I Just Can't Stop Loving You (17 page)

“Yaoi. It’s like Japanese manga written by women.”

Damien made a face. “No, why would I read something like that?”

“You better pick up a couple of yaoi manga and educate yourself. It’s very popular in Japan.” She pouted again.

“It’s not going to be the end of the world, baby, and I’ll be too busy with my job and getting my degree to have time to read comic books.”

“What kind of work will you be doing?”

“I don’t know. I think I’ll be an assistant to some publicist.” It’s probably some decrepit little old man who can’t speak English.”

“How good is your Japanese?”

Damien said something to her.

“You’re fluent?”

He nodded and smiled at her. Why did she think he was just a pretty face? “Kevin too. My father has had big dreams for us since we were kids. He’s always wanted to open a business in Japan.”

“And you can’t pass Economics?”

“Not can’t. Didn’t want to,” he answered. “But I’ll graduate and make you proud of me.”

“I’m going to hold you to that,” Tricia said. “I plan to be a high maintenance bride, and I’m expecting a nice-sized diamond in my engagement ring. Something pear-shaped with plenty of carats backing it up, and set in a gold band.”

“Oh!” Damien said. “Then I better brush up on my ass-kissing, because my father may have to spot me a loan until they crown me Emperor of Japan.”

She chuckled. “Okay. I’m only teasing. You can make the band silver.”

Damien shoved her on her back and rolled on top of her. “I plan to give you everything your heart desires. And in return, all I ask is that you pledge your undying love only to me.”

Tricia wrapped her arms around his neck. “I think I can handle that.”

****

“How are you feeling?” Charlotte Martin, Shaundra’s editor, asked her.

“Swell,” Shaundra said. She hadn’t talked to Charlotte in a while and felt bad about it.

“I’ve seen pictures of the babies. They’re adorable.”

“Thanks,” Shaundra said. “They’re asleep now and being guarded closely by their father.”

“Have the two of you patched things up yet?”

“No,” Shaundra said. “He’s just spending as much time with them as he can before he flies back off to Europe.”

“Oh, yeah. Harper told me that Aomori is performing there.”

“Yeah, they’ll be flying back to France tomorrow, and then they’re off to Amsterdam.”

“But they will be back in time for the christening and Christmas?”

“Yes, I think so.”

“Why don’t you sound sure?”

“Because they never really include me in their plans anymore.”

“You don’t sound upset about it.”

“I’m not. I have a full plate. I don’t have time to travel and follow them on the road.” She paused. “Have you had time to look over the book I sent you?”

“Yes,” Charlotte said.

“Well, what do you think?”

Charlotte chuckled. “Personally, I think it’s the best thing you’ve ever written.”

“What?”

“Girl, I think you got a winner. I can’t wait for Harper to read it. He is going to flip. It’s sexy and humorous, and the heroine has more substance than any other heroine you’ve created.”

“Thanks,” Shaundra said. She knew she had a good book after it had brought her to tears when she read over it.

“So when can I get the next book in the series?” Charlotte asked like a true editor.

“I don’t know. It depends on my two little guys.”

“But haven’t you hired a nanny?”

“Don’t go spreading that around. It’s not common knowledge yet.”

“Do you mean you haven’t discussed it with Ichiro yet?”

“No.”

“Why? You don’t think he will like her?”

“It’s not a her.”

Charlotte squealed. “What?”

“It was Harper’s idea and I agreed with his choice.”

“Is he cute?”

“Very,” Shaundra replied.

“I can’t wait to hear all of the juicy details.”

“That’s for a future conversation,” Shaundra told her.

“Well, you better get back to your little bundles of joy,” Charlotte said. “I’ll try to call you in a couple of days.”

“Give everyone my love,” Shaundra said. “Goodbye.” She hung up the phone, left her office, and walked slowly back to her bedroom to check on the babies. She found Ichiro seated in the chair rocking Raiden in his arms.

He put his finger to his lips. “Shush. I just got him back to sleep.” He rose and put the baby back in his crib. His brother snored peacefully on his back in his crib. Ichiro walked out of the nursery and into the bedroom, giving her a good look at him.

Ichiro appeared much older than twenty-five. She corrected her thoughts. He would be turning twenty-six on Christmas Eve. Mr. Niigata was throwing a party for him.

His body had filled to grown man proportions and he now sported hair on his face…something he didn’t have when she met him.

“Can we talk?” he asked.

She really didn’t have anything to say to him, but she nodded. Shaundra sat down on the bed and Ichiro sat down in the chair.

“I know things haven’t been right between us for a long time. And I know it’s because of me. But I want you to know that I’m still in love with you and I always will be. I just can’t stop loving you, baby.”

Shaundra sighed.
Words
.

“I never cheated on you, Shaundra. I know you don’t believe me, but it’s the truth. Eri kissed me. Nothing else happened. I don’t know why I called out her name. You’re the only woman I’ve ever wanted to make love to. You fill me with great joy and you’ve made me the happiest man in the world with those two beautiful babies. So please don’t give up on me yet.”

Shaundra tried to digest all he had told her. All he wanted her to do was tell him that everything was okay and that she forgave him, but she couldn’t. It wasn’t just the sex with Eri, or the kiss. It was a combination of things. He’d lied to her, abandoned her, and put her through that paternity test. And all she’d ever done was love and want the best for him. Why couldn’t anyone understand that she was hurting emotionally? Ichiro had wounded her, and it was going to take more than pretty words to fix her. She’d been through an earthquake and tsunami, had stopped breathing a couple of times, and had been in a coma, all since meeting him. How much more was she expected to go through in the name of love?

“You don’t have to answer,” Ichiro said, rising. “We’ll talk again when I get back from Europe.” He walked out of the room.

