by J. S. Lee
I sensed movement at the foot of the bed and both Sungmin and I broke our stare to look down. MinMin was walking past, heading to the bathroom. He paused, bowed his head, and then carried on his way.
I waited until I heard the door close before I rolled away. Being out of Sungmin’s arms felt weirder than being in them.
I sat up. Beside me, Sungmin did the same. “I’m going back to my room for a shower,” I told him.
It was later than I had realized. Although it had ended up being quite late when I had eventually gone to bed, I had slept well. Considering how little I’d had over the last few days, I wasn’t surprised.
The shower was hot and by the time I got out of it, I felt like a whole different person. I packed the few things I had brought back into my case, ready for checking out, but left them in my room as I went down to the hotel’s restaurant for a buffet breakfast.
Sungmin had messaged while I was in the shower and the four of them were already there when I got to their table, my plate piled high with bacon and grits.
“What is that?” CX asked, wrinkling his nose up at the grits.
“Grits,” JongB responded, also pulling a face.
“Do they taste as bad as they look?” MinMin asked.
I piled as much as I could onto my fork before they ran off and ate it while they watched in mild disgust.
“Is that a weird pregnancy craving?” MinMin whispered to CX.
“It has to be.”
I ignored him, eating the meal in front of me while each of them tackled a pile of pancakes. It was a weird quirk of Onyx. The only thing they ever seemed to eat for breakfast was pancakes – but only when they were in the US.
“I know what we can do this morning,” JongB said, brightly.
“No.”
JongB looked over at Sungmin, pouting. “But you don’t even know what I’m going to say.”
“Did it involve dropping your rental off at a location here in Las Vegas and then driving back to Los Angeles?” he asked.
“No, but-”
“Then, no. You’re all grounded until further notice.”
JongB scowled at him. And then he turned to me. “Let’s find a wedding chapel and get married.”
I nearly choked on my grits. “What?”
“When in Vegas?“
I stared at him, pulling a face. “I’m not getting married in a Las Vegas Wedding Chapel like a complete cliché.” I set my knife and fork down. “And I’m not marrying you. We’ve already had this conversation.”
“What about me?” MinMin said. I whipped my head around to look at him. He looked serious.
“No,” I said, firmly. I turned to CX. “And before you chime in, the answer is still no.”
“But we’re in Vegas,” JongB pointed out, like the slot machines dotted around the restaurant didn’t hint at that already.
I rolled my eyes. “I’m not getting married because I’m pregnant, and I’m not getting married because I’m in Las Vegas. More importantly, if I do that, I feel like I’m picking one of you over the others, so, no. I’m not marrying you or any of you.”
Sungmin reached over, placing his hand over mine, before looking back at the others. “And let’s end this conversation now, because even if Kate was willing, Youngbin, Jiwon, and Xiao aren’t here, and you know they’d want to be. Moreover, you guys are effectively grounded. That means no weddings.”
제5 장
Chained Up
I spent most of the drive back to Los Angeles fast asleep, despite waking up feeling refreshed earlier. We had taken the Mustang back to the rental agency, much to Sungmin’s irritation. He had been prepared to make JongB, MinMin and CX squish into the back of it until I had pointed out that the model we had only had two seats in the back, and pissed as he was, if there was a car crash, someone was going to get hurt.
Considering we had, only recently, been in a wreck, Sungmin had returned the Mustang and then we had gone to the rental agency JongB had used to change the insurance so that Sungmin could drive the car back.
We were on the outskirts of LA when I woke up. The car was quiet, with only the radio playing softly in the background. “Did you enjoy your sleep?” MinMin asked me.
As if he knew my mouth was dry, CX pushed a bottle of water towards me. I took it, gratefully, taking a long sip. “I slept nearly the whole way back?” I asked in disbelief.
“JongB is still asleep, if it makes you feel better,” MinMin told me.
“For the love of all things holy, please keep him that way,” Sungmin muttered, “He can’t cause trouble when he’s asleep.”
