Down and Dirty Read online

  “So, where’s Cristal?” Yori asked as the others got out their coats and hung them on some hooks next to his.

  “She’s not coming,” Takumijo answered.

  “And why not?” Yori asked. He was used to their female publicist hanging out like one of the fellows.

  “Because she’s still mad at Satoshi,” Ichiro answered. “I don’t know what he did to her, but he needs to apologize.”

  “How’s the Mrs.?” Yori asked Ichiro.

  Ichiro scowled at him. “Fine.”

  “Has she moved back into the farmhouse?”

  Ichiro shook his head. “Is Amaya still sane?”

  “Oh, low blow, Ich,” Yori said. “I think we’ve had enough discussing of our women. Let’s just sit down, eat, and just be us like we used to be.” Apparently, Cristal and Shaundra were still touchy subjects with his friends. They sat down on the floor by a large short-legged table.

  The waitress returned to take their orders and then left to give them to the chef.

  “What have you guys been up to? I haven’t seen you since we’ve returned to Korea.”

  “I’ve been working on some new songs,” Ichiro said. “And Satoshi’s working on the music for them.”

  “What about you, Tak?” Yori asked his taller friend.

  “I’ve just been chilling,” Takumijo answered.

  “He brought a girl home last night,” Ichiro told Yori.

  Yori smirked. “He did? Who?”

  “Amaterasu,” Satoshi answered. “They woke me and Ich out of a peaceful sleep.”

  “I hope you don’t mean that you and Ichiro were sleeping together,” Yori teased. “Because that’s how that sounded.”

  “No,” Satoshi said. “We were in separate rooms.”

  “I remembered when we had the same conversation about Shaundra and Ichiro,” Yori said.

  Takumijo nodded. “They’re just jealous because I know how to make a woman happy.”

  Ichiro chucked. “Oh, Tak!” he said imitating Amaterasu. “Give it to me, Daddy.”

  Satoshi rolled over on the floor with laughter.

  “Just say the word, Ich, and I can make you scream the same way.” He poked his tongue at Ichiro and wiggled it around suggestively.

  “No way, dude. I think we’ve had this conversation before. I don’t like guys.”

  Yori laughed. “You might as well give up, Ich, and let him bed you. Then Takumijo can go to his grave happy.”

  Takumijo agreed with Yori.

  Ichiro looked confused. “No.”

  Yori and Takumijo laughed.

  “It’s not funny. My ass is off-limits.”

  The conversation ended just as the waitress retuned with their drinks and the appetizers.

  “Ooh, those look good,” Satoshi said. They’d ordered one of the large appetizer platters so they could sample while they waited for their main dishes. “What is this?” He picked up one of skewered meats.

  “Mini-shish kabob,” Ichiro answered. “Sirloin beef marinated in red wine.” He turned the tray around so each of them could sample. The good-natured teasing went on through the course of the main meal until Satoshi brought up the upcoming christening.

  “How many songs are we scheduled to perform?” Yori asked.

  “Three,” Satoshi answered. “Well, two and Ichiro’s lullaby.”

  Yori pulled a small tablet and pen out of his pocket and wrote the information down. “Costume or casual dress?”

  “Something warm,” Takumijo said. “Its winter, and it’s bound to be colder there.”

  “Casual chic then,” Yori said, continuing to write. “Who is going?”

  “Amaterasu,” Satoshi said.

  “Wow, that’s a first,” Yori said. “Are things getting serious between you two?”

  “I don’t know. I like her, and she loves me up right in the bed, but I don’t know if I’m in love with her yet.”

  “He didn’t even invite her,” Ichiro said. “Satoshi and I had to blow the whistle at the breakfast table this morning.”

  Takumijo turned to Ich. “Remind me that I owe you one for that.”

  “Anytime, big boy,” Ichiro said bravely.

  Yori smirked. Takumijo used to scare the shit out of Ichiro, but now Ichiro looked like he could hold his own against Tak. “Who else is coming?”

  “Masaaki and his date, Kenshin, Shaundra, and the boys,” Satoshi said.

  “Don’t forget Dae-Hyun,” Takumijo added.

