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Noriko

 

 

 

The next morning when I woke, a dull soreness reminded me of the loss of my virginity. Now more than ever I needed to keep to my plan.

I leapt out of bed, glancing at my bedroom door. I hurried over to my closet where I stashed the bag that I brought with me. I took out the secret contraceptive pills that I’d been reaching for every morning.

I was sure Drake had the “unproductive wife” clause written into our contract to ensure he could get out of the marriage if it turned out that I couldn’t deliver him a son or daughter. It meant that I would get nothing further from him except for his initial upfront payment, the payment that had gone solely to my father’s experimental treatment.

But this clause also meant that I could keep my promise to my father and return home after one year.

I was doing the right thing. I belonged with my family.

So why did guilt weave its way through me as I pushed the tiny pill out of its packet and placed it into my mouth, tasting the bitter sweetness of the coating before I swallowed it dry?

My head was whirring as I replaced my secret into its hiding place and pulled on some clothes to go to breakfast alone as I did every morning since I arrived.

I’d been taking the pill for weeks now. Why was I suddenly conflicted over it?

My mind slipped images to me like stolen gems—Drake tugging me into his side as the limo drove through the protesters, Drake and the Monet painting, the way he moved inside me yesterday, touching such a deep part of me that I knew my soul would never be the same shape again.

I knew why I was conflicted, why guilt crawled in my underbelly like blind worms. Because I’d seen a side to Drake that he rarely showed. He wasn’t a cold stranger, easily overlooked. He was a man of flesh and blood, with a bleeding heart and a bruised soul. I wanted nothing more than to unravel all his secrets so I could care for them all.

Be careful, Noriko. Don’t get any closer to him. Don’t let him in any further.

Don’t forget your promise to your father.

I flung open my bedroom door, starting at the figure standing there. The very man who was taking up my thoughts was now taking up my vision, one hand poised to knock.

Those guilt worms gave out a wriggle. Surprise swept my breath into my throat. Does he know? Could he hear my plotting?

Don’t be ridiculous, Noriko, he can’t hear your thoughts.

I forced a smile, clasping my hands in front of me as if it would be enough to shield me. “Drake,” I bowed, “Good morning. I thought you had gone to work already.”

He looked incredible in a light gray tailored suit that hung across his wide shoulders like armor, a stunning crimson silk tie knotted at his thick throat. He hadn’t shaved this morning, his jaw dark, stubble sharpening his strong jaw, making him look gruff and brutish. I got a flash of that beautiful face between my legs, felt the ghostly scrape of his facial hair along the insides of my thighs. A shiver ran through me.

He lowered his hand. “I’m about to leave for work.”

I waited for him to explain why he was here. Drake just looked at me with a slight crease between his brows.

I chewed my lip. “I’m on my way to breakfast.” As if to punctuate my statement, my stomach let out another growl.

“Right. Of course. You’re hungry. I won’t keep you.” He stepped aside to let me through.

That was it? He didn’t have anything more to say? He showed up at my door to say…nothing?

I stepped into the gap. At the same time, he stepped in again and we bumped together. “Oh,” I let out, as he grabbed my upper arm to steady me, “sorry, I—”

He leaned in, his heated presence rolling around me like a blanket, causing me to cut off as I sucked in a breath. He brushed his lips against mine. They were oh-so soft and warm. For a second I couldn’t move. A heat bloomed in my chest. I reached for him, opening my mouth instinctively to turn this into a real kiss…

He straightened, clearing his throat. My chest fluttered at the loss of him.

For a second we stared at each other, my arm heating underneath his palm, a flush rising to my neck.

Lean into him. Steal a kiss back off him.

Don’t you dare, Noriko. Show no such affection. It’ll make it harder on you, on him, when you leave.

As if he could sense the conflict inside me, he let go of me as if I burned him. “Well, then. Have a good day,” he said. He strode down the hallway, his long legs propelling him to the end before I could make myself move.

What the hell was that?