Shaundra stared at the door.
Yeah, whatever
.

****

“I thought you were supposed to stay and help with the babies,” Satoshi said to Takumijo as he watched him put the finishing touches on his hair.

“The parents have it pretty well under control for tonight, and I won’t be out too late. I’m just going out to see what’s happening in town.” He paused. “You want to join me?”

“No thanks,” Satoshi said. “I’m tired.”

Takumijo smirked at him. Satoshi just didn’t know how to have fun anymore. “Are you sure? You might meet some pretty young thing who is just waiting to be swept off her feet.”

“Not interested,” Satoshi replied. “I think I’ll turn in early in case Shaundra needs me.”

“She won’t need you,” Takumijo said bluntly. “She has Ichiro.”

Satoshi rolled his eyes at him and rose from the chair. “Don’t think I don’t appreciate what you’re trying to say, but I know what I’m doing.”

Takumijo slapped some aftershave lotion on his face. “Suit yourself. But you’re letting your life slip away from you. Two years ago, you used to beat me out of the front door. Now you’re sitting in your room night after night like some senior citizen. It’s just not healthy.”

“Yeah, but I stay out of trouble that way,” Satoshi replied. He walked out the door and allowed him to finished getting dressed.

Takumijo looked at his image in the mirror.
Brown, tight-fitting jeans, brown and tan shirt, silver chain, check
. He looked sweet. He gazed up at his hair. It had started to grow long again, and he had basically worn it in the same style for years. Maybe it was time for a change. He grabbed his short brown leather jacket as he walked out of his room and put it on as he walked down the hall toward the steps. A gentle catlike cry stopped him in his tracks as soon as he made it to the landing. One of the babies apparently wanted to say goodbye to him. Takumijo smiled and continued down the stairs. He opened the door and stepped outside. Moments later, he climbed into his TransAm hoping the engine wouldn’t awaken the other little bundle of joy. So far, having the babies in the house hadn’t been as much of a bother as he thought. In fact, they made the place feel more like a home. He supposed a year from now things would be different when he was tripping over toys or the twins were teething.

He started the engine and drove toward the front gate. One of the guards approached. Takumijo rolled down the window.

“Going out?” the guard asked.

“Yes,” Takumijo said. “For a little while.

“Will you be requiring backup?”

“No,” Takumijo replied. “I’m just going to Honsu’s Nightclub.” Honsu was a nightclub not too far away from the compound that everyone frequented, even the guards. Aomori had been going there since the time they became old enough to legally drink.

“Mr. Hayashi won’t be accompanying you?”

Takumijo shook his head. “No, he’s tired. He’s probably halfway to beddy-bye land by now.”

The guard laughed at his joke. “Well you be careful and call us if you need us.” The guard stepped away from the car, opened the gate, and Takumijo drove through and continued on down the street.

It has started to snow and the white, powdery substance bounced against his windshield and melted on contact. The babies’ first snow, he thought excitedly. He couldn’t wait to build snowmen with them a couple of years from now, and maybe teach them how to sled. He smirked.
Listen to me. I sound like a parent
. The idea of having any of his own terrified him, but he’d welcome the experience. Maybe he and Amaterasu might have a son or a daughter if their relationship continued to progress the way it was doing. She’d make a great mother because she had a sunny disposition and a lot of patience to put up with him. He wondered how she was doing in Paris. They hadn’t gotten in contact with each other since Aomori left a little over a week ago, but he’d make it up to her the next time he saw her.

There was a lot of traffic on the street, but everyone drove slowly since the roads were slick from the snow. He passed Cristal’s apartment building. Takumijo gazed and frowned. Tae’s Rolls Royce was parked in the lot beneath her window.
Not good
. He wondered if this could be the reason behind Satoshi’s self-imposed imprisonment. He never did like Tae. What kind of man would move in on his brother’s girl without giving his brother’s feelings a second thought? And what kind of girl would date two brothers? He didn’t like the answer to either of the questions. And he thought he knew Cristal. Apparently, he didn’t, and she was no different than any other Jezebel in his eyes right now.

Takumijo stopped for a red light. No, he had to give Cristal the benefit of the doubt. And besides, he had a lot of nerve. He’d never been in a monogamous relationship before and couldn’t see himself changing his ways any time soon. Amaterasu was nice, but he had to have dessert.

Takumijo drove into the parking lot of the nightclub and parked in the first available spot he could. He turned off the engine, donned his dark sunglasses, and stepped outside the car. Music filtered out of the door each time it opened and closed. He walked up to the door, showed the bouncer some identification, and entered. It took a few minutes for his eyes to adjust to the dim lights. Normally, he and the others would get a booth, but this time, he walked up to the bar and sat down.

The bartender recognized him, but was smart enough not to give his identity away. “What will it be tonight?”

“Cognac,” Takumijo answered.

The bartender left to fill his order and Takumijo swirled the barstool around to watch the dancers on the floor. It was a young, but a well-behaved crowd. The house D. J. spent a mixture of Korean and American songs, which was one of the reasons he liked to come there.

“Your drink, sir,” the bartender said when he returned.

Takumijo reached into his pocket to pay for his drink and then went back to watching the dancers. His eyes landed on a couple of prospects in the center of the room. He lifted his glass and sipped the brandy. It burned his tongue on the way down and then warmed the pit of his stomach.

Takumijo set his gaze on one particular dancer. Nice and exactly his style with shoulder length dark hair, a slim build, and some impressive dance moves. The cutie was a bit petite, maybe five-feet-seven, but had potential written all over those low-riding black jeans.

Takumijo stepped off the bar stool and made his way to a booth with his drink so he could get a better look. He never took his eyes from the dancer’s butt as it sensually bounced to the saucy music.