  “Who is Dae-Hyun?” Yori asked. He lifted his cup of tea.

  “Nobody,” Ichiro answered.

  “Oh, that’s right, you don’t know about him, Yori,” Takumijo said. “He’s the new man in Shaundra’s life.”

  Yori spat tea.

  “He is not,” both Satoshi and Ichiro said.

  “What man?” Yori asked. Had that idiot Ichiro let someone slip in on his wife?

  “He’s the twin’s new nanny and Shaundra’s new bodyguard,” Satoshi explained.

  “Shaundra hired a male nanny?”

  All three men nodded.

  “Why did you guys let her do a damn fool thing like that? Don’t we have enough guys sniffing around her already?”

  All three stared at him.

  “It’s not like we let her,” Satoshi said. “She did it before we came back from Europe. They’re living in a house not too far from the farmhouse.”

  Yori nearly dropped his cup of tea. “Shaundra has moved into the farmhouse with a guy? Why didn’t any of you tell me?” He glared at Ichiro. “I knew this would happen. Why in the hell didn’t you drag her screaming and kicking back home?”

  “I tried to,” Ichiro said in his own defense. “But…”

  “But what?” Yori asked.

  “But Dae-Hyun stopped him,” Takumijo said.

  “What do you mean, Dae-Hyun stopped him? Ichiro is a martial artist. Nothing can stop him when he’s angry.”

  “Nothing except another bigger martial artist,” Takumijo said. He laughed. “He kicked Ichiro’s ass.”

  Ichiro glared. “He caught me off guard.”

  “And you three idiots just let that happen? How big is this dude?”

  “Pretty big,” Satoshi said. “But not too fat. He’s taller than us with more muscle.”

  “It was like hitting a brick wall,” Ichiro mumbled.

  Yori sighed. Idiots. He’d have to check this guy out. There was no way he was going to let some other bastard move in on Shaundra. “Dae-Hyun? That’s not a Japanese name.”

  “It’s Korean,” Satoshi said.

  A Korean? “Let me guess. He’s handsome.”

  Both Satoshi and Ichiro nodded.

  “I knew I shouldn’t have moved out the farmhouse. You guys need me around to keep your sorry asses in line.” He pointed to Satoshi. “You fix that shit with Cristal.” Then he pointed to Ichiro. “You better find a way to get Shaundra away from Dae-Hyun before he gets in her bed.” He turned to Takumijo. “You!”

  “What?” Takumijo asked. “I haven’t done anything this time. I got my woman, and she’s going with me to Kagawa.”

  Yori raised an eyebrow. “I don’t know what the hell is happening, but I know it all better be right by Christmas.”

  “I thought you were spending Christmas with your in-laws,” Satoshi said bravely.

  “I am, but I’m coming home right after dinner. Amaya can stay if she wants to, but I can’t leave you guys on your own.”

  ****

  “Dude, how come I feel like I’m ten years old?” Satoshi asked as he, Ichiro, and Takumijo rode back to the farmhouse after having lunch with Yori.

  “Because Yori chewed you a new asshole,” Takumijo teased.

  Ichiro pouted. “I don’t know why he’s so mad at me. It’s not like I let Shaundra move out. You’d think she was his wife.”

  “She almost was,” Takumijo said. “But he stepped aside, thinking you could take care of her and make her happy.”

  Ichiro parked the van in
the lot behind the house and they all got out. He didn’t know what was eating Takumijo either. He’d been superrude all afternoon. “I did make her happy.” He looked down at his watch. “Oh shit,” he said.

  “What’s wrong?” Satoshi asked.

  “I almost forgot. Shaundra’s bringing the boys over later. I have to cook dinner.”

  “You forgot?” Satoshi asked. “And need I remind you, the boys don’t have any teeth yet.”

  “Not them. I’m talking about Shaundra.”

  “Did she say she was coming for dinner?” Takumijo asked.

  “Yes, Mr. Smarty-pants. I’m going to fix Kobe beef. It’s her favorite.”

  They entered the farmhouse. Ichiro ran up the stairs to change.

  “He does realize he has to cook for us too,” Takumijo said selfishly.

  Satoshi just shrugged.

