Chapter 15 #2
Sun pulls the fabric up to his nose and inhales deeply, his eyelids fluttering. “Smells like you,” he murmurs, looking just a little bit dazed, and I have to kiss him.
I try to keep our chests apart, so as not to get the new shirt wet, but still lick into his mouth a little bit desperately, with the way he makes me feel. Before I can get too carried away, I break the kiss and give him a quick smack on the ass. “Get inside and dry off.”
“Good night!” he calls as he runs toward the front door, tugging his key card out of his back pocket.
Closing the trunk, I wait until he disappears and then slide back into the driver’s seat, not caring how drenched I am.
I start the engine and turn the heat on, giving myself a moment to just sit there and smile.
I can’t imagine having ever willingly danced in the rain with any woman I’d ever dated.
But with him, I couldn’t move fast enough to make his wish come true.
I think I’m in love with him. I know I’ve never felt this way before, not with anyone. Not even close.
Another car comes creeping down the street, and it startles me, reminding me I’m not actually the only person out here right now. Easing back onto the road, I finally begin the drive home.
As I navigate the rain-slick streets, I’m thinking about Sun and the time we spent together tonight.
It was so good to go out, to take him someplace that I enjoy and be able to share that with him.
But I know it was risky. Too much of a chance to take, even as late as it was and with really no other people around.
He’s too famous, and everything about what we’re doing is too scandalous.
By the time I pull into my complex’s parking garage, I decide I’m probably an idiot.
What was I even doing? What was I thinking, trying to pretend we were just a normal couple out doing normal couple things?
That’s not his life. And it’s certainly not whatever this is that we’re sharing in this experience.
My doubts fade a bit, though, when I check my phone one last time as I crawl into bed and see a selfie from Sun—clearly sleepy, but tucked up warm and dry, smiling sweetly. He looks happy, so I am too.
???
I blink blearily at my phone.
No.
I’m not seeing this.
I can’t be.
I’ve been awake for two minutes, and I think my world is about to fall apart.
Rubbing my eyes, I look again.
It’s not a perfect shot, but it’s close.
Clearly Yung-Sun.
Definitely with a man that would be easily identifiable as me.
Kissing in the car.
Kissing in the rain.
And the message from Chaeji that accompanied them. Telling me that she can’t wait to see me tonight at 7 p.m. at a very popular restaurant in Gangnam.
I jab at the contacts on my phone, holding my breath until I hear Jase grunting some sort of greeting.
“What the hell?”
“Someone took pictures of me and Sun. Chaeji has them,” I sputter, pressing a palm to my chest like that might stop the spastic beating of my heart. I’m not the guy who panics. But I am right now.
“Wait, what?” He’s definitely more alert after hearing that. “What happened?”
“We went out last night, and I guess someone was waiting when I brought him back.” I get out of bed, kicking at my nightstand out of frustration.
“It’s obviously him and a man in the pictures.
Anyone at Task Force could look at them and figure out it’s me.
This is bad for me, but it will fucking ruin him. And the group.”
There’s rustling on the other end of the line as I pace back and forth across my bedroom. I assume I was loud enough that Nikko heard what was going on.
“What do you mean? You’ve seen the pictures?” Jase asks.
“I have them on my phone. Chaeji sent them. She wants to meet tonight.” I’m so angry I’m practically seeing red. “‘She’s blackmailing me, Jase.”
“Yeah, that’s… that’s a thing that’s happening. Fuck.” More noise, like he’s getting out of bed. “Does Sun know about the photos?”
I can’t stand the thought of it—and what this might do to him. It’s worse than anything he’s ever doomscrolled, and I can’t have that. “No. I don’t want him to know if I can help it. Tell Nikko not to tell him.”
“Yeah, of course.” He makes a grumbling sound. “I hate that I don’t have anything good to say, because I have no idea what to tell you. But I’m here, and I’ll do whatever you need me to. I’ve got your back. You know that, right?”
“Thank you,” I mumble, my voice shakier than I thought it would be. “I’ll… I’ll call you back in a little bit. I need to think.”
“Sure. I’m up. I’ll be waiting,” Jase assures me as I end the call.
I toss my phone on the bed and go to brush my teeth, willing myself to try to calm down.
I’m not going to be able to make any sort of rational decisions if I’m freaking out.
Jase is on my side—just like I knew he would be—and that’s a start.
We’ve figured some shit out together before, and we’ll do it again.
I won’t let this wreck everything Sun has worked for.
And I can’t lose what I just found with him.