Page 51 of Kai
Grinning at her response, he drew her to him and ignoring his family seated around the table, kissed her until she felt her senses spinning. "That's to seal the deal," he whispered against her mouth, smile widening when his uncles started clapping.
As the applause faded, Akemi's soft, melodic voice broke through the cheerful din. "It seems we have much to celebrate tonight," she said, her lips curling into a serene smile, yet her eyes glimmered with a hint of unshed tears. "Welcome to the family, Maxie."
The warmth in Akemi's tone made Maxie's chest tighten, and she felt a sudden urge to hug the woman who had so clearly poured her heart into this family. Rising from her seat, Maxie crossed over to Akemi, who, to her delight, stood to meet her halfway. The two women embraced, a gesture that felt as natural as if they had known each other for years.
When Maxie returned to the table, Kenzo leaned forward, his hands clasped together as if preparing to make an official declaration. "You're one of us now," he said with a dramatic flourish, "and as such, you should know that we have traditions."
Kai groaned audibly, shaking his head. "Kenzo, spare her."
Koji, grinning mischievously, was quick to interject. "Oh no, no—she must know about the family initiation."
Maxie tilted her head curiously, caught between amusement and mild concern. "Initiation?"
Kenzo's eyes twinkled with mischief identical to his twin's. "Fear not, my dear. It's entirely harmless... mostly."
"Mostly?" she echoed, raising an eyebrow at Kai, who now looked thoroughly exasperated. "What exactly have I gotten myself into?"
"Group hugs and fashion advice," the man told her soberly.
"Those I can definitely handle," she assured him just as soberly.
While the men adjourned to another room to drink scotch and discuss business, Akemi led the way into a beautiful and cozydrawing room with matching rose pink sofas and a round table already set out with a delightful tea service and some delicate pastries.
"What a lovely room."
"It's my own sanctuary." Akemi poured tea and handed her a cup so delicate, Maxie feared it might crumble in her fingers. "Please sit." She gestured to the sofa and settled in one corner. "The men are welcome to their boring talks of business and bawdy jokes," she said with a smile as she took a sip of her tea and watched Maxie over the rim. "You're wondering about our tradition. I have been brought up to be a submissive wife, one who knows her place."
Taking a sip of the herbal tea which to her surprise, she found very soothing and delicious, Maxie wondered what to make of that comment and what to say to it.
"I do wonder, yes. And I admire a woman who can hand over the reins entirely to a man."
"But you're not that woman."
Maxie laughed softly. Picking up a sugary biscuit, she bit into it and closed her eyes. "These are absolutely delicious. No," she shook her head. "I am a born American and more than that, I am a black woman which means I am very opinionated. Kai knows that about me and does not mind. Granted, he can be arrogant and high-handed because of the way he was brought up, but I can deal with it." She glanced at Akemi curiously. "You haven't asked if I'm in love with him. In fact, I am very surprised you've accepted me."
The woman put away her cup carefully. "I love my son and am very proud of him. If my husband was alive, there would have been a fight and a quarrel about traditions and sticking to our own kind. But he would not have won. Possibly when Kai was younger, yes, but not now." A faint smile touched her lips. "Kai is stubborn and willful and determined to go his own way. My husband was chosen for me." She gave an elegant shrug. "I had no say in the matter, but I grew to love him. He was kind to me and gentle. He had ways of dealing with our son that I did not approve of."
"But you were not allowed to intervene."
"No," she shook her head. "The rearing of a son was strictly the man's domain."
Putting the cup down, Maxie folded her hands in her lap. "That's where we're different. I cannot simply just hand over the reins to another person. I have to have a say in how things are going." She shrugged. "But that's my deal, the way I was brought up. I love your son." Her expression turned dreamy as she glanced down at the rock on her finger. "Ever since I was seventeen years old. He broke my heart, shattered it to pieces when he left without a word." She lifted her head to the woman who had her undivided attention. "He's the only man for me. Has been the only man for me because I could not bear the idea of another man touching me." She smiled slightly. "I know of his reputation and the initiation your husband forced on him to prove his manhood. Anyway," she shook her head. "None of that matters. And if it's assurance you need about my absolute devotion to him, you have it. I don't care about his money. I love him for who he is."
"That's why I welcomed you with open arms," the woman assured her softly. Putting her cup down, she reached for Maxie's hands. "I looked into your eyes and saw the truth of it."
She gave the woman an intriguing look. "Is that a Japanese thing?"
"No," Akemi laughed. "It's a mother's thing."
"I really like them," she murmured much later after a very heated bout of lovemaking. She was naked, except for the ring that was shooting lights around the room each time she moved her hand.
"You sound surprised." Kai had his hands wrapped possessively around her still quivering curves as he waited for his heart to stop pounding.
"I am." Lifting her head, she smiled at him. "That was my greatest fear—not being accepted by your family."
"Now, I fear being accepted by yours." He flicked a finger over her nose, expression sober. "I'm assuming they knew I was the one who broke your heart back then?"
"Of course." She grinned at his pained expression. "My mother wanted to boil you in oil and my dad, well, he wanted to shoot you."
