ONE

HOW WE STARTED

Flower

"Dude, that was so much fun!" Bridget grabs my and Evangelina as we exit the club. The cool night air brings goose bumps up all over my body. I feel my nipples harden against the coolness of the night air and move to cover myself. "Promise that you will come out with us again sooner rather than later," Bridget stops short, demanding with her arms on her hips.

"Yeah, promise, and I mean pinky promise, because you know your little, tiny ass will be looking for a way to renege if we don't." Evangelina pulls away from our three-way hug to stick her pinky finger out to both of us.

Glaring while griping both women's proffered fingers with mine, I hiss, "You guys act like I don't keep my word. I've already said that I will definitely come out with you again."

"We know you keep your word, luv, but we also know that once you are safely ensconced in your tiny little hovel of an apartment, it will be hell dragging you out again," Bridget tuts and busses my cheek to soften her words. "You like people, but you're so wary now…"

"Not without cause," Evangelina is quick to add.

"No, not without cause. At the same time, we see our daring extrovert bestie turning into a hermit." Bridget shrugged helplessly.

"I know. I promise to do better. I came over here to be with you guys and take some time for myself, and we have barely seen each other since I've been here."

"That's not all on you, though," Evangelina chimes in.

"Nope, you're not the only one to blame, either. This tech gig is crazy, the CEOs of this company are very demanding. Eva and I are super busy working on this product launch." Bridget hugs me by way of apologizing. "We promise to do better as well."

"Bet," Evangelina adds, joining our hug. I know how much the whole Tokyo adventure means to my friends and their burgeoning IT engineering careers.

"Excuse me, ladies." Looking up, I pull away from them to see a man dressed in a black suit holding a chauffeur's hat tucked under his arm, bowing slightly before us. "My employer would like a word with you."

"Told you one of you had a secret admirer." I smirk, patting both girls on their shoulders. "And he's probably a million years old." I turn my head to the side so the driver couldn't hear.

"Well, where is he?" Bridget sighs, being the most likely candidate. She's long, sexy, and cool. Men flock to her, much to her dismay. She never understands what they see in her, but I saw the appeal my friend held the moment we met in freshman English. There are very few men not attracted to her. I know she'll be polite and turn the person down gently. My besties are way too busy with their tech project for one of Tokyo's biggest firms to allow any distractions. For TekMoto to pick their startup over some of the biggest firms with millions of dollars invested was a huge get. I know they won't allow anything to impede their success. I'm so proud to have the two trailblazers as my best friends. They wanted me to join their firm when they started, but I'd already been tasked with launching my brothers' global brand at the time, so I turned them down. They assure me when I'm ready, I'll have a place with BITE, their IT firm.

I still have other plans though—my dream of creating movies about women of color, believing true representation matters and is sorely lacking in the industry on all points. Having the resources, I can secure the backing and financing on my name alone. I plan on conquering the industry as soon as I finish helping my brothers launch their IPO.

"I beg your pardon, madam, but it is not you he wishes to see but your friend."

I smile over to Evangelina, stopping when I see she's staring at me.

"What? Don't keep the man waiting, Eva, you need to get some rest before work Monday, and you will need all day tomorrow to sleep." Bobbing my head from side to side I laugh in her face.

"He's talking to you, dummy." Eyes round as saucers, Evangelina looks back at me blinking expectantly.

"I told you that dress is dangerous." Bridget laughs like me wearing the dang thing is not her fault.

Heat races beneath my skin. I honestly can't believe this. No one ever buys me a drink just to meet me. There must be an angle. I'll go, be polite, pretend to entertain whatever scheme they think to get my brothers to invest in.

"Okay, show me the way." I plaster a smile on my face as the driver leads me to the car several feet away.

"We'll be waiting right here for you, sweetie," Evangelina calls.

"Yeah, tell granddaddy, we said, hi!" Bridget teases before both traitors burst into giggles.

Walking and wishing my dress doesn't edge up any higher, I follow the driver to the car. Hopefully, this won't take too long. I'll thank the person, decline any offers, and be in and out in less than five minutes—ten, tops. The car is a sleek black Rolls Royce, very elegant, a statement, but none of the ostentation that screams nouveau riche. It's understated, giving the impression it's used as intended. Having been around wealth most of my life, I know how people with old money live. No, the person who owns this vehicle has nothing to prove. He has wealth. He doesn't need to flaunt it.

