13

"You better leave," Gin speared him with a hostile glare. "This discussion is not over," Kin Arvis tugged at his sleeves angrily. Gin opened Vin's door. "Kin Arvis's leaving," she announced. It was her cue to Vin that they could go down for dinner. "Good," Vin announced, coming to the door. He frowned at Kin Arvis menacingly. "Good night, Vin," Kin Arvis greeted, unfazed, by his son's dismissive stance. Gin rushed behind Kin Arvis, to let him out. Vin followed supportively. "Ah, just in time," Shin smiled. "Stay for dinner." She extended the invitation to Kin Arvis. "There'san extra piece of juicy sirloin." "He ___ has plans." Gin attempted to discourage Kin Arvis from staying. "Nothing that can't wait," Kin Arvis smiled devilishly. "Thank you Shin," Kin Arvis directed a charismatic smile in her direction. Gin's eyes bore into him angrily. Couldn't he just leave? The table had been set for four with the mouth-watering steaks along with fresh garden peas, sweet potatoes, broccoli and a salad. Purposely, Vin seated himself at the head of the table. Gin was about to relegate him to one of the chairs to the side, when Kin Arvis, imperceptibly stopped her. He merely shook his head, but she understood the coded command. "Shall I say grace mum?" "Sure," Gin took the chair opposite Kin Arvis. Shin took the seat opposite Vin. "Dear God, we thank you for our lovely meal tonight, in Jesus Name. Amen!" The adults had barely lifted their bowed heads, when Vin helped himself to two steaks, put one in his mum's plate and another in his grandma's plate. Gin stared wide-eyed at Vin. She could not believe her son was being so inhospitable. "Have mine." Gin and Shin simultaneously offered their plates to Kin Arvis. "I'll just have ___ some of the vegetables," Kin Arvis politely declined. His eyes briefly swept over the broccoli, as he furnished both ladies, with a charming smile. "No," Gin sighed, placing her plate in front of Kin Arvis and taking his empty plate. "Sheepishly, Vin offered his mum the bigger steak from his plate." "Thank you, Vin." Grudgingly, Vin's eyes shifted, glaringly at the intruder at their dinner table. "Mum___," Vin murmured softly. "I'm not having that," Vin strategically shifted the broccoli towards Kin Arvis, whilst he cast a guilty look towards his grandma. From the day he was able to speak, Vin vehemently expressed his total dislike for broccoli. Gin had always found it amusing. That ill-famed night, ten years ago when she'd offered Kin Arvis a meal. He'd said, "anything but broccoli." Like father … .like son then? Her eyes lifted to Kin Arvis now. He seemed amazed that Vin shared his dislike for the unpleasant vegetable. Kin Arvis very clearly heard Vin's refusal and evidently, the last portion in the bowl was Kin Arvis's, unless he planned on offending Shin. Kin Arvis's eyes returned to Gin's for a second before they fell to the offensive green sprouts. "Mum, do we have any wine left?" Gin attempted damage control. "I think there'sthat opened bottle of Merlot, Dean left here last week," she rose to go in search of the wine in the kitchen. Gin quickly emptied the broccoli into her own plate, whilst Kin Arvis tucked into his scrumptious looking steak. "Thank you," Kin Arvis smiled appreciatively. Vin glowered at Kin Arvis, not liking that he was excused from eating the gross tasting broccoli. Kin Arvis smiled and shrugged his shoulders when Vin continued glaring at him. "Mum makes me eat lots of carrots, oranges and lettuce, so I don't have to eat broccoli," Vin narrowed his eyes at Kin Arvis. "I hope you have to do the same," Vin lambasted Kin Arvis, as if insinuating; if he was being punished then so must Kin Arvis." Gin laughed at Vin's cheekiness. "I do," Kin Arvis nodded, trying to balance a few peas on his fork. "Don't forget broccoli has a rich source of calcium too and I get that from eating lots of cheese and eggs." "I drink lots of milk," Vin countered. "There you go," Shin returned with the wine, offering it to Kin Arvis. "Thank you Shin," Kin Arvis gratefully poured himself a glassful. "Gin?" His teasing eyes held hers. He was obviously remembering their night in Cape Town, although this was hardly as expensive as the brand in the hotel. It had tasted damn good too. "No thank you," she declined looking down, hoping her family would not notice her flushed face. "My mum doesn't care much for alcohol," Vin thought he should inform Kin Arvis. "Gin tells me you spent many years in Sudan. How was it there?" Shin conversationally enquired. Gin studied Kin Arvis's face. It became sad for a moment, before he quickly masked it. Evidently he had seen too much pain there. She wished she could go there … with Kin Arvis. See the place that stole Kin Arvis from her for ten years. "Honed a completely different set of skills when I got there," Kin Arvis laughed. "Oh?" Shin was intrigued. "You must have read of all the violence there," a grave expression filled his eyes as he looked at Shin. "Tribal wars, I