Her Unexpected Affair (The Robinsons) (30 page)

“Oh, we…fit.” Staring into her eyes, he slowly thrust into her again. “Perfectly.”

“Yes, oh yes. Do that again.”

As securely as he filled her, his gaze held her rapt. So much emotion filled his eyes, she felt it as a physical caress. No one had ever shown her so much of themselves. His intensity humbled her, filled her heart with emotion so strong she feared it would burst. He warmed her from the inside out to every extremity, and she wanted to give it all back to him. Such a sharing soul, surely he gave her the power to fly as one with him. Only him.

“Drew…” She couldn’t find the words. Instead she cupped his face with its sexy golden stubble, and held him, doing her best to convey her heart with only her gaze.

“I know,” he said roughly. “I know.”

From there words were useless. They spoke with their eyes, their hands, lips on skin, the melding of their bodies. He lowered himself to rest on his elbows as he continued to stroke her deep, deep inside, his hands curling over her shoulders from beneath her, holding her secure against their movements. She lifted her legs to wrap them around his hips, never breaking eye contact. It was the most erotic thing she’d ever experienced.

His chest, lightly furred with golden down, teased her nipples, keeping them at attention, begging for more.

A part of her wanted to close her eyes, let her body feel every sensation, every slide of flesh against flesh. His eyes held her. Now dark blue, the pupil dilated to full, for the first time she could appreciate the phrase about the eyes being the window into a person’s soul. Did he see in her eyes what she saw in his?

Forever.

She saw forever in his eyes. Them holding hands long into their twilight years, grandchildren tumbling at their feet. Grown children, puppies, and kittens. Travels to far off places. The vision was so profound her heart stuttered.

Drew’s eyes focused more intently, his lips curved in a smile, then touched hers. Her heart raced to catch up as the most exquisite bliss stole over her like a category five hurricane. Hungry for it all, every last ounce of pleasure, she rose enough to seal her mouth to his, at last closing her eyes and letting the bliss take full control.

As the pleasure peaked, Drew’s arms tightened, holding her as if he’d never let go, his body stiffening as he joined her in falling through the heavens.

They held each other tight, his weight on her slowly increasing as the vibrations they shared slowly decreased, then faded away, leaving them both breathless and covered in a fine layer of moisture.

She still held his face between her palms. Their kisses eased to nibbles until his head dropped to her shoulder and she slid her arms around his neck, holding him to her, kissing wherever her lips landed. Slow kisses, barely more than pressing her lips to his temple, hair, ear. Worshipping the man who’d just transformed her into a new woman. One with a future worth fighting for. With him.

Before either of them had fully caught their breaths, Drew lifted his head and stared into her eyes once more. Without a word, he slowly flexed his hips and still hard, still touching every inch of her inside, he smiled.

“Ready for round two?”

The ringing of a cell phone woke Drew from a light doze. It came from somewhere on the floor and he recognized his sister’s ringtone. Shit. The real world was calling.

He was able to make out the bedside clock. Five in the evening. And his parents probably wanted to know if he’d be returning their car any time soon.

“What’s that?” Meilin asked, her voice muffled against his chest. Right where he liked her.

He cupped his hand around her head where it lay and lightly combed his fingers through the hair at her temple. “My sister. I hate to say it, but I think our time-out is over.”

Meilin’s sigh brushed over his skin. “I suppose it has to be.”

“I better get it.” He didn’t want to leave her, leave the bed, or God forbid, leave the apartment.

Meilin kissed the hollow at the base of his throat just as his stomach rumbled. “And we’d better find you some food.”

“Let’s kill two birds with one stone. Have dinner with me. We’ll meet up with my parents and sister, and she can drive me back to school.”

Meilin rolled to her back, freeing him to get his phone from the floor, if only he wanted to roll out of bed to do it. The ringing stopped, then started up again.

In short order Drew and Meilin agreed to meet his family at a restaurant not far from Meilin’s apartment in an hour. That left time for a leisurely shower, and Drew made the most of it, stroking every inch of her skin under the pretense of washing her.

