“Come here,” Shan ordered her. Although his hand was bandaged from being scraped, it was strong enough to pull her down. “Kiss me good night, baby.”
The diminutive annoyed her, but she pressed her closed lips against his in a show of affection she should be feeling without reservation. He noticed the lack of passion because his hand tightened around her nape, holding her beyond her comfort zone. She squeaked a protest as simply uncomfortable began to hurt. She’d probably have bruises on the back of her neck in the morning.
Finally, he let her go. “See you in the morning. Be here by eight. And if you get one scratch on my car…”
Of course she wouldn’t, but she hurried to reassure him she wouldn’t leave so much as a fingerprint behind.
“In fact, leave my car here and let him drive you over. He’ll get you in the morning, or I’ll have a limo driver pick you up.”
“Whatever you say, Shan.”
The nurse quietly closed the computer she used for making notes on his file and turned to leave, but not without a wink in Meilin’s direction. It was the best behaved he’d been yet.
Chapter 24
At dinner, Drew savored the sight, sound, and touch of Meilin. They’d found a small diner, far from the elegance of the more famous restaurants around. But it was between the hospital and the motel they’d located not far away.
Meilin played with her salad and nibbled on garlic bread. Drew did justice to a French dip sandwich and coffee.
“Didn’t you say you’d already had dinner?” she asked.
“This is just a snack.” He winked at her. “Mum says I’m still a growing boy.”
“I can’t imagine your food bill.” Meilin smiled at him, teasing.
“I like to keep active and sitting all the time in class is killing me. I’ll have to start getting up earlier and run a few miles in the morning or find a pickup rugby game on Sundays. Have to keep those muscles stretched and flexible.” Drew winked. “Especially if you’re going to start leaping into my arms.” There, he’d made her blush.
“I… I don’t know why I did that,” she whispered and reached for her water glass, eyes lowered modestly.
“I’m glad you did. You can do that every day for the rest of our lives.”
The blush deepened. “I don’t know if that’s possible. Even dumping Shan won’t solve all the issues between us.” She peeked up at him. It was one of the cutest things he’d ever seen her do.
“Dumping Shan is the first step, the biggest step, to us being together. After that we need to evaluate the future of our careers. Either I convince my father to open a satellite office here, or you come to China with me. I’m sure we can find a way to keep you busy. I’ll need to travel so I’ll need an interpreter I can trust, and someone with an educated eye for quality. You could fill both positions without blinking an eye. It would also mean you could send items back for your business. You’d just need to hire another designer or two to implement your visions, which can be worked out by e-mail. Or put your customers on hold pending the results of an extended buying trip.”
Meilin’s mouth dropped open. “Excuse me?”
Drew pushed his plate aside and leaned forward on his elbows. “I’ve been thinking about this a lot. You mentioned the obstacle of your already built career versus mine just starting. It doesn’t need to be an obstacle. One slight change in direction for either of us, or both of us, and we can have the opportunity to understand what this is between us. Explore our impressions, define our feelings. See if there really is a relationship that can grow. I’m short on time here. I don’t normally push so hard, but I need to know if there’s hope.” He’d never pushed so fast, ever. Nor had there ever been a hint of forever with the girls he’d dated. All his relationships had been casual. With him leaving in two weeks, he wanted a hint of possible commitment this time.
Meilin set down her water and leaned back in her seat, a small frown on her face. “You’ve been thinking about this. I need to think it over more.”
“Of course you will, and now is not the time to make decisions of that scale.” He picked up one of the few remaining fries on his plate and dipped it in the small puddle of remaining au jus. “The bigger issue right now is getting you some sleep, then tackling the issue of getting Lin home and set up with nursing care.” He shoved the fry into his mouth.
Meilin dropped her head back with a sigh. “Yes. His assistant is looking into care professionals covered by their insurance. Not that he can’t afford it,” she muttered the last.
