Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 66993 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66993 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
My heart wouldn’t slow down.
After several minutes, we came to a stop at the top of the hill and in front of a vast path leading to a massive courtyard.
The chauffeur moved first, slipping from the vehicle with that same grace I’d seen before.
The door opened.
“Ms. Palmer,” he bowed. “You’ve arrived.”
“Thank you.” I stepped out.
The scent of cedar and rain-kissed stone lingered in the air.
Moonlight bathed everything. The courtyard stretched before me, resembling a private kingdom—wide stone paths, raked gravel patterns, and lush moss curling around rock gardens.
The only sound was the distant trickle of water from a bamboo fountain, its rhythmic trickle breaking the silence with a pulse-like beat. It echoed against my chest, grounding me in a space where time seemed to stretch wide and tender.
Suddenly, two men emerged from the shadows at the courtyard’s edge.
I froze.
Who are they?
They walked toward me.
One was heartbreakingly beautiful, tall and lean. Long pink hair framed his face. Something about his eyes felt wicked yet I couldn’t explain why.
He stopped in front of me. “Good evening, Ms. Palmer. My name is Kaoru.”
I blinked. “Nice to meet you.”
The other man got to me next. He was broader and bald headed. His jacket was open just enough to show a silver wolf tooth charm resting against his chest.
He didn’t speak.
I raised my eyebrows. “And. . .what is your name?”
The bald-headed guy didn’t respond.
Kaoru pointed at him. “This is Yoichi.”
“Nice to mee you, Yoichi.”
He remained silent.
O-kay. . .
Kaoru tucked some of his pink hair behind his ear. “We were told you brought gifts.”
“Oh yes,” I began to go back to the car.
Yoichi stopped me. “No.”
I backed up.
He went into the car and took them out.
Seconds later, both gifts were cradled in his arms. Kaoru stepped closer and let his fingers graze the edge of each gift. “Hmmm.”
What is he doing?
Kaoru glanced at Yoichi. “No trigger mechanism.”
Huh?
Yoichi nodded. “The ribbon pattern is consistent. It looks like a normal ribbon.”
“Balance is clean too,” Kaoru added. “No hidden base. No double lining.”
“No acid burn on the seal.”
What the fuck?
Kaoru put his view on me. “Did you wrap these yourself?”
I widened my eyes. “Yes.”
He smiled. “Very pretty.”
“They still could be dangerous,” Yoichi didn’t even look up from the box. “Intent is not always visible.”
Kaoru waved his hand. “She’s brought no threat.”
I blinked. “You thought I was going to assassinate Kenji on a date?”
Silent, Yoichi walked off with the gifts.
Kaoru gave me a shrug. “Reo is a stickler for protocol.”
I had no idea who Reo was but he sounded pretty serious about security.
Kaoru headed off in an elegant stride and then gestured for me to come with him. “This way, Ms. Palmer.”
I strolled along.
Kaoru waited for me to catch up then fell into step beside me with the kind of smooth, effortless rhythm that made me think he practiced walking in mirrors just to make sure his stance was always seductive.
His long pink hair shimmered in the moonlight; a color so soft it should’ve felt sweet—except there was nothing sweet about the man beside me. Not when he’d just evaluated my gift to make sure it wasn’t an explosive.
I had no doubt that if it had been something dangerous. . .he would have killed me in seconds.
Kaoru glanced at me. “In regard to the gift search. . .as far as Reo is concerned, everyone gets the same assessment if they are going to be in the presence of the Dragon. Even gorgeous women in six-inch heels and a dress designed to seriously test a man’s professionalism.”
I smirked.
Ahead of us, Yoichi’s voice cut through the night air. “Watch it, Pinky.”
“Relax,” Kaoru raised both hands like he’d just been accused of a crime he was proud to commit. “I’m just appreciating her. Not touching.”
Yoichi glanced over his shoulder and scowled. “Don’t flirt with the dragon’s new flame.”
My breath caught.
“I would never,” Kaoru chuckled. “I love being able to breathe and walk.”
I tensed.
Kaoru watched me and must have noticed my suddenly being on the edge. “You can call me Pinky too, if you want.”
Yoichi muttered. “She can’t.”
I swallowed.
Kaoru ignored him. “And I’m sure you’re wondering why I went pink.”
Yoichi grumbled. “I bet she doesn’t care.”
Kaoru casually brushed his fingers through his hair. “I went pink because everyone in the Family tries to look invisible. Me? I like to be remembered.”
“Oh.” I checked out his face but didn’t see much of a resemblance. “So. . .you’re related to Kenji?”
To my surprise, both men chuckled.
Kaoru winked at me. “Related in blood, but not through blood.”
What the fuck? Oh. The Family is their. . .gang. Got it.
He gave me a warm smile. “You know, no woman has ever brought the Dragon a gift.”
My heart skipped a beat. “You mean. . .on a first date?”
“No,” he shook his head. “Not on any date. You’re the first woman to bring a gift.”