Despite being only a few blocks away, they arrived just as Drew’s father opened the door for the two women with him. Fortunately his dad and Randi both kept their thoughts to themselves, and if they found it odd he and Meilin sat close, trading glances and small, secret smiles, they never mentioned it. Birdie wasn’t quite so polite, but held herself to questioning looks.

The hour they spent in the restaurant was a special kind of hell. Knowing his last few moments with Meilin were shared, knowing he wouldn’t see her again soon, possibly for days, he wanted to turn back the clock and do the day again. Without the part that included driving Shan Lin home.

Thankfully his parents kept the topics neutral. Weather. Sports, although with football season not starting for weeks, there wasn’t much Drew wanted to discuss there. Meilin told Randi about an art show at the DeYoung and that took up all of fifteen minutes between Meilin’s lessons in Chinese food, particularly dim sum. Mostly for his benefit he guessed.

Once the bill was paid, his dad sat back and patted his stomach. “That was delicious. Never enjoyed a Chinese meal more. Hate to say good night, but we old folks need our sleep.”

Birdie rolled her eyes when Court winked at her mother. “Daaa-ad,” she complained.

Meilin laughed, albeit a little embarrassed. “Yes, tomorrow starts another busy week. I have some delicate business to conduct and will need all my rest for it.”

“Anything I can help with?” Randi asked.

“No, but thank you. It’s a family matter and could be quite dicey.”

As Drew well knew, it involved talking to her parents about breaking the engagement.

“Hey, Bird, Meilin’s apartment is about three blocks from here. How about we give her a lift?” Drew pushed back his chair and stood, holding out a hand to assist Meilin.

“Not a problem,” his sister said.

“Or we could give her a lift?” Randi offered. “We were thinking of trying to catch the sunset while crossing the Golden Gate.”

“Oh, no,” Meilin protested. “I don’t want to put anyone out. I walk the three blocks all the time.”

“Nonsense,” Drew said. “I want to see you home safe and sound.”

“Well that’s settled.” Court stood and held out his hand for Randi. Despite their age, the two looked darn right together, his father tall and fair, his stepmother small and fairer still with her red hair and milk pale skin. Put them in medieval costumes and they’d be perfect for the roles of Lord and Lady.

Now he and Meilin were lovers, he wanted a photo of them side by side. Did they have the same glow as his parents? “Hey, Mum.” He held out his phone to Randi. “Take a pic of us, will you?”

“What a wonderful idea!” Of course Randi loved it. From the look in her eyes, she knew. Trust the newlyweds to notice something like this growing between two people. Although her gaze still held questions. Questions he hoped to answer soon with his own announcement.

But first things first. Meilin had to lose the jerk.

It took three days, but finally Meilin worked up the courage to talk to her parents. She’d called Shan each day and listened to his petulant complaints about trying to do work while laid up at home and increasing his demands for her attention. Each call reinforced her vow to bring it all to an end. On Wednesday evening, she arrived at her parents’ house in the Sunset District with her father’s favorite dessert in hand. Chocolate cherry cheesecake from his favorite bakery. Didn’t win her points with her mother.

Dinner was endured, the proprieties observed. Not that she could eat much. Mother had noticed, but not Papa. At last, dessert done, the teapot emptied into the last cup, she broached the subject.

“Mother, Papa, I have something to discuss with you.”

“Of course,” her father said. “We’re all ears.” Sadly, his contentment would shatter in a moment. He was, after all, greatly in favor of a marriage to Shan.

She drew in a deep breath, folded her hands on the tablecloth and bowed her head respectfully. “I have decided I do not wish to marry Shan Lin.”

The world grew still, her mother’s hand stopping mid-air in raising a teacup to her lips.

“What did you say?” Mother asked quietly. “I hope it’s not what I think I heard.”

“You heard correctly,” she said softly, her stomach in knots. “I no longer wish to marry Shan Lin.”

Papa finally found his voice. “No, you’re mistaken. You’re annoyed about something, which is normal, but you must marry him. You’re practically married, all but for California law.” The lowered brows and the crease between his eyes was an exclamation point to his fierce expression and reddened complexion. No, she hadn’t expected him to be pleased.

Papa’s hand hit the table, making her jump and leaving her heart pounding. “I forbid you to speak of this again. The wedding will go on and you will learn to be happy with Shan Lin.”

