Page 248 of Savage Bosses

I crossed the four lanes of asphalt illegally strutting my stuff with my skyscraper platforms and hot mama shades. No one couldn't tell me I wasn't cute, including the dip in the street just before the curb, where I nearly tripped and fell into the arms of a stranger.

“Does this count as falling for me?” The sexy baritone that I wanted to impress asked.

I steadied myself.

“Thanks.” Then I turned and modeled for him briefly. “New shoes.”

“You look beautiful.”

“This old thing?” I tried not to preen, but it was hard when he looked at me like I was a dango. If I didn't know better, I'd say he wanted to skewer me with his bamboo stick or devour me one bite at a time.

Yeah.

My imagination did more to me than he would. It was a date, but it wouldn't necessarily lead anywhere. For all I knew, we'd end up trying to escape each other after the movie. It wasn't as though we had anything in common—I took in his appearance. He wore a baby blue shirt with wide lapels tucked into white high-waisted bell-bottom pants. The black platform ankle boots kept me from towering over him.

I wore seventies clothing to pay homage to the movie without going full cosplay. What was his excuse? “How did you..? I mean I didn't expect you to wear seventies clothes. It's kind of a fan thing.”

“The internet is an excellent research tool.” He held out his hand. “I wanted to impress you since you had a signed copy of the book and all.”

I took his hand. “Color me impressed. Getting into this brick house will take more than that, but keep trying. Struggle looks good on you.”

He raised an eyebrow. “And what happens when I get inside?”

I gave him a long look. My mind reeled from the fact that my mouth had become an independent agent. “Then I guess I'll have to blow your house down.”

He snorted. “That was sexy and confusing. I thought I was the big bad wolf.”

“Please. You thought all of this,” I gestured at my body, “Would claim being a pig?”

“I don't know what I was thinking.”

I patted his arm playfully. “It's okay. I know you weren't. To be fair, I look super hot.”

And still, I talked smack.

We walked to the entrance of the vintage theater. The rounded ticket booth was outside the building and had a short line for those who didn't prepare and buy their tickets online.Oh, crap. Ryu was a civilian, so he probably needed to buy his ticket.

“We can skip the line,” He tilted his head toward the ticket counter as he steered us toward the entrance. “I bought us VIP tickets that guaranteed we got the best table for viewing. I hope you don't mind.”

My heart ran circles in my chest. I had a general admission ticket. It was all my money manager, Brooke, would allow for this month. Of course, because of her, I grew the capital I needed to start my tech firmandmy living expenses while it got off the ground without touching my 401K. I knew I was supposed to be financially responsible, but I did want to splurge. Then Ryu did it for me.

It was sweet. I know I was supposed to take one back for matriarchy, and I would—my way. In my world, something nice was rewarded. I kissed his cheek. “My fan side is pleased. You keep playing, and you'll have me talking about my favorite books and running you off.”

He grinned. “So you were dating boys before?”

I sputtered as he presented his phone to one of the ticket agents behind red velvet robes and golden stanchions near the door to prevent people from sneaking in. The other ticket agent unhooked the velvet to let us past the barrier and through the tinted doors.

I peered over the top of my sunglasses once we were in the grand foyer. It was forties elegance come to life with the cavernous room. No one yelled out his name or even looked in our general direction. It was as I thought it would be—a regular evening.

“I see I left you speechless.” He brought my hand to his lips, setting fire to it romance style.

Never in my life had that happened to me, but the heat from his lips went from my hand down my arm, and straight between my legs. Then it did a U-turn and gave my heart Olympic sprinter abilities. “You're trying to out-seduce me?”

And damn it, that man smiled.

CHAPTER 14

Ryu

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