The Little Teashop in Tokyo by Julie Caplin Page 0,87
probably unconscious but did serious damage to his self-control.
‘Mmm,’ he muttered, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. Forget sleeves, Fiona had a lovely habit of wearing her emotions right there on her face and, cliché or not, it was a refreshing change.
‘Here, you try,’ she said, picking up one of the tempura prawns with her fingers and grazing his lips as she held it up to his mouth. She watched him wide-eyed and innocent, waiting for his response. Her touch and that guileless gaze sent a tremor of awareness through his body. It was far too much like temptation and he couldn’t help himself. He licked the knuckle of her thumb, grazing it quickly with his teeth before he bit into the prawn. It was worth it to see her eyes widen and hear her gasp as she snatched back her hand. He grinned at her. ‘Delicious.’
It was a shame the waitress arrived at that moment with the yakitori and the glossy beef teriyaki.
‘Thank you,’ said Fiona to the waitress as if she’d personally sailed in to rescue her.
The waitress thanked her back.
‘Try the chicken,’ Fiona said, almost poking him in the face with the skewer.
He closed his hand over hers to steady the skewer and smiled at her.
‘Will you stop doing that,’ she said.
‘Doing what?’
‘You know.’
Her fierce stare made him feel a touch of chagrin.
‘Sorry.’ He let go of her hand.
‘It’s just, I’m nervous enough as it is.’
‘Shit, Fi. I don’t want to make you feel nervous. There’s no pressure here.’
‘I know, but you’re all … sophisticated and used to playing games and I’m just me.’
‘And just you … is’—he took in her worried blue eyes, the golden curtain of hair, and the hint of pale skin at her neck and throat—‘is absolutely perfect.’
‘Oh,’ she said, even more flustered. ‘Maybe we should … go back to the hotel and …’
‘Fiona Hanning. Whatever happened to romance? I’m trying to seduce you and you want to go straight back to the hotel and get it over with.’ He sent her a look of mock outrage and she winced. Then she slapped her hand over her mouth and ducked her head, hiding behind the screen of her hair. Her body shook slightly and at first he thought he’d made her cry.
‘Hey Fi. I’m sorry.’
She glanced up from underneath her lashes and instead of tears, he saw blue eyes brimming with mirth. And then a giggle burst out and another.
‘I’m s-sorry,’ she laughed again. ‘I’m rubbish at this.’
‘I thought you were doing fine. Tell me more about your writing.’
They chatted easily and ordered another beer, and for the first time in a long time Gabe felt completely at ease.
Chapter 21
The spring night was decidedly chilly when they left the bar but the clear sky, lit by a half moon, gave Mount Fuji a ghostly air, a few silvery wisps of clouds surrounding the snow-capped peak.
‘Nice jacket,’ commented Gabe as she slipped her arms into the supple leather.
‘Yes, but not very warm,’ said Fiona. ‘Though apparently nicer than my other coat.’
He laughed. ‘The hairy number.’
‘Don’t you start.’
‘Sorry.’ He put an arm around her and pulled her close as they began to walk back to the hotel. ‘Who else has been giving you grief about it?’
‘Avril, of course. She says it’s like a monkey.’
‘I can’t wait to meet her.’ Avril had a point but he decided to keep quiet.
‘Hmm, that will be interesting. You’ll meet your match there.’
‘And I haven’t here? I’m still banking on you being gentle with me.’
She gave him a shy nudge with her elbow, a faint smile hovering on her lips, but didn’t say anything as they walked along a brightly light strip of restaurants and bars, all of which were packed with people. Cherry blossom season had brought all the tourists out. It was only half past eight. Still early.
‘Want to try another Japanese institution?’
‘Like what?’ she asked, suspicion coating the word.
‘Karaoke. There’s a bar along here.’ He nodded towards the neon sign. ‘We can have a night cap in there, if you don’t fancy joining in, or we can go back to the hotel bar.’
He felt Fiona straighten and to his astonishment she said without hesitation. ‘Yes.’
‘Yes?’
‘Karaoke bar.’ Gabe almost laughed at her unexpectedly enthusiastic response.
‘OK. Karaoke bar it is. Have you been to one before?’
‘No. Never. Have you?’
‘I live in Japan. Somehow it seems inevitable to end up in one, especially after a heavy night out. The Japanese really do love them. You should see Haruka go.’