Metal Monkey

By Brooklyn Knight

Yukio

Opposites aren’t supposed to attract – not in my culture; but when Riyah shows up at Two Moons, the draw towards her is magnetic. My father told me a woman would come, but he couldn’t have meant her. He was talking about Megumi-Chan, the woman who’s been bred to be on my arm. She’s a Dragon and I’m a Tiger – it’s a match made in the stars.

But Riyah...

I can’t stay away from her, no matter how hard I try. She’s a Monkey, no good can come of it; but the strength of these feelings has me wondering if love is strong enough to overcome culture and tradition.

Riyah

I’ve been ruined by love. I’m off men and relationships. My best friend has convinced me that all I need to do is become the master of my emotions; so when I go to the Two Moons Mindfulness Retreat in Japan, Yukio’s enigmatic presence catches me completely off guard. He’s sensual and enigmatic.

He’s also double-minded and unstable.

I need to stay away from this man, if it’s the last thing I do. The only thing he’ll guarantee is heartache. Still, the attraction is unavoidable. His Tiger is on the loose, but this Monkey will escape its clutches, even if it means running away from my destiny.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brooklyn Knight
• Release date: Mar 5, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005613860

Brooklyn Knight

Brooklyn Knight is a romance enthusiast who lives in the island of Bermuda and has been writing stories since she was a little girl. Over the years, her gift for designing and bringing characters to life has evolved, and she enjoys creating vivid, memorable characters and unforgettable situations. Her characters are thought-provoking and evocative; and they will draw emotion out of you like water from a well.

Book preview

One

Yukio

~Los Angeles, USA~

M r. Whitman, it was a pleasure to do business with you. I lifted from my seat and stretched my arm across the table to offer the client an American handshake. His hand was meaty, and his grip was firm. It had been two hours of talks, but it would have been shorter. Apparently, the man had lived in Japan when he was in his twenties and, despite the fact that our meeting was in his Los Angeles office, he insisted that we speak Japanese the entire time.

Whatever he wanted was fine with me. I’d never been keen on gaijin speaking the language if they couldn’t. The entire exercise was frustrating, at best; but in the end I’d secured the contract for my firm, which would translate into a hefty sum being transferred into Yamada Holdings’ account in the next thirty days. I’d entertain his subpar attempts at speaking Japanese all day.

I released his hand and bowed, before then turning to his business partner, a leggy blonde with breasts that pressed against the fabric of her designer blouse. Her lips had been painted cherry red and were so glossy, I could almost see the gleam in my eyes reflecting off them.

I bowed. Mrs. Chambers, I started to say, but she cut me off.

Ellie, she informed me quickly. "Please, call me Ellie. And it’s Miss." She collected my hand, making sure to slide her supple palm over my rougher one. When she ran her professionally manicured nails over my skin, I stared into her face.

It was a pleasure doing business with you as well, I said. My lips hadn’t moved as they should have. They were parted with intrigue, even though they shouldn’t have been. I didn’t know this woman from a hole in the wall. Sure, my team had done extensive research on both her and Whitman. That was one of the reasons we’d been able to land the account; but I didn’t know her…

Was she a Ram or an Ox? What was her blood type?

None of it mattered. All that mattered was the thick, sexual tension lacing itself around my throat, almost to the point of suffocation and the fact that I’d be securing more than the bid if Ellie kept up. She’d been making advances since I’d touched down in L.A. Last night at an extravagant dinner, complete with the finest of both American and Japanese cuisine, she’d positioned her hand on my thigh and run it up as far as I’d allowed her to. When I gripped it, she startled, but it did nothing to reduce the twinkle in her eye.

Tonight, I wouldn’t stop her, though. Kuso, I hadn’t gotten my dick sucked in months. I was too busy traveling, cutting deals, running my firm. My father, Otoosan, was in Okinawa, managing his sanctimonious mindfulness retreat. Every now and then he’d call me and suggest that I come to Japan to speak with him. Apparently, there was something on his mind that he wanted to discuss.

As if on cue, my cell phone buzzed. When I looked at the screen’s face, I was barely surprised to see that it was him. I ignored the call and pushed the device back into my pocket. I’d call him later. Right now…

Ellie tucked a loose strand of golden hair behind her ear. So, when do you head back to Japan? she asked with a small shrug.

Tonight, I answered. In fact, my business partner, Katsu and I are scheduled to go to the airport soon after this meeting.

