Page 29

She had chosen to wear a dress, one of her own creations.

A stunning, yet slightly subdued treated wool the color of ripe peaches.

A swirl of skirt and a cinched-in waist. The top was cut in a diagonal with long sleeves and cowl neck.

She had decided to style her thick, lustrous hair into one single braid that fell over her left breast. And she was hardly wearing makeup.

After their rather hectic bout of lovemaking, she was more than convinced that his immense experience was to her advantage. God! The man had a way about him that turned her into a trembling mass of jelly.

And he had persuaded her to say yes to his proposal. They had stirred from bed to get something to eat and for him to drive her home for her to get ready for dinner with his mother.

She had of course called Yvette who had squealed in delight.

"Bitch, you're marrying one of the most powerful and kick-ass gorgeous men in the world. You'll be joining the most elitist women in society."

"You're not making it any better. What if she hates me?" She fretted. "I'm black."

"You don't say." Her friend had been amused. "And her son is head over heels in love with you. The family is lucky to have you in their lives. You say his uncles are gay? How fascinating."

"We've known gay people before, even been friends with a few of them. Carl from our favorite restaurant is gay."

"Carl is a glorified peacock who thinks too much of himself and wears the most dreadful toupee. He's an idiot and a disgrace to the gay community." She retorted, making Maxie laugh. "This is different, and I must say, I cannot wait to meet them."

"I can. Oh Yvette, I'm so tied up in knots, you wouldn't believe it." She sighed.

"Knock her dead darling. You'll do great."

Taking a deep breath, she turned from the mirror to grab her cashmere wrap and overnight case. Kai was brooking no argument about her returning home tonight.

"You're spending the night."

"I would very much appreciate it if you start asking instead of demanding." She had told him primly, never letting on that after last night, she never wanted him to spend a night away from her. The man was completely addictive.

Kai arrived promptly, dressed impeccably in a tailored charcoal suit that seemed to mold to every line of his body.

His presence filled the room the moment he stepped in, and for a moment, she forgot her nervousness as her eyes drank him in.

He stopped in his tracks when he saw her, his gaze lingering as if to memorize every detail of her appearance.

"You're breathtaking," he murmured, stepping closer, his hand rising to lightly touch the braid resting over her shoulder. "I don't think I'll survive introducing you to my mother if you keep looking at me like that."

She laughed softly, some of her tension melting away, and swatted his hand playfully. "You'll survive. I'm the one who has to win her over."

"You don't need to win anyone over," he said seriously, taking her hand and bringing it to his lips. "You're perfect as you are."

Her heart fluttered at his words, but she didn't have time to respond before he gently tugged her toward the door. "Come," he said, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Let's conquer this evening together."

The drive to his mother's home was both too quick and too slow. As the sleek car glided through the city streets and out toward the sprawling countryside, she found herself gripping her wrap tightly, her mind racing. Kai, sensing her unease, reached out to place a reassuring hand on her knee.

"She's going to adore you," he said. "And if she doesn't, well, that's her loss."

"You're not supposed to say that," she said, half-laughing, half-nervous.

"What I'm supposed to say and what I believe are two different things," he replied with a grin, his confidence infectious.

It was more than an apartment and was rather a lovely, graceful home with red trimmings, much smaller than she expected. She stared at it, wide-eyed, as they drove through the gates and up the long driveway. Lights twinkled along the path, casting a warm glow that looked cozily welcoming.

"Kai," she whispered, suddenly overwhelmed. "This is... this is unexpected."

He glanced over at her as he came to a stop in front of the double doors. "Good or bad?"

"Good of course. I expected a mansion."

He grinned at her and could not resist the urge to lean over and kiss her. "You're wonderful," he murmured, causing her heart to flutter.

"We lived in one before, but when dad died, we decided that it was prudent for her to downgrade."

He helped her out of the car, his hand steady and reassuring as she stepped onto the cobblestone driveway. The front door opened before they reached it, and a small, elegant woman stepped out, her smile both welcoming and assessing.

"Mother," Kai said, his voice warm as he leaned in to kiss her cheek. "This is Maxie."

Maxie swallowed her nerves and smiled as brightly as she could. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Tanaka."

