I'd like to point out that the ratings in this story had been raised due to more'adult' themes on the upcoming chapter. Yes, there will be some action between Matt & Mimi, & I bet most of you like that, huh? Hahaha...I guess you'll just have to wait a while coz I think that'll be on the next chapter.

Shikaruto - thank you for the wonderful review. It's great that you like this story.

Chapter Nine: Two Can Play This Game

His smile made Mimi tingle all over. Focused on her now, a woman who's all grown up, it had a far more powerful impact. He found her infinitely desirable & emanating an intense level of sexual intimacy, his eyes reflecting the knowledge of how she felt in his arms, how her mouth moved with his, and the wanting to savor the experience again & again.

She found herself squeezing her thighs together, capturing & enclosing the excitement he stirred. Her nipples were tightening into hard little buds. Never had she reacted so physically to a man before & she marveled at the difference between wanting someone from afar & having the desire returned at close quarters.

What would have happened if he looked at her like this when she was nineteen…if he kissed her…? Mimi shook her head. She had to stop thinking about the past.

"What are you thinking?" Matt asked.

"I'm amazed that here we are…you & me," she answered with more truth than any he could possibly know.

"Fate smile don us, bringing us together."

She laughed. "Do you really believe in Fate?"

He shrugged. "There are times where things fall into place at the right time. Who knows how Fate really works? Is it a coincidence or are there energy forces that somehow guide meetings & outcomes?" He paused, his eyes looking straight at hers. "Perhaps we were always meant to be here at this time & place…you & I."

Goosebumps ran over her skin at the preordained suggestion. "I could have said no to your invitation."

"But you didn't."

He didn't wait for a reply. His eyes still holding hers with compelling intensity, he softly stated, "I have strong sense that I've been waiting for you for a very long time."

It hit a chord that throbbed painfully. He could have found her if he wanted to. Should she tell him now, tell the truth on who she really was? And see his expression change from shock to embarrassment? No, she didn't want that.

"Perhaps we were connected in some previous life," she said with considerable irony.

"And something drove us apart," he added, his eyes glittering in a way that made her feel uneasy, as though he could see into her soul.

"A very romantic fantasy," she remarked dryly, picking up her glass of wine, breaking eye contact with him.

There was a momentary silence, and then he laughed. "I guess I like the idea of people getting a second chance. We don't always make the right decisions the first time around."

"That's true," she agreed. "Though you must have made a lot of right decisions in your business to have it gone so well."

"Tai helped me out in more ways than I could ever have asked."

She set her glass down & leaned forward, eager to know more of his current life. "What does Media Promotions actually do?"

"Every from of advertising. Whatever we win a contract for."

"You mean you design promotional stuff for other companies & businesses."

He nodded. "We do our best to present their products in a sales-winning format."

Mimi was fascinated to hear this. It was obvious Matt liked his work. She listened to the warm enthusiasm in his voice. She felt the inner fire & drive that made him the success he was & knew this was a deep part of his personal magnetism.

He believed in himself. He was a born leader and in her heart of hearts she wished she were attached to him.

Matt drew back in his seat, offering an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, I've been talking too much about myself."

"No," she quickly denied. "I want to hear."

He quizzically studied the warm sincerity in her eyes. "There's nothing much to know." He shook his head. "I mean, I don't usually talk about my work outside of the office."

"Then I'm honored."

"No, I am. You really did want to know."

"It's a big part of your life."

"Yes, but not a part many people care to understand."

"You mean like…Katya."

"You have no reason to be impressed by Katya," he answered ruefully. "But she could be fun when she's in a good mood."

"Fun," Mimi repeated, thinking about fun & games in bed.

"Relief from the pressures of work," he added.

"I shouldn't have brought up the subject of work then."

"It's different with you," he assured her, his smile making her heart melt again.

Different…the word was like toxic, making her feel giddy with pleasure. Whatever Matt shared with Katya…and other women…didn't matter. After all, she tried a few relationships herself, wanting more from them than they'd ever given. Sometimes need drove people into making mistakes. So why blame Matt for this?

This was different. This was their second chance. And everything within Mimi craved to take it, wherever it led.

Matt ate mechanically, not even tasting the food. The crack about Katya had suddenly left him with the sense of being on trial & he didn't like it, not one bit. He explained why he acted the way he did in the past. Surely any reasonable person would accept the explanation. He'd given her time to digest it, given her another opening to admit who she really was.

Why didn't she tell him?

The memory of his twenty-first birthday night started plaguing him…the cut-off night for a young & innocent Mimi. She sang the birthday song as the cake had been carried in, a solo effort his mother arranged because Mimi had such sweet & lovely voice. It was obvious, from the way she sang it, that she had feelings for him. When she gave him her gift, he could hardly bear to accept it, shoving it quickly aside.

