Bound (Mastered #1)(46)

What was up with these two tonight? They'd hung out a few times the last year and they'd never come on this strong.

Maybe after being with Ronin Black you have sexual confidence you've been lacking and men take notice.

"Look who I found wandering around downstairs," Chaz said.

Amery turned around and Ronin stepped into view.

Speak of the devil.

"Chaz invited me up," he said to Amery.

Of course he didn't ask permission to join the party or explain what he'd been doing wandering around in her alley in the first place. Or why she hadn't heard from him at all in the last two freakin' days.

Immediately Sandan Zach stood, offering Ronin a slight bow. "I wasn't expecting you to be here tonight, sir."

"You're not the only one." He shot Amery a slightly sheepish smile. "I'm glad to see everyone is enjoying Amery's hospitality." Ronin moved to stand behind her. Keeping a proprietary hand on her shoulder, he offered his hand to Jake. "I'm Ronin Black. And you are?"

Jake seemed flustered as he introduced himself. As did Lucas. Amery saw Rich and Larry exchange a smirk as Ronin shook hands with Lucas.

Pissed off that he'd crashed her party, she stood. "Excuse me." She sidestepped Ronin and headed to the other table.

Emmylou had her arms draped over her date's shoulders as they chatted with Josie and Roz. Suze from next door leaped up, intercepting her. "Amery, thanks so much for the party. My parents are having a great time."

"I'm glad. Hey, I just wanted to say I'm sorry for not stopping over and reassuring you guys after the break-in that even the cops think it was a random incident. But then again . . . I haven't seen much of you and Mark lately. Are you both traveling a lot for work?" 

"Mark is. I've backed way off on my travel schedule." She smiled serenely and touched her stomach. "You'll see a lot more of me after the baby comes."

"You're pregnant?"

Suze laughed. "Five months already."

"How exciting! I am so happy for you guys. I know you've wanted this for a while."

"Thanks." Her gaze drifted to someone who'd stepped behind Amery. One guess who it was.

Ronin slipped his hand across Amery's lower back. "Didn't mean to eavesdrop, but it sounds like congratulations are in order."

"Thank you." Just as Suze was about to ask his name, her husband, Mark, approached. As did Suze's parents. Ronin introduced himself and made small talk.

Would wonders never cease? Ronin Black was indulging in cocktail party chitchat-with complete charm and none of that haughty sensei demeanor.

Amery murmured about checking on something and dislodged Ronin's hand from her hip. She headed for the drink station and checked the ice supply.

Footsteps sounded behind her. "Amery? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." She adjusted the beer bottles in the ice. She kept her voice low as Molly moved in beside her. "So, you and Zach, huh?"

Molly blushed. "You told me to stop waiting for life to happen to me and go out and grab it. So I did. My knees were knocking when I asked Zach out, but I did it anyway."

"That's great! I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks. I'm proud of myself for bucking up and taking that first step." She grabbed a bottle of hard cider. "So, what's going on between you and Master Black?"

"Nothing," she answered honestly.

"I was really surprised to see him show up here."

"Me too."

"You didn't invite him?" Molly asked skeptically.

"No. Evidently he's above following societal norms like-"

"Making a phone call and keeping in touch about future plans?" Ronin intoned directly behind her.

Amery jumped at the sound of his voice and spun to face him. "Would you stop doing that?"

"No. You need to be more in tune to what goes on around you."

"You need to be more in tune when someone is pissed off at you," she snapped.

Ronin's eyes never wavered from Amery's when he said, "Will you please excuse us?" to Molly. He didn't wait for Molly's response; he steered Amery to the edge of the roof behind the duct.

Might be petulant to twist out of his hold, but she tried it anyway. No surprise she couldn't make the man budge. "What are you doing?"

"Getting you alone so I have a chance to explain-"

"Why I haven't heard from you since you rolled out of my bed Friday morning? Or explain why you feel entitled to crash a party I'm hosting?"

"Both."

Silence.

"So? If you wanted to explain you'd better start talking."

"I should've called you. But I promise you were on my mind all damn weekend."