Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
RYO
There was a crack in my armour around my heart ever since the night Link had dinner with us, and he was slowly seeping his way in.
But I wouldn’t give in to him.
I still believed he would grow bored and find someone else to annoy.
What I didn’t like was how the thought of him with another person twisted me up inside.
Which was ridiculous. I should know by now that becoming attached to someone wasn’t good. They could wreck your life in ways I didn’t have time for.
My focus was work.
Still, Link kept trying to push his way in.
It’d been two weeks since I’d last seen him, but he never stayed quiet.
He called, texted, even emailed to ask me about my day, telling me about his, and then wanting to know more about me.
It was frustrating how charming he was.
Gripping the steering wheel, I thought about turning around and heading home once again.
When my phone rang through the car, I quickly accepted the call.
“Tell me you need me back there,” I said to Wolf.
The idiot laughed. “I do not. You already gave me extra guards while you’re not here.”
“You’ve been attacked at home before, and until everyone understands that you no longer deal in the gun and drug trade, I will have you protected at all times.”
“I know, Ryo. I appreciate the care.”
“I don’t care.”
“It’s me you’re talking to, friend.”
Sighing, I unclenched my hands and took turns shaking each one out. “Sorry.”
“Try and let your walls down around Link while you’re there.”
While I was there.
At his house.
He’d finally managed to con me into having dinner with him, but he’d only told me at the last moment it would be at his place.
“I’ll see.”
Wolf snorted. “You have protection with you, yes?”
My heart raced as I spluttered out, “I am not sleeping with him.”
I heard Ruin’s loud laugh in the background and Wolf’s soft one. “I wasn’t speaking about sleeping with him. That was where your mind went.”
I scoffed. “Then what did you mean?”
“Have you taken guards with you? I’m not the only one who needs security. You’re a big part of my world, Ryo, and I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
Softening, I relaxed into my driving. “Two of the men are following me.”
“Good. Now have fun at your lover’s place—”
“He’s not my lover.”
“If I don’t see you in the morning, I’ll know where you’ll be.”
“I’ll be home soon.”
“Don’t worry about any work here. Just have fun.”
“I don’t have fun.”
Wolf laughed. “You can, though. Just remember that.” He ended the call before I could say anything else.
It was probably for the best, since I didn’t want to be in a foul mood when I arrived at Link’s, and I was already pulling up to his gate.
Although, I had a feeling that if I was in a mood, Link wouldn’t care.
Rolling down my window as the guard approached, I tipped my chin and said, “Ryo Sato, here to see Link. I have a vehicle behind me that contains my own security.” The man looked familiar. I was sure he’d been at the restaurant.
The guard grunted. “Hey, name’s Bradshaw.” Link’s personal guard. “Boss sent me out here to let you in. Usually, it’s a full scan of ID and car, but he trusts you.” His stare told me that I better not go against Link’s faith in me if I wanted to live.
I nodded.
“You okay with your guards hanging outside the gate here? You’ll be safe within the walls. Boss has the highest security system, and the people in the building have already been screened well. They’re loyal to Link.”
Did I trust Link with my safety around him and his own?
No.
Yes.
Maybe.
Clenching my teeth, I nodded once again. Bradshaw left to speak to my men.
My skin itched at the thought of placing my trust in someone else.
For many years, the only person I had faith in was Wolf. Even when others had proved themselves safe, I still held them at arm’s length.
Sighing, I tightened my grip on the wheel when the gates opened, and then I got a text from one of Wolf’s men in the car behind me. I confirmed that Bradshaw was correct with his instructions.
My stomach was a ball of nerves as I parked near the stairs to the front porch. When I climbed out, the front door opened, and my blood pumped harder and faster through my veins when Link stepped out in jeans and a long-sleeved black top.
His smile was sinful, and I watched as his gaze ran over me slowly, spiking the beat of my heart.
“Hey, baby,” he called.
“Don’t call me that,” I told him, walking up the stairs.
“I’ll try to remember that, love.”
I wanted to pinch the bridge of my nose and sigh, but I just stared at him.
Link chuckled and waved a hand toward the doorway. “Welcome to my home, where I hope you’ll spend a lot of time.”
Since I noticed he wore no shoes, I stepped into the entryway to remove my own and then waited for Link off to the side as he shut and locked the front door.
