42 The Unattainable

"You know, I really enjoyed everything this evening. Your family is truly wonderful." Charlotte told Gordon after everyone had left and they'd retired to their room.

"They really love you. Well my parents and Grandmother Stella do anyway." Gordon told her.

"And I love them, but I have to say, you're my favorite!" She teased him.

"I had better be!" He growled, rolling over on top of her.

"You are! I promise!" She laughed.

"I remember now that I promised I'd eat you before the day was done." He taunted her.

She slid her arms from his chest to wrap around his neck and kissed him deeply, wrapping her tongue around his and finding all the secret corners of his mouth. Then she pulled away, staring up into his eyes that seemed to smolder with passion.

"How do I taste?" She asked.

"Oh, baby, like nothing else in this world. I'll never be able to have enough of you!"

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Andrew's driver glanced at the rear view mirror and saw Young Master looked dark and formidable. He hesitated to speak, but he'd watched the Young Master grow up and right now he was worried.

"Young Master, is everything alright?" He asked quietly.

Andrew looked up and met his gaze. He wanted to yell at the man, but he knew his driver spoke with kind intentions.

"Have you ever lost the dearest person in the world to you?" Andrew suddenly asked.

The driver knew he spoke of Miss Xia.

"No sir, my wife is the love of my whole world. But we've had our share of serious arguments over the years." He answered honestly.

"I don't think I can fix this." Andrew muttered.

"In my experience, it's always worth a try, sir."

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At the Zhou family mansion, Calvin and Julia were at odds.

"What do you mean, praising that little witch like that publicly? Has she got everybody under her spell?!" Julia shouted in her husband's face.

"Shut up, Julia." His words cold and low.

She stared at him in utter shock. She could count on her hands in the past twenty-five years that her husband dared to go against her. Now he was doing it over some slut who had weaseled her way into the Zhou family.

"What, are you in love with her too? Has she seduced you also? Is she your next mistress?" Julia sneered.

"That's enough. I'm sleeping in the guest room. Be miserable by yourself." He said in a frigid voice.

He left her speechless and stomped down the hallway to the familiar guest room. It might as well be his room.

He crawled into bed and stared at the ceiling. He wished nearly everyday for the past twenty-five years that he'd never met, much less married Julia. He had never hated anyone as much as her.

Her words about Charlotte being his mistress came to mind. Julia was constantly accusing him of cheating on her. Between that and the fact she hadn't had sex with him in years caused him to justify having a mistress. He'd had a few over the past ten years. He thought if she was going to believe he was such a bad man he might as well have a mistress.

The thought of Charlotte being his mistress though...he felt himself getting hard. He knew what Gordon had been doing to Charlotte at dinner—he'd done it many times himself at wine parties and business dinners. He saw her responsiveness even though she was trying to keep it in check. All he could think of during the rest of the meal was what if that were his hands touching her, hearing her moans and screaming his name.

Charlotte wasn't mistress material though. She was wife material. She was everything Julia wasn't: beautiful, graceful, poised, gentle, intelligent, and talented. It was no wonder Gordon fell hard and fast. He was falling pretty hard himself. Charlotte was off limits though. She was married to his nephew! If she were still a single woman he'd divorce Julia and pursue Charlotte relentlessly until she married him.

All he could do was dream. He fell asleep with his arm wrapped around a pillow, pretending it was Charlotte.

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Cora was late to join Charlotte and Gordon for breakfast but they were still at the table when she joined them.

"Congratulations!" Charlotte squealed.

Cora stared at her blankly.

"How did you know he was going to propose?" Cora asked.

"Because he asked Mommy and I for permission." Charlotte said.

"He talked to me about it too. I told him if he treats my little sister well then it would be a good thing." Gordon added.

"I told him no." She said so softly they almost missed it.

"Why? He's crazy about you and I know you love him." Charlotte was shocked.

"I'm not worthy of him." She said.

"Nonsense! You may not be of noble birth but with me as your brother-in-law no one would dare despise you in our society. If someone tells you that, send them to me." Gordon had grown to love this little sister and for that reason, he'd be her backer. In fact, the sicker Mary became, the more he and Charlotte seemed to take on a parenting role toward Cora.

"Thank you, big brother, but I didn't mean family background or finances." Cora clarified.

"Then what?" Charlotte asked as Gordon's cell phone rang.

He saw Andrew's name and immediately took it.

"Andrew?" Gordon said, causing the sisters to look at him.

"Of course I'll come. Where are you?" Gordon asked. He finished his call and looked at Cora.

"Your boyfriend is waiting for Michael and myself at a bar. It's not even lunch time and he's getting drunk. What exactly did you say when you turned him down, because I've never known him to drink like a fish." Gordon asked her.

"I love him so much but he deserves better. Gordon, please make sure he's safe." Cora pleaded.

"I will." Gordon solemnly promised.

"Have Michael send Rachel over. While you men drown his sorrows, we women are going to work on Cora." Charlotte didn't even try to hide her plans.