just a boy to her.”

Yori sighed, raised his hand and ruffled Ichiro’s hair. “Haven’t you looked at yourself in the mirror lately? You’re six feet tall, gorgeous, and definitely not a boy any longer.”

Ichiro pulled away from him. “But I look like a girl.”

True, but it would not help things if he agreed. “If that’s your problem, then do something about it
.” I can’t believe I’m saying this
. “Cut that hair and update your wardrobe. You’re muscular and have a nice behind. Women go for that. Shaundra won’t be able to resist you.”
Shit. What am I saying?

Ichiro dried his eyes. “You think so?”

Yori put his hand on Ichiro’s shoulder. “I’m sure of it. I’ll even take you shopping.”

Ichiro rose and took a step away from him. “I saw the way you looked at her. You like her too.”

Yori lowered his head so he didn’t have to meet Ichiro’s accusing stare. “I’m engaged to Amaya.”

“Don’t lie to me, Yori. I might be young but I am not stupid.” He shook his finger at him. “I knew something was wrong. That’s the secret you have with Satoshi.”

Yori hopped from the bench, walked over to him, grabbed his shoulders and gave him a stern shake. “Let me repeat myself. I am engaged to Amaya.”

“But if you weren’t?”

Yori’s voice broke and he fought to keep from sounding as broken hearted as he felt. He let go of Ichiro’s shoulders and walked away before the tears stinging his eyes flowed. “Then we wouldn’t be having this conversation. Come on, they’re waiting for us. We have an appointment.” Yori opened the door and Satoshi and Takumijo nearly fell in. “Everything is fine,” he told them. “Let’s go.”

Chapter Twelve

“This is the life,” Shaundra said as she relaxed in the hot springs. Dorothy sat next to her sipping on a large glass of iced tea.

“It sure is. I feel rejuvenated already.”

“I wonder how the men are enjoying their soak on the other side of this wall.”

“Probably embarrassed to be naked in front of each other. All except Jackson. He must be having the time of his life.”

“I wonder if Harper is still mad at me.” Part of her didn’t really care, but he was her employer.

Dorothy turned her nose up at the thought. “Probably, but it’s not your fault.”

Shaundra turned her head so Dorothy could not see the pained look in her eyes. “I could have prevented it. I know they both like me.” Oh God, she felt like such a big tease.

“I should be so lucky. I’ve never had two men interested in me and you have three.”

Shaundra sighed. “I’m afraid it could be more than that. Add the photographer friend of Harper and Aomori’s music arranger I met the other night. His name is John Sampson.”

Dorothy perked up. “I’ve heard of him. He was famous in the United States. You say he’s here in Tokyo?”

Damn, Dorothy’s eyes lit up like two neon lights. Did others see her like that too, old and desperate? Shaundra shuddered, hoping not. “Yes. See what you missed the other night?”

“You have to arrange for another one of those rehearsal invites. I wouldn’t mind meeting John Sampson. He’s fine.”

“I don’t know what’s happening. I must be emitting some kind of female dog in heat scent.”

Dorothy laughed loudly. “You think? Honey, you’re beautiful, shapely and available. Add a gifted erotic author who’s financially independent and you’re going to draw men to you like flies.”

Shaundra laughed, splashing water toward Dorothy. “You’re worse they are. Give me some advice. What would you do if you were in my shoes?”

“I would screw all of them.”

Shaundra continued to laugh. “I don’t know why I asked you.” It was not like the thought hadn’t crossed her mind a time or two.

“Ask yourself honestly which one you like best, and let me say Ichiro has the loveliest blue eyes, which is a rarity in Asia.”

“He also has the softest skin. I feel like putting talc all over him,” Shaundra confessed.

“Listen to us,” Dorothy said. “We’re old enough to be his mother.”

She shuddered in the warm water as an image of a naked Ichiro formed in her head. “Then how come I’m not having motherly thoughts about him and Yori?”

“That Yori is so hot,” Dorothy replied, lifting her leg out of the hot water and then lowering it. She did the same with the other one.

“Yeah, I know. He makes my heart flutter and my skin sizzle when we dance together. And he’s a great kisser.”
Oops, maybe I should not have said that
.

“Ooh, you’ve kissed him? When?”

“Shush. The other night when we came back from the photo shoot. We stopped for a drink in the lounge after you guys went upstairs to your rooms. He ordered champagne and the next thing I know, we were kissing like a couple of randy kids outside of my hotel room door.” Shaundra touched her mouth. Yori’s kiss had been so hot and demanding.

“Outside the room? Are you crazy? Why didn’t you bring the man into the room?”

“Don’t think I wasn’t tempted. But then reality sank in and I sent his horny ass to his room.”

“You’re a cock tease.”

Shaundra chuckled. “I’ve been called worse.”
Hell, I’ve done worse
.

“I’m beginning to see a whole different side of you, darling. You’re not the innocent woman the world thinks you are.”

Shaundra chuckled. “Hell no. I’ve done my fair share of dirt in my youth. But it all changed after my husband died.” She stopped talking. Maybe she had said too much. The anger she felt for him leaving her behind still hurt.

“He died, honey, not you. Just because there’s a little snow on the mountain doesn’t mean you have to give up living.”

Shaundra treaded water and then swam back. “Yes, I know. I’m so confused. I don’t want to make the wrong decision. Is it possible that I can have both of them?” Joking was the way she covered up how she really felt.

“You know the answer to that. You’re one of the best erotic writers in the world. Of course you can.”

Shaundra smirked wickedly. “That’s what I like about you, Dorothy. Charlotte would have told me hell no.”

“That’s why she’s stuck in New York mooning over Harper. Maybe if she’d loosen up a bit, she’d have him by now.”

“Speaking of him, I hope he doesn’t blow this partnership because of his one-sided affection for me. I’ve told him a thousand times that I’m not interested in him that way.”

“Harper is not stupid. This partnership is too important to him. He’s not going to mess it up because Aomori is smitten with you.”

“Only two of Aomori. The other two just tolerate me.” She stretched. “I think I’ve been in the water too long. I’m starting to wrinkle.” She swam to the edge, got out and put on her robe.

Dorothy followed her. “I’ve got enough wrinkles. It’s time for our massages anyway.”

* * * *

Yori spotted Shaundra as she disappeared behind the door with her masseuse, moments after he finished with his massage. They had paired her up with a male. Yori shuddered. It took everything he had not to barge into the room and toss the man out and take his place. His cell phone rang. Yori pulled it out of his pocket. “Damn, it’s Amaya.” He pressed the green button. “Hello.”

“Hello, Father has finalized his plans. We are arriving tomorrow.”

“I’ll be waiting,” he said, trying to sound convincing as he kept his eyes on the door. “I’ll call you later.” He hung up before Amaya could respond and put his cell phone back into his pocket. What was he going to do now? And how was he going to keep Amaya from finding out about those photos? The photographer told them that the magazine would be printed tonight and they would be on newsstands tomorrow.

“What are you doing?” Satoshi asked as he came out of one of the rooms fixing his clothes.

“Stalking,” Yori answered.

Satoshi looked around. “Who?”

“Shaundra Morrison.”

“Where is she?”

Yori pointed toward the room. “She just entered a short time ago wearing a short white robe and exposing those shapely brown legs.”

“Why are you torturing yourself?” Satoshi asked.

“I’m not doing it on purpose. I wish Ich and Takumijo would hurry up so we can get out of here before she’s exits.”

“You know Takumijo. He’s milking it for all it’s worth.”

“That sounds so dirty.”

“Picked it up in America on my last trip.”

Ichiro appeared next, followed by Takumijo.