Udon. Now that made sense. “So we’re having noodles?”

“You picked that up from the conversation? I’m impressed.”

“Don’t be. Noodles and bathroom are the extent of my Japanese language skills.”

Ronin’s fingers gripped her chin, forcing her to meet his hard gaze. “Buck up and understand you will have to rely on me for a lot of things on this trip, as much as it pains you to do so.”

That brought a smile. “It doesn’t pain me.”

“Then what is it?”

Amery studied him. His long black hair was unruly. His cheeks and jaw sported dark stubble. His bottom lip had a swollen spot on the left side. Thinking about how he’d gotten that mark sent a shiver of awareness through her. The second time he’d had his wicked way with her on the plane, he’d plowed into her with such force, with such unquenchable need he only showed to her, that she’d bit him. It hadn’t fazed him. He’d put his mouth on her ear and growled, “More. Use your teeth on me. I want to wear your passion on my skin.”

So she had. She’d given him a hickey above the edge of his collarbone. It had shocked her that her nails digging into the back of his neck while she sucked a love bruise on him had set him off.

“Amery?”

When she met his gaze again, she noticed his golden-brown eyes had softened and he’d relaxed his grip on her chin. She released a sigh, amazed as always this beautiful man was hers.

So he wants to show off a little. Spoil you a bit. Is that really so bad?

No.

Because of their financial disparity, she’d been insistent they were partners in their marriage, which worked on many levels—the most important ones for sure. But on other levels . . . she knew she’d never be his equal. And she had to accept that fact as much as he had to accept that she’d be uncomfortable with certain aspects of being with him because of who he was.

“Baby. Your silence is scaring me. What’s going on?”

Amery leaned in and licked the swollen bump on his lip before she sucked it hard. She smirked at his quick, surprised intake of breath. “I remembered I know another Japanese phrase.”

“Yeah? Which one?”

She whispered, “Aishiteru wa.”

He closed his eyes and his exhale drifted over her lips. “I love you too.” His hand slid down and curled around her throat. While feathering his thumb across her rapidly beating pulse, he pulled her close. The kiss started out slow and sweet. But things would heat up quickly and they’d be going at it in the back of the limo if she didn’t stop it, because heaven knew Ronin wouldn’t.

She broke the kiss. “Steaming-hot noodles first; steamy-hot sex second.”

“Deal.”

They stopped at a roadside noodle joint. Amery was more interested in watching Ronin interact with the locals, than what type of noodle dish he ordered for them, because weren’t all bowls of noodles basically the same?

No. Not even close.

Amery ate her food so fast Ronin laughed. Then he ordered her a smaller bowl of another kind of noodles and she downed that too.

She fought a wave of sleepiness as they climbed back in the car and drove to Kyoto.

Ronin’s phone rang. Was it her imagination or did Ronin sit up straighter before he answered?

When he said, “Ojisan,” she knew why Ronin had tensed; his grandfather was calling.

The conversation lasted longer than she’d expected. Ronin said her name several times. He even laughed—a genuine laugh.

That boggled the mind. From everything she’d heard, and what she’d read online, Nureki Okada was one scary man—even at his advanced age—and not prone to joking. Ever. Someone had even commented he’d had his funny bone removed in his youth in favor of having a shark’s fin implanted.

Ronin hung up and remained quiet longer than usual.

“Is everything all right?”

“Yes. My grandfather sends his best wishes that we enjoy our time in Japan until he sees us in Tokyo.” He paused. “It’s . . . strange how much easier it is to speak with him now. I thought he’d be cold and pull that ‘I’m disappointed’ bullshit, especially since Shiori is in a holding pattern as far as continuing in the family business. But he seems happy with how my mother is handling everything.”

“That’s good, right?”

“Very good.” Ronin threaded their fingers together. “He asked about you.” A soft smile curved his lips. “Wanting to know if you were pregnant yet. In the past I would’ve seen that as him meddling in my life.”

“But now?”

“Now I see it for what it is. His way of wanting a connection with us and having hope for the future.”

Amery laid her head on his shoulder. “I can’t wait to meet him even though I’m scared shitless of him.”

“Believe me, I understand.” Ronin nuzzled the top of her head. “I’m so glad you’re here with me, Amery.”

When the car stopped, Ronin waited for the driver to open the door. “I know what you’re thinking. It’s not like me to allow others to wait on me. But it’s different here. It’s an insult if I don’t allow these people to do their jobs.”

After they exited the car, Amery realized they were in an alley of a residential street. None of the houses, all crowded together, were higher than two stories. This seemed an odd place for a hotel.

Keeping hold of her hand, Ronin led them up a narrow stone walkway. At the front door he exposed a security box hidden in the siding and punched a code on the keypad. She heard the locks pop before he turned the handle and opened the door.




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