Heart and Seoul (The Seoul Series Book 1)

by Erin Kinsella

  “I have to.” Eun Gi crawled down the bed to situate himself between her legs. He tugged at the delicate swirls of black lace clinging to her lower half. Tessa hoisted her hips to assist and Eun Gi paused to look.

  This was an expression she’d never seen on his face before, and nothing prepared her for how it turned her insides molten.

  His mouth teased his way down one thigh and up the other. She clung to the blanket.

  “Patience,” he murmured.

  “I am beyond patience.” She laughed. “Please, for the love of God.”

  His tongue slid exactly where she wanted, and she cried out, hips bucking, body curving towards that one point of contact.

  Eun Gi pressed a palm to each thigh, and dipped back down, gliding lips and tongue against her core.

  A chorus of please, please, please poured out of her.

  She swore as everything contracted into ripples of pleasure, shuddering as her hips moved frantically to chase his tongue. When he’d wrung every last spasm out of her, she collapsed into silence punctuated by the harsh drag of her breath.

  Every limb was limp, and her eyelids weighed far too much to be open. The mattress dipped next to her, and she swung an arm, hooking him around the neck to pull him in. Their mouths collided, and Tessa lingered on the flavour of her that clung to his mouth.

  Satisfaction lasted only a few moments before the curls of desire renewed.

  “More.”

  Tessa pulled at his shirt, and he yanked it the rest of the way off, leaving her hands free to roam his skin. Her fingers kneaded him, and she gasped as his teeth nibbled her throat. She groaned and scratched her nails through his hair.

  “Eun Gi?”

  “Hmm?” he asked, not stopping in his quest to set her nerves aflame.

  “Do we have protection?”

  He froze and his weight sank onto her. “I forgot.”

  “You thought of a magical first dance, but forgot condoms?” Tessa giggled helplessly.

  “Maybe.”

  She nipped away his pout. “I could still finish you other ways.”

  “Later,” he promised. “I already did that in the shower so you wouldn’t feel pressured and I’d have a clearer head.”

  “It’s still early. Stores will be open if we want to pick up supplies. The hotel probably sells them too.”

  “I’d rather not let the entirety of the hotel staff know for certain what we’re doing.”

  “They’ll assume anyway, but we could get some food and stop on the way back. You can fuel up for later.”

  “I do like the sound of that,” he mused, hand slinking down to rest on her thigh.

  “Mhmm.” She shifted, and dragged him back down. “You’re going to need the energy.”

  Chapter 16

  Eun Gi

  Eun Gi couldn’t stop looking at her or thinking about what had happened. Each time they made eye contact her cheeks flushed pink. Every fibre of his being wanted to get back on that bed, and yet here he was, on his way to a restaurant.

  They wandered into a place that boasted the best maeuntang on the island. Eun Gi signed autographs for excited staff while Tessa sat down, until they brought out steaming bowls of the spicy fish soup.

  When Tessa’s hand touched his thigh to get his attention, he almost died. It was entirely possible he would combust by the time they made it back to the hotel. The food managed to remove the lingering flavour of her body from his tongue, but the heat in her gaze whenever she lifted her eyes to him was maddening. To make matters worse, she wasn’t even doing it on purpose. Her expression would flicker between embarrassment and desire every few seconds, and it had him squirming in his seat.

  Stop it. Just…think of something else.

  He took a deep breath and watched the condensation slide down his glass. Their conversation that morning had prompted a million possibilities. What would it be like to be with someone like Tessa? Sweetness, a strong will, and more generosity than he had any right to were an alluring combination. She got along well with his closest friends too—those she’d met anyway—and he didn’t mind the interactions he’d had with hers. They’d been functioning well as roommates, if a little more intimate than most cases. It wouldn’t be difficult to slip into this new role as lovers.

  Memories of her begging shot through him like an arrow, and he choked on his dinner. Tessa helpfully patted his back and passed him her glass of water, oblivious to his internal predicament.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Fine,” he squeaked.

  After dinner they located a convenience store.

