Seven

The next day was full of headaches for Michael. One of his young clients had streaked naked across the famed Melrose streets in broad daylight. He was a good guy, but he took a combination of prescription pills that didn’t interact well. Neither his doctor nor his pharmacist had warned him about the potential side effects of the mixture. Michael was relieved his client was feeling better now and that they had a sympathetic reason for his faux pas.

While it had been a frantic day of putting fires out, Michael was grateful for it. If not for the distraction, he wouldn’t have lasted until the evening. His lips were blue as he stood lighting the grill after his long, cold shower. He wanted to make sure they made it through dinner before he jumped her.

The caprese salad was chilling in the fridge and the crème brûlée was in the oven. He also had a bottle of Veuve Clicquot on ice for some extra liquid courage. Adelaide said she would be bringing the wine, but he wanted to have backup. His nerves were alit with anticipation and good old-fashioned fear. He was finally going to make love to Adelaide.

Michael left the charcoal to burn in the coal chimney and strolled into his open kitchen. He’d knocked out the wall that separated the kitchen from the dining room to enlarge the space. He lived alone in the eight-bedroom house, but he entertained often so he needed a big kitchen and lounge area. The rest of his home—where he and his parents had once lived as a family—was opulent and cold, but the kitchen was always a warm and welcoming place.

Grabbing a dish towel, he opened the bottle of champagne with a muted pop. He brought out two flutes and filled his up to the top and left the other out waiting for his guest. After gulping down half his glass, he breathed deeply through his nose. The berry and crisp apple notes soothed his raw nerves, and he sipped more leisurely at his drink.

When his cell phone buzzed, he was tempted not to check the text. He didn’t want anyone or anything intruding on their evening. Coming to a decision, he pulled out his phone to turn it off, but Adelaide’s name caught his eye.

“Hell,” he muttered. He had a feeling she wasn’t texting him from the front door.

Michael growled with frustration, and downed the rest of his champagne before answering.

Gob? What the hell is a gob? he asked himself.

Michael glanced at his watch and made a list of things to put out and turn off before he left so he didn’t burn his house down.

He liked it. This sudden freedom to say what he felt. He really liked it. Spurred on by a burst of energy, Michael was in the garage in less than fifteen minutes. He jumped into his restored Mustang; it somehow seemed like the most fitting car for running after a woman. Grinning like an idiot with his heart pummeling his ribs, he liberally interpreted the speed limit and reached the Song residence in less than twenty minutes.

He pushed himself out of the car and grabbed the crème brûlée from his back seat. He couldn’t arrive empty-handed. Luckily, he’d made four ramekins of it so there would be enough for Mrs. Song and Adelaide’s father.

Michael sprinted up to the front door and rang the bell once, resisting the urge to lean on it.

“That was fast,” Adelaide said, smiling warmly as she opened the door.

Without answering, he grasped her hand with his free one and hurried up the staircase.

“Michael,” she whispered but followed him with light, soundless footsteps. “What are you doing?”

He tugged her through her bedroom door, pushing her up against it at the same time he closed it with a quiet click. Before she could ask the question in her eyes, he took her mouth in a kiss that had been burning inside him for the last twenty-four hours. He growled when Adelaide opened her mouth in silent invitation, rising on her toes and pressing her body flush against his. He hissed when her hands grabbed his ass, squeezing hard. He jerked helplessly against her touch.

“God, I’ve been wanting to do that since that night at the club,” she confessed with a shy laugh.

He chuckled breathlessly, finding he couldn’t formulate a coherent sentence. Instead, he trailed his lips down the side of her neck. Her quiet moan of approval made him so hard it hurt. Then a smart knock sounded at her door, and they jumped apart as though a bucket of ice water had been hurled at them.

“Hey, Adelaide.” Colin Song’s voice rang in the hallway. “Are you in there?”

“Yeah...yes,” she said, grasping Michael’s shirt in panic. “What are you doing here?”

“You don’t know, either? I was hoping you’d be able to give me a heads-up. I have no idea why Hal-muh-nee asked me over.” There was a short pause and Michael had the sneaking suspicion that Adelaide’s cousin had his ear pressed to her door. “What’s going on in there? Why are we talking through a door?”

“This is my bedroom and I like to change without an audience.” She motioned for Michael to hide in her bathroom. Once he was secure behind the bathroom door, she opened her door. “Why are you hanging around outside my room anyways? You do know the way to the kitchen, don’t you?”

