To have and to loathe

• 𝐂hapter 11

     As Killian had said, his driver showed up exactly on time and picked me up. The evening air was brisk and breezy and the traffic downtown was heavy no surprise.

     When the car finally pulled up in front of a towering building, I quickly thanked him, stepped out, and brushed my hands nervously over my skirt.

    The moment the doorman ushered me into the softly lit expensive restaurant, a model-thin beautiful waiter dressed in native Chinese apparel approached me.

       "Ms. Sterling, the gentleman is waiting for you."

    I smiled, gripping my beaded purse more tightly in my moist hand as I stepped forward.

    The waiter led me down a dark hall that had a walkway lined with tall bamboo trees. We passed an opening to a large seating area and once we reached the end of the hall, she opened a door and motioned for me to step.

     Cautions, I nodded a thank you and entered. It was a small room widely decorated with flowers and Chinese lanterns.

   It didn't take long for me to spot Killian. He sat leg-crossed in one of the chairs, looking nothing less than stunning in his grey suit.

     When I began to consciously walk toward the table, his black gaze followed me, never leaving me. Even when I stopped at the foot of the table, he still held my gaze but they seemed to drop slightly to my bare limbs and they lingered there for a moment before shifting back up. He totally just checked me out.

   The waiter pulled out the second chair at the table for me. I thanked her quietly and took my seat.

     "We won't be staying long," Killian told her, picking up the menu. "So we'll each have a plate of chow Mein. Preferably with a fork." His eyes flicked through the menu. "Ma Po Tofu and green vegetables too. Then whatever side orders the chef has; and bring me Senorio de la Tautila Blanco while you're at it."

       "Certainly, sir." The waiter said and scuttled off.

     "Alright, let's cut to the chase." He began, unbuttoning his jacket so that the white shirt and the hard muscles it hugged came into view. "Who else knows about your pregnancy?"

      "My brother and friend."

    "I see. You still haven't told your mother."

  My brows scrunched. "How do you know I have a mother?"

    He ignored my question. "I think it's best that way. the fewer people know, the better. Now that we're both sure the baby is mine, I'd like to know your plans."

    The waiter returned shortly and filled two glasses with wine before placing the bottle on the table a beating a hasty retreat.

    Killian handed one over to me but I struck my hands out in rejection. "I can't drink alcohol, I'm—"