As Hitomi made her way around to the other side of the closet, she stopped. Raiden had bought clothes for her as well. The items only took up a small amount of space, but the sight of it all was amazing. Hitomi thought she would throw up. How could she have hurt a man she was in love with and who was clearly in love with her? He took her needs very seriously, filling his drawers with items for her, filling his closet with clothes just for her, and loading his cabinets with the specialty items she used, including the items for her sensitive skin.
Unable to control the quiet tears that fell, Hitomi crawled into the bed and pulled the covers over her head. “How could I have been so stupid?” she whispered before drifting off.
* * * *
The soft sounds of a door opening and closing did not wake Hitomi up, but the clanging of dishes did. She sat up and saw Raiden setting out their dinner. Sliding out of the bed and tugging his T-shirt over her naked bottom, she walked closer and realized it was dinner for one.
“Raiden?” Her voice was soft and scratchy.
Without looking up, Raiden continued placing food on the small table. “I’ve already eaten. I didn’t mean to take so long. Here’s your dinner. I’m going to take a shower.” She watched as Raiden’s lean body walked past her and strode into the bathroom. He didn’t utter another word nor did he look back. It was if he was talking to her out of courtesy.
Hitomi did not want to overanalyze things, so she sat quietly and ate her dinner and awaited her so-called punishment. Not having much of an appetite, she pushed her plate back just as Raiden walked out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. His hair was longer and finger-combed back with water still dripping from it. Water lingered on his neck and rippled chest.
Mouth open, she shamelessly stared. I wonder if he would be mad if I jumped his bones right now. My goodness, he looks good enough to eat. Oh hell, am I drooling?
Raiden moved around the room as if she wasn’t there, not uttering one word to her. Hitomi sat and watched as Raiden dropped his towel and climbed into the bed. He graced the room with two words. “Good night.”
Rising from her chair, Hitomi walked the distance to Raiden’s side of the bed. “R–Raiden? Why are you ignoring me?” She felt like a child, tugging at the hem of her T-shirt. “I would like my punishment now. Please. Anything to get you to at least look at me.”
Quickly flipping the covers back, Raiden scooted over but never looked at her. Instead, he kept his eyes closed. “Turn off the light and get in the bed, Hitomi.” Once she climbed in the bed, Raiden flung the covers over her, turned his back to her, and continued to talk. “You don’t get it, do you, Hi? I know you better than you know yourself. I know the one thing you hate the most. The one thing you never like for me to do to you.” He sighed deeply. “Go to sleep, Hitomi. This is your punishment.”
Dammit! I always said I want a man who is attentive and knows me. But it fucking sucks when he knows that ignoring me is the worst punishment to give me. I’d rather yell and scream, break something…anything but be ignored.
Her heart was breaking all over again, but she deserved it.
Hitomi lay still for a long time, listening to Raiden breathe. She missed his body heat, cuddling, being held by him. Now the man she loved slept with his back to her. To hell with it. He can ignore me, but I need him. Hitomi turned over and faced Raiden’s back. She moved in close to Raiden’s naked body but didn’t dare place her hands on him. She was afraid he would wake up and move away, rejecting her.
She lay there feeling her heart beating as if it were doing a drumroll. With her forehead resting on his back, she felt slightly better. Any closeness was better than none at all. The reality of what she did to Raiden, the immense pain she had caused, finally hit her. Hard. The punishment he was giving her couldn’t compete with the punishment and pain she laid on him before she went out of the country. She lay motionless as the silent tears fell.
* * * *
Raiden lay in the bed, listening as Hitomi cried behind him. This is not what I wanted. If he inflicted the same amount of hurt on her as she had on him, neither would recover. He wanted her in his life, and ignoring Hitomi was quicker and would cause less damage to their shaky relationship. But now as he lay listening to his woman cry, it hurt him all over again. Damn.
