Chapter 8: Reunion
She took a breath, steeling herself, and pulled the door open. Ethan stood there.
He filled the doorway, his broad shoulders seeming to dwarf the frame. He wore a simple black t-shirt that strained against his biceps and dark jeans. He looked less like an intern and more like a goddamn mercenary. Lin," he said, his voice low, a smirk playing on his lips. "Or should I call you Mei Lin now?"
She didn't answer, just stepped back, allowing him entry. The scent of his cologne, something musky and expensive, filled the air. She hated how much it turned her on.
He walked past her, his eyes taking in the apartment, lingering on the candles, the soft lighting. "Nice place," he said, his voice casual. "Very…you."
Mei Lin closed the door, her hand lingering on the handle for a moment. She turned to face him, her expression carefully neutral. "I wasn't sure you'd actually come."
He raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. "And miss out on this? Don't flatter yourself, Mei Lin. Curiosity got the better of me."
She gestured towards the living room. "Make yourself comfortable," she said, her voice cool. "I'll be right back."
She walked into the bedroom, the silk robe swishing around her legs, the warmth of her bare feet contrasting with the cold marble below.
She padded over to the bed, a massive king-sized affair covered in silk sheets. She plumped up the pillows, arranging them just so. This was her domain, her sanctuary.
She grabbed her wine glass from the nightstand, taking a long sip. The alcohol burned in her throat, but it helped to steady her nerves.
When she returned to the living room, Ethan was standing by the window, his back to her, gazing out at the city lights. "Beautiful view," he said, without turning around.
"I didn't invite you here to admire the scenery," Mei Lin said, her voice sharp. She walked over to the sofa, lounging against the cushions, deliberately crossing her legs, showcasing her bare feet. Her perfectly manicured toe nails, painted ruby red to match her fingers, pointed at him like daggers.
Ethan turned to face her, his eyes darkening as he took her in. "No? Then what did you invite me here for, Mei Lin?" He took a step towards her, his voice low and dangerous. "I'm not a fucking mind reader." He didn't stop walking until he was standing right in front of her, his legs bracketing hers.
Mei Lin smirked, her eyes locked on his.
"Such impatience," she purred, tilting her head slightly. She gestured to a chair across the room. "Sit. We have things to discuss." Her tone was firm, but there was a flicker of something else in her voice—something that made Ethan’s stomach tighten.
Ethan’s jaw tightened, but he obeyed, moving to the chair and sinking into it with a controlled grace. "Discuss?" he asked, leaning back, his arms crossed. "I thought the terms were pretty clear back in your office." His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it, a challenge he wasn’t quite ready to voice.
Mei Lin laughed, a throaty, sensual sound that sent a shiver down his spine. "Oh, darling, you thought wrong." She uncrossed her legs, letting her robe fall open just enough to reveal the curve of her thigh. "This isn’t some back-alley transaction. This is a game. And I make the rules." She paused, letting the words settle between them like a heavy fog.
"A game?" Ethan echoed, his eyes narrowing. He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "How long does this game last, Mei Lin? Until you’re bored? Until my internship ends?" His voice was low, but there was a tension in it, a barely restrained frustration.
She shrugged, her robe slipping slightly off her shoulder, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of skin. "Perhaps. Or perhaps until you prove yourself worthy." Her gaze was steady, unflinching, as if daring him to look away.
"Worthy?" he scoffed, his lips curling into a smirk. "Of what? Your royal favor?" He leaned back again, his fingers drumming lightly on the armrest. The room felt smaller now, the air thick with unspoken words.
"Don’t be crude," Mei Lin snapped, her eyes hardening. She stood, her robe swaying around her as she stepped closer. "Worthy of my time. Worthy of my… attention." She let the word hang in the air, heavy with implication, her voice a husky whisper that sent a jolt through him.
Ethan leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, his gaze intense. "And how does one prove themselves worthy, Ms. Lin?" His voice was calm, but there was a challenge in his eyes, a fire that refused to be extinguished.
"Patience, Ethan," she said, her voice softening. She picked up the wine bottle, her eyes never leaving his. "That’s the first step. You’re clearly lacking in that department." She poured another glass, the ruby liquid sloshing against the crystal. "More wine? You seem a little tense."
He watched her pour, the wine catching the candlelight like liquid fire. "Tense?" he asked, taking the glass from her. Their fingers brushed, and he felt it—a spark, a current that neither of them acknowledged. "I’m perfectly calm. Just wondering what hoops you’re going to make me jump through." He took a sip, his gaze never leaving hers.
Mei Lin walked over to him, her movements slow and deliberate. She stood in front of him, her robe parting slightly as she leaned down. "Think of it as an interview," she said, her voice a husky whisper. "A very… personal interview." Her breath was warm against his ear, and he felt his pulse quicken.