by Nia Arthurs
Sky… went off.
She strutted, danced and worked the rhythm. Joon was torn between ogling her and hauling her off the stage to keep the rest of the restaurant from admiring her too.
Since meeting Sky she’d always seemed stressed and overworked. To watch her let loose and have fun was an experience. She’d become an entirely different person.
A side-gaze at Sun Gi found him bobbing his head and smiling over at Sky. Genuine admiration sparked from his eyes. The knots in his stomach twisted even further.
I want to punch you. Just once.
When the ending strains of the song wore off, the crowd roared for more. Sky shook her head and handed the mike back to the announcer.
He resisted her. “Come on, ma’am. You’re a natural.”
“I don’t feel so good…” she whispered loud enough that the tables near them could hear.
“It’s okay. Just one—”
“She said no.” Joon shoved the mike into the announcer’s chest. “Thanks.”
There were a few boos, but no one tried to stop him when he led a stumbling Sky off the stage and back to their table. Rather than let her sit though, he gestured to Sun Gi. “I think we should head home.”
“Already?”
“Sky’s out of it,” he said.
And I don’t want you anywhere near her.
“Jo?”
“Huh?” She glanced up, afro flouncing with the movement.
“Let’s go.”
“Yeah, sure.” She plunked money on the counter and waved. “It was nice meeting you boys.”
Sky mumbled something he didn’t catch.
He bent over. “What?”
She nuzzled her nose against his chest. “You smell so good.”
His heart flopped.
Sky was definitely drunk.
Maybe he should let Jo take her home alone.
The thought was obliterated when Sky dug her fingers into his shirt and pressed herself against him like chewing gum on a shoe.
Maybe she was drunk. Maybe it meant nothing.
But there was no way he was letting this minx go tonight.
24
SKY FELT FINE. Totally fine. Completely… what was another word for fine? Whatever it was, she was there. With it. A-okay.
The world felt a little different though.
And it wasn’t a huge deal, but the fact that she couldn’t really see the steps leading down to the parking lot was a bit of a concern.
Who messed with the steps? That’s such a hazard. I should report this to the city…
“Sky?”
Her thoughts screeched to a halt. She closed her eyes, savoring the delicious, chocolaty rumble that sounded way too hot tonight.
Joon.
That was Joon’s voice.
She always knew Joon’s voice because it reminded her of thunder in the distance. Quiet but intense. Crackling with power.
Someone tugged her arm, forcing her eyes open. “Sky.”
“Hm.”
Joon’s face hovered right in front of hers.
She wet her lips, pulse hammering.
How was it that he looked more handsome up close than from afar?
He’d parted his hair tonight. One side was slightly puffier than the other. Her fingers itched to test the silkiness of the strands. She dragged them to her skirt and gripped that material instead.
It was rude to touch someone without permission. She knew that, but it was starting to matter a little less and that was dangerous. Joon was a friend. Just a friend.
“Are you okay?” Joon asked.
She nodded, confused by the fact that he was eye-to-eye with her. Sky was used to stretching her neck and tipping her head back to stare into his deep-set eyes.
He really had the most incredible eyes. Dark brown, almost black. Piercing. They were different thanks to those… what was it?
Monolids.
That’s what they were. She’d looked it up. Joon Gi’s monolids were common to people of Asian descent. It was basic biology. So why was it so damn sexy on him?
His eyebrows, thick and long and perfect, arched the longer she kept quiet. Sky watched them hustle up, up, up with fascination. Why did they appeal to her like that?
Why was she so moved by the beauty of his eyebrows?
Joon Gi shook her harder. “Sky, are you crying?”
Sky panicked. She couldn’t tell him about the eyelid thing. He’d think she was crazy. No way. Joon already thought she was pathetic and weird.
“It’s the wind. It’s making me tear up.” She touched a knuckle to the corner of her eye. Felt the teardrop on her skin.
