“Oh God, Raiden!” she shouted in utter bliss. “Harder! Harder! Harder! Oh damn!”
He did as she wanted and soon she bent over at the waist with him behind her. Her hips slammed forward and backward not because she wanted them to but because he made them do what he wanted when he wanted. Her knees could no longer hold her up. His strong arms wrapped around her keeping her off the ground. “Oh damn! Oh shit!”
Her breath caught in her throat as she gushed over his fingers. Her knees locked together and her body lifted suddenly, frozen in time with her eyes wide open and a gut wrenching shout of pleasure escaped her. She latched on behind his neck while she rode the waves and his fingers. He turned her into a convulsing, smiling mess by the time he carried her into the living room and lay her gently on the sofa. He kneeled down beside her, licking his fingers and smiling down at her. She was still tender and jerking periodically as he leaned in and whispered, “When you wake up, okanbō, call your friend. You are what I want. And next time, Rochelle, I aim to drink from the source. I won’t stop until I’m thoroughly satisfied.”
Her body reacted instantly to those words and Rochelle moaned before drifting off to sleep.
Chapter Five
Rochelle finally opened her eyes late in the evening. She could feel the after effects of what Raiden did to her and, Lord help her, she wanted more. Could she pretend it never happened after something like that? She didn’t want to forget—she wanted more. She wanted to know what it would be like to have him staring at her while sliding his cock between her legs. That thought made her moan. She pressed a hand beneath the blanket to her swollen lips and whimpered. Her finger brushed her clit. The seat of her panties felt soaked from their little game of dare and her dreams afterward. She smelled food. Shoving the blanket off her legs she exited the living room. She looked in the kitchen to see Raiden hunched over the counter, stove going, peering pensively at his cell phone.
“Zero?” she whispered.
“You’re awake.” He smiled softly at her. “Don’t worry. I made dinner.”
“I wasn’t worried,” Rochelle told him before walking in to peek into the different pots. She didn’t recognize anything there but the fried rice, but everything smelled marvellous. Her stomach growled and she chuckled. “I guess I’m hungrier than I thought.”
“Why don’t you sit down and let me take care of you for dinner tonight?”
Rochelle blushed but nodded. She sat down at the island and watched him work his way around her kitchen as though he lived there. He seemed familiar with things in the kitchen. She wondered how long she had been asleep. She felt extremely rested—unlike anything she ever felt since she started Hayes.
“I guess I owe you a date?”
He stopped and faced her slowly. “I suppose.”
“Aren’t you going to hold me to it?”
“I shouldn’t have to, Rochelle. You gave your word I never thought of you not honouring it.”
She nodded. “Right. I should have known that. I will honour my promise.”
“I guess it’s safe to say we will not talk about what happened.”
Rochelle flushed before she bowed her head, “Can we wait until a later time? I’m still shivering and it’s still fresh.”
He nodded before turning to place food onto a plate. He walked over to her and set the plate in front of her, along with chopsticks. Rochelle sniffed the food and moaned. “This smells good. What is it?”
She shivered when Raiden took her hand, set the chopsticks between her fingers and helped her to pick a piece. “This is Chicken Tatsuta.” He dunked it into a sauce and lifted it to her lips. Rochelle opened her lips taking the food in and when she crunched into it the flavours exploded in her mouth. She smiled while chewing and nodded. He released her hand.
“This is delicious.”
He grinned. “Of course, I made it.”
Shaking her head, she tried picking up another piece of chicken but it kept flying between the sticks. She groaned. Why hadn’t she learned to use those dang things when Maylee tried teaching her? “How exactly do you use these things? Where did you get chopsticks?”
“I ran out while you were sleeping.” He picked up two of his own and tried teaching her but she just couldn’t get it. Eventually he took the sticks from her. “It’s all right. Use your fingers.”
“But that’s disrespectful to you—”
“I don’t mind.”
She smiled shyly and placed chopsticks across the top of a cup. If she had to break the rules by using her fingers the least she could do is show respect to the chopsticks.
Who knew there is such a thing as chopstick etiquette?
“I hate to be a stick in the mud.” Raiden brought a glass of juice to her before sitting down across from her with his meal. “But I think you will have to apologize to Maylee.”
Rochelle moaned. She almost forgot what had happened. She hoped it was only a horrible nightmare. She hurt her best friend and she knew how Maylee got when angry. She sighed. “You’re right and it’s not going to be easy,” she told him while chewing. “Maylee may be petite but the girl’s got a temper and she knows how to hold a grudge.”
“I’ve seen friendship overcome worse things than a knife wielding friend.”
Rochelle shook her head when he smiled at her, “I just—I don’t know what got into me.”
He sat silently staring at her. She nodded without speaking trying to find the perfect words to say to her ex-best friend. What do you say to someone after you charge at them with a knife?
Sorry I turned into a knife wielding maniac?
Sorry I turned into Choppy McChoppy?
There was nothing to say after that. She suddenly didn’t feel hungry but still she tried to eat. Everything looked so delicious.
Finally she felt like she needed his opinion. Perhaps he could tell her the answer to the question that has been plaguing her, “What do I say to someone after that?”
