In Deep Kimchi - By Imari Jade Page 0,34

realize that I am much older than he is?"

Masaaki stopped beside her. "What does age have to do with anything?"

"Well, if I was a man, I would say my age would not be a problem.

But I'm an older woman and that might not set well with your society."

Masaaki shook his head and chuckled. "Would it matter if I told you that Ichiro does not care how old you are?"

"I would prefer to hear it from him, and anyway, I'm in Japan on business."

Masaaki stopped laughing and started walking again. "But you are not opposed to dating a younger man?"

Having this conversation with him seemed so wrong. Why is so interested in Ichiro's love life? "No, but I've never dated anyone young enough to be my son. And while I'm putting it out there, long distance romances never work."

"Ichiro would be perfect for you. He's young and virile."

"You sound like his father arranging a marriage."

"I'm just trying to look out for what's best for him."

"And it doesn't hurt if he gets a bit creative with the songs when I'm around him. I heard his latest, Romanticism. It was excellent." She frowned. He and Harper shared the same ideals. When it came to making money, nothing was out of bounds. Why did men assumed that she was stupid just because she was a woman? "See, you're perfect for him."

Kenshin pulled up with the limousine just as they made it to the stairs.

"I'll go in and get the boys, but I want you to think about what we've discussed."

"I need Ichiro to speak to me for himself."

Masaaki laughed again. "You have a great sense of humor." He disappeared inside the door without looking back to catch her expression.

Aomori and Masaaki piled into the limousine after they locked up the place. Satoshi won the honors of being seated next to her, with Ichiro and Yori across from them. Takumijo and Masaaki sat in the rear discussing the upcoming concerts. From what she could make out, both nights were sold out and were being held at the Tokyo Dome the following weekend.

Apparently, she and the others authors were going as their guests.

Kenshin drove them straight to the hotel. She never realized how late it was until she saw Masaaki use his pass key to let them into the building.

Yori caught her hand as soon as everyone else had gone inside. "I will escort you up."

"I'm perfectly capable of finding my own room."

He rubbed his fingertip over the back of her hand while he held it.

"Join me for a drink before we go up."

It was on the tip of his tongue to say no. "I don't really drink alcohol."

"One drink," he insisted. He used his pass key to let them into the lobby.

Against her better judgment, she followed him to the lounge.
Chapter Ten
What was he thinking? Yori didn't know. He didn't even know why he was doing it. Things would have much simpler just to have allowed her to go up to her room. But she was looking kawaii, as John had put it, and he was jealous of all the attention she had received from the rest of the men at dinner earlier. Even Takumijo had softened up some toward her on the way back to the hotel and had talked to her about the concert.

It was still early by club standards. The disc jockey was spinning a melody of songs for lovers. I'll Keep Holding On filtered out through the speakers when they entered. It was the type of song not to be wasted.

"Dance with me."

Shaundra did not resist him and wrapped her arms around his waist like American women preferred do when dancing slowly. He was not opposed to the closeness, even though he had been taught that a man should keep a proper distance. Now he understood why as one of Dido's slower songs replaced the previous song. Its haunting rhythm and synthesized sounds woke up something inside of him as Shaundra rocked against him. What an odd time to get an erection, he thought as she snuggled closer to him. She did not act repulsed or try to pull away from him. She just continued to move slowly until the song ended and he escorted her to a private booth. A waitress appeared.

The young woman came over, recognized him and rewarded him with an inviting smile. "What will it be?" she asked him in Japanese.

"Two Shochu on ice," he ordered.

Only then did she seem to notice Shaundra's presence at the table.

"Are