Revealed – Chapter 30

Her skin is smooth, effortlessly soft. He runs his right hand lightly over her stomach, tracing the outline of her belly button and leaning over to kiss it. Mmmm, she tastes sweet and salty, and she’s warm against him. It’s been a long time since he’s enjoyed a woman like this, enjoyed every bit of her. 

Jiro’s heart beats so fast in his ears, a drumming cadence reflected in the way his hands pulse over her body. He wants to take her fast, pick her up by the waist and angle her so he can bury himself deep inside, lose himself. But there’s something so sweet about being slow too. Her hands skim down his back…

“Wake up, Jiro!” A pillow hits him on the head. “Gods, I’ve been telling you to wake up now for ten minutes. Get the hell out of bed!”

What? Yoichi is yelling at him. Where did Sanaa go? He blinks his eyes and the ceiling comes into focus.

“Were you dreaming about sex again? There was a lot of sighing going on.”

Jiro pushes himself up in bed and he’s alone, in the same clothes he went to bed in, the same clothes he was wearing when he dropped Sanaa off at her apartment and came back to the chaos of moving apartments around him.

She didn’t come home with him last night even though he wanted her to. She definitely wanted to but stopped herself. So instead, he spent the whole night dreaming about what sex would be like with her.

He’s never been with someone so petite yet fiery before. Melanie was all legs and curves, but she was shy in bed and self-conscious. Sanaa doesn’t have much in the way of curves, but she’s strong, and funny, and beautiful. Beautiful when her skin is glowing from a workout in the dōjō, or when he compliments her and she blushes. He loves her nose and its freckles, her honest eyes, and curious nature.

Mmmm. He’s going to take her to bed as soon as possible. He’ll claim her like he’s never done to any other woman, and he’s pretty sure she’ll like it… love it. He’s not sure what kind of sex she had with Joshua or Chad, but whatever. He’ll be better than them because their connection is so strong.

“When am I not dreaming about sex? And did you have to wake me right in the middle of it?” Jiro lies down and stares at the ceiling. Maybe if he concentrates hard enough, the dream will return and he can pick up where he left off.

“Get up and get dressed. Miko left here early to handle stock at the izakaya, and she just messaged that someone is there harassing her.”

“What?” Jiro jolts up from the bed and hastily adjusts himself but Yoichi isn’t paying attention. He’s already left Jiro’s room and is rummaging around in the main room. Stripping off last night’s rumpled clothing, he pulls on clean pants swiftly and grabs a black shirt from his laundered pile.

“The old man’s waiting downstairs. We gotta go.”

“Okay. Give me two minutes.”

Yoichi leaves and Jiro runs for the bathroom, relieving himself of last night’s alcohol, brushing his hair down, and the swiftest toothbrushing he’s ever had. He grabs a Nishikyō gray tunic, his sword, and his overcoat. A trip to Ku 7 armed in the middle of the day means staying low-profile.

It doesn’t take long to get there, and when they walk in, Miko is frazzled but alone except for some of her staff. She doesn’t open for lunch for another twenty minutes and everyone is busy setting up the tables, washing glasses, and writing the daily specials on the blackboard.

“I was in the back handling a delivery when I heard him up here asking for me loudly. It was the same man who was here the other night, Jiro. I’m sure you saw him.”

Oh no.

“Tall, cool, long dyed hair. I looked up the receipt from that night. Tadao Matsuda.”

Yoichi nods sympathetically at Miko while Jiro and his father stay very still.

“What kinds of questions did he ask?” Koichi folds his arms across his chest, appraising Miko’s demeanor. Her eyes are wide and skin pale, but she’s staying calm and strong.

“He asked about Yoichi and your family and about Sakai Clan. How long I’ve known you, how often do you come here… He asked why Sakai goes to Ku 1 everyday with Sanaa…”

“He did?” Jiro’s nose flares as he tries to stay calm. Matsuda obviously has an interest in Sanaa what with him following her everywhere and asking questions. Jiro doesn’t like that at all. Koichi’s hand comes down on his shoulder.

“I had no idea, have no idea!” Miko pulls back, confused, and shakes her head. “Is Sanaa going to Ku 1 everyday with Sakai? She hasn’t mentioned it.”

Wow, she can keep secrets even from her best friend. How much has she told Miko about her work? Not much, he’s guessing. The only thing he knows is that Sanaa helps Sakai keep track of the clan leaders, and if he knows more than Miko does, he’s impressed. His chest warms with pride. Sanaa trusts him. She can keep secrets and he loves that. He keeps a lot of secrets but has always wanted someone else to share them with.

