I have never felt more uncomfortable in my own home than I do at this moment. I am currently sitting at the small table in our kitchen between my mother and Qing. How did the er weasel his way into my mother’s affections? When did he even have the time to research me well enough, that he was able to find out my address and home phone number? This is ing illegal somewhere in the world. I am almost positive that this is grounds for a restraining order for stalking.

 

But as I watch my mother fall further into this rattlesnake’s charms, I worry whether or not she would support my complaint. This smiling bastard is currently serving my mother tea and just offered to rub her shoulders. Oh, you, Qing.

 

I jump up and brush his hands off of my mother.

 

“Hey, I am her son! I can rub her shoulders!”

 

My mother turned and swatted my hands away with a look of mild disappointment on her face. Did she already forget which one of us belonged to her?

 

“Dayu, stop being so unpleasant! I didn’t raise you to behave so rudely to guests. Especially one that took the time to call and inform me how much you were missing me.”

 

My eyes opened wide at that comment. When did I say I missed my mother? Of course, I missed her, but what business is it of his?! Qing took this opportunity to further endear himself to my mother.

 

“Auntie, Dayu didn’t directly inform me that he missed you. I must admit I took it upon myself to read between the lines. You see, yesterday Dayu agreed to accompany me to meet my father, because he was worried about me making such a long drive alone. The dinner with my father was enjoyable, it ran late, so we stayed at one of my family’s hotels. Dayu noticed that the complementary lotions and soaps were products that you would like, so he requested to bring you some, because he worries that you may work too hard. How could I not see that his heart was longing to come for a visit? I decided to surprise him with a visit home before we returned to campus. I think I embarrassed him by bringing his feelings to light.”

 

This smiling pile of dog finished his ‘selfless monologue’ with a bashful smile that would have stopped traffic. I ing hate him. I checked to see if my mother was buying this load of garbage. She had tears in her eyes, and such a fond look on her face while gazing at Qing, I almost choked on my tea. Qing had just hand-fed my mother a bowl of and told her it was chocolate pudding, and she swallowed every bit.

 

“Dayu, my son, you know you can always come home to mommy when you miss me, right?”

 

Did she really just baby talk me in front of Qing? I’ll admit that I still call my mother mommy on occasion. Who the cares, she’s my mother and it makes her happy! Don’t ing judge me! I knew I was blushing, because Qing looked like the cat that caught the canary. The bastard.

 

“Mom, I know I can always come home, but when I do, you won’t allow me to help you. You spend the whole day cooking and making sure I eat, that you don’t even relax. When I come visit, it’s because I want to have a leisurely visit with you, and help around the house.”

 

My mother just smiled and ruffled my hair lovingly.

 

“You silly boy, it’s a mother’s joy to cook and feed her child. Even more so when she only has the one child to dote on. But today you don’t have to worry, Qing had so much food delivered the neighbors came out and stared. Mrs. Choi even asked if I had won some sort of contest with all the deliveries that came today!”

 

What ing deliveries?! The tea I had just gulped swallowed down hard like rocks.

 

“Deliveries?”

 

My mother jumped up gleefully, and started opening cabinets and the refrigerator. I have never seen this much food in our home at one time. My mouth dropped open. Qing did all of this for my mother. Why?

 

“You did all of this for my mother?”

 

My tone was very soft, which is probably why Qing’s face changed from one of smug amusement to guarded curiosity. We made eye contact briefly before he offered an explanation.

 

“I overheard you on the phone with your mother a while back, telling her that your new job would allow you to send her more money each month. You asked her to cut back on one of her jobs, and said to work only enough to pay the mortgage, because you would start supplying the food to the house. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but you are a college student, and also need money. I set up an agreement with a local store to have groceries delivered every couple of weeks. It helps both of you out at the same time. Auntie will get to work less, and you get to save money for graduation. Also, it was the least I could do for the kind soul who took me in and offered to tutor and motivate me in my studies.”

 

I tried to hide the soft smile forming on my face but failed. Me smiling at Qing must be a rare thing, because the look on his face was priceless. I chanced a glance at my mother, only to see tears slowly rolling down her face.

 

“Mommy, why are you are you crying?”

 

I reached to hand her a tissue, only to beat out by Qing whipping out his handkerchief to delicately wipe my mother’s face. I would be lying if I said the sight of Qing caring for my mother didn’t melt my heart a bit. I do mean just a bit, because he is still an arrogant prick. But, someone who cares so well for my mother can’t be all bad.

 

“Dayu, you must have saved the country in your past life. How else could such a blessing be given to us? Qing is such a kind and respectful young man. You must keep him by your side in this life.”

