In Deep Kimchi - By Imari Jade Page 0,65

is a live band performing tonight and I'm in the mood to party."

So much for his freedom, she thought as they entered the city limits once again.

Ichiro parked the rental car a safe distance away from the other cars and they got out and went back inside the hotel to the lounge. A waitress escorted them to a booth. The place was crowded and the band played a mixture of songs. Ichiro turned to the waitress. "I want to dance with the lovely lady first and then we will order drinks." Shaundra sat down, but Ichiro remained standing. He left her at the table for a moment, walked over to the band and spoke to the lead singer before returning to her.

"A man's request," the lead singer announced to the audience.

The next thing she knew, Ichiro was leading her on the floor to the opening chords of Love Serenade by Barry White.

Shaundra gulped. This is serious love enhancement music. Before she could react, she was in Ichiro's arms, pressed against his chest and swaying slowly to the music.

Satoshi and Takumijo slid into a booth in the hotel lounge wearing dark clothes and dark shades to disguise themselves. Satoshi nudged Takumijo and pointed toward the dance floor at Ichiro and Shaundra Morrison.

Takumijo stared. "Is that Ichiro dancing slowly with a Shaundra Morrison?"

Satoshi nodded. "I'm shocked too. Ichiro never dances at any other time except for practice and on the stage." The waitress arrived at their table again. "Two beers." She left again. The music changed several times during the next couple of minutes, but Ichiro and Shaundra did not stop dancing.

"This is serious," Takumijo stated. "It's like the two of them are in a world all their own."

"Maybe they are," Satoshi replied, a little upset inside to think straight.

Why hadn't he made a move when he had the chance to? "I don't care what Yori says. I think the two of them have slept together already."

Satoshi watched the dancers' movements below the waist. Their pelvic areas touched. "If they haven't made love yet, I suspect that it will happen before the night ends. There is just so much a man can take."

"There's something I haven't figured out yet," Takumijo replied.

"Why is she with Ichiro now when in the beginning she seemed to like Yori?"

"Yori is engaged to Amaya," Satoshi explained.

"So?"

"So, you know Yori. He wants to do the honorable thing, so he's told Shaundra about his engagement, which is like giving Shaundra his permission to forget about him and to date Ichiro. I think Shaundra cares for both Ichiro and Yori, but in different ways."

"Still confused." The waitress returned with their beers and left.

"Yori is in love with Shaundra Morrison, but he can't have a relationship with her because he is engaged to Amaya. He has a decision to make, but he doesn't know what to do. So, while he's confused and terrified, Ichiro has fallen for her too. Since Ichiro doesn't think Yori will break up with Amaya, he's not wasting time moving in."

The beat of the music changed.

"Shit, look at that," Satoshi said, pointing to the dance floor.

Takumijo put down his beer and put his eyes back on the dancers.

Shaundra's butt was bobbing up and down to the music and Ichiro was behind her rocking to the beat. "I saw them do that on American television. It's a very popular dance in the United States." He laughed.

"Where did Ichiro learn that dance? Masaaki would die if he walked in and saw him."

Takumijo turned toward the door. "Oh, oh."

Satoshi turned toward the door. Yori and Amaya had just entered and Yori looked fit to be tied. He stalked toward the dance floor. "Stop him,"

Satoshi ordered.

Takumijo jumped from the booth, knocking aside dancers to get to Yori. Satoshi was close on his heels, drawing a lot of attention. Takumijo reached Yori just as the song ended and pulled him away from Shaundra and Ichiro. "What do you think you're doing?"

Yori tried to get away from Takumijo, but couldn't. "I'm going to kick Ichiro's ass. He's nearly humping her on the dance floor."

"It's a dance, you idiot," Takumijo told him. "You're going to embarrass both of them and yourself."

The look on Yori's face said it all, Satoshi noted. He was in love with Shaundra and he didn't care if he punched the hell out of Ichiro or embarrassed himself in front of his future bride.

"What is the matter with you?" Amaya asked as she walked over to them. "Why are you picking