Chapter 5 - The Promise

Mu Chang held out his hands to Ru Shi, and she took them, getting to her feet. The feel of his touch, warm against her, it made her want to pull him right back down on the couch and pick up where they left off, but he was already strolling towards the kitchen.

"What are you in the mood for?" he asked. You, she wanted to reply. If they could rewind five minutes to before she freaked the hell out and ruined everything. "I don't know..." she said instead. She followed him to the kitchen and watched as he opened up the fridge.

"Where did you learn to cook?" she asked, as he rifled through the groceries inside. "Well, I have a friend who is a chef so I guess I learned one or two things from him." Mu Chang gave her a wry grin.

He pulled out tomatoes. "Is noddle's okay with you?" he asked.

"I can do a spicy Sichuan noodle."

"Sounds delicious," she replied as she hopped up on a stool by the kitchen island counter.

Mu Chang fetched some white wine and poured her a glass. She sipped it, glad for the distraction, and watched as he put some water on to boil and assembled the ingredients. He was acting so casual as if nothing was wrong at all. She wished she could be so cool.

Her heart was still pounding from their kisses on the couch, and she couldn't believe she put the brakes on like that. Everything was perfect. More than perfect- hot, raw, and s.e.xy as hell, until... until she remembered that she was practically a v.i.r.g.i.n. She stifled a sigh. She was so stupid. Here she is, a twenty-two-year-old woman who has taken care of herself since her parents died, she has experience hardsh.i.p.s to get to where she was right now and her sole experience with a guy was with her ex-fiance. He was going to think she was a freak when he realized she has no idea what she's doing.

"Chop this." Mu Chang's voice broke through her spiral of insecurity. He pushed a board and some vegetables over to her, so she got down and did as instructed. But still, she couldn't take her eyes off him. The way he moved around the galley kitchen, there was a grace to it-an undisguised power and certainty in every gesture as he stirred, chopped, tasted.

Mu Chang looked over and caught her watching him. She looked away, feeling her cheeks burn up. "What?" he asked. She shrugged, embarrassed. "I didn't think you'd be like this."

"And how's that?" Mu Chang tilted his head, watching her, his voice a low, whiskey-sweet drawl. "So... gallant," she found the right word. "I was expecting some big, uptight overbearing guy, but you're nothing like that."

"I'm plenty big." Mu Chang winked. She flushed, her cheeks burning. From what she felt of him, grinding against her, she knew that it was true.

"You know what I mean. You've been so sweet to me."

Mu Chang smirked. "Have I now?" in an instant, Mu Chang's expression changed. His eyes filled with d.e.s.i.r.e.

"Don't mistake me for a gentleman, Kitten. Just because I stopped when you asked me to, doesn't mean I won't f.u.c.k your sweet brains out." Her heart stopped. Mu Chang closed the distance between them, suddenly pushing her back against the counter. She gasped as he thrust his h.i.p.s against her. She could feel him, hard and thick through his jeans. "You feel that?" he growled, under his breath. "That's all for you, baby but you're not ready yet, are you? And I want you ready." He leans in closer, she was caught in his gaze. He trailed one finger down her neck. A whimper slipped from her lips. Mu Chang's mouth curled in a devastating smile. "When I take you, you'll be wet, and n.a.k.e.d, and begging for me."

Her legs gave way, and she sank back against the counter. "When you say 'yes' to me, you'll be screaming. Begging me to f.u.c.k you," Mu Chang smiled, his eyes never leaving hers. "And I promise you, Kitten. When the day comes, I won't hold back. I won't be sweet, or gentle, or gallant. I'll f.u.c.k you senseless in every way and I won't stop until you come out of your damn mind." Her head was still spinning when he leaned in and captures her mouth in a blazing kiss. His words were rough and shocking, but this kiss was the opposite: hot, slow and deep. He took his time, leisurely his tongue probing deep between her lips, claiming everything, tasting all of her. It was a promise. She fell against him, whimpering into his mouth as his hands slide over her body and his h.i.p.s grind against hers. She was now desperate for more and then he released her, stepping back. She stared blankly at him as she gasped for air. He walked back to the stove, casual as he could be, and dipped a spoon in the sauce. "Here," he held it out to her, his eyes still filled with l.u.s.t. "Taste." She stumbled forward, her legs still unsteady. Mu Chang caught her with his free hand, then guided the spoon between her lips. It's sharp and sweet and intense. Just like him. "Too spicy?" Mu Chang asked her with a smirk. Her heart was pounding in her c.h.e.s.t, but she managed to pull herself together long enough to reply. "Just spicy enough."