  ****

  Shaundra drove up to the gates of the farmhouse in her new SUV and got stopped at the gates by a security guard.

  “Can I see some ID, miss?”

  Shaundra didn’t recognize him and he didn’t recognize her. He was tall, thin, and Japanese, and working on her last nerves. She lifted her sunglasses as she handed him her identification card. “My name is Shaundra Yoshida. I live here.”

  The guard looked at her ID card and then her. “I’ve never seen you before, and I don’t see your name on the list of occupants.”

  Shaundra sighed. She had no right to be upset. He was right. She was the one who moved out. “Just buzz the main house.” It had started to snow again and she was starting to freeze talking to him.

  The guard handed her back her card. He didn’t seem like he was in too much of a hurry. “Cute kids,” he said, peeping into the back seat. “Are they yours?”

  Shaundra rolled her eyes at him even though she knew he couldn’t see it behind her glasses. People asked her that a lot when she took the boys into town since they both resembled Ichiro. “Yes.”

  The guard finally picked up the telephone, dialed, and spoke to someone in Japanese. She did make out black woman and babies.

  The guard quickly took the receiver from his ears. Apparently, someone inside the farmhouse didn’t like something he said and was hollering at him very loudly. The guard hung up the phone. “You may pass through, Mrs. Yoshida.”

  “Arigatou.”

  He lifted the gates.

  Shaundra drove down the familiar path that led to the main farmhouse. She got a moment of weakness when the actual house came into view. And it got worse when she saw the three Japanese males standing on the front porch waiting.

  Shaundra gulped, shocked by how differently they looked with their new haircuts. Especially Ichiro, who used to have hair all the way down to his butt. Oh my God, Takumijo is a blond. That was sinfully wrong on so many different levels. Her heart did that stupid little thumping thing it did whenever they were near her. Shaundra fought back the silly emotions, turned off the engine, and opened the car door.

  The three men came down the stairs to greet her.

  “Welcome back,” Ichiro said, giving her a peck on the cheek. He greeted her like she was back for good.

  Shaundra didn’t respond, afraid of what she might say or do. She simply smiled.

  Satoshi gave her a big hug and brushed his cheek against hers. “You look great,” he whispered in her ear. His warm breath tickled. He released her.

  One of the babies woke up in the back seat and cooed.

  Satoshi peeped into the car. “Hey, little dude.”

  Shaundra smiled. He sounded so American.

  The baby gurgled and cooed like he recognized and understood Satoshi.

  “Nice to see you again, farmhouse queen,” Takumijo said. He wasn’t much of a hugger, but he managed a weak one to be civil. Of the four members of Aomori, he was the only one not tied to her emotionally, which she was grateful for. He and Satoshi lifted the boys out their car seats while Ichiro grabbed the boys’ diaper bags.

  “They’re getting so big,” Ichiro said, peering at their sons.

  Shaundra smiled and nodded, feeling maybe coming over was a big mistake.

  “Go on inside. It’s too cold out here,” Ichiro told her.

  Shaundra grabbed her keys, locked the SUV, and then walked up the stairs, huddling in her nice warm coat. The aroma of Kobe beef caught her attention as soon as she entered. Ichiro must have prepared it especially for her. Shaundra sighed. Her love could not be bought with food.

  The guys followed her in and then Ichiro led the way to the den. Shaundra picked up the little changes. Someone had bought new drapes for the living room, and changed the light fixture in the hall. And there was a new clock on the wall. There were also several new pictures of Aomori in the den, probably from their European tour.

  Satoshi and Takumijo got the twins out of their winter wear while Ichiro helped her out of her coat. The scent of his cologne just drove her crazy, and the look he gave her literally stole her breath away. The hunger in those big blue eyes could not be denied.

  “Doesn’t she look fantastic?” Satoshi said as he sat down on the sofa with Ryoto. “It’s hard to believe you just gave birth to twins.”

  “Thank you,” Shaundra said. She’d been working out hard and practicing martial arts with Dae-Hyun to get back into her pre-pregnancy shape, but she couldn’t tell him that without starting a riot. She wore a pair of black slacks, a black-and-white pullover sweater, and her new black knee boots. “I’ve lost most of the weight, but I’m still trying to tone up a bit.”