“It is pretty windy out here.” Joon Gi straightened to his full height and glanced around. “Jo went to get the car, but there was so much traffic she had to park far away. It could take a while.”
“It’s okay.” Sky stomped her foot. A sudden gust tore through the lot. Her skirt decided it no longer wanted to be on her body and did an impression of an upside-down umbrella. Sky patted it down, but her efforts were no match for the wind.
She laughed.
Joon’s eyes bugged.
Someone can’t take a joke.
Joon subdued her skirt and stepped closer to her, using his body to shade her from the breeze. She leaned into him, soaking his warmth and reveling at his nearness.
Gosh, what is this cologne? I need to know.
Joon’s body felt stiff and hard beneath her head. She ran a palm over his chest in an effort to calm him. “Relax,” she soothed.
He snatched her wrist, voice more growly than usual. “Stop that.”
“Why?”
The steely silence was his only reply.
Sky continued her exploration of his chest. She could feel the dip and ridges of his abs through the thin material of his shirt. Joon didn’t protest any more so Sky grew brazen and let her hand move higher. An erratic thudding beat against her fingertips.
She froze. “Is that your heart?”
“Yes.” Joon’s voice was hoarse.
“Why’s it going so fast?”
“Because of you, little nappeun.”
The way her entire body zipped to attention shocked her. “Is that word Korean?”
He just stared into the distance as if ignoring her.
She wondered what that word meant but, before Sky could figure it out, wheels churned nearby. An engine fired, colliding with the strains of soca music pouring from the karaoke speakers.
Joon pushed her away.
The cold seeped beneath her skin. “Come back.”
“Jo’s here,” Joon said stiffly.
Her friend hopped out of the vehicle, concern coloring her brown face. The wind tore at her afro and battered the material of her silky shirt. Gravel crunched against her killer heels. Jo was a vision in the twilight.
Sky clapped in welcome. “You’re so gorgeous!”
“Thanks, honey.” Worry tinged Jo’s voice. She didn’t sound very grateful.
Sky spoke louder. “You’re incredibly beautiful! Did you know that? I love you!”
“Alright.” Jo shushed her and, together with Joon, they forced her into the backseat.
On the ride home, Sky felt queasy. Jo’s driving skills were questionable. Especially when it seemed she intentionally sought out every pothole she could find. Sky turned on her side and tried to pretend that she was floating.
It didn’t work.
As soon as Jo parked in front of her place, Sky popped the door open and sprung to the sidewalk. She stumbled to her knees. Behind her, footsteps pounded the earth.
“Sky!” Jo screamed.
“I’m fine!” Sky popped up and raised her arms as if she were under arrest. “No vomit here.”
“I’ll take her inside,” Joon said, wrapping his arms around her waist and steadying her.
Jo’s eyes darted between them before she nodded. “I’ll open the front door.”
Sky’s legs felt like lead. She tried to stand and the world til
ted violently. She dug her nails into the dirt and steadied herself. The scent of the dewy grass reminded her of the dampness of the air after a heavy rain.
Refreshing.
“Can you stand?” Joon asked.
She shook her head.
Joon stooped to the ground, his back to her. “Get on.”
Sky didn’t understand what he meant at first. Joon took her hand and slung it over his shoulder. The next thing she knew, Joon hooked her knees and lifted her, piggy-back style.
Jo rushed in front of them and opened her front door, ushering her inside. When her friend flipped on the light, Sky’s eyes burned. She ducked her head into Joon’s back to hide from the brightness.
Much better.
Then Joon dumped her in the sofa.
She glared at him as she bounced in the cushions.
He ignored her. “Thanks for tonight, Jo.”
“No problem. I just feel bad about that one.” Jo hooked a thumb toward her so there was no doubt about whom she was referring to.
“She’ll be fine. I’ll take care of her.”
Jo eyed him hard.
He shuffled his feet. “What?”
“Okay.”
“Okay?” He tilted his head.
