Prickly Romance: Single Dad AMBW (Billionaire Dads)

DEJONAE

“This skirt is way too short for bowling,” I sign to my sister.

“Stop complaining,” she gestures. “You look cute.”

I glance down at the striped crop top paired with a black leather mini skirt. At least I was allowed to wear sneakers.

Yaya usually takes up a hobby when she comes home for a visit—knitting, skateboarding, video gaming. This time, her mission is to have me bare as much skin as possible when I leave the house.

Which is why I went to work in that ridiculous pink dress this morning.

And why I might flash half of the bowling alley when I play tonight.

The sound of pins clamoring to the ground fills the night. The other lanes are all occupied. Mostly by teenagers and young couples. Pop music blasts from the speakers and the smell of chewing gum and sweat collide in a unique fragrance.

My sister’s dark brown eyes start twinkling. She signs, “They’re here.”

I whirl around and spy Sazuki walking in with Niko. Akira isn’t around and I wonder if she’s parking the car.

Niko sprints across the bowling alley and hugs me the way she did in the lobby this evening. I exhale contentedly and wrap my arms around her. How can anyone not love this little girl? She’s a pure, sweet soul.

I run my hands down her curls. As usual, her hair is pull back in a tight ponytail. I remember what Sazuki said about doing her hair every day and smile.

Niko pulls back. Her eyes jump behind me and linger on my sister.

“Hi. I’m Yaya.” Yaya signs out her name.

Niko turns giddy. Her mouth moves in silent communication while her hands speed through a greeting.

“I’m Niko.”

“Pretty name,” Yaya signs back.

“You’re pretty.”

“Thank you, so are you.”

As they lather each other in compliments, I glance at Sazuki.

He’s not looking at Niko.

He’s looking at me, a dark flame in his eyes that could drown out the sun.

My heart skips. Seeing him every day is proving to be a bigger challenge than I anticipated. Especially now that there’s this awkward tension between us.

“Where’s Akira?” I ask, breaking our silent staredown.

“She is not feeling well,” he says slowly.

My eyebrows draw together. “How sick is she?”

“I believe it is a monthly ailment.” He gives me a pointed look.

“Oh.” My cheeks flush with heat. I wonder how close he is to Akira that he would know her period cycle.

Sazuki’s gaze travels down my face to my legs, which are on full display thanks to the poor excuse of a skirt.

Prickles of awareness spark all the way up to my neck.

Maybe he’s thinking I’m a bad influence on Niko.

Maybe he’s regretting this idea.

But when his eyes jump back to mine, I don’t see censure.

I see hot, burning desire.

My heart pounds.

I don’t want to notice Sazuki’s interest in me.

He’s my boss.

Grumphole supreme.

A cold, sharp, impatient person who can tear someone’s heart to shreds with a few well-placed words.

I need to remember that.

Even if he makes my stomach twist into knots when his eyes latch onto my mouth like it’s a gourmet meal.

Even if he looks ten times sexier in casual clothes, a jacket, jeans, T-shirt and sneakers, as he does when he’s in suits.

Even if his sharp, powerful body steps closer to mine, knifing through the distance between us like he’s at war with it.

He’s just a distraction.

He’s just hot.

He’s just…

“You were out of the office for most of today. Did the training sessions keep you so busy?”

I tilt my head up. “Is that an observation or are you scolding me?”

A smile curls his lips.

This time his dimples aren’t just a fleeting wink that flash out of view.

They stay.

Two giant craters.

My heart clamors to my throat like it wants a better view. This close, I can smell Sazuki’s aftershave, the same rich, minty fragrance that lives in his car.

His presence presses in against me, as tangible as his mile-wide shoulders.

Those stormy brown eyes dip to my mouth again as if he can’t help himself, as if he’s waiting for a moment to taste it.

Holy crap.

I swallow hard. “Um… did you get my report?”

“I did,” he says calmly.

“I met with three of the eight instructors. I also spoke to them about the challenges they’d faced in the past. I compiled their concerns into a spreadsheet. It’s something to consider when you and Adam tweak the MTB.”

“I know. I forwarded the email to Adam.”

“You read it and forwarded it to Adam, but you couldn’t reply back?”

“Why would I reply to a report?” He seems genuinely puzzled.

“Because it’s polite. Because you’re letting me know the email was received. Because I put in a lot of effort and a simple acknowledgement can go a long way.”