“It’s not important,” Koichi says, his voice dropping to a soothing tone, one Jiro has seen him use on his younger cousins when they need to stop fighting. “What’s important is that Matsuda will never come here to bother you again. We’ll get a few people to watch the place and make sure of it.”

When Miko nods, Koichi turns to Jiro. “I’ll head home and arrange things. We’ll get Usagi to come by for a few days, but I’ll get surveillance set up today.”

Jiro nods. He knows he’ll have to add more work to his plate to alleviate staff being moved around. Hopefully it won’t interfere with his evenings.

“I’ll meet you at the dōjō for our regular afternoon workout.”

With Sanaa. And just the thought of seeing her again makes Jiro’s blood race.

“Jiro, Yoichi, stay for lunch, okay? I’ll set aside a booth for you two.” Miko smiles and nods eagerly. She doesn’t want them to go.

“I’d love to stay, Miko, but I promised I’d have lunch with our grandmother today. I’m sure Jiro will stay, won’t you?”

Thanks, Yoichi. Of course he’ll stay but there’s no need to pile on the guilt. This is not Yoichi’s specialty, helping with the unseemly elements of the family business.

“Of course, Miko. I have things to catch up on anyway. I’ll sit until lunchtime.”

Jiro answers all of his correspondence before a plate of cold soba noodles and tofu arrives at his table accompanied by Miko. He’s been randomly answering mail messages and staring off into space thinking of Sanaa and the way they kissed in the station last night.

“It’s a slow lunch day. Mind if I eat with you?”

Jiro’s mind snaps back to the present. The amount of sex daydreaming lately has gotten out of control. His mind is always distracted.

“Of course not.” He gestures to the seat across from him and she slides in, swiping her hair out of her face and quickly rearranging her bangs. Miko’s cute, Jiro admits. He enjoys spending time with her.

“I hear you took Sanaa out for tempura last night.” Miko smiles as blood rushes to Jiro’s pelvis. The mere mention of her name is enough to rock his composure and the solid wall of passivity he’s worked on for years.

“I did. Did she tell you?”

“I got a drunken message from her late last night. She had a great time. Says she almost went home with you.” Miko laughs, raising one eyebrow at Jiro. “That would have been strange. The walls in your apartment are thin.”

They eat silently for a minute, Jiro not willing to acknowledge that he hears his brother and Miko all the damned time. It’s as bad as listening to his own parents and the reason why he moved out and in with his brother in the first place. He should invest in earplugs.

“So,” Miko starts but stops, dabbing at her lips with a napkin and then tapping her fingers against her cheek. “I know this is none of my business but I care a lot about Sanaa, and I like you too, Jiro.”

Jiro sets down his chopsticks and waits.

“But if you’re not interested in a long term relationship with Sanaa, do not even think of having sex with her and leaving her.”

“Miko, I…”

She throws up her hands and he stops.

“I’m completely serious. We have to be careful here. If you fuck her and leave her, life between us will be hard from here on out.”

Silence stretches between Miko and Jiro in the booth while people move around them, talking, eating, and going about their normal day.

“Unfortunately, this whole situation has been hard for me the past few weeks. I love Sanaa; she’s like a sister to me. But I also love your brother, and he… well, he just doesn’t like her.” Miko drops her head for a moment before inhaling sharply and gazing off towards the bar. “I’m not sure why. I’ve asked him a million questions about it, and he can’t answer me.”

Jiro maintains strict eye contact with his meal in front of him. Why does this always happen to him? His feelings, his wants and needs always come second. And what about what Sanaa wants? He’s pretty sure they would be great together. Does she not get to choose what she wants?

“I hope you’re serious because if you shut her out, I’ll have to as well, and I don’t want that to happen.”

Jiro finally lifts his head. “You mean, you wouldn’t stand by her?”

“Jiro…” she pleads. “What would you have me do? I love your brother, and I believe marriage is in the future for us. Would you give that up for a friend?”

He’d like to say yes, but that would make him a hypocrite. Look at the way he dumped Kentaro out of his life. He slurps down his noodles, making them disappear from his plate in a deep inhale.

“What’s funny here is that I think I know Sanaa better than you do,” he says, wiping his mouth on his napkin. “I think she’d do just about anything for you or the people she loves.”

“That’s not fair. I wouldn’t even be in this position if you two hadn’t gotten together.” Miko drives her index finger into the tabletop.

“So it’s my fault?”

“It’s both your faults. Look, if it’s just a fling, let her go. I told you to chase her, but that was before I knew how much Yoichi dislikes her. If you lose interest in her, all of this will go away. She’ll go back to work, and we’ll all move on. No big deal.”

