Page 35 of Dangerous Deceit

But then he’ll know Uncle Jay was lying, and our entire plan will unravel.

“What makes you think I’m not telling the truth?” I whisper.

“Tell me your truth.”

My eyelids flutter, and another growl rumbles through Kenzo’s chest. His cock twitches against me, and he presses our bodies together. I go to grip the railing, but he’s so close, I grab his hands instead. He’s warm. Rigid. Every nerve ending jumps at the physical contact, but I keep my hands there, on top of his.

Maybe he’s asking me to trust him. To believe him when he says he’ll keep me safe. And I want that so badly. Maybe it makes me sad, or even pathetic, but a home is what I’ve always wanted.

Safety. Stability. Love.

But marrying a man from the yakuza doesn’t guarantee any of that.

Kenzo drops his hands from the railing, letting me out of his cage. I’m not sure if I’m lightheaded from him or the booze, but my head spins, and I lean on the railing to keep myself from falling.

Kenzo sits in a deep cushioned wicker seat. It’s big enough for two people, but his legs are spread like hewantsto take up space. Every heartbeat vibrates through my fingers.

“Come fuck me,” he orders.

I flush from head to toe. No one has ever said something like that to me before.

“Right now?” I ask.

“No. Tomorrow. After work.”

I laugh nervously. “Here?” I squeak. I point to the pool behind us. “There are people down there.”

“So what? You don’t like showing off?”

The idea of getting caught and shamed by an onlooker turns me on more than I care to think. Maybe it’s the way I was raised. Uncle Jay and Patrick always discouraged any crushes. When I kissed a man once, someone they weren’t targeting, they told me I was going to ruin our business if I got a disease or became pregnant.

The idea of doing something like this—so out in the open, and without alcohol blurring my senses—makes me boil with recklessness and freedom. Even if I’m still doing this for my family, it’s almost like I’m doing this for myself too.

I’m a researcher, and curiosity keeps leading me back to Kenzo.

Will he figure out I’m lying about my virginity? Will it matter to him? Or will he hate me for lying?

Why do I get the feeling that, right now, Kenzo just wantsme?

I twist my fingers along the metal railing.

Maybe I should do what I want for once.

Maybe that’s what Kenzo wants too.

CHAPTER 18

VI

I’m not supposedto desire an actual target, but I can’t stop the need from crawling inside of me.

I want Kenzo to touch me.

Still, hesitation bites at my neck. “You have a bed,” I say.

“But the bed is far away. And besides.” He winks. “It’s a nice night.”

I press my lips together to stop from grinning at his tease. I’m not supposed to do this because I want to. I’m supposed to do this because it’s my job. I’m not supposed to like Kenzo.

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