 

My mother’s comment broke me out of my warm bubble of sweet feelings. What did she mean keep him by my side?! We weren’t ing dating. He is just my unwanted roommate. I looked at Qing only to find that the smug smile had returned to his face. The er almost had me. I was going to swallow the whole thing down happily, just like mother. Not. Today. er. As irritated as I was becoming towards the whole situation, I couldn’t just ruin my mother’s day. I just smiled and gave her the answer she wanted.

 

“Yes, mommy. You are right, of course. Qing is a truly wonderful friend, and I would be honored if he stayed by my side in this life.”

 

My mother just patted my hand and continued to chat with Qing. Despite being a surprise visit, it was still pleasant to be back home. We stayed for just two hours before we had to head back out, if we planned to make it to campus before curfew. As we hugged my mother goodbye, she once again reminded me how lucky I was to have Qing as a friend.

 

“Dayu, Qing is a sweet boy, but I feel like he is lacking in affection from home. Take care of him well for me, hmm?”

 

She whispered this in my ear while hugging me. I could only nod before getting in the car. I waved once more before the car pulled away. I watched my mother’s figure get smaller the further we drove away with a heavy heart. Visiting my mother always made me feel lacking as a son. I wished I was able to do more for her.

 

We rode in silence for some time before Qing made the effort to start a conversation.

 

“Please don’t take offense towards my actions. I really did just want to help after I noticed how much you miss your mother. It is very clear that you care for you mother a lot.”

 

I side eyed Qing before responding.

 

“It’s not that I take offense to your actions, it’s just that I wish I was the one providing the care for her.”

 

I could feel Qing look at me. I tilted my head back and let it rest on the head rest with my eyes closed. We both let the conversation drop and drove in silence, and for the first time it felt comfortable and soothing. I could feel myself get drowsy, so I gave in and let sleep claim me for a while.

 

 

I awoke to the slamming of the car door. I started and sat up quickly, scanning my surroundings. We were about thirty minutes out from the university. I opened my door and caught up with Qing as he entered a small market.

 

“Why are we here?”

 

Qing glanced over his shoulder at me, looking a bit sheepish.

 

“I drank so much of your mother’s fine tea, that my bladder is about to burst. I will quickly use the restroom and return.”

 

I watched him head in the direction of the bathrooms and decided to grab some snacks. I had woken up with an odd craving for ice cream. I was browsing when a hand landed heavily on my shoulder. Thinking it was Qing I simply brushed it off with a shrug of my shoulders before continuing my shopping. It wasn't until the same heavy hand roughly grabbed my wrist and spun me around, pinning me against the shelves, that I bothered to look at the person.

 

I met the dark eyes of an angel faced hoodlum. This person was tall and lean, and what I would call uniquely handsome. His face was small and he had clear milky skin, topped with blond hair. His looks didn’t make him any less of an , though. Why the was he touching me, and why so rudely, at that?

 

“Who the are you? Get your hands off of me!”

 

The angel faced bastard grabbed my collar and slammed me back against the shelf, sending waves of pain up my spine. What the is this nonsense? The er glared at me before speaking.

 

“I am Soon Yee’s boyfriend, you er! I saw you with her last night!”

 

“Who the Soon Yee? Get your damn hands off me. There is no ing way I was with any girl of yours, when I spent the night in a hotel with my roommate last night. I said, get the off!”

 

I mustered my strength and pushed the stupid bastard off of me. Rubbing at my now red and bruised neck, I stepped away from the shelves. The bastard still looked ready to kill, when Qing came around the corner with the aura of a dark avenger. I must have shown my surprise, because the guy chanced a look over his shoulder. I will admit the shrinking look he gave when presented with Qing’s dark glare was hilarious. Qing stalked up to the guy, looking every bit the predator about to pounce. Blondie took several steps away, but was still unable to avoid Qing’s large hand as it wrapped around his throat.

 

“WHO. THE. . ARE. YOU?”

 

I watched with wide eyes as Qing growled each word quietly. The er had the nerve to look embarrassed. Now he was embarrassed. What the ? He attacked a stranger in a market without cause, but now he’s embarrassed. Some people are just stuck on stupid.

 

“Tao--”

 

He barely managed to gasp that out with Qing’s fingers gripping his neck.

 

“What is your business with my friend?”

 

Tao, as his name turned out to be, was turning various shades of red due to Qing’s grip. I was glad he showed up, but he needed to chill the out. I put my hand on Qing’s shoulder and he turned to look at me.

 

“How the do you expect him to answer when he can barely breathe? Let him go, and I will explain to you what happened.”

 

He dropped his hand from the ’s neck and turned to face me.

 

“He seems to have me confused with some person his harlot of a girlfriend meandered with last night. I tried telling this bag that I was with you last night, but he refused to listen.”