Jiro opens and closes his mouth a few times. What should he do? No one has given him their blessings to date Sanaa. Sakai was against it from the beginning. His father was wary but eventually capitulated under pressure. He’s not even sure how his mother feels about them dating. And he’s one hundred percent certain Sanaa hasn’t told her aunts about any of this.

Why are the odds always against him?

If he had any good sense, he’d give up. But Jiro’s good for Sanaa, and she’s good for him. They’re good together. This is too precious of a connection to kill.

“And what if I love her too much to leave her, or hurt her?”

Miko sighs and smiles, closing her eyes. “I’m so relieved to hear you say that. That’s the best solution for all of us, right? I hope, with time, Yoichi will see Sanaa for the wonderful person she is. He’ll come around eventually.”

Ping! Jiro’s tablet jumps to life next to him. “I’m at home and had a rough morning. Can you come over? I want to see you.”

His heart races again. “It’s Sanaa. She’s at home and wants to see me.”

“Her aunts work during the day.”

“I know.” She’s alone and asking him over, but something’s not right with her message. It’s not like her to admit she’s suffering in any way. If she’s had a rough morning, it’s probably worse than she’s willing to say. Maybe she’s been harassed like Miko or had bad news from Sakai? He’s suspected bad news is around the corner what with the pushing fight between Sanaa and Sakai last night and all of the work she’s been doing in secret.

Miko rises from her seat and grabs the empty plates.

“I’m glad we had this talk. I was nervous about saying anything because I do love Sanaa and want to keep her around. Don’t forget that, okay?”

He picks up his tablet and opens a reply. “I’m close by on business and can be there in ten minutes.”

—-

The trains were on Jiro’s side, and he steps up to Sanaa’s door twelve minutes after he responded to her message. His hand hovers over the palm scanner, though, stopping and knocking on the door instead. No need to announce to her aunts he was here in the middle of the day.

When she opens the door, he knows right away that ‘rough morning’ was a complete understatement. She’s tried to calm down, but her eyes are rimmed in red and her chest is heaving, her hands shaking.

He shuts the door and takes off his overcoat before saying anything.

“Sanaa, what’s the matter? You’re so pale.”

The sound of his voice sends her straight to him. She wraps her arms around his neck and he pulls her tight to him, fitting her body perfectly into every hollow on his chest and waist. He didn’t come here to do anything more than comfort her despite dreaming about sex for the last couple of weeks.

Her hands travel down his back, and grasping the sword, she pulls it up off his body, breaking their kiss. He loves that she’s not afraid of his sword, that she’ll hold it, look at it, and love it, like it’s a piece of him.

“You were doing business close by?” she asks, taking the katana and placing it on the couch with his bag.

He nods his head. He doesn’t want to scare her and tell her what happened to Miko, and he’s certainly never going to tell her about the conversation with Miko about Yoichi.

“But you’re free now?”

“Yes, love.” It falls out of his mouth so easily. Love. The term of endearment his mother and father use, and how he feels.

Her body sags, practically melts, and the smallest whisper of a smile tilts her lips. She’s relieved — relieved that he loves her. He hasn’t been reading her wrong.

“You’re free to be with me?” she asks, her head tilted slightly, making confident eye contact. She’s slowly working on the buttons of her Nishikyō gray shirt, closing her eyes and blowing out a long breath when her hands start to shake.

Jiro can’t move, can’t breathe. His head is lightening watching her work hard at steadying her own nerves. Maybe he should help her? But she seems determined to lead, and he’s willing to let her.

“I…”

Her shirt is off now, revealing her plain black camisole she always wears when they train together. Straight-up-and-down Sanaa? No. More like lithe, lean, and sexy Sanaa. He can’t wait to trace every outline of muscle beneath her skin.

She leans in to kiss him again. Her soft lips brushing up against his, exciting every nerve in his body and send blood straight to his dick. Oh gods, it’s torture letting her take her time.

“I know you have no objections,” she says, tossing his shirt on top of hers. She takes his hand and leads him to a tiny bedroom, much like his own. This must be where she sleeps every night. The covers are pulled up on the bed, and her desk opposite is layered with personal items and photos, but he can’t take his eyes off her.

“You want to be with me as much as I want to be with you.”

“So soon, though? I thought this was a bit scandalous?” he asks.

“Soon? There is nothing about this that I haven’t wanted from the first moment I saw you.”

Yes. Except he’s glad he didn’t take her home on New Year’s Eve. This is much better.

