“And I’m looking forward to it,” she rushed to reply. “I don’t want to be pressured by having to get up and go to work in the morning, and Arnie wants my help with tutoring his students Friday night. I’ll be ready Saturday morning to give you my full attention.”
“I can live with that.” He obviously wasn’t happy with it, but he could deal with it. “Will I have to attend all of these open houses in the future? Those people were awful. I wanted to walk out the moment we walked in.”
Meilin hoped he wouldn’t attend, especially not if he was going to stand around making his impatience known. “No. You can pick and choose which ones might interest you. But I can’t skip them when my clients want to show off.”
“It’s not that I don’t support your work…”
“No, no. I understand how tedious these affairs can be. A lot of standing around, talking to strangers, listening to them try to impress us with their knowledge of art or whatever, when truly they have terrible taste and worse manners.”
Shan’s teeth gleamed in the ambient light from the streetlamps they passed. “You were very good with them. But even I can recognize a Ming vase and not mistake it for Tang Dynasty.”
Meilin forced a laugh. “I hope so, considering your mother has one of each in her living room.”
“Now you know how far my interest in decorating goes. Or doesn’t. As long as there will never be a Black Forest cuckoo clock in our home, I feel safe in letting you do as you wish.”
“No cuckoos, I promise.” She actually agreed with him on that point, although some of those clocks were amazing works of art. Too bad the Shultz’s hadn’t been. But it had been a wedding gift, therefore it was important to them, which made it an important piece of the design.
“I might be convinced to put an elegant grandfather clock in the foyer, but no little birds popping out or miniature figures drinking beer spinning about.”
“I swear to you, only the most tasteful items will be displayed.”
Shan kissed her hand again. “Thank you.”
Miraculously Shan found a parking spot in front of her building. He climbed from the car, opened her door, helped her out, and escorted her to the door tucked into an alcove off the street. “Invite me up for a night cap? I promise to stay no longer than an hour.”
She really didn’t want to, his manners hadn’t been much better than her clients’, but in the interest of payback for making him endure the evening, she handed him her set of keys. “One hour. I have a busy day tomorrow.”
Shan easily opened the door and followed her in with a hand on her lower back. He didn’t say anything, but she saw him holding back a sneer at the sight of the small lobby. A large mirror hung on the wall to the right and under it stood a large table where the mailman left the things that wouldn’t fit in the small mail boxes—magazines, newspapers, and small parcels.
She took a moment to scan the pile and picked out a design magazine with her name on it. Then he followed as she mounted the stairs and began the climb to her third floor apartment.
Chapter 18
“Now I know why you have such great looking legs,” Shan said. “And such a beautiful ass.”
She stopped on the stairs and turned with a gasp. “Shan!”
He looked up from two steps down. “What? It’s very beautiful, just like the rest of you.”
A heat flush crawled up her body. “Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?”
He laughed. “I do. And I’ll kiss you and your beautiful ass, all over, with this very same mouth.”
Flustered, she turned and continued climbing, well aware of where his eyes rested. Her brother might have talked like that when they were teenagers, but generally the men around her held those comments to themselves. Even past lovers had kept that kind of language from crossing their lips around her.
No, she wasn’t a stranger to cursing. Why did she feel like such a prude over his simple use of the word ass? Why did that word coming from his mouth feel like the worst obscenity? Trying to push the issue away, she continued up and around to the last flight to her floor. Used to the steps, she wasn’t breathing hard, just a little heavier than usual. Shan wasn’t winded in the least. At the top he caught up to her and placed a hand on her hip. The same large, warm hand slipped to rest on one butt cheek, startling her enough she nearly dropped her key ring as she unlocked the door.
Now that she had him here, at her apartment door, she didn’t want to allow him in. But there was that damn engagement. How should an engaged woman act? No, she wasn’t in love, not even in lust, but there were protocols. A prescribed way she should act. Despite the fact he’d agreed to wait until their weekend away, she wondered if he’d push the issue tonight. Any other normal couple would be forgetting about the promise of a drink and looking forward to embracing.
