22. Minji #2
Laughter bubbles around the table, but my mind is split between two worlds: Seoul and Aaron’s apartment, waiting for me.
Jonathan’s voice finally signals the end of the evening: by the time he calls for the check, it’s already ten-fifteen.
My leg bounces beneath the table as impatience wrestles with my duty to stay till the end.
“This has been lovely,” Catherine says, standing first. “But I think we’ve kept our young associates late enough on a weeknight.”
Relief floods me as everyone starts gathering their things. I make the rounds with polite goodbyes, accepting Jonathan’s solid handshake and Catherine’s feather-light air kiss.
“We’ll be watching the Hui-Wang case closely,” Catherine informs me. “Keep up the excellent work.”
“Thank you,” I reply, hoping my eagerness to leave isn’t obvious. “I appreciate the opportunity.”
I’m nearly at the door when William intercepts me. “Leaving so soon?” he asks, stepping just enough to block my way. What did I ever see in this asshole? “A few of us are going to that wine bar around the corner. You should come.”
“I have other plans,” I say curtly, stepping around him.
His hand brushes my elbow, stopping me. “Minji, about Seoul, we should discuss strategy.”
I bark out a humorless laugh—this asshole.
“There is nothing to discuss, William. ? ??? ?? ?? (Fuck out of here with all that bullshit).” I push past him toward the exit, not caring to hear whatever he has to say next.
Outside, the cool night air slaps my flushed cheeks. I inhale deeply, trying to shake off William’s lingering presence. Finally, I dig out my phone to check my messages.
Aaron
I hope dinner went well. I’m parked across the street whenever you’re ready.
I scan the street and spot Aaron’s car, his silhouette behind the wheel unmistakable.
Even from across the road, the sight of him waiting for me sends a wave of warmth through my chest. I hurry over, my steps growing lighter with every stride.
He steps out as I approach, circling the car to open the passenger door.
“How did it go?” he asks, his hand finding the small of my back as I slide into the seat.
“Complicated,” I admit, settling into the familiar comfort of his car. “Very complicated.”
He closes my door and rounds to the driver’s side. “Good complicated or bad complicated?” he asks once he gets behind the steering wheel.
“I honestly don’t know yet.” I sink back against the headrest, exhaustion washing over me. The night’s emotional whiplash—Seoul, William’s desperate posturing, and now the quiet safety of Aaron—has left me completely spent.
“Want to talk about it?” Aaron asks, starting the car but making no move to pull away from the curb.
I turn my head to look at him, taking in the concerned furrow of his brow and the gentle way his fingers rest on the steering wheel.
“They’re opening a new office… in Seoul.”
Aaron’s eyebrows rise. “Seoul as in South Korea? As in, where you’re from?”
“Yes.” I nod, watching his face carefully. “And they’re considering me to lead it.”
His expression changes so quickly I can barely keep up.
“That’s… wow.” He reaches over to take my hand. “That’s huge, Honeybee. Congratulations.”
“Nothing’s decided yet,” I say quickly. “They’re also considering William, of all people.”
Aaron snorts. “That pretentious dickhead? Please. You’d run circles around him.”
“He’s taking Korean language lessons, apparently.”
“I bet his pronunciation is terrible.”
“Guaranteed.” I squeeze his hand, grateful for his immediate support. “It will mean partnership for me, though, if I get it.”
Aaron nods slowly, his thumb tracing circles on my palm. “When would you leave?”
“Next quarter sometime,” I say softly. “And it’s if I get it.”
“You’ll get it,” he says with such certainty that I almost believe him. “They’d be idiots not to choose you.”
I study our intertwined fingers. “Can we not talk about this anymore tonight? I just want to enjoy being with you. Just like old times.”
Aaron brings my hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to my knuckles. “Old times involved lots of sex. But hey, your wish is my command, Counselor.” He pulls into traffic, and we ride in comfortable silence for a few blocks, the city lights painting streaks of color across the windshield.
At his apartment, we fall into step with the ease of old lovers, not new ones. I kick off my heels as he hangs up my coat. He pours wine for both of us while I let my hair tumble free from its tight updo, sighing as the tension releases from my scalp.
“Better?” he asks, handing me a glass of red.
“Much.”
Aaron sets his wine aside and moves behind me, his fingers working at the zipper of my dress.
My dress pools at my feet, leaving me in my black lingerie.
“I can’t wait to taste you.” His hands slide up my thighs as he looks at me with dark, hungry eyes. “I’ve been thinking about this all night.”
The heat in his gaze is a touch all its own, sparking nerves I never knew I had.
My breath hitches, turning shallow and ragged.
The wine glass trembles in my grip, ruby liquid flickering in the light.
Aaron notices—he always does—and with slow and deliberate grace, he takes the glass from my unsteady hand.
The brush of his fingers against mine is electric, a silent promise.
He sets the glass on the coffee table, the soft clink marking the moment. His hands come back to me, one at my waist and one at my back, guiding me to the sofa with gentle pressure. The leather cushions feel cool at first but quickly warm under my skin.
