Interracial

Dao's body was stiff, sitting against the leather seat in the private plane. He rested his elbow against the window and propped his chin up with his arm. The plane taxied down the runway and lifted into the air. He never liked flying, but when the plane lifted off from Pearson International Airport, Dao didn't get that strange, queasy feeling he normally got. At that moment, he just felt numb and cold. He couldn't feel anything else. That scared him because he wanted to feel something, anything at all.

When the plane levelled off and the seatbelt sign pinged off, something caught his attention out of the corner of his eyes and he looked around. Kianna--he had been a horrible host to her. It was strange for she had been so quiet in the grand chaos of his mind that he had forgotten she was there. He was literally kidnapping her from her home, taking her across the world and he hadn't even explained to her what was happening. To make matters worse, he had just sat there like a zombie while she was probably bored or hurting and confused.

The ride over in the limo she had tried to get him to eat, but Dao wasn't really hungry. She had then given him a protein shake from the limo's fridge right after threatening to hook him up to an IV if he didn't eat something. Feeling horrible, he had taken it and drank a couple of swallows before handing it back. The smile she had given him then caused him to take the can back and drain it. Just to see her smile. She had just shifted in her seat and that had caught his attention.

If he had any doubts about hiring her before, they were gone when he saw the way she spoke to his flight attendants. She had stepped up to the plate and ordered that he have something light for lunch since she wasn't sure when the last time was that he had eaten. Kelly, the stewardess agreed. As he sat there watching her read, a smile graced his eyes and he inhaled deeply. "I'm sorry," he spoke.

Her head snapped up from the book she was reading.

"I should tell you what is happening and where we're going."

"That would be nice." She nodded and closed the book. "I did not want to add more stress to what you were going through."

"How do you know it is stressful?"

"You all but kidnapped me." She smirked.

Dao nodded. "I deserved that."

"But seriously." Kianna smiled. "I can see it in your eyes."

"The phone call I got earlier was from my parents. Well my mother at least. She never calls me. I always call her because it's really expensive for her to call me and I don't want her spending too much money because of a phone call. In order for her to call, she has to travel on the Li River and I don't like her doing that alone. She told me that my father had an accident and they don't think he has much time."

"I'm sorry--"

"Thank you. So we're heading to Yangshuo. I know it's a little bit out of your life, but I would really appreciate you with me so that I can still do a little business while I'm there." He arched his brow for the look she was giving him was starting to scare him. Moving close to her, he knelt before her. She was shaking slightly, but her gaze didn't leave his face. Dao was scared. "Kianna!" He took her hands. Her fingertips were freezing. Lifting her fingers to his lips, he blew against them before burying her smaller hands inside his. "Kianna? Speak to me."

"Yangshuo…"

He was stunned because the way she said it was the exact same way a person from Yangshuo would pronounce it. The emphasis was on the right letters and he wondered how she knew to do that. She couldn't have gotten it by him saying the word once. "Yes."

"Your parents live in Yangshuo--Xingping?"

"Yes, to be exact."

"Your parents live in Xingping."

"Kianna, you said that already. What's wrong? I can let you go back to Toronto once we get to Hong Kong if you'd like."

"No." She shook her head and looked down into his eyes. "I saved for years to go to China. Then there was a family emergency and I gave the money to help. I never thought I'd be able to save up enough to go because it's so expensive to travel."

"Well now you are going." He smiled. "I'm sorry that it's under such dire circumstances, but you will get a chance to see some things while there."

"Thank you," she whispered. "But we are going to China to make sure your parents are well--not for me to go on vacation."

Dao watched her. There was a strength in her voice and eyes that caused his heart to throb sweetly within his chest. He was still holding her hands. When she bowed her head and looked at where he held her, he let her go and moved back to his seat. But his gaze never left her, even after she went back to her book. Tilting his head, he glanced at the cover and blushed before turning to look out the window. She was reading one of those romance novels that his mother would read when he was younger. Even today, he would get them specially translated into Cantonese and shipped to her. They would make her sound so happy.

At that moment, Dao wondered what kind of men Kianna dated. Did she like them to touch her tenderly or roughly? Was she a romantic person? Turning his head, he looked at her and for that moment, his depression was gone. His gaze caressed her face--with the full lips, sad brown eyes, proud nose. While his gaze travelled down her neck, over full breasts and lower, his mind came to one conclusion--any man she dated was lucky.

