Her Unexpected Affair. Shea McMaster

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      Ha! The ancestors and deities were having fun with her by throwing this prime specimen of man at her at this moment. He moved with athletic grace, his body talking to hers, the flexing of strong muscles moving under her hand, seducing more than the twinkle in his eyes. Eyes that held a faint shadow that looked suspiciously like exhaustion.

      “So, you just completed your degree?” Anything to distract her from the surprising warmth purling around her limbs.

      “International law. Everything was checked off this afternoon. I’m allowed to graduate with my class. Next stop is a ten week Chinese school. Guess I’ll have to unlearn everything Jack tried to teach me, won’t I?” A small smile played around the corners of his mouth.

      “Not everything, I’m sure. Mostly you’ll have to work on your tones and inflections.”

      He nodded. “I’ve learned that much. I don’t have the best ear, so that will be tough. Not all I’ve learned has come from Jack. I had a bit of exposure at school, although now I’m suspicious my roommate at Eton may have also been playing tricks on me.”

      Meilin laughed lightly. “I’m sure you’ll do fine. So you’re entering this program where?”

      “Stanford.”

      “I know the program. Have even substituted on occasion. Why learn Chinese?”

      “The family business. My father would like to be more confident in the interpretations when we do business in China. I’ll spend a few years over there learning my way around, expanding our contacts, gaining new contracts. Any chance you’ll show up at the school this summer?”

      Meilin ignored his last question. Undoubtedly, Arnie, better known to the students as Professor An Cheng Chung, would call on her to sub at some point. Or help with tutoring. “And the business is?”

      “Import. With an eye toward the higher end. Beyond tea and trinkets. I’m pretty sure my mother wants some authentic antiques in our catalogue.”

      At her raised brow, he clarified himself. “My stepmother, Randi. But already she’s accepted me as if she’d given birth to me and I’ve adopted her back.”

      “Indeed. I’m not sure many women would so readily accept a grown man as their son.”

      “Is that a polite way of asking my age?” An elegant brow, slightly darker than his golden hair, rose enticingly.

      Feigning disinterest, she shrugged one shoulder. “Making conversation. I’m not experienced with stepmothers and the like.”

      “Well, for clarification, I’m twenty-three. I know better than to ask your age, but I would place you close to twenty-five.”

      Meilin laughed. “Nice try, but no, I won’t confess. A woman who will tell her age will tell everything. And I never tell everything.”

      The grin on his face widened. “That’s fine by me. I like a woman full of mystery. Makes the getting to know her much more interesting.”

      “You’re young to have completed a law degree. Although it happens, Jack’s two years older than you and he’s considered young for a JD. I’m surprised.”

      “I grew up spending school holidays working in the offices, and I skipped a few levels at school.” He shrugged as if it were nothing unusual. “My experiences and scores got me into the program a few years ahead of my peers. All the better to be here at this point in time.”

      His grin created a longing to get to know him better deep inside, twisting her stomach at the words she had to speak. “I must disappoint us both, I confess; tomorrow I become engaged to a man who has been a close friend of the family for many years.”

      “Sounds…arranged.” A slight wrinkle formed between his perfect eyes.

      “Many marriages around the world are arranged for many reasons. Doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing. My parents are quite happy with the arrangements made by my grandparents.”

      “I wasn’t criticizing. My own parents were expected to marry from the time they were toddlers. Sadly, for them, it wasn’t quite the harmonious pairing many such arrangements bring about.”

      “I’m sorry to hear that.” She really was. Most often it was the children who suffered when discord between the parents erupted. How had it affected him?

      In an attempt to deflect the conversation from herself, she asked, “So, Mandarin school for you, then a place in the family business? This is what you want?”

      “Absolutely. Many generations have paved the way to expanding the business globally. But I’m sure you don’t want to hear those details. I’m more interested in you. Interior design?”

      Sure, it was immodest to speak of her successes, but few people in her family were kind enough to pretend interest. “I keep busy. If your mother is interested in some fine antique pieces, she is welcome to come by my shop when she’s in the area. I’m guessing your parents are based in England?”

      “Until last December, Randi lived just across the Bay. That’s where my sister was born and raised. In a nice, upper middle class suburban neighborhood. Randi’s father does business with the vineyards up and down the entire west coast and until recently she worked for him. She and my father are flying in tonight not only for graduation, but to repeat their vows for the friends who live here.”

      “That’s very sweet.” Just the idea of saying vows with Shan once was enough. Repeating them? Not likely. Unless it was several years down the road and they were truly in love.

      Although she’d already committed to the path, the faint vision she’d had of taking vows and living with Shan wavered like a fine mist on a foggy morning.

      Enough, she told herself. Tonight was about a final fling celebrating freedom. It wasn’t the time to change the path she’d chosen. The future wasn’t yet here and she didn’t want it to intrude on her fun. Besides, Drew wouldn’t be around for long. Here tonight, gone in six weeks or so.

      * * * *

      Drew watched the emotions playing in Meilin’s eyes. If only the light were better so he could see their true color. Something told him her eyes were a rare shade of green.

      Pragmatically it was an indication of his frazzled self, but something about holding this woman ever so lightly in his arms brought a sense of calm, despite the way his blood raced through his body. Even when the music picked up speed again he had no desire to let her go. Nor did she seem to notice the energy once more pulsing from the speakers loud enough to block conversation. Palm to palm, one arm about her waist, they didn’t need words. Their eyes, their bodies, communicated quite well without the distraction of talking.

      In heels, the top of Meilin’s head reached his chin, making her tall enough to be comfortable in his arms. Her frame was slight and delicate, her features classically Chinese, her skin pale and smooth, much like pearls. He liked the way her straight, thick, black hair fell to her shoulders like a rich, silk curtain. The soft cloud of scent surrounding her was light, yet rich and exotic. The way she held herself brought to mind the images of ladies of the Chinese court he’d seen in the books in his father’s library in Sussex. He’d had plenty of time to sit and gaze at examples of beautiful women painted by the masters of many СКАЧАТЬ