Read Online No Ordinary Love by Kenya Wright - Free Book Online Page A

I twirled my hands in the air. “What’s your advice?”
    “If you want to get your way with me, you'll have to give me a lot more than a reckless attitude and a violent knee.”
    “What do you want?”
    He licked his lips. “Dates?”
    “Explain.”
    “You and I spending time together.”
    “I don’t have time for that.”
    “You do.”
    “I’m here to learn about the red-light district.”
    “Who would know more about this area than me?”
    “That’s a fair point.”
    “I’m a fair man.” He poured himself some sake. “You want access to my district. I want dates.”
    “Dates? That's it?”
    “What else are you offering me, Little Tora?”
    An exasperated breath left my lips. “What else are you trying to get?”
    “I enjoyed tasting your lips.”
    I enjoyed sampling his too, but I refused to bargain my kisses. “I'll date you, but that's it. When it comes to my body, it’s not up for bartering.”
    “Fine.”
    I wished I could wipe away that wicked little smile he kept on his face. It was as if everything was going just as he’d plan. That pissed me off the most.
    “There's just one more thing,” Kenji said. “In order to play it safe in my district, everyone should know that you belong to me.”

Chapter 8
     
    NYOMI
     
     
    I threaded my fingers together. “I hope you’re defining belong as, I’m in your employment. Not as your love slave.”
    He quirked his eyebrows. “Does it matter?”
    “Yes.”
    The waitress returned and poured sake for him.
    “Can I order for you?” he asked me. I nodded. He said several things in words I couldn’t understand. The waitress took the order without writing it down, bowed, and left with a huge smile on her face.
    “Do you like eating raw fish?” he asked.
    “I love it.”
    “Good. Kozue is known for its sashimi.” He gestured to the box next to my seat wrapped in royal blue paper. “Is that a gift for me?”
    “Yes.” I began to get it, but he jumped up and grabbed the box himself. Tiny holes decorated the top.
    “What's inside?”
    “If I wanted you to know, I wouldn’t have wrapped it,” I said. “Kenji, you’re supposed to wait until after you leave me to open the gift. At least that’s what my friend says.”
    “I don't like waiting.”
    Clearly.
    I wagged my finger at him. “Well, you’re the one that’s naughty. I was told that it’s tradition to open it once the gift giver is gone.”
    “I’m not good at following rules and customs when it doesn’t have anything to do with my family.” He ripped off the paper and tore open the box like an impatient kid on Christmas morning. Chuckling, he peered in and lifted the plant. I did my best to maintain a serious face.
    Against Zo’s wishes, I’d spent the entire day searching for a very special plant, one that looked as close to a penis as possible. There weren't many out there, and I doubted my pitiful attempt at Japanese had gotten my point across with many of the florists. A few had escorted me out when I yelled out “Chinko!”and then tried to form a huge penis with my hands.
    Regardless, I’d hit the jackpot at my last store by buying the titan arum . It meant “giant phallus.” One petal circled the bottom. At the center was a huge penis-shaped cluster of flowers that stuck together and soared up a foot. Unfortunately, the downside of the poor titan anum was that it smelled like a dead animal. As Kenji opened the gift, a rank odor filled the air.
    “I’m unsure of what message I should get from this gift. Being a lover of flowers, I’ve studied the titan anum before. ” He looked up at me with a grin. “On one hand, it resembles a huge penis, which I’m hoping was why you gave it to me.”
    “And on the other hand?”
    “It’s known as the corpse plant because of its odor. Many have used it as a threat or warning. Are you threatening me, Tora?”
    My mouth dropped open. “Oh God no. Go with the penis notion.”
    Did I just say go with the penis notion?