He said nothing. Dao took his pleasure from watching her read. From time to time, she would gasp and flip the page quickly. Other times, she would smile or giggle softly.

"Our flight is fourteen hours, roughly," he spoke.

She looked up.

"I didn't mean to interrupt you, but would you like to talk? My brain is going too fast and I need to hear someone's voice."

She smiled and closed her book. She stuck it beside her in the seat and crossed her legs.

Dao bit back a moan. Nothing she did was overtly sexual, but just that alone--their simplicity turned him on more than he even thought was possibly.

"What would you like to talk about?"

"I don't know. Tell me a little about yourself."

"There isn't much to tell. I'm an only child now, both parents are gone. My brother was killed in a car accident when I was seventeen."

"I'm sorry."

"It's alright, really," she replied. "It happened over ten years ago."

"What do you like to do?"

"Nothing lately. I haven't had the urge to do much of anything. But before, I loved the theatre, reading, trying to learn different languages--geeky things like that." She chuckled. "I told you there wasn't much."

Dao nodded. "Thanks for the warning." A smile was on his lips. "This may be none of my business and if it is, please tell me and I will respect your answer. Are you seeing anyone?" He watched as she looked away from him and reached for her book again. He assumed she didn't want to talk about it so he nodded and looked back out the window. He had crossed the line, but for some reason he wanted her to look at him and answer to the negative. The thought of her being with another man angered him. He chuckled to himself before getting up and turning to leave the main area.

"Mr. Zhi?"

"It's Dao--please."

"Dao--no I'm not seeing anyone."

The relieved smile that swam over him shocked Dao. It was a good thing he wasn't looking at her when she spoke for she would have seen it.

"Where are you going?"

"I was going to leave you to your book," Dao replied. Wiping the smile from his face, he turned around to look at her. "I thought that was what you wanted. Did I think wrong?"

"Yes," her voice was soft and she stood. She walked toward him.

Dao could not move away. He thought maybe she wanted to walk around him, but his feet wouldn't move. Still, he stood in her path, but she didn't try to get around him. Instead, she braced a palm against his chest, pushed up onto her tiptoes and brushed her lips gently against his. He growled and reached for her hair. He tangled his fingers in it, then pulled her lips roughly against his. When her lips spread for his tongue, he readily drank from her heat, sliding his tongue against hers and growling his satisfaction. He bit against her lower lip and pulled before sucking the pain away. He took her lips again, this time he conquered her, tasting, kneading, moulding their mouths together. When she finally pulled back, Dao was out of his mind with arousal, but let his hands fall away from her. "What--what was that for?" he questioned, pulling her lips back to his again. She tasted so good, his mouth watered. He was drunk with her scent.

* * * *

Kianna Sanderson had just done something completely out of her league. Kissing someone by just taking what she wanted was never something she would normally do, especially with her boss. But Dao's lips were calling to her and she couldn't resist. Inhaling deeply, she pulled way from him and stumbled into her seat again.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. Her body was still pulsating sweetly from the kiss. It was a short kiss, but it was the most wonderful kiss she'd ever experienced. It was so wrong, but it had caused her heart to hammer in her chest. All she had to do was behave herself and not maul her boss because she thought he was so sexy. Burying her face in her hands, Kianna inhaled deeply.

"Kianna?"

His voice was soft, husky. She didn't look at him. How could she look him in the eyes after what she had just done? She felt his hands on her, trying to pull her hands away, but she fought him back. He was stronger, however, and her hands fell away.

"What are you sorry about, Kianna?" his voice showed genuine concern. "We're two consenting adults. We shared a kiss--one that I thoroughly enjoyed. Why are you sorry?"

Kianna couldn't speak. The words that she wanted to put forth died in her throat. He had said he enjoyed her kiss and she knew then he was toying with her. He had to have been. How could he--Dao Zhi--have wanted a kiss from her? She rubbed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"Talk to me."

"It didn't happen," Kianna spoke strongly. "It never happened."

"Kianna I don't--"

"There's nothing for you to understand!" Kianna interrupted too harshly. "It never happened."

