Page 109 of Ruined Vows
She’s quiet, and the moment stretches. But I revel in the fact that she’s letting mewalk beside her.And that is no small thing, not for her, and not to me.
“You always wine and dine your enemies like this?” she asks eventually.
“Only the ones I want to keep close.”
She scoffs under her breath but doesn’t pull away.
We pass a paper lantern flickering near a tucked-away alley. Its red glow casts soft shadows, and the scent of jasmine lingers in the air. The water is calm and quiet. Tokyo is beautiful like this—clean lines, history under glass, power behind silence.
“I never expected this,” she murmurs.
“What? Decadence?”
She glances up at me. “Softness. The city, the incredible food. All of it.”
I stopped walking. She doesn’t. And as she takes the next step, she realizes I’m not beside her anymore. And then she turns, slowly.
Her eyebrows furrowed questioningly.
I meet her eyes. “This isn’t softness, Bianca.”
“No?” Her voice is but a whisper.
“This isfocus.”
Her throat moves when she swallows.
“You think this is about impressing you,” I say, stepping toward her. “It’s not. It’s aboutseeingyou.”
She shifts, but she doesn’t retreat.
“You talk like you already know me.”
“I know what I need to.”
She tilts her head. “And what’s that?”
I lower my voice. “You’ve never had anyone show up for you without asking what it gets them.”
She doesn’t deny it. She doesn’t have to. She looks at me like she’s tryingnotto believe me. And that’s when I see it.
She’s still fighting with herself. But something inside her already gave in.
31
BIANCA
INFINITY AND OTHER TRAPS
We return to the suite after our walk. The silence in the suite is worse than the silence in the street.
At least out there, I had excuses. There were the city lights and crisp smell of cherry blossoms, and Kuchi-nashi floated on the breeze. I focused on the rhythm of my heels on the pavement to keep my illicit thoughts offhim.
He’s dressed to kill, and I would be a willing victim. In here, it’s justme.Me and my reflection that mocks me. I don’t recognize myself in the mirror.
I’m still in the green silk dress. My lipstick is perfect. Every strand of hair is pinned like a weapon. I look like the woman who was in control all night.
But my skin tells a different story. It’s too warm. I’ve beenseen.I let him see me. He peels back my layers, and it leaves me exposed, raw, unguarded, and vulnerable. I don’t know how to handle it, orhim.