He takes another step toward me. “You have never worked in an office before, have you?”

“I don’t see what that has to do with this conversation.”

“In the office,” he lowers his head close to mine and points to himself, “I am the boss.” He points to me. “And you are the employee. I receive the emails and I choose whether or not I respond to them.”

I tilt my face up. My lips are an inch away from his. “Just because you’ve been doing things that way all your life doesn’t mean you’ve been doing them right.”

“Is that an observation or a scolding, Miss Williams?” The dimples wink at me.

I’m burning up. Too hot.

So much for thinking that drawing a line in the sand would bring me any peace. If anything, it only made the tension thicker by acknowledging that there’s something between us we shouldn’t explore.

Yaya makes a grunting sound.

I break Sazuki’s gaze and face my sister. She and Niko are standing behind us. Both of them have their hips tilted to one side, their arms folded and their eyes locked on us.

Face burning, I sign, “Are you guys ready to start?”

“Aren’t you going to introduce us?” Yaya gestures.

I force myself to turn to Sazuki. “This is my sister Yaya.”

“Nice to meet you,” he signs.

Yaya smirks. “You are very handsome.”

Sazuki shakes his head. “You are the beautiful one. I believe your future in modeling will be bright.”

Yaya melts at his feet.

I roll my eyes.

Why is he acting sweet in front of my sister? Where’s the guy who snapped at me to sit down during the conference today? Who kidnapped me on my way to class and manipulated my life just to get me to work with him?

“Will you stay and play with us?” Yaya offers.

I come to life right away. “Mr. Sazuki is busy. He doesn’t have time to—”

“Okay.”

My eyes widen.

Niko jumps up and down, celebrating silently.

I sign to Yaya, “What are you doing?”

She gives me a mischievous look and gestures to Niko. “Let’s get our bowling shoes.”

Niko nods.

“We’ll be right behind you,” Sazuki says.

I whirl on him and fold my arms over my chest. “You weren’t invited.”

“Your sister just invited me,” he points out. “Were you not listening?”

My teeth grit in annoyance.

Sazuki gives me an amused look.

“If you’re worried about Niko, we’ll watch her like hawks and we’ll text you when we’re finished with the game. I won’t let her leave the building without your permission.”

“You sound experienced in alleviating a parent’s worry.”

“I worked as a babysitter in high school.”

“How old were you then? Fifteen?”

“Sixteen.”

He scrunches his nose. “A baby watching a baby.”

I laugh. “How old were you when I was sixteen? Fifty?”

He looks offended. “I am not that much older than you.”

A sick part of me pounces on the opportunity to grind his gears a bit. It’s much better than feeling self-conscious and breathless in his company.

“When was the last time you bowled? Did we have smartphones yet or…?” I tease.

His eyes narrow on me, coolly arrogant.

Why is it so fun to get under his skin?

“Would you care for a wager, Miss Williams?”

“I would.” I tap my chin. “If I win, you release me from having to work at the foundation for my graduation project.”

He frowns. “Choose another wish.”

“Why? You have the power to release me early.”

He shakes his head.

I frown and think again. “Okay. Then I want you to take us all to that Japanese place for dinner tonight.”

“You enjoyed the miso soup?”

“I saw miso soup in my dreams.” I sigh longingly. “But for some reason, it feels weird going back there without you.” The words slip out before I’ve thought them through.

It’s too late.

Sazuki looks pleased.

I nudge him. “Not that you’re going to win, but… what do you want from me?”

“From you?” His eyes dip to my mouth again.

Heart banging against my chest, I lick my lips.

“I will think about it,” he says.

Niko and Yaya return to us.

“What’s the hold up?” Yaya signs. My sister grabs me by the hand while Niko latches onto Sazuki. They drag us to the counter to get our bowling shoes.

I finish tying up my sneakers and stand beside Yaya. “Let’s keep our teams as is. Me and Yaya against Niko and Sazuki.”

Niko grins from ear to ear. “I like that,” she signs.

Sazuki catches my eyes and nods. “Good luck, Miss Williams. You are going to need it.”

Oh, it’s on.

Niko is up first because she’s the cutest, obviously. The bowling ball looks like it’ll drag her straight to the ground, but she handles herself like a pro and lets the ball fly.

I bite back a chuckle when her ball hits the gutter. No matter how competitive I am, I’m not going to laugh in a kid’s face.

But Yaya does not share that philosophy.

