Tempted Love (Love Series: Book 2) FREE READ

::Ryanna's POV:: Dom... where are you? I smelled the salt in the breeze, but it had a different ring to it. There was another scent mixed in with the sea. I have never experienced such a scent. It was pleasant, blissful... I dared to open my eyes. I was on a small transfer boat heading to shores that had pink petals floating along the wind. The scenery was beautiful. I could hear nature sing without disturbance. The scent got stronger the nearer we approached. Nihon. I looked over to a guard that wore a traditional kimono. It was designed with a unique pattern of green. It looked as if it could relate to the grass on a field. The guard did not look at me, but he grunted as a way to acknowledge that he knew I was awake. This is odd. He didn't speak to me, he kept slowly pushing on his oar, heading to the shore. I still had the chains and cuffs on me, I couldn't get up to rebel. But, what good would that do? I was nowhere near Dom. Was this going to be another new beginning? Or will Dom come find me? I was captured and restrained through a bitter form of the sea. Waves that could move mountains crashed into the ship many times, over and over. But, we did not sink. If we had, that would have been the end of my story. How unfortunate. My mind raced as flashbacks of the King of the North humiliating me. My own birth mother betrayed my well-being. No one... no one came to rescue me. Not even Dom. My heart sank at the realization. Was it easier that I was gone? The bow of the boat nudged against the soft shore. The man looked at me and grunted for me to stand. I attempted to stand but clumsily rocked the boat. The man pierced his oar into the ground and struggled to keep our balance. He managed. I sighed in relief and thanked him. He did not say a word. Maybe he doesn't speak English? The clenching of his jaw indicated he was annoyed, he grunted once again and I read his body language. He was telling me to get off the boat. I carefully landed my feet on the soft grass. I looked up and intook the beauty of Nihon. There were species of animals I have never seen. The songs sung by the native birds had me mesmerized. The pink petals were cherry blossoms! I know I was captured, but can a place like this be so bad? What am I thinking? I need to get back to Dom! I was greeted by a graceful Japanese woman who wore a purple kimono. She has to be around her 50's, and she bowed towards me. "Oh," I panicked and bowed back. "Please come with me," she instructed as she turned around. I guess I should do as she says... I walked from the shore and caught up beside her. "Stay behind me," she corrected, "A concubine follows, not leads." My gut cringed and twisted, I could not have forgotten why I was here. A merchandise for Emperor Kenji. I slowed my pace and followed behind the woman. I kept my head low as I realized I was in a foreign territory. I did not want to draw attention. I knew that if I was to survive I needed to follow their orders. We came to a road that had a carriage, except it had a man and not a horse at the wooden reigns. "Uhhh," I looked confused at the carriage. "Come," she spoke in a monotone voice. I guess? I sat down and struggled to get comfortable due to my restraints. But the woman did not pay any attention to me, she looked forward and orders the man to go. The man picked up the wooden bars and began to pull. This caused us to lean a bit back and I was taken by surprise. The carriage rocked a bit, but was soon brought back to balance. "You lack the simple skill of balance," the woman spoke. "You can speak English really well!" I was amused. I really wanted to take those words back in an instant as she shot me what looked to be a frown. But she said nothing. Her silence and looks were intimidating. And oh, did the silence speak volumes! We remained silent as we headed to what seemed to be the emperor's palace. There was a concrete wall and an opening with two guards protecting it. They could be mistaken as statues, because that was the discipline that they showed in their station. They let us through, and I witnessed a totally different type of architecture! The roofs were curved from the peak and had elegant red tiles scaling from one side to the other. The gutters had lanterns that were floating freely in the gentle wind. It wasn't just the buildings that were beautiful, the people were too! There were Japanese women and children along the streets. There were men who held such a mystery compared to the loud, audacious ones I was used to being around. Everything here seemed so calm and serene. "The night has a different view," the woman interrupted my gazing session, "It would be wise to avoid the place when the sun sets." Huh? What did she mean by that? Before I could ask, she signaled me to stop. I held my breath instinctively, and then she got out of the transport. I followed suit, trying to be careful of not causing a ruckus. I stayed behind her while she led me up the stairs. The emperor's mansion was huge! It seemed to have multiple wings that had multiple rooms! I couldn't help but dart my eyes at everything we passed. The decorations were hand painted, and the color scheme was uniformed. There were vases with strokes of art that could not be found elsewhere. I was in total awe while simultaneously following this