Chapter 42

When Chan and the staff finally returned over an hour later, along with loads of marinade, peanut sauce, rolls, and rice paper, Jeremy and Soriya were also back with their loads of meat. Hence, everyone started lending a hand by marinating the meat and then skewering it. While that was being done, Chan started the vegetarian rice rolls, and once some of the satay meat was cooked, she started the satay rice rolls as well.

It was nearer to lunch when Jayden, Alexandra, and of course, little Andy showed up, along with Alec and Ruby. Unfortunately, Chan's other friends—Nikkita, Georgina, and Isabella—had all returned home. Nikkita back to South Australia and Georgina and Isabella to New Zealand.

Chan greeted them with delight, and Dara and Soriya immediately went to kiss Andy. Jayden and Alec joined Sam, helping the man prepare the barbeque for lunch. By that time, more kids arrived along with their parents and, of course, Nina and her group of posh friends.

Nina, dressed in a sexy black dress, her hair styled beautifully, came into the kitchen and told Marian in a condescending manner to start setting up lunch for the kids and adults outside because it was getting late. Marian rolled her eyes and wanted to slap the woman. But of course, she couldn't. Her hands were deep in satay meat.

Dara stared at the woman and said, "So you're the one organizing this party?"

Nina glared at Dara. "Yes? You have a problem with that?"

Soriya chuckled sarcastically. "Of course we do," she said. "Can't you see you've misjudged the number of staff as well as food to go around?"

Ruby couldn't help chiming in. "Wow! I wouldn't hire you if you had a party planning business. You really suck at this."

Nina was flabbergasted. How dare they? She stood there fuming when Jeremy said, "Don't worry, Nina. We've saved the party… No, that's not true. The Chandler sisters did. You're off the hook." He even winked at her to rile her up. Then he picked up one of Chan's rice paper rolls and took a bite. "Hmm… Delicious. Chan, you're a goddess. How did you think of all this in such a short time?"

Soriya giggled. "Because the Chandlers are awesome."

Nina wanted to murder these people for embarrassing her in front of her friends. She gritted her teeth and turned on her heel. "Come on," she said to her group and then led them toward the backyard where the main event was taking place.

Chandra, on the other hand, had so much fun working with her friends as they chatted and laughed. When it was time to serve lunch, Ruby and Dara were coordinating where things should go, while Alexandra and Chan did the manual stuff. When Holly and her husband Adam showed up, Holly came in to help as well. Soriya's job was to keep the kids entertained with the hired magician while the food was set up.

A couple hours later, Chan managed to be alone in the kitchen. She was leaning on the countertop, sipping a glass of ice-cold Coke as she stared into space. In the distance, she could hear sounds of laughter and conversation. Everyone was outside, having a wonderful barbeque.

She smiled. God, she hadn't had a party like this for ages, since her mom had passed away in fact. Today had been great thus far, and she felt simply elated to be a part of this joyful time, to be with her sisters and friends, to be with… Sam and Lilly and Jeremy.

There, she admitted it. She was happy to be a part of Sam's family.

Chan was so deep in her own thoughts she didn't hear someone coming in through the door and heading her way. The manly body leaned forward over her and whispered, "So this is where you are."

Chan jumped at the voice caressing her ear. Warmth enveloped her being, and she felt weak with delight, her heart racing. She turned around and found herself trapped between the counter and the handsome man before her, only inches from her. God, she could feel his warm breath on her skin, and their faces were so close they could be kissing.

"Hi," she said and then licked her lips. Her gaze was on his face, switching between his warm brown eyes and his lips. Oh God! She had the sudden urge to kiss him.

"What are you doing here?" Sam couldn't keep the smile away. Damn, he'd been seeking time alone with her since she'd arrived this morning. Now was that perfect time. He wasn't going to let it go to waste.

Chan licked her lips again. "I was just…" Shit! She couldn't think. "I was just… taking time out."

"Thanks for helping," he said. "You don't know how much it means to me and Lilly."

"No problem," she said, moving back a bit. Her backside hit the counter.

Sam moved forward, refusing to leave any spare space between them. They were nose to nose and almost lips to lips when he said, "The satay was delicious."

Chan smiled. "I…" She licked her lips again.

Sam's attention was drawn there, and he thought, Yes, they look delicious all right.

"I made up the recipe myself," she said. "You know, just altered a bit from the traditional."

��That's very creative," he said, his eyes turning dark with desire the longer he gazed at her lips. "And did I tell you it was delicious?"

Chan nodded. "Yes, you—"

She didn't finish. Sam cut her short by pressing his lips against hers.

The moment he started kissing her, Chan felt herself melting into him. She groaned out in pleasure.

"Mmm…" Her heart fluttered with wonderful sensations, while her body buzzed with delight.

Sam expertly slipped his tongue between her lips and invaded her mouth.

Chan groaned and shuddered.

She clutched him for dear life as he went wilder, making her mindless. In her mind's eye, she was in heaven. In her mind's eye, she was in paradise with Sam Harrington.

Suddenly, something dark and ominous broke into her beautiful moment. It was a face. Handsome. Brown hair. Hazel eyes. Dave Moore.

Chan felt sick to her stomach. She pulled back, terminating the kiss, her body trembling.

Sam, caught off guard, stood there cupping Chan's face. He thought he'd gone too far. Damn him. He must have scared the shit out of her with his passion for her.

"I'm sorry I did that," he whispered softly, his forehead against hers. "Did I scare you?"

Chan stared at his muscular chest, her body still shaking from the unexpected appearance of Dave's face.

"Yes… I mean, no…. It's not you…. It's something else." She licked her lips. "I'm sorry… I… I've never done this before."

Sam pulled her into his arms, his hands cupping the back of her head, his fingers intertwining with her hair.

Chan rested her face in the crook of his neck, her mind reeling with fear. No. Not again. Why? Why now? She'd gone three months without seeing his face. It had been nice, peaceful. So why now?

She clutched on to Sam, feeling relief and safe in his warm, strong arms. Yes, this man made her feel safe and protected, and she was elated about that.

She raised her face to look up at him. She bit her lip, then said, "Sorry about that."

Sam gave her an understanding smile. "Don't worry about it. You okay?"

She nodded. Then, of course, she couldn't help herself. She touched his face and stood on tiptoes, kissing him gently on the lips.

Sam didn't need any more encouragement. He responded and kissed her back, gently and softly. It was pleasant, but he wanted to go further, deeper—wilder and more passionate. But it couldn't go there, not yet, not until she trusted him more. Not until he knew she was ready to go there.

When he moved back, terminating their kiss, Chan was flushed and radiant. God, she was beautiful, and the sight of her now knocked the wind out of him.

"Err…" A voice interrupted them.

Chan jolted in her spot, while Sam turned to the door. Dara and Soriya were standing there watching them.

"Hi, ladies," he said, a smile on his lips.

The sisters laughed uncomfortably.

"Sorry," Dara said. "We're just here to get more drinks."

Soriya nodded. "You kids get back to whatever it was you were doing. Don't mind us."

With that, the duo headed to the cupboard to retrieve more bottles of soft drinks and juices.

Chan felt like she wanted to die. Her own sisters had seen her kissing Sam. Oh my God! But the man in question, however, didn't seem to be affected by the unexpected encounter at all. He looked as calm and relaxed as ever. He didn't even bother to move back out of her way. He just stood glued to her like a longtime lover.