The elevator door opens and I slide inside as his watchful eyes take in everything.
As the door begins to close, the last thing I hear him growl is, “This isn’t over. I’m coming for you, Kylee.”
I wrap my arms around myself and close my eyes as I wonder how I manage to get myself into these situations.
I’VE BEEN STARING AT HER door for the last five minutes. After the fiasco last night and doing a little recon, I got more information. The problem now is I feel like a complete and total ass. I basically called her a prostitute. Although, in my defense, she could have told me she was teaching English. Running a hand through my hair, I begin to pace in front of her door. What the hell is wrong with me? Why can’t I get this woman out of my head? The only reason we were there in the first place was because we were on the job.
An involuntary growl slips past my lips and echoes down the hall. Wiping my sweaty palms on my jeans, I lift my hand to the door and give three swift taps. After a moment, the door opens. Surprise registers on her face before it’s masked with irritation and she begins to shut the door. A lance shoots directly into my heart at the hurt she is carefully trying to conceal. So as not to lose my chance, I hold my hand out to stop her from closing the door.
“Wait! Kylee, I’m sorry. Please let me explain.”
Sadness radiates from her, breaking my heart and further solidifying my resolve to continue the fight to turn this around, if only to see her smile once again. Shaking her head, she tries to close the door once more but my foot and arm are now both blocking her. A frustrated squeal leaves her lips, causing me to grin. Blowing out a frustrated breath, her eyes dart back and forth from my foot to my hand before finally locking gazes with me.
“Please, may I come in? I just want to explain.” She starts to shake her head so I rush to add, “If you don’t like what I have to say, I’ll leave right away. I promise.” Holding my gaze and never wavering, her shoulders finally slump in defeat as she says, “Fine, Alex, but only for a moment.”
On the outside, I’m calm and collected, while on the inside, I’m fist pumping the air screaming “Hell ya!” Nodding my agreement, I remove my hand and foot, allowing her to open the door wide enough for me to enter. Following her into the small sitting room, she sits on the couch and folds her arms across her chest as she glares at me.
“What do you want, Alex?”
Rubbing a hand down the back of my neck, I release a tentative breath. “I want to apologize for last night.”
“You said enough. There’s nothing more for you to say. I think you should go.” Her arms subtly change from being crossed to wrapping around her as if she’s trying to hold all of the pieces together. She turns her body ever so slightly, her attention now solely focused on something out the window. Closing the distance between us, I crouch down in front of her, placing a tentative hand on her knee. Jumping slightly, she looks to my hand as if she’s confused as to where it came from.
Using my thumb, I slowly begin tracing small circles on her knee. Lifting her chocolate colored eyes to meet mine, her haunted gaze is constantly searching for answers. Silence ensues for long moments. Finally, her breath stutters and she closes her eyes as tears begin to slip down her cheeks. An overwhelming desire to comfort her and take away all of her pain consumes me. Climbing onto the couch, I pull her onto my lap. She resists at first, only to melt into my chest as her tears continue to flow. My hand begins a slow trek up and down her spine, soothing her discomfort. I take a deep breath and her scent floods my nostrils, calming my frayed nerves.
Her silent sobs are killing me, tearing a piece of my heart out with each tear that falls. Whispering into her hair, I say, “Kylee, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to insinuate you were an escort. I don’t believe you are for one moment. Please, don’t think I was there for those women. Business is conducted in places like that all the time here.”
Her tears fade away, leaving only tiny hiccups in their wake. Peering up through her lashes, she finally breaks her silence. “I’m not an escort. I’m a teacher. I teach English to those girls. I didn’t even know it was an escort service until I got there. I was led to believe I was teaching at a college.”
My body grows rigid, tensing at her words. She was led there under false pretenses? Why? By whom? Misinterpreting the reason for my tension, she rushes to continue, “You aren’t the only one that needs to apologize. I do, too. I assumed you were there to partake in the goods. I’m sorry I implied those things.” Wrapping my arms around her, I place a kiss on her forehead.