“I told you I was hoping for some intel. Besides, your dad’s in New York, and I wasn’t going to sit at a table with just Grandma Grace presiding. Her soul-piercing gaze would make me pour out all my darkest secrets...”

Their voices grew smaller as they made their way down the stairs. Michael glanced up at his reflection and shook his head. Once again, he had let their kiss get out of hand. All he’d wanted was a minute alone with Adelaide before they joined everyone for dinner. Damn. He had to get himself under control. But that was easier said than done when the object of his desire was Adelaide.

He splashed some cold water on his face and tidied his hair. Once he looked presentable, he looked out to the hall to make sure the coast was clear before making his way to the kitchen. He was new to this sneaking-around thing, and he absolutely hated it. But it was the only way he could hold on to Adelaide. When their affair ended in two months, he could go back to being an old family friend. He would play it safe and not get between Adelaide and her grandmother. That way he wouldn’t have to let her go completely. He would stay in the good graces of the Song family and still be in Adelaide’s life.

He heard the boisterous voice of Colin Song, the family’s black sheep. He was the only one who could coax a belly laugh out of the family matriarch. It was good to have him join them for dinner.

“Knock, knock,” Michael said, walking into the small family gathering. “I pestered Adelaide for an invite. It’s been a while since I visited, Mrs. Song.”

“My granddaughter informed me that you were quite busy assisting with the charity fundraiser. I appreciate all your help, Michael.”

“Here.” He handed her the carefully packed bag containing the ramekins of crème brûlée. “I brought us dessert.”

“They look wonderful. Thank you, my dear.”

“I’ll put them away for now,” Adelaide said, rising from her seat. “It’s best served cold.”

“Let me help you.” They walked farther into the kitchen, past the divider to where the fridge was. Then he whispered in her ear, “I can’t believe you hid me in your bathroom.”

Her back was turned toward him, but he saw the tips of her ears redden. “I couldn’t exactly hide you in my bed, could I?”

“Why not? I could’ve waited for you to come upstairs tonight like your personal Big Bad Wolf.”

“Behave, Reynolds.” She glanced over her shoulder and smiled at him.

When they returned to the table and took up their seats, a sneaky grin lit up Colin’s face. “I didn’t hear the doorbell, Mike. When exactly did you get here?”

Hell. The clever bastard was digging. He must’ve seen his Mustang in the driveway before he came up to Adelaide’s room.

“Hal-muh-nee.” Adelaide spoke over Colin’s next words. “My dear cousin and I were wondering why you wanted him here tonight. Other than the pleasure of his company, of course.”

“I haven’t seen you in so long, Colin.” Grace Song’s voice softened with emotion. “Your visits are becoming much too rare.”

Colin was immediately on his feet and rushed to wrap his arms around his grandmother’s shoulders from behind. “I’m so sorry, Hal-muh-nee.”

She patted his hand. “I understand why you want to distance yourself from Hansol in public, but that shouldn’t keep you from your family, child.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I’ve been very busy getting my production company set up, but things are finally falling into place. I promise I’ll visit more often.”

“That’s better.” Mrs. Song smiled, then made a show of shaking his arms off her and they settled into eating.

When dinner was finished, Michael stood up from his seat. “The dessert needs a few final touches. Could you show me where you keep your blowtorch, Adelaide?”

“Sit down, Michael.” Mrs. Song said. “Dessert can wait a few more minutes.”

“Of course, Mrs. Song.” Michael took his seat again, glancing at Adelaide with yearning in his eyes.

She sensed the sheerest tendrils of frustration coming off him and couldn’t help but smile when his fingers tangled with hers under the table. But her musings came to an end when her grandmother addressed her.

“I’ve been receiving reports of your progress on the fashion show. And I am exceedingly pleased with how much you’ve accomplished.”

“Thank you, Hal-muh-nee.” She flushed with pride and surprise at her compliment. “There’s still so much left to be done, but I promise not to disappoint you.”

“I will, of course, hold you to that promise. And if you convince me that there’s a future in the market for a line of sensory-friendly clothing, you would make an ideal lead to launch that design team at Hansol. So your work is just beginning, and I’m watching you with great interest. I expect you to continue to show me your solid work ethic and professionalism through it all.”

“The head of the sensory-friendly design team? I don’t know what to say.” Was this really happening? After two years, she finally had a chance to play a role in Hansol. A major role. Michael squeezed her hand under the table. “Thank you.”