strange woman. We stopped in front of a sliding bamboo door where she stepped to the side. I am guessing this was my room. I prompted the door to open. Before I could step in, I felt my chains being yanked back backwards! For an older woman, she had strength! I almost coughed at the surprise. I turned to her. "What was that for?!" She did not change her already expressionless face, "Remove your footwear. You must be accustomed to our ways." Remove my shoes? I shrugged but kicked off my flip-flops I had on. She tugged firmly on my clothing. "What now?" I asked. "You must maintain neatness and grace while being here," she sternly said. "How can I do that with these chains? I can't possibly sleep with grace tonight either!" I retorted. "You have much to learn," she said before turning away, "The emperor has your lock's key he will be here shortly. I encourage you to behave." What did she mean by shortly? As in NOW?! I tried to turn back to her but she closed the doors behind her. I stopped at the endge of the lifted ground and looked at my flip flops. There were still some sand left on them from the beach. Dom... I was captured wearing a damn bikini. This was not how I wanted to present myself to the emperor. I didn't want to present myself to him at all! I could hear foot steps approaching and I panicked! I tried to spin but tripped on my foot and fell to the ground. My chin landed hard against the wooden floor and I couldn't get up because I was still cuffed! I began to struggle but I was too exhausted to move. I tried to inch like a worm and got stuck in an awkward position where I was on my knees but my behind was facing the door! I heard the door open and I realized that I was exposed! "Well, well well..." I heard a man's voice chuckle, "I see you like to get right to it." Thoughts began racing and I writhed around obviously showing him I was not intentionally doing anything. "Relax," he approached, "I have your key." "K-Kenji?" I asked trying to look behind me, but I felt him grab my hair and pull my head back. I felt his legs touch the back of my thigh and my fight or flight was urging me like crazy! "Keep still," he leaned in and I froze. He then whispered in my ear, "If you think I am interested in something as boring as you you're very wrong." W-what? I felt my shackles break free as he turned the key. It dropped to the floor and I felt more than one kind of weight lifted off my shoulders. I took this opportunity to scurry away and finally laid eyes on him. Kneeling on one knee, I saw a man I did not expect. "You're not old!" I word-vomitted. Emperor Kenji had a perfect complexion. His skin was radiant and bore no scars. His long sleek black hair cascaded against his broad shoulders. His eyes possessed the color of a pool of honey. His build was a bit smaller than Dom, but his muscle tone was noticeable even underneath his clothes. "You're not too old yourself," he scoffed, unamused. "I-I didn't mean it like that," I corrected myself. "Your name," he ordered. "M-my name?" I asked stupidly. "Hello, M-my name," he taunted, "Pleasure." "N-no," I was trying to talk normally, but something about him made me extremely nervous. He lifted an eyebrow and then got up, "If you're not intelligent, then there's no need to conversate any further." W-what? Great... even in my thoughts I am stuttering! "Ryanna," I replied, "My name is Ryanna." He looked at me with such possessive eyes, his mouth twitched and he flicked his gorgeous hair aside, "Ryanna, I figured since I was the one who bought you." Bought me? He continued, "Dinner will be ready soon, I expect you to be present. We have a lot to discuss." Before he went out the door he said over his shoulder, "And I expect you to be on time." He closed the sliding door behind him. I felt an exasperated exhale from my lungs. I don't get why I was so flustered. I shouldn't be! I shook my head and cursed at myself. I gently massaged my sore wrists and took a few deep breaths. I really am here. I am no longer back at my homeland. I really have been assigned as a concubine to the emperor. His words replayed in my head, something about that voice sent shivers down my spine. But, I wasn't sure how to behave like a concubine. What is a concubine? Some sort of advisor? Then, a knock on the door... the woman reentered and bowed, "Dinner will be ready in a few minutes. I advise you change your wear, as that is not enticing for dinner." I agreed! I've been in this forsaken bikini since I got kidnapped! "I really need to bathe," I sheepishly answered, "Can he not have dinner without me?" "You do not get to decide or question the emperor's orders. You must change and head over to the washitsu," she then turned to take her leave. A few seconds later, I looked around. There was a neatly folded kimono embroidered with pink sakura petals. Just like the ones on the cherry blossom trees! I inspected the garment and felt curious to try it on. But, I could also smell myself! I picked up the clothing and several towels nearby and sneaked out the door. I was not able to read Japanese, but I could feel the warmth of a nearby hot spring bath. I hurried on over and peaked inside. It was empty! I gleamed involuntarily, and entered the room. I just found it odd that there was no door and only had a curtain separating it from the hall. Awe well, I won't take long.