“Get your own girlfriend,” his father said easily and pulled Randi back against his chest. “This one’s mine.”
“Men.” Randi huffed, then laughed. “The chicken is nearly ready to go on the grill. Dump your packs, and then you and Birdie can set the table out back.”
“Mum, you’re a mind reader.” Drew contented himself with a small whoop and a kiss on her cheek.
“No, I just know you. You’re a man of simple wants. Only the best, but simple. Barbeque and sunshine. Toss in a beer or two. You, I have figured out.” She shooed him away.
Did he mind that she considered him simple? Nah, not really. After all, she was mostly right. And she had anticipated his hunger for chicken on the grill. Well, any kind of meat on the grill, really. Ribs, steak, crab legs, chicken, didn’t matter much. Football and barbeque were two of Drew’s favorite things in America. Sunshine and swimming pools figured high on the list as well. Girls in bikinis didn’t hurt, either. Girls in general never hurt.
As he undressed and glanced at the clock, he wondered what time Meilin’s engagement party started. Remembering her looking back at him from the window of her cab, he couldn’t help but wonder… Would she go through with it? She hadn’t been wearing a ring yet. Would she accept it tonight? Or some other engagement gift? Thinking about what might be happening at any moment over in the City gave him only frustration. Not a damn thing he could do about it. Had he met her a couple of months ago… Would it have made a difference? Chances were their paths probably would never cross again. In a city the size of San Francisco, their meeting had been purely a fluke, despite Jack’s family ties to her. Jack had little time for family as far as Drew knew. They’d shared a room Autumn quarter at Stanford. In between classes and small parties with the other law students, Jack had spent most of his time hitting the books just as Drew had.
And while Drew had moved into the two bedroom apartment with his sister, Jack had still been around more than anyone else. As friendly as Jack was, Drew suspected his overly polished, slightly smarmy personality kept many people away as it appeared Jack had few, if any, close friends. A cover to hide a soft heart? Sentiment and Jack didn’t seem to be compatible words, but hey, what guys let their deepest feelings hang out on their sleeves? When it came to relatives other than his siblings, Drew had no clue what Jack thought. Meilin was evidence that suggested he had an extended family in the area. How often did they meet? Would Meilin and her future husband attend local family events?
What a wanker. What right did he have to get wound up about a woman he’d met at a night club? He pulled up the baggy swim togs and tossed his clothes to the corner to be sorted later. Right now all his brain could handle was a short swim, a long soak in the outdoor spa, and a big dinner. Not necessarily in that order. Food first. Drink and swim second.
Randi had a pile of plates and silverware on the island when he entered the kitchen with a pool towel slung around his neck. “Birdie’s taken out the placemats and napkins. Can you get this bunch?”
“Sure. Where’s the old man?”
Randi’s laughing eyes looked up at him from where she tossed a green salad in a large bowl. “He’s manning the grill.”
“I hope there’s a backup plan when he burns the chicken.”
“He’s learning. He’s been practicing.”
“In London?” That didn’t seem likely.
“When we go to the Sussex house on the weekends. He had a charcoal grill installed and Cook’s been having a fine time watching him learn to cook something more than toast and eggs. He’s getting better.”
“How many chickens were sacrificed to the fire?” Sure, the guys who lived all around them here knew the fine art of cooking over open flames, but it wasn’t something done across the pond. Not by men who could hire cooks, butlers, and maids.
“Not many. Fewer than I expected, actually. I’ve never fully mastered the outside grill.”
“Sure, and you have a fine indoor one.”
“Completely different animals, I assure you.”
Birdie bounced into the kitchen wearing a one-piece suit with a sarong tied around her hips. “What else? Drinks are on the table.”
Randi handed her the salad bowl. “I’ll bring the dressings. Drew has the plates and silver. All we need is the corn from the fridge and the bread from the oven.”
“Fab. I’m starving,” Drew said as his stomach growled.
“You’re always starving.” Both women spoke at the same time.
