Page 77 of The Dragon 1

What is he doing?

Kaoru glanced at Yoichi. “No trigger mechanism.”

Huh?

Yoichi nodded. “The ribbon pattern is consistent. It looks like a normal ribbon.”

“Balance is clean too,” Kaoru added. “No hidden base. No double lining.”

“No acid burn on the seal.”

What the fuck?

Kaoru put his view on me. “Did you wrap these yourself?”

I widened my eyes. “Yes.”

He smiled. “Very pretty.”

“They still could be dangerous,” Yoichi didn’t even look up from the box. “Intent is not always visible.”

Kaoru waved his hand. “She’s brought no threat.”

I blinked. “You thought I was going to assassinate Kenji on a date?”

Silent, Yoichi walked off with the gifts.

Kaoru gave me a shrug. “Reo is a stickler for protocol.”

I had no idea who Reo was but he sounded pretty serious about security.

Kaoru headed off in an elegant stride and then gestured for me to come with him. “This way, Ms. Palmer.”

I strolled along.

Kaoru waited for me to catch up then fell into step beside me with the kind of smooth, effortless rhythm that made me think he practiced walking in mirrors just to make sure his stance was always seductive.

His long pink hair shimmered in the moonlight; a color so soft it should’ve felt sweet—except there was nothing sweet about the man beside me. Not when he’d just evaluated my gift to make sure it wasn’t an explosive.

I had no doubt that if it had been something dangerous. . .he would have killed me in seconds.

Kaoru glanced at me. “In regard to the gift search. . .as far as Reo is concerned,everyonegets the same assessment if they are going to be in the presence of the Dragon. Even gorgeous women in six-inch heels and a dress designed to seriously test a man’s professionalism.”

I smirked.

Ahead of us, Yoichi’s voice cut through the night air. “Watch it, Pinky.”

“Relax,” Kaoru raised both hands like he’d just been accused of a crime he was proud to commit. “I’m just appreciating her. Not touching.”

Yoichi glanced over his shoulder and scowled. “Don’t flirt with the dragon’s new flame.”

My breath caught.

“I would never,” Kaoru chuckled. “I love being able to breathe and walk.”

I tensed.

Kaoru watched me and must have noticed my suddenly being on the edge. “You can call me Pinky too, if you want.”