She pouted and ran a blood-red nail down the front of my tailored suit jacket. Maybe you have time for a drink or two, she suggested looking up into my eyes. I know your schedule is tight, but I promise I won’t keep you long.

I smirked and glanced in Katsu’s direction, not at all surprised to see him staring back at me with a small smirk tilting his lips.

I’ve never been one to turn down a Sake, I informed her. I’ll meet you at my limo.

Ellie slammed the hotel room door to a close and grabbed me by the tie. I had no idea what her sign was, but she had to be a Tiger like me: determined, confident. Aggressive.

Hmph…

I gripped her arm and jerked her into me, making sure to snatch open the first few buttons of her silk blouse. Then, I slipped my arm around her back and unlatched the lace bra, which covered the breasts she’d be secretly showcasing throughout the meeting.

Her pert breasts popped out and she moaned. Is it true what they say about Asian men? she purred.

I slid my hands up the length of her back and eased the straps and shirt off her creamy shoulders. What do they say? I rasped, barely interested.

That they have small cocks.

I chuckled, shocked by her level of ignorance, as well as the fact that she’d felt bold enough to ask me such a question. I guess you’re about to find out, I informed her.

Without waiting for her response, I ripped the shirt off her back, relishing in the tearing sound that reverberated through the room; then I lifted her off the ground, forcing her to wrap her legs around my waist. Her skirt rolled up around her trim midsection and her damp arousal heated my skin. I’ve got thirty minutes, I growled. Suck my dick, Ellie.

Her eyes glinted and she licked her lips. Bossy…

If that’s what you prefer to call it, I responded, already bored with the banter; but I wasn’t surprised by my lack of interest. This was the way it normally went. I was a Tiger and the chase had lasted five minutes. The fun was over.

Ellie dropped to her knees and undid my suit pants. I gripped her hair, pressing her face into my crotch, and when laid eyes on the size of the bulge assaulting my boxer briefs, her eyes widened.

Mr. Matsuda…

"Matsuda-Yukio, I corrected her and then I paused. Is it true what they say about white women? That they can’t suck dick?"

Ellie laughed and ran her tongue over the throbbing rim. As you suggested, let’s find out. Her mouth drew him in. She sucked and licked the head, as if it were a lollipop as red as her pursed lips. She took him deep – all ten inches of him and I thrust my hips forward, making sure to test the limits of her dexterity when it came to fellatio.

Ellie cupped my heavy testicles in her hands. She massaged them like stress balls, causing a brief tremor to flash through my thighs.

Mmm… she moaned. You taste good.

I glanced at my watch. Suddenly, pressure built up in my abdomen and I could feel the heavy load starting to rise. I wouldn’t mind coming in her mouth and I had a feeling she wouldn’t mind it either, but I wanted to experience her pussy. I’d been celibate for a while. Timing and opportunity had converged, and I intended to take full advantage.

I pulled out of her mouth and she fell forward.

I want more, she whined, reaching for my jutting dick.

So, do I. I have twenty minutes to take it.

I carried Ellie to the bed and tossed her onto it. Quickly, I stepped out of my pants and jerked the length of my dick, causing it to stretch even more.

Shit… she muttered scooting backwards.

I ripped a condom out of the package and rolled it down my throbbing length. Then, I gripped her legs, yanked her back to the edge of the bed and flipped her over.

My cell phone buzzed again.

Not right now, Otoosan.

I dragged Ellie’s panties to the side and drove into her from the back. Her ass was petite, but she propped it up as high as it would go, offering me unrestricted access to her tight cunt. I pounded her, hands gripping her waist, thighs shaking with adrenaline. Her body writhed against the bed and I gripped her shoulder, directing her movements. The executive bun that had fashioned her goldilocks curls flopped out of place.

About that stereotype, I rasped. Do Asian men have small cocks?

Oh, Yukio, she moaned in response. Her lip clenched between her teeth.

Do they?

The cell phone rang again, and I gritted my teeth. I needed to end this.

I took a fistful of her hair and wound it around my hand. Ten minutes, I informed her. Come!

She moaned and I pumped into her, taking notice of the internal button my dick was striking. Ellie’s back arched and her body jerked.

"Kuso," I cursed.

Yukio! She cried out my name and her body began to shatter. It didn’t take long for me to follow suit and I ripped out of her, making sure to deposit every drop of my semen on her spasming back. Ellie flopped onto the bed, spent from the intensity of the episode. I cleaned off my dick with the bedsheet and put my pants back on. The woman was still sprawled across the bed when I retrieved my phone:

Otoosan: Yukio-Kun, we must talk. Call me.