Drew grabbed up his assignment and left them to their giggles in the kitchen. He pretended to be annoyed, but really, he loved the teasing. This was what it meant to be a family. Something he’d vaguely missed, but hadn’t realized how much until he’d been gifted with these two women. This life he could easily learn to love. Perhaps he should let Birdie take over the London office and he could be a California beach bum.
* * * *
Meilin stood beside Shan in a small anteroom to the side of the ballroom booked for their engagement party. He was dressed impeccably in a tux with black tie, his thick dark hair perfectly groomed, shoulders straight, looking every bit the handsome tycoon. On the outside he appeared cool and comfortable. Who knew what he felt on the inside. His face gave nothing away, nor did he fidget.
Allowing herself a small nervous swallow, she tried to emulate his stance. The elegant, traditionally styled red silk dress fit her better than any formal gown she’d ever worn in her life. If the appraising perusal Shan had given her a moment before meant anything, she’d cleaned up quite well. A hint of a smile hovered around his lips and a slight warmth filled his eyes, making her think he’d noticed enough to be pleased, but his mind wasn’t entirely on her. Was he nervous too?
From beyond the door into the ballroom, the sounds of conversation and string music filtered in. Occasionally a laugh lifted above the murmurs, but nothing loud and crass. So unlike the loud dancing music of the night before. No conversations shouted to be heard over the music. No magical LED lightshows to help build the frenzy of those lost in the music.
She wanted to sigh. She held it back. No doubt it would make Shan frown, and they couldn’t have that.
“Before we go in,” Shan said, turning to fully face her.
“Yes?”
He reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a long narrow dark leather case. “A gift.” He simply handed it to her.
Knowing there would be an engagement ring ceremoniously given in front of the guests, she raised a questioning brow.
“Open it. I hope you like it.” Not a drop of nerves appeared in his expression.
Meilin lifted the hinged lid and both brows rose at the sight of the diamond bracelet inside. Pairs of diamonds were separated by waves of pavé set diamonds. The man had exquisite taste. Or his mother did. “It’s beautiful.”
Shan cleared his throat. “I thought to get something larger…showier, but… Well, this seems more fitting for your beauty. More delicate.” He reached around the lid and lifted the bracelet. “May I?”
“Yes. Please.” She lifted her left wrist and let him work to secure the fine catch.
He fumbled a little. “I can see this will take a little practice to master.” The smile he gave her actually bordered on shy. A layer of ice fell away from her heart. Maybe he did have some feeling for her. “There. I think it’s secure. I hope so.” At least he wasn’t practiced at fastening expensive bracelets on the wrists of women. Did that mean he didn’t give expensive gifts or that he’d never been with a woman worthy of such a gift?
“I wouldn’t want to lose it. Thank you.” With her head dipped, she looked up at him through her lashes. Although she wore heels, he still had a few inches on her. Not so tall he towered over her, but enough to make her feel feminine. Not that he made her feel as delicate as Drew had. Damn, this was not the time to think of the youngster from England. To cover her thoughts of another man, she leaned forward meaning to kiss his cheek. Bu
t Shan moved, and their lips touched. Softly. A mere whisper. A brush of air that sent exactly zero tingles of electricity through her body.
She pulled back. Shan stepped closer until his chest brushed her breasts. One hand touched her waist, then settled there. His other hand rose to cup her cheek. “That was nice, but I’d prefer you kiss me like this.”
His lips settled more firmly on hers, not enough to crush or bruise, but enough she noticed how surprisingly soft they were. Shan’s eyelids lowered as he nibbled on her lips. Automatically she responded in kind, hoping, dreaming, he’d draw some heat from her. A hint of passion that would confirm her decision to take this step. With him.
At the moment the heat should have kicked in, the door from the ballroom opened.
“Oh ho! Looks like they can’t be trusted alone just yet!” Jack rudely interrupted, his voice loud enough to project back into the larger room.