When Niko hunches her shoulders and plods back to the benches, my sister lets out a boom of laughter. Like everything she does, it’s loud and unapologetic. Several of the tables next to us glance over.

Sazuki looks frightened by the loud guffaws.

“Your sister has a contagious laugh,” he signs.

Yaya grins. “Just because I’m deaf doesn’t mean I have to be quiet.”

Sazuki inclines his head to her, thinks about it and then nods. “Fair point.”

Yaya’s up next.

For all her teasing, my sister’s bowling ball finds the gutter even earlier than Niko’s did.

The father daughter duo laugh and high-five.

Yaya stomps back to the bench, her eyebrows knitted. “It’s been a while,” she signs.

I shake my head. “Get it together. Don’t embarrass me out here.”

She snorts. “You are way too into this.”

“Tonight’s dinner is at stake.”

“Did you make a deal with your sexy boss?” Yaya signs.

I frown. “Don’t call him sexy.”

Her hands flutter. “It’s what he is.”

Sazuki clears his throat. “I am right here, you know.”

Yaya just winks at him.

I squeeze my eyes shut in absolute horror.

Thankfully, Sazuki is next.

He knocks down all the pins. A perfect strike.

I slow clap. “Not too bad, Sazuki.”

“I told you, I never lose. There will be many more of those in tonight’s game.”

I roll my eyes. “You’re so conceited.”

“It is not conceit if it is true,” he corrects me with a mischievous smirk.

Damn him.

But I’m smiling when I retrieve my bowling ball from the shoot. Sazuki hasn’t mentioned what he wants from me if he wins, but at this point, it doesn’t even matter. Given Niko and Yaya’s terrible bowling skills, this game will come down to him versus me.

And I refuse to let him win.

I test the weight of the ball in my hands, swinging it back and forth. Then, slowly, I approach the lane and calculate my strike. When I’m certain of my strategy, I bend over, quicken my steps and let the ball fly. A perfect strike.

“Yes!” I throw my hands up and jump in celebration.

Yaya’s on her feet, dancing around.

Niko is grinning even though these points aren’t for her team.

Sazuki is the only one wearing a scowl. There’s a hot, searing glint in his eyes. It darkens when he looks beyond me to the teenagers playing in the next lane. I glance that way too and notice the boys pointing at me.

In horror, I realize all the bending over and running caused my skirt to hitch up. I duck my head and pull the hem of my skirt down as I run back to my seat.

Yaya stops me and gives me a big hug. “That’s how you do it,” she signs.

Niko’s eyes are sparkling like twin suns. “You were so cool, Deej.”

“Thanks,” I mumble. My chest is burning with awkwardness. I refuse to look at Sazuki.

We play another round.

Yaya and Niko each take a turn and score very few points.

As promised, Sazuki hits another strike.

When it’s my turn, I shuffle toward the bowling balls. I can feel the teenage boys eyeing me from the next lane and it makes my heart pound.

I told Yaya this skirt was too short.

My fingers are so sweaty that I’m scared the bowling ball will crush my toes. How do I bend down without giving those boys something to snicker at? I tuck my knees together and begin a slow descent into a crouch when I feel Sazuki’s presence behind me.

I’m in trouble.

There’s no way I should be able to know he’s close to me just by the way the air around me changes.

I straighten and turn slightly. “What are you doing?”

“Hold still,” he rumbles. He’s right behind me, his bicep almost kissing my arm. In one smooth motion, he yanks his jacket off.

I almost pluck a one-dollar bill from my wallet and throw it at him. Please don’t stop taking things off.

My mouth turns dry. He looks determined, dangerous, and way too delicious with his face pinched in concentration. I watch as he pinches the jacket by the sleeves.

“You keep trying to test me, Miss Williams,” he growls.

“Huh?” I sound like an idiot.

But can anyone blame me?

His voice is deep and soul-sucking. So close to my neck, it sends a hot breath dancing over my skin.

Sazuki slides the jacket sleeves along my waist. My body comes alive while the thick material glides across my crop top. His fingers barely skim my skin in the sliver of space between where my skirt and the shirt meet. He draws me close in a smooth motion, crushing me against his rock-hard body in order to tie the jacket sleeves at my stomach.

“The rest of your skirt is missing,” he snarls against my neck. “You should demand your money back.”

“I—”

He steps away before my brain starts glitching. I turn fully around, the jacket flailing behind me like a coat.

