25

'I want you and Vin to stay over with me, for the rest of this weekend,' Kin instructed. After the nerve wrecking bungee jump, Kin had insisted they sit down and enjoy a picnic lunch. There was a quaint café in the park nearby selling meat rolls, salads, sandwiches, drinks. Gin needed to sit down, so she'd agreed. She'd opted for a sandwich, Kin and Vin had enjoyed delicious looking meat pies. Kin was lounging on his side, with his legs stretched out. He had positioned Gin so her back was wresting against midriff. She stopped sipping from her fruit juice to look at Kin. 'Saturday is almost already over,' Kin justified, 'so it's just one day left.' Gin directed her eyes at Vin throwing the pastry remains of his pie to some obese looking pigeons. She smiled as the pigeons pecked at crumbs on his jeans. Vin stood still so as not to frighten them away. Gin turned her face back towards Kin. 'Vin and I don't have clothes to change into,' she excused. Not that she would not love to spend the night in Kin's arms, but even if she did have overnight luggage, she could not very well sleep with Kin, whilst Vin was with them. It would be uncomfortable. Vin had never seen her with a man. 'You won't be needing any clothes,' Kin teased seductively. Gin felt the heat burning up over her face. She stared down into her unfinished chicken salad sandwich. She looked up again when Kin's rich laughter rung in the air. 'If you must, you can put the gear into the laundry tonight after you and Vin shower,' Kin grinned.' 'You can come and see us tomorrow,' Gin countered. She was definitely going to regret not spending the night with Kin. 'I want to spend the night with you,' he murmured huskily, his palm gently smoothed up her spine. 'Besides, I want you to come and see how I've decorated Vin's room.' "'Vin's room?"' Gin echoed. 'Once we're married, my son has to have his own fancy room, so I've been doing some stuff,' he mumbled dexterously. That put paid to their future living arrangements. 'Really?' Gin was as pleased as punch. Everyday this man was giving her more and more reason to justify his bullying her into marriage. 'I can't wait to see it,' she reached out, her thumb caressing his cheek. 'Does that mean you'll stay over?' He caught her hand, lifting the inside of her palm to his lips. 'Yes,' she whispered. Her eyes shut for a second. The nerve ends of her fingers tingling from his sensational caress. She wanted to dip her thumb into his mouth, feel his tongue run riot over it. She wanted to kiss him and do things with him, so the ache deep inside her could go away. 'Mum, I'm thirsty again,' Vin, knelt down, next to Gin. 'Have some of my juice,' she offered. 'Thanks,' Vin reached out. 'I'll get you another,' Kin's hands supported Gin's shoulders whilst he rose. 'Come on,' Kin smiled, draping his arm around Vin's shoulder. Gin inhaled deeply. She lifted her knees up, rested her chin on it. It was sheer bliss what she was feeling right now, and watching Kin walk with his arm around Vin. And Vin smiling at something Kin was saying, gave Gin a goose bump feeling. She guessed Kin was asking Vin if he would like to spend the night at his place. From the eager expression on Vin's face, it seemed Vin was looking forward to it. Sighing contentedly Gin finished her lunch. She called her mum to inform her of their weekend plans, not surprisingly, Shin was ecstatic that Gin and Vin were warming up to Kin. Gin stretched like a lazy kitten and dragged her eyes to the clock on Kin's bedside counter. It was after ten o' clock. She was naked in Kin's bed. Of course he got his way last night. She had deliriously spent the night in his bed. Vin had been fascinated not with his bedroom, but the suite that had been decked out for him. His own shower, free standing bath tub, a king size bed, a stereo sound system, that could blow the windows out and Gin was not even going to rack her brains to understand the electronic gadgets and games that Kin had bought for his son, needless to say, Vin knew how to work every fancy gadget and game. She threw the covers of. Kin had wisely left a towelling gown for her use at the end of the bed. This morning, she was feeling something close to euphoria. Nothing could wipe off the smile, permanently etched on her face. She scratched in Kin's bathroom cupboard, found brand new tooth brushes, still sealed in their original packaging, scrubs and fresh towels. She washed her underwear and left it to drip dry on the heated rail; showered and washed out her hair with Kin's herbal shampoo and conditioner. Gin slipped on her jeans again, without the under wear. 'Do you think we can add some chocolate to the omelette?' Gin heard Vin asking his dad?' 