Shan moved back just far enough to put space between their lips, but not their bodies. “Bad timing,” he muttered. For a long moment, he held her close, and to her shock, she discovered why. The kiss had aroused Shan to the point he took time to adjust his dinner jacket to hide it.
“Time to greet your guests, you two lovebirds!” Jack called out loud enough for the entire ballroom to hear.
“I’m going to kill you, Jack,” Meilin said in her sweetest voice.
“No, you won’t. You love me, dearest cousin.” Jack’s smirk took in her flushed face and the way Shan positioned himself slightly behind her, his arm across her back, his hand possessively resting on her hip.
“Let’s go,” Shan said, and she had no choice but to do as he said. They followed Jack into the ballroom and faced the crowd that burst into applause punctuated by whistles from a select group of younger attendees despite the frowns from their parents. At the dais stood her parents and Shan’s. Both sets looked extremely pleased.
If only the doubts hadn’t invaded her mind since last night.
Guess it was time to put her acting experience to work. Never mind she’d been ten when she’d been chosen to be Mary in the Christmas pageant at church. She had more in common with the lamb being led to slaughter than she did the Mother of Christ.
Like a modest Chinese bride, she stood on the dais at Shan’s side, his arm an anchor and a small comfort while their fathers made short speeches. Then Shan made one, and all she had to say was she accepted his offer for her hand. Once she’d voiced her agreement, he slid a large diamond set in platinum on her left hand, a ring that sparkled nearly as much as the platinum and diamond bracelet on her wrist.
She held her serene smile as cameras flashed, and managed more of a smile when Jack called out for a repeat of the kiss he’d interrupted. “So everyone can see!”
Holding her smile, she also sent him a glare that only increased his grin of mischief. She didn’t have to fake feeling shy about kissing in front of three hundred of their closest friends and business associates.
This kiss was pretty much the same as the last, although a little longer. Shan held her closer, his lips teased a little more, but held back the tongue. Thankfully. All in all, it was a modest kiss, quite unlike Drew’s kiss the night before.
At the thought of Drew, she abruptly pulled back just enough to break the connection. Amusement twinkled in Shan’s eyes. His chest lightly rubbed against her nipples, and she was mortified to realize they’d stiffened into small hard points. The lazy look in Shan’s eyes told her he assumed the kiss had affected her as it had affected him. Although he seemed pleased, she’d held her passion back. At least in public. The smile on his face promised her he looked forward to later when he might get her alone.
Good God. He thought he’d turned her on. Embarrassment heated her cheeks, and she turned her face away from the crowd. A move that pleased their audience as Shan hugged her closer to him.
“I’m very happy,” he said quietly, his warm breath brushing the shell of her ear. “I promise to do everything in my power to make you the happiest woman alive.”
A shudder worked down her spine, and he hugged her closer.
“It’s all official except for the actual wedding. Come home with me tonight.”
Surprised at his request, Meilin turned to look at him. A very slight flush warmed his cheeks as his eyes dilated.
“I—I’m not sure I’m ready for that step.”
Shan lifted a curled finger to stroke her cheek. “That’s fair. I can wait. For now, let’s enjoy our party.”
To the applause and cheers of their guests, he led her off the dais to the dance floor. The small orchestra started up a tune perfect for a long slow-dance. Doing her best, she relaxed in his arms and followed his lead with little effort.
Well, he had that going for him. Shan was a good partner. Not exciting or thrilling, but solid and steady. No flash, just style.
“Have I mentioned how beautiful you are?” Shan said halfway through the dance.
“Have I mentioned how dashing you are tonight?” she responded with a cheeky smile.
“No, I don’t believe you have until now. Thank you.”
“And a very fine dance partner,” she added.
“It bodes well for other areas of our future together.” The smile he gave her left no doubt in her mind exactly where he expected them to dance well together.
It wasn’t something she wanted to think about just yet.
From there the party picked up juice. Meilin lost count of how many people she danced with. Many of them elders. Uncles, they called themselves. Even Jack managed to cut in once.