“So he’ll have someone at his place by the time we get him home tomorrow. That means you’ll be home tomorrow night.”
“If they can’t find someone on such short notice I might be forced to stay with him until Monday. The good news is he won’t be pushing for sex.”
Drew frowned and stopped in the act of lifting his coffee cup. “Did he force you…?”
“No!” Relief filled her face and his blood pressure dropped back into the normal range. “But he made it clear we’d share a bed tonight.” A delicate shudder shook her shoulders. “If I’d thought of it myself, I would have pushed him over a rock much earlier.”
Tortured green eyes gazed directly into his. “I wasn’t looking forward to it. I never wanted to sleep with him, and I was nearly frantic trying to figure out how to put it off again. I think someone was on my side when he went over the rock the way he did.” A tiny smile lifted one corner of her mouth.
He didn’t even try to hold back the wide grin stretching his face as he lifted the coffee cup for a sip. Once he swallowed, he set the cup down. “I’ll take credit for putting some voodoo down on him to cause his accident if you like.”
Meilin laughed as he hoped she would. “I like to think one of my ancestors interceded on my behalf. Good timing either way.”
Drew set down his coffee cup and reached across the table. “Yes. Perfect timing. So, what are we going to do about it?”
Meilin put her small hand in his much bigger one. “First I need to extract myself from the contract. That will be tricky. Until that’s taken care of, I don’t feel right about exploring whatever it is we have here.” With her free hand she waved at the space between them. “I won’t be the one to break the contract by infidelity.”
Although they’d already come damn close. But, he reminded himself, the choice to take the next step had to be hers. Didn’t mean he couldn’t nudge her a little toward his way of thinking. “You’re not married yet. In your mind the relationship is over but for returning the ring.” All’s fair in love and war, so the sages said.
Intently, she stared back at him. “There’s more to it than simply returning the ring, and until the families are clear that the engagement is broken, I can’t move forward with anything else. I must make the break clean.”
Frustration built inside Drew. Of course she had to be honorable. Didn’t mean he didn’t want her. Fiercely. But at least she was willing to talk about a potential future with him. It was something.
“Okay. I can deal with that.” He lifted her hand and kissed the fingertips. The jolt of sizzling energy that burst through him was visible in her reaction. She sucked in a breath, her eyes dilating, a flush washing her skin. Her hand trembled a little, and it thrilled him right down his soul, and the part of him hardening to the point of pain. God, he wanted her with every atom in his body. So much his own hand shook. “You have to know how much I want you. I can be patient. You need that from me, but it isn’t easy keeping my hands off you. I might slip up a little. Just remind me I’m a patient man. Deal?”
Her eyes closed, then opened only a little, as if her lids were heavy with overwhelming passion. “Yes. Deal. And thank you. I won’t take advantage of your patience. Not if I can help it at all.”
They both jumped when the waitress set their ticket on the table. “Want me to clear away anything here?”
Reluctantly, they separated their hands. “I think we’re done
.”
Meilin nodded. Tiredness radiated from her slender frame. Drew glanced at the bill while the waitress stacked dishes, then dropped a few bills on the table. “No change. Thanks.”
With barely a blink, the waitress stuffed the money into her pocket and lifted the stacked plates away. “You all have a good evening, now, folks.”
Walking Meilin through the check-in process and making sure she was safe in her room was one of the harder things he’d ever done. Knowing he was leaving her there for the night made him uneasy. Although the room was scrupulously clean, the chain well-known, it was a motel on a main thoroughfare with a door opening to the street. If Shan got extremely obnoxious, Drew vowed to come back here and crash on the second full sized bed in the room. Unless she invited him into her bed. He’d be a bloody fool to turn down such an offer.
“If I come back, I don’t want you opening the door until you look out the peep hole,” he told her. “I’ll make sure you can see my face, okay? Don’t let anyone else in. And do up all the locks.”
She gave him a long look of exasperation. “I know how to be safe in a hotel room.”