Only later did he discover it was a watch, where on the back was inscribed, 'With all my love.' It made him feel rotten, even more so because Samantha Elliot had also given him a watch which he wore that night. It had been a slap on the face to Mimi, and he cursed himself for pushing her away.

NOW was their time.

Had she forgiven him for that brutal rejection?

Did she want him to fall, in revenge for what he did?

He watched her eat the meal he ordered, loading her fork & lifting it to her mouth. Her hands were steady…finely shaped with long elegant fingers…and he yearned to have those hands touch him softly, sensually, lovingly. Even how she slid the fork into her mouth & out again was intensely sexy.

Her long lashes veiled her eyes, keeping her thoughts a taunting mystery. Her glorious hair shimmered, a silky flow of temptation that teased his imagination & conjured up erotic fantasies…how it would feel on his pillow, her naked body brushing over his skin…

She finished the meal, her gaze lifting to his. "You certainly eat well of you come her often. That was delicious, Matt."

Her distinctive caramel brown eyes seemed clear of anything, yet she had to be taking him for a ride. Why else would she hide her identity? How long did she intend to be someone else? How much would she give before turning her back on him?

"There are many fine restaurants here in Odaiba," he remarked, smiling as he pushed his emptied plate away. "I'd like to introduce you to all of them."

She blushed. From guilt or pleasure?

"I'd like that too," she said, her eyes telling him he was the main attraction, not the food.

It made him burn with a torment he couldn't bear. A wild recklessness seized him, demanding he push her to the limit right now, testing how much she wanted to be with him. "Would you like some dessert?"

She shook her head. "I've had enough, thank you."

"Then let me show you where I live. I'll make you coffee in my apartment."

Her blush deepened. She stared at him, an agony of indecision in her eyes.

Matt sat still, returning her stare, a relentless challenge beating through him in fierce waves. If her wanting him was real, let her prove it by coming with him. If this was some vengeful game, let her reveal it now, excusing herself from the prospect of being alone together in a private place with the risk of a more dangerous intimacy developing between them.

"All right," she said in a breathy little voice.

Relief & excitement grew in him. In coming with him she was giving up control, gambling more than any game-player would. Or was she recklessly raising the stakes? Whatever it is, the ball was now in his court & he's determined to play it hard.

"Have you had the apartment very long?" she asked.

"Two & a half years."

"Enough time to make it your home."

She was curious about him, he realized, wanting to see. Wanting to judge? Putting him on further trial?

"It's furnished to my taste, if that's what you mean," he answered, wondering if she'd make it to his bedroom.

"Did you hire an interior decorator?"

"No, I looked around & brought whatever appealed to me."

She nodded. "I guess you wanted to please your own artistic eye."

"Style is not that important to me," he acknowledged. "I like to feel comfortable."

And more than anything, he wanted to feel comfortable with her…nothing hidden between them.

Their waiter came to take away their plates. "Dessert, sir?"

"No, we're done." He pulled out his wallet & handed over a credit card. "The bill, please."

"Be right back, sir."

"More wine?" he offered, noticing her glass was empty.

"No, thank you." Her eyes were nervous, but there was a glint of determination in them. She didn't want to back off yet.

She picked up her glass of iced water & drank from it. Did her thoughts need cooling down? Or was she feeling a little hot? Well, he'll find out soon.

The waiter returned with the bill. Matt quickly signed it, slid the copy & his credit card into his wallet & then stood up, burning to move this game onto his ground. Before he could reach her chair, she was on her feet clutching her little handbag.

Matt picked up her creamy wrap that had fallen onto the back of her chair & draped it around her shoulders. There were goose bumps on her arms.

"Cold," he murmured.

"A little."

"You'll be warm in my apartment," he promised, lifting her hair out a little.

Her head jerked slightly, but she made no protest at the liberty he was taking. She was not going to back off, not at this point. A surge of triumph sizzled through him. He picked up her hand to draw her with him, entwining his fingers through hers to lock her into his game plan.

He heard her suck in a deep breath as she fell in step at his side.

You're too fast, Matt. Treat her right. Get to know her better. Tai's warning flashed into his mind. Which was all very fine, Matt thought, if she was treating him right.

Two can play this game. There could be no real knowing of anyone when deliberate deception was in play. He had to know where she was at, where she was coming from, & where she wanted to be. There could be no going forward until that was settled & Matt wanted a future with her.

Mimi Tachikawa…the girl…the woman…lost & found.

Not to be lost again…not without a fight.

AN: Well, well, well...is Matt seeking revenge too?

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>I do not own this story...well, most of it.