  Eun Gi picked out the first brand he recognized and the nearest bottle of lube, burying them in his arms under a variety of snacks as well as some bottles of orange juice, one with pulp and one without.

  When they got back to the hotel room, she turned to him, suddenly serious. “So, full confession, but I’ve only slept with women before this. I might need some guidance.”

  He swallowed hard. “Okay.”

  Eun Gi stowed the drinks in the fridge and the treats on top for later. She pulled the box out of the bag, and the awkward tension became palpable. The tenderness that had given way to flame earlier had dispersed and now there was only anxious reality stretching between them.

  “Nervous?” Tessa asked.

  “Yes,” he said frankly. “It’s been a while for me too.”

  “Okay, we’re grown people. This shouldn’t be so weird.”

  “I think it usually takes time before most people are comfortable talking about all of this without it getting weird.”

  “Practice makes perfect?” She sat down on the bed. “I think we should be able to talk about things if we’re going to have sex.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “I’m not opposed, but that’s quite a change of opinion from a couple hours ago.”

  “Yes, well, you overwhelmed me with all…” she waved her arm, gesturing to him head to toe, “…that.”

  “Really?” The words triggered a smile, and he leaned closer. “You should tell me what I did, for research purposes, so I can avoid overwhelming you in the future.”

  “You’re terrible.” She hesitated a moment and then kissed his cheek. “Thank you, by the way. I didn’t quite get a chance to say how sweet you were with the dance.”

  “You’re welcome.” He tucked one of her curls behind her ear. Her skin was warm under his fingertips, and he couldn’t help but notice the hitch in her breath.

  “Eun Gi.”

  The way she said his name was definitely growing on him.

  “Tessa.” He sat down by her side. “So, what are we talking about?”

  She stared firmly at her fidgeting hands in her lap. “I’m about to get awkward for a second, so apologies in advance. I don’t really have to worry about getting pregnant since I have an IUD, but I still want to use condoms.”

  His thoughts froze.

  “And,” she continued, still unable to look him in the eyes, “I got tested to be sure after my last partner, so no worries there either.”

  “Uh, good, I’m—I’m good there too,” he stuttered out. Kyung Mi made sure they were all regularly tested when they had their blood work done, so he knew he was safe.

  Tessa’s face was bright red, but that didn’t stop her from propelling the conversation forward.

  “I don’t need your full history or anything, but any hard limits or things you’re not comfortable with? I’d rather know beforehand than accidentally do something you hate.”

  “I can’t think of anything.” His cheeks burned and he had a vague desire to lock himself in the bathroom. “You?”

  Her cheeks got darker, though he wasn’t certain how that was possible at this point.

  “No, I’ve liked everything I’ve tried.”

  His stomach clenched, and his brain tipped into the gutter, rolling through filth as his blood rushed south. Tessa slid up the bed and patted the headboard. He settled himself next to her, unsure of what to expec
t now.

  “Anything else?” he asked.

  “Nope.”

  She swung her legs up and over, situating herself in his lap. The bottom of her dress inched up, and Eun Gi draped his hands over her thighs. Her dark eyes glittered, staring down at his face. He lifted a hand to her chest, feeling the hammering pulsebeat beneath his palm.

  Sleek coils fell over her shoulders, her head tipping to the side, exposing the length of golden skin. He remembered the pool and dropped his mouth against her neck, teeth and tongue wringing a gasp from her. “Eun Gi.”

  Her nails bit into his scalp, hips rocking a steady rhythm. She was everywhere, heat enshrouding him. It got harder to think with each sultry grind of her body.

  Everything she offered, he wanted. He fanned fingers over her thighs, gliding hands up her body. Her low, desperate sounds filled his ears, and he shifted again, exploring to see where else would elicit that hitch in her breathing he craved.

  She leaned back to tug the skirt of her dress out of the way. Eun Gi took her face in his hands, thumbs brushing her cheeks as he tried to wrangle his own unsteady breath.

  “I want to check in,” Tessa said. “There can be pressure on men to go along with things when it’s offered, but you absolutely don’t have to.”