After she'd attended the school for six weeks, Bonnie had to start taking her turn to make tea. Mrs. Reis had her marked down for mornings that week and Nina for afternoons. Each girl had to make tea for a week until, after twelve weeks all the students had their turn.

Bonnie didn't mind at all. She was allowed to leave class ten minutes early, so it would give her shelter from the other students' mean remarks for at least fifteen minutes. When she left the classroom, sly smiles and whispers followed her, and she quickly closed the door behind her and walked to reception.

After she opened the door to the print shop then closed it softly behind her, she noticed Abraham busy at his desk. He'd either not heard her come in or didn't take notice. His concentration remained on the work he was doing. "Good morning, Abraham," Bonnie said loud enough to overpower the noisy printing press.

Abe sat up then looked at her, pencil between his teeth. "Good morning, Missy."

Bonnie frowned. "My name is Bonnie." Their gazes locked and wild turmoil coursed through Bonnie's veins as she noted his fine features, very white teeth that contrasted sharply against his black skin and black eyes. His gaze bored into hers.

"I'm not allowed to call you by your first name," he said while he took the pencil from between his teeth and tapped it on the desk.

"Who says?"

"It's the law, Missy. I had better continue with my work before the boss walks in and catches us talking."

"It's a stupid law. I will not have you call me missy. You can't be that much older than me anyway."

Abe put his pencil down. "Missy, please let me do my work? I'll lose my job if they walk in and hear us talking."

Bonnie hesitated. Irritation at the South African apartheid law made her obstinate, but then she thought about what he'd just said. She didn't want to be the cause of Abraham losing his job.

Quietly, she walked to the kitchen, put the kettle on and got the tray ready. She couldn't find the sugar. After she searched all the cupboards and couldn't see it anywhere, she started for the door to ask June, but turned to Abraham instead. "Abraham, do you know where the sugar is hiding?"

Without a word he stood up from his chair and walked into the kitchen. Bonnie followed him. She stood behind him while he opened a top cupboard, reached into the back, and produced a large tin. Bonnie felt very small next to him. Her head just reached his armpits. She wondered how tall he was.

When he turned suddenly, he bumped into her. Their bodies touched briefly before Bonnie stepped back. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest as the chemistry between them caused wave after wave of wild abandonment. His black eyes gazed into hers. She tried to read them, but all she sensed was separation, anger, defiance and disillusionment. Her eyes searched for a spark of interest, but she found none. The only signs of his discomfort were tiny droplets that suddenly dotted his forehead.

Time seemed to be suspended and Miriam had no idea if her comrade had been gone two or ten minutes. Her mind drifted back to that day on the Bluffs, her fortieth birthday, when she'd felt so succinctly that change was at hand. She could never have imagined how it would manifest itself. It was both frightening and comforting, she realized, depending on how you embraced it.

Zaahir appeared beside her and time resumed its march toward eternity. She watched as he taped a brick of clay-looking material to the fuel tank of the truck she was crouched beside, set a timing device and then stuck the wire that protruded into the clay and taped it to the metal as well. "We've got four minutes, let's go."

As they began to retreat back up the Bluffs they heard voices. Two figures had emerged from the command post and were talking casually as they walked, unsuspectingly, towards the equipment depot. They both carried powerful flashlights.

"We have to warn them," Miriam said, without hesitation.

"Keep with the plan." Zaahir shrugged off his backpack and removed a flashlight from it. "And remember, don't wait more than fifteen minutes for me at the car."

"Zee." Miriam was trembling. She clutched his free hand. "I'm afraid."

"So am I."

"Please come back. I think I…"

Zaahir put a finger to her lips. "Shh, Orang. We will have our time together yet." Then darting from the cover of the bush, he ran towards the officers. When he got within twenty-five meters of them, he turned on his flashlight and aimed it at their faces.

"Hey, you. Stop." It was a woman's voice.

Zaahir ran swiftly past them only ten meters to their left.

"Police, stop," The startled officers began to give chase, away from the equipment depot. "Call for backup, Jill. I'll go after him."

The female officer angled off and headed for the command post while her male partner took off after Zaahir who was disappearing up the logging road.

