There’s nothing more annoying than a man who has no opinions. Or, one who doesn’t plan. To me that indicates a lack of care or concern. Neither of which is attractive in fiction – or in real life. My heroes? Alphas, baby. Even when the culture wants them to be sweet. *winks*
In this unedited snippet, which picks up where last week’s blog leaves off, Sinna listens with interest as Tan runs down his plan for their relationship – and is amazed how much she likes it.
The picture is of Kim Jae Wook. He’s super good in Her Private Life. The actress who plays opposite him has kissed every hot guy in South Korea. Nice job she’s got. LOL This is a younger picture of him, but he’s aging beautifully. Sigh…
XOXO,
SS
“Well, there’s my age to consider. You said you want two kids.”
“Do you want to have children?”
“I used to,” she admitted. “But I’m no spring chicken, Tan. My business is my baby.”
“But if we marry you are not against it?”
“No, but don’t forget my age,” she insisted, not wanting there to be any misunderstanding.
“You are 38.”
“Almost 10 years older than you.”
She saw him smile before he turned away. What a strange conversation they were having, casually discussing marriage and babies when they’d yet to even kiss. Yet, it felt perfectly natural to discuss their future like everything was a foregone conclusion. They were discussing details like they were negotiating a contract. As someone who’d successfully run her own business for 20 years and been single most of that time, it was scary how much all this appealed to her.
“Is your mom happy with Seong Huo?”
“Very. He has been very good to us. I never once regret putting trust in him. I have learned much from him. He got me into real estate, and has given me wonderful advice on how to manage my financial affairs and other people.”
He leaned down to whisper, “Does this seem ridiculous to you?”
Sinna laughed. “Does it show?”
He smiled. “No. You are hard to read. But I can imagine an American woman might think my talk strange.”
Maybe. But it also sounded wonderful.
“We must get to know each other better,” he continued. “Then you’ll see I’m right. Will you give us a chance?”
“Yes,” she said, and he laughed.
“What’s funny?”
“You look surprised that you said yes.”
She was. She’d been dead set against any sort of relationship. But as she listened to him, as she considered his willingness to take a chance, a huge, potentially ruinous risk, she thought, how cowardly it would be if she couldn’t meet him half way. Especially when she was interested. Her body, her spirit, her mind, everything liked this man.
Sinna was no coward. She hadn’t got where she was by shying away from a challenge, and she refused to be a woman who avoided things out of fear. Her gut said Tan was worth it. Her female bits said, bitch, get on it, quick! She would listen to them both.
“But we need ground rules. For now, we keep this thing between us. No public anything. Friends and family have to keep quiet too. And the minute it goes bad,” she drew a finger across her throat, and he laughed.
“I like that you respond quickly.”
She shrugged. “I follow my gut.”
“You are a very honest woman.”
“To a fault,” she confirmed. “I don’t have the time or the patience to deal with liars. It’s a deal breaker for me in my personal and professional life.”
No fool, Tan knew he was being warned, but he nodded. “I believe in honesty as well.”
He drew her away from the middle of the sidewalk. “May I hug you?”
She hesitated, then nodded, hiding her smile when he drew her into his arms. He hugged her gently. After a moment her head lay on his broad shoulder, and one of his big hands cupped the back of her neck. He did not press their bodies tightly together, but one hand splayed protectively over her back.
Slowly, her arms rose to wrap his waist, and when he felt her gentle squeeze she felt him smile against her hair.
“Enough,” she laughed. “Let go before somebody takes a picture.”
Sherrod Story - Here lies your book boyfriend...naked. 