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Still clearly distracted, he shrugged. “It’s part of his expectations. My marital status doesn’t have a thing to do with my business abilities, but having a wife smoothes the way.”
“Are you telling me that you married me so I could smooth the way for your business deals?” she asked, shocked and almost hurt despite her own approach to the marriage. She couldn’t possibly be really hurt because she didn’t have any real feelings for him.
“I had several reasons for marrying you. I’ve demonstrated that,” he said and flicked his gaze over her from head to toe. “I’ll wash up and we can leave in a few minutes.”
Calista paced from one end of the living area to the other, fuming. The more she thought about Leo’s motivation for marrying her, the more upset she became. She remembered how he hadn’t called her for weeks. He hadn’t really had any feelings for her. He’d just been frustrated because his prospective business partners were reluctant with him because of his youth…and lack of a wife. So, what she’d really been was convenient. She wanted him to feel as vulnerable as she did.
“The limo’s waiting,” Leo said as he strode into the living area. “Let’s go.”
He took her elbow when they exited the elevator and she wrested her arm away from him. Despite the fact that she intended to divorce Leo in six months, she could barely swallow her indignation.
He shot her a look of cool curiosity as they got into the vehicle. “What’s your problem?”
“You could have married just anyone,” she said. “So, why me?”
“I told you before. You captured my attention.”
“Plus I didn’t want a big wedding. That was in my favor, too, wasn’t it?”
Leo wiped his hand over his face in frustration. “Listen, there’s no reason for you to pretend you’re pissed off because part of the reason I married you was for practical reasons. You need to remember that you were very firm on getting married.” His mouth tightened. “Despite the fact that you were not a virgin when we said our I-dos.”
“I never said I was a virgin.”
He lifted his hand. “This is nonsense. You and I have an explosive passion for each other. More than most married couples I’d say. You’re getting what you want out of this bargain, and I am, too. If you wanted an emotional, romantic man, you picked the wrong guy. I never represented myself that way.” He met her gaze. “Now, I want this deal. I don’t want to feel like I’ve wasted my time by making this trip. So, just try to act like an adoring wife and you can resume your pissing fit after it’s over. If it makes you feel better, I’ll give you a blank check and you can shop off your anger tomorrow.”
She stared at him in shock. “Do you really think going on a shopping spree is going to make me feel better about this?”
“Works with most women, doesn’t it?” he asked as the limo pulled to a stop.
She would love to teach him a thing or two. After she secured her sisters’ education and health care. She knew it was hypocritical, but his attitude still galled her.
“You’re a jerk, but don’t worry. I’ll fake it,” she said to him and got out of the limo.
Leo escorted her into the restaurant where a host greeted them.
“You’re making a big deal out of nothing,” Leo said under his breath. “Smile, darling. Here come the Kihotos.”
The middle-aged couple approached and Leo made the necessary introductions. Calista smiled and nodded to each of them. “I have a small gift for you,” she said to Mrs. Kihoto.
Mrs. Kihoto smiled shyly, but shook her head. “Oh, no, I can’t accept.”
Calista knew it was custom for the Japanese to refuse gifts up to three times. “Please do. It’s very small and you would be doing me a favor.”
Mrs. Kihoto gave a slow nod. “You’re very kind and beautiful.”
“Thank you. You’re very generous to join us for dinner,” Calista said and felt Leo’s gaze on her.
When they sat down, he whispered in her ear, “Very nice. You surprised me.”
She smiled, whispering in return, “Is this when you say ‘good wife’ and pat me on my head?”
She heard him smother a chuckle under a cough.
Calista successfully made it through the meal without stabbing Leo with her chopsticks and not pointing them in a culturally offensive direction. She even remembered to say the traditional “Gochisosama deshita” at the end of the meal.
Leo, again, appeared impressed. So did Mr. and Mrs. Kihoto. Calista collected her beautifully wrapped gift for Mrs. Kihoto and the woman also presented her with one.
“Oh, look at how beautiful,” Calista said, admiring the gift. “You shouldn’t have. Your company was a huge gift.”
Mrs. Kihoto insisted and Calista thanked the woman and her husband again, relieved when she climbed into the limo.