Kissing.
Undressing.
Making love.
Two bodies meeting, joining, seeking the ultimate release. That would be normal.
They stepped into the apartment, the foyer really little more than a rug with a small table against the wall to the left at the start of the short hallway to the bathroom, the living room directly in front. She set her clutch and magazine on the table. Shan stood close, his arm brushing her shoulder as he closed the door. Now his breathing sounded a little increased. The heat from his body covered her back. He stepped closer, both hands now on her hips.
Breathless from the sudden tension in the air, she peeked up at their reflection in the mirror over her table. Shan’s dark eyes met hers and she saw them looking truly together for the first time. They looked good together, the perfect modern Chinese-American couple. Her ivory silk dress a perfect foil to his dark wool suit. They could have just come from City Hall on their wedding day, if one were being fanciful.
Their image might have looked newlywed, but she didn’t feel it. Instead of anticipating their first night alone, she trembled for an entirely different reason. For the first time she questioned Shan’s intentions as a gentleman. Especially since he pressed closer against her back, trapping her between him and the tiny table.
His stare never left her gaze in the mirror. Slowly, he pressed closer yet, his dark brown eyes dilating to nearly full black as his body, hard in every way, touched her from shoulders to thighs. He wanted her. Of course he did. He’d chosen her to be his wife. Now he was reinforcing the message. His hands slid from her hips around to meet over her stomach. The muscles of her abdomen fluttered under his hands. Shan’s gaze intensified.
“I said I’d wait.” He paused as a gasp escaped from her. “I’ll wait. But you have to know, it’s about killing me. It’s no secret I want you.” One hand pressed low on her stomach, letting her know he was aware of her reaction. “I won’t press you tonight, not unless you say you want me to.”
Meilin swallowed deeply again and opened her mouth to speak, only she didn’t know what to say. “I’m…” Words failed her as her brain tried to find them.
Gaze not leaving hers, he dipped his head and touched his lips to the tiny spot behind her ear. “You bewitch me, Meilin. I don’t mind the chase. I enjoy the tension, but like a spring wound too tight, at some point the tension will break. I’m not to the breaking point… yet.” With a slow, subtle thrust of his hips he let her know how tightly he was wound at the moment. “But soon, Meilin. Soon. This tension needs some relief.”
Again her mouth opened only to be empty of words. Shan’s gaze narrowed, his chest expanded with the deep lungful of air he drew in. A decision was reached, she saw it in his eyes a heartbeat before he turned her in his arms, removing the reflection and replacing her view with the real thing, much closer.
His head lowered again, his stare held fast to hers. His warm breath fanned her face a whisper before his lips touched hers. “Soon.”
The kiss hardly took her by surprise, but all the same she wasn’t prepared for it. What had she been imagining? A buss on the cheek? A simple
peck on the lips? It was ludicrous to think she could avoid the carnality of this kiss forever.
Warm and soft, his lips touched her. She had a breath to get used to it, and then he pressed closer. Urging her mouth to open, one large hand captured her by the nape, the other slid from her hip to her rear, cupping, pulling, encouraging her body to melt into line with his, settling her curves to his hard planes. Half her mind noted the physical sensations, the taste of his tongue as it touched hers, the firm yet gentle hold of his hands on her body, the scent of his cologne overlying the scent of his skin. None of it was unpleasant. None of it was intoxicating.
The half of her brain not involved in cataloging sensations jumped into an inner dialogue. Yep, he wants you. Nice to know you’re still attractive. Especially to a man like him. She’d seen other women look him over, and send him coy smiles and come hither glances. Shan was a good looking guy. He exuded wealth and control. Refinement. The power that came with the best business contacts. All things attractive to the female of the species. The fact he’d chosen her should have impressed the hell out of her. Well, it did. In a way. Just not in the way he obviously expected. Yes, she was impressed as all get out. She just wasn’t turned on at the high level setting. Not the way she should be. Instead of high heat like on her stove, she was more on medium heat. Maybe a smidge above.
