She gazed at him in wonder. “I never knew.”
“Knew what, sweeting?”
She tried to explain. “What all the…the fuss was about.”
His lips curved. “And now you do?”
At her tremulous nod, his smile reached his eyes.
“I am glad.” He tucked a stray strand behind her ear. “Was it worth the wait?”
“You were worth it,” she said with feeling.
His gaze smoldered, and he leaned toward her. When she placed a hand on his chest, he stopped, tilting his head in question. She slid a glance at his lap, where the thick, unabated ridge of his arousal was clearly visible.
“What…um, what about you?” She chewed on her lip. “Should I do anything?”
“You’ve had enough adventures tonight, love. And I am a patient man.”
When she furrowed her brow, not sure that she wanted him to exercise his much-vaunted powers of restraint, he kissed her. His hot, commanding claim vaporized her arguments, turning her into boneless mush. He framed her face with his hands, rubbed his thumb over her swollen lips, and what he said next made her melt even more.
“After all, little tigress, you were worth waiting for, too.”
Twenty-One
The following afternoon, Wei descended the carriage in front of Glory’s home. The sun filtered through the leafy bowers, gilding the spotless brick-fronted mansions. The pavement looked freshly swept, and birdsong and blooms were in abundance. When Wei had left the clinic, fog and smoke had choked the sky, a brisk wind skirling leaves and litter over the muddy roads. Mayfair seemed not just like a different neighborhood, but a different world.
Standing amid that bastion of privilege, Wei felt his misgivings rise like specters.
She is too far above you. You are not worthy of her. The last time you crossed this line, it led to disaster.
But this was Glory, not Chun. Glory was different—unlike any lady he’d known. He thought of her vulnerability, her sweet avowal that all she wanted was him. The way she’d lit incense for his sister and offered to help him in his quest. The way she’d rubbed her wet little pussy against his thigh and cried his name when she came.
“Don’t lose your nerve now, brother.” From the driver’s perch, Yao spoke in their native tongue.
Wei shot his shidai an annoyed look, answering, “When have I ever done that?”
“There’s always a first time. And in all the years we’ve known each other, you have never gone courting.” Yao smirked. “An activity that is known to incite fear in the bravest of men.”
Wei felt his neck heat. Denial was pointless since Yao had been the one who’d driven him and Glory last night. As Yao had taken an extended detour around Regent’s Park, he’d undoubtedly known what was happening inside the carriage. He had also spotted Wei practicing kung fu at dawn. With his arousal unabating, Wei had been trying to work off some of his humming energy because he didn’t want to find pleasure by his own hand.
He hadn’t lied when he told Glory he was a patient man. Some things in life were worth the wait, and she was one of them. When he ended his self-imposed celibacy, he wanted it to be with her. Wanted to plant himself deep inside her snug pussy, to hear her breathless whimpers, and to feel her come and come around his cock.
He made a clearing sound in his throat and rapped on the side of the carriage. “Don’t bother waiting. I’ll take a hackney back.”
“Good luck.” Yao took up the reins. “It’s good to see you focused on happiness for a change.”
As Wei watched his shidai drive away, he was troubled by Yao’s words. He understood that Yao had intended them to be supportive, but his shidai’s observation had an opposite effect, stirring up his guilt. How could Wei think about his own desires when he had yet to avenge his family?
You promised Glory that you would call today. That you would discuss the Scott situation with her before taking further action. Maybe she can help with your revenge after all.
It had been the one thing Glory had asked of him before he’d dropped her off at the Hadleighs’. She’d begged him not to go after Scott until they’d had a chance to strategize. Since the gang leader was now of interest to both him and the Angels, she’d argued that they should coordinate their efforts, especially since Scott would be on guard now and even more difficult to corner. She’d reasoned that the key to success for both their missions was to work as a team.
He also knew that his little tigress would have more questions about his past. Last night, he’d provided a bare-bones version of his history; if they were to be a team, he would have to tell her the truth...all of it. The shameful secrets he hadn’t shared with anyone except his shifu and shidai. What would Glory think of him if he told her why his family had been killed? Would she despise him—want nothing more to do with a man whose despicable behavior had destroyed the people closest to him?
His chest knotted. She was such an honorable little thing, fiercely loyal to those lucky enough to be in her circle. How could she accept the scoundrel he’d once been? Hell, there were times when he could barely stomach himself…and he’d spent years meditating, trying to come to peace with what he’d done. Yet acceptance still eluded him.
Still, he owed it to her to tell her everything. Not because of their mutual purpose but because he had made love to her. Last night, he had crossed a line—several lines, actually. While he could not bring himself to regret their encounter, he knew things were far from settled. She deserved to know the man she had become involved with. To have full knowledge of the facts so that she could decide whether she found him a worthy suitor.