The first small explosion lit the night like a brilliant flare. Both officers stopped and turned in time to see the subsequent blasts erupt in a huge, orange fireball. They barely had time to shield their eyes before the shock wave knocked them flat. The sound of the explosion bounced off the Bluffs, its ferocity shaking windows in the Caulfield community across the highway. White, hot shrapnel zinged past Miriam and ricocheted with a deadly whine off the surrounding rocks.

The parking lot was now illuminated like a movie set and nothing moved on the pavement except the dancing shadows of the flames and debris still falling from the mushroom cloud billowing up over the blast site.

"Get up, please get up," Miriam prayed as she stared transfixed at the fallen police officers.

The female officer was the first to recover. Painfully she stood and looked about her like a shell-shocked combat soldier. "Sarge, Sarge!" She limped toward her fallen comrade who wasn't moving.

Miriam couldn't breath. The sea wind was blowing the acrid smoke and the sickly, sweet smell of burning diesel back onto the Bluffs, over the spot where she was concealed. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she repeated, her apology suffocated by the angry roar of the conflagration. She knew she should go, that she must go, but her limbs failed to respond.

As the officer knelt, her sergeant lifted himself on his elbows. He reached over and touched the woman's leg and retrieved his hand, dripping with blood. He stood quickly, assessing the situation, and barking orders into his two-way radio. Taking the constable's arm, he assisted her towards the command centre.

Miriam breathed, then vomited on her army surplus boots. Turning her back on the carnage, she weakly continued along the escape route.

"Er--I'm looking for Re Hamadi," she told him.

He peered at her with an arched eyebrow, "You're lookin' for Re." It was a statement on his part rather than a question. "Now why would a pretty little thing like you be lookin' for an old dog like him?"

Chelsea blinked at him blankly for a brief moment before hauling in an impatient breath, "Yes. That's what I said. Is he here or not?"

The bartender shook his head and pointed to a man at the far end of the bar. He was looking up pensively at the television screen just across him.

'Thanks," she spat, tugging at the hem of her suit jacket. Lifting her chin, she walked over to him and cleared her throat. He didn't turn and once again, she cleared her throat. "You Re?"

"Depends on who's askin'," he still stared at the screen. "Ah come on, Ump! What was that!" he tossed his hands up before turning on his stool to face her.

He lounged backward with his elbows against the bar, a glass in one hand.

She bit back a gasp and tried to hide the stunned look on her face. He was absolutely breathtaking. His green eyes darkened at her.

He shoved long fingers through his long hair that had fallen into his face when he looked slightly down at her.

She took a reflexive step backward. "I'm Dr. Chelsea Morrigan," she told him. "I need to talk to you."

"Doctor, is it?" his voice was a slightly husky whisper.

There was a hint of an accent now--one she couldn't quite place. He lifted the glass to his lips and took a long swig.

"Never did like that term. Well, I guess since you won't be telling me to turn my head and cough, it should be alright. What's on your mind?"

"Can we talk somewhere else?" she wanted to know, shivering slightly. "We kinda need quiet."

His kissable lips tugged upward slightly at one corner and his eyes narrowed, "Lady, you don't need quiet to take advantage of this body. I'd give it to you anywhere."

Heat danced around Chelsea's cheeks. She could see him doing just that, too--on the hood of her car, against a wall, bent over the rail on a balcony--but she couldn't lose her head. She lifted her chin even higher, "That's not what I want to talk to you about. I just need about ten minutes of your time."

His eyes bore into her, his face expressionless and it felt like he stared at her for an eternity. Finally he slipped from the stool and dug in his pockets. Slamming money on the counter, he placed his glass atop it just before the long, black coat he wore flopped about his ankles. He glanced at the screen again and for a moment she thought he would send her away to watch his game.

"Alright we can talk outside," he told her. "That's the best I can do."

Chelsea nodded and turned for the door with a few of the bar's patrons whistling at her.

"Knock it off!" Re's voice thundered and instantly the men turned once more to whatever it was they had been doing.

She hurried through the doors and once fresh air hit her face, she inhaled greedily. Re found her with her face tilted upward, her eyes closed, hauling in air.

"What is it that was so damned important that you have to take me away from my game?"

"Your team was losing anyway," Chelsea's chin lifted.

"Well, you're taking me away from precious yelling at the screen time."

