What Men Want - Chapter 2

Investigating the occurrence

Kaori kept sneaking glances at her partner during the way home. His strong profile as he concentrated on the road, his beautiful full lips. Gorgeous lips. Lips, she has been longing to kiss almost from the day they met. Her eyes moved back up and she sighed.

There was nothing. Absolute silence. She perceived nothing from him. Zilch!

Kaori sighed again. Was it possible she lost her ‘gift’ before she could use it? She couldn’t have, because even at the hospital as she was thanking her doctor before Ryo literally dragged her out on the street, she could hear the doctor’s and other interns’ thoughts clearly. And yesterday, she’d heard Ryo think positively Neanderthal-ish thoughts about her, but that had probably been just a figment of her imagination. Ryo was a Neanderthal when it came to her, just not a love-struck Neanderthal.

Another heavy sigh. Damnit!

Ryo glanced at her. “Is something wrong?”

“No.” She turned her head to stare out the window.

“Kaori?”

“It’s nothing!” she snapped. “Drop it!”

He lifted a shoulder. “Geez, I was just asking. No need to bite my head off.”

She was silent but she could feel him grin. What was there to grin about, she had no idea and there was no chance in hell she’d ask him.

“Do you want to pop by Cat’s Eye, before going home? I bet Miki would be happy to see you up and about.”

“Do as you wish, Ryo,” she replied caustically.

He braked the car so hard, the Mini came to a screeching stop at the curb, while honks and yelled obscenities reigned supreme from the cars behind them.

“Okay, what is it?!”

She turned to him, her eyes wide. “Are you insane? You’re causing a jam, Ryo. Drive, will you?”

He switched off the engine, and crossed his arms over his chest. “Not until you tell me, what the hell is wrong!”

Kaori rolled her eyes. “I bumped my head and have been unconscious for a week. Aren’t I entitled to an occasional sulk? And besides...” She shuffled in her seat. “Since when are you so preoccupied with my mood?”

“Since you started snapping at me for no reason!”

“God!” She slapped her forehead. He was right and they both knew it. She didn’t have a reason for being such a bitch to him. Except she was angry she couldn’t hear exactly what he thought at the moment. If she ever could. “I’m sorry, okay?! What more do you want? I’ve just come out of a hospital, Ryo. Nobody expects me to start jumping up and down and being Miss Sunshine on a drop of a dime!”

“I never said you have to jump up and down, Kaori. I just asked you if there was something wrong.”

“And I told you, that there isn’t!”

“You lied, that there isn’t!” he snapped, then sighed, obviously striving for patience. “I know you, Kaori. There is something wrong. What is it? Are you feeling sick? If you are, just tell me, and I’ll take you home this instant. We don’t have to go to Cat’s Eye and the others will surely understand.”

Kaori smiled slightly. When he wanted, he could be incredibly sweet and considering. Pity, he wanted to be like that so rarely.

“I’m fine. And I once again apologize for snapping at you.”

His dark eyes ran over her face. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.” She looked in the side mirror. “Now, could we go? Because that guy behind us is turning purple.”

Glancing in the rearview mirror himself, he chuckled. “He’s ready to pop.” His eyes once again collided with hers. “Cat’s Eye?”

She nodded.

“Okey dokey.” He started the Mini. “But promise, you’ll tell me when you’ve had enough.”

“I promise.”

X Y Z


As the Mini stopped in front of the café, Kaori was completely resigned. It was official, she wasn’t getting any vibes from Ryo. So what was she supposed to think? That it, whatever it had been, passed? That it went away? Or was she really delusional and she’d imagined hearing thoughts—or what she thought were thoughts—yesterday and earlier at the hospital. Was something more seriously wrong with her and the doctor didn’t tell her?

Probably, because it wasn’t possible for Ryo not to think of anything. Yes, if you saw him in the heat of a shootout, his face as carved from stone, one could assume there was nothing going on behind that unreadable expression and hard eyes, but now, relaxed and without any danger lurking behind a corner, it wasn’t possible for him not to think of anything. Everyone thought about innumerous things every single minute of every single day. He couldn’t be an exception, so there was really something off with her.

