Read Loving Jiro for Free Online

anything new. Steeling herself, she waited expectantly.
    "Regret is a powerful emotion,” he said simply.
    That took her off guard. “What?"
    His eyebrows went up as if to say how could she not understand what he meant. “Living with regret. Very powerful. It can affect you for years, maybe the rest of your life. So it is important to weigh your actions and words, decide what you can live with and what you cannot."
    Kiara blinked in confusion. She had no idea what in the world he was talking about. Of course she knew about regret. She regretted not going with her parents that time when they died and that she had yelled in anger at them, saying they thought more of each other than her. Maybe that was what Jiro meant. “Yes, regret can eat you up and make you miserable. I know that first hand."
    He nodded. “Exactly. And so when I offer to help you, you must think long and hard about what you can live with."
    Her eyes widened as she stared up at him. What exactly was he offering? A tremor started in her stomach and worked its way through her body. No, she was reading more into his words than she thought. Maybe he was like Otis, wanting to sleep with her, and so offering his help. She calmed down at that thought. He must be asking if he offered to help her, could she live with giving herself to him in exchange.
    Anger rose inside her. Who did he think he was offering her money in exchange for sex? Is that what he thought all women did? Did he have a thing for black women? Ayumi hadn't said the women flocking around him at the family functions were black. Then again, what were they even doing at a family function?
    She looked around to be sure his sister was out of earshot and placed her hands on her hips. “For your information, a lot of women may scramble to get your attention, and do anything to get your money, but I am not one of them. I am not going to sell you my body, so you can forget it. I didn't do it for a dentist, and I'm not doing it for a ... a ... whatever it is you really do!"
    Turning away from his stunned expression, she swallowed a few choice curse words. She gathered her things, ignoring the cries of her sore muscles and marched toward the closet to lock the easels and other supplies away. Regret did wash over her that the two students scheduled for the afternoon had called to cancel. Now she would not have that money because parents didn't pay when they didn't bring their children. Never mind that she had committed the time and could have filled the spot.
    Irritated, she yanked the string that turned on the light and began maneuvering her easels in a tight corner. When that was done, she examined her usual shelf where she stored her paints overnight. She had three students tomorrow, and with her body achy, she really wanted to leave her paints here. But lately, she felt someone had been going through her things. Nothing had gone missing ... yet.
    With a sigh, she slipped the case on the shelf and turned to exit the closet. Jiro stood in the exit, blocking the way. He had folded his arms across his wide chest. The muscles of his arms were so big, she found herself short of breath. Not from fear though, from desire.
    "For the record, I was not offering you money for your body."
    "Oh.” She felt like an idiot.
    She took a tentative step toward him, and he moved to the side. The bulk of his body took up most of the doorway even turned to the side. She had to squeeze by. Her hip brushed his thigh, and this time, she was certain he gasped. Hiding a smile, she continued out of the closet, hearing him follow.
    "Do you have other clients today or other work?” he asked.
    "No.” She should probably try to scrounge up some more work, but she didn't feel like it. A free afternoon was so rare, she decided to take advantage of it. Maybe a little brainstorming at the library might help her to come up with new ways to make money.
    "Great, then you can spend it with Ayumi and me,” he offered. “I try to spend as