believe, yes" Shin nodded. "The violence, fatalities, severity was ___never ending," Kin Arvis's voice fell. His eyes seemed haunted, like he was back there. I left as a cardiologist and returned with a qualification in orthopaedics," a wry expression covered his face. "You spent some time in London too," Gin decided to get Twin out of the doldrums. "Yes," Kin Arvis smiled. "Nasty weather, but best pubs in the world." And I bet exciting women too. They managed to finish dinner without incident. She thought Kin Arvis would leave after dinner, but he helped Shin with the dishes. She bet he was trying to earn brownie points with her mother. Gin excused herself to attend to Vin. Kin Arvis had the gall to stay for coffee as well. When Shin discreetly retired to her room, Kin Arvis had requested a second cup of coffee and when his arm snaked behind her shoulder on the sofa and he shifted closer to her, Gin stood up, deliberately looking at her wristwatch, trying to hurry Kin Arvis. He got the hint. "I'll say good night," he sighed disappointedly. "Just remember Gin," he came too close, towering over her. "We're going to become a family very, very soon," he vowed. "Vin needs time," she added weakly. "He will never be ready, as long as you and I live apart." Kin Arvis warned. "I intend to become active in my son's life," Kin Arvis demanded "and I will not do it by remote control." "You can't just barge into our lives and start issuing demands!" she tossed at him. "I just did," his hand circled her wrists like a steel band, "and another thing, Gin," he warned in a dangerously low voice. "You are off limits to every other man." Gin gaped. "You can't dictate how I run my private life." "You will have no private life that excludes me," he instructed. "You're insane," she jeered, but couldn't help retorting, "if that's the case, I hope what's good for the goose is good for the gander!" Does this mean, if they were setting boundaries, that she was actually contemplating marrying the boorish toad? "You will have no problem there darling," he smiled wickedly. "I have always been a one woman, man, and I place a high premium on fidelity. "Good night Gin," his lips intoxicatingly brushed hers with a sensuous kiss. She wanted to be angry with him. She wanted to shove him away, but it was not anger she felt when he gently pulled her into his arms. When Gin walked into the pediatric ward the following morning, it was like she was an alien. All the nursing staff were casting suspicious glances at her as if she was a threat to national security. They can't know I slept with Kin Arvis in Cape Town. Gin politely smiled and greeted her colleagues as she walked past them to her surgery. Even her fellow doctors and the interns assigned to the ward were giving her the once over. The hushed silences were like really creepy, she thought. Now I wonder if our resident gossipmonger, Nurse Julia Bale has been busy in the ward, but how could she know what happened in Cape Town! "Good morning," Gin smiled cautiously at her assistant, Janet Curtis as she walked into her office. Gin was even more spooked when Jane was nervously shuffling the very neat stack of files on her desk.] "Morning, Dr. Mikhayla," Janet smiled. "I just want to warn you before, you step into your office___," she cautioned. "What?" Gin laughed uneasily. She wished somebody would just spit it out. Maybe there was a hole in her skirt, or maybe she had two different shoes on, her eyes lowered to look at her sensible black pumps. They were a matching pair, she smiled in relief as she opened her surgery and walked in. "Good heavens!" "Your office has turned into a rose garden." Gin and Janet spoke simultaneously. Gin screamed silently. No wonder the whole bloody ward is giving me "the look." Great! I wonder how long before the entire hospital knows I've slept with Kin Arvis. "They're all from Dr. Ra?" Gin had to say something. She suspected a card was somewhere amongst the dozens of bouquets filling every conceivable empty spot in her surgery, so Jane would undoubtedly know who Gin's profligate benefactor was. "I hope there'snobody else sending you flowers." Gin spun around. He was standing there, leaning sexily against the door frame, handsome as Prince Charming, holding a single red, long stemmed rose. The idiot! As if the room was not already filled up, like a florist's shop. Gin's eyes narrowed, scathingly at him. "Is that all you could afford, Dr. Ra?" Kin Arvis smiled lazily. His eyes shifted to Gin's assistant who had curiously followed Gin into her surgery to gauge her reaction. "I'll ___ bring in the patient files just now," she scurried out, leaving Gin alone with Kin Arvis. Gin wished her assistant had not closed the door. She would have felt more secure with it opened. Her eyes raked over Kin Arvis. He was so good looking in his dark suit and crisp white shirt. So tall, attractive … beautiful and those trousers fitting so snugly over his muscular legs. Her fingers tingled, itching to touch