Welcome Readers...into my Dreams and Imagination.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Hustle Into Love - Chapter Five, Part Two

Hey all,

Well, how do you think Mace will respond to Chantal's temper tantrum?  Will he blow up in return or do something unexpected?  Let's find out!


Hustle Into Love

~*~

Surprise lit Mace’s face as he too stood upright. He stared down into Chantal’s angry face. “No it’s not. I thought I was doing the right thing…the honorable thing.”

Chantal snarled out a word he was sure was illegal in several countries. “Of course you did. You’re Chinese and British. You’re filled with so much damn honor you’ve got it dripping out your ears.”

He shook his head, unsure if that was a compliment or an insult. “I was trying, Chantal. I know now how wrong I had it, but you have to understand, I wanted to do the right thing. I didn’t want to hurt Lì. He means too much to me.”

She stared at him for several long moments before the fire died from her eyes. Sitting back down on the bench, she rubbed her forehead tiredly. “I know you do. If I’ve learned anything since actually meeting you, I know that.” She gave a sheepish smile. “I’m sorry. I told you I’d listen and instead I got angry.”

Relieved the reports about her temper blowing over quickly were accurate, he sat again beside her. “It’s okay. As long as you understand.”

“I think I do.” She glanced up at him from under her long eyelashes. “You were jealous.”

Hearing the word aloud made him want to squirm, but he nodded. She deserved his honesty. “Yeah. I was. It was stupid, and if I’d had the courage to push through it and meet you, things might have been a lot different.”

To his surprise, she turned pink. “I guess I should tell you I was jealous, too.”

“What?”

She laughed at his expression. “Not in that way. But Lì drove me crazy talking about you. How Mace did this and Mace did that. Every wonderful thing you’ve done, I know about. I’ve seen your war citations and even got to hold that one medal you won.

“It’s not a medal.” He grinned, embarrassment and pride warring inside him. “We call it a decoration.”

She giggled. “Whatever you call it, he drove me crazy showing all your awards off. Sometimes I just wanted to shoot you just so I’d be put out of my misery.”

He could only stare at her. “Seriously? I felt the same way. Lì was always telling me about how well your career was doing or your last honor or triumph. God, sometimes I just wanted to wring your neck because he cared about you so much.”

“But not in the way you thought.”

“No.” He took her hand again. “That’s what was so hard. I was jealous of you for being able to be with Lì more than I could, and I was jealous of Lì because I wanted you for myself. I was a pretty mess, so I thought the best thing to do was just stay away all together.”

“What a tangle.” She sighed. “I stayed away sometimes too, just for that reason. I didn’t want to meet the perfect Mace D'Avranches.”

“You did?” Now he was surprised. “You avoided meeting me?”

Chantal nodded ruefully. “Silly, weren’t we? I think a part of me was hurt you seemed to shun me, so I decided I didn’t need to ever meet baby brother.”

“Just what is that about?” His eyes narrowed. “You calling me baby brother. I know I’m older than you, and I’m damn certain we aren’t related. Thank God.”

“Oh.” She looked embarrassed. “I started calling you that at the beginning because I didn’t know your name. It was before Lì actually met you face to face. Got to be a habit and it just stuck.”

He thought about that. “Perhaps. And perhaps it was a way of keeping your distance?”

Awareness lit her eyes. “Maybe so. Maybe I thought I was protecting myself.”

Taking a chance, he lifted her hand to his mouth and brushed a kiss over her fingers. “But we don’t have that distance between us any longer. Now we both know the truth, and before we go any further, let me say I’m so sorry I said all that rot about how you got to where you are. I know it isn’t true. I always did, I just didn’t want to see it.”

She went still. Her eyes were troubled when they met his. “But how do you know I have talent? Lì said you never accepted any of his invitations to see one of my shows. He said you didn’t want to.”

Mace felt like the slime left behind by one of the garden slugs his grandmum was constantly at war with. It was easy to see his actions had again hurt Chantal. Instinctively wanting to comfort her, he pulled her into his arms. “I’m sorry, honey, I lied.”

“You…lied?”

“Yes.” He put his forehead to hers. “I’ve seen you dance. But I couldn’t tell Lì. He’d have pushed for me to go with him and watch you. It was easier to pretend I wasn’t interested.”

“You’ve seen…me dance?” It was obvious she was having trouble with the notion. “Not just right now?”

He laughed. “No. Not just on this stage, though I have to say you’ve never danced better. I’ve been to the states, Europe and even Hong Kong. I just didn’t let anyone know.”

“But I would have seen you.”

“You didn’t know what I looked like.” He smiled apologetically. “I…ummm…I made sure of it.”

“Oh, my God.” Her mouth dropped open, and he saw the moment she understood. “That’s why there are no pictures of you at Lì’s house. And why all the ones at your parent’s home are of when you were a child.”

He nodded. “What were you saying about being silly? I hid all the ones I had taken after I left school, and I’ve refused a family portrait for the last decade because I was afraid you’d see it and blow my cover.” Shrugging, he brushed back a loose lock of Chantal’s beautiful hair. “It wasn’t a hundred percent. You still might have seen me in a news photo or some snapshot I wasn’t aware of, but either way, looking back on it now, I can see how ridiculous it all was.”

“Your secret was pretty safe,” she admitted. “I wouldn’t have gone looking. Anything to do with baby brother sent me running the other way.”

Mace looked down into her amused face and grinned. “I can’t believe we went to so much trouble to stay away from each other. Especially when all I ever wanted to do was hold you in my arms. Just like this.”

