Jade shookher head and started eating her cereal. "This is the most normal people thing I've seen you do."
"Maybe you needto get to know me a little more."
This felt dangerouslyclose to the twenty questions we had attempted to play the first night we met. But it was the middle of the night, and there was no better time to make bad decisions.
"Were you home-schooled?"She asked with a grin. "Had different tutors flown in every day?"
I laughedand shook my head. "Nope. Went to a boys preparatory school."
Jade burstinto laughter and pointed at me with her spoon. "You are so hopeless! And what did they 'prepare'you to be, huh? A jerk?"
"I'll haveyou know it's one of the best schools in the world. I bet Robin would love it there too."
She rolledher eyes and stuck her tongue out. "You might be right. Then he can be perfectly posh too, just like his daddy."
"Your son plays violin;it doesn't get any posher than that," I pointed out.
She laughed before asking."What were you doing when you were Robin's age?"
"I was reallyinto sports when I was a child. Then I discovered the joys of chess and debate and was hooked."
I enjoyedthe rest of my chocolate milk as Jade looked at me with amusement.
"So,how did you get into your line of business? Is it something you've always wanted to do?"
"My grandfather raised me to be his heir, so I knew what I would do with my life."
At the mentionof my grandfather, Jade's expression changed and she looked disgusted.
"He'sa great guy once you get to know him," I explained. "He can be a bit intense when protecting his family, but he means well."
Jade didn't sayanything as she used the bowl as a cup to drink the remaining chocolate milk.
"I was free to choose a different path, but this is what I wanted to do. I'm great at what I do and honored to continue my family legacy."
"Isthat what you envision for Robin too? Carrying on the family business?" she asked warily, eyeing me as I set my bowl down.
"If that'swhat he wants, then it's all his. But if he chooses to play piano or become an academic, I'll still support him with all I have."
"I'm happy to hear that."
She pushed her bowl to where mine was, then looked at me with a frown. "I never asked how long you are here. You are still living in a hotel and-"
I placed my hand over hers. "I'll always be wherever Robin needs me to be. I might travel a lot, but I promise we'll figure it out."
She nodded and looked at our hands. Hers were so tiny and pale compared to mine. We both made no move to change the current position, and the air became thick and heavy with anticipation. There was a raging storm outside, but somehow, at this very moment, everything felt so peaceful. Jade licked her lips nervously, and I interlocked my fingers with hers. The move made her look up at me, and her green eyes were full of a thousand questions. I didn't have any answers, but all I knew was that I was about to kiss her, and no lightning or thunder would stop me.
I leaned against the counter, and Jade met me halfway, our lips meeting and drawing a content sigh from her lips. She tasted sweet, like cereal and temptation. I couldn't help but suck on her lower lip a little before deepening our kiss. I forgot why we needed to keep our hands off each other. Why would we do that when it felt so damn good?!
"Michael," Jade sighed as I drew away.
I was gone long enough to move to the other side, and then I took her mouth again. We kissed until we were both shaking with a hunger that had never existed between us before.
"Michael, please," she begged as soon as I started kissing her neck.
I stopped to look right into her eyes and ask a silent question. I didn't have to say the words as she just nodded, and a second later, she was in my arms as I took her to my room. I placed her on the bed, and we both undressed while keeping our eyes on the other. The urgency I had felt earlier disappeared as I looked at her, wanting to savor every inch of her. I gently kissed her again before moving to her neck.
"Hold on," I whispered before gently biting her earlobe and sucking it into my mouth.