Jade by Olivia Rigal Page B

problem,” I answer trying to hide my disappointment. I mean the room is cool, really nice and spacious, but I had been hoping for a little more privacy. There’s no way I’m going to do anything sexy with Chanlina a couple of feet away, and no wall between our beds. 
    Then I scold myself. I’ve waited twenty-two years for this, so I can wait another week.
    But then, Oliver tells her, “Actually, they’re both yours.” 
    He pushes a door that doesn’t open on a bathroom, as I had assumed but on an adjacent bedroom.
    Chanlina rushes to the other room to look, and I follow. It’s about the same size but has a king-sized bed. I think it’s a California king size: very big. 
    Oliver is right behind me, and whispers “Got ya, didn’t I?”
    “You sure did!” I say punching him lightly.
    “You are getting my undivided attention tonight.” He’s got that cat-about-to-eat-the-canary look, and a hot blush rushes to my face. 
    “Children, behave!” says Chanlina as she smiles at us. I can see that she’s also relieved about the two bedrooms. It would have been weird even if we had done nothing more than sleeping.
    We go out, and stop in a tiny restaurant called Café de Laos for the best green papaya salad with grapefruit that I’ve ever had and then walk around the night market. 
    I watch Oliver as he kids around with Chanlina and jokes with the street vendors while negotiating the prices. I can’t believe he’s mine, for now.
    Chanlina gets a few DVDs from a street vendor to watch tonight and maybe tomorrow, in case we decide to stay in bed late while she wakes up early.
    We return to the hotel, and the three of us lay on the king-sized bed in front of the television. Chanlina slips into her pajamas, takes command of the remote, and zaps from channel to channel until she finds a CSI Miami episode. She watches, fascinated by the views of the Miami skyline. She’s probably thinking about where she’s going to live next year and it must look very exotic to her. She proves me right when she asks Oliver, “Do you think I’ll like it in Florida?” 
    “Yes, I’m sure you will. And I’m sure you’ll get along fine with my mom. She’s really cool, and now she has a new job so she won’t be on your back.”
    “What is she doing?”
    “What she’s always done: running some sort of restaurant. From what I understand, this one’s got live events- you know- bands, live music and I think they do square dancing, too.”
    “Oh, that sounds like fun! Do you think she’ll let me come and learn?” asks Chanlina, who’s warming up to the idea. If there’s dancing, the place can’t be all that bad for her.
    “I’m sure she will,” says Oliver, stroking her shoulder.
    Chanlina falls asleep on our bed with a smile on her face. Maybe she’s dreaming of square dancing with a handsome cowboy. From Bangkok to Florida, she’s in for quite a change of culture. At least the climate will be similar to the one she knows.
    Oliver brings her back to her room, and I lean on the doorframe between our rooms and watch him tuck her in. He draws the curtains, turns the light on in her bathroom, and leaves the bathroom door half open. This is thoughtful. This way, if she wakes up in the middle of the night, she’ll be able to find her way. 
    I like watching him be a sweet Dad.
    He walks to me and into our room, and pulls me away from the door, while he locks it behind him. 
    The sweet dad has vanished. Standing before me is a different man. He looks as if he’s going to devour me, and it’s so sexy that I can hardly breathe. 
    I’m standing next to the door, very hot, and so very scared. I want this, but I’m not sure what to do next, or how to go about it.
    The awkward moment passes when he reaches for me, and I can burrow my head in his chest. 
    “Don’t over think it,” he says as he massages my neck.
    “Stop reading my mind.”
    “Are you scared?”
    I nod, but I don’t pull back. Instead, I pull his