  Ichiro had his eyes fixated on her bosom. Those she still had to work on.

  “Are you still nursing?” he asked.

  There was no subject taboo to these guys. “Yes. The boys refuse to drink their milk from a cup.”

  Takumijo chuckled at her joke. “Good boys,” he told Raiden. “You will grow up big and tall like Uncle Takumijo.”

  Shaundra smiled. No doubt the boys would be tall and fine like Ichiro.

  “Would you like something to drink?” Ichiro asked.

  She could use something to stop the butterflies in her stomach, but she didn’t drink, and she didn’t want alcohol to contaminate her breast milk. “No, thank you. I’m good.”

  Ichiro finally drew his eyes off her breasts and hung up her coat. “Dinner will be ready shortly.” He left the den to check on it, leaving her standing in the same place.

  “You can sit down,” Satoshi told her. “You’re safe.”

  Shaundra sat down in a seat across from the sofa. She wished she could believe him. Ichiro was on his best behavior at the moment, but she didn’t know how long it was going to last.

  “It’s so quiet now that the others are gone,” Shaundra said, speaking of Yori, Cristal, and Masaaki.

  “We’ve gotten used to it,” Takumijo said, playing with Raiden.

  “How’s the writing coming?” Satoshi asked. He hadn’t taken his eyes off her since she arrived.

  “Fine. My latest book is on the top of some best-sellers list again.”

  “And you don’t think that’s fantastic?” Satoshi asked.

  Shaundra shrugged. It was hard keeping up with such things with the twins constantly needing her attention. Dae-Hyun was big help, but he couldn’t nurse the twins. “Yes, I think it’s great. The royalties are just rolling in.”

  “That’s a sign of a good writer,” Takumijo said. “Before you know it, you’ll be a millionaire.”

  Shaundra smirked. She was already a millionaire. Harper had taught her how to invest in stocks and property, and she was raking in the dough. Sadly, none of that mattered to her. “Have you heard from Cristal?” she asked.

  “No,” Satoshi answered.

  “She’s okay,” Takumijo said. “Mr. Niigata is keeping her busy, and she has a new assistant to help her out.”

  The expression on Satoshi’s face said he didn’t know any of this, which led her to believe that something bad must have happened between Cristal and Satoshi in Europe. She�
�d spoken to Cristal a couple of times since the group returned, but her friend hadn’t told her a thing.

  “Are you ready for the christening?” Satoshi asked, obviously changing the subject. No one wanted to bring up any bad subject or open any wounds.

  “Yes, Daichi has been drilling me on my part, and I’m looking forward to a little road trip.”

  “Speaking of which, isn’t that a new SUV?”

  Shaundra nodded. “I needed something bigger to chauffer the boys around in. Two boys, two car seats, and two diaper bags take up a lot of room. I guess I’ll have to invest in a family van when the boys get bigger.”

  “I can’t believe how much you’re getting around Osaka now,” Satoshi teased. “I remember when driving in a lot of traffic frightened you.”

  “Sometimes you have to do what you have to do,” Shaundra said.

  “I’m impressed,” he said to her in Japanese.

  “Arigatou. You are most kind,” she replied in Japanese.

  “That’s very impressive,” Ichiro said, entering the room. “Your Japanese is flawless.”

  “I’ve been practicing,” Shaundra said. “I want to be able to communicate with my boys and their teachers. You don’t know what it’s like being a stranger in a foreign country.”

  “Of course I do,” Ichiro said. “I’ve been outside Japan before. I’m sorry I haven’t noticed how much of a challenge it’s been for you to move here.”

  “Osaka is my home now,” Shaundra said. “I’m getting used to it. I’ve even made some friends in town and the people at the market don’t hassle me quite as much.”

  “Dinner is ready,” he said, still serious. “I’ve set up the seats for the boys so you can eat in peace.”

  The dining room seemed so empty with just the four of them. Usually, every seat at the big table with occupied. And there would be conversation and joking.

  Raiden went back to sleep the moment his father placed him into his baby seat. But Ryoto was bright-eyed and animated, cooing at Ichiro. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear he was filling him in on family secrets.