Heat is racing down my spine. My heart is pounding like a crazed drum.

And I need a paper bag to breathe in.

I don’t know what to do. What to say.

My mind is blank.

I wish I could call it embarrassment or anger.

I just… it would be a lie.

I dig my fingers into the bowling ball to stop them from tingling.

Deep breaths.

Sazuki gestures. “Now that I have your attention, feel free to throw the game.”

The spell breaks.

I scowl at him.

So much for being a gentleman. Was he just trying to rattle me?

“Watch and learn, old man.”

He scrunches his nose in distaste.

Good. I want him as annoyed as I feel.

Approaching the lane with more confidence, I fling the bowling ball.

It goes straight into the gutter.

Sazuki’s eyes burn into me and a slow, mocking smile spreads across his face, revealing his shameless evil.

My lips curl back in a sneer.

If it’s the last thing I do tonight, I’m going to make sure that he regrets messing with me.

Sazuki wins the game.

Which proves that Fate is against me.

The only thing that makes losing just a tad digestible is Niko’s excitement.

“I won,” she signs. If she smiles any harder, she just might explode. “I won!”

“Congratulations.” Yaya clasps her hands together and rocks them on either side of her head.

Niko hugs her dad around the neck. He lifts her up and spins her around.

I steel myself against any sweet feelings that are creeping up to me. Sazuki made a point to tell me he was divorced, so it’s not like it’s wrong to feel the tug I do towards him and Niko.

It’s just not wise.

“Come on,” Sazuki says, holding out his hand for Niko. “Let’s get you a prize from the concession stand.”

Yaya pins me with her puppy dog eyes. “Sorry we lost.”

“Whose fault is that?” I tease.

She elbows me in the side.

Minutes later, our group stops in front of the concession stand. The boy behind the counter looks slightly petrified. I wonder what shocks him more, that we’re a mix of black and Asian people or that everyone keeps signing to each other.

“Take a look, Niko,” Sazuki says. “Choose any toy you want.”

Niko points to a balloon.

“You sure?” Sazuki signs. “I thought you would want the teddy bear.”

“It’ll last longer,” I agree.

Yaya gestures, “Ignore them, Niko. Get what will make you happy.”

“How much for the balloon?” Sazuki speaks out loud. He signs along, making sure that Niko isn’t left out of the conversation.

Sweat breaks out on the kid’s neck. He digs his fingers into the counter, leans over it and in a loud voice, enunciates every word. “Fiiiiive! Dolllars! Sir!”

“You don’t need to shout,” I say, grimacing.

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to offend.”

Sazuki sets a five dollar bill on the counter.

The blushing clerk hands over Niko’s balloon. It bobs happily toward the ceiling.

“Let me tie that for you,” Yaya signs. Kneeling in front of Niko, she grabs the string and secures it around her tiny wrist.

“Thank you.” Niko signs.

Yaya beams.

“Dad,” Niko gestures and the balloon bobs its head, “what’s your prize?”

“My prize?” His knowing smirk falls over me like melted chocolate, dripping down my spine and clogging my throat before I can so much as breathe. “Miss Williams has it,” Sazuki says.

Slowly, Niko’s eyes turn to me.

Yaya’s too.

Air gets trapped in my lungs.

Finally, I crack out a laugh. “Me? I have your prize? When did I say that?”

“Don’t go back on your agreement, Miss Williams.” He arches a brow. “I’m looking forward to my reward.”

The way his tongue rolls over the word ‘reward’ sounds absolutely obscene. I search desperately for a witty comeback. Nothing comes to mind. I’m blank.

I lick my lips, my body vibrating like a guitar string as I imagine all the things Sazuki could ask for.

“Are you Ryotaro Sazuki?”

The question comes from a couple who’d been lining up behind us.

Sazuki’s eyes drift away from me and land on the strangers.

“You are!” A middle aged man and his wife giggle like teenagers. “I didn’t think it was you. I actually told my wife she was crazy! No way would a Sazuki be playing bowling like this. I thought you were some other Asian.”

I cringe.

Sazuki doesn’t bat an eyelash. “Can I help you?”

“We’re huge fans. Huge. We think your last album was impeccably done. Do you know when you’ll be releasing another?”

“I have no plans to do so right now.” Sazuki’s voice is hard. He takes a step back.

They take one forward. “What are you doing in America? I thought all the Sazukis lived in Japan?”

Sazuki’s jaw clenches.

