Capitolo 18 :: 18

Pubblicato: 22-04-06 - Ultimo aggiornamento: 22-04-06

Commenti: Kaori is back and it seems things have returned to normal... sort of.

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Ryo stared at her across the room, not knowing what to do… what to say. What did one say to the woman he loved that was engaged to his best friend, and was suddenly alone in his apartment?  

Damn, but she was beautiful. Her classical features glowed in the candlelight, her red hair blazed with live fire; she was beautiful even in those charcoal slacks and large jersey, and those eyes of hers… Oh, her beautiful eyes were wide, sad, and a little frightened. She was feeling as weird as he was.  

Kaori stared at him across the room not knowing what to do… what to say. She tried to look away, but she found it impossible to do so. His dark eyes held hers in thrall.  

Damn, but he was gorgeous. His chiseled features were draped in shadow and light, the tight T-shirt hugged his muscled chest to perfection, the snug jeans… Don’t think about his snug jeans!… and his eyes. They positively burned! And it wasn’t because of the candlelight.  

What could she say to him? What should she say? God, she wanted to run away… and she wanted to run in his arms… What should she do?!  

A corner of his lips quirked up. »Welcome back, Kaori. «  

She huffed. »Yeah, well… « She grinned. »Thanks. «  

He hooked his thumbs into his belt loops. »So… Silver Fox, huh? «  

She dragged her eyes off his hands and their proximity to… Don’t think about that!… and rolled her eyes. »That guy should really get a life! «  

Ryo chuckled.  

Kaori put her hands on her hips, glaring at the man. »I see nothing funny here! «  

»Sorry. «  

She lifted two fingers. »Twice! It’s twice this guy’s come after me. This seriously pisses me off! «  

»I’ll protect you, « he murmured.  

»No shit! « She pulled a scrunchie out of her slacks, pulling her hair into a ponytail. »Do you have anything to eat? «  

Ryo blinked at the sudden change of subject. »Huh? «  

»Did your brain fry or something? «  

He blinked again. First, they were talking about Silver Fox, then she was asking for food and now she yammered about his brain? What was the matter with her? »Huh? «  

»Is that all you can say? Did someone knock you over the head? Whoever it was, they should give him a medal. «  

He grinned. »Sorry, I don’t have one on me. I’d give it to you in a heartbeat. «  

She clucked her tongue, rolling her eyes. »You’re so funny. Really, you’re killing me… FOOD!!! «  

He flinched at her shrill tone. »What?! «  

»I’m starving. I haven’t eaten since morning. I need food! «  

Ryo shrugged. »You know where the kitchen is. «  

She kicked her bag into the corner and plopped on the couch, smiling up at him. »I’m a guest. «  

A dark eyebrow rose as Ryo crossed his arms over his chest. »So? «  

She lifted her feet on the coffee table. »You should take care of me. «  

He walked to her, shoving her feet of the table.  

She innocently blinked up at him.  

»If you wanna eat, you’ll cook. «  

»You don’t have anything in the fridge, right? «  

He actually blushed. Damn the woman, but she knew him too well.  

Kaori rolled her eyes. »Typical. «  

He winked. »You know me, Kaori-kun. «  

»Do you want a whack over the head? «  

He quickly shook his head.  

»Then stop calling me that! « Her lips tightened into a thin line. »Why don’t you call your… assistant? «  

»Part-time assistant. «  

She just turned her head, staring at a candle.  

»Reika is a private detective. «  

»I know. « She looked at him. »But she is your assistant. So she could come and cook something… « No aphrodisiacs, please.  

»She’s not that kind of assistant. «  

»Oh, she’s not a maid slash assistant. She’s just sex-toy slash assistant. «  

»What do you care? «  

»I don’t, « she answered quickly.  

»Could’ve fooled me. «  

»Sheesh! We’re not getting anywhere with this! « She jumped to her feet, grabbing the phone.  

Ryo was at her side in a heartbeat, tugging the receiver out of her grasp, trying to ignore the warmth that spread through him as their fingers touched.  