'I ___ don't think mum is going to be too keen on that.' Gin heard Kin's hesitant response. Gin laughed spontaneously. Two dark haired heads popped up. Each had a tea towel thrown over one shoulder. One's eyes grey as hers, the other hazel, it turned gentle, admiring, as it locked with hers. Kin held his breath. Gin was leaning her shoulder against the kitchen door frame, her hands idly at her sides. She looked radiant and adorable in her skinny jeans and wearing one of his T shirts. His voracious eyes raked over her. He really should not be hungry after his feast last night. Kin groaned silently. She was not wearing a bra, her nipples perched against the fabric of his T shirt that she had on. Gin hardly ever saw Kin casually dressed. Today he was in stone washed jeans and a sweater emphasizing his muscular physique and well-toned legs. How well she remembered the weight of his sexy thigh draped over her last night or was it the early hours of this morning when Kin had finally allowed her to get some sleep. Gin dragged her eyes away from Kin. Vin also seemed to be in a sweater that was not his own, however he was wearing his own boxers and nothing else. She had put Vin's clothes into the machine. Perhaps it had not dried yet. She had not had the inclination or the energy to do her own last night, more important matters had weighed her down. 'Morning,' she greeted the two most important males in her life. 'Morning mum.' 'Morning darling.' Father had son echoed. Gin hid her smile as her son, nabbed Kin in the ribs. Clearly both males were competing for her attention. Vin was still clinging onto the grater, cheese all over the counter, and Kin was unfazed by the mess their son had made. 'I showered in my own bathroom mum,' Vin bragged, 'and I brushed my teeth and I made sure Kin washed his hands before we started breakfast.' Gin laughed softly, she was fully convinced Kin needed no lessons on hygiene, but she suspected he had humoured his son. Gin caught Kin whisper something in Vin's ear and they were both racing to her, but Kin seemed to have subtly eased back allowing Vin to win. Her eyes apologetically met Kin's as she greeted their son first. 'Did you sleep well?' Gin enquired, pressing a kiss to Vin's cheek. 'Yes, thanks. We're making omelettes mum,' Vin reached out his arms and hugged her. 'Smells delicious,' she smiled, glad her tummy was behaving this morning. 'My turn now,' Kin playfully shoved at Vin's shoulder. 'Fine, but I got the first kiss,' Vin bragged. 'Go put the toast onto the table,' Kin instructed in a mock tone of anger, as his arms curved around Gin's body, drawing her up towards his own. 'Morning,' he murmured silkily as his mouth took pleasure in a lingering kiss. 'You should have woken me up,' she scolded. 'You only got to sleep well after two,' he grinned mischievously. 'So did you,' she countered, her cheeks burning up, remembering Kin making love to every inch of her body not once but twice last night and then she was in heaven in his arms until the morning. 'I wanted you to rest,' Kin murmured huskily. 'Last night was ___ wonderful. Thank you,' she whispered. 'Only the beginning,' he replied hoarsely. He smiled, his palm resting gently on her tummy. 'Baby is fine, but hungry,' Gin smiled. 'Come,' Kin took her hand in his. 'Breakfast is ready.' Kin helped Gin into a chair. 'Vin did the cooking,' Kin stated, 'if it does not taste nice.' The smile that was etched on Vin's face was quickly replaced by a frown. 'You taught me how to mix the ingredients so if it's bad then I had a bad teacher!' Gin laughed. If this was what family life was going to be like with Kin, then she was looking forward to it. Today she was going to pay compliments to the chef even if it was the worst omelette she'd tasted in her life. Kin helped Vin place an omelette in each plate. He poured Gin a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice and took the seat next to her. 'Thank you,' Gin made sure to acknowledge both males. Both father and son waited patiently as she used her knife and fork and deftly cut a manageable piece and lifted a forkful to her mouth. It was creamy and well flavoured with a hint of spice. Spring onions, mushrooms, cheese and diced tomatoes had been added into the mixture. It really was delicious. 'This is so nice,' Gin complimented sincerely. 'I love it.' Gin took a sip of her orange juice. 'I'm a good omelette maker mum,' Vin bragged. 'I'm a good teacher, darling,' Kin reached under the table, linking his fingers with Gin's on her lap. Gin tried tactfully to come up with a diplomatic response. 'I do believe it required two pairs of enthusiastic hands to make this divine meal,' she smiled, 'so compliments to the joint efforts of the chefs.' 'Thank you darling,' Kin seized his position of vantage. He reached closer to Gin and kissed her on the lips. 'I made the omelette, so you're washing up,' Vin instructed Kin, giving his father a dagger look. 'Thank heavens for modern technology,' Kin winked at his son and jerked his head towards the dishwasher. Gin laughed and reluctantly Vin offered a conceding smile. 