object didn’t have to have a name brand stamped on the side to get the job done.
A man on a bicycle delivered supplies to the market in polystyrene boxes piled high enough to transport nearly as much as a U-Haul back in the States. A woman bore a stick across her shoulders from which two baskets of laundry swung. Scaffolding, made entirely of bamboo, teemed with construction workers who wore no safety gear, not even boots. Their rustic sandals slapping on bare feet as they scaled the hastily erected structure highlighted real differences from the world she belonged to and forced her to consider the luxuries she took for granted.
Still, the lack of precautions designed with the lowest common denominator in mind made her realize how sterile her existence in the US had been at times. She wouldn’t trade her heritage or her country for any other, but gaining perspective couldn’t hurt either.
Not all things were strange. Modern men and women in suits trudged off to a workday similar to the ones she’d suffered through when she clocked time in an office. But the smell of street-meat carts and fruit on a stick made the mundane seem exotic.
“Would you like to try some?” Mark caught her checking out the red kebab of candied fruit as they exited their friend’s car at the station. It looked like something she’d find at a carnival back home.
“What is it?” she asked Mark, but he shrugged then looked toward Lynn for assistance.
“It’s called tanghulu .” Lynn swerved toward the vendor, dragging Sebastian with her. “It’s delectable. Sweet and filling for breakfast. The apple-looking things are hawthorn fruit. Some of the vendors use other ingredients too.”
“This one looks like it has kiwi and sesame seeds sprinkled on top of the clear glaze.” Sloan inspected the offerings with a smile and a nod at the man working the cart.
Mark moaned. “Damn, this smells great. I’m getting one to hold me over for the ride. Anyone else?”
In the end, they each tried a different variety. The vendor seemed disappointed when they refused to haggle over the price but, despite the downturn in the economy, enough food to feed four adults cost six Yuan—less than a single American dollar.
It didn’t seem right to pay less than that.
It truly was a treat for her taste buds.
Not to mention, watching the men eat the sticky snacks from the foot-and-a-half-long skewer had naughty ideas flashing through her mind. What was wrong with her that spending the night with Mark hadn’t quenched her cravings?
Bold and daring, she’d woken during the early morning and taken advantage of her lover’s steely erection prodding her backside. When he roused again several hours later, he’d repaid the favor with a smooth, sensual fuck that enticed her to relax and allow pleasure to consume her.
“ Amico , swap a bite. I want to try yours.” Sebastian held his skewer toward Mark, who leaned forward and ripped a hunk of fleshy fruit from the rod with his teeth. He groaned as a spurt of liquid oozed from the treat.
“Damn, that’s awesome.” Mark returned the favor, extending his stick to Sebastian. “Why don’t we have these things at home? I could get used to this.”
Sebastian bit into one of the last morsels, his lips nearly brushing the side of Mark’s hand. His throat worked as he swallowed the offering then licked his lips. “Too bad we don’t have time for another round. These rocked.”
Sloan’s eyes nearly bugged out of her head at the exchange. Did they even realize how hot they were together? Mark had said they’d shared intimate situations before. She believed it after seeing how natural and at ease they were around each other.
When she turned, she saw Lynn staring as she fanned herself. The day hadn’t built enough swelter for that until the two guys started eating from each other’s hands. At least she hadn’t been the only one to notice. If the desire etched on her new friend’s face was any
A man on a bicycle delivered supplies to the market in polystyrene boxes piled high enough to transport nearly as much as a U-Haul back in the States. A woman bore a stick across her shoulders from which two baskets of laundry swung. Scaffolding, made entirely of bamboo, teemed with construction workers who wore no safety gear, not even boots. Their rustic sandals slapping on bare feet as they scaled the hastily erected structure highlighted real differences from the world she belonged to and forced her to consider the luxuries she took for granted.
Still, the lack of precautions designed with the lowest common denominator in mind made her realize how sterile her existence in the US had been at times. She wouldn’t trade her heritage or her country for any other, but gaining perspective couldn’t hurt either.
Not all things were strange. Modern men and women in suits trudged off to a workday similar to the ones she’d suffered through when she clocked time in an office. But the smell of street-meat carts and fruit on a stick made the mundane seem exotic.
“Would you like to try some?” Mark caught her checking out the red kebab of candied fruit as they exited their friend’s car at the station. It looked like something she’d find at a carnival back home.
“What is it?” she asked Mark, but he shrugged then looked toward Lynn for assistance.
“It’s called tanghulu .” Lynn swerved toward the vendor, dragging Sebastian with her. “It’s delectable. Sweet and filling for breakfast. The apple-looking things are hawthorn fruit. Some of the vendors use other ingredients too.”
“This one looks like it has kiwi and sesame seeds sprinkled on top of the clear glaze.” Sloan inspected the offerings with a smile and a nod at the man working the cart.
Mark moaned. “Damn, this smells great. I’m getting one to hold me over for the ride. Anyone else?”
In the end, they each tried a different variety. The vendor seemed disappointed when they refused to haggle over the price but, despite the downturn in the economy, enough food to feed four adults cost six Yuan—less than a single American dollar.
It didn’t seem right to pay less than that.
It truly was a treat for her taste buds.
Not to mention, watching the men eat the sticky snacks from the foot-and-a-half-long skewer had naughty ideas flashing through her mind. What was wrong with her that spending the night with Mark hadn’t quenched her cravings?
Bold and daring, she’d woken during the early morning and taken advantage of her lover’s steely erection prodding her backside. When he roused again several hours later, he’d repaid the favor with a smooth, sensual fuck that enticed her to relax and allow pleasure to consume her.
“ Amico , swap a bite. I want to try yours.” Sebastian held his skewer toward Mark, who leaned forward and ripped a hunk of fleshy fruit from the rod with his teeth. He groaned as a spurt of liquid oozed from the treat.
“Damn, that’s awesome.” Mark returned the favor, extending his stick to Sebastian. “Why don’t we have these things at home? I could get used to this.”
Sebastian bit into one of the last morsels, his lips nearly brushing the side of Mark’s hand. His throat worked as he swallowed the offering then licked his lips. “Too bad we don’t have time for another round. These rocked.”
Sloan’s eyes nearly bugged out of her head at the exchange. Did they even realize how hot they were together? Mark had said they’d shared intimate situations before. She believed it after seeing how natural and at ease they were around each other.
When she turned, she saw Lynn staring as she fanned herself. The day hadn’t built enough swelter for that until the two guys started eating from each other’s hands. At least she hadn’t been the only one to notice. If the desire etched on her new friend’s face was any
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