I frowned but typed a message in response: I will, as soon as I arrive at the airport. I paused. Is everything all right?

I waited for a second, but he didn’t respond.

I dropped into the leather seat of the company jet and closed my eyes for a second, trying to give my racing thoughts a chance to settle. The deal had gone through with no problem. Not even Elizabeth Chambers had been a cause for concern. That kind of thing happened frequently more frequently than I would have liked to admit. Not always did I engage that kind of behavior, but this time, the impulse to indulge in a little carnal satisfaction had been too much to resist. Still, something was playing on my mind.

I pulled my phone out of my pocket and stared at Otoosan’s message.

Otoosan: Yukio-Kun, we must talk. Call me.

It was both a simple and a loaded request.

I prepared to return my father’s call, but Katsu boarding the aircraft interrupted my progress.

"Let’s go to the Bahamas," he suggested, face beaming. We need to celebrate the way we always do when we score a win. Just like when we were boys running the streets of Okinawa. We can go to Exhuma and swim with the pigs. The last time we were there, we didn’t get to do that.

Yes, because my Otoosan wanted me to visit him at the retreat, I recalled. My mouth wrinkled and I shoved the thoughts and cell phone to the side. What about the office?

The office will still be there when we get back on Monday.

Monday! I balked and chuckled. Katsu-Kun, it’s Thursday. Are you seriously suggesting that we shirk our responsibility for an entire three days?

We should make a weekend of it, was his nonchalant response. He took in his place in the seat across from mine. The firm will run just fine without you present. Unless of course… he narrowed his gaze and pinned me with an all-knowing look and then pointed at the phone. Has he been trying to get in touch with you?

He’s always trying to get in touch with me, I confirmed through a sigh.

Your father is aging, Yukio-Kun.

He’s young, I retorted. Okinawans are known to live well into their hundreds. Otoosan is barely sixty-five years old.

Katsu shrugged.

Can I be honest with you? I whispered. I hadn’t even said the thing that was on my mind, but already I was ashamed. In Japan, respect was due to the beggar on the street if he was an elder. The things I was thinking were dishonorable and insolent, but they were there; had been for years.

You’ve always been honest with me, Katsu reminded me quickly. His tone was soft and gentle. As far as I can tell, I’m the only one who knows all of your secrets and desires… Mrs. Chambers for example.

It’s Miss, I corrected him, as she’d corrected me – not that it mattered. And she wasn’t a secret or a desire. She was an opportunity that presented itself, nothing more. I paused. "But that’s not what I meant. I’m talking about Otoosan and Two Moons."

Katsu sat back against the sleek chair and rested an ankle on his knee.

He says we need to talk, and I know what it’s about, I insisted. He wants me to tone back on the business, perhaps give more control to you so I can focus on this lifestyle of his.

Katsu frowned.

He’s been hinting at it for years, I complained some more.

Since you were old enough to understand.

I nodded and scrubbed my hand over neck. When I smelled the lingering essence of Elizabeth’s juices on my fingertips, I reached into my messenger bag for hand sanitizer. It’s not me, Katsu. The mindfulness, the way of life… I wish I could be the reverent and spiritual son. I wish I could be whatever Otoosan wants me to be, but I’m busy with other things; and quite frankly, I’m not interested.

Katsu didn’t say anything immediately. The fact was, he’d heard this complaint in some form or other for over twenty years. I honored and respected my father, there was no question about that; but when it came to this…

You should call him, Katsu said pointing at the cell phone sitting on my lap. Maybe it’s time for you to be frank with your Otoosan. He’ll be disappointed, this is true –

He’ll be more than disappointed, Katsu, I challenged him. It could kill him. Two Moons is his legacy. It’s his spiritual contribution on earth.

Katsu allowed my words to waft in the space between us.

I shook my head and picked up the phone. I’ll call him, I resolved.

Katsu bowed and lifted himself from the seat. Good. Let me know how it goes, he requested, but then he turned around and glared at me: Bahamas!

I laughed as he headed towards the front of the private jet then looked at my cell phone.

Otoosan: Yukio-Kun, we must talk. Call me.

I stared at the message and then dialed the number, but when he didn’t answer, my brows pulled. It was eight o’clock in Okinawa. My father was a Mayan Buddhist, which meant that he meditated frequently. Now that the mindfulness retreat was in transition and preparing for a new set of participants, there would be no classes or sessions to take up his time, but I knew his meditation schedule very well. Perhaps he was in solitude.

