Chapter 10
MARYAM
I cross my arms, standing firm, ignoring the way Riku looks completely at home in my apartment.
“I have things to do today,” I announce.
He lifts a brow, unimpressed. “And?”
I exhale sharply. “And I’m not spending the entire weekend locked away in your house, being…” I wave a hand at his freaking mouthwatering self. “Manhandled.”
His lips twitch. “You didn’t seem to mind last night… or this morning.”
I feel my face heat, but I keep my stance. “I have errands to run: groceries, laundry… Things that don’t involve you.” I tilt my head. “You can go now.”
He just… stares. Raising that irritating, thick, inky, perfect brow again. Then he stands. Slowly, deliberately.
I resist the urge to step back. Barely.
“I’ll drive you,” he finally says, completely unfazed.
This man makes me lose my ability to form complete sentences.
“You have errands,” he shrugs, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “I’ll come with you.”
“No,” I try to stand my ground.
“Yes.”
I throw my hands up. “Riku, you’re a—” I lower my voice like someone can hear me. “A Yakuza enforcer.” I gesture again. “You don’t run errands.”
His expression doesn’t change. “Guess I do now.”
Oh My God. He’s serious.
I let out a frustrated groan, muttering curses under my breath as I turn to my closet. Clearly, this man is not leaving.
* * *
RIKU
Maryam thinks I’m letting her out of my sight? Not happening.
I watch as she huffs around her bedroom, pulling on clothes, still muttering to herself.
She’s annoyed.
But not really. Because, for all her protests, she’s not kicking me out.
When she reemerges, dressed in leggings and an oversized sweater, I take my time looking her over.
She narrows her eyes. “If you make one comment about my outfit—”
I smile. “I like it.”
She scoffs, grabbing her purse. “Come on, then, stalker.”
I let her walk ahead, but the second we step outside, I reach out, grab her hand, and lace our fingers together. She freezes, but I pretend not to notice. “Where to first?”
She exhales, defeated. “I need to get fruits.”
I nod, like this is a very serious task. “Let’s go, then.”
* * *
MARYAM
I cannot believe this is my life. Riku Watanabe—brooding, dangerous, over-the-top alpha male — is currently pushing a shopping cart through my local grocery store. Like it’s perfectly normal. Like he does this all the time. Like he’s not a literal Yakuza boss.
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “You know you don’t have to do all this, right?”
His brow lifts. “Why?”
“Because,” is all I got…
He cocks an eyebrow. I stare at him. He stares back. And that’s when I know. I’m not getting rid of this man.
I purposefully put my hair up in a messy bun. I’m wearing plain black yoga pants, my old college hoodie, no makeup. And the man is still looking at me like he wants to pull me into a corner and have his wicked way with me…
* * *
RIKU
Maryam is grumbling under her breath, throwing things into the cart like she’s punishing them. I just watch, amused. She’s trying so hard to pretend she doesn’t like this. Me here with her. Having me in her space.
She glances at me, catches me watching her, and scowls. “Stop smiling.”
My grin widens.
* * *
MARYAM
The moment we step back into my apartment, my phone rings. I glance at the screen. Mom. Shit. I hesitate. Too long. And, of course, Riku notices.
I turn away, answering quickly. “Hi, Mama!”
Her voice is cheerful, as always. “You’re still coming to dinner tonight, baby?”
I grimace. Riku is too damn close, definitely in hearing distance.
I clear my throat. “Uh—”
“Don’t you ‘uh’ me, Maryam,” my mom replies. “Six o’clock, baby. Don’t even think about backing out. We miss you.”
I close my eyes, praying for patience.
Riku leans in. “Dinner with your mom?”
I whip around, glaring. He just tilts his head.
I turn away, gripping my phone tighter. “I’ll be there, Ma.”
“Good. Love you, baby. See you tonight.”
“I love you, too, Mama.”
I hang up and exhale.
Riku folds his arms. “Perfect. We’ll go together.”
I was mid-step to my bedroom, and now I’m just standing there, staring at him.
“What?”
“We’ll go have dinner with your mother tonight,” he says easily, like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
“Tell me I did not just hear you casually invite yourself to my family’s house.”
He shrugs. “It’s the perfect opportunity.”
I sputter. “It is not an opportunity! It’s a—” I shake my head. “A private, intimate gathering.”
His brows lift. “I’m intimate with you.”
My brain short-circuits. “That’s not—You can’t just—”
He tilts his head to the side. “Babe.”
I groan into my hands. He steps forward, grips my chin, tilting my face up. “You’re mine, Maryam. They’ll need to meet me, eventually.” I swallow hard, my heart beating fast. His thumb drags over my bottom lip. “Might as well be tonight.”
* * *
RIKU
Maryam is still staring at me like I’m crazy when my phone buzzes. Kenji.
I answer. “What’s up, brother?”
He chuckles. “What’s up with you ?”
I’m grinning like some lovesick fool. “Not sure, man.”
He laughs. “Happy for you, Ri’. But this necklace shit needs to be handled.”
I don’t want to leave Maryam, but he’s right.
I rub my jaw. “Give me forty-five minutes.”
“Okay.”
We hang up. I Then turn to Maryam.
“Something wrong?” she asks.
I step closer, tucking a loose curl behind her ear. “I have to take care of something.”
Her brow lifts. “Mysterious and vague. Great.”
I press a kiss to her lips. “Be back soon.”
Then, before she can argue, I tilt her chin up, kiss her slow and deep, and make damn sure she knows she’s not off the hook.
“I’ll be here in time to pick you up for dinner,” I murmur against her lips. She glares. I chuckle.
Then I walk out, already thinking about how good it’s going to feel sitting next to her at her mother’s table.