In Deep Kimchi (21 page)

“Yes,” Yori answered.

“And that woman from the YouTube video?”

“Yes.”

Amaya took another look. “Ichiro is with a woman?”

Yori wished she wouldn’t stare so openly at the couple. It would only encourage others to stare at them too. “Yes, why is that a surprise?”

Amaya turned back to face him and to continue eating. “You know. I didn’t think he liked women.”

Yori picked up his cup of coffee and tasted it. He now preferred it to tea in the morning. “Why not?”

“You know. I thought maybe he liked men because….” She giggled.

“No, Ich is not like that. Just because a man has a couple of feminine qualities does not make him gay.”

“Come on, Yori. You have to admit that Ichiro has more than just a couple of feminine quirks. I’ve never seen him in a suit and I’ve known him for years. He wears makeup; his movements are graceful, and let’s not mention that tea ceremony thing he does.”

Yori smiled. “I will admit that he’s a bit eccentric, but definitely not gay.”

“Bi?”

Yori considered the possibility. “No.”

“How do you know?”

Amaya never gave up when she had something like this to talk about. “I have lived with him for fifteen years, shared countless bathhouse and shower experiences with him and haven’t seen one erection for being around a bunch of naked men.”

“Maybe he just hides it well,” she insisted.

“I don’t think he can hide something like that.” He did recall an incident when that had happened to another one of his friends, but not Ichiro.

Amaya sipped her tea. “So, why is he here with her this morning?”

“They are friends. Masaaki thinks she brings out the best in Ichiro. He’s more talkative when she is around.”

Amaya nearly choked on her tea. “Are they lovers?”

“No,” Yori answered, almost upsetting his cup of coffee.

“Why did you answer like that?”

“The two of them are not lovers. They barely know each other.”

Amaya peeped around her chair again. “He’s feeding her. I think they know each other better than you think.”

Yori refused to lift his eyes to watch.

“They seem pretty friendly to me. Listen to her laugh. Since when is Ichiro so entertaining?”

“Ms. Morrison does that to him.”

“I think they’re lovers.”

“No, they are fellow employees. Shaundra and three other authors are here to help with Mr. Niigata’s new publishing company. I thought I told you that he asked us to get to know them and be seen with them as part as the promotion.”

“So he brought four female writers here from America? Do they all look like her?”

“No. One is an older female, and the others are two men in their thirties. He has also coupled them with four Asian writers to help with the promotion.”

Amaya held her head. “Too complicated and too many people.” She paused. “Why didn’t he choose a Japanese female?”

“I don’t know. You will have to ask him.”

“Don’t think I won’t do it.”

“You sound like you have a problem with interracial dating.”

“No, it’s more like why look elsewhere for food when there’s plenty of chickens walking around in your own back yard?”

Yori chuckled. “That’s horrible, even for you.” He never understood where Amaya came up with half the stuff she said. He had to remember that was one of the things that he liked about her. She could be amusing at times.

Ichiro laughed merrily as Shaundra told him something. Boy, he’d pay anything to get that on tape. No one was going to believe that the two of them had been talking throughout the entire meal. Ichiro seemed animated in his description about something and Shaundra just laughed.

“Why are you staring at them?”

Yori didn’t realize that he’d been doing this until Amaya’s words pierced through the haze. “It’s just nice to see Ich happy.”

Amaya peered around at them again. “I agree. He must really like her.”

Shaundra moved from the table and walked toward the ladies room.

Amaya ducked back. “Hey, she’s much older than he is.”

“Yes, that’s what he likes about her. She’s mature and not a giggling idiot.”

“And she has a killer body.”

“I hadn’t noticed. Anyway, that’s their business.” He looked down at his watch. It was close to nine in the morning and Masaaki wanted all of them at the Dome for rehearsal at noon. “Would you like to come see us rehearse today?”

“What time?” Amaya asked.

“Noon.”

“Can’t,” Amaya answered. “Got plans.” She didn’t offer any further explanation.

Shaundra came back from the restroom. She nodded at him as she passed. Moments later, Ichiro settled their bill and the two of them rose from the table and prepared to leave.

Amaya took one last look. “How long is she going to be in town?”

“Another two weeks. Why?”

“Just wondering.”

He knew there was more to it than that.

Amaya stretched. “I think it’s time for a nap.”

Yori signaled for the waitress. Maybe he had time to telephone Shaundra before rehearsal. The waitress came and he settled their bill. Amaya rose and walked out of the restaurant ahead of him. Yori followed her out, catching a glimpse of Ichiro and Shaundra as they slipped into the limousine with Kenshin.
Where are they off to?
No wonder Satoshi hadn’t been talkative this morning. Yori bet he knew that Ichiro had finally manned up and asked Shaundra out on a date. Leave it to Ichiro to grow some balls on the day Amaya arrived.

