Hitomi was blushing ear to ear. “Thank you, Camille. But I can’t take all the credit. This awesome man right here bought it for me, shoes and clutch, too.” Raiden gave her a hug from behind, and Hitomi quickly grabbed his hands tighter around her waist. She loved everything about him.
Camille nodded her head in approval, “You have great taste, Mr. Saga.”
“Thank you. I would do anything to keep a smile on her beautiful face.”
The women both smiled at him. Hitomi knew she had a great man. “Thanks, sweetie. And I would do anything for you.” Looking to Camille, she said, “You know, that dress you have on is hot. I need to shop with you.” They shared a laugh at that. Camille looked stunning as usual.
“Thank you for the compliment.” Walking around the podium, she continued, “We are packed tonight, as you can see.” She waved her hand in the direction of the people waiting. The crowd was larger than usual. “We had to open up the other area of the restaurant that’s usually used for banquets. I have your table ready. Lower level this time as requested. Closer to the dance floor. Please follow me.” A few patrons mumbled in the waiting area, which caused Camille to turn and give the look, and it was quiet again.
Camille kept Hitomi so engrossed in conversation she didn’t get a chance to look around the restaurant. “No menus are necessary tonight. Soledad said she’s making you something special.” Camille gave a smooth smile and winked at Raiden before she walked away.
“Raiden, do you know what she’s making tonight?” She was feeling giddy and couldn’t figure out the reason behind it. Maybe it had something to do with making up with Raiden or the special treats he showered her with. Whatever it was, she didn’t care.
“Not a clue, but I’m sure we won’t be disappointed.” A smug smile curved his lips. As they sat, Hitomi finally glanced around the dance floor and realized Soledad had added pink rose petals to the tables along with a single pink rose and pink carnations in a vase. The entertainment tonight was a different group of musicians, and a microphone stood in the center, waiting for the soloist. At the moment, the small band strummed out mostly upbeat instrumental medleys.
The waiter brought over two glasses of Moscato in pink frosted wine glasses. When he continued to hover and cleared his throat, Hitomi looked up from her menu to see what was going on. “This is for you, ma’am.” The waiter, who was dressed in black slacks and a black button-down dress shirt with a white cloth draped over his arm, handed her an envelope.
Hitomi was shocked and amused when she felt herself smile. She slowly reached for the pale pink envelope. As the waiter walked away, Hitomi gave Raiden a puzzled look. “Babe, am I missing something?” she asked in a questioning tone. She was oddly excited. “Does Soledad have a theme going on tonight? What’s with all the pink and this envelope?”
Visibly trying his best to hold in his laughter, Raiden turned to her and smiled. He nodded his head at the envelope. “Open it and see what it says.”
With trembling fingers, Hitomi gently opened the envelope and pulled out a small card trimmed in cherry blossoms, her second favorite flower. She hadn’t even read the card and tears were already forming.
Do you trust me with your heart?
Hitomi’s eyes immediately snapped up to find Raiden on the edge of his seat waiting for her answer. The love and passion in his gaze burned straight through to her heart. “Of course I do,” she choked out. “I love you so much, Raiden.”
“Thank you for trusting me. The night isn’t over.” He pulled her out of her seat and to the dance floor and they danced to a few songs.
As they approached their table, the waiter had just placed their food on the table and filled their wine glasses once more. He nodded at Raiden as he pulled Hitomi’s seat out for her. “This looks delicious, Raiden, my favorite meal. Simple and delicious.” She didn’t recall seeing this on tonight’s menu. Stuffed chicken marsala, mashed potatoes, and steamed vegetables. Although they ate in silence, the smile permanently plastered on her face felt wonderful. She was happy and Raiden was the one responsible for it.
Once they finished, the waiter collected their plates in silence. Hitomi wiped her mouth and was about to place her napkin down when she saw another pink envelope where the plate used to be. She glanced at Raiden as he coolly sat back in his chair with a sly grin. “Open it, sweetheart.”