“All the same. You’re a woman alone. A small woman. Alone.” He pulled her close and lifted her by the waist until their lips met. The kiss was soft at first, then deeper, harder, hungry. Over the pounding of his heart in his ears he barely noticed the ring of a cell phone. A tone he didn’t recognize, didn’t want to acknowledge.
Meilin pulled away with small nibbling kisses. “We can’t do this. Not now. Not yet.” The breathless whisper thrilled him to his core. She was affected as him.
“Can’t help it. You feel good. Smell good. Taste even better.” He kissed her again, and once more her phone began to ring.
“Ugh!” She pulled away and wiggled to be set down. “That’s Shan.”
“Guess that means I’d better go.” He missed her warmth immediately. She was the perfect arm-full, and he wanted nothing more than to wrap her around him again. Instead he let her go to answer the phone.
“Yes, Shan. I just got to my room. We found something a little nicer than a drive-through for dinner.” She paused and glanced at Drew. “I’m at the motel just down the road from the hospital. Near the highway junction. It’s safe and clean. No, not fancy, but I’m only here overnight, and hope to sleep most of my time here.” She propped her free hand on her hip, a frown twisting her face. “Drew is on his way back. Not sure what you’re worried about. I’m an engaged woman, remember?” Meilin threw her hand in the air and her head back to stare at the ceiling. “Sure, sure. Glad to know you trust me. Right. Fine. I’ll see you in the morning. I asked a guard at the hospital to keep an eye on your car overnight. It’s parked next to a Lamborghini and a Ferrari. It will be safe. Yes, I’m sure. Okay. Good night.”
She stabbed the screen to drop the call. “Bastard. Glad I’ve decided to call it off. Every time he opens his mouth now I get more and more annoyed.”
“It will all be over soon, and we’ll start something new.” Drew cupped her chin and lifted her face. Her beautiful face. He dipped his head and kissed her lightly. “I’ll call when I’m on my way back. The sooner we get him checked out of there, the better.”
“I agree.” She kissed him back. “Now go. I hope you get some sleep tonight. I’d ask you to blow him off, but right now I don’t want to tweak his temper. God only knows what he’ll say or do then.”
Chapter 25
The night at the hospital was long and uncomfortable. Drew was grateful that at least the room had a reclining chair and the nurse gave him a pillow and blanket. God only knew why he stayed to play babysitter. Other than a few moans of pain, followed by opening his eyes to confirm Drew’s presence, Shan Lin slept most of the night. Probably due to the compassion of the nurses, who certainly didn’t want to deal with him any more than necessary. From his phone, Drew pulled up a site for a local florist and ordered a fruit and flower basket for the nurses’ station, sent a text to his father, then did his best to fall asleep, mentally cursing the older man in the hospital bed.
In the morning it was even more of a cluster fuck. Shan finally calmed down when it was determined Drew would drive his precious car with Shan in the passenger seat—at least as a Brit he understood, and respected, the Aston Martin—while Meilin followed in Randi’s car. Which made no sense until they were on the highway and Shan started grilling him about his association with Meilin.
“We’re relatively new friends,” Drew said for the third time as they drove through Marin County headed for the Golden Gate Bridge.
“I’ve already told you I don’t want her to have friends like you,” Shan stated baldly as he shifted, trying to find a more comfortable position. They’d picked up a pile of pillows from Target to help make him more at ease in the passenger seat. An idea that worked marginally well.
“Not up to you, old man. America is a free country and, like you, Meilin has a right to make friends with whomever she likes.”
“Stay away from her. We’re getting married in a couple months, and nothing will stop it. Not you. Not her family, no one. She’s signed the commitment contract.”
“You make it sound like she’s entering a mental institution. Hate to tell you this, but a broken engagement isn’t worth pursuing in court. Your contract doesn’t mean much in this country.”
“It’s a contract. She signed it, witnessed by a ballroom full of people we all know. Family, friends, my lawyer. It’s legal and if she tries to break it because of you, you won’t like the consequences. After all, you’re not American.”
