They snap to attention.
“Get to your posts!” I bark.
They exchange a glance, then beat feet toward the front lawn.
Mei looks up at me, her mouth drawing down into a frown. “We were just talking.”
I go to her, staring down at her innocent face. God, does she have any clue how irresistible she looks? Of course those assholes want to be near her.
“If you need to talk, you talk to me. Got it?”
“But you were in the shower.” Her cheeks turn a bright scarlet. “And you were really busy in the shower.”
Fuuuuuck. “You saw?”
She shrugs. “I heard.”
Why does that turn me on? I don’t know, but it does. I’m hard just thinking about her watching or listening to me stroke myself while thinking about her. “How did you get out of your room?”
She waggles her eyebrows. “I have a very particular set of skills.”
I look down at her and imagine fisting her hair in my hand and giving her smart mouth exactly what it needs. Leaning down, I meet her gaze, eye to eye.
Her breath catches, and I glance at her lips as I say, “So do I.”
4
Mei
I don’t know how he thinks his veiled threat could scare me with his mouth so close to mine. It’s right there. If I leaned in just a little bit, we’d be kissing. I’d finally have my first. It’s way too tempting for me to pass up. Who knows if I’ll get another opportunity with him? So I close my eyes and press my mouth against his.
His whole body stills. I’m sure he’s surprised that I did it, but what was I supposed to do? A girl needs to be kissed sometimes, and he’s the one who put his mouth so close to mine. A mouth with full lips. Everything about this man really is big.
“You’re supposed to kiss me back,” I whisper after we stand there for a long moment with only our mouths pressed together.
“Mei–” He doesn’t get a chance to finish whatever he’s about to say ‘cause I slip my tongue past his parted lips.
He groans, and his fingers slip into my hair, gripping a fistful. With a tug, he tilts my head back, taking over the kiss. His tongue thrusts into my mouth, tangling with mine. Holy crap. I quickly see I’m in way over my head. Not wanting to seem like a prude or like I have no idea what I’m doing, I sink my teeth into his bottom lip to take a small nibble of him.
A growl leaves him as he jerks back. “You bit me.” He licks his bottom lip. I’m not sure if he’s saying it like it’s a bad or good thing.
“Well, no one feeds me around here.” I slide my sunglasses on and go back to petting Kuzi, trying to pretend my whole world didn’t just tilt on its side. No wonder people are always kissing. It’s amazing.
Kazuo stares down at me. His face is unreadable. Why did I bite him? It wasn’t a hard bite. A small nibble is all. I wanted to be all sexy and for him to think I was in his league. But my plan looks like it may have backfired on me. Now he’s not going to kiss me anymore.
“Grab your kitten, and I’ll feed you.”
“You cook?”
“Told you I have a very particular set of skills.”
I snort a laugh. “It’s cooking? I thought it was knives for sure, but I didn’t think for a second it was cooking knives.”
“One of many.”
I wiggle my nose, thinking it over. He’s being really nice now. Was it my kiss that changed his tune toward me? When my stepmom would get all flirty with my father, he’d do all kinds of things for her. I can’t believe I’m good at this seduction thing. He was touching himself while thinking about me. “Thinking about me cooking makes you blush, Mei?”
“No, it’s from the sun.” I stand with Kuzi in my hands. Women who seduce men don’t blush, so obviously I’m not blushing.
“I’ll have sunscreen ordered.” He brushes his knuckles down my cheek. His touch is gentle. “Such soft skin needs protection.”
I stare up at him, taken aback. I have to fight myself not to lean into his touch. Gone is the blood-covered warrior from earlier. He’s been replaced by this gentle giant now standing in front of me. “What else do you think you’ll need? Supplies for the kitten?” He drops his hand and starts to walk. I quickly follow after him.
“Yes, I’ll need everything. I only just got him.” I kiss the top of Kuzi’s head. “Father would never let me have one, so when I left I got him.”
“About that.” Kazuo slows his steps when he sees I have to practically run to keep up with him. “Did you run away or did Hideo really send you here?”