'What are we doing this afternoon? Can we go to the park and play cricket?' Vin's eyes pleaded with Kin. Kin set down his knife and fork. He turned to Gin. 'You up for it?' He allowed his hands to brush through her shiny hair. The herbal scent drifted to his nostrils. He wanted to hold her naked body against his and bury his head at her throat and indulge in her skin, her hair, her very own scent. Will his body ever tire of her? 'You don't have to check in at the hospital?' Gin asked. 'Made some calls earlier this morning,' he smiled. Gin smiled back, being the Chief of Staff, she suspected, somebody had been dragged out of bed to be on standby for Kin. 'I'm all for it,' Gin concurred. 'Good,' Kin nodded. We'll take a blanket for you. Perhaps something in my library may interest you,' he grinned. 'I have a wide selection,' he announced modestly. Personally he liked psychological thrillers, autobiographies and comedy, but there were the odd adventure, drama and hidden amongst them, one just may find a romance or two.' 'Mum, Kin is going to get here right?' It was Tuesday morning, Show and tell. They were at the school. 'Yes sweetheart. I spoke to him an hour ago.' 'But he won't be late right?' 'No Vin, he won't. He said he'd be here at seven thirty,' Gin looked at her wrist watch. 'There's still ten minutes to go.' Vin stared at his own huge faced wrist watch as if wiling the time to hurry. He had practically rushed his mother out of their home and now his eyes combed the school car park searching for his dad's vehicle. 'Let's go in,' Gin held out her hand. 'Kin asked me how to find your classroom.' 'Can't we just wait here for him, please?' Gin was stunned. There was moisture in Vin's eyes. Perhaps Vin suspected his father would not pitch up for his 'show and tell'. Gin had a sinking feeling if Kin did not pitch up, Vin would not want to attend class. Something knotted in Gin's stomach. She had not doubted Kin when he'd promised to be there at seven thirty, now Vin's doubt was casting a negative shadow over her own positivity. Gin knelt down, holding onto Vin's shoulders. She hoped there would not be a tear in her silk stockings. 'Sweetheart, if there is one thing I know about Kin, he is a punctual man,' she smiled consoling. 'Now,' she rose again to her feet, dusting her knees, 'let's go in,' she took Vin's hand again, 'we can't stand here in the car park.' 'Look mum, Kin's car!' Vin left her hand and went running towards Kin's car. 'Please don't run Vin.' Gin's heart was beating erratically, just at the glimpse she caught of Kin. She could not believe he was going to be her husband. He was attractive, powerful, wealthy, fast becoming a doting dad and he was all … hers. Gin held her breath as Vin was clutching onto Kin's hand and leading Kin to where she stood. Kin's other arm was easily holding a box under his arm. 'Hi darling,' Kin ducked his head to kiss her. 'Why are you waiting here?' 'Hi,' Gin greeted. 'We were just going in when Vin spotted your car.' She'd tell Kin later about Vin's fears. 'Can I hold it please?' Vin asked. 'Yes, with pleasure,' Kin smiled. He'd much rather have a free hand to hold Gin. 'Shall we?' Kin's fingers were tightly entwined with Gin's. He invited Vin to lead the way. 'Okay, now we're ready,' Vin grinned from ear to ear. He held the model that Kin had brought in one hand, and the other was clasped tightly to his dad's. Gin's eyes were on her son as they walked in. Vin had a smile so wide, it stretched from ear to ear. Gin heard Kin introduce himself to the young class teacher. One could tell, she was not unaffected by the Arvis charm. Gin walked up to Kin. His face was a mask of concentration as he set up at the table. 'Need any help?' She offered. Kin looked up. He dished out a charming smile. 'No thanks darling. Vin and I have it covered.' Gin clutched the table tightly. She wanted to kiss him so badly, but nodded instead. 'I'm going to stand with the teacher at the back,' she murmured. Kin nodded as he gave Vin instructions on how to put the model heart together on its stand. Vin was jubilant when he had the task accomplished. 'What are the balloons for?' Vin asked. 'Blow them up will you? They're part of my demonstration.' 'Okay, we're ready,' Kin smiled rubbing his hands together. 'Okay,' Vin nodded, a little bit of nerves getting the better of him. 'Go on,' Kin winked, he pressed gently on Vin's shoulder encouragingly. Vin smiled at his dad, drawing strength from him. He looked at his mum at the back, she nodded encouragingly. He smiled back at her and began his introduction. 'Good morning, ma'am,' Vin offered a bright smile to his teacher, 'and good morning class,' he continued. 'This morning we're going to learn about one of the most important organs in the body, that is our heart and to demonstrate how that organ functions, I hand you over to Cardiologist, Dr. Kin Arvis,' Vin smiled proudly as he pointed to Kin. 