You have captured my heart, and I refuse to let you go. I can’t live without you. There is a question I need to ask you, but only if you dance with me first.
* * * *
Hitomi placed the card, identical to the first one, down on the table and locked eyes with Raiden. She couldn’t resist her next actions. She walked over to him, never taking her eyes off of him. She extended her hand to him. Once Raiden took her hand and stood, Hitomi pulled him to her and kissed him passionately. At that moment, she didn’t care where she was or who was watching. She was in love, dammit, and she wanted this man more than her next breath.
Raiden was the first to break their kiss and she whimpered at the loss. He hugged her body as close as possible to his. She could feel the steel length of his cock as she pressed up against him. They stood next to their table, locked in a heated embrace. She closed her eyes as her head lay against his chest. She wanted to remember this night as if it were her last.
* * * *
He never understood all the things Claire had tried to show him, teach him, before she died. Claire had been a great wife and friend and a terrific mother. Deep in the depths of his mind he had to wonder if Claire had been trying to prepare him. Claire had joked and teased him so much about moving on that he had learned to tune it out. On the day she died, they had played cards in the hospital. Claire’s eyes were heavy and she lay back down. Right before she nodded off she told Raiden, “Don’t let her slip away from you again.” He held her hand, leaned in close, and whispered, “Who?” He assumed she was rambling about Kimi. Claire whispered, “Hitomi. Don’t let her slip away from you again.” Sometimes, he knew it paid to listen to those much wiser than ourselves.
* * * *
As they embraced, he watched as Riva made her way to the stage to sing with her band. He knew Hitomi hadn’t really paid any attention to what was going on around her, and that’s how he wanted it. If she had, she would have noticed all the Lacoste clan in attendance, as well as Duran, Natalia, Heather, her parents, godparents who flew in from Japan, and her sister Miki who flew from Hawaii.
He had her head spinning as they walked onto the dance floor again. He let out a small laugh that Hitomi didn’t notice. She was dancing with her eyes closed, laying her head on his chest as her friends and family crowded the dance floor. She was so caught up in the romantic bliss that a tornado could have come through there and she would not have noticed a thing. After the first dance, the soloist began to sing, and he felt Hitomi smile against his chest.
She whispered in his ear, “She’s singing Riva’s song. That can only be your doing.” She once again rested her head on his chest as they continued to dance.
Raiden knew it was only a matter of time before she recognized the voice. The more the woman sang, the slower Hitomi danced. After a few more lines Hitomi stopped and Raiden laughed softly.
“It can’t be.” She whispered as her head snapped up to Raiden before she turned around to face the stage. Riva was singing one of the songs that she had written for Hitomi years ago. She had put it on her first CD that also happened to go double platinum. Riva gave her a small smile and blew her a kiss.
When Hitomi turned those gray eyes on him he could almost see the wheels turning. He raised his hand, showing her the small pale pink ring box. Hitomi looked at the box and back to Raiden.
* * * *
The people were no longer dancing, only stepping backward and forming a circle around them as they stood in the center. Hitomi did a slow scan and caught Natalia in her sight and Soledad. She didn’t think there was anything strange about seeing them at the restaurant.
&nbs
p; Until she kept turning and looking and saw faces, lots of faces she recognized. Her friends as well as Raiden’s friends were all there. When she caught sight of her family and godparents, Hitomi instantly looked back at Raiden. Except now she had to look down because he was on one knee as Riva’s singing became softer.
“Raiden?” Her voice was raspy as tears swelled in her eyes.
“Are you shocked, sweetheart?” he asked as his eyes began to water. Speechless, she could only nod. “Good, that means I did it right.” As he opened the small pale pink ring box, gasps were heard throughout the room. It was the most beautiful ring she had ever seen. Words were not forthcoming. All she could do was trace the beauty that gleamed inside the box.
Damn!
“Hitomi Marceline Narcisse, I have loved you since the first day I met you in college when I was going through my awkward stage and everyone thought I was a girl.”
