I drop to one knee, and when Mei turns around, she almost trips over me. Laughing, I steady her, and when she realizes what I’m doing, she gasps, her eyes welling up with tears.
My men are lined up along the back of the house, and Toru holsters his pistol before taking Kuzi from Mei. “Little furry monster.” He backs away with the purring cat in his arms.
“Is this really happening?” Mei covers her face with her hands.
I reach up and pull them away, then kiss each one. “This is real. You and I–we’re the realest thing I’ve ever known.”
“I can’t believe it.” She wipes away a tear as I take the ring from my pocket. “Mei Nakamura, will you be my wife?”
“Of course!” She lunges forward, her momentum carrying us to the grass as my men laugh and clap. She peppers my face with kisses as I hold on to her and slide one hand down to make sure she isn’t showing anyone too much skin. This beautiful body is all mine, and only mine. “I love you!” She kisses my mouth, lingering there.
I deepen it, tonguing her as she moans lightly.
Toru whistles high and sharp. “Okay, guys, back into the house. Our work here is done.”
Once we’re alone, I flip her onto her back. “Are you happy?”
“So happy.” She spreads her legs and welcomes me between her thighs. “Never been happier.”
That’s exactly what I wanted to hear.
“Though there’s one thing that might make me even happier.” She moves her hips, rubbing herself against my hard cock.
“Then you shall have it. But first–” I get to my knees and take her hand, then slide the ring onto her finger.
She stares at it as I free my cock and pull her panties off. “It’s so big and sparkly. Wow. And I love the opals along the sides. They’re my favorite.”
“I know.” I run the tip of my cock along her entrance, then slide into her. Pleasure rockets through me, and when she yanks me down for another kiss, I know the bond between us is something that will last for all time.
“I love you, Kaz.” She rocks against me, showing me how much she needs me as I start a hard, steady rhythm. “I’m yours.”
“I’ve been yours before we ever met.” I kiss her, sealing my heart to her with a kiss. She’s everything to me. And soon, she’ll be my bride.
Just the thought of her in a traditional uchikake makes me warm all over. God, what a beautiful bride she’ll be.
“I can’t wait to be your wife.” She kisses me, and we spend the next hour on the lawn making love, making plans, and planning our new life together.
“You’ve been engaged a week, not even married yet, and I already can’t seem to get you to focus.” Toru groans and rubs the bridge of his nose.
“I’m focused.” I shrug, then finish tying my kimono. “Do you think Mei will like the black or the gray better?”
He rolls his eyes. “She’ll love anything you choose. How’s her shopping? I get constant texts from Ritsu, Ken, and the other six you sent to guard her. I think they’re bored out of their minds hanging around a dress shop.” His phone pings right on cue.
“She’s at the final fitting. She has a traditional kimono for the wedding and then a Western dress for the reception. Where are we on the planning?”
“Everything’s ready. Hideo’s flight is on time. Our car will pick him up in about half an hour. The florist is doing flower stuff, and the caterers have taken over the kitchen. Tomorrow morning, this place is going to be completely full of food and flowers.”
“Those are two of Mei’s favorite things.” I smile as I decide to go with the traditional gray. I’ll wear a black tux for the reception.
“Yeah, the gray.” Toru nods as I set my selection aside and change back into my regular clothes.
“How are our friends the Itos?” I stride from my closet with Toru at my heels.
“In total disarray. Several of their remaining soldiers are jumping ship and looking to worm their way into the other families. We’ve even had a couple ask to join us.”
“Take them.” I shrug.
“What?”
“Keep them at a low level and have our seasoned men watch them, but why not? It will only burn Isamu more when he realizes I’ve stolen them out from under him.”
Toru nods. “That’s actually a pretty good idea. Done. Oh, and the other families have all accepted your invitations to the wedding. They’ll be here.”
I figured they would. After what I’ve done to Ito, I doubt any of them want to so much as hint that they could be against me. “Good. We’ll have peace among the families. That’s what we all want. Now that Ito has fallen from his perch, we’ll be able to expand and fill that space.”