“Have much of a hangover this morning?” he asked cheerfully.
Thank God he was too close a cousin and an original character. She shuddered to think she might have ended up with him, or someone like him, for a husband. In contrast, Shan looked very acceptable. “No, not really. Water and a pre-emptive aspirin work wonders. You? Did you manage to get home without a DUI?”
“No worries. I didn’t drink much. Had to keep an eye out on our blond siblings. They really are too adorable together, although Drew is a mite over protective when it comes to his sister. Next Saturday I’m invited to a party at their mother’s house across the Bay. Since the family is having a party for me, I doubt I’ll make it.”
“Is there a reason for this story?” She didn’t have to fake the yawn she tried to hide behind her hand. “They were fun to dance with.”
“Looked like you and Drew had more fun than just dancing usually entails.”
“He’s a nice kid. About ten, twelve years too young. Besides, as you know, I’m engaged now. That’s what this”—she waved a hand indicating the crowd of well-dressed people around them—“is all about. It’s an engagement party.”
“So it is.” Jack laughed and spun her around. “For my favorite cousin. But I will tell you something I’ve noticed between last night and now.”
“What?” She heaved a sigh.
“You don’t look nearly as happy tonight as you did last night.”
“Last night was about letting loose, having fun. Tonight is a more serious event.”
“Ah, but you should smile more. And not that little smile of mystery good little Chinese girls are taught from birth. You should have a big, bright American smile on your pretty face.”
Meilin laughed. “Jack, you never cease to amaze me for your ability to poke, prod, and generally cause mischief. Leave well enough alone and pretend your mother raised you to behave properly in polite company.”
“My mother gave up a long time ago. Some people just can’t be tamed. I once thought you were one of my kind.”
“Never, Jack. I studied my lessons like a dutiful daughter.”
Jack snorted. “Lie to yourself if you must but don’t lie to me. You taught me most of what I know about mischief.”
“You’re delusional.”
“You’re brainwashed.” He smiled cheerfully enough, but there was a knife between the layer
s of sweet cake.
“So, will you begin work soon with your shiny new degree framed and tacked to the wall?”
“Ah, change the subject. Very well. No, I go back into the library and begin studying for the bar exam. After I take a week at Lake Tahoe to play and relax. Then I begin working at Uncle Za’s firm until I pass the exam. After that, we’ll see if they have an associate position for me. I intend to make my mark in the field of law. Some of it may take me to China, much like Drew expects his career to.”
“China?”
“First he’ll go learn some proper Mandarin—”
“—and not the silly phrases you taught him.”
Conceding the point, he gave her a brief nod. “—and once the Beijing portion of his class is done, he’s set to go right into the Beijing offices of his father’s company. Lynford International Importers. If I find corporate law boring, I could make myself useful to him over there.”
“Such lofty plans.” And not long before Drew was out of the picture completely. That would make it easier for her to focus on her upcoming life with Shan.
“One must plan for the future. Or so my father has been telling me for years.” His bright eyes crinkled with laughter.
“Admirable.”
“But I’m not here to talk business.”
“Because this is my engagement party. You know, you should be singing the praises of Shan like a canary from a golden cage instead of talking about your friend.”
“Caged is not my style.”
“Funny how I knew that.” This crazy kid, the cousin who’d given her the most trouble when babysitting, had grown into a handsome young man. If only he’d stop the games and let people see how sweet he could be.
“May I cut in? Haven’t danced with my fiancée much this evening.”
Jack gave her a quick smile, then turned it on Shan. “You’ll have to dance with this lovely woman for the rest of your life. What’s the hurry now?”
Shan smiled only for Meilin. “Why waste more time? An offer was made, accepted, everyone is happy; it’s time to move forward.” He smoothly inserted himself between her and Jack and pulled her into his arms. Closer than he had with their first dance.
Her Unexpected Affair (The Robinsons) Page 7