As Ryo opened the door for her—that was incredibly sweet of him!—and helped her out of the car, the colors around her exploded inside her head, and she felt slightly dizzy. But just for a moment, so she smiled reassuringly at him, pasted a bright smile on her face and walked to the glass door of the café.

She didn’t have time to extend a hand to push it inward, because it was shoved open with force and Kaori was enfolded in Miki’s bear hug.

“Oh, sweetie!” Miki squealed into her ear. “I’m so glad you’re out of that dreadful place.”

Kaori’s ribs started protesting as she sent a begging glance toward Ryo.

His face grim, he pulled the clinging woman away. “She’s not feeling that well, yet, Miki. Lay off.”

Miki arched an eyebrow as she stared at him. It was a usual occurrence for Saeba to be overprotective of Kaori, but this time things were even worse. At the hospital he refused to let anyone but staff close to Kaori and now he was acting like a possessive oaf over a hug. Could it be that this time was the time? He was probably cracking never having been away from Kaori for longer than a couple of days. This time it has been a week and she’s been unconscious, seemingly fighting for her life. Could it be a crack on the head to bring him to his knees?

As soon as Kaori was out of Miki’s arms, Ryo forgot about the other woman, his complete attention focused on Kaori. She was pale, her eyes slightly blurry, and he hadn’t missed the slight hesitation in her step as he’d pulled her out of the car. She wasn’t feeling well, and yet she insisted on hiding it from him. Only she couldn’t hide anything from him. Not now, not ever.

“Kaori,” he murmured, briefly enfolding her fingers in his larger hand. “Are you sure about this? Wouldn’t you rather go home and rest?”

She huffed, snatching her hand away. “Didn’t we already have this conversation? I’m fine!” And she followed Miki inside, adamant not to fall on her face.

As she saw Umibozu at the counter, her heart did a funny flip in her chest. This was a perfect opportunity to prove or disprove whether she was indeed delusional. Keeping her eyes zeroed on his face, she slowly neared the counter.

His bald head lifted. “Hello, Kaori. How are you feeling?”

Sensing Ryo hovering protectively behind her—now she was even more adamant on staying conscious and upright, it wouldn’t do to show any weakness—she sent Umibozu a wobbly smile. “I’m fine, thank you. A bit woozy, but fine.” She swallowed, staring intently at him. “And how are you?”

She couldn’t see his eyes behind the sunglasses, but she would’ve bet her life, that he was probably staring at her as if she’s grown wings.

Mumbling something incomprehensible, his head lowered again and he continued preparing coffee for a couple of trembling teenagers farthest away from the counter.

Kaori kept staring intently at him. There was nothing. Absolutely nothing. Yep, she must have imagined everything. She absolutely refused to think there was something worse wrong with her!

Miki stared at her friend in total bewilderment, probably wondering why Kaori was looking at her man so intently. “Kaori?”

She snapped her head about. “Hmmm?”

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

Ryo moved slightly behind her and Kaori rolled her eyes, turning. “Would you stop hovering like that? You don’t need to stand behind me! I won’t swoon like a medieval lady! There’s nothing wrong with me!”

“Fine!” he snapped. “Sorry to invade your personal bubble, Kaori-kun! I have no intention of catching you even if you fall. I’d rather have a woman in my arms!”

Her eyes turned fiery red as she produced a huge mallet out of thin air. “And what am I?!” she growled, twirling the utensil above her head.

There was a resigned sigh. Here we go again.

The mallet stopped twirling as Kaori looked at Umibozu.

He was concentrating on the coffee. Whatever you do, don’t trash the place...Please.

Swallowing, she looked back down at Ryo, who huddled at her feet in his smallest form, a slight smile flashing across his face. That’s my girl.

The mallet was gone in a puff of smoke and Kaori reeled.

Ryo’s eyes narrowed. “Kaori?” He shot to his feet. Stay with me!

“Oh, God,” she whimpered, and dropped like a rock.


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