“I know it ain’t as big as what you’re used to—and I’m only talking about the house, not my dick; you can look at that any time you want—but let me show you around.”
This man.
I wanted to laugh but also smack the back of his head.
Instead, I nodded and stayed silent. Link pointed to the left and explained that was where the formal dining room was.
To the right was his office. Down the end of a small hall, where an amazing smell was coming from, we walked into the family room and kitchen area that had seating at the counter.
I also noticed a wok on the stovetop that held something that made my mouth water.
He walked by the stunning black-and-white kitchen and through the large pantry to another hallway.
Straight across from it was the guest bedroom and bathroom.
Down the left end of the hall lay the lounge room.
At the opposite end was a movie room. Over at the other side of the house, across from the kitchen and family room, was where the magic happened—his words, not mine—with his big bedroom, walk-in robe, and bathroom.
There were also three other bedrooms, a laundry, and another bathroom.
I would admit I’d read Link wrong. I thought his home would be extravagant, over the top, but this felt humble, sweet, and homey.
I liked it a lot—not that I would tell him, though.
When we made our way back into the main area, he asked, “What do you think?”
“I….” I tightened my jaw at the hopeful gleam in his gaze. I hated that it affected me in a way where I suddenly needed to tell him the truth. With a sigh, I said, “It’s nice.”
He chuckled. “Did that hurt you to say?”
My lips twitched. “Yes.”
He swept in and kissed my cheek before dancing back again.
“Thanks, snook.” He went to the kitchen and grabbed some bowls from the cupboard.
“I made veggie dumplings. They’re in the steamer, but I’ve also got miso hoikoro Japanese pork and cabbage stir-fry.
” He stilled before facing me. “You do like that, right? I should have asked what you like. Shit.”
My heart hammered into my ribs.
“You made this?”
“Yeah. I like cooking. Though, I really would employee Wolf’s chefs if he wanted to get rid of them.”
He’d cooked.
This man who traded in guns, women, and drugs had been at home thinking of me and what I would like for dinner.
Swallowing thickly, I glanced away and said, “I like this dish.” It was one of my favourites.
“Awesome. How many dumplings you want on the side?”
“Whatever you give me.” I pressed a hand to my swirling stomach and watched him dish me up the food.
His large, tattooed hands were works of art and meant to be admired.
I could admit to myself that I wouldn’t mind seeing them glide over my body.
My cock jerked.
I quickly looked elsewhere and clenched my teeth.
“You good to eat in the movie room? We can watch something.”
“Not the dining room?” I asked.
He chuckled. “I know you’re used to big family dinners or even small ones and being served at a table, but it’d gonna be a bit different here.”
Had I sounded rude? I didn’t mean to.
“Movie room is fine.”
He glanced over his shoulder and grinned. “Cool. Wanna grab some bottles of water? I’ll carry the bowls.”
I nodded and went to the refrigerator. Opening it, I noted that there was a whole shelf dedicated to water.
He wouldn’t have bought them just for me.
Many other people drank water.
Removing two, I closed the door and turned to see him waiting by the pantry that we’d walked through to get to the movie room. The large, deep bowls were piled high, and I wasn’t sure I could eat it all, but I wanted to try.
Damn this man for making me feel something.
I followed him into the movie room and took a seat beside him on the large black couch that I sank into. After placing my water in the cup holder in the armrest, I passed his over and took the bowl Link offered.
He picked up the remote. “What are you in the mood for?”
“Anything.” I forked a dumpling and shoved it in my mouth, biting into goodness. My eyes widened, and I glanced down to count how many I had.
“There’s more, if you want,” Link said. I saw his happy grin as I glanced at him and nodded.
He ended up picking an action movie while we ate in silence.
It surprised me how comfortable I felt alone in a room with Link.
Every now and then, I peeked out the corner of my eyes to watch him laugh or smile at something on the massive screen. He caught me a couple of times and winked before I quickly looked away.
This man was attractive, sweet, and kind—at least to me, so far.
But could it all be an act until he got what he wanted?
It still stunned me that he wanted to sleep with me. I didn’t think he’d find me good-looking or interesting. Not when I’d been nothing but cold and short with him since we’d met.
Why was he wanting my time?
Why did he continue this game of chase?
And would it all change when I gave in?
When?
I meant if I gave in, not when.