Honey Flava

Eiji plopped down on the barstool next to him. “You’re so mean to me, Ouji-sama.”

Hideki smiled at him. Eiji always addressed him by a shorter version of his full nickname, Bara no Ouji-sama. Bara for the white rose he always wore on his suit jacket, Ouji-sama for his princelike charm and sophistication.

Eiji nudged Hideki and pointed toward the door. “Why can’t I get a client that looks like that?”

Hideki followed Eiji’s finger to the two stunning women speaking with his manager, his eyes locking on the one who had her long hair dyed deep mahogany and styled with a slight wave. He moved his gaze to her high-heeled, black leather boots hugging her calves, then to her thighs, which were less than half-covered by the black miniskirt. His vision graced higher to her slender hips, and he couldn’t help but think of what beautifully formed handholds they would be if he were to take her from behind.

Hideki chuckled inside. It had been a long time since he had thought about a woman like that, and he wasn’t even done scrutinizing her yet. He continued his visual trek up to her torso, clothed in a black mesh blouse over a black silken camisole that stretched across her small, round breasts. His eyes floated up her throat to her delicate jaw, lingering for two breaths on her lips. As he looked higher, his eyes locked with hers, and he realized that as he had been studying her, she had been doing the same to him. He smiled and inclined his head in acknowledgment.

Before she could respond, her companion tapped her arm.

“Onee-chan, pay attention. The manager is asking if we’d like to see the available hosts.”

Natsumi broke her stare with the gorgeous man at the bar and looked to her sister. “I don’t know what I find more disconcerting: that my little sister knows more about host clubs these days than I do, or that this isn’t her first visit to Kabukicho.”

Keiko giggled and shrugged. “I grew up in the time you were gone.”

Natsumi gazed at her. It was true. This young woman preparing to enter college in the spring looked so different from the schoolgirl Keiko had been when Natsumi saw her last, but she was no longer the same person either. Her time in the States had changed her. Seven years, all devoted to education, work, and the man she believed had been her soul mate, but she had been proven wrong by Michael’s admittance of his affair with another woman. Now she had returned home to Tokyo carrying the burden of a significant divorce settlement that she didn’t want, and what better way to get rid of it than by blowing it on the company of a beautiful man.

Natsumi faced the manager. “I’ll take your number one if he’s available.”

“Nishikawa-san will be pleased to entertain you this evening,” the manager said, and moved to get a lineup of the other unoccupied hosts.

Natsumi watched as Keiko selected an energetic young host named Eiji, his black hair dyed blond at the tips and sticking out at wild angles. Her attention shifted from them to the exquisite man walking with measured grace toward her.

His black hair was layered, falling to the bottom of his neck in back and parted slightly to the right with a silken cluster of bangs falling close to his left eye. His elegant cheekbones swept high, revealing his refined bone structure, which had features soft and captivating. She caught sight of the white rose on the left breast of his black jacket, which he wore over a white dress shirt, the top few buttons of the shirt undone to show a hint of smooth, defined chest. Her eyes drifted lower, taking in his narrow hips, the thought passing through her mind that they were a perfect fit for her body. She raised her eyes, meeting his with an unwavering stare.

Hideki bowed to her. “I’m Nishikawa Hideki. It’s a pleasure to be able to share the evening with you.”

Natsumi bowed slightly deeper, absorbing his rich baritone, which sent a surge of warmth through her. “And with you, Nishikawa-san. I’m Tanaka Natsumi.”

“Please, call me Hideki,” he said, guiding her to a burgundy leather sofa tucked back in a corner.

He sat down beside her, making sure to not crowd her, but staying close enough that she’d be able to feel his body warmth and smell his cologne. Keiko took a seat on Natsumi’s other side, and Eiji beside her. Hideki noted the enthusiasm with which the two were talking and hoped Eiji had finally found a customer who thought his hyper ways endearing rather than wearisome. He brought his eyes back to Natsumi, flashed his most charming smile, and handed her a menu of drinks.

She glanced over the menu, turned to the waiter, and ordered a bottle of expensive chardonnay.

Hideki watched her with an amused grin. “You’re a very confident and bold woman, aren’t you Natsumi-san?”

Natsumi looked at him. “No, not at all.”

“Then, forgive me if this sounds rude, but I always strive for honesty; perhaps you’re a bit uptight?”

Natsumi let out an indignant snort. “I didn’t think honesty was a prevalent quality in your line of work with how hosts spin lies to flatter women, Hideki-san.”

“That’s how some hosts work, but not me. There are more ways to flatter people than being deceitful.” Hideki chuckled softly. “And for me, lying is too challenging because I’m very forgetful, so it’s safer to be honest.”

Natsumi stared at him, amazed at the juxtaposition of seduction and innocence he balanced. Her eyes lingered on the bit of his exposed chest, her heartbeat quickening. She slowly lifted her stare to his penetrating gaze, which caused a warm throb to pulse between her legs.

A waiter stepped forward to deliver the bottle of wine.

Hideki took the bottle and poured, keeping his eyes on hers, timing it in his head as he spoke to know when to stop. “Are you married, have a boyfriend, a lesbian lover?”

Natsumi laughed and took the glass he offered. “None. I just got divorced and returned home from living in the States. I moved there when I was twenty for college.”

Hideki’s mind lit at the information. That would explain her tense air. Well, she might not be ready to release whatever restrictions she had put on herself, but he knew he could break them down. He reclined one arm across the back of the couch behind her.

“It’s my dream to move to America someday. English was my major in college, though I dropped out. I’ve thought about going back, but I think I’m too old now.”