Schooled

  “Don’t I need my coat?”

  “Not today. The weather in Osaka is beautiful,” Nick said.

  Osaka? But weren’t they spending the first week in Kyoto?

  “Everything onboard has been loaded into the car as per our instructions,” Nick added. “Your driver is waiting inside the terminal.”

  “Thank you.” Ronin stepped aside so Amery could descend the stairs first.

  A temperate breeze stirred her hair and she lifted her face to the sun. Even the sky looked different here. But she didn’t have time to gawk as Ronin steered her across the tarmac and toward the open doors.

  A pudgy man in a bellman’s uniform came forward and bowed to Ronin. Their discussion seemed formal and Amery couldn’t pick out any familiar Japanese words besides udon and Kyoto. Then the driver gestured for them to follow him. A black limousine idled at the curb and another liveried man bowed before he opened the rear door.

  After they were ensconced in the back, she poked her finger into his chest and teased, “A limo, Ronin? Really? Sweetheart, I already know you’re a billionaire heir so you don’t have to try to impress me.”

  He snatched her hand and lightly bit the finger that’d been poking him. “So you’d rather we rode Shinkansen from Osaka to Kyoto and schlepped two months’ worth of luggage ourselves?”

  “What’s a Shinkansen?”

  “The Japanese bullet train.”

  That sounded entertaining. “Why didn’t we just fly into Kyoto?”

  “Because Kyoto doesn’t have an airport. Osaka is closest and it’s an hour drive to Kyoto. The limo wasn’t my idea. My grandfather sent this to welcome us to Japan. It’d be rude to refuse his hospitality. Besides, this vehicle belongs to Okada. It has special tags that will allow us quicker and easier access to the part of Kyoto we’ll be staying in. Since we’re both hungry I’ve asked the drivers to stop for lunch first.”

  Udon. Now that made sense. “So we’re having noodles?”

  “You picked that up from the conversation? I’m impressed.”

  “Don’t be. Noodles and bathroom are the extent of my Japanese language skills.”

  Ronin’s fingers gripped her chin, forcing her to meet his hard gaze. “Buck up and understand you will have to rely on me for a lot of things on this trip, as much as it pains you to do so.”

  That brought a smile. “It doesn’t pain me.”

  “Then what is it?”

  Amery studied him. His long black hair was unruly. His cheeks and jaw sported dark stubble. His bottom lip had a swollen spot on the left side. Thinking about how he’d gotten that mark sent a shiver of awareness through her. The second time he’d had his wicked way with her on the plane, he’d plowed into her with such force, with such unquenchable need he only showed to her, that she’d bit him. It hadn’t fazed him. He’d put his mouth on her ear and growled, “More. Use your teeth on me. I want to wear your passion on my skin.”

  So she had. She’d given him a hickey above the edge of his collarbone. It had shocked her that her nails digging into the back of his neck while she sucked a love bruise on him had set him off.

  “Amery?”

  When she met his gaze again, she noticed his golden-brown eyes had softened and he’d relaxed his grip on her chin. She released a sigh, amazed as always this beautiful man was hers.

  So he wants to show off a little. Spoil you a bit. Is that really so bad?

  No.

  Because of their financial disparity, she’d been insistent they were partners in their marriage, which worked on many levels—the most important ones for sure. But on other levels . . . she knew she’d never be his equal. And she had to accept that fact as much as he had to accept that she’d be uncomfortable with certain aspects of being with him because of who he was.

  “Baby. Your silence is scaring me. What’s going on?”

  Amery leaned in and licked the swollen bump on his lip before she sucked it hard. She smirked at his quick, surprised intake of breath. “I remembered I know another Japanese phrase.”

  “Yeah? Which one?”

  She whispered, “Aishiteru wa.”

  He closed his eyes and his exhale drifted over her lips. “I love you too.” His hand slid down and curled around her throat. While feathering his thumb across her rapidly beating pulse, he pulled her close. The kiss started out slow and sweet. But things would heat up quickly and they’d be going at it in the back of the limo if she didn’t stop it, because heaven knew Ronin wouldn’t.

  She broke the kiss. “Steaming-hot noodles first; steamy-hot sex second.”

  “Deal.”

  They stopped at a roadside noodle joint. Amery was more interested in watching Ronin interact with the locals, than what type of noodle dish he ordered for them, because weren’t all bowls of noodles basically the same?

  No. Not even close.

  Amery ate her food so fast Ronin laughed. Then he ordered her a smaller bowl of another kind of noodles and she downed that too.

  She fought a wave of sleepiness as they climbed back in the car and drove to Kyoto.

  Ronin’s phone rang. Was it her imagination or did Ronin sit up straighter before he answered?

