In Deep Kimchi (32 page)

“It worked,” Satoshi replied. “You’re the prettiest woman here.”

“I would stand out like a sore thumb in anything I wore here. I think I may be the only African American female present.”

“Do you have a problem with that?”

“No, I can fit in anywhere I go.”

“But I still think you’re the prettiest woman here,” Satoshi insisted.

“I doubt that. Amaya is a stunning young woman.”

Satoshi missed a stepped and then got back on track. “Oh, so you finally got to meet her.”

Why did Ichiro and Satoshi think that she wouldn’t find out about Amaya? “It was pretty hard not to since she walked up to me and introduced herself. She’s very pretty, pale and petite.”

“And she’s quite the little bitch.” He dipped her again.

Shaundra gasped. “I didn’t expect you to say that.”

Satoshi moved back into position. “But it’s the truth,” he whispered into her ear. “Don’t let that sweet smile and manners fool you. Beneath that designer gown and groomed hair lies the heart of a cunning little bitch.” His body stiffened.

“Let me guess, you do not like her.” She didn’t either, but it wasn’t her place to say.

“No, but I would never tell Yori that. He sees her differently than I do. She has always had him wrapped around her little finger.”

Had she hit a nerve? “So you have to get along with her since she’s about to marry your best friend.”

“I did not expect for you to be okay with that.”

Shaundra finally felt relaxed in his arms. “The two of them getting married has nothing to do with me. They were engaged long before I came here and will be after I leave.”

“But I thought you liked Yori,” he whispered in her ear like it was a secret.

“I do, but I am not foolish enough to believe that he would break his engagement just because he thinks he wants me. And I don’t expect him to since I’ll be leaving shortly.”

“Would you still leave if things were differently? If he did broke up with her?”

“I don’t know. I have a life in the United States.”

“Poor Ichiro will be devastated when you leave. He is so different now that you’re here.”

“I’m worried about that too. I like to hear his voice, but I’m afraid he’ll crawl back into his shell once I leave.”

“And he knows you’re leaving?”

“Yes, he says he understands.”

“But you don’t believe him?” Satoshi asked.

“No, I do not. I care for Ichiro. I don’t want to hurt him.”

“Then don’t.” The music ended and he walked her back to the table, bowed and turned her back over to Ichiro who had returned. Satoshi turned on his heels and left.

Shaundra frowned and sat down.
What is wrong with these men
?

“He didn’t try anything, did he?” Ichiro asked suspiciously.

Shaundra smiled at him. “No, we just talked. He’s really not so bad.”

Ichiro smiled back at her and nodded his head up and down. “Yes, he is. Don’t let that innocent baby face fool you. Satoshi is a player.”

She patted his hand. “I already know that. But at least he talks to me and doesn’t treat me like an outcast.”

“I don’t know if I should be jealous or not. Even Takumijo thinks highly of you and usually he’s only concerned with himself and his image in the mirror.”

Shaundra laughed. “Don’t worry. I think your friends are great, even Takumijo.”

A waiter came with another tray of champagne and Ichiro commandeered one for both of them. He handed one to her. “How long do we have to stay here?” he asked.

“Probably until it’s over since we have no other way of getting back to the hotel. Or did you rent another car and plot an escape?”

Ichiro shook his head. “Masaaki and Yori threatened to kick my ass if I did something like that again,” he confessed.

She winked at him. “It must be tough being the youngest.”

Ichiro smiled and then looked around to see if anyone had noticed. “I’m just a couple of months younger that Satoshi, and yes, it is difficult. Everything we do is for the group.”

She leaned closer. “So what’s the plan? Even I know you’re not going to let a little threat stop you.”

Ichiro smiled innocently. “There is a garden on the left side of the building. I think I can manage to sneak away for a couple of minutes without Masaaki having a heart attack.”

Shaundra put her glass of champagne on the table. “You want me to steal away with you to a garden outside?” She smiled. “I think I can handle that.”

* * * *

Yori watched Ichiro and Shaundra slip out the side door.

“They seem happy,” Amaya replied from his right. “I thought the age difference might be a problem, but Ichiro seems to adore her.”

“He’s comfortable with her.”
A little too comfortable
, Yori thought as he moved around in his seat.

“What is he going to do when she goes back to the United States?”

“I don’t know.” And he really didn’t care.

“And what about your heart? What will you do once she leaves?”

Yori turned and looked at Amaya.
Why the hell is she asking me this
? It was on the tip of his tongue to tell her that he would die inside once Shaundra left. “What do you mean? Her staying or leaving will not have any impact on me.”

Amaya chuckled. “I told you once before that I wasn’t a fool. You feel something for her even if you won’t admit it to yourself.”