“Marge will never believe this. Can we take a picture?”

Sazuki holds up a hand. “Excuse me. I would not like to take a picture now.”

“Why not?” The man turns red in the cheeks.

I grit my teeth at their pushiness. “Didn’t you hear him? He doesn’t want to take a picture. Get out of his face.”

Sazuki holds a hand in front of my torso and gives me a pointed look. Be calm.

I scowl in return. How can I?

“Is this your girlfriend?” The old man surveys me curiously. Then his eyes jump to Niko. “Are you two…” The old man points. “Is this your…”

I step in front of Niko. Since Sazuki doesn’t want me to go off on these pushy fans, then the only other option is retreat. Because if I don’t leave, someone’s going to get seriously hurt.

And it won’t be me.

“Excuse me, Mr. Sazuki. We’ll wait for you outside.” I shade Niko with my body, making sure they can’t gawk at her like she’s some kind of exhibit.

Sazuki dips his head gratefully.

I gesture to Yaya. “Let’s go.”

She takes Niko’s other side and, together, we fast-walk away from the fans.

Outside the bowling alley, a strong wind blows. Barely any stars poke through the dark, velvet sky.

I look down at Niko. “Are you okay?”

“I’m used to it.” She shrugs and signs, “Dad doesn’t want me to get photographed. He says it’s safer that way.”

“It is,” Yaya signs. “There are some crazy people out here.”

Niko bounces her balloon, seeming unconcerned. Since she grew up with Akira watching over her every minute of the day, she’s probably used to being protected and yanked out of sketchy situations.

Although I don’t think signing autographs is anything scary, I know Sazuki enough to say he wouldn’t want Niko getting too much public attention.

“Does that happen often?” Yaya signs to me.

“What?”

“Sazuki getting mobbed by fans.”

I think about that day he came to my school. “It’s not that bad. It usually only happens around music students. The rest of the world doesn’t know enough about him to attack.”

She purses her lips the same way I do when I’m thinking. “I didn’t realize he was so famous.”

“You haven’t seen famous yet,” I sign. “You should stick around when he’s on campus. They treat him like a god.”

She studies me. “You’re protective of him.”

“It’s not about him. I get annoyed when I see people acting entitled. He doesn’t owe them a signature. He doesn’t owe them a conversation. And he doesn’t owe them access to his family.”

I glance down, expecting to see Niko by my side.

All I see is a crack in the sidewalk.

Where did she go?

My eyes widen and my body jumps into instant panic mode, complete with internal alarm bells and a frantic leap into ‘worst-case scenario’ imageries.

“Niko?” I look to my left.

The sidewalk stretches on into darkness for miles. I dig my fingers into my purse, struggling to breathe as my brain overloads with anxiety.

“Niko?” To my right, there are brightly lit shops and a few people strolling leisurely.

Yaya sees my freaked out face and starts looking around too. Then she slaps my back and points.

Niko.

She’s darting into the street, chasing her balloon.

Relief pours through my veins when I see that she’s not vanished into thin air like a ghost. But that relief quickly turns into ice when I notice a car roaring down the street at warp speed.

My heart starts pounding harder when I realize that Niko isn’t paying attention and can’t hear it.

I don’t think.

I just move.

Pumping my arms, I race straight into the path of the oncoming car. Niko grabs her balloon by the string just as the car starts flashing its signals. Her head twists around. She sees the car and her mouth falls open in shock.

I push my body to the limits, my heart exploding.

The driver slams his hand on the horn, blasting the air with his outrage. He’s not slowing down fast enough.

My arms close around Niko’s body, twisting her so she lands on top of me when I fling us out of the car’s way.

My shoulder slams into the ground. Hard.

I hear a thud as my head ricochets against tarmac.

Pain rattles my knees and back, but it’s nothing compared to the joy I feel when I look at Niko.

She’s okay.

My arms tighten around her when I see the tears gathering in her eyes.

“It’s okay.” I smooth my uninjured hand down her head. “You’re okay.”

A door slams.

The driver sprints around the car. “Are you crazy? Why the hell would you let your kid dart into the road like that!”

“Niko!” Sazuki’s voice cuts through the night. Moments later, he’s beside us. I have no idea how he got here so fast. He must have teleported.

Niko makes a sound of distress. She wraps her arms around her father’s shoulders and hugs him tight. Her body is trembling like she’d been dunked in ice.