Four hours later, and Sungmin was still pissed at them.
I rubbed at my face, winding down the window for some fresh air. “Do you want to stop?” Sungmin offered, instantly.
I glanced at the GPS; we still had forty minutes to get to the hotel. I nodded. “If it’s possible, that would be great, because I could use a bathroom break.”
“We can do that,” Sungmin agreed, taking the exit.
We pulled into a gas station. I hurried inside to do my business. When I came out, CX was in the store, staring at the chocolate. “How are you doing?” I asked him.
“Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”
“Pregnant,” I responded with a shrug.
“I’m really OK with you being pregnant,” he said, instantly.
I gave him a smile as I reached for a Butterfinger bar I suddenly had to eat. “While that does make me happy to hear, that wasn’t what I was talking about. You and MinMin?”
“Sore,” he admitted. “But OK. Kind of what I expected.” He looked at me. “And you’re OK with it? Because I won’t do that again if it upsets you.”
“It doesn’t upset me at all,” I told him, before giving him a wicked grin. “It was hot as hell to watch and my pervy ass would happily watch a replay of it.”
“I’m not leaving you,” he said, suddenly. “I love you. I want to be with you, and I want to raise this baby with you.”
I realized what he was trying to say and smiled. “It would be a little bit hypocritical if I said you couldn’t see MinMin as well, don’t you think?”
CX went pink as he shook his head. “Not really. But it’s not what I’m trying to say.”
Maybe I hadn’t realized. I waited patiently for him to explain, but he didn’t. I quickly glanced around. There were a couple of older men at the counter, but otherwise, the small gas station store was empty, and no one was paying us any attention. Not that it would have mattered with our strange hybrid Korean-Japanese language we had been speaking in. “Considering you had sex in a library, and last night you, me, JongB, and MinMin had glorious sex, I’m surprised that you’re going shy on me now.”
“I liked it, but I liked it because you were there.” He took the candy bar from my hands.
“There’s no need to put extra pressure on yourself because of what you think will make me happy.” I took half a step back and tilted my head as I watched CX. “But is that what you really think, or is that what you think I want to hear? Because if you and MinMin are a you and MinMin,” I shrugged, “I’m not upset, angry, or disappointed.”
CX bit his lip, staring at the candy bar before he finally looked back at me. “I like MinMin.”
“I like MinMin. And I like you. And I like Youngbin. And I like Xiao…” I gave him a smile. “You see where I’m going with this?”
“You really don’t mind?”
“It would be a bit hypocritical of me if I did, I told you that. But I really don’t ‘mind’. We are proof that we can love more than one person at the same time. I just want all of us to be happy.” I looked at the candy bar in CX’s hand. “Although, if you’re about to confiscate that from me, I promise you, neither of us is going to be happy.”
CX reached for a second Butterfinger bar. “I was going to buy it for you.” He grabbed a few other bars of chocolate, not really looking at what he was picking up, and hurried over to pay for them.
I had never felt particularly worried about the food I ate, and I was aware I needed to make sure it was also healthy considering I was now growing a baby, but unless they wanted a homicidal pregnant woman in their lives, they were going to leave the chocolate alone.
CX paid and then the two of us returned to the car. As we got close to the car, CX stopped. “I like MinMin.”
“And while I adore that, I’m not MinMin.” I bumped him with my shoulder. “Tell him.”
I stopped and turned to him, my expression serious. “I feel like what you want to hear is me giving you two my blessing. I don’t think I do, but I promise you, I’m OK.”
A shy smile swept over CX’s face and he handed me my Butterfinger before hurrying back to the car. I followed after him.
The rest of the car journey passed quietly. JongB had finally awoken and was busy dancing in his seat – normal JongB behavior – while MinMin had pulled out a portable game console and was busy playing something on that. I wasn’t sure if Sungmin had said something to them, but the atmosphere remained subdued until we got to the hotel.