"Like I said, I'm Doctor Morrigan, an archaeologist--"

"Oh boy. I already don't like this conversation."

"Why is that?"

"Archaeologists have a damn nasty habit of sticking their noses where it doesn't belong--digging up things that should have been left buried--want me to continue?"

Chelsea groaned, wondering if she had made the right decision coming to find this man. Her mentor told her if anyone could help her find the book and not get killed in the process it was Re. With that thought, she reined in her temper and folded her arms across her chest, "My team and I were in Cairo last month at this dig. We were only allowed in if we showed them everything we found. But, ah--"

"You took something you shouldn't have and you didn't show it to them. Okay, look, lady, this would go a lot smoother and faster if you told me what you took and where it is."

Chelsea wanted to cry, "We took a book--"

He chuckled, but the mirth didn't reach his eyes. It was more of a sound of disbelief than a chuckle really, "What book?"

"Of Secrets--"

"The only book of secrets that I know that has anything to do with Egyptians is the--no one is that stupid!"

"Yes, but we didn't know how to open it. I was going to study it and bring it right back."

"So it was you?"

"You know about the stolen book?"

"Lady, there are very few things happening to the Bubasti that I don't know about. Where is the book now?"

"It was stolen--I don't know how it happened because it was under lock and key and I had the only key to it, but it's gone."

"You have got--" he stopped and sniffed.

Chelsea looked at him, wondering what grown man ever did that. He turned his head, his long hair dancing with his movement. She felt a little paranoid at him looking around and glanced over her shoulders before eying him, "You alright?"

"Do you have a number I can reach you?"

"Yes, why?"

He held out his hand.

Chelsea dug through her purse for a business card. She dropped it in his large palm.

"Now get in your car and go," he told her. His voice was calm with a hint of ice to it.

"Why?"

"Go now!"

Fear gripped her insides as she remembered what Chance had told her. She turned toward her vehicle. She was halfway to it when she saw him reach beneath his coat and pulled out what resembled a short staff. She wondered where that was before for she hadn't seen it while they were inside the pub. He did something and the staff instantly elongated. As she sped away, Chelsea glanced into her mirror and could have sworn she saw a rather large animal, leap from the dark at Re.

They walked into a room and Lisa flipped on the light. It was better than Andrea was expecting really. On the far wall, it had mirrors from ground to ceiling. Every dance room needed those because dancers needed to ensure their form was right. The walls were decorated in a beautiful, painted scenery.

"That's beautiful."

"We have some talented kids that come in here." Lisa nodded.

"That was done by the children?"

"Two of them graduated our program. Both are doing quite well--one is entering law school next September and the other is working an internship at a newspaper in New York. The third--we couldn't save him. He was killed last June in a drive-by." A look of great loss flashed across Lisa's face. "I'm sorry," Andrea whispered. "It's always hard when you lose children."

"Yes you can get ready over there. The light switch is on the inside wall. Harm will be in soon."

"Thank you."

Andrea remained standing where she was for a while longer, looking at the painting on the wall. It was an ingenious way to get children to use their talent. Give them something they love to do, and they would spend hours doing it. For her boys, it was soccer and art. They never did get the dancing bug from her. She smiled at that thought and entered the small room. Once she had the light on, she sat on the only chair in the room taking off her shoes and strapping her ballet slippers to her feet. She then dug through her bag for her CD. It was good to always show up with one's own music to an audition. She stripped down to her dancing gear--a long flowing white skirt, with matching tights underneath with a black tank top.

When she re-entered the room, a handsome man was leaning against the mirrored wall, his arms crossed over his massive chest.

"Miss Nichols?"

"Yes?"

He walked to her with a hand extended. "Harmon Gale."

Andrea shook his hand even though she felt at that instant her heart fell from her chest. His large hand swallowed hers. She had to look up into his face because he towered over her something fierce. To say Harmon Gale was handsome wouldn't fit. There had to be another word to describe him. He reminded her of the men she would see in the magazines that she used to buy at the corner store, the ones wearing Armani suits the ones that always seemed to have far away looks in their eyes. She never did understand if that was sexy or not.

