Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 108768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
“O-kay.”
“It is what it is.” I shifted my focus back to the romantic date I had planned. “So. . .let’s enjoy Chef Li Mei’s culinary masterpieces and. . .only focus on us.”
Her expression brightened. “Alright.”
Recovering from the jolt of the revelation, I gently tugged her hand and led her away. “Anyway. . .I want to tell you why I decided to have us eat down here, instead of in the grand dining hall.”
“Okay.”
“I don’t think my mother ever liked the palace.”
“Really?”
“It was too big for her, too many people. Every day, she would escape back to Lotus Blossom and spend time messing around in the garden or just staring at the pond.”
“I can get that. Lotus Blossom is so big and amazing.” Monique smiled. “When we flew over it, I was thinking about all the things I would plant in that garden, and how relaxing it would be to sit out by the pond.”
“Whatever you want, seeds or anything else, just ask. I’ll make sure you have everything.”
She beamed. “Thank you, Lei.”
God, I love making her smile.
“Either way, not only did my mother dislike staying in the palace, she also hated eating in the massive dining hall too.” I shrugged. “She never wanted to eat there, but my father made her anyway. He believed that they had a duty to constantly host almost every night.”
For some reason, Monique frowned.
“However, when it was Valentine’s Day, their anniversary, Mother’s Day, or even her birthday,” I gestured to the double doors we were heading to. “This is where they ate.”
We stepped through the doors and entered a small, intimate space.
“Oh Lei. This is beautiful.” Smiling, Monique looked around. “I love it.”
The glow of candlelight bathed the room. Each flickering of flames cast dancing shadows against the white walls.
Jasmine and roses scented the air due to every corner having vases filled with flowers—peonies, jasmine, roses, and lilies.
In the center, a small table for two was set, and draped in a fine, white linen tablecloth. An arrangement of roses sat on top of it, in a crystal vase.
The table settings were impeccable, with polished silverware, crystal wine glasses, and fine China that gleamed in the candlelight.
“Lei, I can see why she loved it here.” She squeezed my hand. “All of the other rooms were huge and daunting, but this. . .it’s intimate, warm, and comfortable.”
“I’m glad you like this.” I guided her over to the table. “I wanted us to really have time to ourselves. No people coming in to interrupt. Just you and me.”
Once we got to the table, I pulled out a chair for her.
“Thank you.” She gently lowered into it.
I hurried to my seat across from her and sat down.
And then, our eyes locked in a sensual gaze and that electric connection of ours buzzed in the air.
Is this love?
The flickering candlelight played across Monique’s gorgeous face.
Desire surged through me. “I should tell the chef that we’re no longer hungry.”
She smirked. “And then what?”
“And then I should put you on the table and eat your pussy.”
She licked her lips. “Now is that proper behavior, Mountain Master?”
Lucky for her, one of the servers entered the space, carrying bowls of soup. He brought them to the table, placed one in front of each of us, and hurried away.
The golden broth shimmered with droplets of aromatic oil. Tender morsels of chicken, slices of mushrooms, and vibrant greens floated throughout the liquid.
“This smells good.” Monique studied her soup. “Will this soup have a bird’s nest too?”
“No.” I chuckled. “That’s more Chen’s thing. He likes exotic delicacies.”
She picked up her spoon. “And what do you like to eat?”
My body hummed with lust. “You.”
She grinned. “Lei, stop playing. What type of food do you like?”
I smirked, but my eyes never left hers. “I like simple dishes, like steamed rice and stir-fried vegetables. Perhaps, because dinner was always a grand affair, I’m like my mother and just want to be relaxed and eat comfort food.”
She took a sip of the soup, and then her eyes closed in pleasure. “This is so delicious.”
“I’m glad you like it.” I tasted mine and savored the harmonious blend of savory chicken, the earthy umami of the mushrooms, and the fresh greens.
But I didn’t bring Monique here for soup.
I yearned to learn as much as I could about her.
I set the spoon down. “Have you ever been in love?”
She paused, her spoon midway in the air. “What?”
“You heard me.”
She slowly placed the spoon back in the bowl. “Well. . .maybe a little bit.”
I tensed. “Tell me about it.”
“There was a guy in college. For a while, I thought he might be. . .”
“What?”
“The one.”
Jealousy rose within me.
I did my best to shove it back down.
“But life had other plans,” Her gaze drifted to the flickering candles near us. “My mother got sick with cancer. My father was deep into his gambling addiction and drinking all the time. I didn’t think he would do a good job, so against my mother’s adamant wishes. . .I decided to leave college to take care of her and my sisters. She was pissed and felt so guilty about it.”