him. "You couldn't send all this to my home?" Her hand waved around all the beautiful bouquets of roses. Kin Arvis arrogantly shrugged, as he closed the gap between them. "I wanted you to have them first thing in the morning," he murmured seductively. "If I sent them to your home, then you would only see them tonight," he delicately brushed the rosebud in his hand, down her cheek. She swallowed nervously. Her eyes were refusing to stay opened. They wanted to stay closed so she could focus only on the erotic sensation of the velvety rose petals on her flesh. Involuntarily her lips parted, the cool rose bud was wreaking havoc on her senses. Its perfumed scent driving her wild with desire. Crazy … so early in the bloody morning! "Kin Arvis ___" her fingers clutched desperately at the lapels of his jacket. "Yes," he grunted huskily. "I am angry with you right now," she tried to shove him away from her, but he was immovable, like a concrete pillar. "Gin," he breathed huskily. "I am so aroused by you right now. His lips trailed down her neck, nibbling seductively on her flesh. His tongue laved at the lobe of her ear. He had not felt this powerful, instant lust with any other woman. He wanted to savour the moment. His mouth drifted lower … down her silky throat. His fingers splayed at the nape of her neck. His tongue running rioting down her supple flesh. Gin's breath quivered as it escaped her lips. Her head angled. She dragged her hungry lips to meet his. Molten desire ached deep, in the core of her womanhood. She wanted him so much, it hurt. Their lips brushed. Kin Arvis's own desire was building. He crushed her in his arms … yet he sensed her inner battle not to touch him, her fingers lay bunched, on his jacket, as if she did not want to lose control. Yet her breathing was erratic. He could feel her heart pumping wildly against his, but she refused to relinquish total control. Kin Arvis made it easy for her, he took a step back. Gin hid her eyes so he would not see her disappointment. She wanted so desperately to kiss him. She longed to throw her arms around his neck and ravish him. Crazy girl! How could she want to have anything to do with this dominating, toad? If only he was not so emotionally detached. Though sending her the countless dozens of roses was romantic. And he had paraded all the way to her office, with a single rose bud in his hand. An angry flush of mortification mounted her cheeks. His eyes caressed over her face disarmingly. He smiled, banking his desire, cursing his aroused state that would be throbbing all through the rest of the day. How he wished he could just take her now, sink himself inside her, just to get rid of the aching pulsation in his pants. "Do you realize the entire hospital will be talking about you and I now?" Gin accused. "Gin," Kin Arvis groaned, slicing his fingers through his hair. "The gossip mill is the least of my concerns right now. If she wanted to be concerned, she should help him with his painful erection throbbing inside his trousers. Gin looked away. She guessed the only thing on his mind right now was sex and an answer to his demand that they be married in a week. Like Vin was going to agree to that! "What are you doing here?" she questioned. "I had a lovely dinner last night," he smiled charmingly. "Even though mum was the only one wanting you there?" She threw at him. Kin Arvis laughed, "you offered me your portion of dinner," he reminded her, circling his arms around her waist. Can you not keep your hands of me? "I was being polite," she mumbled. "And you saved me from eating the ___ very nutritious broccoli," he added. Gin wanted to pull a face at him but ended up laughing. She was remembering Vin's brazenness. "So my son does not like broccoli," he laughed throatily. Oh she liked hearing the sound of those words passing through Kin Arvis's lips. "Like most other kids," Gin responded sarcastically. She just had to get that stupid grin off Kin Arvis's face and succeeded. "Right," Kin Arvis replied, a wounded look in his eyes. Gin felt guilty for her tactless remark. She opened her mouth to apologize. "I told my parents we're getting married." The apology died on her lips. "Why the hell did you do that? I told you, I'm not marrying you!" Kin Arvis's eyes were angry. "And I told you we are," his grip on her shoulders tightened. "On the specific day you plan for us to marry Kin Arvis, I hope you have a stand in bride, because I ain't going to pitch up there." Now why did that hurt like hell to think about another woman being his bride? "I am marrying you, Dr. Gin Mikhayla." Gin's grey eyes were dark as slate. "You can go on all you want to like a scratched record, Kin Arvis. You can't make me marry you." "Oh, but I can," he pulled her roughly against his chest. His punishing lips, closed over her mouth before Gin could attempt any escape. If only her body listened to her brain. Instead, when his tongue forced its way into her mouth, her tongue stupidly was singing hallelujah. It