Drew merely gave him a sidelong glance. “Why don’t you try napping again? I’m sure it’s the pain making you a grumpy Gus.” It had taken all his stiff upper lip training to say that with a straight face. A phrase he’d learned from his sister.
“Asshole,” Shan muttered.
Drew laughed. “Glad you figured that one out, but probably because you are one yourself. What’s the saying? Takes one to know one.”
“If I didn’t respect your father, I’d have your ass deported in a heartbeat. Don’t think I might not.”
“My visa is tight. And now with my stepmother and sister being citizens, I’ve got a little more clout in that area. You can kiss my arse.” He said it with a smile when he felt more like punching the man in the face. Then again, Lin already had enough injuries. “And you might as well forget about suing the winery. The borders of the walkway are clearly marked. The hospital and the police have your blood alcohol on record.”
“I was under the limit.”
“Just. You barely avoided at citation at best, a DUI at worst. My advice is to send the winery a thank-you note for their fast action in getting you medical care. Wouldn’t hurt to also commend the hospital staff for putting up with your belligerence.”
“They were fumbling, incompetent fools. Once I see my own doctor that will be confirmed.”
“Your choice.” Drew shrugged.
* * * *
Meilin was thrilled to see Shan’s assistant and housekeeper at his condo with a personal care nurse in place, a big Samoan man who looked like he’d take no trouble from Shan. They’d also had a hospital bed installed and other items needed for an incapacitated man. Although Shan protested her leaving, Meilin was happy to escape when Drew insisted. Later she’d pay for Shan being thwarted, but just then it felt good to dodge the guilt.
With Shan’s car safely secured in its underground parking spot, she settled into the passenger seat of Drew’s vehicle with a sigh. When he reached for her hand, she grasped his. Strong and warm, his hand wrapped around hers and lightly squeezed. The shock and simmer between them made it impossible to let go.
“You okay?” Drew’s deep voice with the sexy accent calmed what little upset remained.
“Yes. Now I’m okay.” Rolling her head on the back of the head rest, she looked at him. “With you it seems I’m always okay.”
“I know I’m happier with
you.” He smiled back at her with another squeeze of her hand. “I mean it. I just know we’re meant to be together. I don’t care what we do, just as long as you’re with me.”
“I’m beginning, possibly, to think you’re right,” she said slowly, her heart beating so fast she felt lightheaded.
“Then don’t worry about the future. It will take care of itself. The only question is, what’s the next step?”
The next step? The next step. “I break the engagement contract. It won’t be easy.”
“Sure it will. In this day and age engagements are broken all the time.”
“But this contract was written between our families using lawyers. It’s a big deal.”
“Well those lawyers can just undo the contract. Who do you need to call first?”
“My parents, I suppose.” And wouldn’t that just be the most fun. In fact, while making the call sooner rather than later would be better, she didn’t relish the thought at all. In fact, it terrified her because she’d have to do it in person. Face to face.
All too soon Drew came upon her building, pulled a U-turn in the street, then slid into a parking spot just vacated by another resident.
“Pretty slick parking job,” she teased.
“Try parking in London sometime.”
“Thanks, but I’ll pass. Which makes it more impressive you did it on the correct side this time.”
After a teasing glare over his shoulder, Drew checked for traffic, then stepped from the car and walked around the hood to open her door. “I’ll get your bag.”
Meilin sucked in a deep breath as she watched his movements, beautiful with athletic grace. The art critic in her appreciated the lines of his body, the economy of movement, the sheer beauty of him from the way he smiled to the way he slung the strap of her bag over his shoulder. Sunlight touched on his golden hair, disheveled from sleeping at the hospital, and she had the feeling of looking upon one of the gods, a being so beautiful mere mortal man couldn’t look upon him without being incinerated for daring to do so.
Her Unexpected Affair (The Robinsons) Page 22