Only it wasn’t a hotel. It was the house we’d stayed at last time. Sungmin pulled the rental into the assigned parking bay and then turned to look at us all. “We have managed to go the whole tour without the staff, excluding Taeyoon, knowing what’s happening with you. Considering we made them resign their NDAs and considering it’s no secret that you’re all close with each other, they’ve probably worked this out. But seeing as though they’re being discreet, I think it’s only fair that you return that favor.”
“I wasn’t planning on walking in there and throwing myself at the others,” I grumbled.
Sungmin shot me a dark glower. “You’re not quiet,” he said, bluntly, making both of us blush.
“Nope, she’s not,” JongB agreed, sending me a mischievous grin. “And she still owes us a massage for that.”
I clamped a hand over my eyes, unable to look at Sungmin. I hadn’t forgotten the bet I’d lost, but it was clear that I wasn’t going to be paying up any time soon with that.
Beside me, Sungmin let out an exasperated sigh and I was sure JongB was suddenly grateful he was at the back of the SUV out of range of Sungmin. “Well you three are on a sex ban-”
“Hyungnim!” JongB whined.
“You rented a car and drove to Las Vegas without permission and without telling anyone where you were going. What if there had been an accident?” Sungmin shook his head. “No. Sex.”
Aside from the fact it felt like I was also being punished, it was quite entertaining to watch the others, namely JongB, squirm.
“Then what are we going to say to the others?” MinMin asked, changing the subject with a wince.
“That you three decided to rent a car and drive to Las Vegas,” Sungmin informed them. “And until this tour is wrapped up, you three are not going anywhere without supervision.”
“Can we go inside now?” I asked. “I need to pee.” I didn’t wait for an answer, instead getting out of the car and hurrying to the front door. Which was fine until I realized I didn’t have the key. I hammered on the door, ducking under Xiao’s arm when he opened it, so I could make a beeline for the bathroom.
When I emerged, Sungmin and the others had joined Xiao and Jiwon in the living room. “Where is everyone?” I asked, looking around.
“Youngbin, Taeyoon and Dongjun are out filming Youngbin’s music video,” Xiao explained as I joined his side. “Today was a scheduled day off for the rest of us, so the team have gone shopping. Jiwon and I decided to wait here for you guys to get back.”
“Driver’s licenses,” Sungmin suddenly announced, holding his hand out.
“Huh?” Jiwon said. “I don’t follow.”
“I want all of your driver’s license – those of you that have them – and I want them now.”
“Why?” JongB pouted.
Sungmin gave him a pointed look.
With a defeated sigh, JongB pulled his wallet out and extracted his driver’s license. Before he could put his wallet away, Sungmin reached over, grabbed the ID card, along with the wallet, pulling out a credit card before tossing the wallet back to JongB. “And your credit cards.”
“Why?” JongB demanded.
“You rented a car and drove nearly three hundred miles without anyone knowing where you were,” Sungmin growled at him. He looked at the others. “And that includes all of you.”
“I didn’t rent a car,” Xiao pointed out.
“No, you rented a bus,” Sungmin snapped at him.
Xiao tilted his head, considering the statement, and then pulled his credit card out of his pocket, handing it over without comment.
“But what if I need to buy something?” JongB asked.
Sungmin’s expression went stony. “What could you possibly need to buy on your one day in Los Angeles, when you’re forbidden from leaving the house?”
“Nipple clamps.”
I snorted, earning me a disapproving glower from Sungmin.
“I think that’s something Xiao would buy,” MinMin mumbled.
“I already have some,” Xiao said, as though we were discussing toothpaste. “I bought them in Amsterdam.” He turned to me. “I’ve been waiting for the perfect opportunity to try them out.”
Sungmin let out a noise that was somewhere between a cough, a splutter, and a snort. “Just get your driver’s licenses and your credit cards and leave them on the coffee table,” he announced, before turning and stalking down the hallway, the limp in his leg becoming more prominent. “I knew I should have accepted that position as one of Seventeen’s managers,” I heard him muttering to himself.