“What are you going to do the rest of the morning while I rest?” Amaya asked as they walked toward the elevator. They stepped in once the elevator arrived.

“I need to call home and check on my parents, and then it’s off to rehearsal for the rest of day. I’m sorry I couldn’t arrange more time off to be with you today, but it’s going to be late when I return.”

“That’s okay. I’ll busy myself shopping and visiting the mall.” She stretched again as the elevator door opened on the ninth floor. “Maybe I’ll get a massage. I heard there’s a place in the mall that does excellent work.”

Yori ordered his face not to twitch at the mention of the massage parlor. Instead, his mind replayed the little erotic episode of his seduction of Shaundra Morrison while she lay naked on one of the tables. It sent a bolt of adrenaline down to his jock. This was one of those times he was thankful that his suit jacket covered his pelvic area. He walked Amaya to her room and made sure she was safely inside. Then, he headed back to the elevator to find Satoshi and to find out what he knew.

* * * *

“This is Meiji Shrine,” Ichiro explained as they walked through the courtyard of the temple he’d taken her to. “It is dedicated to a deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consorts, Empress Shoken.”

“This place is really lovely,” Shaundra replied as she followed him around. “And so well-maintained.” They had been together most of the morning and he was like a breath of fresh air, so young and innocent.

“I used to come here often as a child with my grandmother, but not much now.”

In some ways, he was still a child, but then again, that’s what she liked about him. “Why do I have the feeling that you regret becoming a singer?”

Ichiro sent a dazzling smile her way as he walked her over to a bench to rest. “Don’t get me wrong. I love Aomori, the music and all the advantages it has accorded me, but sometimes I miss just being me. Like, for instance, today, I am on a date with a very beautiful woman, but I’m not exactly alone with her because there are three burly bodyguards lurking nearby.”

Shaundra’s eyes widened.
He thinks I’m beautiful
. “That is for your protection,” Shaundra reminded him when she came to her senses.

“Yes, I know, but I have no privacy. What if I wanted to kiss you? You’d be embarrassed to do so in front of them.”

Shaundra ran her tongue over her lips. “Do you wish to kiss me?” Shaundra asked. Even she wasn’t foolish enough to let that moment slip by. Would it be different than Yori’s? She shook her head to get Yori’s face out of it.
Pretend he doesn’t exist
.

“Ever since the first time I saw you.”

Ooh, I didn’t know that
. Shaundra scooted closer to him and took both of his hands into hers. They were much bigger than hers, but smooth, and the nails were manicured.

Ichiro tried to snatch his hands away.

“Kiss me,” Shaundra told him.

“Do what?”

“Kiss me.” Suddenly, she very much wanted him to do it. Her eyes locked in on the delicate curve of his lips.

Ichiro looked away shyly. “I can’t. It is not appropriate in such a public place.”

Damn these people and their antiquated ways
, she said to herself. Shaundra looked around. “No one is paying any attention to us except the bodyguards and they look kind of bored.”

Ichiro looked around, took a deep breath and leaned toward her.

Shaundra took the uncertainty from him by placing her mouth on his. It was so soft. His lips parted and covered hers. Her eyes widened. Heat rushed up from her crotch to her collar as she leaned in closer to savor the sweetness.

Ichiro’s hands gripped her shoulders. His tongue darted inside, pleasantly taking her by surprise with his forwardness. He groaned, obviously turned on by what they were doing.

The crotch in her panties dampened. Shaundra closed her eyes as her feelings got all tangled and her heart raced. She pulled away from him, breathing hard. Her body felt on fire with just one kiss from this blue-eyed babe.
Shit, what am I going to do
?

Ichiro opened his eyes and nervously scooted away from her. He crossed his legs and looked away shyly. “That was pleasant.”

Shaundra nodded still overcome from the rush of emotion she’d just experience. Served her right for messing with an innocent. “Yes, and the bodyguards didn’t try to tackle me to the ground. In fact, one of them is even blushing.” God, she was so embarrassed.
What must they think of me
?

Ichiro turned around to see and then turned back toward her. He blushed even more.

“See, it is possible to have a normal life if you’re willing to work at it.”

Ichiro cleared his throat. “Speaking of work, I better take you back to the hotel before Masaaki kills me. We have to rehearse before the big concert tomorrow.”

“That’s okay. I do understand deadlines and it’s been a perfect morning. Thank you for taking me to see this shrine. I don’t know when it was that I last had such a relaxing time.”

Ichiro rose awkwardly and helped her to her feet.

Shaundra glanced down. He had an erection. She would pretend not to notice and not joke about it.

Ichiro started the conversation before her. “How do you cope with all your fans back in the United States?” He bravely took her hand and held it as they walked toward the gate of temple with the guards following close behind.