Page 22

Then I spot Shang talking to his mother, and my heart skitters to a stop. He looks good enough to pounce on and do really bad things with. There’s his face, for one, which is so pretty I could just die looking at it. I mean, really, those intense eyes under those thick brows, and that sexy-as-hell bun, which makes me wonder what his hair looks like when it’s loose.…What’s a girl to do? He’s wearing a gray sweater with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, exposing his muscular forearms. And the material is so soft that it shows off the shape of his pecs, which are—Oh god, am I drooling?
As though sensing me staring, Shang lifts his head and turns around. Our gazes meet, and in that split second, his eyes widen as he takes in my ridiculous getup. His lips part, as though he’s forgotten himself for just a moment, and I would love nothing more than to believe that he’s as enchanted by me as I am by him. But then, gruffly, he looks away, as though completely unimpressed by my outfit. Well, not that I was expecting him to be impressed, but still.
I snatch my cowgirl hat off, mentally cursing Mushu. And myself for listening to Mushu.
“Morning, girls!” James calls out, swaggering toward us.
I can’t believe he just called usgirls. But outwardly I smile and say, “Hello, kid.”
Behind James, Shang coughs and covers his mouth with his fist. Can he be hiding a smile? Nah, not possible.
James recovers quickly. “You gals ready for some rough wilderness?”
“Oh yeah, totally,” I say in as convincing a voice as I can muster. “Can’t wait to, uh, shear sheep and, uh, catch wild loons.”
Shang coughs again, and I raise my brows at him. “Sorry, did you want to say something?”
“No, not at all. Uh, you look very…ranch-y.”
“Thanks,” Mushu says with unabashed pride. “We make it a point to fit into every situation we’re in.”
James leers at Mushu’s tight checkered shirt, and I thank my lucky stars for the denim jacket, which I now surreptitiously wrap tighter around myself. I notice Shang throwing James a dirty look as his lecherous gaze sweeps over Mushu, who for her part doesn’t seem at all bothered by it.
“So we’ve got the main trailer, that’ll be where most of G-one’s riding,” James says. “I’ll be driving Sultry, obviously.”
“I’m sorry, Sultry?” I already know I’m going to regret asking.
“His car,” Shang mutters, at the same time as James is saying “My Lambo.”
“Ah.”
“You’re welcome to join me and Sultry, of course,” James says with what he probably thinks is a suave smile. “The ladies love her.”
“Uh…” I can feel the grimace taking over my face, but can’t quite seem to wrestle it off. “That’s very kind of you.…”
Shang, who’s still watching, says quietly, “There’s plenty of room in my car.”
Somehow, though the idea of being stuck inside James’s car is appalling, the thought of being in Shang’s car makes my throat close up.
“Yeah, okay, sounds good,” Mushu says. She turns to James. “Sorry, but ain’t no woman going inside a car named Sultry. Let’s go, cuz.” And without waiting for a response, Mushu stalks off in the direction in which the cars are parked.
I glance over at Shang, and to my consternation, he’s studying me with an expectant look. “Sounds good,” I say. His expression warms ever so slightly.
“I’ve got to admire how your cousin just assumed she’ll figure out which car’s mine,” Shang says, holding his hand out.
I look, unmoving, at his outstretched hand. Then, swallowing, I place my hand in his. His palm is big, the skin a little rough, with calluses, but it’s warm and solid and comforting. The heat from his hand flows all the way up my arm, warming my entire body.
“Um,” Shang says. “I meant to help you with your bag?”
“Oh!” Embarrassment explodes throughout me like a supernova. The bolt of shame is so intense that it feels like it should’ve blown a crater deep into the ground so I could bury myself in it. I step back, wiping my hand down my jeans as though his touch has burned me and babbling, “Right! Well, there’s no need for that! I can take my bag myself.”
“Okay, come on.”
We walk to the line of cars, where most of the Li family is gathered, chatting and loading bags into their various vehicles. James hurries here and there, telling anyone who will listen that he’s waxed Sultry just for this trip. Mushu is leaning against a Volvo.
“There’s a bit of a problem,” she says when Shang and I get within hearing distance.
“Yes?” Shang says.