Page 16 of Wilderness Daddy

Chapter Four

Akari

“He gave you a choice, marry Landon or Hattori. If you marry Steed, you’ll still be here. Hattori will drag you to Japan and I’ll never see you.” George looks down at me and my chest fills with dread. I can’t leave him. Besides, I’ve never been to Japan. I was born in Canada, as were my parents, and I don’t welcome the culture shock that will surely drown me there. Hattori runs the Asian division of Takahashi and only comes to North America when he has to—like now, because of this merger.

I glance at Hattori and sourness burns my throat. He’s definitely the kind of man who would treat me like a possession rather than a person. And good God, he’s old. I shudder at the mental image of the wedding night. My thoughts slide to Landon. Oddly, his sort of possessiveness doesn’t leave the same bitterness in me. Neither does the mental image of the wedding night.

“Besides, Landon’s hot.” George wiggles his brows before grimacing at Hattori and leaning toward me to whisper, “Hattori’s an old man who probably can’t get it up anymore.” Hattori walks past us at that exact moment and I press my lips to keep my smirk hidden. He heads straight to my father’s side as we wait in the lobby of the country club for the Steeds.

I smile sweetly at my brother a moment as my father looks our way, but then pinch him as soon as it’s safe.

“I’d rather that! You know I’m not interested in a relationship. I want to work on building the business, not be someone’s sex toy.” I glance at my parents. The hell I want that. My mother’s sole focus is to make my father happy and comfortable, to dress up and be a bauble on his arm. She’s been even more doting lately, fussing over him constantly. That life is not for me. I want to use my brain, not wiggle my ass. Not that I’m some frigid virgin. I like sex as much as the next girl, but you don’t need to be in a relationship for that.

I don’t believe in love. It’s a farce. People marry because they fear being alone or they do it to fit with social norms or for regular sex, or maybe for kids? I don’t know! I’ve never understood it.

“I dunno, sis, being his sex toy might be fun.” He chuckles and I ignore the prickle of heat that sears through my core. “And with him, you can still run the business through me. Hattori’ll take over and then we’ll both be nothing but ornaments.”

“Umm, isn’t that what you want?” I press my lips and watch Landon Steed as he enters the club, only half listening to my brother’s answer. Landon moves smoothly, with just the right amount of manly swagger, and he shouldn’t at his size. He should be a lumbering oaf with more looks than brains. But I’ve seen firsthand that he’s not. Actually, I’ve seen that swagger in my dreams for a week straight.

Landon’s full head of dirty blond, wavy hair and dimpled cheek give him a sweet, playful look, but I know he can be harsh. Harsh enough to dump a girl across his knee and spank her. His green eyes are big and can go from caring to stern in seconds. The thought of it makes my pulse spike. Maybe because he still has reason to turn that stern glare on me. I guarantee he hasn’t forgotten that I led him straight into the cold lake.

I suddenly get a whiff of him and it’s intoxicating especially when it mingles with the memory of him holding me—kissing me. I’m swept away for a moment.

His strong arms embrace me, his chest, solid and warm, beneath my head. His heartbeat is loud and calming. For the first time in my life, I feel safe—as if this man could protect me from anything.

I snap back to reality when he looks at me, his brow cocking slightly. My throat tightens. Nope, he definitely hasn’t forgotten what I’ve done.

“Reconsidering his qualities?” my brother asks. I spear him with a sarcastic look and cocky frown.

“I can buy some good quality dildos that can be shoved in a drawer when I’m done with them.” I don’t wait to hear my brother’s retort; instead, I head to greet Mrs. Steed. My mother and I will be with her today in the spa as the men play golf. I enjoy a good pedicure, but I’d rather kick the men’s asses at golf and talk shop.

As I lean down to kiss Mrs. Steed on the cheek I see Grant bring two women over to Landon. I know Grant’s a frivolous playboy. It’s as obvious as a broken leg and I thought Landon was too, but he doesn’t pay attention to the women. In fact, I’ve never seen him ogle anyone—except me.

I nibble the corner of my lip. He watches me with interest as I chat with his mother. He’s leaning against a pillar, his hands casually in the pockets of his Dockers. I glance at him, shooting him an unintentional quick smile. He doesn’t smile back; instead his eyes roam over me making my skin tingle and fire lick my insides. Grant and the two women attempt to gain his attention, but he’s solely focused on me. I try to bring the hate I have for him to the surface but it’s suddenly hidden so deep I can’t find it.

“So what would you like to do first, Akari? Sara?”

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