Turning over, he reached over her and wrapped her hand in his and pulled it to his mouth and kissed her palm. Her cries were no longer silent, and her body began to shake.
“I’m sooo…I’m sorry, Raiden,” she whispered between hiccups. Her breathing was shallow. “My h–heart h–hurts, Raiden. I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.”
Without a sound, Raiden turned her over to face him. Pulling her small body into his embrace, he comforted her. “Shhh, baby. We are going to be okay. You knew I couldn’t sleep with my heart hurting like this, babe. Stop crying, Hi. Shhh, calm down, love.” Hugging her tighter, caressing her hair, he felt her nod, and she slowly began to calm down.
“I love you with all that I have, woman.” He gave her a small shake. “I need you in my life. Don’t ever hurt me again, Hitomi.” It just about did him in when she raised those swollen, cloudy gray eyes at him. He hissed and let out a low curse.
“I promise I will never hurt you again. I swear. I love you so much. I’m sorry, Raiden. Don’t give up on me. Don’t let me go.”
“But I have to.”
Her eyes widened as she gasped, ready to cry all over again.
“I have to, baby. I have to let you go…so you can turn over and press your back to my chest as we fall asleep.” He let out a chuckle as he watched the fear in her eyes turn to joy.
“Jerk.” She turned over, and Raiden opened his arms only enough for her to turn over. Hell, he didn’t want to let her go either, regardless of the situation.
* * * *
The moonlight seeping through the blinds woke Hitomi. It lit the room up with a soft and sweet illumination. She lay in Raiden’s arms, enjoying the closeness they shared. It felt so good. At that moment, she knew things were going to be okay between the two of them. She was home.
“I see you finally woke up.” One hand caressed her arm, causing goose bumps in its path.
“Uh-huh.” She turned over and quickly covered his mouth with hers, slow and deep, intent on being in control as she sampled his sweet mouth.
At least she thought she was in control.
Raiden pulled her body close to his, letting her feel the urgent need that she had caused. His erection was strong and hard. He broke the kiss, and a wicked grin curved his lips. “It’s time, baby.”
Still flying high because of a relationship renewed, Hitomi placed light kisses on his neck. Her voice was raspy when she spoke between kisses. “Time.” Lick, nip, kiss. “For.” Lick, nip, kiss. “What?” Lick, nip, kiss.
“Mmmm, sweetheart. I need to be inside of you now, Hi.”
Chapter 18
Pushing Raiden onto his back, Hitomi straddled his thighs without hesitation. Gently grabbing his dick and stroking it with one hand as she caressed his balls with the other was double the pleasure. She loved the way he felt in her hands. He was soft, silky, warm, and then hard. Hitomi knew the power she had at that moment, knew she could easily make him come in a matter of moments. But what fun would that be when she wanted to feel him inside of her? Hearing his moans of excitement caused her sheath to flood with her cream.
“Do you know how beautiful you look sitting above me with my T-shirt on? You have no idea how much I missed you.”
She felt her cheeks burn when she reached up to touch her hair. She knew she looked a mess.
He stopped her hand before it reached her hair. “Sweetheart, your hair is in a messy ponytail. Your lips are soft, wet, and ready to be kissed again. Right now your eyes are eating me alive.” He groaned and thrust his hips up when she licked her lips. “You are ready for me, baby. I can feel your juices sliding down my leg. Stop teasing me. I need you now.”
Hitomi slid up h
is thighs and hovered over his cock, resting her wet folds on his engorged tip, moving ever so slowly back and forth. When she removed her T-shirt, she was completely naked. She smiled when Raiden groaned. When he cupped her breast, without warning, Hitomi slammed down on his cock, followed by her squeal of pleasure.
“Oh how I’ve missed you,” she moaned.
“I will follow your lead,” he choked out. “Ride me, baby.”
