21

‘Kin ___,’ Gin breathed against his mouth, trying to drag her lips away, but he held her in a vice grip, his mouth holding hers prisoner. Not that her body was complaining, it was feasting on his sensory caresses. ‘Kin!’ She pushed him away to stare at the ring. It looked amazing, priceless, magnificent … a perfect fit. ‘You will marry me, won’t you darling,’ his lips brushed hers again, ‘unless you are going to tell me there is another man out there who is going to raise my children.’ His tone, was gruff, accusatory. His children Gin dragged her eyes away from him. She was not going to confess to him that he was the only man in the entire universe she wanted. Her fingers gently toyed with the ring. ‘It’s so beautiful ___ how did you know the size?’ Kin slowly released his breath. He had been unaware it was being held captive in his lungs. ‘It is one of my grandma’s ___ there were about six of them in my mum’s safe. I like this one,’ he lifted her hand to his lips. ‘It was the most beautiful,’ his eyes smiled adoringly. ‘It is the size of a rock.’ Kin laughed. ‘Perhaps I may also have had a secret agenda,’ he guiltily confessed. Gin smiled. She suspected him capable of putting a boulder sized ring on her finger to keep other men at bay. Gin admired the exquisite white rock, studded with 24 carat diamonds. She shuddered to think what the cost of it was. ‘It is striking,’ she whispered. ‘I’m enthralled you like it,’ he wrapped his arms around her giving her a tight hug, much as I’d love to stay here, Gin, I must go,’ he sighed regrettably. ‘Good night,’ she murmured. ‘Thank you for this weekend.’ ‘Good night,’ he smiled, as he opened the door for Gin to go inside, before he left. Gin walked back into her house looking shell-shocked. Her mom immediately saw the ring and gasped. ‘Gin! Congratulations,’ she laughed and hugged her daughter. ‘Did Kin just propose?’ ‘Yes ___ I ___ I___ he said he did not want to do it in Franschhoek, because the weekend was for Vin.’ He had whispered all of that in between the kisses he had ravished her with. ‘Oh my word! What an extravagant ring!’ ‘Yes __ I am stunned! I can’t believe __ mum he did not ask me! He just demanded, although ___ not with his usual arrogance.’ Shin laughed. ‘Oh darling, be happy. Kin means well. He cares, it’s obvious in his eyes, the way he looks at you, and Vin is really taking to him. Vin has changed towards Kin.’ ‘I know,’ Gin concurred. ‘They were getting along real fine. They really had a ball of a time together too. And Kin did not go out of his way to impress Vin, he just bowed down to Vin’s every whim.’ ‘I’m not being subjective, but I do believe my grandson is a well-balanced child and not unreasonable or demanding.’ ‘Objective indeed,’ Gin laughed, she knew her son was no angel. He had his flaws, a flaming temper on him, that she was thankful, only rarely reared its ugly head. ‘I feel like a lengthy soak up in my tub,’ Gin smiled. ‘Good night mum,’ Gin kissed her mum and took herself up to enjoy a luxurious bubble bath. The following morning Gin had barely been at work an hour when the news was spreading like a bushfire that she was wearing an engagement ring. There were wagers going around as to whether it was Dr. Kin Arvis’s or Dr. Alice Stuart’s ring. Apparently it was now common knowledge that Dr. Arvis and Dr. Mikhayla had been spending time together, but everybody knew Dr. Arvis was not the marrying kind. News had not managed to leak out that they had spent a private weekend away in Kin’s vineyard, hidden in the Western Cape. It seems the staff also knew Dr. Alice Stuart was trying to get in to Dr. Mikhayla’s pants, maybe he figured the only way to get into her pants is to marry her and perhaps Dr. Mikhayla knew she would not get Arvis’s ring on her finger so perhaps she settled for Dr. Stuart’s proposal and ring. Gin raised an eyebrow when her assistant stood uncomfortably at her desk. She liked her assistant, who was not like the rest of the inquisitive busy bodies in the hospital’s nefarious grapevine. ‘What is it?’ Gin smiled at Janet Curtis. ‘I just wanted to say congratulations,’ a shy smile accompanied Janet’s words. ‘Thank you,’ Gin laughed softly, her eye falling to Kin’s big rock on her finger. ‘Dr. Mikhayla,’ Janet wrung her fingers uncomfortably, ‘I just wanted to warn you that there is talk going on everywhere in the hospital, debating whether it is Dr Arvis or Dr Stuart who has proposed to you, but I am just happy for you,’ she smiled. ‘I don’t believe them,’ Gin groaned. It’s Dr. Arvis,’ Gin smiled at Janet. She could not say Kin had proposed, because technically he had not, he just thrust the ring onto her finger, even if his impassioned words that had followed were mind blowing to her. ‘I knew,’ Janet offered Gin a confident smile. ‘I’m also pregnant,’ Gin announced. Janet blinked and swallowed in surprise. ‘I won’t tell a soul,’ she whispered. Gin laughed, ‘I know Janet.’ Gin felt a bout of nausea. ‘Excuse me I need the bath room,’ Gin dashed out. She returned from the bathroom feeling dizzy, ready to pass out. Gin leaned forward; her arms holding tightly onto her desk, wishing the dizzy spell to go away. ‘Gin what are you doing at work? You should have stayed home.’ Kin found her leaning over her desk, looking deathly pale. Slowly, Gin lifted herself into an upright position. ‘I am fine Kin,’ she replied patiently. ‘You’re not fine. You should be in bed!’ ‘I ___ said I’m fine Kin.’ Gin swallowed from her bottle of tonic water. It was a hydrosol solution to ensure she stayed hydrated. ‘I am taking you home right now ___.’ ‘Would you get out please Kin!’ Gin screamed. ‘It is just morning sickness, for heaven’s sake!’ The nausea generally did not last longer than fifteen minutes. It was only then that Kin and Gin noticed they were not alone. Nurse Julia’s loud gasp had both their heads swinging towards the door. ‘Get out!’ Kin and Gin screamed simultaneously. Gin sunk into her chair. There was one thing they had in common, their dislike of the busybody Nurse Julia. Now obviously the rumour mill will know from Julia that the ring is Arvis’s and he had to propose because she was pregnant…not for any other romantic reason. A feeling of helplessness washed over Kin. He wished he could do something to ease Gin’s discomfort. He did not approve of pregnant mothers taking medication for morning sickness. Clearly Gin felt the same way, for she was bravely enduring the morning sickness. Kin hauled out his mobile phone. ‘Gin I’m getting one of our gynaecologists to come and check you up.’ ‘That is unnecessary Kin. You know as well as I that this will continue for the next twelve weeks.’ Kin was not replying to her. He was talking on his phone to one of the female gynaecologists here at Arvis. Gin turned away, hiding a smirk. There were five of them practising at Arvis, three males and two females. Now what was the probability that he would call any of the male practitioners? ‘Why do you have to summon Kerry here? I should go to her surgery.’ ‘Because you’re stubborn, unless I carry you and get you there, you would not go.’ ‘It’s still early days,’ she murmured. ‘I don’t see why you’re panicking.’ Kin walked to her, ‘because you won’t let me take care of you, because you should have stayed in bed today, until you feel a little stronger. ‘Can I get you some crackers or toast?’ ‘All I want is for you to leave, Kin!’ She raised her voice again and this time unfortunately, Dr. Kerry Colton, the gynaecologist heard Gin ranting. ‘Morning,’ she announced into the tension filled air. ‘Kerry.’ Kin raked his hand through his hair. ‘Gin is pregnant.’ Kerry’s eyes widened. ‘Hyperemesis gravidarum,’ Kin rattled for Kerry’s sake, indicating her nausea to be quite severe. ‘It is not that severe,’ Gin’s eyes bore into Kin. Coiled tension indefinably sprung up between them. ‘You’ve been ill the entire weekend,’ Kin countered. ‘Now you’re exaggerating! Just ___ go to your office,’ she hissed. Kerry tried hard to suppress the laughter inside her. She did not know a single colleague male or female who would dare to dish out instructions to the Chief of Staff. ‘Umm ___ how about I do a preliminary examination?’ Kerry’s eyes pleaded with Gin and got an affirmative nod. Kerry checked Gin’s pulse and blood pressure. ‘Your BP is fine, but your pulse is a tad high, Gin. ‘ Gin had suspected that. The vomiting had caused her pulse to jump. She’d been drinking about three litres of water each day, just to stay hydrated. Kerry checked her temperature, to determine her hydration level. She smiled. ‘I’m pleased, you’re not dehydrated. I would like to do an ultra sound,’ she looked from Gin to Kin. She could not do one in Gin’s surgery; there was no equipment for her to work with. ‘Yes, we can go,’ Gin smiled at Kerry. Gin glared at Kin. ‘I’m fine,’ she threw at him dismissively. Kerry looked uncomfortably from Gin to Kin. The muscles tightened in his cheeks, Gin ignored his indrawn breath. His hand raked through his hair again. ‘Kerry, I want a report on Gin’s condition,’ he instructed. ‘Yes Dr. Arvis.’ ‘What happened to patient confidentiality?’ Gin grinned at Kerry, as they walked out. Gin’s eyes caught Kin in conversation with Nurse Julia. Ruthless strength emanated from Kin’s body, he was furious, that much was clear, yet his voice was not raised, was clearly forceful, as he dealt with Nurse Julia. Judging by the twin pink spots blazing high on Julia’s cheeks and the way she squirmed and clutched her clip board, Kin’s words to her were not polite. Gin wondered exactly, what, was Kin saying to her, but no doubt Julia had it coming. ‘I take it, that fabulous ring on your finger is Dr. Arvis’s,’ Kerry smiled, distracting Gin’s thoughts. Gin’s eyes lowered to her ring finger. ‘Yes,’ she smiled. ‘Then he has a right to know, wouldn’t you agree Dr. Mikhayla?’ Kerry grinned teasingly, ‘just throwing it out there.’ Gin laughed at Kerry’s formal address. ‘This is horrible. I did not have this with Vin.’ ‘You would know no two pregnancies would be the same.’ Kerry smiled. ‘So when’s the wedding?’ ‘Tomorrow, if Kin can have his way.’ Kerry laughed softly. ‘What’s the problem? He‘s good looking, very eligible, rich, powerful, world renowned. Every single female here would probably jump at the opportunity to be his wife.’ Gin liked Kerry. She was married with two girls, had a doting husband and she did not pay attention to the gossip mill. ‘It’s all just happening to fast,’ Gin murmured, as they walked into Kerry’s surgery. ‘Okay let’s get you up there. We can have this conversation later, if you have the energy.’ Gin laughed. ‘I’m sorry Kin summoned you away from your surgery.’ ‘He’s the boss,’ Kerry grinned. ‘Please don’t make me feel more guilty,’ Gin groaned. ‘Just kidding,’ Kerry laughed good naturedly. Kerry listened to the heartbeat of the baby lightly pumping inside Gin’s stomach and did a routine examination of Gin. ‘Baby and you’re doing good. You’re about sixteen days, Gin,’ Kerry announced. ‘I don’t really want to prescribe you anything for the nausea.’ Gin shook her head. ‘It’s manageable,’ she smiled. ‘Does not really last longer than thirty minutes, max.’ ‘Wish all my patients could be good like you,’ Kerry laughed. ‘I guess you’re going to give Kin a report,’ Gin smiled. ‘You bet,’ she smiled back, opening the door for Gin. ‘You know he will probably come down here and attack me if I don’t.’ ‘He charges like a bull,’ Gin laughed, ‘but he’s harmless,’ she whispered. ‘I’m not taking the chance,’ Kerry smiled. ‘Take care, Gin.’ ‘Will do,’ Gin waked in the direction of her surgery, then changed her mind and took the lift to Kin’s office. Gin was about to call Kin’s mobile, she was not in the mood for Lin, and pleasantly, Lin was not at her desk. Gin said a silent prayer and knocked on Kin’s door. ‘Come in,’ she heard his authoritative command. Gin opened the door, stepped in and found Lin was standing in front of Kin’s desk, scribbling into her notebook. Lin’s eyes narrowed accusingly at Gin, for daring to enter Dr. Arvis’s office without an appointment. ‘Sorry,’ Gin apologized. ‘Should I come back later?’ ‘Come in darling,’ Kin stood up, his eyes filled with concern as he tried unsuccessfully to read the expression on Gin’s face. ‘That will be all for now, thank you Lin,’ Kin dismissed his secretary. Lin nodded, and silently walked out, but not before she laced Gin with a glacial stare. The door was softly closed. Gin stared uncomfortably at Kin. His eyes were still filed with disquiet as he walked towards her. Kin wrapped his arms around her and just held her close. Gin could feel his heart thudding against her chest. She leaned into him, resting her cheek against his chest. Kin’s arms tightened around her protectively. Her head lifted to look into his eyes. ‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered. Kin smiled, nodded. ‘You, feeling a little better? ‘Yes, and everything is ___ okay,’ if you don’t know it yet,’ she smiled uncomfortably. ‘Kerry called me,’ he nodded again. ‘Gin ___ would you consider coming in about this time every morning, until you’ve overcome the nausea,’ he urged. ‘Okay,’ she inhaled heavily. He smiled again, tucking the loose strands of hair, behind her ear. Gin’s head lifted towards