“You start by saying you’re sorry,” Raiden explained softly. “You tell her that you didn’t know what came over you and you didn’t mean what you said. Tell her you said it all in anger and it wasn’t meant to come out the way it did. Tell her the truth—do not yell, do not lie and do not hide within yourself.”
“I don’t think she’ll want to hear it.”
Raiden chuckled. “Do not say anything you think she will not want to hear. Go see her, tell her the truth and then see what happens. Then you will know you’ve tried mending the fences. I’m sorry to say it but trying is all you can do right now.”
Rochelle nodded sadly and lifted her glass to her lips. She doubted Maylee would want t hear it but she had to try. With her fingers, Rochelle finished her meal and thanked Raiden. She was too lazy to grab a fork. She got up to take the dishes away but he simply took them from her hand and placed them into the sink. “Go see Maylee.”
“I thought I could do it tomorrow.” Rochelle pouted.
“No, it is eating away at you. I do not like seeing your eyes the way they are—so full of hurt. The sooner you can get it off your shoulders the better.”
Without saying a word, Rochelle walked over and pressed a kiss to Raiden’s cheek as a way of thanking him and exited the room. Without him she probably would have locked herself in her bedroom, never to see the light of day again.
Now who’s being dramatic?
She was in no hurry to get to Maylee’s place so when it began snowing and cars cut her off, she didn’t mind in the least. She spent the ride going over what Raiden suggested she say to Maylee. When the house finally came into view, Rochelle felt her heart lurch. She parked her car and shut off the ignition. She looked at the house, but no matter how long she sat there, Rochelle still could not think of the right words to start the conversation. She ached to turn around and go back home but knew this had to be done. She couldn’t just let a friendship fall apart without trying to fix it.
Inhaling deeply, she grabbed her keys and stepped from the
car, straightened her spine and hurried up to the door. When Maylee opened the door and saw her, the Asian woman slammed the door in her face and Rochelle knocked again, “May, can we talk? Please?”
Silence reigned from the other side of the door and Rochelle sighed. “I’m sorry. I’m not going anywhere until we talk so you can either let me in or I can disturb your neighbours.”
Maylee didn’t answer.
Rochelle knocked. “Maylee. Maylee?”
Still no reply came and Rochelle sat down with her back against the door. Suddenly she fell backward. Maylee opened the door. Falling to her back Rochelle grunted in pain. She looked up into her friend’s face and smiled sadly, “Hi.”
“Hi,” Maylee whispered.
Silence.
“Can I come in?”
“Sure.”
Rochelle stood up and walked into the house. She removed her shoes and set them neatly to the side before taking off her coat and hanging it in the closet. She followed Maylee into the kitchen. “I’m sorry, Maylee. I didn’t mean what I said to you—I shouldn’t have said it because you’ve been a great friend to me. I just—”
“Have a seat.”
Offering a small smile, Rochelle sat. “I’m not in love with Raiden. It’s too early. But he—he showed some interest in me when no other man would and I didn’t want to lose that.”
“I told you to talk to him, didn’t I? But you are the one that refused to do it because you wanted to keep things professional between the two of you. Those were your words, not mine or his. So you had no right to get all huffy when it seemed like he’s showing interest in someone else.”
“I know. And I actually believed that really, I did. But I started thinking maybe after he is no longer working at Hayes, we could try something. I saw the way he looked at you and you two were talking in your language and I felt left out. I started seeing that Raiden and I had nothing in common. I had nothing to give him, but you do. You speak his language and he obviously finds you sexy—he said so himself while you guys were talking. What was I supposed to do then?”
“We were talking about the bookstore, Rochelle.” Maylee explained. “We were talking about how I want to write a book. He didn’t say I was sexy; he said the idea of me writing a romance novel was sexy. We weren’t conspiring against you.”
“But I couldn’t understand you. And you two were talking as if I didn’t even exist. I had to get out of there. I know I said I’m only interested in a professional relationship, but the thought of him falling for someone else broke my heart. Look, I didn’t come over here to argue. I just wanted to say that I’m really sorry for pulling a knife on you—I should’ve handled it better. You know that it hasn’t been easy for me the last few years when it comes to dating. Men usually don’t want anything to do with me and I started believing that it had to be my fault. So after a while, I just locked it all deep inside and stopped even trying. The first thing I thought of when my body reacted to Raiden was he wouldn’t be interested in me. But when he did show interest—I had no idea how to handle it.”
“So you ran.”
Rochelle nodded. “I didn’t know what else to do. Running protected me. Then it looked like he was no longer interested and I just felt betrayed—”
“See, that’s just it, Rochelle. You should know me by now. You should know that I wouldn’t go after your man. I know you better. I know you have this wall around your heart that won’t just fall down in a matter of days. I knew sooner or later you would come to your senses—so it hurts me to think that you would think I would betray my girl like that.”
“I’m sorry. That’s all I can say. What else do you want me to say?”
Maylee shrugged. “I don’t want you to say anything you think will make me feel better. I want you to do something to make you feel better. You’re a beautiful woman. I’ve been trying to tell you this for years. These men who told you otherwise aren’t worth the crap on the bottom of your shoe but you never listen to me.”