Sazuki’s eyes meet mine and he leans over, a hand extended to me. I’m about to take it when Yaya runs to my side. She digs her fingers around my waist and helps me to my feet.

I hiss in pain.

She’s watching me closely and sees the anguish that skips over my expression.

“Are you okay?” the driver asks, looking at me. “You don’t need to go to the hospital, right? I’m not paying out no insurance fees.”

“You should drive more carefully,” Sazuki scolds him in a voice that sounds like death come alive.

“It’s not his fault,” I mutter. “It’s mine. I should have kept a better eye on Niko.”

Sazuki’s gaze returns to me and tightens in alarm.

Niko looks equally shaken. “You’re bleeding,” she signs.

“It’s okay.” I shake my head. The skin on my thigh is burning. It serves me right for wearing a mini skirt while pretending to be Superman. “I’m okay.”

“No, you’re not,” Yaya signs.

“I’ll take her to the hospital,” Sazuki says to my sister.

“No need. Really, Sazuki.”

He gives me a scolding look. “You’re hurt.”

His tone would rub me the wrong way if I didn’t hear the worry running right beneath it.

Yaya chews on her bottom lip. She signs, “You could have died.”

The driver’s eyes bug. He starts backing away. “Y-you heard her. It was her fault the kid went darting into the street. Not mine!”

After saying his piece, he jumps into the car and takes off.

Sazuki’s eyes zip to the license plate before he returns the weight of his intensity to me. “Let’s get out of the middle of the road before another car comes.”

“Good idea,” I whisper.

Yaya guides my arm around her shoulder and leads me to the sidewalk.

The moment Sazuki sets Niko down, she flings herself at me. Tears sail down her tawny brown cheeks.

“It’s okay.” I soothe her arm. “I’m fine. Really. I’m just a little banged up.”

Niko is still shaking and looking guilty.

I grin over at her and whisper, “You know what would make me feel better?”

With her face upturned and her eyes full of hope, she’s wringing out my heart like my mother would twist a dish rag.

“If we could all go for ice cream.”

“Ice cream?” Sazuki hisses. “You need to go to a hospital, Dejonae.”

I frown at the bossy tone. “I told you. I’m fine.”

“Your knees are bleeding.”

I fight back a hiss of pain and start dusting off my knees. Yaya sees what I’m doing, dives into her purse and hands me a wet wipe. I clean off quickly and show Sazuki my legs.

“See, doctor? No need for surgery.” Using my hands this time, I sign, “Can we please get ice cream now?”

He scowls at me.

I drag Niko by my side and look up at him, batting my eyelashes. Together, Niko and I push out our bottom lips and give our best ‘puppy dog’ faces. Yaya smirks when she sees what I’m doing and joins us.

Sazuki gives in reluctantly. Niko celebrates by hopping up and down. I smile at her, glad to see the smile return to her face.

“I’ll drive,” Sazuki says.

Yaya and Niko hold hands and skip toward the parking lot.

Sazuki falls into step beside me. “What happened?”

“Niko’s balloon slipped off and she went into the road for it,” I say, trying hard not to limp. If I show any signs of pain, I know Sazuki will cut this ice cream venture short and Niko will be heartbroken again.

“I’ll talk to her,” Sazuki says darkly. “Niko should know better.”

“It’s not her fault.”

“You could have both gotten hurt tonight.”

“Yes, but we didn’t.” I look at his clenching jaw. “I’d hate it if she blamed herself for what happened tonight.”

He looks like he’s gearing up to argue with me.

I speak first. “This road doesn’t have much traffic and I’m sure she looked both ways before she crossed. In her mind, she probably did her best to be responsible and someone got hurt.” I lower my voice. “There will be many times when being deaf puts her life in danger, but I never want her to think that being deaf makes her a burden or a liability. Especially not to me.”

He stops walking.

I turn to him.

Large hands rise and cup my cheeks. He brushes sand from my face softly.

My heart starts leaping inside my chest, pounding like a war drum gone berserk. I lift my head, looking up at Sazuki.

He moves in.

I’m uncontrollably aware of how close his lips are.

“This does not change anything. I will still demand my pound of flesh,” he says dryly.

My eyes narrow.

Breathless awe turns to striking hate.

His lips twitch at my reactions and I know he’s laughing at me. I stomp ahead and catch up with Niko and Yaya. It’s my fault for assuming that Ryotaro Sazuki has a heart.