In her own euphoric haze, Hitomi laid her palms on Raiden’s chest and tossed her head back as she began milking him at a steady pace. With every upward motion, her pussy clamped down and held him tight. Their melodic moans combined with the pressure of his thumb circling her clit was the catalyst she needed to quickly send her nerve endings blazing.
“Raiden.” Whispering his name as her pace quickened, she locked eyes with him. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Extending his arms, he pulled her down to him. Voice raspy, he continued, “Kiss me.”
Leaning forward, Hitomi cradled his face in her hands as she felt Raiden’s hands wrap around her, pulling their bodies as close together as possible. Their kiss was slow, passionate, and deep, and her joyride slowed to match the pace. The orgasm that was screaming to break through was pushed to the side, and time stood still for long moments as Hitomi wrapped her arms around his neck, allowing the passion of their embrace to take over.
Kissing away the pain and hurt. Kissing with the promise to protect, listen, and share with one another. Imprinting the love they had for each other. Branding one another with the knowledge that each belonged to the other. Keeping their bodies joined together, Raiden turned until Hitomi was nestled underneath him. Cradling her body, his movements stilled.
Their lovemaking had always been miraculous and special, but tonight it was a cleaning of the slate. As Hitomi slowly opened her eyes and stared right into Raiden’s, a stray tear slid down the side of her face. Wrapping her arms and legs around his body, she began to move in sync with him. The thrusts were indescribable. Raiden took her to levels she has never been before. He pulled back slowly until the head of his cock laid at the opening of her folds, thrusting forward until he grazed her womb. He continued this dance until she could no longer hold back the orgasm that had been pacing the sidelines.
Something tantalizing always racked her body when he gave her permission to come. Of course she could have one without waiting for him to tell her to, but her orgasms were stronger, deeper whenever he gave the command. She waited for those magical words to slip from his mouth.
“Come, sweetheart.” She held him as tight as possible as the orgasm took over her body, and Raiden began to thrust harder and deeper.
“Raiden!” Gasping, Hitomi felt another orgasm building before she finished riding the waves of her first one. “Holy hell, another one is working its way up.” She felt Raiden’s chest rumble.
“Mine.” He held on to her waist as he possessed her body.
“More. Harder. Please, Raiden.” His grip tightened as their bodies became drenched with sweat.
“I…n–need to come again, Raiden. Holy hell! Say it now. Please now.” The internal battle of delaying her orgasm this time around was of pleasure and pain.
“Do you belong to me?” His voice was husky and short of breath.
“Y–yes. I’m yours always.” She could barely think straight, trying to hold on to her orgasm.
“Mine?”
“Yours, Raiden.”
Smiling wide, he kissed her lips then moved to her neck. Nipping, biting, teasing as he ground his hips into her. “Come for me.” He continued to nip at her neck while her body thrashed underneath him. The room was filled with outbursts of moans, groans, and screams by sated lovers. As their bodies calmed, they caressed each other with tender words of love. No longer joined together, they turned on their sides and quickly fell asleep in each other’s arms.
* * * *
“Congratulations, man!” Cage said to Raiden as he gave him a hug. Raiden had shown up unexpectedly at the Lacoste Publishing House to share his news. He knew Raiden was still in love with Hitomi when he called him and told him about their very first business meeting, which eventually turned into a very long lunch. Raiden just had not admitted it yet. Cage and his siblings had made bets on when Raiden would propose.
He was blown away at how Kimi took to Hitomi immediately. People were always invited to Kimi’s games, but Hitomi was the first woman of interest that Raiden had invited. Hitomi was the first other than a Lacoste family member to get a team shirt. Hitomi was the first woman since her mother’s death to meet Kimi. Hitomi was the first and only to sweep Raiden off his feet since his wife’s death. And Hitomi was the first and only to win Kimi over sight unseen.
Kimi and Raiden were a close father-and-daughter team. Raiden had told her about Hitomi and even shared pictures with her. Kimi thought she was beautiful and had kind eyes. The eyes, those kind, translucent gray eyes are what usually got you. And Kimi didn’t hesitate to discuss giving Hitomi a team shirt. Whatever made Kimi’s dad happy always made her happy.
