by Nia Arthurs
“I’m Devina Moore, the owner.” She tucked her arm around Jo as if they’d been friends forever and gestured to two of her workers. “Why don’t you come with me?”
Jo shot a nervous glance over her shoulder. Sun Gi smiled encouragingly at her. Jo held his gaze until she’d disappeared into a spacious dressing room.
Racks of clothes filled one wall. Jo watched the outfits in consternation. They all looked bright, sophisticated and expensive. She usually bought clothes that could be paired with something else—T-shirts, jeans and khakis.
Last week, she’d complained to Sun Gi that she didn’t have enough work clothes. Had he arranged all this because of that one comment?
“Take this.” Devin shoved a blue dress with light, lace sleeves at her. She slipped into it and preened in front of the mirror.
“Stunning.” Devina shook her head. “You look so beautiful, dear.”
Jo shot her a disbelieving smile and returned her gaze to the mirror. Whether Devin was being sincere or being a good sales lady, she had to agree.
“Next!” Devina moved off and handed her a gorgeous flower-patterned shirt and bright yellow skirt. “Darling, yellow and your cocoa complexion go together like Dolce and Gabana.”
“Wait.” Jo reached for the price tag and blanched. There was no way she was paying for anything this expensive.
Devina slipped the tag from her hands with a patient smile. “Mr. Kim has already given me his card. There’s not a price limit today.”
That didn’t make her feel any better.
“Could you give me a minute?” Jo cringed. “I need to talk to him.”
“I’ll bring him in.”
Devina fluttered through the pulled curtains. A minute later, Sun Gi strode in. Jo straightened and flew over to him. “What are you thinking?” she hissed. “This is too expensive.”
“You’re worth every penny.”
“It’s too much.”
“I can more than afford it.”
“I don’t care. I’m not with you because of your money.”
“That’s good… because one bad decision and I could lose it all.” He lifted her chin. “Would you stay with me even if I had nothing?”
“Of course.”
Sun Gi put his hand on her shoulder and steered her around so they were both looking at the mirror. Despite their height difference, he tucked his head into her neck and nuzzled it.
Pressing light kisses up to her ear, he growled, “You look breathtaking. I want to take all those beautiful clothes off.”
“That would kind of defy the point,” she said with a breathless laugh.
Sun Gi tucked his head against hers, wrapped his arms around her and swayed to silent music. “I want to do something nice for you. These past few weeks, I’ve been so busy that I haven’t given you the attention you deserve.”
“What are you talking about? We see each other everyday.”
“That’s work.” He lightly bit the tip of her ear. “That’s different.”
Heat flashed in her chest.
His eyes seared hers, a gaze reminiscent of a panther to its prey. For a moment, Jo wondered if he really would try to strip her right there in the dressing room.
Sun Gi kept his hands to himself and stepped back. “Don’t worry about anything but how it makes you look and feel, alright? This is my gift to you and you’ll break my heart if you don’t accept it.”
She bit her bottom lip and nodded.
Sun Gi kissed her so hard her heart flopped and then he shot her devilishly sexy grin before leaving. Jo wilted against the wall to collect herself. Her entire body was flushed; her heart raced.
She had a feeling ‘making up for quality time’ was just an excuse to spoil her.
Devina returned to the room and found her, thighs pressed together and tongue lolling out by the wall. She quirked an eyebrow knowingly but didn’t make a comment. Instead, she gestured to the rack. “Shall we continue?”
An hour later, Jo left the boutique wearing the second outfit she’d tried on that day. Sun Gi waddled behind her, struggling to carry the shopping bags she’d accumulated.
Jo smirked, imagining that he regretted telling her to go wild. She loved clothes and the only reason she didn’t shop more often was because her parents had taught her the benefits of saving.
Unfortunately for Sun Gi, she had no problems spending someone else’s money.
After stowing all the bags away, they got into the car.
Jo checked her watch. “I’m sorry you had to wait so long. Were you bored?”