“You have the…” His hand reaches up and traces a small portion of her upper, inner left arm. Eriko and Melanie had their birth control implants, but Melanie’s didn’t always work correctly. They used condoms, but he doesn’t carry them on him anymore.

“Of course. Since I was twelve.” Her smile is confident again, but her voice wavered. The implant is probably fine but she might be having second thoughts. What happened before he arrived that changed her so quickly? It’s as if she’s rushing towards this moment for them, afraid if she blinks it will never happen.

“Wait a second.” He stops her next to the bed and brings his hands to her face, looking deep into her eyes. She can’t lie to him. Her eyes tell him all the truths. “What’s going on in your head?”

“Later.”

“I just want to make sure…”

“Jiro, teach me. I want to learn,” she says with a smile, and his heart stops, actually skips a beat in his chest.

“Something tells me I’m not going to have to teach you anything.”

She grabs the waist of his pants and runs her hand down over him before pulling off his undershirt. They’ve been this undressed before with each other but never so intimately close. He can gaze down her shirt and see her breasts, faultlessly round and small. Her breath is light on his neck and he pulls her face to him, locked to her lips and stealing her breath away when he can. Letting his hands be free, he reaches up into her long hair that he loves, pulls out the pin holding it up, and drops it on the floor.

Sanaa’s strong, a natural leader, but as soon as he’s grabbed her hair at her scalp and pulled back to kiss her neck, her knees weaken. Her submissive nature is showing; she likes to give up control even though she’d never admit it.

Her arms move, scrambling at something, as he coasts his hands down her back then over her stomach to her breasts. He can cup his hand around one perfectly, rolling her nipple between two fingers and standing it straight up. But before he knows it, she pulls off her undershirt and knocks him right below his eye.

“Ouch!” He clasps his face, laughing, and she apologizes into his chest, a well of heat against him. She’s blushing and if he doesn’t pick it up quick again, she’ll get self-conscious. He places his hands on her hips and starts up with a light kiss that she pushes deeper.

His pants hit the floor along with his underwear, and he inches back a bit, breaking the connection with her lips, to look into her eyes. She’s delirious with desire, not afraid, not nervous, but on the verge of losing herself.

He wants her lost, gone, completely annihilated. Nothing would make him happier.

Jiro’s smile is seductive as he takes his time unbuttoning her pants and pushing them to the floor, kissing along her navel and hips. She’s wearing the smallest black bikini bottoms he’s ever seen, and he hooks one finger in at the back waist, running it around to the side and pulling down.

She’s limp in his arms, her chest heaving to catch her breath, so he lays her down on the bed. Jiro’s not done with her yet. If he’s lucky he can make this last the whole afternoon, just the two of them. If he’s extremely lucky, he can make this last an entire lifetime. He’s sure he doesn’t want to let her go now.

He leans in close over her, keeping her warm with his body heat, and pushing the hair from her face, he holds her head so their eyes can meet. She hasn’t said a word, but her eyes speak louder, her legs louder still, as she spreads them wide and wraps them around him.

“You’re mine, Sanaa.” He grips the sides of her face, kissing her hard. The connection between them is primal, natural. “Mine. Say it.”

She pauses, reaches for his face, and says, “You are mine.”

A well of gratitude for this woman overflows inside of Jiro. She’s strong and commanding, more than anyone he’s ever dated, and it’s exactly the kind of dynamic he needs. He pushes her arms above her head and clamps his hands over her wrists, her smile and rapid breathing growing every second.

“I am.”

They pick up where they left off, bodies in time with each other, lips pressed against skin or parted in moans. Again and again, insanely slow but hard. He touches his forehead to hers, breathing into her space as she explodes around him. He spills into her, knocking down any last vestige of the wall he put up to protect himself from her. She has his heart now. There’s no going back.

Sex has never been like this before. How could he have been willing to give up his life and family for Melanie when it was never like this? That was like two strangers. This is more like two lovers.

Sanaa shakes, her whole body slicked with sweat, his and hers, so he pulls the covers up over them both. Propped up on his elbow, he inches her close to his side, keeping her warm and calming her with his presence. She slips her arms up to his shoulders and blowing out a long breath, traces his tattoos, then rubs her finger along his scalp where the white lock of hair starts.

“Command me, Sanaa.”

Sighing, Jiro strokes her cheek with his calloused thumb, over her chin, down her neck, to her chest. All those hours they’ve spent together fighting side-by-side and this is what he wanted to do the whole time — just touch her.

“Again,” she says.

He is going to make it last.

“Yes, again. This time for you.”

He smiles at her and she smiles back. Perfect.