“I’ll admit, when I first met you, I didn’t trust you.”
He shrugged. “I have one of those faces.”
Sky giggled from her seat. Does he? I think he has a handsome face.
Jo dragged her gaze to Sky before slamming it back on him. “I know you’re not the guy the media painted you to be. I also know that you care about Sky. As more than a boss.”
Joon coughed. “It’s late. What are you trying to say?”
“Take care of her.” Jo tossed her hair over her shoulder. “Or I’m going to run back here and kick your butt. You get me?”
Sky chuckled into the pillow.
Jo is so funny.
“Call me if you need anything, Sky.”
“I will!” she called.
Joon followed Jo to the door.
“Bye, Jo!” Sky yelled brightly.
The door thudded in response and then Joon appeared, tall and striking. As he looked at her, an exasperated sigh tumbled from his lips. “Now what am I going to do with you?”
Sky could think of a lot of things, but Joon was too much of a gentleman to act on any of them. Flopping back with a sigh, she slung an arm over her eyes and kicked her heels off.
The thud of Joon’s shoes grew softer as he walked away.
Whatever! I don’t need you anyway.
The thought rang hollow when compared to the heaviness of her heart. She thought Joon would have stayed with her a little longer. They didn’t have to do anything. Sky just… liked being around him.
She sat up slowly and spotted a small brown stain on the couch. Her gaze moved to her hands and she saw bits of grass and tiny stones edged into her flesh. She must have messed up her hands when she pressed them against the dirt earlier.
Great. So she’d ruined her couch and her chances of hanging out with Joon alone.
Sky almost cried but sucked it up from sheer will.
To her surprise, Joon appeared in the living room. He’d changed into a grey T-shirt and jogging pants. Her heart skipped a beat and she drank him in as he strode toward her and knelt by her side.
“Give me your hands,” Joon said.
She did.
He flashed a wet wipe from somewhere behind his back and began to tenderly clean her hands off. Sky felt like a child and when he instructed her to stick out her other hand, she did without complaint.
Joon was patient and gentle with her. She could imagine him acting this way with his future kids. Kids some beautiful Korean woman like Hanna would give him.
Why? Because that was just the way of the world.
That was the way of things in Belize.
People didn’t mingle outside of their cultures. At least not romantically. Jo’s parents were the exception, not the rule. Even then, Jo’s Korean grandmother still didn’t acknowledge her mother because of her marriage to a black man.
Was Joon afraid of being shunned for liking someone of a different race? Or was he not attracted to her at all?
No, it couldn’t be lack of interest. Joon might be stoic, but she knew when a man was checking for her. Joon liked her, even if it was just a little bit.
So why didn’t he kiss her today?
“Coward,” she whispered.
Joon flicked his eyes up. “What?”
“Coward.” Sky curled her newly freshened fingers and pounded them against his chest. Her voice rising with belligerence, she smacked him harder. “How obvious do I need to be?”
Joon clamped her wrists. “Sky, what are you talking about?”
She eased forward, penetrating his personal bubble. Following him when he tried to lean back and escape her. Eyes burning into his, she challenged. “Finish it.”
Joon’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “Sky, you’re drunk. You’re not in your right…”
She swooped toward his lips but stopped before making impact. Electricity charged the air between them. Sky was perched on the very edge of the sofa. If Joon moved back any more, she’d fall.
“Finish it,” she whispered, pleaded.
He shook his head. “I can’t. There’s nothing I can offer you—”
Tired of his excuses, Sky lurched forward and pressed her mouth against his. It wasn’t a kiss so much as it was a clumsy collision. Her eyes fell closed. Her lips puckered, urging him to respond.
Joon was stiff as a board.
Grunting in frustration, Sky pulled back to adjust her angles and came at him again. For a second, time stood still. She tried to move her lips, tickle a reaction out of him.
Nothing.
Sky pulled back, cheeks heating and heart squirming in shame.
