Read Tokyo Tease for Free Online Page B

color in here.” He continued flicking through my measly wardrobe. Then, a low whistle. “Yeah, baby. This’ll do.” He pulled out a red dress from the back of the closet. A short, red dress with a plunging neckline. In a moment of wistfulness, I’d packed it when I moved from the States. I’d always heard about the Tokyo nightlife and thought I’d have plenty of places to wear it.
    I hadn’t.
    “I can’t wear that to work. Besides, I’m not sure I like Kentaro telling me what to wear.” I huffed and plopped on the futon.
    “Babe…” I glared at him. “I mean, Natalie, just because you do what he tells you tomorrow doesn’t mean you have to let him tell you what to do all the time. This just shows you are definitely interested.”
    That made sense, but wearing the dress to work was inappropriate. It was suited for a nightclub, not a boardroom.
    A waft of jasmine fragrance entered the room before Jenn. She wore a silk robe. Curlers jutted from her head, making her look like an alien life form suitable for Roswell, and yet she was still gorgeous. “What’s going on?”
    I sat on the futon and pouted while Sanchez relayed my tale. Jenn nodded a couple of times, and when he finished talking, she left the room without saying a word. Seconds later, she came back with a beautiful red and gray floral silk scarf. “Here. Wear the red dress.” She held up a hand to stop my protest. “The dress, with this scarf tucked in the neckline and this…uh, sweater.” She held up the gray cardigan Sanchez had held earlier. She picked up a pair of black, ankle strap pumps with three-inch heels. “With these. It’s sexy and professional.”
    “Really? It’s not sleazy?” I was dubious.
    “Nope, sweetie. It’s perfect.”
    A few hours later, they invited me to accompany them to Roppogoni, but I declined. Instead, I stayed home and played out every scenario I could think of regarding the train ride the next morning.
    I needn’t have bothered.
    ****
    Pain and anticipation accompanied me on the walk to the station the next morning. The heels looked great, but weren’t made for commuting. I didn’t care though. One look in the mirror and I knew Jenn and Sanchez were right. I looked…well…sexy. Way shorter than I remembered, the dress’s hem ended at mid thigh. To my delight, my legs looked good. Damn good. Miles of walking every day to and from train stations had made them quite shapely. The scarf reduced the plunge of the neckline, but still left an enticing view and the frumpy, gray cardigan looked positively scrumptious when combined with silk.
    As I neared the station, my heart raced. I had to stop at a kiosk to buy a pack of gum in order to give myself a minute to calm my nerves. With a deep inhale, I nonchalantly moseyed into the station, swiped my commuter card, and walked past the turnstiles. Instead of looking around for Kentaro, I buried my nose in a book as if totally indifferent to his demands.
    The 7:43 train arrived with no sightings of Kentaro, but I hadn’t seen him the day before either. I hesitated. Should I get on or wait until the 8:03? My musings ended when the rush of people behind me carried me along with them as they boarded the train. I had no choice, but Kentaro had found me before. My skirt rode higher up my thighs when I lifted my arms and grabbed the overhead handrail, causing a few moments of self-consciousness, but when I thought of Kentaro’s reaction, I smiled.
    Tomorrow wear a skirt. I’d show him.
    The train clacked, clanged, and rocked. By the time I’d finished reading a second page, I knew Kentaro hadn’t boarded the train.
    Dammit. I should’ve waited until the 8:03. Dammit, dammit, dammit.
    At Shinjuku, I disembarked. As I walked around the corner of the station, I caught a glimpse of Kentaro ducking into the company car.
    My face burned as red at my dress. Oh, my god. I dressed up like a tart at his command. How pathetic! Mortification pounded into me with every click of