Page 28 of Wilderness Daddy

George watches her with concern as well, but says nothing. He knows I know too, so he refuses to let me catch his eye. I observe a look that passes between them and decide to play along. But I damn well plan to get an explanation.

“Well, then I guess she does deserve a little fun,” I hold my arm out so Akari will have to take it while her father watches. “I’ll be happy to explain everything if you were confused, honey.” I wink at her and she narrows her eyes looking murderous. It only makes my smile widen.

Akari shoves away from me as soon as we enter the elevator and are out of her father’s sight.

“What the hell was that?” she demands. I snatch her cell phone from her hands.

“That’s what I’d like to know.” I hold her phone out of her reach. “Perhaps your father would like to see just how new you are in business.”

“You wouldn’t dare!” Her eyes narrow and she reminds me of a Chihuahua standing off against a pit bull. Me being the pit bull.

“I’ll dare all right! Tell me what the hell is going on!”

“I don’t want you anywhere near Takahashi Sports.” She stabs a delicate finger at me before crossing her arms. Her body language, scowl, and narrowed eyes belie the hurt hidden beneath. But it’s too late. I read her.

“And I don’t want to be.” My voice is gentler. She looks away and her tense shoulders loosen—almost as if in defeat.

“Akari,” I say on an exasperated sigh. “I don’t want this any more than you do. I thought I’d made that clear.”

Her throat works but she rolls her shoulders back, jabs the lobby button, and watches the glowing numbers change. “You did.”

“Then stop fighting me. I told you I’ll fix this.”

Her eyes flick to mine, a flash of anger ricocheting from them. “You can fix your problem, but I still have to fix mine.”

“And challenging me does that?” I temper my tone.

“No,” she says, deadpanning me. “But if all our plans to stop this fail, at least I’ll know you’re worthy of helping run Takahashi Sports.”

My mouth lifts in a smirk, all traces of frustration gone, causing Akari’s brow to wrinkle and her lips part in confusion.

“How am I doing so far?” If I thought my shit-eating grin and cocky question threw her, it’s nothing compared to how her genuine and robust laugh throws me.

“To be honest, Steed. You’re challenging me as much as I am you.”

“Good.” I pat her on the head then. “My offer still stands to explain anything you were confused by.”

Once again she laughs but this time she swats me in the gut. I chuckle. Her face completely changes when she’s candid and I can’t help but feel attracted to her like this. This is the woman I can’t stop thinking about.

“Tell me something.” I shift to face her. “Why doesn’t your father let you help with the business?” I cock my head. “You’re clearly the one with the business sense. George looked clueless until he got your texts.”

She presses her lips and evaluates me a moment before answering.

“He’s not totally clueless, but George is an artist, sculptor actually.” She smiles, but it’s not at me. It’s as if she’s reminiscing. “His brain isn’t made for business. Square peg, round hole.”

I nod. “Exactly. So why?”

“I don’t know. My father is... set in his ideas.”

“Is it just chauvinism?”

“I said I don’t know!” Her flare of temper grates on my nerves.

“Akari, do you need a reminder of how I deal with your tantrums?”

She steps back, her eyes reflecting a different sort of heat a moment before she buries it. Stabbing at the already lit lobby button on the elevator panel, she says, “You’re just like my father.”

My eyes widen. I can’t deny the sting her words cause, but the way she clutches her gut makes me think she feels a stab of hurt over it too.

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