“I think you broke Sungmin,” I told Xiao.
“I think JongB broke Sungmin,” Xiao corrected me. “I can’t believe you guys rented a car.”
“You rented a bus!” JongB retorted.
While they started talking, I yawned and decided it was time for a shower. Despite having slept for almost a whole car journey, I was feeling tired again. I got as far as the bottom of the stairs where my suitcase was waiting for me. The others must have brought it in from the car for me.
“I’ll take that,” Xiao said, picking it and my backpack up as though they were empty. I followed him up the stairs to the room I had used last time. Inside the room, he set them to the side, turning to face me. “How are you feeling?” he asked, examining me with his eyes.
“In need of a shower and a nap,” I admitted. “Although I don’t know why because I’ve done nothing all morning.”
Xiao stepped forward, settling his hands on my hips. He leaned down, his lips coming close to mine. “Do you want to do something to make you feel like you’ve earned that nap?”
If it wasn’t for the fact his hands were sliding up my side, coming to a rest just under my bra, he could have been mistaken for suggesting we go out for a walk. I knew Xiao better than that.
My need for a nap disappeared. I nodded, licking my lips.
Xiao gave me a wicked smirk before he moved his mouth to my ear. “I’m going to get my little box of tricks, and then I will be back. Don’t move.”
He left me there, feeling breathless. There were many things in that box that I had seen or been told about, and so far, I’d only used the lube. I was still standing there, exactly where he left me, when he returned. He carefully locked the door behind him and set the box on the bed, before advancing over to me.
Without saying anything, he slowly began pulling my top off, batting my hands away when I tried to help. “Nope,” he chided me. “No touching.”
I hadn’t picked the sexiest of outfits to wear when I’d gotten dressed – a vest top and a pair of skinny jeans while I could fit into them – but with the lustful expression I could see in his eyes, I could have been wearing nothing but a sexy pair of underwear.
When I was topless, he picked me up and carried me over to the bed, lying me down so my head was on the pillows, and then he climbed on, straddling me.
As usual, Xiao was wearing only a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, and I was very aware of his erection under the thin material. “Do you trust me, tián xīn?”
“Completely,” I agreed,
“Then close your eyes.”
I did as he said, sensing him as he lowered his head to mine. I was right. I could feel his breath by his ear. “I am going to tease you until you beg me to let you cum.”
“Xiao?”
“Mmmm?”
“I’m already wet,” I whispered. “That’s not going to take much.”
Xiao groaned, but sat back. “Don’t open your eyes until I tell you.”
“OK,” I agreed, hoping I could keep my promise.
Xiao’s weight shifted and I heard his box rattle as he picked it up and opened it. Moments later, something metallic, but tinkling and dainty sounding was brought out. I knew what they were before the handcuff was closed around my right wrist.
The metal was cold, but it wasn’t tight around my wrist. Gently, Xiao raised my arm above my head. Then, with the same care, my other arm was raised above me. As Xiao’s erection pushed against my bare stomach, he closed the other cuff.
I was close enough to the headboard to be able to wrap my hands around the poles there, but the length of the chain was short so that I couldn’t get my hands lower than my ear.
With Xiao pressed up against me, he held my hands around the poles of the headboard. “You might want to hold onto these while I get those pants off.”
Skinny jeans were not attractive to get off…
I felt Xiao slide down my body and I kept my eyes closed, despite wanting to watch him. There was a moment’s pause, and then he was unbuttoning and unzipping the jeans, tugging them, and my panties, down my legs.
“Keep those eyes closed, my tián xīn,” Xiao warned me as my eyes fluttered. “I’m not done yet.”
The bed dipped as Xiao climbed back on, sitting on my thighs. At some point, he had removed his clothes because I could feel balls resting on me.
With another tinkling sound, something cold was placed on my stomach, making me gasp. I fought to keep my eyes closed, desperate to find out what it was.