Page 57 of Emperor of Lust

Takeshi’s frown deepens. “Trouble in paradise?”

I smile. “Nah, everything’s fine.”

“Hana…” His jaw tightens, ever the protective brother. “Is he…trying anything with you?”

Trying. Succeeding. Repeatedly.

I shake my head, patting his chest. “Tak, I’m not a kid anymore. I can handle myself. Even around psychos like Damian.”

He doesn’t exactly look convinced. But before he can prod, I clear my throat.

“So—where are you staying here?”

He grins. “Right down the hall from you at the Conrad. I snagged the other suite. Charged it to Mori Holdings.”

I roll my eyes. “You aresucha dick.”

He chuckles, tossing me his spare helmet. “Hop on. I’ll give you a ride. There’s another surprise waiting for you, too.”

As soon asTakeshi opens the door to his suite I shriek, laughter bubbling out the second I spot her. Annika screams back, running over and pulling me into a bear hug.

Okay, Tak, best surprise ever.

Over takeout dinner, Anni fills me in. Kenzo had to head to Osaka for a ton of meetings, so she decided to come here to make sure Tak didn’t get into too much trouble in Tokyo.

“And obviously to see you. I miss your face around the house.”

I grin. “Freya not doing it for you?”

She rolls her eyes. “I never fucking see her! I mean, I can match her nocturnal schedule if need be. But she and Mal never leave his damn guest house. I mean, what are they doing in there?”

“Well, Annika,” Takeshi sighs. “When a boy and girl love each other very much, and they want to express those feelings in a physical?—”

He laughs, dodging the half-eaten gyoza that Annika chucks at him.

As the conversation—and the wine—flows, I can’t help but grin. I needed this. I’ve only been away from Kyoto for two days, but still.

Just as Takeshi starts to get to the best part of a seriously hilarious story involving a street race, my phone dings, pullingme out of the conversation. I glance down, and whatever grin I had on my face sours.

Damian

Where the hell are you?

I ignore the irritation that knots in my stomach as I reply.

Me

Charming, as always. I’m busy. Leave me alone.

Damian

Funny, you have a way of saying that and then ending up bouncing on my dick not long after.

Heat rises to my face, my pulse quickening despite myself.

Hana

Stop talking to me like that.

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