Free The Devil Inside by Mia Amano Page B

insides on the way down.  
    Kaito stares at me with a stone-cold expression. Then, he bursts into laughter.  
    I’m floored. It’s like the dawning sun has graced his features, transforming his face. The perfect, white smile he shows me is a thing of beauty.  
    It’s the first time I’ve heard him laugh.  
    “It’s a two thousand dollar bottle of sake, not tequila, Adele.” He pours me another cup. “Sip it slowly. Enjoy the subtle flavor.” Kaito takes a slow drink from his cup, with heat in his eyes. The way he’s doing it is suggestive, his lips sensuous. I hope to hell that I’m not blushing.  
    I copy his actions and let the liquid slide down my throat. It’s smooth and crisp at the same time, with a hint of something citrusy. It’s like nothing I’ve ever tasted before.  
    The alcohol warms me and settles in my belly, a soft, glowing sensation spreading through my body. I fight the urge to lean into Kaito’s shoulder. I shouldn’t get too comfortable here.  
    “I thought I was supposed to be the hostess,” I turn towards Kaito, holding his gaze. “So. Now that’s over with, care to tell me what you’re really doing here?”
    We’re sitting close now, our bodies not touching, but our faces inches apart. Kaito’s full lips are slightly separated, and his eyes, I realize now, are the color of darkest mahogany.  
    “I went to the Fat Dragon earlier tonight. To ask you if you wanted to have dinner with me. You weren’t there.”
    I blink, trying to make sure I’ve heard correctly. The man wants a date.  
    This accountant, who’s not really an accountant, who dresses like a sheep but moves like a wolf and wears violence like a second skin but never explains himself, wants a date.
    My heart is racing. My palms are warm and damp. I should be careful here, but I can’t control the way my body responds to Kaito, and the alcohol is going to my head.  
    “And now? You’re going to pay for my company instead?”
    “I will. Every single night, until you feel you’ve made enough money that you don’t need to work here anymore. Because I can’t stand the thought of another man’s hands on you.”
    I take Kaito’s left hand into mine, tracing his rough palm, finding the smooth stump of his severed little finger. “And how do I know your hands will be good to me?”
    Kaito raises an eyebrow. “They can be very good to you, Adele.”
    Oh, damn. I can’t help the warmth that begins to spread between my legs.  
    Focus, Adele.
    I take a sip of my sake, willing my heartbeat to slow. “And how do I know you’ll be good for me, Kaito? You told me yourself that you weren’t a good person. What’s changed?”
    He regards me with caution in his eyes, taking time to find the right words. “I would never do anything to hurt you, Adele. As for my past? I left that behind in Japan.”
    “I need to know who you are. All of it.”  
    “You will.”  
    He threads his rough fingers through mine, sliding over my sensitive palm. I’m fully aroused. Just from holding hands. How is this man doing this to me? “Have I convinced you enough to go on a date with me?”
    “We’ll see.” Not that I’m going to allow him to know how fucking turned on I am right now. That wouldn’t be good for business. “Maybe next week. After I’ve earned enough money that I can quit this job.”
    “Should I even ask what you need the money for, or are you going to tell me it’s none of my business?”
    “You catch on quickly.”
    Kaito sighs, closing his eyes. He breathes in deeply, and when he opens his eyes, they’ve turned dark, almost black. “Then I’ll just have to wait, won’t I? Tell Mama-san to stock up on Ethereal Beauty. We’ll be seeing a lot more of each other this week.”
    “We will?” I blurt the question out without thinking.  
    “I told you, I’m not going to sit around and watch another man putting his hands all over you.”
    Possessive, much? I smirk. “Who gives you a say in that,