The automated voicemail message sounded over the line and I decided to leave a message. It was the next best thing to speaking with him directly. At least this way I could drop the bomb of my decision without experiencing the immediate sting of his disappointment.

Otoosan, I will be in Okinawa at the beginning of the week. Katsu and I are going to Bahamas for some downtime and we’ll certainly speak when I get back. I paused, thinking of the things Katsu had said. Otoosan, if this is about Two Moons, perhaps I should let you know that I’m not ready to assume that kind of responsibility. I’ve thought about it for a long time and it’s a very hard decision to make, but I feel that I must. Matsuda Holdings is growing. We secured a top-level client today, which means expanded opportunities and – Excitement lifted my tone, but when I considered that my father might not be as thrilled as I was, I toned it down and cleared my throat. I’m open to the discussion, I added, trying to soften the bow of reality, but I wanted to let you know the truth about how I feel. I hope you understand. I paused, almost forgetting that I was speaking to a voicemail messaging system and half expecting him to respond. I’ll try and call you again when I land in Bahamas. I love you, Otoosan.

I ended the call.

The flight from California to Bahamas was supposed to be a six-hour one; but halfway into the trip, Katsu rocking me out of my sleep jerked me into consciousness. His face was blanched and his eyes were wide, like he’d seen a ghost. He was sputtering Japanese, but his words were so jumbled, I had no idea what he was saying.

Katsu, what’s the matter? I asked, trying to erase the fatigue. Slow down. What has happened? Is it about the deal?

Of course, it wasn’t about the deal. Something like that wouldn’t turn him into a wreck. My jaw quivered as imaginations rushed into my mind. That was when I saw his shaking, outstretched hand and his cell phone. I frowned and snatched it from him.

Hello?

Yukio-Kun. Yamada-San, Otoosan’s best friend, was on the line. His voice was taut, but I sensed deep, searing emotion. I sat up straight back like a rod.

What the hell…

Yamada-San, what is it? I requested, pressing the phone against my face.

"Your Otoosan…"

My throat dried out. Otoosan… I swallowed, trying to moisturize my throat. Is he all right? Did something happen?

There’s been a blaze at his private sanctuary.

A blaze? I jerked forward. What are you –

A fire has consumed the building, he interrupted, answering the question I had yet to ask. Your father; he was inside and unable to escape.

All awareness of time and space faded into nothing and the only thing I could hear was Yamada-San’s last words. Had my heart stopped beating? My chest cavity tightened, threatening to burst.

I… don’t understand…

I am sorry, Yukio-Kun, Yamada-San said. Tears disguised his voice and my hands almost crushed the cell phone.

Otoosan… The word choked out. He’s… I couldn’t even say the word. Katsu’s anguished moans lifted from somewhere deep within the aircraft.

I ripped the seatbelt from around my waist and marched to the cockpit. Japan, I barked. Then I turned my attention back to Yamada-San who was barely holding it together. Maybe there’s been a mistake.

There is no mistake, Yukio.

Maybe he got out, I insisted. Maybe he was able to leave before the fire started and –

The fire and rescue service are attending to the scene as we speak, he cut me off again. I know you had a business meeting, but you must return home immediately. Yukio…

I threw my hand over my mouth, trying to stop it from trembling. There was no way Otoosan could be dead. I just messaged him. I was supposed to call him when I got to Bahamas. He’d wanted to see me. There were still things we needed to discuss. There were still changes I needed to make so I could make him proud and…

The thoughts faded and reality set in.

I dropped onto the seat, feeling the jet dip to the side as it made a U-turn. I’m on my way.

Two

Riyah

~Massachusetts, USA ~

Out of nowhere, one of my bedroom curtains sliced open and one hundred intrusive rays of sunlight cut onto my face. The sound of the rings raking over the rod pierced my ears and I yanked the covers over my head, trying to block it all out.

Stomping footsteps were the next thing I heard. Uh-uh, the person said. Enough is enough! Another curtain ripped open, allowing more of the blinding rays to filter in. The next thing I knew, the windows were flying open and nippy, but fresh May air was chilling the room. Bish, I gave you a month!

Nadia, I need more time, I moaned.

No more time, Riyah! The hell if you think I’m gonna sit around and watch my best friend fall into a depression all because some dumb asshole didn’t have the balls to be a real man and handle his business at the altar!

The statement gouged me. I tried