“You have nothing to apologize for. I probably would have made the same assumption. It’s only natural, although that’s not why we were there. Any chance we can start over and move past all this?”
She smiles her dazzling smile this time as she says, “Truce?”
“Truce.” Still holding her hostage in my lap, I take in another deep breath, inhaling her essence and imprinting it in my psyche.
“What are your plans for the rest of the day?”
“Nothing, why?”
“I wanted to take you on a hike, if it’s something you’re up for.”
She nibbles the inside of her lip as she contemplates whether she should take the chance. Shyly, she peers up, focusing her attention back on me. The emotion on her face has me frozen, lost in the beauty beneath all the pain. In the midst of all the shattered pieces a ray of hope shines. There’s something different about her. I know almost nothing about her, yet I’m drawn to her like a moth to a flame.
Taking in a breath, she finally gives me an answer. “Okay, Alex. I’ll go with you.”
Shaking my head and smiling, I tighten my grip on her.
“Whew. You had me a little worried there for a minute, Goddess.”
She snorts at the nickname, which then turns into a fit of laughter. The sound is like music to my ears, deep and rich, and goes straight to my groin with her bouncing on my lap.
“Goddess? That’s actually funny. Emma would love you, I’m sure. Although she’s not changing her nickname to call me that. It isn’t true, anyway.”
Isn’t true? Is she kidding? The timber of my voice drops low and seductive. “Do you not feel that, woman?” She stills in my lap, her eyes growing wide before she bites her lip and a blush graces her lovely face. Groaning, I tell her, “You’re every bit a goddess, a temptress, and a fucking siren.” Shaking her head slightly, she slips off my lap, smiling sadly.
“I’m not but it’s nice to hear. I’ll get changed and we can go.” I’m stunned into silence. How can she not believe that she is the most attractive creature I’ve ever seen?
Running a hand down my face, I stand and move to the window, staring out at the city. I’d promised myself I wasn’t going to get mixed up with another female, especially one that could get under my skin. However, that little voice in the back of my mind tells me she isn’t like the others. It urges me to get to know her. No. I refuse to believe that this isn’t just attraction. Get to know her, have my fun, and get her out of my system, that’s what I’ll do. Maybe get that look out of her eye in the meantime.
Her steps echoing down the stairs brings me out of my thoughts. Turning, I’m hit with a vision that has my lust growing by leaps and bounds. Kylee stands before me with her dark hair swept back into a ponytail. A pale pink tank top accentuates the curves of her breasts and a pair of shorts hugs her pert ass. Licking my lips, I allow my eyes to roam her body a moment longer before reaching her eyes. The flush covering her face tells me she noticed my perusal.
Clearing my throat, I ask, “Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
Extending my arm like a true gentleman, I wait as she goes to war and loses the battle with herself, finally succumbing. Sliding her arm through mine, her warmth reaches every crevice of my body, heating me from the inside out. Her lips part on a sigh and in that moment I want nothing more than to lean in and drink every bit of her in, allowing my mouth to crash down on hers. Mentally, I give myself a re
primand and smile.
“Well, let’s be on our way, shall we? I think you’re going to like this mountain.”
The bus ride to Mt. Umyeonsan passes rather quickly. After a ten minute hike to the trail entrance, we finally arrive. With large eyes, Kylee takes in her surroundings: lush green trees and rolling hills that reach out in front of us with a stone path snaking through the middle. Placing my hand on her lower back, I gently urge her forward and we slowly begin to walk the winding path. Ancient trees drape across the path, giving shade and privacy while a cool breeze softly whispers at our backs.
The powerful desire to learn more about her arises, causing me to ask, “So what made you decide to get in to teaching?”
Her brow creases, dipping down low before smoothing out. “I wanted to make a difference in the lives of others. What better way to make a difference than in the life of a child?”
“That’s a very noble reason. I wonder if there’s something deeper that drove you to choose it.”