“I looked over some files and replied to a few e-mails.” He glanced at her. “Did you have fun?”
She reached over and planted a kiss on his cheek. “As reward, I’ll treat you to lunch.”
“Sounds good.”
They enjoyed a breezy dinner by the seaside.
After she’d paid the bill, Jo strolled hand-in-hand with Sun Gi. “You can drop me off on the way. I’ll take a taxi to the other stores.”
“I think I can squeeze in one meeting with you.” He checked his watch. “Where were you heading first?”
“Ginseng Department Store.”
He nodded. “Let’s go.”
Fifteen minutes later, Jo strode into the store. Memories of working there flew through her mind. She couldn’t believe how things had changed in just a few short weeks.
“Hey!” Jenelle, Rhia’s friend, hurried toward them with a smile on her face. “Mr. Kim! Joana!”
Jo wiggled her fingers politely. She still hadn’t forgotten the way Jenelle had thrown down her display rack back then, but she’d chosen to let it go.
“Is Rhia in her office?” Sun Gi asked.
“Yes. Go right up.”
Rhia was waiting for them at the door. Like Jenelle, she smiled at Jo and even hugged her like they’d been best friends.
“Come in!” Rhia pointed to the chairs across from her desk.
Jo settled down and discussed the progress of the store. Sun Gi remained silent, sending little nods of approval whenever she made a comment that he agreed with.
In the middle of the discussion, Sun Gi’s phone rang.
“Just a minute,” he said and headed outside to answer it.
The moment the door closed behind him, Rhia lost her sweet smile. She gestured to Jo with a sneer. “Nice clothes. Your boyfriend buy you that?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“I didn’t know Mr. Kim was into black girls or I could have slept my way to the top too.”
Jo gritted her teeth but before she could cuss Rhia out, Sun Gi returned. He wore a tight-lipped smile as he pocketed his phone. “Where were we?”
Jo clamped her mouth shut and remained professional even though the anger boiling inside her begged for release.
She finally let loose when they returned to the car. “Stupid Rhia. Sleep my way to the top? She’s insane. I can’t believe she’d say something like that.”
“Why’d you let her get to you? We both know the truth.”
“It bothers me that people are assuming I seduced you to earn my position. I’m more than capable without your help.”
“Exactly.” He took her hand and kissed the back of it. “Rhia’s just jealous.”
“She’s so annoying.”
“Should I fire her?” Sun Gi asked.
Jo chuckled as the knots in her stomach loosened. “Would you?”
“I’ll call her right now.” He grinned.
Jo leaned her head back and shut her eyes. “Leave it. She’s not worth it.”
He linked their fingers together and drove with one hand. “That’s my girl.”
31
Sun Gi brushed Jo’s hair back and dropped a kiss to her neck. She moaned in her sleep and cuddled closer to him. He grazed his hand over her shoulder, down her arm, to her slender fingers.
Sun Gi loved every inch of Jo’s curvy body, but there was nothing like holding her hand.
Yeah, i
t was sappy, but he was romantic like that.
“What time is it?” she murmured.
“Did I wake you?”
She turned on her side so he was staring at her face. Her eyes were half-open and she pursed her soft lips. “It’s okay. I should go home before my parents catch up.”
Sun Gi’s heart panged.
He wasn’t ready for her to leave.
Pressing a long, lingering kiss to her mouth, he tried to change her mind with something far more convincing than words. Jo met him, stroke for stroke. Eventually, she broke away and tried to feel around the nightstand for her phone.
“The time.”
“It’s late.”
“I know that.” She chuckled. “I’m pushing it as is.”
He eased his hands underneath the blanket. “Stay.”
She gasped against him. “You’re mean.”
“And convincing?”
“I can’t.”
“Yes, you can.”
“Babe…”
Sun Gi smirked and made sure she was too occupied to make any more objections.
In-between haze and sleep, Sun Gi felt a small hand shaking his shoulder. He wrapped his powerful arms more firmly around the soft body nestled against him and slid his knees up so they were in prime big-spoon-little spoon positions.