Laughter erupted.
“What? I never knew…” She spoke so low she wondered if he had heard her above the laughter. But he continued on.
“When you showed Kimi how to be more defensive and a little too aggressive in soccer, I knew I had completely fallen for you, and there was no coming back.”
More laughter erupted as Hitomi started to feel her legs give out. She couldn’t believe what was happening. They hadn’t discussed anything. Then again, there wasn’t anything to discuss. She knew she loved Raiden and wanted to spend the rest of her life with him and Kimi. Her heart was empty whenever they parted. Hitomi slowly knelt down in front of him.
“I love you,” she whispered for his ears only.
“I love you, too. Baby, will you marry me?
“Yes!” She screamed as her tears flowed freely down her face. With shaky hands, he pulled the ring out of the box and placed it on her left ring finger. He wiped her tears away as she did the same to him. She couldn’t believe he was crying in front of all his friends. He didn’t seem to care at the moment and neither did she. The love she felt for him was indescribable. Being with Raiden made her feel complete. Now they were going to be married and she would have both Raiden and Kimi become a permanent part of her life.
Standing, he pulled her up to him as everyone cheered and Riva sang another upbeat song of hers. “Wow! Imagine how dramatic the wedding is going to be. Now the party can begin, everyone!” Riva exclaimed, winking at Hitomi when they locked gazes.
Chapter 21
Hitomi never would have imagined that Raiden would have put together a wedding within two weeks without her knowledge. Of course, he had a lot of help from her friends. Just about everyone they knew pitched in to help get the wedding plans taken care of. He had made it clear to her he wasn’t wasting another minute without her in his arms. He would no longer continue to “act” as a family. They were a family and making it official was the last step.
Raiden and Cage had made sure to book the rooms on the top floor specifically for the bridal party. So even though she and Raiden were apart, they were only across the hall from one another. The rest of their friends and family were scattered throughout the hotel.
She felt like a princess when her mother had brought her wedding dress to her hotel suite the following morning after being engaged to Raiden. It was even more interesting to learn that Natalia, Riva, and her sister Miki agreed to all be her maids of honor. There was no debating. They had all been there for her in one form or another. The three women had even jazzed up their dresses. They were all the same pale pink color, but different styles. As was Kimi’s flower girl dress. To add more tears to the wedding, Heather’s twin boys were dressed in matching suits and pale pink bowties like the men. They were the most handsome ring bearers she had ever seen.
It seemed that all Hitomi had to do was just show up downstairs in the ballroom where her wedding to Raiden would take place. Her mother had the honor of picking out her wedding dress. It was an ivory-colored knee-length, flirty, strapless wedding dress with satin bands with strappy heels to match. She loved it. The Lacoste sisters were there to help as well. They were family now and made sure Hitomi understood she would be smothered just as Raiden had always been.
Only a man in love could throw together a wedding in less than two weeks without her finding out. The wedding and reception took place inside the same hotel. It was definitely a party for all in attendance rather than a stiff wedding celebration. Hitomi and Raiden had even managed a dance that included just the two of them and then one with Kimi as everyone watched their new family smiling together. It was a night Hitomi would never forget. It was a night that Raiden, once again, proved how much he truly loved her.
Dying to finally have some alone time, Hitomi and Raiden decided it was time to leave their party. They were leaving for Italy the next day and Raiden was still eager to open his wedding present from Hitomi. During the reception she had whispered naughty comments in his ear about the wicked present she had for him. She had promised him he wouldn’t be disappointed with the wrapping or the bow. Anticipation was burning his insides as they left the ballroom and headed for the elevators. Turning the corner, past several vacant conference rooms, Hitomi and Raiden stopped when low moans grabbed their attention. Hitomi turned to Raiden with a knowing smile on her face.
“It seems that love is in the air, sweetheart.”