He dusted an imaginary piece of lint from his trousers. “She’s a very nice person, but there can never be anything between us. You and I are engaged. You don’t have anything to worry about.”

“Then what is it that makes you stare at the door they just went out?”

Was there no end to her questioning? “Hoping he’s just staying in the garden and not try to slip off with her again. He took a pretty big chance knowing some of our fans do not like her. Not to mention that a lot of them would kidnap him if they got the chance to.”

“I think it is romantic that he would break rules to have a few moments to be alone with her.” She sighed. “I wonder what they talk about.”

“Knowing Ich, it’s probably food. His restaurant here in Tokyo is almost complete.”

“Yes, I’ve heard about it from father. He says he’s going to send all his clients to eat there when it does open.”

“Ichiro will appreciate that. It has been his dream since he was young, in honor of his beloved grandmother.”

“Hmm, do you think there’s a chance that he and Ms. Morrison might get married?”

“I don’t know.” He did care about that. He looked at the door again, wondering what they were doing. They were probably kissing and holding hands. He frowned and thought they’d better not be doing anything else. Shaundra was his.

“Do you know that Harper Kehoe picked out that gown she’s wearing tonight?”

“No, I didn’t know that,” Yori replied. “But it doesn’t surprise me since he purchased all the other clothes she’s been wearing to functions.”

“I got the info straight from one of our salesclerks from one of our clothing stores. She told me he came in and ordered several outfits for her and that other woman, Dorothy.” She giggled. “He even purchased lingerie for her...the good stuff.”

Yori stiffened. “The good stuff?”

Amaya nodded. “Yes, frilly, lacey and very expensive. My father said Mr. Kehoe has a good eye for fashion and the two of them have plans to get together to discuss some business plans before he leaves Japan.”

The thought of man purchasing underwear for Shaundra did not appeal to him. “Did he also purchase the underwear she’s wearing right now beneath that red gown?”

Amaya nodded. “He purchased a red thong and a garter belt.”

Yori crossed his legs. There was something not right with this picture. “Why would her boss buy her seductive underwear?”

“Maybe he wants to see her in it. He might be interested in her too.”

“That would make sense.” Yori did not like that. If anyone was going to see her in that red thong, it was going to be him.

The door opened and Ichiro and Shaundra came in. Ichiro was fixing his clothes and wiping his lips again.

“It looks like the two of them were getting busy in the garden,” Amaya said with a giggle.

“He would not do something like that in a public place. He might be coming out of his shell, but he’s not that daring.”

Amaya picked up her glass of champagne and sipped. “I don’t know. Lust makes men do foolish things.”

“How do you know about what lusting men do?”

“I mean, I’ve heard,” Amaya corrected.

* * * *

Her legs were still trembling even though they had come from the garden nearly an hour ago. Ichiro was just too much. A private secluded garden under a starry summer sky in Tokyo had set the scene for the perfect liaison between lovers. His kisses were soft, yet demanding, and his rock hard erection pressed against her crotch through their clothes did nothing but keep them both very turned on, even though it was impossible to complete the act. She couldn’t wait to leave the party so she could take him back to her room and make a mess of him in her bed. She looked down at her watch, wondering how much longer she had to sit there being tortured.

Masaaki and Mr. Niigata walked over to the podium and thanked everyone for coming to the party.

Not much longer
, she thought.

Amaya got up excused herself and walked off to the restroom. Poor Ichiro had dashed back to the men’s room just as soon as they came in from the garden. The thought made her thong more uncomfortable.

“Are you okay?”

Shaundra turned to her right and found Yori watching her with a little too much interest. “I’m fine. I’m just a little tired.” Her heart started beating fast again. The two of them hadn’t spoken in a while and she actually missed hearing his voice and seeing him.

“This is almost over and you can go back to the hotel and sleep.”

Sleep was the furthest thing from her mind. “Yes, I can’t wait to get out of these clothes and get comfortable.”

“Yes, I suppose a red thong is uncomfortable.”

Shaundra scowled at him. “How do you know what I’m wearing under this gown? Can you see though the material?”

“No, Amaya told me that Harper Kehoe purchased this outfit for you along with some sexy underwear from one of her father’s stores.”

“So, it’s no big secret. He thinks I’m a doll that he likes to dress.”

He moved in closer to her. “Does he often buy you lingerie too?”

Shaundra stepped back suddenly realizing that she was still emotionally attached to him. “Not often, just since I’ve been here. He has had some really nice taste up until now. Thongs are for young women.”

“I bet it looks good on you against that chocolate skin.”

Shaundra gasped and clamped her thighs together. “Shush. Someone will hear you.”