  He shook his head. “This is unexpected, but not unwanted.” His hand slid behind her head and pulled her down for a brief, soft kiss. “I didn’t give myself permission to think of you like this before this morning.”

  “I shouldn’t have, but I thought about it a lot,” she confessed. “The more time I spend with you, the more I like you. I mean, I already liked you, but I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to get to know the you behind what I’ve seen over the years.”

  His heartbeat picked up speed with each word. They were probably moving too fast, and he already knew he was tiptoeing in dangerous waters with his feelings. Everything was still so new.

  “Maybe we should wait for a little while?”

  “Of course.” She moved to climb off, but his fingers pressed against her hips.

  “I didn’t mean you had to leave. Let’s just move a bit slower.” He settled back more comfortably against the headboard. “I got a bit ahead of myself earlier. Was it okay?”

  Tessa giggled and nestled her face against his shoulder.

  “Should I be worried?”

  “No, not at all.” She hoisted back up, face etched into a grin. “I can’t believe you had to ask. It was amazing.”

  He glowed with pride. He might be a bit rusty, but he knew how to pay attention. “Is it still okay if we sleep next to each other?”

  “Well, there’s only one bed,” she mused. “I haven’t minded sharing before.”

  “Yeah, but we weren’t…” he searched for the word in English, “…sexually involved every other time we shared a bed. So, if you wanted new boundaries, I’d understand.”

  Tessa snuggled into his arms. “These ones are just fine.”

  Relief poured through him.

  “Want to put on pajamas and watch a movie?”

  “That sounds perfect.” She slid off the bed. “Would it be out of line asking for help changing?”

  He tugged the zipper down, and she lifted her arms to assist as he pulled the dress off. Then she stood there in the delicate swirls of black and gold lace. He traced his fingertips over the curve of her waist, fascinated by the goose bumps that decorated her skin following the path of his hands. Eun Gi pulled off his own shirt, and the tension built like a growling beast between them.

  His gaze was rooted to her as she grabbed her pajamas from the suitcase and donned the nightgown before wrestling off her bra underneath it.

  “Can I sleep in my underwear?” he asked.

  “Okay.” The word came out of her mouth barely louder than a whisper. She focused on him intently as he removed his pants. “Are we gluttons for punishment? We say take it slow and then tease ourselves instead.”

  He crossed the distance between them and brushed his thumb over her bottom lip. “Sometimes teasing is just as much fun.”

  Chapter 17

  Tessa

  Tessa was strangely placid when she woke. Her body was relaxed and her head clear as she stared at the ceiling. Eun Gi was curled around her, and she had to wiggle a little to get enough space to stretch her legs. He nestled closer and kissed her shoulder.

  “Good morning,” he mumbled.

  Goose bumps prickled her skin. He nuzzled her face, pressing a soft kiss to her mouth, and Tessa melted into the affection, blood humming pleasantly.

  This was definitely the best way to wake up.

  A grin broke across her face and interrupted the kiss.

  He opened sleepy eyes and snuggled contentedly into his pillow. “It’s nice waking up to a pretty face. Last time I kissed someone in the morning it was Sung Soo by accident.”

  “How did that happen?”

  His whole body went rigid. “I’d split from Hye Jin, and I forgot it was him there instead.”

  “I don’t imagine Sung Soo appreciates that particular attention the way I do.” She paused a moment before speaking the next thought that slammed into her brain. “You’ve never told me why you two split.”

  His face pinched, and he sighed, pulling the blankets up to his chin. “I asked her to marry me, and she said no.”

  Tessa’s throat constricted. It wasn’t the answer she expected, and she wasn’t entirely sure how to proceed. “I’m so sorry.”

  He shrugged. “I was twenty-one. We’d been together for a year. Hye Jin was an apprentice then, and she’d helped at all our domestic shows. The guys were fond of her, so they were thrilled when we got together, and they helped cover for us. In the end it turned out I’d misread our relationship. I had a whole elaborate thing planned for the proposal, but as soon as she saw it, she knew. I asked anyway, thinking she was just nervous, and then she bailed.”