She stops walking and studies me for a moment before vaguely answering, “It’s possible.” Picking up where we left off on the trail, we round the corner and come to the reservoir. We walk up to the wooden rail to peer out in to the distance. Comfortable silence settles between us as nature soothes our broken edges. As she stares out into the rippling water, she whispers, “Sometimes you have to see things you’d rather not see to help those that actually need to be helped.”
Rotating my body so that I’m half-facing her, I catch the far off look in her eyes, noting the pain and suffering on her face. Reaching up, I stroke the side of her cheek, watching her stiffen before softening to my touch.
“What happened to you, Goddess?”
My use of the nickname I’ve given her brings a small smile to her lips, but a moment later, it’s whisked away, the light extinguished from her eyes. Kylee turns to face me, tears shining in her eyes. “Alex, I’m broken. You can’t be with someone like me. It won’t end well for either of us,” she whispers.
Cupping her face and bringing my forehead to hers, I inhale her cherry blossom and sandalwood scent. Relaxing slightly, some of the tension drains from my body. It’s as if her soul calls to mine, one half of a pair. The yin to my yang. The sun to my moon.
“Let me be the judge of that, Kylee. I’m just as broken as you are, sweetheart, if not more.” I give a hollow laugh devoid of humor before continuing. “Goddess, I have a feeling you’re going to turn my world upside down and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.” Reluctantly, I take a step back, meeting her eyes. “If you’re willing, I’d really like the chance to get to know you. Maybe we can smooth some of the broken edges together?”
She studies me for a moment before supplying me with an answer. “I’m not sure why but I really want to try.” My heart begins to rapidly beat in my chest as a feeling of euphoria fills my body. Bringing my arms around her, I drag her into my chest, pressing tightly. Her arms instinctively wrap around my waist. We stay that way for a few moments before she leans back with a mischievous gleam in her eye.
“Is that a pager you’re carrying?”
Grinning, I reply, “Yes.”
“What is this 1985? Are you twelve?”
My smile grows a little wider at her teasing. “It’s for work.”
“What? The guys need to page you so you can come running to the arcade? Are you like the leader of the pack or something?”
Damn, she’s close to the mark. “Something like that, although I don’t go to the arcade anymore,” I say dryly. Releasing her and grabbing her hand, I guide her back onto the path leading to the butterfly observatory up ahead. Her breath hitches at the sight before us. Even the sound of her inhale is so incredible I’m fighting back a groan. Leading her inside and sitting on one of the benches, we watch as the butterflies flit around us from flower to flower.
“Do you talk to your parents often?” I ask, itching to learn more.
A frown mars her brow. “My dad and I talk all the time. We’re actually quite close.”
“What about your mom?”
Her frown deepens. “We don’t speak.” Despair seems to have replaced her smile, painful emotions now on the surface. Placing my hand on her leg, I begin tracing patterns on her bare skin, watching her shiver from the effects.
“You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to, Kai.”
“No, it’s okay. Wait, did you just call me Kai?” Kylee smiles once again and I feel the vice around my heart loosen just a little.
“Emma calls me Kai.” Taking a deep breath, she continues. “My mom left when I was just a girl.” Falling silent, her gaze roams around the observatory.
“I’m sorry, Kai.”
She barks out a bitter laugh. “Don’t be. Let’s just say she wasn’t exactly the type of mother that you go on lunch dates or bond with over shopping.”
“I’m still sorry, Kai. That’s not anything a child should have to endure.”
“Really, don’t. Dad’s great and I’ve been fortunate enough to live in so many incredible places over the years. I wouldn’t change anything. Can we talk about something else now?”
“Absolutely, gorgeous. You want to know about the time Coop made redneck sushi? It was surprisingly good. Looks like shit, though.” A giggle burst from her lips, immediately lifting the cloud that had been looming overhead.
“Redneck sushi? What the heck is that? The name alone sounds awful!”
