I Just Can't Stop Loving You by Imari Jade Page B

to bring me proof. Only a fool would accept someone’s word on something like this. Humans lie, even gorgeous ones.”
    “You are aware that the twins are Japanese citizens and you can’t take them out of the country without Ichiro’s consent?”
    Shaundra nodded. “I’m not leaving the country and I have no intention on keeping his sons from him. I’m just making myself less available to him. I also have a career and once I’m back on my feet, I plan to throw myself back into my work. Harper is getting me an office together at KiNii as we speak.”
    “Does that mean you’re going to hire someone to look after the twins when you go back to work?” Satoshi asked.
    “Yes. I love my kids, but six weeks is enough bonding time. That’s why God invented nurseries.”
    Yori laughed. “Ich is going to love this. He expects you to stay home and care for his sons.”
    Shaundra shrugged. “Who cares?”
    “Well, I might as well tell the other bad news,” Satoshi said.
    “What?” Shaundra asked.
    “Cristal has moved out.”
    “Oh,” Shaundra said. “She’s finally free.”

Chapter Seven
     
    The telephone in Cristal’s office rang. She pushed aside some papers to answer it. “Yes, Ms. Lee,” she said to her assistant in Japanese.
    “You have a visitor, Ms. Gentry. He says his name is Tae Hayashi.”
    Cristal stared at the phone. What? What is he doing here ?
    “Are you still there, Ms. Gentry?”
    “Yes, please send him in, Ms. Lee.”
    Cristal hopped out of her seat, smoothed down her skirt, and checked her makeup in the mirror while she waited.
    Several seconds later, there was a knock at her door. “Come in,” she called out.
    The door opened and Tae walked in.
    “Satoshi isn’t here,” Cristal said politely.
    Tae bowed to her. “I wouldn't be here if he was,” Tae replied. He straightened up. “I’ve come to see you.”
    A lawyer coming to see her? Why? Who was trying to sue her and how the hell did he know where to find her? Cristal walked back to her desk, trying to look as professional as she could without letting him see how his fine ass affected her. The resemblance to Satoshi was uncanny, except Tae was shorter and had more muscle. And he clearly looked like a man. She offered him a seat and he sat down across from her. “What can I help you with? Do you need publicity? Are you looking for a copywriter or would you like me to do a story on you or some cause you’re sponsoring?” He looked good in charcoal grey. It brought out the brown in his eyes. Cristal shook her head to clear her thoughts.
    “No.”
    He wasn’t much of a talker. “Then how can I help you?” She played with a pen on her desk.
    “Go out with me.”
    Cristal dropped the pen. “Pardon me?”
    “I would like to take you out to dinner.”
    She hadn’t seen that coming. “Why?”
    “Because I don’t want to eat alone,” Tae said. “And ever since I met you I haven’t been able to get you off my mind. I’m a good conversationalist. I’m up on current affairs and I think we have a lot in common.”
    What ? “I don’t know. I need to get some work done.” But her curiosity was getting the best of her. Was he asking her out on a date because he liked her? Or was he doing it as a way to get at Satoshi?”
    “But you have to eat,” he said, staring at her.
    He did have a valued point. Since moving out into her own place a couple of days ago, she’d eaten only eaten takeout meals. “Let’s just say I take you up on your kind offer. What’s in it for me?” Did he even know how to relax? He sat like a statue in the chair.
    “Stimulating conversation,” Tae replied. “And it’s not like you have a better offer.”
    Cristal scowled at him. How did he know that? “What time?” She hoped she didn’t sound too desperate.
    “Seven,” Tae said, rising. He smoothed non-existent wrinkles from his suit. “I have reservations for two at Scaphinos.”
    Impressive . Scaphinos was a fancy Italian restaurant in