Primals (Reverse Harem 1)

“Just answer the question.”

“That I’m crazy,” I answer.

She laughs.

“And that I don’t like being alone as much as I pretend to.”

That last part came out unintentionally, making me realize it’s not the alcohol. I’m drunk on something else. Someone else. Her. She’s been intoxicating me all day. I’m only just now realizing it.

“No one likes to be alone,” she says. “Unless of course, they’re in the toilet.”

This time, I laugh. “You are drunk.”

“No, I’m not,” Clarissa protests again. “In fact, I think I’ll have another mug after this.”

SHE’S DRUNK.

I lay her down inside one of the capsules at the hotel I own, her cheeks red as beets and all the beer she just drank on her breath.

I guess I should be grateful she didn’t throw it up.

I push her further in so that she can get comfortable, her legs not dangling from the edge, then I toss the blanket over her. As I do, she stirs, turning to her side and tucking her hands under her head, a smile forming on her lips.

I, too, smile.

This was supposed to be a reconnaissance mission, an amusement. But she beat me at my own game and in the end all I did was show her around and cheer up.

Still, I don’t feel bad at all.

“Oyasumi.” I bid her good night, blowing her a kiss before crawling out of her pod into mine.

For at least tonight, Clarissa can have a peaceful sleep, which I can tell she needs. No one will wake her here, much less hurt her. This whole floor is empty. It’s all mine. And the whole building has a sophisticated security system that I designed myself.

I’m not as stupid as Noboru. I wasn’t a ninja for decades for nothing. And even if anyone manages to get inside, I won’t let anyone come near Clarissa.

I curl up and close my eyes, yawning.

Heaven help the fool who wakes me up.

Chapter Thirteen

~ Clarissa

I WAKE UP WITH A GRIMACE and a splitting headache, which comes as no mystery to me as my memories come rushing back along with the blood flowing through the arm beneath me, causing a prickling sensation under my skin.

I get up only to hit my head.

Shit.

Rubbing my head, I lie down on my back and stare at the low – very low – ceiling above me before panic sets in and I hastily crawl out of the coffin-like structure.

What the hell?

Standing in the corridor, though, my panic subsides. I’m not in a prison or a morgue. Instead, I’m in a room with pods, a bed in each one. I’d heard about places like this, but would never have thought to stay in one voluntarily. I shudder. Every pod on the floor seems empty except for the one which Toshi is now crawling out of.

Even with his hair slightly tousled and his clothes creased, though, he still looks good, the wayward strands of hair only adding a hint of rebel to his look, which suits him.

Our eyes meet, his narrow ones with the hue that reminds me of golden sunlight filtering through the treetops as you take a stroll in the woods widening slightly.