rallied with his, doing the tango, the waltz and every other acrobatic movement it had the mind to perform. She purred her pleasure, her hands wound around his neck. Her fingers raked through his hair, pulling him closer, deepening the kiss. Her lips were fervent, her head angling, delighting in the erotic pleasure of the sizzling kiss. "Kin Arvis … ," her lips murmured against his, begging for more. She gasped, when she found herself thrust away from him. "You're going to marry me Gin," his eyes were thunderously dark and she would be a fool if she thought that was desire, reflected there. He stormed out, shutting her door softly behind his back. Gin inhaled heavily. She looked in her compact mirror. She had been thoroughly kissed all right. She applied some gloss over her lips, ran her fingers through her hair, before she buzzed Jane to come in with the files and a cup of tea for her. "Hi Vin," Gin had to stretch all the way to the passenger seat to reach Vin's cheek. "Why didn't grandma fetch me today?" He demanded, not returning her greeting. Gin hid her disappointment. She checked her rear view mirror and steered into the traffic again. "I thought I'd take you out for a milk shake," she smiled in Vin's direction. It was wasted. He was staring out his window, "How was your day?" "Fine," came the monosyllabic grunt. "How'd you do in your math test?" "Hundred percent," he was hunched forward, still staring out his window. "Well done," Gin smiled proudly. Did he have his mother's or father's brain? Not that anything was wrong with her brilliant, analytical brain. "I had a good day too, thank you," Gin offered. "I didn't ask." Gin saw the beginnings of a smile hovering on his face. "Oh, my apologies, I thought you did," she smirked. He finally chuckled. Gin reached out, ruffling his hair. "I love you." "Love you too mum," he finally gave her a shy smile. "So why, we going for milk shakes?" Gin took her eyes off the road to look at Vin. "I just wanted to see how you doing," she admitted. "You mean now that my long lost father has magically resurfaced? Well, I'm not accepting him in my house and I don't love him." Gin inhaled heavily, focusing her attention on the road again. "Give Kin Arvis a chance please, Vin." Why the hell was she doing this for the pig-headed tyrant? "No!" Vin scowled angrily. He was so very much the son of Kin Arvis Ra. Gin groaned silently. She knew deep down, Vin wanted a father figure in his life. She observed the way her son doted on Dean. He didn't need to lean on her brother anymore. Not when his biological father was finally willing to step up to the plate. Better late than never right? "Is the Mugg and Bean okay?" Gin asked as she drove into the parking lot at the Melrose Arch shopping mall. "Yeah," Vin smiled enthusiastically. "Can I have double chocolate?" "Sure," she smiled, taking hold of Vin's hand. "Table for two?" A waiter at the door, enquired. "Yes, thank you," Gin smiled. "I attended this nine year old boy today," Gin smiled. "He had severe influenza, but refused to let me give him a jab. He was practically running around my surgery," she laughed softly. "Sissy," Vin grinned. "I'm brave mum," he squared his shoulders, raising his chin, proudly. "I know," she reached out, and cupped his face, adoringly. "So what'd you want to talk about mum?" He questioned. Gin smiled, "nothing Vin, I just wanted to enjoy a drink with you." "Thank you, mum." Two days later, Kin Arvis walked into Gin's surgery. He stood there, mesmerized, tongue-tied. She was in a dress, looking so sexy. Against his will his eyes indulgently traced over her generous curves, the tiny waist, shapely legs … his breath stilled. "May I escort you to the auditorium tonight?" Kin Arvis offered. He was giving a lecture to the Wits University's final year med students at the Linder Auditorium in Parktown. Kin Arvis's secretary had extended an invitation to all the hospital's junior practitioners. Gin shook her head. "No thank you, Kin Arvis. I have already accepted Alice's offer. You know he lives just a street away from me," she shrugged. Grudgingly, Kin Arvis nodded. "I'll see you later then," he pursed his lips and very surprisingly departed without further comment. As Gin was getting dressed to attend the lecture, Vin was in her bedroom, teasing her about how much effort she was making with her make-up. She hardly wore make-up, but tonight, she wanted to. "Dr. Alice is my colleague!" "Right, and you always go out in the evenings with "your colleague" with lipstick and a pretty dress," Vin gave her the look like he was not buying her story. "What is wrong with you?" Gin laughed, gently pushing Vin. Okay, so Kin Arvis Ra is presenting the lecture. "I'll get it," Vin raced to answer the front door bell. Gin was just in time to hear Vin say, "She's wearing a dress and lipstick." Gin rolled her eyes. They narrowed warningly, when Alice whistled appreciatively. "Told you," Vin murmured to Alice. "Vin you're grounded!" "Why, because