Raiden smiled and wrapped his arm around Hitomi, pulling her closer to him as they headed for the elevator. “Baby, I’m not sure if that’s love or lust. But I do know that we will be making those sounds in just a few minutes.” He kissed her forehead as he pushed the “up” arrow on the elevator.
“It’s odd that Natalia didn’t tell me good-bye. Did you see her leave? She knew we were staying the night here at the hotel before we left for our honeymoon.”
“I didn’t see her leave, but you’ve brought something to my attention.”
“Oh yeah, what’s that?” Hitomi gave him a sexy smile, pulled him into the elevator by the lapels of his tuxedo jacket and kissed him with a passionate hunger and the elevator doors closed behind him. She didn’t care what the elevator cameras picked up. She had her man and now wasn’t the time to be shy. As her tongue explored the depths of his warm mouth, her hands roamed his clothes-covered body.
Reaching inside his slacks, she caressed his always-hard and ready cock. Raiden leaned closer to her, giving her more access to him as he let out a low moan. Hitomi knew it would take a few moments to get to the top floor of the hotel, and she took the time to assault her husband. Her husband. Damn, she loved the sound of that. They had come a long way to get to this point and she was reveling in the rewards. The dinging of the elevator had the couple slowly pulling from each other’s grasps as the doors opened to the top floor.
“Uh-huh. See, babe.” Raiden and Hitomi stepped out of the elevator and grinned. There were only a few suites on this level, and a couple standing toward the end of the hallway grabbed their attention almost immediately.
“I was going to say that Cage had disappeared, too. But then again I guess not.” Raiden shook his head as they approached the couple who were clearly unaware of their surroundings.
Cage and Natalia were standing outside of Cage’s hotel room, attacking each other with their mouths while the key card sat halfway lodged into the slot.
“Damn, Hitomi, give me a hand, baby. There’s no telling how long security has been enjoying this little TV show.” Natalia had Cage’s shirt unbuttoned, and Cage had his hand halfway up her dress. Luckily, Cage had enough sense to keep Natalia covered in all the right places, but they were in the hallway nonetheless.
Raiden slid the key card into the slot and waited for the lock to disengage. Once he opened the door, Hitomi murmured low words to the kiss-entangled couple as she gently guided them into the room. Once they were safely inside the room, Raiden tossed the key card on the table, grabbed his new wife by the hand, and quietly closed the door behind them.
Hitomi and Raiden could not control the laughter that erupted from them when the
y stepped back into the hallway and headed for their own honeymoon suite.
“Raiden, what the hell have I missed?” She smiled.
“Babe, I thought we were bad. Those two getting together is going to be colossal. It will be fun to watch. They’re both headstrong people. Cage should be grateful to have Natalia. She’s a great woman and friend.” After unlocking their own door, Raiden whispered the only words she wanted to hear. “I love you, sweetheart. Now where is my present?” he begged and whined.
Stepping into the center of the bedroom, she whispered, “I didn’t get to thank you for the wonderful wedding.” Hitomi slowly unzipped her wedding dress and watched Raiden’s reaction when the dress fell to the floor.
“Son of a bitch!” Raiden hissed out.
Hitomi stood naked with only her heels on, silky white thigh-highs and a small silver belly chain with a long charm hanging low. The charm stopped just below her belly with a small white bow at the end.
“Damn, babe, from the looks of that white bow, I take it you are my present?” He was already undressing as he stared at his beautiful wife.
“You know it. Come and get it.” Hitomi took off running for the bed. She knew there would be long days and nights of love and happiness with Raiden, and she couldn’t help but welcome it all with open arms.
THE END
HTTP://WWW.KORTNYALEXANDER.COM
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I’m an addict for books. I love to read. Trust me when I say you don't want to be around when I’m reading a series. I forget to eat, forget to feed the kids, forget doctor’s appointments...It can get ugly.
I live in Georgia with my two extremely cool sons. They are not as addicted to reading but they are not too far behind. They both are writers as well. They rubbed off on me.
Alexander, Kortny - Love, Interrupted (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 18