* * * *
“I can’t believe it took you this long to come to that decision. You were a goner the first time you reunited with her. Have you picked out a ring yet?”
Coming out of the clouds, Raiden sighed with bliss. “No, her friend Natalia is meeting me at the jewelry store. I know what I like, but Natalia will help me to blend my taste with Hitomi’s and hopefully come up with the perfect ring.”
“Natalia?” He was momentarily lost in thought about the beauty he had met at the “intervention” dinner at Duran’s house. Cage could not believe how drawn he was to her. “Beautiful woman. You can’t go wrong with her friend there to help.” Looking at Raiden cautiously, he said, “Raiden, calm down.” Cage let out a deep laugh. He shook his head at his best friend. He hadn’t seen Raiden this nervous when he proposed to Claire. Well hell, this was interesting. “You’re going to stress yourself out. Calm down, or you won’t be able to tackle your objectives today.” Cage sat back in his leather chair in amazement. He was truly happy for Raiden. It was amazing to see his best friend and his daughter head over heels for Hitomi.
Hitomi was a very lucky woman indeed.
“I haven’t figured out when I will ask her. How long are you supposed to date before you propose?”
“Are you kidding me? You know there’s no specified date for falling in love. Shit, Raiden, when it happens, it happens, and there’s nothing anyone else can say. If you want to marry her then ask her. This is between you and Hitomi. You should know better than to ask me that. Although I don’t think I will ever experience it, I was raised by parents who are still madly in love with each other. You know my parents married after one month of dating. They declared their love on their first date. They are still in love with each other. You’ve witnessed some of the groping yourself, man.” They both burst out laughing with that visual in mind. “Just let me know when you want me to get Kimi.”
“Thanks, Cage. I guess that makes you my best man.”
“Did you ever have any doubt, bro? The only problem I foresee is what to do with your other nine brothers and sisters in the Lacoste family. They treat you like a brother, call you brother, and will beat you up like one if they aren’t given some type of wedding duty.” Cage burst into laughter as he watched Raiden’s eyes bulge. “Just keep it in mind.”
* * * *
Raiden was on his second cup of caramel macchiato when he saw Natalia walk into the coffee shop. His nerves were a mess, and he knew he should have stopped at one cup. The espresso had him wired, and in the second cup, he had asked them to double it. He could run a marathon in a suit and dress shoes right this moment and win with time to spare.
Even though his best friend was in denial, Raiden could see why Cage was taken with the mahogany beauty with the golden eyes. Natalia was kind-hearted and apparently loved children or she wouldn’t have become a pediatric doctor. Watching Cage go after Natalia wo
uld be an event Raiden would pay to see.
“Raiden, put the coffee down. I won’t even ask how many you have had. You look wired to the teeth.” She smiled as she took a seat across from him. “I’m glad I decided to take the day off to help you shop for a ring for Hitomi. Take a few deep breaths.”
“I’m a bit nervous, Natalia.” He pushed the cup away anyway. He was thankful that she had suggested he dress casual for the ring-shopping adventure. He was unsure of how long it would take to find the perfect ring and was glad Natalia had agreed to help him. Raiden felt it was important for one of the three people Hitomi trusted to help him. They knew her taste in jewelry. He wanted everything to be perfect.
“I would be worried if you were not nervous, Raiden. Hitomi is a special woman, and I’m glad she finally saw the light. But I’m especially happy that the two of you are back together. I’ve never seen such happiness. Although I have not met your daughter, I feel as if I know and love her already.”
Subconsciously sitting a little taller, he smiled. “Thank you, Natalia. I love her.”
“I know.”
He was lost in thought for a moment. Good grief, how difficult could it be for him to speak his mind? The need to know was eating at him.
Alexander, Kortny - Love, Interrupted (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 16