'This is my dad and I love him.' Gin gasped softly. Her hand lifted over her mouth. Tears welled in her eyes, she blinked furiously. She wanted to run to the front and hug her son and Kin, but the class began to applaud and Kin readied himself to start talking. 'Thank you,' Gin whispered, when the teacher handed her a tissue. Kin was momentarily stunned into silence by Vin's acknowledgement. He almost forgot why he was there, almost … but first he knelt down in front of Vin. Kin threw his arms tightly around his son. He fought the moisture clouding his eyes. 'I love you too Vin. I love you, my son,' Kin whispered. 'I know,' Vin grinned. 'They're waiting for you dad.' 'Yes,' Kin smiled, draping his arm protectively around Vin. 'You stand next to me and hold up the model as I do the demonstration.' Kin's eyes met Gin's giving her the same support he was giving his son. He wanted to kiss her tears away, but he would do that later, privately. Vin's show and tell depended on him. Kin began talking. He had the young ones rapt in his presentation. They laughed, clapped, agreed with Kin mostly. They did not like the part about healthy eating and exercise. Kin had Vin pierce the balloon to demonstrate the effect of pressure on the heart caused by sickness and poor diet. There was a chorus of gasps from around the class. When Kin was finished, he was surrounded by the learners who wanted to touch him and give him a hug or the odd one bold enough to ask him a question. The teacher revealed to Gin, that her learners had not previously been this interactive about show and tell. Gin could believe it. There was something about Kin Arvis that grasped your attention, could make you spellbound and make one's heart go pitter patter. When they left the class room, Vin received an impressive pass mark and Kin got an assurance from the learners that they would take better care of their hearts. 'Well done.' Gin congratulated Kin embracing him and giving him a kiss, which he took delight in. Gin and Kin said goodbye to Vin and left for the hospital. Gin was surprised when she was having lunch with Kin in the cafeteria and both her cell and Kin's beeped simultaneously with a message from Vin. 'I'm invited to dinner,' Kin smiled. 'I don't know about this,' Gin looked at Kin peculiarly. 'Well,' Kin laughed, draping an arm around her shoulder, you do now.' 'I wonder who's making this dinner,' Gin raised an eyebrow. 'What time should I get there?' Kin leaned closer, placing a kiss on her cheek. 'I didn't invite you,' Gin replied uncomfortably. Kin seemed to care not, that all and sundry were staring in their direction.' 'I think, I'll follow you,' Kin decided. 'What's the occasion?' Gin asked Vin with a smile. Kin was right behind her, his hand linked to hers. 'We're having dinner mum.' Vin had an apron on. 'I hope you are hungry.' 'Say yes, even if you're not,' Kin whispered in Gin's ear, beckoning her to a chair. Reluctantly Gin obliged. 'Thank you,' she smiled at her son. 'You sit here dad,' Vin indicated for Kin to take the seat opposite Gin. Gin's head swung towards Kin. It was music to her ears, hearing Vin call Kin "dad." From the look on Kin's face, it was the same for him. Gin was nervous. She wondered what her son was up to. She swallowed uncomfortably, felt the heat making her face all flushed. She wished she knew what was going on here. Was father in son in cahoots about something? 'Some non-alcoholic champagne ma'am?' Vin offered, charmingly. 'Where did you get that?' Gin laughed apprehensively. 'Grandma's help, but you are not to ask any more questions,' Vin puts a napkin on Gin's lap, and like a professional filled her glass with the chilled bubbly. 'I have alcoholic champagne for you, sir,' Vin offered Kin. 'Thank you,' Kin accepted. 'What are we celebrating?' Gin cautiously lifted her glass. 'Love and family,' Vin answered. Gin put her glass down. She would not meet Kin's eyes. She felt his eyes trained on her, challenging her to meet his gaze over the rim of the glass in his hand. 'Aren't you joining us? Gin questioned Vin in a squeaky voice, when she observed only she and Kin had glasses. 'I'm here,' he laughed, bowing elaborately. Dinner was a highly charged undercurrent of emotions for Gin accompanied by scrumptious tender sirloin steaks, garden vegetables and cheesecake for dessert. Kin was not saying much, every time her eyes would dare to venture his way, Gin found Kin's eyes targeted on her face. She knew Kin was fully aware that she had not really toasted Vin's celebration of love. She was racking her brain trying to deduce Kin's take on Vin's reason to celebrate. Why the hell was Kin not saying anything? After dinner Gin's anxiety was escalating. She refused coffee. She wanted to escape Kin's invasive scrutiny but could not find a valid reason to leave the table. 