Harmon had long black hair pushed back, deep green eyes and tanned skinned, like he had spent a lot of time in the sun. His full lips and chiselled face were wonderful additions to the lovely picture before her. The necklace he wore looked a bit too small for his neck and Andrea could tell a child made it. It had shells and the initials NG. His wide shoulders were covered by a graphic tee that said WWJD on the front and sloped down into thick, jeans covered thighs.

"So, you will be dancing for me today," he continued.

Nerves sprang forth again for she knew those beautiful eyes would be on her as she danced.

Dear God, how high did you make that window?

He smiled shyly at her and gazed into her hazel eyes. He took her hands for the first time. “It’s going to be okay.”

Marie nodded. She knew it would be and she felt better than she had in any recent memory.

David held her hand, rubbing his fingers over each one of hers. He led her down a long hallway on the far side of the house into what looked to be a child’s bedroom. There were cars and trucks and stuffed toys everywhere, baseballs drawn on the walls and a bright blue comforter with race cars on the tiny twin sized bed.

David didn’t speak. He gently laid her down and undressed her slowly like he’d always done when he was alive.

She reached up to touch him and pull the hair from his face. He looked sexy like she remembered. She unbuttoned his long sleeved plaid shirt and revealed strawberry hair that perfectly lay over well-formed muscles.

He sat up on his knees and finished the job of removing the shirt. He hadn’t changed a bit. He still had the same beautiful body and the tattoo.

The Tattoo. She couldn’t believe she’d forgotten the time he went to have her name emblazoned on his arm in a deep tribal band. The name itself could only be revealed to the most discerning eye.

Marie traced her fingers over it while memories of all the times they’d shared came rushing back—her fear when she’d first seen it, wondering what it meant for someone to put such a permanent marker on their body for all to see, for all eternity.

It was another mad dash from their room to the elevator. The moment they were rushing from the room, Sasha suddenly needed the restroom. She frowned, standing behind Anna who was busy jabbing her finger into the button. She mentally scowled at her bladder for she was just about to break out in a rather poor rendition of the pee-pee dance.

“You know, that will not make it come any faster,” a voice spoke from behind them.

It was a cool, masculine sound that had Sasha shivering. There was a slight accent—one that made Sasha wanted to turn and leap into the arms of the man who possessed it. Both women spun to see who it was.

Hubba! Hubba! They do not make them like him in Cornwall at all.

Sasha couldn’t help the fact that her eyes bulged a bit.

“My apologies, ladies.” He bowed his head slightly. “I did not mean to startle you.”

“Oh! Not a problem,” Anna replied only to turn and tap the button again.

“I take it you do not want to miss our departure?”

“No, she has this idea of a movie-esque going away,” Sasha managed with a flip of her wrist. She lifted her chin proudly when her voice didn’t crack. She wanted to put on a strong attitude, but inside, she was grinning and flailing like a horny teenager.

“Ah yes. The waving, the throwing of confetti, the yells of bon voyage—it is the best part of the cruise, no?” he asked with a dazzling smile.

Sasha inhaled, pressing her lips into a thin line. It was either that or moan in desperate heat. She turned and jabbed her finger into the button. “I wouldn’t say the best part—”

“Of course!” Anna interrupted. “Then you can say to your friends later when you’re watching one of those movies, I did that!

Sasha fought the urge to roll her eyes. Instead, she reached out and tapped the button.

Finally, the elevator arrived. “After you, ladies,” the man motioned.

They stepped in and the door slid shut silently. It was a quiet ride down and Sasha made good use of the moment. She eyed their companion as he stared ahead with his arms folded behind his back. He was dressed in a rather ravishing pinstripe suit, but no tie. A shame really, for Sasha could see herself grabbing it and leading him into the bedroom only to shove him to the bed just to have her way with him.

She bit her lower lip to stop her runaway thoughts and refocused.

The top two buttons of his shirt were undone as well as the jacket buttons. From that small opening, she saw the beginnings of what had to be a muscular chest curved upward into a strong neck. He had a perfect cleft chin, lush lips with carved cheekbones. His eyes were a kind of blue she’d never seen before on a man. It reminded her of the clear blue waters of the Caribbean Ocean. He had long, black hair, tied back neatly with a hair tie.

A jab to her side by Anna, Sasha tore her eyes from him to see the door was open. Once again, he allowed them out ahead of him.

“Until next time, ladies,” he spoke and walked off in the opposite direction they were going.