Rochelle flushed and looked away. “You’re my best friend. You’re supposed to say that.”
“No—that’s not how it works. I’m supposed to tell you the truth and then let you pick sense from nonsense and make up your own mind. That’s how it works.”
“I’m sorry,” Rochelle whispered.
Silence flowed between the two. The pain was so bad that Rochelle stood up and walked to the door. She knew their friendship was over and there was nothing she could say or do that would change anything at this point. All she wanted was a good man—she never intended for it to get in the way of her friendship with Maylee. The incident only confirmed she would never be happy with a lover. At the door she shoved her feet into her boots and reached into the closet for her jacket.
“Chelle,” Maylee called.
Rochelle didn’t stop. She couldn’t because tears streamed down her face. She shoved her arms into her jacket and tugged it into place around her. Maylee hugged her from behind. Maylee’s head rested against Rochelle’s back.
“I know you’re sorry,” Maylee whispered. “But if you ever pull a knife on me again, we’re over.”
Rochelle remained silent.
“I don’t want Raiden. He’s not my type. I thought you knew me long enough that I don’t dig Asian boys.”
Rochelle chuckled. “I know but I couldn’t help myself.”
Maylee turned her around and Rochelle closed her eyes. Softly, Maylee wiped her tears away and Rochelle looked at her friend. “Are we cool?” Rochelle wanted to know.
Maylee laughed softly. “Yeah. We’re cool. Now if you would like to join me, I have wine chilling and some dinner that needs eating.”
Rochelle wasn’t really hungry since she’d had dinner with Raiden, but she was grateful her friend accepted her apology. She smiled, nodded
* * * *
Raiden finished the dishes and a third set of sketches. He hadn’t been to the office yet but already ahead of schedule. He just wished he knew what to do for Rochelle. He glanced at the clock and wondered fleetingly if he should call her to ensure her and Maylee hadn’t killed each other. He’d never had two women fight over him. Some men would revel in it, but he felt awkward. Perhaps the fact that the fight split two friends apart was the reason he didn’t enjoy it. He prized friendship so dearly. He was developing feelings for Rochelle and to see her hurt so deeply pained him. He pushed some hair from his face and looked at the clock again—five seconds since he last checked. Setting the boards from him, he walked to the window and stood with his arms folded over his chest and watched the street. Outside was dark and the snow was falling harder. He worried she might be in trouble. His heart hammered against his chest. When her car finally pulled into the driveway, he hauled on a shirt and darted down the stairs. He met her at the door, pulling her into his arms without thinking.
“Raiden?” she questioned, her voice full of worry. He squeezed her to him, cradling her head for a bit longer before stepping back to look at her.
“So? Are you all right?”
“Yes.” She nodded with a smile. He searched her eyes. They twinkled at him and he smiled. “Everything worked out. But she said if I did it again we are done.”
“That’s understandable.” He took her coat and while she entered the living room he hung it up before following. He flopped down beside her and stared at her until she looked at him. Her dark lips were moist from her tongue flowing over them. He wanted so desperately to kiss her—but that wasn’t their deal. He bowed his head and pushed away from the sofa.
“Don’t go,” she called.
He stopped but didn’t face her. “I should, because if not this night will not end the way you want it to.”
“How do you know what I want?”
“You told me.”
He heard the sofa creak as her weight lifted from it. He jerked slightly when she flattened her palm against the small of his back. Turning his head to the side, he glanced at her over his shoulder.
“I
was scared,” she whispered. “I’m still terrified. But I know one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“I crave you.”
“And how do you know that, Koibito?” he questioned.
“I know from the way you look at my lips. It makes me shiver. I know from the way I wonder about what you would taste like exploding against my tongue. Please don’t make me say it.”
“See? That’s the problem. I cannot give you what you want unless you ask me—no tell me.”
She sighed, walked around him, her hand still where she left it. She moved in close, pressing her forehead against his chin and Raiden’s eyes shut. Her scent took his control from him. He watched his restraint float away, almost mocking him. He swallowed hard, his fists tightening at his sides. Her free hand found its way beneath his shirt and she dragged her nails over his abs.
He growled at her, opening his eyes.
She moved her forehead from side to side slowly, pressing her body even closer into him. He elevated his left hand and buried the fingers in her braids. Raiden gritted his teeth, fighting desperately to simply walk away. But he couldn’t. Her curves wrapped around him. Her scent wreaked havoc on his senses and her breasts now pressed into his chest. Tightening his fingers, he pulled her head backward tugging a gasp from her lips.
To his sweet torture, the fiery vixen stuck her tongue out at him and winked.
That did it.
His lips descended on hers with such force that shocked even him. Her mouth opened and without warning he shoved his tongue in, seeking hers. His cock jumped in his pants and began pulsing. Yanking his lips from hers, he searched her eyes before bowing his head to lick her. He dragged his tongue from where her breasts peeked out, and slowly made his way up to her chin. There he sucked on her chin then moved his mouth to her right ear. He suckled on her earlobe before whispering, “You can’t be shy now, Rochelle. I will not let you.”
For the Love of Rei Page 7