Okay, she hadn’t quite expected that. Still, she had to speak up for herself. This wasn’t China where she was expected to do as her father said. This was America; she was a grown woman with her own income. She ran her own business and made decisions on a daily basis. This was no different, other than being more personal. Longer term. “I respectfully disagree, Papa. I will not marry Shan Lin. I don’t love him and will not ever love him. I have lost respect for him, and his character is not that of one I’d choose to be my husband. He’s…said things. Things I cannot agree with.”

“This is no impediment to marriage, Meilin,” her mother said. “Husbands and wives have had differences of opinion for centuries and still found ways to live together. You must simply adapt.”

Fingers knotted in her lap, she answered. “It’s not that simple, Mom. I can’t adapt to what he sees in our future. I apologize for any embarrassment this may cause you, but I simply cannot marry the man.”

“What is so objectionable about a wealthy man with a good heart?” Papa demanded.

“For starters, he does not respect my career.”

“That is of no consequence. Once you have children they will be your career.” Mother waved away her first objection.

“I cannot marry a man who does not respect my desire to work. To not respect my wishes is to not respect me.”

“Nonsense!” Papa shouted.

“It is not nonsense,” she said. “Also, he has said that once we have two children, if we find we’re not compatible intimately, he would free me to have an…an affair, which means he’d be free to do the same. I can’t forsake marriage vows in that manner.”

“Again,” Papa shouted. “That is no reason to call off a wedding. There are bigger issues at stake than intimacy between partners. Besides, once you have your children it is only natural for the passion to fade. You’ll be too tired, too busy with the children. He’ll need to find comfort elsewhere.”

Meilin’s mouth dropped open and she stole a horrified glance at her mother. “I can’t believe you’d say something like that, Papa.”

He at least had the grace to look abashed. “Some men have told me that’s how they felt when their children were born. Not that I’d know anything about it.”

She couldn’t believe he’d try to backpedal in such a manner. Mother sat still, a fierce look growing fiercer with each second as she stared at Papa. “I also cannot believe you’d justify such an abhorrent view. Makes me wonder where you really were when you claimed to be working late while I was home with two toddlers who drained every last ounce of my energy.” Angry spots of red colored her cheeks, and Meilin sensed a shift in the room. The anger moved off her as Mother aimed a terrible scowl at Papa. “How dare you suggest our daughter put up with a husband who would condone cheating under any circumstances!”

Mother threw down her napkin and stood, knocking her chair backward. “Meilin, on that alone I will support you in breaking the engagement. There are other reasons for the marriage to take place, but I can’t see selling you into a loveless relationship. Shan promised us he’d win you over, make you love him, but…” Voice clogged with deep emotion, possibly tears, much to Meilin’s astonishment, Mother abruptly turned away.

It was Papa’s turn to gape like a fish, his mouth moving with no sound for several seconds. By the time he found his voice, Mother had stomped from the room, down the hall, and into their bedroom where she slammed the door.

Papa spluttered while Meilin stood to collect the remaining dishes, feigning a calm she did not feel.

“That woman!” he finally shouted, then turned his anger on Meilin. “It’s still not enough to break a marriage contract such as you have with Shan Lin. You will marry him!” His face was fully infused a deep red, his expression angry and…pained.

Plates and cups in her hands, she stood tall. This was no time to crumble. Her entire future counted on her holding firm. “I will not. Now, do you call the lawyer or do I?”

“I forbid you to take this path!” Papa lurched to his feet.

His anger was a terrible thing to see and Meilin trembled at it. But in her mind, she saw Drew, standing tall and confident. She borrowed from her vision. “I will not marry Shan Lin. I’ll call the lawyer tomorrow.” With as much dignity as she could muster, she turned on her heel and carried the dishes into the kitchen. Unable to stop the trembling setting in, she set the rattling stack in the sink, washed her hands, and left the house with Papa shouting after her.

Once in her car, she gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles white, and made herself breathe. Deep breath in to the count of three, long breath out to the count of five. It took ten minutes, but finally she was calm enough to drive home. At home, she kicked off her shoes, removed her clothes, and crawled into bed. Curled in a fetal position, she closed her eyes and held back the tears.