Chantal blushed. “Sorry. I can’t say the same. Although I was curious. Mostly, all you were to me was Lì’s baby brother and an irritant at that. Which—” she narrowed her eyes, “—didn’t change once I met you.”

He shrugged apologetically. “I couldn’t help myself. You walked into that airport surrounded by fans, and you were so damned beautiful. I was angry with myself for wanting you. I felt like I was already betraying Lì. And when you thought I was Cái, I figured why not get back some of my own.”

“Hmmm.” She chewed her lip and his libido immediately stood up and started doing the tango. “You know I could have done the same to you when you thought Lì and I were lovers. I want points for the fact I didn’t.”

Snorting out a laugh, he dropped a kiss on her smiling lips. “All right. After everything we’ve been through today, I guess I can spot you those.”

“Mace, I’m sorry, too.”

He frowned down at her. “Sorry? For what? I was the one who had it all wrong. God, when I think of the things I said to you, I want to kick myself.”

“No.” She blushed again. “I mean, yeah. You screwed up and I’m not sorry I hit you.”

Mace couldn’t help but grin. She looked like a tiny defiant faerie. “And you pack a pretty good punch, I must say.”

She lifted her chin proudly. “Thanks. You should see me do Kung Fu. Lì taught me. He wanted to make sure I could take care of myself. But anyway, I am sorry.”

“About what?”

“For…for what happened in the office.” The eyes that met his were filled with regret. “I’m not usually a tease, and I did really want you. But then you said how it was only for the moment and I—”

“Whoa!” He interrupted the spate of words. “There is no need for you to apologize for that. A woman can always say no. I shouldn’t have called you a tease. But—” he glanced ruefully down at his cock which was still sporting a hard on from watching her chew her lips earlier, “—I was reacting with the…wrong head.”

She looked down as well then her gaze snapped up to meet his and she blushed again. “Oh. Ummm. Wow.”

“Good thing you aren’t Lì’s main spokesperson,” Mace laughed. “You can’t seem to put two words together.”

Chantal punched him. “Stop it. But I am sorry. It’s just, I don’t usually do things like that.”

“Like that?”

Her gaze dropped. “I’m n-not as experienced as you might think. I’ve never…in an office…or anywhere else like that. I mean I’m not a virgin, but—” She sighed. “God, I’m no good at this.”

Lust curled in Mace’s belly. It was written all over her face. She hadn’t meant to tease him, rather she’d pushed him away out of fear and confusion. The primitive need to make her his own welled up so hard and fast, he had to battle it down or toss her on top of the piano. But he was pretty sure she wasn’t ready for that. Not yet at least.

“Then you need to understand something too, Chantal,” he said as he cupped her face in his hands. “You misunderstood me.”

She took his wrists in her hands as she met his eyes. Her lips trembled. “I did?”

“I know I said only for that moment, but you took it wrong. I just wanted you to focus on your own pleasure. But I had no intention of making that an afternoon quickie or a one night stand.”

“You…you didn’t?”

He shook his head. “No way, lady.” He bent and kissed her gently. “As far as I’m concerned, we have ten years to make up for.”

~*~

See...they did it to me again.  I was aiming another way, and they did a 180 and went off another direction.  But I like it.  I think I know where they are headed now and I think you'll like it as well.

So make sure you comment.  Today is the last time you can enter for the December drawing.  And we'll be back again on Tuesday to find out just how Mace plans on making up those ten years.

Hugs to all,

CJ England










Follow Your Dreams
http://cjengland.com/frosty/frostytherealman.htm
 

http://cjengland.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CJsaysFollowYourDreams/


12 comments:

Carrie said...

Just a wow moment there. I am happy to see them actually talking and listening to each other. I am sure that there is going to be another show of temper between those two but its will also lead to a really great make up too. I can't wait ot see what Mace has planned for making up the ten years they wasted.

Phylis said...

Oh that was perfectly lovely! I like where they are taking the story and I'm glad you are letting them lead you! lol I agree with Carrie the make up for 10 years ought to be spetacular! Thanks for my bright spot in my morning before work and inventory!

CJ England said...

Hey Carrie,

So was I. I'm typing away and am surprised at what winds up happening. But I like where I think they are going.

Harlie Williams said...

Absolutely love this story. Thank you for sharing it with us. I can't wait to see the sparks really fly between the two of them. Should be interesting and passionate.

CJ England said...

Phylis,

Thanks. I really thought it nice, too. I'd expected fireworks, but instead it turned out even better.

I gave up trying to rein them in. I don't even dream. I just let them write it for me. LOL

CJ England said...

Harlie,

So pleased you're enjoying it. I look forward to each writing myself. But I'm almost afraid of what they might do next. LOL

Trishe B. said...

Loving the story so far, thanks for sharing it with us. I'm looking forward to more fireworks :-)

CJ England said...

Hey Trishe,

Me too. I'm actually surprised they haven't gotten more intimate yet. But as you all know, they have a mind of their own. LOL

SharonJM said...

Oh Boy, Now that the misunderstandings and the hard feelings have been straightened out, now do we get to the really steamy action?

CJ England said...

SharonJM,

I don't know. I'm not sure what they'll do next. I wanted them doing the "tango" on the desk two weeks ago. LOL

I guess we'll see next week.

Ashley L said...

I'm glad they started talking. Mace certainly went to great lenghts to avoid Chantal's noticing him. I know that this was just one time of listening, but their temper will blow again.

CJ England said...

Ashley,

I am too. I only hope they keep talking. I'd like to write a love scene, not more temper tantrums. LOL