'So you don't want coffee then?' Vin enquired cryptically. Gin shook her head. 'No thanks, though dinner was lovely.' She stood up. 'I'll give it a skip too,' Kin rose. He was eagerly anticipating some quiet time with Gin. 'You're not finished yet,' Vin announced. 'What?' Gin anxiously looked at her son in confusion. 'You and dad can ___ talk' Vin suggested. 'What about?' Gin could feel an anxiety attack paralysing her heart. Good thing Kin was a cardiologist, then. Gin's eyes met Kin's. The idiot was grinning like a Cheshire cat. Vin took his mum's hand. 'You know I love you right mum?' 'Yes of course,' she smiled wanly. 'And I love you too.' Still holding his mum's hand Vin dragged her closer to Kin's chair, 'and you know I love my dad right?' Vin linked Kin's hand to his other free hand. 'Yes,' Gin swallowed nervously. 'I believe you do,' she agreed. 'And you love my dad right?' Vin held his mother's eyes, waiting for her acquiescence. Gin shut her eyes. This was sabotage of the worst order. Surely he knows now! And why was Vin not asking him? Steadily her eyes opened to probe into Kin's. She refused to answer, even though she could see he was patiently waiting to hear her response. 'Come on mum. Families must live together. I want you and I to live with my dad. You love dad right?' The incriminating swimming depths of the naked emotion in her eyes put Gin to shame. 'Yes,' she murmured, lowering her head to the table. She focused on the bubbles rising to the brim of her untoasted glass. 'And dad you love mum, right, and you want us to live with you?' Vin tugged his dad's arm earnestly. 'Yes, families belong with each other,' Kin murmured evasively, smiling down at his son. That's a copout, damn you! That is not fair! 'Good.' Vin visibly breathed a sigh of relief. 'I have to finish my homework,' he announced, striding out, happy as a lark. Her face was scarlet. She kept her eyes lowered as Kin draped his arm around her waist. 'My son is a romantic, is he not?' Kin dipped his head, his lips teased against hers in a slow erotic kiss, his warm breath driving her wild with desire. Gin remained silent, 'I do believe I finally know what the tattoo signifies,' Kin smiled, taking a step back. She would not know it was a nervous smile, on the inside he did not feel so brave. Gin swallowed, she looked away. She had known Kin would eventually look it up. He was astute enough to put the pieces together; an extremely intelligent man. So she really was not surprised when he delivered his accurate summation. 'My name means 'two' as in 'ever the Kin shall meet.' My mother named me Kin, as in Mark Kin. You knew it meant 'two fathoms.' Being a medical student, Latin must have intrigued you. That is why you looked so surprised when you picked up that autobiography in my dad's library. I went back to the library later and scrutinized that book, to see what put that guilty look on your face the day you were there. That symbol on your heart is Latin, meaning duo.' Gin painfully swallowed again. She was certain her face was as red as tomatoes. God knew, she felt like she was being grilled in a furnace. What had possessed her to be so stupid? Teenage moment of insanity for sure. No wonder she had not let another man into her life, because her heart belonged to the one standing in front of her. 'So is it true then?' Kin murmured huskily, drawing her again into his arms. 'Is what true?' She mumbled in a scratchy voice feigning ignorance, silently praying Kin would not exploit her emotions. 'That you love me?' His lips brushed hers for a second. Just as she ached to respond, his mouth moved out of reach. There was no denying the tattoo anymore, or its significance. It was true. With Kin's proximity, all she wanted to do was wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him, senseless. She did not want to answer him, what if he laughed, mocked her? She was helpless then, when his thumb lifted her chin, his eyes demanding an answer. 'Yes.' Her whisper was almost lost in the air. His eyes danced triumphantly, his grip around her tightened. She was crushed in his arms as his mouth descended on hers, hungrily taking what he wanted. He pinned her against his rock hard body, deepening the kiss, his lips tracing down her throat seductively. He was murmuring sweet words in her ear, sweet promises, she'd never heard come out of his mouth even in the heightened throes of their passionate encounters. Kin's head lifted. She dragged her eyes open, still recovering from his sensual kiss. 'I love you Gin,' he whispered huskily. Her eyes widened, she was speechless, moisture filled her eyes. 'You do?' 'Yes,' he smiled, 'I love you with all my heart.' 'Oh Kin,' she sobbed. 'I love you. You are my first love, ___ my only love,' her voice broke as the tears streamed unchecked, down her cheeks.