Page 26 of Secrets & Sake

“I watched Namikawa’s speech. I think that’s the first time I’ve seen him on TV. There was some big fight with a rival gang?”

I steer us away from the curb and drive toward the next traffic light. “It was a mess.”

Concerned eyes comb over me. “Were you hurt?”

He was worried about me? That’s cute. I clap my hand on Hiro’s thigh and squeeze. “No. I held my own just fine. Had to lie low for a few days, though. It sucked.”

Hiro runs his fingers over the back of my hand. His touch is like a jolt of electricity, kick-starting my heart. “I missed you.”

He did? I can barely swallow the pleased rumble as my wolf expresses his delight. The beast has never been so vocal before. “Had a lot of time to kill in hiding. I was bored outta my mind. But if I thought about you, I’d get hard as a damn rock in seconds.”

Being away from Hiro was torturous. He’d been on my mind almost 24/7 as the minutes dragged by. I’d jerked off more than once to memories of our explosive night together, spilled so hard at the memory of the tight, hot grip of his body around my cock and the sounds he made as he came against my stomach. My dick threatens to plump up just remembering it all.

Hiro clears his throat. “I, uh… thought about you, too.”

A smug grin tugs at my mouth. “Nice thoughts?”

He squirms in his seat, laughing breathily. “Not at all.”

A low growl escapes me as I creep my hand up his thigh, stopping just a few inches from his crotch. If I didn’t have to drive, I’d get him off here and now. “You’ll have to tell me about those naughty thoughts of yours sometime.”

In a few minutes, we’re at the studio where we normally shoot photos for our various fan magazines. We enter the elevator and ride it up. The sweet scent of cherry blossoms soothes something in me. As we near the top, I reach out and grab Hiro’s arm. His quiet gasp is muffled when I claim his mouth with mine. Then he goes lax against me with a quiet moan. I nibble his bottom lip, so soft and bitable, then give his chin a bite.

Ours.

How did I miss him so much? It’s almost like a part of me was missing. My wolf was so restless, aching to run somewhere. To… run to Hiro? But why? Why is my wolf so fixated on this man?

The elevator doors open, and Hiro lurches away from me and wipes his lips, his cheeks pink. I chuckle at his embarrassment, and we roam the halls until we find our studio. Hiro’s scent shifts from aroused to anxious, and his heart is loud.

“Don’t be nervous.”

Hiro gawks at me. “Don’t be nervous? If I get his bad side, he’ll probably cut me up and stuff me in a garbage bag!”

I snort. “No way.”

“Oh, good.”

“It’s too messy,” I clarify. “It’s much easier to just dump a body in the river.”

“What?” Hiro squeaks, eyes bulging in horror.

Not liking that he’s nervous, I reach out and tug the edges of his mouth to force him to look cheerful. “Chill, Sunshine. I’ll protect you.” When he blushes, I know my efforts were worth it.

Inside the studio, the crew has arranged lighting and various equipment. The journalist who usually writes articles for the pack is engaged in conversation with Namikawa. At the sight of me, Namikawa holds up a hand to quiet her. Hiro stiffens beside me. “Oh, shit,” he whispers. “He’s even scarier in person.”

Namikawa is old, but he’s got a cold, mile-long stare, a stern mouth that always seems stiff on his face, and a tall, straight posture that radiates power. My wolf wants to show his throat, but I stand my ground.

Hiro bows long and low. “I’m Hiro Watanabe. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Namikawa gives a shorter bow. “Noboru has told me you take fine pictures. Let’s get started.”

Hiro exhales shakily when he straightens up. Namikawa sweeps past him and goes to sit in his chair, surrounded by expensive lighting equipment. The shoot begins, and it seems to go well. I stay back and observe as Hiro’s social awkwardness disappears, and he assumes a professional air, snapping photographs of Namikawa from different angles. The director pauses the shoot a few times so Namikawa can inspect the pictures. He only seems to ask for one photo to be reshot. That’s good.

The shoot only lasts an hour, then Namikawa announces he’s ready to start the interview. The crew packs up equipment, and Namikawa approaches Hiro. “Those were good photos.”

Hiro’s face goes bright red, and he bows his head in thanks. “Thank you. I’m glad you liked them.”

Namikawa says, “I’d like to hire you for a long-term project.”

---