A pang of disappointment surged through Sasha and she fought the look of forlorn she was feeling at his departure. She realised she wasn’t breathing. She pushed the air out and gripped Anna’s hand.

“What’d I tell you?” Anna beamed obviously quite proud of herself. She turned and stared greedily at a handsome man walking by. “Woof!” she barked.

The man laughed and continued on.

Sasha gasped, grabbing Anna’s hand and tugging her. “Stop it! You’re not even drunk! I can’t take you anywhere.”

“Wait, I thought I was the one who took you here.” Anna giggled.

Sasha shook her head in frustration. “You’re incorrigible. Come on.”

Having Kelin stand up to him both angered Henry Quartermaine and turned him on. His body burns for her in ways he couldn’t understand but yearned to explore. But how can he get past Kelin’s dislike for most of his family? How can he prove to her the Quartermaine’s aren’t evil monsters and that she should stay with him—not only as a nanny, but forever?

After helping Emily with her paper, print it and Emily took a shower, Kelin tucked the child in and started reading her a story. But Emily fell asleep before the end of it so Kelin tucked a bookmark on the page, turned out the light and pulled up the door. She then hurried downstairs to clean up the living-room where Emily had been playing earlier. With that finished, she placed Henry’s dinner in the oven, turned it on. Waiting for it to heat up, she turned the oven off and walked into the den. If he didn’t get home by the time the oven cooled it was all on him.

Before the shelves, she browsed, searching the many volumes of mostly leather bound and expensive titles. They said she could read anything she wished in there. She found a copy of The Secret Garden and settled into re-reading it. She was part way through chapter four, when she heard a car pulling into the yard. She closed the book, glanced at the clock and frowned. It was way past midnight. If he expected her to be back there for seven to get Emily ready for school he had another thing coming. You won’t be doing it for him, Kel—you’re doing it for pay and for Emily. You couldn’t care less what he thinks. Lifting her chin she made to go back to her book but the front door banged open and the loud laughter of a woman erupted through the house. Furious, Kelin stood up, tugged her clothes in place and made her way calmly to the front door. A blond woman was there, being held up by who Kelin hoped was Henry Quartermaine. “I would thank you two very much to keep the noise down,” she snapped quietly. “There’s a child who has to be up at seven A.M sleeping upstairs.” “Who are you?” The blond staggered towards Kelin. “The nanny,” Kelin lifted her chin. “If you wish to carry on then leave the same way you came in.” “You can—can’t talk to me—like—that,” the woman slurred, leaning precariously to one side, catching herself only to lean the other way. She peered at Kelin through half closed eyes. “You’re just the hired help.” Kelin wanted to slap the woman silly but she said nothing to her. Instead she turned to the man eyeing her. “Henry Quartermain,” he said, raking his fingers through his brown hair. “Sorry we’re late.” “I’m not the one you should be apologizing to Mr. Quartermaine. Now I’ll get my things.” “Wait a minute,” he called after her. Kelin quickened her steps to where her coat and purse was in the den. Scooping them up she hurried through another door to bypass Henry and out the front door. But still she wasn’t fast enough for he caught her getting into her car. “What’s that supposed to mean?” he questioned, grabbing her arm.

She pulled her hand away from him and whirled to face him. “What happens between you and your daughter, Mr. Quartermaine, is none of my business. I am here to care for her and make sure she’s in one piece by the time you return. Everything else is up to you as a father. And for future reference I want you to know, though I am employed by you, I would thank you very much to remember that I have a life outside your wall. Now, if you ever grab me like that again, by the time you realize your mistake, you’ll have another hole to breathe out of. Good night, Mr. Quartermaine.”

 “Oh please,” Jinks said. “Don’t compare yourself with that toad. You never cheated on him. You never left him for a bimbo from the stupid side of town. Look, are you busy tonight? I want to talk to you about something that you might be against but who knows? And besides, we haven’t had a real girls’ night in, like forever so it’s past due.”

“What do you want to talk to me about?”

“Just…I’m coming over tonight, okay?”

Riley moaned. “All right. But gimme some time to stop for groceries, get home and shower.”

“You got yourself a deal, lil lay-deh!” Jinks slipped into a really bad Texan accent.