Aaron kneels in front of me, making my heart skip a beat. The carpet cushions his knees as he moves between my legs, his broad shoulders gently parting them. His hands slide along my calves, pressing gently, then move up to my thighs.
“You have no idea how beautiful you are,” he murmurs, his voice rough with desire.
He lowers his head, pressing his lips to my inner thigh in a kiss so tender it makes my chest ache.
The warmth of his mouth blooms against my sensitive skin, followed by the gentle scrape of stubble that sends electric currents racing upward.
His hands slide beneath me with confident purpose, cupping my ass and drawing me forward until I perch at the edge of the sofa, vulnerable and exposed in the most exhilarating way.
His fingers find the lace waistband of my panties, tracing the edge with a light touch. My stomach tightens in anticipation, a reaction I can’t control. He looks up at me, searching for connection, confirmation, and consent—and finds all three in my gaze.
He hooks his fingers into the lace, the pressure of his knuckles on my hipbones making me shiver. The panties slide down slowly, each inch exposing more of me to the cool air and his intense gaze. The lace brushes my skin as it moves down my thighs, past my knees, and along my calves.
When they’re finally free of my ankles, Aaron tosses them aside, the black lace disappearing into the shadows of his apartment.
He leans forward, his breath warm against my skin.
“This pussy is so pretty,” he moans, the raw honesty in his voice making me throb with anticipation.
His thumbs gently part me, exposing me to his admiring gaze. “And already so wet for me.”
The first touch of his tongue is a shock—warm, wet, and just the right pressure, making me gasp like I’ve come up for air.
My head falls back against the cushions as I give in to the feeling, my fingers finding their way into his hair.
The soft strands twist around my fingers as I hold on to him and to this moment.
He explores me with dedicated attention, as if memorizing every fold, every texture, every subtle variation that makes me unique. My hips rise to meet him of their own accord, seeking more pressure, more friction, more of the exquisite pleasure he’s creating.
“Fuck, yes,” I moan, the words torn from somewhere primal within me.
He responds to my abandonment by intensifying his efforts, slipping two fingers inside me with careful precision.
The dual sensation—his fingers curling forward to find that perfect spot while his tongue circles my clit, making me cry out, a sound that bounces around the quiet apartment.
My thighs begin to tremble against his shoulders, muscles tightening involuntarily as he increases his pace.
The world shrinks to just this connection between us, everything else fading away—the dinner, Seoul, William—all of it gone under Aaron’s touch. My body tightens around his fingers, wanting more, wanting everything he can give.
“The way you are clenching around my fingers,” he whispers against me, “I would say you’re close…” He looks up at me, his eyes dark with desire but bright with something that looks dangerously like adoration. “But I’m only getting started.”
“Please,” I gasp, not entirely sure what I’m asking for. More intensity, more friction, more of whatever magic he’s working between my legs.
Aaron reads my body like a legal brief he’s determined to win.
He curls his fingers inside me, finding the spot that makes me lose all sense, while his mouth works my clit.
The pleasure builds so quickly that I forget how to breathe.
My body goes tense as I arch against him. “Shit, Aaron, I have to pee. Stop.”
He ignores my objection, doubling down like opposing counsel who knows they’ve found a weakness. His fingers move faster, his mouth more insistent. “Aaron… fuck… Aaron, I’m going to pee.”
“It’s not pee.” He pulls back just enough to speak, his fingers maintaining their motion. “Trust me, Honeybee, let it go. I’m thirsty.”
His mouth returns to me, and something inside me gives in completely.
The pressure builds higher than anything I’ve felt before, breaking over me in waves that have me calling his name like it’s the only thing I can remember.
My vision blurs as pleasure takes over, my body shaking against his mouth.
I feel a sudden rush of wetness between us, and for a moment, I’m horrified, until I see Aaron’s face, full of satisfaction as he takes it all in.
“That was the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen and one of the most delicious things I’ve tasted. ”
I’m still catching my breath, my body humming with aftershocks. “I’ve never… That’s never happened before.”
“I’m honored to be your first,” he says as he climbs up beside me. His lips find mine, and I taste myself on his tongue, which should be mortifying but somehow isn’t. Not with him. “Pick a number, any number.”
“Why?”
“Just pick a number.” He kisses my neck.
“Six?”
“Perfect. I would have been disappointed if you had said one. Now, I have five more times to make you squirt before the night is over.”
“Huh? Five more times? Aaron, I don’t think that’s physically possible.”
“Challenge accepted,” he whispers as his lips graze the hollow of my throat. His fingertips trace invisible patterns across my ribs. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I just discovered a new religion,” I confess, making him chuckle. “But also terrified that you might actually try to follow through on that number.”
“Oh, I’m definitely following through. But we have all night. No rushing.”
“What about you? This seems rather one-sided.” Which is true.
“Trust me, watching you come apart like that was plenty for me.” He shifts slightly, and I can feel how hard he is against my hip. “Besides, anticipation makes everything better.” Before I can respond, he’s lifting me effortlessly, carrying me toward the bedroom. “Time for round two?”