  “Why did she said no?”

  His gaze dipped, and he fidgeted uncomfortably. “I didn’t understand at the time, but I found out later that Yoon had talked to her about it. She wasn’t interested in our lifestyle long term, and didn’t want to deal with the press and the fans. She totally disappeared afterwards. I get it, and I don’t blame her anymore. It’s a lot to handle, and we weren’t very old at the time. She liked me, but not enough to commit to all that.”

  Tessa’s heart raced. She’d asked before, but she hadn’t been invested then like she was now. “Do you still love her?”

  He was quiet so long nausea crept up Tessa’s throat.

  “No.”

  Relief drained away her tension.

  He lapsed back into silence, face closed off.

  Unease picked at her gut as she waited for him to speak.

  “Right after it happened we left on tour. Eomeoni leaked our relationship to the media, and between that and the proposal, Hye Jin wanted nothing to do with EchoPop anymore.”

  “Your mother leaked it?” Tessa snapped to attention. “Why?”

  He puffed out a sigh and stared at the ceiling. “Eomeoni can be very controlling, and I was trying to push back at the time. I told her I was planning on proposing. Even though our relationship was so strained, I hoped that she might change and be happy for me. I knew telling her was a mistake, but I was still young enough to not entirely know better. Eomeoni doesn’t like when people don’t do what she says. I’ve learned to navigate that better now.”

  “God, I’m so sorry. That’s awful.” She nestled against him, pulling him into her arms. “You didn’t deserve that, and neither did Hye Jin.”

  Heat filled her chest. She’d never truly hated anyone before, but Eun Gi’s mother was quickly taking the honour of being the first.

  “Anyway. Talking about Eomeoni stresses me out, and we were already talking about something else super uncomfortable, so take your pick between them, but I don’t think I can handle both.”

  “Tell me about Hye Jin?”

  “She got a job wit
h Elite Studios, and I never took the time to process anything that had happened between us. I poured myself into my work and sort of pretended she didn’t exist. By the time I got the job with the drama I’d entirely forgotten it was the same studio she’d gone to.”

  “I’m sorry it didn’t go how you wanted. I couldn’t imagine loving someone enough to propose and then have them say no.”

  He rolled onto his back, bringing her with him. Her cheek pressed against his chest, his heartbeat pounding in her ear.

  “I was mad for a long time, not at her, but at myself. I’m glad now that she said no, even if I wasn’t at the time.”

  Eun Gi toyed with Tessa’s fingers, tracing over each one. She bit back a shiver.

  He frowned. “I’m sorry I brought her up.”

  “No, it’s fine. I was the one who asked. I figured she’d come up sooner or later, and I’ve definitely been curious.”

  “You constantly surprise me with how understanding you are.” His tension leaked away like a deflating balloon. “Can I be honest for a second?”

  “Of course.”

  “I was dreading what you’d be like when this whole idea was proposed. I’m not sure if I would say that I was afraid of you in particular, but I was definitely afraid in general. Sometimes I wonder if I’ve lost the ability to assume the best in people and started anticipating the worst. I’m glad to be proven wrong.”

  Tessa ruminated on his words, choosing her own carefully.

  “I don’t think I realized how difficult things were in your position. I’m not nearly as famous as you, but I’ve dealt with it on a much smaller scale. Like, people trying to befriend me because it could benefit them, but the expectations and restrictions on you are a lot.”

  “They are so much,” he agreed.

  “There’s nothing wrong with being protective of yourself, because you don’t know who to trust or who has your best interests at heart versus those who want to use your influence for their own gain.”

  “Well, I can’t argue with that.”

  “It might not mean much to say it, but you can trust me. It’s not an ideal situation that I came into this as a fan. You’re not your persona, but you’ve still had a big impact.” She brushed the back of his hand in soft sweeps. “I love your music and how you move because you can tell how much you love to dance. I love your smile and your laugh. Those are all things I got to know before I ever had a chance to meet you and it’s weird having that history in my head when it’s totally one sided.”