Her comment causes a roar of laughter to erupt, shaking the very bench we’re sitting on. It’s not long before we’re both laughing so hard tears are streaming down our faces. Inching closer, I slide my hand up the length of her arm, leaving goose bumps in its wake. Finally reaching her face, I begin to slowly brush away the tears that remained on her cheeks. The heat from her skin hits me with an electric impulse so strong I can feel it in my groin.
Leaning in so that I’m no more than a breath away from her luscious lips, I whisper, “You’re the most intoxicatingly gorgeous creature I’ve ever seen in my life, Goddess, and I can’t get you out of my head.” Her breath hitches and her lips part, her tongue darting out swiftly to wet them. The sight is nearly my undoing. Closing the distance between us, my lips crash into hers with such ferocity, I’ve no doubt they’ll be bruised. Her soft, supple lips are tentative at first like a flower blossoming in the springtime sun. She gains confidence, parting her lips just enough for me to dive in.
Her taste explodes in my mouth, instantly overloading my senses. Reaching up, I grasp her ponytail, wrapping it around my fist, tugging slightly, allowing me to deepen the kiss. Kylee moans into my mouth and it reverberates through me, causing my blood to catch fire. Pressing deeper into her, need begins to unfurl in my groin. Groaning, I break the kiss, gently separating us. Raking my eyes over her, I revel in the glorious pink hue highlighting her olive skin and the lust shimmering in her eyes.
“Goddess, that was hot as fuck,” I say, grinning from ear to ear.
“Eh. It was okay,” she says, raising her shoulder in a one-arm shrug.
“Oh. I’ll show you okay,” I growl, reaching for her.
“Oh, no you don’t,” she says, hopping up off the bench, a mischievous glint in her eye. “You have to catch me first.”
As I watch her take off into the distance, I know deep down in my soul this is more than attraction, and she’s going to do more than turn my world upside down. She’s going to blow it to hell and back.
GUILT . . . IT’S THAT RESOUNDING EMOTION that weighs heavily on your soul. Emotions are natural; everyone has them. We all react to situations differently. So why on earth do I feel so guilty about mine? The little voice inside my head whispers, “You should have told him the truth.” If he knew the truth about why she left, he would understand. Alex would know I’m beyond saving. It would be easier for both of us.
No broken pieces . . . no jagged edges. I don’t think my heart will survive Alexander Grant. Pushing my thoughts away, I hastily pack up for the da
y and head to the bus. This week has been a total blur. Mr. Sang-hyun has been mysteriously absent, not giving me an opportunity to ask about the mix up over the weekend. I’ve not even had an opportunity to decide if I’m going to return next weekend. I’m still mulling everything over when I exit the bus and walk into the lobby.
As I wait for the elevator, my thoughts quickly morph from my time at the Tenpro house to the time I spent with Alex. The elevator pings and I step on without so much as a glance up. Memories begin resurfacing, assaulting me all at once. Visions from the butterfly observatory flash before my eyes. It’s as if I can still feel the heat from his lips, his hands in my hair. Allowing my eyes to close and my head to fall back for a moment, I embrace the visions and allow them to flood my senses. Warmth begins in my belly, a tingling awareness rising, causing my blood to ignite with desire.
Opening my eyes just as the doors slide open, I step off the elevator and meet the violet gaze of the man I was daydreaming about only moments ago. Heat begins pooling in my lower abdomen, tightening and expanding as his eyes roam my body. A smug smile tugs at the corners of his mouth, lighting up his face. It’s as if he knows exactly what was going through my mind.
“Hey, you,” Alex greets with his smile still firmly in place.
“Hi.”
“What are you doing on this fantastic Wednesday evening?”
Distraction . . . he’s pure distraction leaning against the wall with his arms crossing his broad chest. My eyes immediately drift to his biceps where defined muscles bulge and stretch against the fabric of his gray V-neck. My gaze continues to drift lower, drinking in the tight muscles of his abdomen, all the way down to his thighs straining against the denim. Unwillingly, I work my way back up his body until I reach his gaze, taking in the playful glint in his eyes. Alex’s lips tilt up slightly into a devilish grin as if he enjoyed my perusal.
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