Definitely not on deep fry, broil, or full rolling boil.
Oh, she supposed making love with Shan would be pleasant and, really, that should be enough to build a long marriage on. Everyone knew passion that flared too hot, too fast, burned out too soon. So yes, she could probably work up enough excitement to have a decent sex life with Shan.
Good Lord she was confused. Could she be anymore conflicted about this man? Or the one with eyes so blue she thought of swimming in a mountain pool? Where did her heart lie? It was a question she had to figure out soon. Very soon.
Shan lifted his mouth enough to change the angle a little. He murmured her name, his hands tightening, pulling her closer as he sealed his mouth to hers once more. Going deeper, his tongue swept the inside of her mouth, his breathing growing increasingly ragged. Her senses aligned with his and she did her best to respond, sliding her hands up his chest to his shoulders. Strong shoulders covered by fine wool. While her tongue dueled with his, she moved her hands up around his neck, spearing into the thick, short hair as soft as a shaved beaver pelt. He really did smell good. Much better than most of the men she’d dated in the past. His scent reminded her of home. Warm, slightly spicy, exotic in a blend of Chinese perfumes and clean male skin. His cologne or aftershave was very similar to one her brother used.
God. She was kissing her fiancé and thinking of her brother. Now that was messed up. Shan’s hand moving from her butt up her side distracted her from that line of thought. Thank God. Other than her father or grandfather, the very last person she should be thinking of at a time like this was her brother. She should be thinking about sex. The way she’d been thinking about it when she’d kissed Drew. Now there was a man to turn a woman’s mind to making love.
No! No, no, no. She wasn’t going to think about the tall Englishman while kissing Shan. Groaning with disgust at herself, she broke from the kiss and let her head fall back. Not that Shan noticed anything was wrong. No, his lips glided across her cheek to her ear and the tender spot behind it. From there he kissed downward, the tip of his tongue leaving a trail of small, moistened dots down her throat. Of course he thought her groan was one of desire inspired by him, his kisses, his touch on her body. A touch that grew bolder with each passing second. The hand that had been holding her nape dropped to her shoulder blades while the other hand brushed at the outer curve of her breast, his thumb sweeping along the underside, learning her shape. She only had time for a gasp before that very thumb brushed over her peaking nipple. The shock of his touch shot through her body. It had been so long since anyone had touched her that way her body reacted on pure instinct without her permission.
She’d never thought of herself as that kind of woman. One who could make love with one while thinking of another. This was wrong. She forced her hands back down to his shoulders and pushed. It was like pushing against an immoveable wall.
“Shan,” she said, not expecting her voice to betray her too. It had come out far too soft, too much like a whimper of need, not shame.
“I’m here, ai ren.” His mouth closed on her skin, just above her collarbone, sucking, licking.
Great, now he was calling her beloved in Chinese. “Shan.” Much stronger that time. “Don’t.”
“I won’t stop, baby. I promise. I’m yours to have anytime you want.” The heated words brushed over her skin as her head tilted sideways, sending entirely the wrong message.
She tried again. “No.” Once more she pushed at his shoulders, their bodies too close for her to press against his chest. “Stop.”
Shan grew still, his breath sawing in and out, sending warm breezes over the newly dampened skin, raising goose bumps. “What?”
“Stop. Please.”
A new tension tightened his arm at her back and the hand now covering her breast. “Why? I thought…”
Desperately she searched for a reason that wouldn’t piss him off. Something like I don’t really want you. I was thinking of someone taller and blond. “Too fast.” Did her voice have to sound so wispy? So breathy?