his lips. She kissed him lightly. Kin did not need further invitation, his mouth closed over hers, deepening the kiss. Gin’s arms circled his neck; her fingers caressed at the nape of his neck. She did not how it was possible, but she melted like a popsicle in this man’s arms. ‘I have a confession to make,’ Gin whispered. Kin’s head shifted to look into her face, his eyebrows shot up questioningly. ‘I ___ wanted to come to your bed in Franschhoek,’ she whispered. Kin’s eyes darkened, an apologetic look on his face, ‘I did not want you to think, I was taking you there to get into your bed,’ he groaned. ‘I wanted you to see, that I really wanted to build a relationship with Vin. I’m sorry,’ he murmured hoarsely. ‘That’s okay,’ she offered him a wry smile. ‘I survived,’ …just about. ‘It does not mean, we can’t still plan one during the day,’ Kin grinned. ‘We have to work and you have a hectic schedule,’ she reminded him. ‘Nothing a little engineering, can’t alter,’ his lips brushed her neck, his tongue, rioting on her tender flesh. ‘Kin ___,’ she purred his name, ‘not today,’ she dragged out. I have already lost almost two hours.’ ‘Tomorrow,’ he murmured, undoing the buttons on her shirt. His lips pressed soft kisses on her cleavage, until his tongue came into contact with her aroused nipple bruising against her bra. Gin groaned aloud, pulling his head closer, wanting to scream out the pleasure and the pain she was feeling. Heat flooded in her most secret places. Her blood raced, she was on fire. She wanted him…badly. ‘Let me get back to my office,’ Gin pleaded, disengaging her arms from around Kin. ‘Tomorrow,’ he vowed, buttoning her shirt again. ‘Yes,’ her eyes locked with his, sealing the promise. Kin smiled ecstatically; he draped his arm around Gin’s waist and walked her to the door. ‘Should I walk you downstairs?’ He offered. ‘No,’ she laughed softly. Kin stepped out with Gin. ‘Bye,’ Gin whispered. Kin lowered his head, his lips brushed hers tenderly, ‘bye,’ he murmured. Gin dragged herself away. Even though Lin’s arctic stare would have helped cool her flaming libido, Gin avoided looking in Lin’s direction. Kin was still standing watching, as the lift approached, Gin waved and stepped in, quickly thumping the button that would close the doors. ‘Hi sweetheart, what you up to?’ Gin strolled into Vin’s bedroom. ‘Nothing mum,’ Vin quickly minimized the screen. ‘How ___ was your day?’ She looked happy, very happy about something.’ Gin’s antenna popped up, she squeezed in, next to Vin on his chair.’ My day was fine thank you.’ She removed the mouse from Vin’s tightly clenched hand and maximised the screen again. Vin was browsing the Bing search engine. Gin’s eye’s widened; the screen was literally filled with links to one Dr. Kin Arvis. Vin was trying to source information about his father! ‘It’s nothing important,’ Vin quickly shut down the site. ‘No! ___ oh darling, I’m so sorry,’ Gin draped her arms around Vin. ‘Why didn’t you tell me anything about my father, mum?’ Gin squirmed uncomfortably. ‘Kin was out of the country___. I never knew if he ever planned on returning.’ Gin had not wanted Vin doing what she had been doing for the past ten years, following Kin on the internet, gathering scraps of information to feed her insatiable desire to know anything and everything about the man she’d made love to once only, who had fathered her son. She did not want to tell Vin that Kin had then refused to believe she was carrying his child or the rejection she had felt or the feeling that he did not want to know anything about his son. It had just been too painful to deal with and to talk to Vin about his father, then … now it was different. She knew Kin loved his son wholeheartedly. Gin looked into Vin’s eyes. ‘If Kin was in the country, I would have arranged for us to meet him, so he could know you,’ she smiled. ‘My father loves me?’ ‘Yes darling,’ she smiled, tears filling her eyes. ‘Kin loves you very, very much.’ ‘I want to visit him again. Do you think you could pick me up one of the afternoons and I could visit him in his office?’ ‘Yes of course,’ Gin smiled, hugging Vin. ‘I am sure Kin will love that very much.’ Gin groaned silently as she held Vin in her arms, all these years her poor son had probably been craving information, love and attention from his father…and she had selfishly hidden information of Kin away from Vin, just because she was too weak and selfish.