TWO

F lower

"Why me?" If I dare, this can be my chance to truly experience something just for myself, the small voice in my mind whispers. It has never been strong enough to move me before, but the longer I sit in the presence of this man, the louder it seems to get. This will be like eating my favorite German chocolate cake I'd sneak from time to time—a decadent pleasure.

"You called to me, and I couldn't take my eyes off you from the moment I saw you. And though you sit here torn between fleeing and what you really desire, you feel the same."

So matter-of-fact, his words ring true to me. He exudes patience as if he will give me all the time I need because he's assured the outcome. Sexy and dangerous. A combination that challenges and excites me. This was not what I'm used to, yet there is a part of me that longs for this. The same part that chafes at the mundanity my life has become. What happened to the fun girl? Apparently, she was still in here demanding to be set free. To live.

I move closer to him. The moment I'm within reach, he plucks me up and onto his lap.

"Now, this is where you should be." Akchiro smiles, but his gaze is hot. He tugs at one of the ponytails I plaited my hair into just before exiting the club. "What is this? I would like your hair down, please."

Asking myself why I'm following his orders, I slip my fingers into my thick tresses and begin loosening my hair from its braid. I can't believe it. I'm undoing my hair for a man I've just met. Unheard of. Flower "Don't Touch My Hair" Carrington is completely losing my dang mind. But when he touches my hair it's a touch of devotion. I blew it straight for tonight. It's long since started to curl, yet pull or snag my hair—he doesn't. His caress is bliss.

First, he lifts the mass off my neck, running his hands over the wavy plaits, further loosening them. Then he gently massages my nape, making me moan in the pleasure of his touch. I realize belatedly he knows what to do because his hair is long; he knows how1 heavy it can get.

"You're beautiful but you don't know it yet," he whispers, his eyes dark with passion. "Let me show you just how beautiful you are to me and give you pleasure. Will you let me do that for you while you're here in Tokyo, Flower? Will you blossom for me like a lotus?" He places sweet little kisses on the neck he's bared, trailing down to the hollow, where he licks, sucks the indentation, causing pleasure to pool and throb in my pussy. I clench against the sensation as his other hand molds my breast, massaging, drawing out a hardened nipple.

"Yes."

Lifting his head, Akchiro swoops down taking my lips in a searing kiss. Gasping, I moan against the crush of his soft yet firm lips. Goodness gracious! He tastes so good. His tongue is just as wicked as I want it to be. He delves into my mouth, offering himself to me, and I take him. My tongue slides alongside his. We sweep, tangle, and duel. I yield to him on a whimper when he grips my nape making me suck on the tip, teasing then rewarding me with a prelude of what is to come.

I don't know how I come to be astride him. I feel the hot heaviness of his erection throbbing against my pussy. Can't help but grind against him. He urges me on with his hands, grabbing the soft flesh of my ass. We fit together perfectly. My breasts rub against his shirt, causing little sparks of friction that shoot straight down to where our heated bodies join. If he feels this good and he not even inside me, what will sex be like with him? I wonder as he pulls away leaning down to flick my exposed nipple with his tongue. The sensations are overwhelming. I clutch him. "Oh, my..." I'm so close to him. He's giving me everything I need in this moment. Things I never realized I wanted.

Then in a moment, I feel my world shift and my body literally lift as Akchiro moves me off his lap, sitting me beside him. I whimper in protest against the soft kiss he places on my lips. I don't even realize I'm still clinging to him until he pulls my hands away, quickly adjusting my dress.

I touch my lips. They're swollen from his kisses. I close my eyes in embarrassment feeling rage simmering beneath the surface. Angry at myself for even stepping inside this car and falling under his spell.

"Oh my god, I can't believe that just happened," I mumble, peeking through my fingers.

"Believe it." His words are cold, and a muscle ticks in his jaw like he is grinding glass in his molars. Good. At least I'm not the only one affected by what we did and what we haven't. Fucker. I'm glad he's suffering, because at the moment my vagina is an inferno. Asshole.

"Now you see how it will be between us." His confidence is sexy. Everything about him exudes dominance, and he is the most beautiful man I've ever seen, and yet that won't be enough to sway me. I grew up around two brothers who dominated everything from my earliest memories and had made themselves powerhouses in the music industry. Though not immune to his obvious magnetism, I'm going to take a hard pass on any further involvement. I moved a world away from my family to get away from overwhelming masculinity, and still, I seem to draw it. Smiling, I shake my head tilting it to the side. "As much as I enjoyed our little interlude, I must decline, Mr. Takeda."

The silence is like a bomb in the car. He doesn't look surprised at my words. I can almost hear him scoff, "Americans," in his mind. His regard is unwavering. I almost want to squirm, as if I'm a child being caught doing something naughty. In this case he's the one with whom the naughtiness occurred, so his look shouldn't bother me, but it does on so many levels. It's almost as if in these short moments alone with him, he's imprinted on me in such a way that what he thinks matters.

Finally, he reaches into his pocket and presents me with his card in the traditional Japanese fashion with both hands open. Receiving it with a bow, I can feel the embossed numbers on the bottom, but rather than look down, I keep eye contact as not to seem rude.

"If you are not afraid, my beautiful, Flower, and wish to spend the rest of your time here in Tokyo as my companion, call that number and everything shall be arranged."

"I don't think so." I make my voice strong as I clutch the card. I say it's to not throw it back in his face. Another voice whispers, "Lie."

"You will, if you want to still come like you had to bite your lip a moment ago to keep from begging me to let you." He leans over taking my lips, this kiss ruthless. He ravages my mouth— and I let him. He takes and takes, and I let him. I suck his tongue into my mouth and smile when he groans. It takes all my strength to push him away. One more quick peck then, "Bao."

The door sweeps open and there the giant is, along with Evangelina and Bridget. Looking back at him, I bow again, "Goodbye, Mr. Takeda."

He bows, but his eyes never leave me as I scramble from the back seat of the limo with as much grace as possible, cringing as I hear Bridget demand, "What happened to your hair?"