Her thoughts drifted to last night in the pool . . . Ronin’s hunger for her, his skill at driving her to the edge and then making her fly—familiar sensations, yet somehow they felt new. Maybe it was the gently lapping water as his tongue greedily devoured her. She’d wanted her hands on his head, pulling his hair, guiding him, controlling him, but no. Once again he’d controlled her and the situation. Like he always did.

Gigi dropped off the drink, and Amery stirred it without taking a sip.

After the spectacular orgasm, and later, as they were entwined in bed, she’d wondered how much longer she could hold Ronin off on resuming their sexual relationship. But mostly she wondered why she was holding back. Now that he was on the mend . . . why wasn’t she jumping him?

Right then it occurred to her the physical side of their relationship renewal was starting out the same way as their first intimate encounters had. Ronin giving all to her and not allowing her to reciprocate. What had she done last night as soon as those skilled hands of his touched her flesh and his tongue stroked her? She’d gone mindless. But even if she’d tried to return the favor, he would’ve found some way to distract her.

No more. She’d let him know, in no uncertain terms, that his body was hers to play with, pleasure, and control.

Amery just happened to glance up as Shiori started toward her. The woman’s graceful glide reminded her of a sleek panther. There was a sense of beauty and danger with a coiled edginess that warned you not to take your eyes off her or you’d feel the slice of those sharp claws and the bite of deadly teeth.

Shiori had dressed in a short jade-colored skirt that showed off her legs. Over a lavender silk shell, she wore a long-sleeved black jacket that nipped in at the waist and ended above her hips in a wide peplum. Of course the outfit was chic, sexy, and completely professional. Amery bit back a jealous sigh. And of course she finished the outfit with the perfect accessories—lavender suede pumps and an oversized satchel color-blocked with jade and black.

Thankfully Shiori didn’t expect the fake kiss-kiss and half-hug reception. She simply smiled and slid into the booth. “Amery. It’s good to see you. Thank you for agreeing to meet me today.”

“My pleasure. And without it seeming like I’m fawning, can I just say that outfit is outstanding? You look amazing.”

Shiori grinned. “Thank you. I’ve been filling my free time shopping.”

“Shopping here in Denver?”

“Some. New York City is too far to fly to justify a couple of hours to shop, so I’ve found the most darling boutiques in Chicago, Las Vegas, and Dallas.”

“You hop on a plane just to go shopping for a few hours?”

“Oh no. I charter a plane and attend to business while I’m in the air. I’m all about multitasking.”

Amery couldn’t hide her shock. Ronin and his sister really did live in two different worlds; she couldn’t imagine Ronin doing something so frivolous.

Don’t judge. Her money, her life, her choices.

Shiori leaned over and peered at Amery’s drink. “What is that?”

“A Moscow mule. Lime, vodka, and ginger beer.”

“I don’t usually drink cocktails at lunch, but I’ll try one.”

Amery gestured to Gigi to bring Shiori a drink.

“Have you decided on what you’re having?” Shiori asked.

“The lunch special. But everything here is very good.”

Gigi dropped off Shiori’s drink. “Are you ladies ready to order?”

“Yes, I’ll have the special,” Amery said. “And I’ll need another order to go.”

“And you, ma’am?”

“The cheesesteak, extra cheese, onions, and mushrooms with steak fries. And an order of Rocky Mountain oysters with a side of wasabi.” Shiori handed over the menu. “Save me a slice of the piña colada cheesecake too.”

After Gigi left, Amery asked, “Where exactly are you going to put all that food?”

Shiori shrugged. “I have a high metabolism. And yes, I know my brother would be having a fit right now. He lectures me on my bad eating habits.” She sipped her drink. “That is good. Speaking of my brother, he wasn’t happy when I told him I planned to ask you to lunch.”

“Does he have a reason to be concerned this time?”

“Depends on if you can move on from the way I mishandled our initial meeting.”

“At least you can admit you screwed up. What happened between Ronin and me . . . while I hated that you were the messenger, it didn’t change that he should’ve told me himself.”

“Agreed. I’m happy that you two are trying to work things out. I only wish he hadn’t taken that path again to find his way back to you.”

Given Shiori’s comments and her own observations, Amery suspected whenever things went wrong in Ronin’s life, he turned to fighting. She’d accidentally overheard a conversation between him and Knox, where Ronin admitted he’d been fighting in the underground club scene. That he’d hidden how deep he’d sunk his roots into that world of violence, even from those closest to him, had broken her heart. It also scared her to think that no matter how physically and emotionally she’d open herself up to him, he’d always withhold parts of himself from her.

“How do you feel his recovery is coming along?”

“More slowly than he’d like. But he’s been more patient than I expected.” With the exception of resuming their sex life.