Schooled (Mastered 2.5)

He issued instructions to the drivers before he looked at her. “I want to show you my favorite part of the house while they’re unloading the luggage.”

Ronin towed her through the back door onto a private patio.

Both sides were blocked off by wooden soundproofing barriers. Paper lanterns hung from the rafters. Two papa-san chairs sat alongside the walls, facing outward. At the bottom of the path a tree was in full bloom and just beyond it a slatted bench overlooked a grassy slope that led to a body of water. On the right side was a raised box, filled with sand and stones and camouflaged on the back side by flowering shrubs.

Immediately a sense of peace settled over her. She knew from her pre-trip research that private green spaces in the major cities in Japan were rare and treasured, so this was someplace special. It reminded her of Ronin’s rooftop Zen garden in Denver.

Ronin’s arms came around her. “What do you think?”

“It’s lovely. But we aren’t at a hotel, are we?”

“No. At one time this was a hotel but now it’s Grandfather’s Kyoto residence. It’s more economical to stay here than if we had to pay for a luxury hotel.”

“Fine, I’ll give you that. What else?”

“This place is centrally located, less hassle getting to the areas of Kyoto I want to show you. It also gives us the most privacy. Okada owns this entire complex so we don’t have to listen to screaming children and smell fish cooking through the walls like in other rentals. And this house is huge by Japanese standards. Since my mother stays here frequently, she’s decorated this western style.”

“Meaning what?”

“Meaning no futons, but permanent beds. Meaning a real dining room table, a decent kitchen and a private bathroom. Initially this property was ryokan, with a communal bathroom for all five apartments. Now each apartment has its own facilities.”

“I’m happy for that. Who else stays here?”

“The two units on either end are rented out to Okada employees who run the Kyoto office. The two units on each side of this one are for Okada business associates to stay if they’re involved in meetings. Or in years past when my grandfather traveled here, one of his mistresses stayed in one unit and his personal staff stayed in the other.”

“Mistresses? Plural?”

Ronin chuckled. “Just because he never married again didn’t mean he became a monk. A man of his means had his pick of the ladies.”

“Like grandfather, like grandson.”

“Maybe. Except I don’t need four women to keep me satisfied when I have you.”

“Did your grandfather have a thing for geishas?”

“No. Not all Japanese men do.” He paused. “Why? Would you like to go to a geisha house while we’re here?”

“Nope. Unless you want to?”

“There’s plenty for us to see and do without geishas or visiting a teahouse.”

“No tea or sushi while we’re in Japan? Man, you are a hardass.”

At that moment the sweetest scent she’d ever encountered eddied around them. “What kind of tree is that? The blooms smell heavenly.”

“It’s shidare-zakura. A weeping cherry tree.”

Amery spun around. “As in real cherry blossoms is what smells so good?”

“Yes.” Ronin caressed her cheekbone with his thumb. “Kyoto has the biggest cherry blossom festival in Japan. We’re at the tail end of it so I’m hoping that means it’ll be less crowded.”

Overcome with emotion, Amery teared up. “Ronin. I . . . can’t believe you brought me here to experience all of this.”

“You deserve this break for everything you’ve dealt with in the last few months. My health issues. My less-than-pleasant attitude about those health issues. We had a small, rushed wedding. For christsake I didn’t even take you on a proper honeymoon. This is my way of making it up to you. So please. Let me.”

“You already spoil me.”

“Not enough. I’d do more if you’d let me, baby, you know that.”

“I do. You overwhelm me, Master Black.”

“Good.” Then her husband kissed her in that slow and steady way that sparked the embers of need.

A throat cleared behind them.

Ronin whispered, “Hold that thought,” against her lips. “I promise it’s the last time we’ll be interrupted for the next week.”

Chapter Two

After the drivers left, Ronin gave her a tour of the rest of the condo. They unpacked, freshened up, and went exploring.

They rode the bus to the temples Ronin wanted to visit. Each one was different; some elaborate, some simple, some big, some tiny. But in each shrine she felt a sense of holiness, power, and peace.

The Chion-in temple still housed the Jodo School—a Japanese religious sect. Amery studied Ronin’s reaction as he watched the monks going about their daily lives. Did it remind him of the years he’d spent in the monastery? Hearing the Buddhist monks chanting and seeing the spiritual pilgrimage of others to this sacred place had sent shivers down her spine.

On the walk back to the condo from the bus station, they discovered a quiet bistro. Their Ronin-approved, healthy, three-course dinner consisted of miso soup, poached fish in persimmon sauce, and a skewer of rice balls covered in sweet red bean paste. During the meal Ronin ordered a sampler of sake, and as she sipped, he explained the variations of flavors. The delicious food, the intimate conversation, and the relaxed atmosphere was the perfect capper to their first day in Japan.