It took him some effort, obviously he didn’t want to submit to her demand, but slowly the tension eased from his body. His hold gentled. A sigh ghosted over her face as he raised his head, eyes heavy with a desire so strong it nearly weakened her knees. The hand holding her breast slipped away with one last fleeting brush of his thumb over her traitorous nipple before slipping down her side to her waist.
Much safer. The breath she’d been holding escaped as a sigh. Instead of stepping back, Shan pulled her into a hug, his other hand rising to cup her head and hold it against his shoulder. Both of them fought to control their breathing.
“Right.” The word disturbed the hair at her temple and the shudder that wracked his body took the last of the passionate tension from his body as a new tension replaced it. “Too fast. You’re right. But you can hardly blame me. The way you responded, damn, Meilin. You’re driving me wild. It’s going to be so good between us.”
Weak with relief—he could have so easily pressed the issue, ignored her words—she accepted his hug, resting her head against him. Without agreeing with him, she hummed a little. Just enough to let him know she’d heard him.
“I guess I’d better go. My self control isn’t very strong.” Shan kissed the top of her head. “Dinner tomorrow night.” It wasn’t a question. It was a confirmation of a commitment.
“Yes. I’ll be ready by six thirty. Do you want me to meet you there?” His hand relaxed enough she could lift her head.
“I’ll pick you up. I’ll call when I’m outside if I can’t get a miracle parking spot like tonight.” He kissed her lightly, a mere pressing of his lips to hers. “I can hardly wait for this weekend.”
“Mmmm.” She let her hum give a noncommittal response. One he interpreted as agreement if the heat in his eyes was anything to go by.
“Wear something tasteful but sexy tomorrow. I want to show you off.” He gave her another soft kiss, then stepped back, letting her go and opening the door. “I want the world to know you’re mine now.”
The smile she forced on her lips was weak. Only the role she’d chosen to play kept her at the door, watching him stride toward the stairs where he looked over his shoulder at her before heading down.
Too tired to slam the door, she closed it quietly to keep from disturbing her neighbors. Now Shan thought she was falling in love with him. However, it wasn’t his dark eyes she saw as she leaned against the door. It was a sea of blue that filled her vision, and she had no idea what to do about it.
She was so in trouble.
Chapter 19
Drew stared at the door of t
he cafeteria. Over the past week the lessons had been a bit clearer, but no less difficult. It had been harder to concentrate not knowing for sure whether he’d see Meilin again anytime soon. Then this afternoon his teacher had mentioned she was coming tonight. The whole class had perked up at that. Not that they didn’t like Professor Chung, but Meilin had provided a different touch. One they all responded to. And in the back of his mind he’d kept wondering if she’d get to see the homework she’d assigned. Five sentences.
Once they’d matched the characters to the words, the whole class had laughed. Love. Heart. Family. Cat. House. It had been hard forming short sentences that didn’t give him away. Things along the lines of, My heart wants to form a family with you in a house of love with a cat. Although he’d prefer a dog. Then again, he didn’t really care if it meant spending time with her. A pet wouldn’t matter in the least.
All week the catering staff had spent one day on a menu pertaining to each culture in the school. Monday had been Chinese. Tonight was Italian. He’d liked German night, and Russian hadn’t been bad. Indian night had been a little bland, the curry not up to the spiciness he was used to. So far Italian was pretty typical with spaghetti and garlic bread with a green salad. He was looking forward to the dessert table where it looked as if they’d tried to make tiramisu. Gelato would have been better, but the summer heat seemed to defy the attempts to serve such a large number. Rumor had it tomorrow was Japanese day.
He could only hope Meilin would show up in time for dessert.
“Hey, what’s with you?” One of his classmates nudged his shoulder, bringing his attention back to the group. “You’ve been dancing in your chair like you’ve got ants in your pants.”
Drew snorted and swirled his fork in the long strands of pasta smothered in red sauce. “Just been a long week,” he told Bob, a thirty-something exec from New York who was headed to China to take over IT operations for his company.
Her Unexpected Affair (The Robinsons) Page 17