way of getting her, not even Yori.
"Are the two of you still happy?" Eri asked. "Hana kind of told me what happened when your wife disappeared several months ago. You used to drink a lot back then and your family was worried about you."
"We've been going through some difficult times," Ichiro answered. "She does not seem to understand that I have to be away from home a lot because of my businesses."
"But that is what a man is supposed to do," Eri said. "You are only trying to take care of her and your family."
"See, you understand this. She and I had this big argument this morning. I never heard her say some the things she said before. It really hurt me."
"Sometimes people say stuff that they don't mean when they're angry," Eri said.
"Oh, she meant it," Ichiro said. "Sometimes she can be very outspoken, but usually it's not against me."
"She didn't seem too upset when I saw her. I bet she's forgotten about the argument already."
Ichiro doubted that. She was probably at home conjuring up ways to get back at him. "Maybe I should go home and check on her," he said.
"Awe, I was just getting the hang of this," Eri said. "Can't we do it just a little while longer?"
Ichiro gulped at the provocative sentence. "Well, maybe for a little while longer."
Eri smiled at him. "Thanks."
Why did her smile made him feel warm all over?
Shaundra was fast asleep by the time Ichiro entered their bedroom. He took a shower, noticing the lingerie bag on the chair when he walked back out. Shaundra had purchase lingerie? Why? He pulled back the covers and stared. Royal blue. Lord have mercy. She lay on her back and her boobs spilled over the top of the gown. They were gigantic. His dick hardened, knowing that she belonged to him and him only.
He went down on one knee and kissed her.
Shaundra opened her eyes.
"I need you," he told her.
"Sorry," she told him. "I'm not in the mood."
Ichiro put his head down on the side of the mattress. He kind of expected that. He rose to his feet, grabbed his robe, and headed downstairs. He found Satoshi seated in the kitchen, drinking a cup of tea.
"What are you still doing up?" Ichiro asked him.
"I couldn't sleep," Satoshi told him. "So I came down for a cup of tea. Join me."
Ichiro walked over to the teapot and poured himself a cup.
He sat down at the table.
"Why aren't you asleep?" Satoshi asked.
"I just got home," he replied.
"Where have you been?"
"At the restaurant."
"This time of night?" Satoshi asked suspiciously. "What were you doing?"
"Teaching a employee how to make sushi."
"You're taking on an apprentice?"
"Yes. She wants to be a chef."
"She?"
"Yes, Eri. You met her at the restaurant."
"Oh, yes, I remember her. She's pretty."
"I suppose," Ichiro said.
"Let me guess, Shaundra still isn't speaking to you."
Ichiro nodded. "She says she's not in the mood, and she's wearing this royal blue nightgown that makes her look real sexy."
Satoshi sat up straight in his chair. "Maybe you should apologize to her."
"No," he said. "I'm right on this one. She is just going to have to understand that there is nothing I can do about this tour."
Satoshi nodded. "Maybe you should come home to her in the evening and spend some time with her before we leave.
I'm sure she will appreciate that."
"I am busy in the evenings. That is the only time I have to train Eri."
"I understand. Business before pleasure."
"You make me sound like Mr. Niigata," Ichiro said.
"No, Mr. Niigata is probably home sleeping with his wife."
"What does that mean?"
Satoshi rose. "Figure it out." He put his cup in the sink.
"Nothing comes before Mrs. Niigata."
Sometimes he hated Satoshi so much.
"Grow up. Have you forgotten you're about to become a father in less two months?" He walked out the room.
Ichiro frowned. No, he had not forgotten.
Her office looked quite differently without the furniture in it. Takumijo and Satoshi had moved the furniture into Masaaki's room. Masaaki had moved out earlier that week, finally into his first swinging bachelor's pad. She felt a little guilty since it had been his home for years before she moved in. Shaundra guessed he was tired of babysitting a group of grown men and now he could finally get a life.
Ichiro had left early that morning for a business trip to Kyoto. She supposed it was about the seashore restaurant, but she couldn't be sure since he hadn't said anything to her since that night when she refused