 

Tao was on the ground gasping for air. Qing looked at him with such disgust on his face.

 

“He is telling the truth. I suggest you talk to your girlfriend before you start attacking innocent people in businesses.”

 

Qing grabbed my arm and all but threw me in the car. He scowled and murmured to himself the whole way back to the dorm.

 

I was exhausted by the time we entered our room. The day had just been too much for me, between the surprise visit to my mother and the random attack from some moron at the store. I kicked off my shoes and flopped down on the sofa, only to wince in pain from the bruise forming on my back. That er deserves to be cheated on! I was about to get up and see what I could find to treat my aches, when Qing appeared next to the sofa.

 

“What do you want?”

He gave me an odd look and sat down.

 

“Is this how you treat your savior?”

 

My savior, my ! I could have handled that guy. He showed up before I could unleash my true fury.

 

“Hey, I didn’t ask to be saved! I could have handled it myself.”

 

 

Being the prick he is, Qing just snorted and grabbed the bottom of my shirt, motioning for me to take it off.

 

 

“What the are you doing now, you ert?!”

 

He gave me a droll look.

 

“If you think you are capable of rubbing the muscle cream on your back alone, I will gladly leave it with you and go take a shower.”

 

“Oh.”

 

I slapped his hand away from my clothes and pulled the shirt off by myself. I am no child, who the does he think he is, removing my clothes?

 

“Who tries to takes someone else’s clothes off without permission? You should have just clearly stated your intentions!”

 

“So, as long as I ask, you will remove your clothes?”

 

“Yes. I mean, no! You ing ert.”

 

Qing just chuckled to himself and almost gently helped me roll over to lay on my stomach. I felt a bit uneasy and more than a bit vulnerable spread out on the sofa. I heard him uncap the cream before I felt the cool cream touch my skin. I hissed from the sensation of it. As Qing started working the cream into my skin, I felt my heartbeat pick up. I felt a nervous fluttering at his touch, but I figured it was because I was worried he would tell people about the incident.

 

“Hey, you won't tell anyone about this, right?”

 

 

“Who the would I tell that would even care about your market scuffle?”

I huffed and turned to face the back of the sofa. I was just making sure he wasn’t going to tell people. I can’t risk losing my scholarship just because some insecure with a tramp girlfriend attacked me in a store. I just laid there while he rubbed the cream into my back. The massage of his hand was making me feel sleepy. Just as I felt my eyes drifting closed, I felt a slap on my .

 

“What the was that for?!”

 

“Shut up and turn over so I can put some on your neck.”

 

I begrudgingly flip over, snarling about someone’s lack of bedside manner, then promptly almost choked when he leaned in close to my face.

 

“What the are you doing now?”

 

“I have to see where to apply the cream. Tilt your head up a bit.”

 

He started lightly rubbing cream on my neck while leaning in WAY too close. I could feel his hot breath on my neck. My heart started hammering in my chest. What kind of was this ert trying to pull now? I turned my head to snap at him and tell him to move back, but that was a bad choice.

 

Qing’s face was so close to mine, I could feel the warmth from his lips. I couldn't even begin to form words when I met his gaze. There was something behind his eyes that bothered me and was making me nervous.

 

“Why are you there?”

 

I tried to sound angry, but it came out as a breathless whisper. Qing smiled like a villain from a movie before getting even closer.

 

“Would you rather I was here?”

 

He was so close, I felt his lips move against mine. The feeling sent a spark from my lips, straight to my groin. Which is probably why I let Qing’s next action happen. He closed the gap and placed his lips on mine. I couldn't help but close my eyes.

 

The feeling was so wonderfully sinful. His warm lips moving in sync with mine, and his thumb rubbing my neck sent shivers down my spine. I gasped into his mouth and Qing took advantage of the situation, sliding his tongue into my mouth. He every corner of my mouth and wrapped his tongue around mine, before pulling away and nipping at my bottom lip.

 

I was breathless and more aroused than I wanted to be in the given situation. Our eyes locked and I put my hand up to push him away, but ended up pulling him back onto the sofa with me.

If Qing wasn’t so ing good at kissing, I would have had the mental ability to end this before it started.

 

But now, with him lying warmly across my body and his lips and tongue invading my mouth, I knew I was ed. So, I gave in and kissed him back, his tongue into my mouth and gripping his neck to keep him close. If I was gonna follow the devil the hell, it might as well be a pleasurable ride.

 

 

 

 

A/N I apologize for the long wait for the update. I had tons of things going on and I was a bit stuck for this story for some reason. I hope this update makes up for my absence. You can always check out my other story if the wait for this one becomes too long. (Shameless self promotion there folks) As always feel free to comment. I love to chat with you guys. I truly appreciate all the votes! Don’t be a silent reader!