Riley giggled. “You suck at that and not the good kind.”

“I know, but practice, as they say, makes perfect! Any-who, I’ll talk to you later doll.”

The call ended on a lighter note and Riley pulled into the parking lot of the grocery store close to her house. Sure it was a drive from the highway, but they had her favorite ice cream—rum and raisin. For a moment, she sat in the car staring out, pulling her emotions together. When she decided she was going to be happy and not let Martin and his bimbo ruin a wonderful year, she grabbed her purse and pushed from the car. With happiness pouring through her veins at seeing her best friend and her favorite ice cream, she hummed Hell on Heels as she grabbed a cart. But her merriness didn’t last. Her mind quickly went back to the nineteen year old she’d fallen for at fifteen. Sure, she could see if her father had said Seungo was too old for her, but that wasn’t his problem. His problem was Seungo’s heritage, his culture—him.

But to her, Seungo, was perfect.

He held her when she cried and dried her tears with a finger. He would kiss her head, stroke her hair, and never once asked for anything more. He laughed at her stupid jokes—and they were some really idiotic ones—he showed her how to use chopsticks and how to play the Ajaeng. He was gentle as she sat between his legs with her back against his chest. His arms were wrapped around her holding the instrument in her lap and his chin rested against the side of her head. Suddenly he’d kissed her head and without a word, she felt so loved and cherished. How could a fifteen year old feel so strongly about a boy? Was she allowed to feel so much for a boy?

Go—that was her nickname for him—was her prince and since leaving him, she judged every man by his standard. Riley pushed the cart to the cashier and after she paid for everything and it was bagged, she pushed the cart out to her car. Soon, she was on her way once more, just as the first drizzle of rain fell to her car. She groaned and pressed her foot down against the gas. She blew by a speed limit sign and slipped her foot off the gas. She was going too fast for that area. But she made it home and unpacked the car before the rain really came down. By then she was in the shower, lifting her face to the water and arching her back to get it massaged by the downpour.

After showering, she got dressed in a pair of white track pants with a blue graphic t-shirt that said MBLAQ: Music Boys Live in Absolute Quality on the front, with a picture of the band on the back. She had gotten it a year before at their concert. Next on her list of things to do was making some dinner for herself and Jinks. The front door opened in the midst of her cooking and she looked up when Jinks, soaking wet, waddled into the kitchen with a frown on her face.

“Can you believe this weather?” Jinks asked. “All this water is from running from the damn curb to your door.”

“You look like a drowned rat!” Riley laughed. “Go upstairs and change. My clothes won’t fit you very well, but at least you’ll be dry while we toss your clothes in the dryer.”

Jinks shook her head and exited again. Riley chuckled and dumped a handful of scallions along with some crushed garlic into her pasta sauce, stirred it and covered it to boil a little. While she waited for that to happen, she poured some hot water over two peppermint tea bags and sipped from one. When Jinks returned, she wore one of Riley’s t-shirts. Riley handed her the cup and Jinks moaned with a grin. Riley waited until after friend had taken a sip before speaking. “Did you want some dinner? I’m making pasta.”

“You know I never eat when I’m coming over here,” Jinks replied, curling into one of the kitchen chairs. “Come sit for a sec. I wanna get this out of the way.”

Riley felt as if she was walking toward her doom as she moved to sit across from her friend. She placed the mug on the table and wrapped her fingers around its warmth.

“I know this probably isn’t what you want to hear right now but what kind of a friend would I be if I didn’t suggest it?”

“Jinks…”

“It’s about Seungo. I was heading to Seoul and if you want, you can come with me and go look for Seungo. See if he will talk to you and just…”

Riley rose and went to stir the sauce. She didn’t expect that to come from Jinks. Taking a breath, she sat again and picked up her mug. “Go wouldn’t like me now, Jinks.”

“Girl, please. He loved you then.”

“He was being nice.”

“Ry…no man, no matter how old or young they are would treat a woman the way he did you and not feel something for her. Besides, he was old enough to know better then. He was nineteen. And what do you mean he was being nice and he wouldn’t like you now?”

“I’m not the same little girl he told his deepest secrets to as we tossed rocks into the Seolmacheon. I’ve changed. I’ve gotten…” she trailed off and spread her arms. “…bigger.”