“Um, yes. That’s everything I’ve got.”
The woman nods. “Very well. Now, I may be good at what I do, but a missing person’s case that’s this old... Well, let’s just say I don’t want you to get your hopes up.”
Eden’s breath catches in her throat. “But you’ll take the case?”
“Yes, I shall.”
“H-how long do you think it’ll take?”
Maxine smacks her lips, tilts her head to the side. “You must have patience, dear girl. I’m an investigator, not a magician. I give you my word that I will dedicate my focus to finding your parents as quickly as possible.”
Shang reaches over and places a hand on the back of her neck. He doesn’t say anything. The comforting warmth of his palm against her skin is more than enough.
“I will get in contact with a few of my sources,” Maxine continues. “Multiple sets of fresh eyes may help a great deal.”
Eden stands, so excited and anxious that she’s two seconds away from vibrating straight out of her skin. “Thank you. Thank you very much.”
When they get back outside, Eden realizes her legs are Jello and she can hardly stand. It was all over so fast, so quickly. Ten plus years of saving, of waiting—and now it’s out of her hands. There’s nothing left to do. It’s up to Maxine to find her parents. Or not.
She’d rather not dwell on it.
Shang takes her hand and guides her back to his car. “Would you like to go back to your place, or mine?”
She squeezes his fingers. “What would you prefer?”
“I’d prefer wherever I can be with you.”
Eden hums contently. “Yours, then. And then mine. And wherever else we find ourselves.”
She closes her eyes and relishes the way he kisses her forehead. She likes how he takes care of her.
And take care of her he does.
They went straight to Maxine’s office upon leaving his parents’ place, so they haven’t had a real chance to decompress. The first thing Shang does is take Eden to his bathroom, lifting her with ease and setting her down on the counter. He kisses her slowly, tenderly, all while slipping her out of her clothes while the shower heats up and the bathroom slowly builds up steam.
Her skin burns, but in a good way. She wants so much, hungry to feel his hands on her. Anywhere, everywhere. Shang seems more than willing to give, peppering kisses against her cheeks, the crook of her neck, down along her shoulders. She likes the gruffness of his hands, feels very much like a dish he’s preparing. He handles her with the utmost care, stroking and kissing and massaging her arms and legs and breasts.
She’s completely naked, exposed. She’s never felt safer. The only reason she whines is because Shang’s still fully clothed, and it’s so terribly unfair. Shang chuckles. It’s like he can read her mind. He parts for a second to give himself enough space to shuck his shirt off. Eden all but paws at him, her fingers tracing the hard lines of his chest and abs.
God, she could just sink her teeth into him.
“Prime Wagyu beef,” she mumbles to herself.
“Did you just compare me to a cow?”
“Only the best kind, I promise.”
Shang huffs a laugh. “Weirdo.”
She palms at the obscene bulge in the front of his jeans. “Yeah, but you like it.”
“I do,” he says without hesitation. “Here, move over. I’ve got condoms in the medicine cabinet.”
“Actually—” Eden places a hand on his chest. Licks her lips. “Do you think we could maybe try without?”
Shang smirks. “What? Really?”
“I’ve, uh... I’ve been taking birth control.”
