Page 41 of Emperor of Lust

I drop to a knee in front of her, nodding at her foot. “Lift.”

I watch her thigh muscles tense.

“Kicking me wouldnotbe recommended,” I growl.

Her muscles unclench. Slowly, she lifts one foot, then the other.

“Good girl.”

Hana is silent as I slide the dress up her legs, standing to slip it over her hips and then pull it up the top half of her tempting body.

“I’m going to undo your wrists,” I growl quietly, my eyes locked on hers. “Behave.”

She purses her lips, her face blooming with heat. But when I undo the blouse keeping her tied tight, she doesn’t fight. She just watches me with throbbing intensity as I slip the gown up over her breasts and adjust the strap around the back of her neck.

She glares at me as I adjust the dress. But I can see the flicker of excitement in her eyes despite her protests, the faint blush that stains her cheeks. She’s just as affected by this as I am.

I select a pair of strappy heels, kneeling down to slip them onto her feet, taking my time.

I was hard before. But my dickachesas I wind the black ribbon around her calves, as if binding her exquisitely, my own little work of art. Her breathing hitches, and though she looks away, I catch the way her pulse quickens and her cheeks flush.

“There,” she says, her voice tight as I stand. “Can we go now?”

Hana marches out of the dressing room, through the bedroom, and across the open living area to the suite door. Just as she gets there, I stop her with a firm hand on her arm. Without a word I spin her back firmly against the door, and she gasps.

“Almost,” I growl.

Her eyes bulge as I yank up her gown, slip my hand under, and slide my fingers into the gusset of her panties. There’s a pleading neediness all over her face as I peel the lacy thong down her legs, dropping to one knee again to slip it over her strappy heels. I stand, my eyes locked with hers as I slip her panties into my jacket pocket.

Her cheeks are crimson as she stares up at me, a mix of shock and barely concealed desire in her eyes. I smirk, trailing a finger along her jaw as I step back, leaving her with an unforgettable reminder of my control.

“Nowwe can go.”

13

HANA

I stepout of the SUV pulled up outside Miyamoto’s sprawling Denenchofu estate in Tokyo’s Ota Ward and glance up at the house.

Damn.

The Kato estate is a modern homage to Himeji Castle, with towering walls, sloping rooftops, and stone walkways flanked by gorgeous sakura trees in full bloom. Lanterns cast a warm glow along the paths and surrounding gardens, and the crisp air carries the faint scent of cherry blossoms.

I've done my research on Miyamoto. Yes, he wants to retire, and yes, my father Hideo, did help him when they were younger. But his eagerness to merge his empire with the Mori-kai now isn’t purely to repay the favor.

I glance back up at the opulent house.

Miyamoto likes to spend money, but he’s not so great at making sure he’sgot itbefore he does. The man has debts, both financial and personal, and apparently a lot of those debt-holders are starting to come to collect.

I talked with Kenzo about it before I left Kyoto, and we both agree that Miyamotoisprobably genuine when he says moving his empire under the Mori-kai banner is a way of paying back our father’s help all those years ago.

But there’s more to it than that.

Part of the merger is going to involve some money: a big chunk up front from us, plus Miyamoto will still receive a cut from the businesses he started after they become Mori-kai businesses.

Ironically, the financial need behind our host’s decision to merge with our empire makes the deal more secure. If the mandidn’thave pressing debts and was trying to sell this as something purely altruistic, I’m not sure I’d trust it for a second.

Behind me, Kai unfolds his large frame from the back of another SUV and instantly lights the cigarette already hanging between his lips. Behind him, another equally large frame emerges—Issak, who’s joining us in Tokyo as Damian’s backup.

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