We're alone.
Amery realized that's how Ronin leveled the playing field when the ropes came out. He hadn't removed his shirt during the scene at the club, but he always took his shirt off with her. And for him, that was akin to being as naked as she was. She turned her head and kissed his wrist. "Ronin."
"So now you know," he said softly. "Let's go."
Amery did like the wind tousling her hair. But not as much as she liked the feel of Ronin's bare skin against her cheek as she wrapped herself around him on the back of his bike.
No surprise they garnered attention-or rather Ronin received predatory looks from several women, despite the fact that he'd draped a possessive arm over Amery's shoulder.
They chose a table away from the jazz guitarist and his groupies. After ordering food and drink, Ronin was sweet and attentive. Almost as if it was a date.
Lulled by the soft music and the ease of being together, they lingered. "This is nice."
"Told you. I-we haven't done this in a while."
"So why'd you back out on me tonight?"
"Why didn't you ask me that when I called you?" she countered.
"Too pissed off to form a coherent sentence."
Shocking that he'd admitted it. "That's something you'll have to work on, Master Black, because your curt response gave me the impression you didn't care what I did."
Ronin locked his gaze to hers. "I cared too much. So quit hedging. Why'd you really call and cancel?"
Amery stirred the dregs of her Moscow mule and drained it. "Because I got waxed today."
Pause. Then, "Come again?"
"I got a full bikini wax today for the first time ever. And it might make me a pussy"-she smirked-"but I'm beyond tender around my lady bits. I knew body friction would irritate my skin, so I canceled our plans."
He leaned forward. "Why didn't you just tell me that in the first place?"
She offered a cheeky smile. "You didn't ask."
"You're sidestepping the issue, but I'll let it slide. Why did you think we couldn't get together tonight?"
She threaded her fingers through his. "Ronin. Master Black. Sensei. Sir. You are many, many things and I appreciate every facet of you, but tenderness isn't in your arsenal of seduction. Within five minutes of being alone together, we're naked together, and that couldn't happen tonight, so I opted to avoid the situation."
"Which caused an issue between us, so nondisclosure was obviously the best choice," he said dryly. "I'll point out we can be together without it always leading to sex."
"But why would we want to be?"
Her flip comment annoyed him rather than amused him. "Sounds like it's past someone's bedtime." He pushed to his feet and held out his hand. "Shall we?"
The night had cooled off and the short bike ride left her chilled. She didn't protest when Ronin informed her he'd tuck her in.
He followed her into the bedroom and began to unbutton her blouse, pressing kisses down her chest as he did so.
"What are you doing?"
"Helping you get ready for bed. Lift up." He curled his hand around her knee and lifted her leg to tug off her boot. "Other side."
She clutched his shoulders as he removed her other boot.
As soon as Ronin was upright, his mouth landed on hers. The slow kiss belied how fast his fingers worked the button and zipper on her jeans. Despite the fabric being skintight, he easily peeled the denim down her legs.
He nuzzled her temple and brushed his lips across her cheekbone. "Let me show you."
"Show me what?"
"That I can be tender." He strung kisses down her throat. "So very, very tender with you."
"Ronin. You don't have to."
"I want to. I need to."
She about melted into a puddle of goo.
"And you don't have to worry that I'll rut on you afterward." He unhooked her bra and removed it. "Take off your panties."
His sweet but commanding tone sent a shiver through her. When she reached down to grasp the lace band, Ronin's fingers were there, helping her slide them off.
Then he dropped to his knees.
Amery blushed head to toe. It was far from the first time he'd been up close and personal, but she'd literally never been so bared before.
His hands started at her hips and his thumbs swept over the smooth sheen of her mound. His fingers skated down the crease of her thigh and then up the inside edge of her slit. Ronin made that long sweeping caress several more times, not speaking, just staring.
Just when she didn't think she could stand another second, he said, "How can you be so pale and yet so perfect?"