  When he said, “Ojisan,” she knew why Ronin had tensed; his grandfather was calling.

  The conversation lasted longer than she’d expected. Ronin said her name several times. He even laughed—a genuine laugh.

  That boggled the mind. From everything she’d heard, and what she’d read online, Nureki Okada was one scary man—even at his advanced age—and not prone to joking. Ever. Someone had even commented he’d had his funny bone removed in his youth in favor of having a shark’s fin implanted.

  Ronin hung up and remained quiet longer than usual.

  “Is everything all right?”

  “Yes. My grandfather sends his best wishes that we enjoy our time in Japan until he sees us in Tokyo.” He paused. “It’s . . . strange how much easier it is to speak with him now. I thought he’d be cold and pull that ‘I’m disappointed’ bullshit, especially since Shiori is in a holding pattern as far as continuing in the family business. But he seems happy with how my mother is handling everything.”

  “That’s good, right?”

  “Very good.” Ronin threaded their fingers together. “He asked about you.” A soft smile curved his lips. “Wanting to know if you were pregnant yet. In the past I would’ve seen that as him meddling in my life.”

  “But now?”

  “Now I see it for what it is. His way of wanting a connection with us and having hope for the future.”

  Amery laid her head on his shoulder. “I can’t wait to meet him even though I’m scared shitless of him.”

  “Believe me, I understand.” Ronin nuzzled the top of her head. “I’m so glad you’re here with me, Amery.”

  When the car stopped, Ronin waited for the driver to open the door. “I know what you’re thinking. It’s not like me to allow others to wait on me. But it’s different here. It’s an insult if I don’t allow these people to do their jobs.”

  After they exited the car, Amery realized they were in an alley of a residential street. None of the houses, all crowded together, were higher than two stories. This seemed an odd place for a hotel.

  Keeping hold of her hand, Ronin led them up a narrow stone walkway. At the front door he exposed a security box hidden in the siding and punched a code on the keypad. She heard the locks pop before he turned the handle and opened the door.

  He issued instructions to the drivers before he looked at her. “I want to show you my favorite part of the house while they’re unloading the luggage.”

  Ronin towed her through the back door onto a private patio.

  Both sides were blocked off by wooden soundproofing barriers. Paper lanterns hung from the rafters. Two papa-san chairs sat alongside the walls, facing outward. At the bottom of the path a tree was in full bloom and just beyond it a slatted bench overlooked a grassy slope that led to a body of water. On the righ
t side was a raised box, filled with sand and stones and camouflaged on the back side by flowering shrubs.

  Immediately a sense of peace settled over her. She knew from her pre-trip research that private green spaces in the major cities in Japan were rare and treasured, so this was someplace special. It reminded her of Ronin’s rooftop Zen garden in Denver.

  Ronin’s arms came around her. “What do you think?”

  “It’s lovely. But we aren’t at a hotel, are we?”

  “No. At one time this was a hotel but now it’s Grandfather’s Kyoto residence. It’s more economical to stay here than if we had to pay for a luxury hotel.”

  “Fine, I’ll give you that. What else?”

  “This place is centrally located, less hassle getting to the areas of Kyoto I want to show you. It also gives us the most privacy. Okada owns this entire complex so we don’t have to listen to screaming children and smell fish cooking through the walls like in other rentals. And this house is huge by Japanese standards. Since my mother stays here frequently, she’s decorated this western style.”

  “Meaning what?”

  “Meaning no futons, but permanent beds. Meaning a real dining room table, a decent kitchen and a private bathroom. Initially this property was ryokan, with a communal bathroom for all five apartments. Now each apartment has its own facilities.”

  “I’m happy for that. Who else stays here?”

  “The two units on either end are rented out to Okada employees who run the Kyoto office. The two units on each side of this one are for Okada business associates to stay if they’re involved in meetings. Or in years past when my grandfather traveled here, one of his mistresses stayed in one unit and his personal staff stayed in the other.”

  “Mistresses? Plural?”

  Ronin chuckled. “Just because he never married again didn’t mean he became a monk. A man of his means had his pick of the ladies.”

  “Like grandfather, like grandson.”

  “Maybe. Except I don’t need four women to keep me satisfied when I have you.”

  “Did your grandfather have a thing for geishas?”

  “No. Not all Japanese men do.” He paused. “Why? Would you like to go to a geisha house while we’re here?”

  “Nope. Unless you want to?”

  “There’s plenty for us to see and do without geishas or visiting a teahouse.”

  “No tea or sushi while we’re in Japan? Man, you are a hardass.”

  At that moment the sweetest scent she’d ever encountered eddied around them. “What kind of tree is that? The blooms smell heavenly.”