“Very well done,” Leo said. “I must show my gratitude. Since you’re not interested in shopping one of my credit cards up to the limit, what can I get you?”
Calista leaned her head against the back of the leather seat and closed her eyes, the fiery brunt of her anger at Leo fading a little. She shouldn’t have been surprised that his motive for marrying her was mercenary. And how could she blame him when her motive was almost as bad as his. The only thing that made her motive more honorable was that she was doing it for someone else, her sisters. Others might see that as splitting hairs. “I’d like a cheeseburger.” She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. “And maybe one of those TOTO toilets with all the bells and whistles.”
He chuckled and loosened his tie. “Liked that, did you?”
“I was like a little kid. I think I played with it for thirty minutes,” she confessed.
“I was the same way my first time too,” he said.
She looked at him and felt a slight softening warring with her resentment.
He moved closer to her and pressed his mouth against hers. “You’re an excellent wife.”
“You were just surprised that I got Mrs. Kihoto a gift,” she said. “I told you I’d been taught etiquette for several different cultures from the classes I took.”
“True. I knew you were good. Just not this good,” he said, sliding his mouth over her neck.
She felt a rush of heat despite her best intentions. He made her feel incredibly safe and challenged and irritated. He made her want to root for him. Probably part of his conman background, she thought cynically. That didn’t keep her heart from beating faster.
“I’m taking you someplace the night before we leave,” he said.
“Really?” she said. “Where?”
“It’s a surprise,” he said.
“No hints?” she asked.
He slid his hands to her waist and higher to her br**sts. “What are you doing?” she whispered.
“Seducing my wife,” he said. “Is it working?”
She felt as if she were melting into the leather upholstery. “Damn you.”
“Too late. I’ve already been damned. But maybe you can redeem me,” he said and slid her zipper down the back of her dress.
After a few days of combining work in the hotel suite and sightseeing, Leo awakened her before dawn. She covered her eyes. “Too early.”“I know, but Mrs. Kihoto was so impressed with you that she wants to take you somewhere special this afternoon,” Leo said.
She peeked out from her fingers. “What?” she asked suspiciously, taking in the sight of the too-gorgeous man who had somehow managed to distract her from the fact that she was peeved with him, that he was manipulative and lacking in human emotion.
“She wants to take you to a temple and Tokyo’s best onsen,” he said.
The temple was fine, but her drowsy mind tried to summon what she remembered about an onsen. “Sounds okay,” she said and frowned. “Onsen? I can’t remember—”
“You’ll love it,” he said. “Everyone loves it.”
She rose onto her elbows and frowned. “What is it?” she asked.
“It’s like swimming in a hot spring,” he said.
The realization slowly sank in. “The communal bath,” she said. “I’m going to have to get n**ed with your client’s wife!”
“It’s not that bad. You’ll enjoy it. It will help you relax for your surprise tonight,” he said and gave her another quick kiss. “I’ll call you later.”
“Leo,” she said as he walked toward the door, but he kept walking. “Leo,” she called and tossed a pillow that missed him by a mile. Frustration roared through her. She’d just been conned big time.
Hours later, after she’d visited a peaceful temple and taken a n**ed dip in a pool with a bunch of strangers, albeit feminine strangers who’d been fascinated by her fair hair, she reluctantly allowed herself to be driven to a different hotel for the evening. She was surprised by the modest outward appearance of the building. “This is different.”“Yes, it is,” he said and led her inside the boutique establishment. They were led to a beautiful suite with a huge tub and expanded bathroom, but no bed. “Where do we sleep?”
“On the floor,” he said.
“Oh, goody,” she said.
He chuckled. “Don’t prejudge. Our dinner will be served in our room.”
“Can I have a fork?” she asked.
He nodded. “Yes.”
A lovely meal of fresh fish was served via room service. Padded floor mats were rolled out onto the floor. Champagne was served with the meal.
“The champagne keeps it from being traditional, but I thought you might like it. I figured if they brought margaritas you might spill another one on me,” he said, taking a sip of the bubbly.
“It’s very quiet here,” she said as she finished her last delicious bite. “I like it better than I thought I would.”