“Sun Gi, wake up.”
He ran his nose over the back of her neck. “Give me ten minutes, babe.”
“Dirty, little… again?”
He chuckled darkly. “It’s your fault for being so damn sexy.”
“I’m in enough trouble as it is. Let me go.”
Sun Gi wanted to hold her tighter, but he released Jo and sat up groggily. She scooted off the bed and got dressed in front of him. The reverse-peep-show gave him all kinds of ideas.
Jo tossed her thick curls back so it didn’t get caught in the neck of her shirt and yawned. “We need to find some other excuse to tell my parents than ‘I’m working late’. Sneaking around is exhausting.”
“So let’s not sneak anymore.”
She laughed and sat on the edge of the bed to pull on her shoes. “Very funny.”
“I mean it.”
Jo paused and swung around, her eyes narrowing. “You want to meet my parents?”
“Why not?”
“Because that’s a really big step.”
He wrapped an arm around her waist and dragged her toward him. Dipping her head to his lap so he could kiss her deeply, Sun Gi breathed, “I love you.”
Her breath hitched. “It’s so weird hearing you say that.”
“Why? Because I’m so dashing?”
“Because I still can’t believe you’re mine.”
“Believe it, baby.” He set her straight up and allowed her to scramble off the bed.
“I just figured,” she patted her hair down, “that after the chaos with Hanna, you wouldn’t want to rush that side of our relationship.”
“Well, you assumed wrong.”
Her brilliant smile brightened his room and Sun Gi was glad they’d had this discussion if only to see her so happy.
“Okay.” Jo chirped. “I’ll set it up.”
“Anytime, anywhere.”
“I should get home though.” She backed away. “My parents will start to get suspicious if I keep this up.”
“Want me to walk you out?”
She shook her head and moved toward the door. Suddenly, she changed directions, sprinted to the bed and hopped on top of him. He grunted as she body-slammed him in the chest, but Jo was too busy peppering his face with kisses to care.
“I love you.” Kiss to his eye. “I love you.” Kiss to his jaw. “I love you.” Kiss to his lips.
Still winded from when she’d knocked the breath out of him, he teased. “Yeah, yeah. Don’t act all lovey-dovey now that you’ve gotten your way.”
She pushed against the mattress and sat up so she was straddling him. “How about tonight?”
“My place?” He gave her a dirty grin and ran his hands up her waist.
“My place. You, me, my parents.”
“That’s kinky.”
Jo slapped his chest and climbed off. “For dinner.”
“I knew that.”
She shook her head. “See you at work.”
Sun Gi smiled to himself as he fell asleep.
Morning light filtered through the coconut trees as he drove to Sweet Treats. On his way out of the car, Sun Gi ran into Joon. Instead of the usual bitterness, Sun Gi felt genuine welcome.
The brothers slapped hands.
Joon grinned. “Love looks good on you, bro.”
“Sky’s brownies look good on you too.” Sun Gi patted Joon’s growing middle.
“Watch it, donseng.”
Sun Gi laughed and walked with his brother to the bakery. “How’s the new store?”
“Great. I’m almost in the black.”
“I’m glad, man.”
“Yeah.” Joon ran a hand through his hair. “The one good thing about the gossip mill is it churns quickly. I’m old news now.
Sun Gi pulled the door and walked in after his brother.
“Morning, gentlemen,” an unfamiliar voice greeted them.
Sun Gi recognized the woman’s dark brown skin and long hair. “Carrie?”
The bar manager wiggled her fingers. “I’ve kidnapped your girlfriends and taken over the store. If you want to see them alive, you’ll need to wire ten grand into my account.”
The kitchen door swung open and Sky and Jo appeared.
Jo rolled her eyes. “Very funny, girl.”
“It was worth a shot.” Carrie shrugged.
“Oh, you were joking?” Joon put a hand to his heart, his cheeks red. “I was just about to beg Sun Gi for a loan.”
Everyone laughed.
