Ronin muttered, “Jesus.”
Yasuji laughed. “Yes, Amery-san, you are definitely the woman that’ll keep Master Black on his toes for the next fifty years.”
“If I could be so lucky to have her beside me for that long.” Ronin wrapped his arm around her, facing her toward his teacher. He introduced her to his sensei in Japanese.
Master Daichi bowed stiffly.
After she returned his bow, Amery remembered the Japanese phrase Ronin had taught her that she was honored to meet him.
Sensei Daichi didn’t seem impressed. Then he motioned Ronin aside.
Amery watched closely, wondering if Ronin was getting his ass chewed for his wife showing up.
Yasuji stepped in front of her. “You’re protective of him.”
“Someone needs to be.”
“My Rikya used to go head to head with my brother.”
“Did she win?”
“Yes. She was a very determined woman. In all things.”
Her gaze moved to Yasuji. “Was your wife . . . one of your rope models?”
“She was my only rope model. She did not like my hands on other women.”
“I’m the same way with Ronin. Did she help you do kinbaku demonstrations?”
“Yes. Not with much enthusiasm at first, I’m afraid.”
“I understand that. I still . . .” She hesitated. What if Ronin hadn’t told his teacher that his wife had issues with public bindings? Maybe Ronin would be embarrassed if Yasuji knew he hadn’t done any rope demonstrations for months.
“I will answer every question I see in your eyes, Amery-san. Please come visit me when Ronin returns to training.”
“I’d like that.”
Ronin draped his arm over her shoulder. “Quit trying to talk her into being your rope model, old man. She belongs to me.”
Yasuji’s gaze dropped to the white scar tissue on Ronin’s arm that was her name in kanji. “I see that. So you’re taking your wife . . . ?”
“To Iriomote.”
“So far?”
“So private,” Ronin said with a grin. “It is week two of our honeymoon.”
“How far away is it?” Amery asked.
“Below Okinawa,” Ronin said. “It’s a long haul but Ojisan’s plane is picking us up in Sapporo tonight. We’ll be on the ferry to the island tomorrow morning.”
“I wish you safe travels.”
Amery faced Ronin after Yasuji walked away. “We’re leaving tonight? But I’m not packed.”
“Yes you are. There’s a suitcase on the plane with swimsuits and summer clothes for both of us.”
“But . . . how do you know my size?”
“You’re really asking me that with all the times I’ve had my hands on you?”
“Point taken.”
“Besides, if I have my way, you won’t be wearing anything at all for the next six days but a suntan.”
Amery kissed him. “You have the best ideas.”
Chapter Six
After their idyllic week in the tropics, they’d returned to training camp so Ronin could finish his final session. The last two weeks had flown by and now she was faced with spending an entire week apart from her husband.
“Baby, you’re killing me here.”
“I don’t want to say good-bye.” Amery pressed her lips together to keep them from trembling.
Ronin’s soft lips brushed her hairline. “I’ll make it up to you when I get to Tokyo.”
“How?”
“Find something you want to do, someplace you want to go, and I’ll take you there, no questions asked. Just the two of us.”
“I’ll miss you like crazy. Don’t work yourself into a coma.” She sighed against his neck. “But you’ll do whatever Master Daichi wants.”
“Amery—”
“It is my right as your wife to worry about you.”
“I love you, baby. So much.”
“I love you too.”
The door blew open and Tamara Okada strode toward them.
She held out her hands to her son.
Ronin kissed her cheeks and gave her a quick hug. “Mother. You look amazing as always.”
“And you, my son, look exhausted.” She faced Amery, offering her the same kiss, kiss, hug greeting. “Amery, you look beautiful as ever.”
“As do you, Tamara.”
“Thank you.” Her gaze bounced between them. “Have you two said your good-byes so Amery and I can take off?”
“Yes, we have. You’re planning on three days for the Okada factories tour?” Ronin asked.
“Yes. But it’ll be four days before we’re in Tokyo.”
“I plan on showing my wife all my favorite spots there, so don’t steal my thunder, Mom.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it. But you should know your grandfather will be back in Tokyo the day before you arrive, and he’s requested I host a cocktail party for the newly married couple.”
Amery watched Ronin’s eyes harden. “Please tell me you refused.”
“I did not. I think it’s a great idea. So be prepared to suffer through your grandfather’s pride in you as you introduce your wife to his friends and business associates,” Tamara said dryly.
“Fine. But she doesn’t meet Ojisan until I can introduce her to him, understood?”
“Of course.”
“And one other thing.” Ronin switched to Japanese.
Before he uttered more than five words, Amery poked him in the arm. “English, ninja. Especially if this concerns me.”
Tamara smirked at her son. “Care to start again?”
“She’ll want to shop and I pay for everything. I don’t care if she wants to buy a potato peeler or an entirely new set of bedroom furniture for our apartment, it will come from my accounts.”
“Ronin—”
Then he was in her face. “This is a nonnegotiable point, Amery. You are my wife. I provide for you, whether it is food, clothing, or home furnishings. Period.” He paused and exhaled. “Don’t deny me the pleasure of making sure you have everything you need, okay?”
When he put it that way, and added the puppy-dog eyes . . . how could she refuse him? “Okay.”
A man approached and spoke so rapidly that Amery couldn’t make out one word. So much for her Japanese language lessons.
Tamara gestured to Amery’s bags and they were whisked off to be loaded onto Okada’s plane.
Ronin framed her face in his hands. “I hate we’ll be out of contact for the next week. But I’ll be in Tokyo before you know it.”