“I believe you’ll get there, but the thank-you is a little premature. You have much work ahead of you.”

“I know, Hal-muh-nee,” Adelaide replied, her back straightening with resolve. “I’m doing this.”

Colin and Grandmother smiled at her with pride and affection. At the lull in the conversation, Michael excused himself and went to the back of the kitchen. Adelaide joined him just as he was setting down the tray of crème brûlée on the counter.

She couldn’t help it. She had to touch him. Her hands moved of their own accord and ran down his arm, and he folded her into his arms, resting his cheek on top of her head.

“Congratulations, Adelaide. How are you so amazing? You moved the immovable Grace Song.”

“Thank you, Michael. But I’m not there, yet. Like Grandmother said, I still have a long way to go.” She drew back to look into his eyes and found them warm and tender. But when her gaze flicked to his lips, then back to his eyes, desire flared to life in them.

“I can’t believe you guys left me alone with her,” Colin said, making Adelaide and Michael jump apart for the second time that evening. “I thought you just had to torch the tops. What’s taking you so long?”

“I’m waiting for Adelaide to remember where the blowtorch is.” Michael winked and tousled her hair.

She rolled her eyes at him, but was grateful for his quick thinking. On the other hand, it bothered her how composed he seemed when her heart was racing like a roadrunner.

Besides, Colin wasn’t fooled for a second. Adelaide ignored him and went to open a few cupboards, pretending to search for something. Her cousin coughed into his fist to cover what sounded like a snort. Without reacting to his teasing, she finally opened the drawer holding the blowtorch, and handed it to Michael. If anyone other than Colin knew about her and Michael, she’d be in a panic, but her cousin wasn’t under the crazy overprotective spell everyone else in her family seemed to be under.

Michael made quick work of sprinkling some sugar over the cooled cream, and caramelized the tops into a crunchy, bittersweet layer. “Let’s go eat before Mrs. Song comes marching in here next.”

The three of them returned to the dining table to find Grandmother nodding off. Adelaide’s heart constricted at the vulnerable sight. Hal-muh-nee was getting older and more fragile every year. The thought of losing her terrified Adelaide so much she couldn’t breathe for a second.

Michael squeezed her shoulder as though he sensed her panic. “You should help her to her room.”

“Yeah.” Adelaide gently placed her hand over her arm. “Hal-muh-nee, let me take you to your room. It’s late.”

“I’ll help you,” Colin said, coming to hold their grandmother’s other arm.

As they turned to head out into the hallway, Michael caught Adelaide’s eyes and mouthed, See you soon. Her body protested at losing the one thing that could satisfy its hunger, but she turned her thoughts to taking care of Grandmother. See you.

Colin waited outside while Adelaide helped her change into her pajamas, and set out her firm quilt and pillow on the floor. Once Grandmother was settled, she placed a soft blanket over her. “Good night. I love you.”

“I know, Yoon-ah.”

Adelaide froze with her hand on the door, startled by her grandmother’s affectionate words. But when she turned around, her grandmother was already sound asleep, her blanket rising and falling with her soft, steady breathing.

Colin stood outside the door, staring forlornly at his feet.

“Hey, cuz,” she whispered.

“How is she?”

“She’s just a little tired. She fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.” Adelaide drew in a deep breath. “She misses you, though.”

“I’ll come visit her more often. CS Productions has been taking up all my time lately.” He sighed and raked his fingers through his hair. “That’s a lame excuse. I just don’t want to disappoint her like Father did.”

“You’re not your father. Uncle chose his own path. Like I’ve said a million times, it’s not Hansol and the Song name that made him who he was. You could be part of Hansol and be ten times the man he is.”

“Which wouldn’t be a difficult feat since he never lifted a finger to fend for himself. The man only knew how to take.” Colin’s smile was blinding in its sorrow. “I don’t need you to worry about me, though. I can take care of myself.”

“Oh, yeah. Sure, you can.”

She rolled her eyes to cover the tears stinging them, because Colin never knew any other way. He’d always taken care of himself. On his own. Adelaide wished Colin had someone who could take care of him for once. Well, someone he would let take care of him.

Sensing her melancholy, he bumped her shoulder as they walked side by side to the front door. She bumped him back.

“Never forget I’ve got your back,” she said with quiet conviction.

“Ditto.” He swung his arm around her shoulder and kissed her temple, a million unsaid words traveling between them.