As we reach the idling car, the driver moves smoothly in front of me opening the door. I smile my thanks as he offers me his hand to help her in. I'm so grateful he doesn't fully close the door, leaving it partially open standing sentinel in front offering a sense of privacy. Turning into the plush confines of the car, I smooth down the edges of my dress. Keeping my smile in place, I peek into the darkness of the car.

My breath catches.

The man sitting ensconced in the back seat is not an octogenarian— nowhere near it. He is a revelation. I wouldn't be able to speak even if I had the words. A slight panic grips me. I'm not prepared for this.

On any level.

This man is beautiful, way beyond handsome, and he wants to see me. This has to be about my brothers. It's the only thing that makes sense.

"It pleases me you agreed to meet me." The beautiful man bows his head slightly, giving me a view of his hair tied back in an intricate knot. His features are regal holding a certain hauteur. His energy so intense, rolls off him in waves. Everything about him is immaculate, from the way he sits to the way his arm lies over his crossed leg. He dominates this space. I bet he commands every room he entered. Lord of a he surveys. What my brothers would call an OG Playa.

"You're welcome." Cringing hearing words I want to kick myself for sounding like a breathier Marilyn Monroe. What was wrong with me? I'm totally losing it. Clearing my throat, I give it another try. "How may I help you?" I push as much steel into my voice as I can, going right back into my no-nonsense business mode like I do when managing my brothers' business. This was where I'm most comfortable. Being efficient, handling things, and woe to this dude no matter how gorgeous if he tried to pull a fast one regarding my brothers.

He quirks an eyebrow leaning back. His eyes glitter at the challenge. His jaw flexes as if to say, "Accepted."

His black shirt pulls back tightly against his lean frame. Lean and long from what I can tell from my silent perusal. Oh my goodness, he is everything sexy wrapped up in a very delicious bow. Oh, how I would enjoy him…

"I asked to meet you because I would like to see you again," his voice rumbles deep, causing all kinds of tingly Bombay Sapphire–laden sensations to pulse in my body and settling hot and deep at the apex of my thighs. Can a voice make you come? His could.

"Come again, now?" I wall in the giggle that threatens, tilting my head at the guy. Surely, he didn't just ask to see me and not one of my friends?

This was one for the record books. Evangelina and Bridget will be out of their minds with jealousy and "I told you so" after this.

"Is that so hard to believe? I want to see you again. Unless you'd rather come home with me now."

And just like that, I realize this has nothing to do with FADE or Ghadi, my super famous brothers. This man probably didn't even know who they were.

This was all about me. I'm in uncharted territory. He is fine as hell, yes, but this is not why I came to Tokyo. I came to see what I want to do with the rest of my life and find my own way without the influence of my powerful family easing the way. I'm also taking time for myself and not others for the first time in like, forever. He could also be a serial killer, I remind myself, glancing at the door in a way I hope is not too obvious.

"I'm very flattered, but I'm sorry, I don't think this is a good idea," I hedge edging toward the door. "I don't know you, and despite what you may be used to with other Americans, this is not how I get down."

"So, you are afraid." Derision drips from his every word stopping me cold.

"No, I'm not afraid of you." I spare him a wrathful glance.

"Really? Your voice quivers as you speak. Is that from fear, little girl or desire?" He has cruel lips quirk, my gaze snags watching him. Plush, kissable, sinful lips promising nothing but wickedness.

"Neither, it's from rage." I look at him with what I hope is my meanest glare. I've seen recording executives cower under my gaze many times. Shivering when I laid out my directives and plans to best benefit Creative Chaos.

"Prove it," comes his bored, unaffected reply. "Come here."

"And do what?" I challenge, "I don't even know your name."

"It's Akchiro Takeda, and you will be screaming it soon. Come here, my little Flower." He leans back, giving me no doubt exactly where he wants me to sit— on those rock hard thighs the smooth silk of his suit can hide. Shock rockets through me as I take in his words and his long body sprawled back. This was a man who knows what he wanted. Takes what he wants. And he wants me. He commands, and damn if I'm not considering acquiescing.

"How do you know my name?" There's that breathlessness again.

"The moment I saw you, I made it my mission to know you. Your name is only the beginning, Flower. Flower, what a beautiful name. We say Hana here." The promise of his words makes me want to squirm for many reasons. I love the way he calls me Hana.

To say he intrigues me is putting it mildly. The emotion goes far beyond what I feel or can quantify. I don't have a neat little box to put Mr. Takeda in. He tempts me more than I have ever been in my life. He has charisma, yes, but there was more drawing me to him. The intensity of his desire is incandescent.