  “It’s shidare-zakura. A weeping cherry tree.”

  Amery spun around. “As in real cherry blossoms is what smells so good?”

  “Yes.” Ronin caressed her cheekbone with his thumb. “Kyoto has the biggest cherry blossom festival in Japan. We’re at the tail end of it so I’m hoping that means it’ll be less crowded.”

  Overcome with emotion, Amery teared up. “Ronin. I . . . can’t believe you brought me here to experience all of this.”

  “You deserve this break for everything you’ve dealt with in the last few months. My health issues. My less-than-pleasant attitude about those health issues. We had a small, rushed wedding. For christsake I didn’t even take you on a proper honeymoon. This is my way of making it up to you. So please. Let me.”

  “You already spoil me.”

  “Not enough. I’d do more if you’d let me, baby, you know that.”

  “I do. You overwhelm me, Master Black.”

  “Good.” Then her husband kissed her in that slow and steady way that sparked the embers of need.

  A throat cleared behind them.

  Ronin whispered, “Hold that thought,” against her lips. “I promise it’s the last time we’ll be interrupted for the next week.”

  Chapter Two

  After the drivers left, Ronin gave her a tour of the rest of the condo. They unpacked, freshened up, and went exploring.

  They rode the bus to the temples Ronin wanted to visit. Each one was different; some elaborate, some simple, some big, some tiny. But in each shrine she felt a sense of holiness, power, and peace.

  The Chion-in temple still housed the Jōdo School—a Japanese religious sect. Amery studied Ronin’s reaction as he watched the monks going about their daily lives. Did it remind him of the years he’d spent in the monastery? Hearing the Buddhist monks chanting and seeing the spiritual pilgrimage of others to this sacred place had sent shivers down her spine.

  On the walk back to the condo from the bus station, they discovered a quiet bistro. Their Ronin-approved, healthy, three-course dinner consisted of miso soup, poached fish in persimmon sauce, and a skewer of rice balls covered in sweet red bean paste. During the meal Ronin ordered a sampler of sake, and as she sipped, he explained the variations of flavors. The delicious food, the intimate conversation, and the relaxed atmosphere was the perfect capper to their first day in Japan.

  Ronin plucked up her hand and kissed her palm. “I lost you there for a moment. But I’m not complaining because you look happy.”

  “I am happy. Being with you—just you—really makes this feel like a honeymoon.”

  “Baby, these weeks we have alone are our honeymoon.”

  She gazed at him. “Sometimes when I look across the table, it just hits me . . .”

  “What hits you?”

  “That you’re really my husband.”

  He smiled softly at her while his eyes shone fiercely in the glow of the paper lanterns. “We’re getting sappy on sake. Time to go.”

  As soon as they were through the front door of the condo, Ronin was on her. Ripping away the articles of clothing she wore, he hoisted her against the smooth teak wall in the foyer. No bondage games, no foreplay, just pure raw sex. He slammed inside her and started fucking her in such a primal way, it soon had her coming so hard that her mind blanked.

  Ronin’s harsh grunt against her cheek and the stillness of his powerful body roused her from the white haze.

  She forced her hands to loosen her tight grip on his ass. “Happy honeymoon to us!”

  “Indeed. And I guarantee we’ll being doing a lot of this to make it the best honeymoon ever.”

  “How many times have you had your hands on me in the last day?”

  “Four.” He nibbled on her throat as he tried to catch his breath. “And yes, I’m keeping track.”

  As distracting as it was to have his mouth working such shiver-inducing magic on her skin, Amery concentrated on adding up their naked time. Ronin had tied her hands to the showerhead with her loofah in their shower at home and fucked her very thoroughly before they’d left for the airport. He’d fucked her twice on the plane. He’d gone all caveman on her just now. And before they went exploring in Kyoto . . .

  “You forgot one. The blowjob in the shower right after we got here. You definitely had your hands on me then. Mostly gripping my head, but it counts.”

  “I stand corrected. Five.” He nipped her earlobe. “Wanna go for six?”

  She laughed.

  But it soon became clear that her insatiable husband hadn’t been joking.

  ***

  They spent the early part of the morning of day two at Maruyama Park beneath the cherry blossoms. Then they ventured to the Imperial Palace, and the equally gorgeous Imperial Palace Park. That night they took a romantic walk through the canopy of cherry trees in bloom at Philosopher’s Path. Amery caught herself tearing up when she thought about Ronin’s surprise in bringing her here during such a magical time.

  After they’d returned to the condo, Ronin showed her on a map where they’d be in the upcoming weeks. During his training weeks they’d be in a small village at the base of the snow-capped mountains in Hokkaido. Then during the first break they’d be on the