Page 8 of Kai
He shuffled his feet and had her grinning. "I have a feeling my answer had better be in the negative."
"Smart man."
He grinned at her sheepishly. "What do you say Maxie? How about a date? Dinner and dancing at the Luxe."
Her tapered brows lifted. "Now, I really think you're trying to impress me."
"Maybe. Is that a yes?"
She shrugged. "It's a—I'll think about it. Why don't you drop in at the store tomorrow and I'll let you know?"
His eyes lit up and warmed her heart. "Sounds promising. I'll wait until you go inside."
"Oh, there's no need."
He shook his head. "My dearly departed mother would be very disappointed if I just walked away."
Tugging on the leash, she waved at him before heading towards the house.
"I'll close the gate."
"Thanks." With another wave, she bounded up the steps and unlocked the door. He was still there when she looked out the window. He saluted her before turning and walking back wherethey came from. Fixing the curtain back in place, she hunkered down to rub her dog's furry face, smiling when he proceeded to shower her with wet kisses.
"Time for a new chapter," she muttered.
Chapter 3
Tanaka Enterprises had branched out over the past ten years into what had become a multi-billion-dollar company with holdings all over the country. His father had inherited it from his father and along with his two younger brothers had turned the export/import company into something much more. The manufacture of toys and shipment was just a small part of the operation. They were now involved in high-end vehicles, exquisite glasswares, banking, shipping, cruise lines and shares in several five-star hotels.
Kai's life had changed drastically when his father died when he was eighteen. Without a moment's hesitation, he had been plucked out of his easy lifestyle and sent off to study in the UK. He had gone from being a happy-go-lucky teen to a man who had the responsibility of a rapidly growing company thrust on his young shoulders.
His uncles had taken over his grooming. He was trained to become the CEO as tradition dictated. There was no resentment. The long-standing tradition was firm and had been their way for more than a hundred years. As soon as he finished college, he had stepped into the role. He had not been given the luxury of grieving. He was suddenly the head of the household.
A teenage romance had not been part and parcel of the deal. Besides, he was expected to marry someone of Japanese descent. That much had been drilled into him since he could understand about his legacy.
He was allowed to dally with different women, that too was expected. As long as he was careful. But being with Maxie had changed him. At first it had been a challenge to pursue and capture her. He had been attracted and challenged by her aloofness and exquisite beauty.
Then everything had changed. When he touched her it had all gone to hell or heaven. Suddenly he was burning for her. His heart pounding, his blood boiling. Suddenly, he could not go a day without seeing her – touching her, wanting the taste of her on his tongue.
He had pushed all that aside ruthlessly. There was no future for them, and he had the company and his legacy to think about. His uncles had been there for him of course and were still within reach, whenever he wanted to brainstorm. They were both at the Japanese branch, because Japan was where they called home.
Tapping the heavy folder on his palm, he stared across the room, with a frown. He had not expected to see her. And seeing her had stirred up his memories and his hunger. The look on her face when her eyes met his was burned into his brain. She hated him. Of course she hated him. He had left without a word. Left without saying goodbye.
He had been stunned by the news of his father's heart attack and the events that followed.
Placing the folder flat on the desk, he finally opened it and felt the electric shock straight through his nervous system as a glossy eight by ten colored photo jumped up at him. His security detail had captured her when she was bending down to engage with a cute little blonde girl who looked to be about six or seven. The mother, or he assumed she was the mother had apparently said something to Maxie, which had her looking up and laughing.
The thick dark brown hair dipped in blonde spilled down her back and white teeth gleamed against full lips coated in pale pink. His fingers shook slightly as he trailed them over her features. Christ Almighty! He thought with a thud of his heart, he was still hung up on her. All these years he had convinced himself that she was his past, but that was a damn lie.
He leaned back in the chair, the leather creaking under his weight as he continued to stare at the photo. Memories flooded him like a tsunami—her laughter, the way her eyes sparkled when she was amused, the warmth of her hand in his. But those moments were shadows now, eclipsed by the choices he had made and the miles he had placed between them. Kai closed his eyes briefly, the tension in his chest tightening further, as the question he had ignored for years rose to the surface: Had he ever truly let her go?
The answer was glaringly obvious, and it unsettled him.
His phone buzzed on the desk, and he grabbed it like a lifeline, hoping for distraction. His assistant's voice came through, crisp and efficient.
"Mr. Tanaka, the board meeting is scheduled for 3 PM. Will you be attending?"
Kai exhaled sharply, grounding himself. Business. Legacy. Duty. Those were his anchors, the constants that defined his existence.
