Total pages in book: 152
Estimated words: 154368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 772(@200wpm)___ 617(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 772(@200wpm)___ 617(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
Zo circled me one final time, produced a small bottle of perfume, and then stopped. “Hiroko, can I spray her?”
"No." Hiroko shook her head. "Nothing on her skin."
Zo sighed dramatically. "Fine. She'll just have to be naturally delicious." He slipped the bottle back into his pocket. "Which she is, honestly. Remember that time in my apartment with the perfume bottle when—"
"Zo."
"Right. Not the time." He stepped back and admired his work. "You look incredible. Powerful. Sexy. Like you're about to either fuck someone or destroy them. Maybe both."
I looked at myself in the mirror.
Red leather straps crossed my body like war paint. Brown skin exposed everywhere else—shoulders, stomach, the curve of my waist, the tops of my thighs. Hair pulled high and tight. Neck bare. The bite marks visible. Undeniable.
I looked like I belonged to someone dangerous.
No.
I looked like I WAS someone dangerous.
Zo appeared behind me in the mirror and rested his chin on my shoulder. "There she is."
My throat tightened. Because he wasn't talking about the outfit. He was talking about me. The version of me that had been building since I set foot on this island.
"The Dragon is a lucky man," Zo said quietly. Then he straightened and clapped. "Now let's go before I cry and ruin my eyeliner."
“Yes.” Hiroko sighed. “She’s done. Get the cape so she won’t be cold.”
I looked back at them. “So now can I know what is going on?”
“You’ll know soon.”
Minutes later, we were back outside—Hiroko, her assistants, and me.
The golf cart hummed through the darkness.
Silent, Hiroko sat beside me.
Again, the assistants drove.
The night had deepened—stars scattered across the sky, lanterns glowing along the path, shadows pooling between the trees.
I waited for her to speak.
Finally, she did. "You've done two scenes now successfully. Both tested you and Kenji in different ways."
I nodded.
"But this scene will test you both on the highest level." She turned to look at me. "It's dangerous. The most dangerous element I'll ever work with."
Element?
I started running through the possibilities. Elements. The classical ones. The ones that made up the world.
Water. We'd already done that. The tub. The drowning. His hands holding me under.
Air. Breath control, in a way. The choking. The gasping. The moments when oxygen became a gift he could give or take.
Earth. Dirt. Mud. That didn't make sense. What would an earth scene even look like? Being buried alive? No. That was insane. That wasn't sexy. That was just murder.
Fire.
My whole body rejected the word. My skin tightened. My stomach dropped. Every nerve ending that had been scrubbed clean in that shower suddenly understood WHY they'd been scrubbed clean.
No oils.
No lotions.
Nothing flammable on the skin.
No. . .there’s no way we’re playing with fire tonight. That would be crazy and too dangerous. I’m not ready for that.
"Whatever you see when you walk in," Hiroko said, "remember that you can stop at any time."
I looked at her.
"Your safe word still applies. It will always apply. But also remember. . .the Dragon chose this for a reason. I don’t know why but. . .he wants to show you something about him. . .about yourself."
The cart slowed.
Through the trees, I could see a structure emerging. Traditional. Elegant. A tea house, glowing softly from within.
The cart stopped in front of it.
"One more thing." Hiroko's voice stopped me before I could move. "Be bold, Nyomi."
I turned back to her. “Okay.”
"You are his queen. You've already proven yourself as a woman who can stand beside him." Her eyes held mine. "Continue to do so. When you walk into that tea house, yank off your cape and stroll in with pure dominance."
“Alright.” I stepped out.
The red leather hugged my body. Even with the cape, the night air kissed my bare skin. My braids sat heavy in their bun, exposing my neck, my shoulders, the bite marks the Dragon had left on my flesh.
I walked toward the tea house.
My heels clicked against the cool stone.
Lanterns flickered on either side of the entrance. Through the paper screens, I could see light—warm, golden, dancing.
The assistants reached the door before us and slid it open.
Soon we stepped inside and my whole body went rigid.
Oh. . .
Because now, I understood why Hiroko wanted nothing on my skin.
Now, I understood why my hair had to be pulled back.
Now, I understood what we were playing with tonight.
Holy fuck. He is absolutely crazy!!
Chapter twenty
The Hot Surprise
Nyomi
I stepped inside the tea house, and my whole body went rigid. It took all of my energy to take off my cape.
Thankfully one of the assistants rushed to grab it from me.
Oh my God.
I scanned the space.
Gold fabric draped from the ceiling, cascading down the walls in heavy waves. Candles covered every surface—hundreds of them. Their flames danced in the air. The smell of smoke and incense filled my lungs.
Sweet.
Heavy.
Sensual.
In the corners, three men stood with their hands clasped behind their backs. At their feet—fire extinguishers.