Jo flashed him with a sultry look.
He winked at her.
Joon frowned in Sky’s direction. “Babe, I didn’t know you’d hired someone.”
“Oh, I’m just here for the free food.” Carrie set her palm on the counter.
“We’re starting a club.” Jo grinned. “The Sweet Treats club. We all congregate here and mooch off Sky’s generosity.”
“You know I’m okay with that.” Sky laughed.
Jo took off her pink apron and set it on a hook. “Sun Gi, have you had breakfast?”
“I wouldn’t mind something.”
Jo turned to Sky. “Got any leftovers?”
“Leftovers?” He scrunched his nose. “Is that all I’m worth to you?”
“You’re right.” Jo glanced at Sky again. “Didn’t you have a batch of burnt johnny cakes you were going to throw away?”
Sun Gi smirked and tossed his head. “Let’s go before I fire you.”
“Sir, yes, sir!” Jo saluted.
His chest expanded when she rounded the counter and strode beside him. He sent the rest of the gang a backward wave and settled his arm around her shoulders.
They drove to the office, chatting and laughing about her experience with customers. Once inside, they separated so that Jo could change into office attire.
He was settled around the computer, eyes on the screen when she knocked on his door. A whistle tore from his lips when he saw her. Jo was wearing one of the outfits from the boutique… a yellow shirt paired with a tight black skirt.
Sun Gi flung his glasses off. “Are you trying to make me go broke, woman? How am I supposed to concentrate with you looking that beautiful?”
“My apologizes, Mr. Kim.” She strolled primly into the room, hips swaying. “Here are the documents on DollarGram.”
“Thanks.”
She dipped her head and glided out. Sun Gi kept his eyes on her behind until she spun and caught him. He ducked and pretended to rifle through the files. Jo’s soft laughter rang in his ears.
A little after ten o’clock, Sun Gi slapped his laptop shut and stretched. He needed another cup of coffee, but he didn’t want to bother Jo for it.
&nb
sp; He got up, expecting to see her at her desk.
She wasn’t there.
He figured she was making coffee in the kitchen and headed there when he noticed someone at the door. The older woman was short yet statuesque with fluffy grey hair and shrewd black eyes.
“Can I help you?” he asked.
“I’m looking for Joana.” Her eyes bounced around the room and a disapproving frown deepened the wrinkles on her face. “I heard she’s working here now.”
“May I ask why you’re looking for her?”
She lifted her chin. “I’m her grandmother.”
“Oh.” Sun Gi straightened.
Footsteps approached. Jo walked toward him, a tray with two coffee cups in her hand. Her eyes widened and she stammered, “H-halmoni? What are you doing here?”
Jo’s grandmother dug her fingers into her purse and turned to face Jo fully. “When you moved on from the store, I said some things to you. Upon further reflection, I realize I was a bit harsh.” She stared at the wall. “I apologize.”
Jo’s mouth slackened. Sun Gi knew how strained her relationship was with the Lee side of the family. He wanted to support her, but wasn’t sure how, so he just kept quiet.
Jo stepped forward.
Slowly.
One foot after the other.
He watched, unsure of what she’d do. Her Halmoni seemed equally uncomfortable. Though she remained in place, her eye twitched.
Jo stopped a couple inches from her grandmother. “What you said that day hurt me, Halmoni. All I’ve ever wanted was to make you proud, to feel like I belonged.”
Halmoni screwed her lips.
“But I realized, that I don’t need your approval to feel whole.” She lifted her chin. “I love you and I always will, but I don’t care what you think about me. Your opinions don’t change my value, my worth.” Jo bowed at the waist. “Thank you for coming all the way down here and for your apology.”
“Humph.” Halmoni spun on her heels and stalked out.
Sun Gi moved to Jo’s side. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.” She smiled serenely. “That was long overdue.”
“I’m proud of you.”
“I am too. Now get back to work.” She smacked his behind and stumbled into the kitchen.
Sun Gi wanted to chase her, but he went the other way and gave Jo her space.