you look beautiful in a dress and lipstick and Dr. Alice agrees with me?" "From today, it's just Alice," Alice murmured to Vin. "Alice you're not helping here! Tell Vin, tonight is work related." "She says, its work related," he jerked his thumb in Gin's direction. "Alice! I should have just gone with my own car," Gin mumbled, picking up her evening bag. "Enjoy your evening mum, and you don't have to be home by ten." "I think he likes me," Alice winked at Gin. "You, young man, must get to bed in the next hour. Make sure you brush your teeth." Gin walked out. "I will hear it again from grandma," Vin sighed. "Bye mum," he kissed her cheek. "Night Vin," Gin shut the door. "You're very quiet," Alice murmured as he drove to the Linder Auditorium." Gin's mind was on Kin Arvis. She and the rest of the attending medical fraternity would listen to Kin Arvis give a lecture to final year med students on the "Impact of preparation for House Officers." Kin Arvis's lectures were on medical / surgical emergencies; and surviving the first two years of clinical practice. Gin knew form her own experience that these practical sessions and the knowledge transfer was so much more valuable than just trying to learn from text books. She inhaled deeply, her thoughts, as it often seemed to do in recent times, was on constantly on Kin Arvis. She was hoping to keep her mind on the lecture he was delivering and not get distracted by the man himself. "Why do you always insist on picking me up, every time you and I go to the same venue?" Gin laughed. "Isn't that reason enough?" Alice grinned. "We live nearby each other, so why go in two vehicles, and not to mention, my companion, is one very hot, sexy pediatrician?" Gin laughed, she was glad Alice could not see her blushing. "You are such a flirt," she murmured. "Not when it comes to you, Gin," his hand reached out, closing over hers. Gin jerked her hand out from under Alice"s, relieved that they had arrived at the Linder Auditorium. "We're here," she escaped out of Alice's car. If he was disappointed, he did not show it. "How about we take in a late night movie or something?" Alice hinted. "Vin did say you don't have to be home early." They were walking into the lecture hall. Gin threw her head back and laughed. There'sno stopping Alice! But when she turned her head to look at Alice, it was Kin Arvis who came into her line of vision, tall, overbearing, powerful, dominating and staring right back at her. Kin Arvis was surrounded by some formally suited gentlemen. Gin guessed they were the university big wicks. Her eyes returned to Kin Arvis's. There was a warm smile of recognition on the structured face. Gin nodded to him, decided to respond to Alice's invite. She dragged her eyes to her companion. "Vin's not the parent, I am," she murmured to Alice"s, as they scanned the room for seats. Gin looked around the auditorium. It was already jam packed with young adults, many final year students as well all the other invited guests. "There'sRa," Alice whispered in Gin's ear. I know! "Let's grab those seats," Gin pointed to two vacant seats, about six rows up front the front. She made eye contact with and smiled at a few familiar faces from the medical field. Gin was hoping to get seats further back, but the room seemed to be packed out. She did not want to be too close to Kin Arvis, she needed to absorb his presentation. She was certain she and Alice would be debating the merits of Kin Arvis's presentation, on the way back home. Gin was taken aback, when one of the suited, official looking men approached her. "Dr. Mikhayla?" the gentleman questioned with a smile. "Yes?" Gin was surprised that he knew her name. "I have seats for you in the front row," he offered. "Thank you," she politely declined. " But we"ve spotted two vacant seats," she pointed. "Dr. Ra has requested you be seated in the front," the man seemed to be at pains. "Wow, front row seats for us," Alice whispered in her ear. "This is not a rock concert!" Gin turned on Alice, narrowing her eyes at him. She then turned her eyes on Kin Arvis. He was not looking her way. He was in conversation with the technician setting up his microphone. "Thank you, then," Gin reluctantly accepted, "if you would kindly lead us to our seats." Just as they were seated, Kin Arvis began his presentation, but not before he audaciously took a moment to lingeringly caress every part of her body with his roving eye then he dazzled her with a smile, holding her gaze, blocking out every other person in the room from their intimate moment. Gin was nervous, uncomfortable, not sure whether to keep her eyes on or off Kin Arvis. She was finding it difficult, keeping her eyes off him. He looked so gorgeous … so attractive … so delectable. Why should she marry him? Why couldn't they just have a wild affair? She knew Kin Arvis would very quickly tire of her and move on. Gin knew she was in deep, deep trouble. She wanted Kin Arvis to make love to her and frighteningly … he knew.