Free One Kiss in Tokyo... by Scarlet Wilson

into the crowds. Darkness had fallen and Tokyo was lit up with a whole array of coloured lights. ‘What kind of gratitude is that? You drag me out after a busy shift to take you shopping and introduce you to life in Tokyo, then you hit me with the guilt trip?’
    He kept going. ‘I’m just pointing out that you seem to like me flat on my back.’ For a second she was mesmerised. Those pale green eyes were quite startling under the brown fedora and bathed by neon lights. The noise and bustle around her seemed to dull. All she could feel right now was the electricity in the air between them. It didn’t matter that he was teasing. It didn’t matter that his blatant flirting was ridiculous.
    She liked it. She could feel herself start to react it. To flirt back. She was comfortable around him. Already, in the space of two days.
    She bit the inside of her cheek. She could tell that shopping wasn’t really his thing. But she wasn’t ready to go home yet. Her phone buzzed and she pulled it out of her pocket, glanced at the message and quickly pushed it back in her jeans. Her grandmother. Not what she needed right now. ‘How about I promise you somewhere really cool to go and eat genuine Japanese sushi?’
    â€˜Now, that does sound tempting. Do you promise not to get me flat on my back again?’
    â€˜Not unless you want me to.’ It came out before she thought about it. Like a lightning flash in her brain that reached her lips before the mute part of her brain started to function.
    He raised his eyebrows. ‘Oh, touché, First Lieutenant Williams.’
    â€˜Touché? What’s that?’
    He waved his hand. ‘Never mind. Tell me more about where we’re going to get some food.’
    She gave him a knowing smile. ‘Well, strangely enough, it’s right next to one of the main tourist attractions.’
    â€˜Which one?’
    â€˜The one you’re most excited about seeing. Come on, it’s just a quick jump on the subway.’
    * * *
    Ten minutes later Avery found himself in the middle of a film set. At least, that was what it looked like and felt like.
    He’d never seen so many people before. The sun had set quickly and darkness had fallen across Tokyo. The whole street was lit up by the biggest array of neon lights he’d ever seen. It reminded him partly of Times Square and partly of a futuristic film.
    But the thing that was most noticeable was the number of people in one area. He’d never seen a busier place in his life.
    Yes, he’d realised that Tokyo was busy. It was the most populated place in the world—of course it would be busy.
    But as they exited Shibuya station he had a sudden realisation that he’d never truly understood the definition of busy before. He spent every second step stopping to avoid crashing into someone.
    Katsuko, on the other hand, moved nimbly and ably through the throngs of people. His eyes were repeatedly drawn to her neat bum in the bright red skinny jeans. She pointed to the crossing before them. ‘Watch out because when the lights turn red they turn red everywhere. People just surge forward onto the road. Keep close or you’ll get lost.’
    He resisted the temptation to reach out and grab her hand. He’d made a few close moves around her and got the distinct impression she wasn’t quite sure what to make of them. Truth was, neither was he.
    It felt natural to touch Katsuko—even though he’d no right to, or had any invitation to. If he’d been challenged about it, he’d claim he touched all his female friends. It was casual. It was friendly. But the buzz that flooded his body every time he came into contact with her skin was telling him a whole other story.
    Would it be fine to date the General’s daughter? Or would it be frowned upon? Because in the space of two days those thoughts were definitely starting to float around his mind.
    She seemed fun. She