The woman tilted her head slightly, her eyes keen, but her smile widened. "The pleasure is mine, my dear. And please, call me Akemi," she continued shyly.

Maxie exhaled, the tight knot in her chest loosening ever so slightly. As Kai's fingers brushed against hers in a silent gesture of support, she realized that tonight, whatever happened, she wouldn't face it alone.

"We have a very pleasant surprise awaiting, Kai." She turned to her son, her demeanor serene and demure. Looking at her, Maxie began to recognize that Akemi Tanaka was a woman who had grown used to men taking charge of her life.

As soon as they stepped into the lofty foyer, two men rushed forward, making Maxie think she was looking at the same person.

And she saw where Kai had gotten his incredible good looks from.

He looked like his uncles, only taller. Both men were dressed in exquisitely cut tailored jackets over seamless pants and their hair was impeccably groomed.

"Kenzo and Koji." The obvious delight on his face showed how much he thought of his uncles. And the feeling was mutual as they came forward and wrapped their arms around him.

"Dear boy," one of them said. (She was never going to be able to tell them apart!) Maxie realized.

"How are you here? I just spoke to you this morning."

"We were in London at a conference and that's what private jets are for.

" In unison, they turned to Maxie, eyes dancing.

"I can see why you want to rush into marriage after avoiding it like the plague for so long.

She's absolutely exquisite. I am Kenzo, the gorgeous half of the twin.

" She took his proffered hand and noticed the different shape of the eyes and that he had a mole beside his left eye.

Elbowing his brother aside, Koji grabbed her around the waist and planted a kiss right on her mouth. "Don't listen to him and yes, I do agree, you're exquisite."

"Hands off," Kai growled. "She's mine."

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Maxie decided that she already adored them.

They had supper in an elegant room decorated in cool lime green with gorgeous white antique furnishings. A medium- sized fireplace cast a cheerful glow over everything. Instead of artificial lights, candles were everywhere, casting the room into shadows.

"My mother believes in ambiances," Kai murmured in her ear. "She made the candles herself."

"How delightful."

She had expected a Japanese cuisine and wasn't disappointed.

The entree was a delicious seafood soup served by a housekeeper who went in and out of the room silently, clearing the plates when a course was finished.

The Yakitori was scrumptious and the best she had ever tasted.

Conversation ranged from the weather in Japan, the culture, what the twins had been up to and then wound over to business.

Maxie noticed that Akemi remained mostly silent as if content to make the men dominate the conversation.

She also noticed how the woman kept staring at her son, a mellow look of absolute love and adoration on her face.

It was after the housekeeper had served dessert that Kai turned to her, a look of mischief in his beautiful dark eyes. "It's an added bonus that my uncles are here for this."

Before she could respond, he drew out a black velvet box and opened it to reveal an exquisite square-cut red diamond that seemed to sparkle under the lights flowing from the candle.

Taking it out of the box, he took her hand and slid it on her finger as she stared at the stone in absolute shock and admiration.

"What do you say darling?"

"What a magnificent ring!" Koji exclaimed.

"Maxie?"

Lifting her eyes from the ring, she gazed at him and nodded, a dazed expression on her face. "Yes, of course. What other answer could it possibly be?"

Grinning at her response, he drew her to him and ignoring his family seated around the table, kissed her until she felt her senses spinning. "That's to seal the deal," he whispered against her mouth, smile widening when his uncles started clapping.

As the applause faded, Akemi's soft, melodic voice broke through the cheerful din. "It seems we have much to celebrate tonight," she said, her lips curling into a serene smile, yet her eyes glimmered with a hint of unshed tears. "Welcome to the family, Maxie."

The warmth in Akemi's tone made Maxie's chest tighten, and she felt a sudden urge to hug the woman who had so clearly poured her heart into this family.

Rising from her seat, Maxie crossed over to Akemi, who, to her delight, stood to meet her halfway.

The two women embraced, a gesture that felt as natural as if they had known each other for years.

When Maxie returned to the table, Kenzo leaned forward, his hands clasped together as if preparing to make an official declaration. "You're one of us now," he said with a dramatic flourish, "and as such, you should know that we have traditions."

Kai groaned audibly, shaking his head. "Kenzo, spare her."