Maybe Joon Gi really didn’t like her.
Have I just made a fool of myself?
Does this count as sexual assault? Workplace harassment?
A hand settled on her chin. Joon turned her head.
Their eyes met.
His were dark, livid. A panther immobilizing his prey. Heat stirred in her middle as he pressed forward and kissed her back, hungrily. Aggressively.
She lost her footing and tumbled on top of him, knocking him over. They landed on the ground with a thud. Their lips detached from the jolt before they honed in like two beacons and found each other again.
Joon wrapped his arms around her waist and held her tightly, pulling her closer, digging his fingers into the waistband of her dress.
Sky let her fingers dance through his black hair and moaned in pleasure when she realized how silky soft they were. Joon’s grip on her waist tightened and his caress slowed like he wanted her to repeat the sound. For him.
They rolled around like wrestlers. Each one goading the other, ravishing, tasting, nipping, unfurling emotions so strong she was shaken.
Joon’s kiss was pure, overwhelming ecstasy.
Her body was on fire and yet so light that, eventually, not even Joon Gi could keep her from drifting away. One moment, she was in the middle of his scorching hot embrace, and the next… it all went black.
25
SKY WAS BLOWING HIS MIND. His impression of her as a sweet, wouldn’t-hurt-a-fly bakery owner crumpled before his eyes. She was pure fire, all woman. No hint of the shy, gullible girl he’d encountered when he first stepped into Sweet Treats.
This wasn’t supposed to happen. The thought wafted through the back of his brain even as he exchanged Sky’s breath with his own. A part of him struggled to rein back his passion before he crushed her.
But it did no good.
He’d built his defenses, done his best to resist her, but Sky’s feelings for him and his for her exploded so hot and so fiery that nothing he could ever put in place would contain it.
And he didn’t plan on stopping.
Not when he had Sky right where he wanted to after weeks of lo
nging for her from afar.
Joon didn’t care about his record, his pitiful bank account or tomorrow. His only concern was whether they should stay in the living room or move things to the bedroom.
He was tracing kisses down Sky’s neck and thinking of a way to get her consent to take things to the next level when Sky went limp in his arms. Joon kept kissing her a moment longer before he realized she wasn’t responding to him.
He scrambled off her body and stared at her closed eyes. “Sky?”
Nothing.
Panic set in then. His nerves skittered in fear. Joon Gi checked Sky over to make sure she was breathing. Had she passed out because of their kiss? Did she have a heart problem he didn’t know about?
They’d been going at it hard. Maybe she’d busted a vein or something.
Sky snorted and rolled over, sending the thoughts about her health skittering and proving that she was still alive.
He sighed in relief when he heard her pulse and felt her breathing. She’d passed out because of her drinking. He should have known there would be some type of adverse effect.
Sky had been acting weird since the karaoke performance.
As cute as that had been.
Joon sat on his haunches and stared at her. The dress had fallen lower thanks to his insistent caress and her chest was all but spilling out of it. He averted his gaze to her face before his excitement got the better of him. Warm brown skin. Thick eyelashes. Plump mouth glistening red.
Stunning.
Still, he struggled with accepting her affection. His future wasn’t in Belize. Sky knew that. Where did she expect them to go from here?
What do I do with you, Sky?
His head began to ache. Joon Gi shook the pestering thoughts and moved to get Sky off the floor. She’d wake up sore and aching if she spent all night there. Carefully, he hefted her into his arms and carried her to the bedroom.
She nestled against him on the way there as if she knew exactly what she was doing. Joon Gi steeled himself and tried to get her into bed, but Sky clung to him, refusing to let go.
“Woman,” he growled, “do you have any idea what you’re doing to me?”
She blew out a breath in response.
Joon Gi sighed and gently tore her hands from around his neck. With the rest of his fledgling self-restraint, he dumped her on the bed. If he were in his right mind, he would have settled Sky down smoothly and tucked her in.