Humor fills his eyes as I lean forward, completely intending to kiss him. He doesn't move toward me, but also makes no move to stop me. Warning signals are blaring in my head, but I ignore every one of them. All thoughts of the world around us fall away as I move closer. Our lips brush against one another softly, the feeling of his against mine causing my entire body to flush with heat.
Is this what I’ve been missing?I’ve never kissed a boy before, but Haruaki isn’t a boy. He’s all man. I relish in the little bit of freedom I’ve stolen for myself.
I move back, but Haruaki chases me. Before his lips can meet mine again, the door behind him swings open, startling us both.
He steps back from me as a familiar brunette head pops out of the bathroom. She stops abruptly when she sees us standing there, her eyes volleying between the two of us.
“Are you okay?” she asks me softly.
Haruaki chuckles from beside me. “Maybe I’m the one you should be asking, baby Catalini.”
Catalini. So she’s Italian. No wonder Killian is happy to marry me off to one.I think to myself.
She glares at him. “From what I’ve heard, it’s never a good thing when a Yakuza is caught alone with a Murphy. Aren’t you guys enemies?”
He holds his hands up. “I didn’t even really touch her. I was on my best behavior.”
I glance up at him. His eyes meet mine, shooting me a wink.
He didn’t touch me, not really. I touched him, though.
When she glances toward me, I bristle. “He didn’t.”
I don’t know why I stick up for him. I should have screamed the moment he stepped out of the shadows. I should have run the moment he took a step toward me. I definitely shouldn't have kissed him.
What is wrong with you, Cleo?
“How about we go find Killian? I’m sure he is looking for you by now.” She reaches out for my hand, beckoning me away from Haruaki.
“Sure he is.” He laughs. “Like his eyes haven’t been glued to little Greer Catalini. Seems to me, Killian might have a little cradle robber in him,” Haruaki taunts.
“Like you don’t?” Greer raises a brow. “Pot meet kettle. Don’t think I don’t know that you’re ten years her senior, yet I just found you cuddled up with her in a very public hall. Come on. Let’s go, Cleo.”
I narrow my eyes at the woman. I don’t know her, nor do I appreciate her calling me by a nickname that only my family uses.
As if I hadn’t lost my mind enough, I step away from Greer’s outstretched hand and move closer to Haruaki’s side. Reaching up, I wrap my hand around his bicep.
He stiffens but doesn’t move away.
“I don’t know you, nor do you have permission to call me anything, but my birth given name. I think you should leave. This is none of your business.”
She gives me a confused look before looking between the two of us again.
“What is going on here?”
Killian’s booming voice comes from the other end of the hall, causing my already stiff partner to stiffen even more. You can cut the tension in the air with a knife.
“Answer me,” he demands, reaching us in only a couple of strides.
“Killian, calm down.” Greer turns toward him, placing a hand on his chest, but his eyes are on the man next to me.
More specifically, on my hand that is now gripping his bicep. I give Haruaki credit. He doesn’t flinch, nor does he stand down when Killian moves past Greer and closer to him. Haruaki stands still, facing Killian head-on.
“You better have one damned good reason to be touching my niece.” His low tone is deadly.
“Take another look. I think your niece is touching me.” He meets Killian’s eye and refuses to look away.
Brave man.