»Are you nuts? My phone might be bugged. «  

She arched her eyebrow at him.  

»Okay, « he mumbled. »It’s impossible. «  

She beamed up at him. »Precisely. And besides, that idiotic loon probably followed us. Whatever Mick might think, Silver Fox knows I’m here. « She retook the phone from him, shivering slightly at the contact. »I’m getting some food. I ain’t gonna die until next week. «  

Ryo snapped. Grabbing her shoulders, he turned her to look straight into her eyes. »Don’t you ever say that, « he squeezed between clenched teeth. »You’re not gonna die, do you hear me?! «  

She blinked languidly. »Sure I’m gonna die. « She winked. »We all die eventually. «  

He wasn’t swayed. »I’m serious, Kaori. I won’t let anything happen to you. «  

Kaori slowly smiled. On impulse, she stood on tiptoes, brushing a soft kiss over his lips. »I know you won’t. «  

Ryo just stared at her, unable to breathe, unable to move, unable to think. She kissed him! He could still feel electricity sizzling on his lips. It wasn’t passionate or anything, but that little, soft kiss rocked him deeply. It was a caring kiss.  

Kaori’s eyes flew wide as the full force of what she’s just done hit her. She kissed him! She just up and kissed him. Well, it wasn’t a real kiss, but hell, she touched her lips to his, she felt the warmth and softness of his mouth… Oh, dear Lord!  

Their gazes met and held… They both felt the heavy embarrassment of that moment. What just happened?!  

It was a friendly kiss! A kiss between friends! It didn’t mean anything… to her. Ryo cleared his throat. »Uhm, you better call for food. I’m kinda hungry, too. Let me take care of your stuff. «  

And he grabbed her bag, disappearing out on the hallway.  

Kaori stood in the middle of the living room, clutching the receiver. It was a friendly kiss! A kiss between friends! It didn’t mean anything… to him.  

Shaking her head, she punched the number. She wasn’t going to think about that little, insignificant kiss. She kissed him to thank him for caring. That’s it! He was sleeping with his assistant and she was marrying Mick…  

Another thunder.  

Kaori rolled her eyes. There was nothing between them. It was just a kiss between friends!  

»Hello? Ogura-san? «  

A female voice screeched into her ear.  

Kaori grimaced. »Yeah, it’s Kaori. I’m back… Aha… Aha… Uhm, Ogura-san, I’d just like to order some take-out. You still deliver?… Good. Okay, I’d like… Yeah… Yeah… Yeah… Make that double… Aha… Yeah, the usual address… Aha… Aha… Aha… Uhm, Ogura-san, when will it arrive?… Aha… Aha… Great… Aha… Bye! «  

She quickly hung up, breathing a sigh of relief.  

Ryo reemerged into the living room. Totally composed. Zen even. He wasn’t going to think about that little kiss any further. Case closed! Another chapter in the book of his screwed-up life finished.  

»So? «  

She smiled sheepishly. »If he didn’t know I’m here, he will in about fifteen minutes. «  

»Ogura-chan answered? «  

She just nodded.  

»Make that five minutes, then. In fifteen, her niece in India will know. «  

»Where did you put my bag? I need to freshen up. «  

»Your old room. «  

She blinked. Her old room? He was probably using that room for storage. Was she meant to sleep among boxes?  

»Okay, I know the way. The food will be here in twenty minutes. «  

»You got it, « he murmured, watching her sashay out in the hallway. She probably thought he was using her room for storage. He grinned. She was in for a huge surprise.  

…  

Kaori pressed the handle, bracing herself. It was probably moldy and dust-covered. Peachy.  

Her eyes flew wide and veiled with tears as she grinned.  

It wasn’t moldy or dusty. Her old room was the same as she left it. The candlelight gave it a romantic, almost otherworldly air.  

She softly closed the door, leaning against it, wiping at her wet cheeks. »Thank you, Ryo. « 

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