32. （SPARK）ling
VERENA
32
Auntie’s revelation cast a shadow over the evening. At least it meant I didn’t have to navigate Jae’s…peculiar antics that night. He slipped out to work at the crack of dawn, leaving us no chance to talk it over. Part of me longed for him to take a break, to cherish these fleeting moments with Auntie. But I knew he couldn’t, and besides, she wouldn’t want him to. She hated discussing it or drawing any attention to herself. Yet every time I heard her cough, it was like a jolt of lightning electrifying the whole house, a stark reminder of the storm we were weathering.
When Jae got home from work, Auntie sat us down with a grin on her face. “I’m moving out.”
“What?” Jae and I said in unison, our shock evident.
She smiled warmly, reaching for our hands. “I spoke with Jennifer today. Things are going to get more…difficult as things progress. She’s a retired nurse and has a spare bedroom. With your relationship being so new and her being so sweet, we think it’s best I stay with her. We can spend time together still, obviously, but I think I’ll feel more comfortable there. Like a slumber party with a close friend every night.”
I felt sadness and relief simultaneously. Sadness because it meant Auntie’s condition was worsening, and relief because it might give Jae and me a bit more space to figure out whatever was happening between us. “Are you sure?”
She nodded. “Yes, sweetie. Jennifer and I had a good talk, and I think it’s the best decision for all of us. I don’t want you all to see me like…that. Jennifer is a natural caregiver and her cooking is divine. Plus, we enjoy binge-watching the same shows! It’ll be fun.” Her tone seemed hollow. I knew she’d enjoy it, but I also felt bad, like this fake engagement was stealing time away with Jae.
“Auntie, if you want to spend more time with Jae, I can go?—”
“No. Of course I want to spend time with Jae. I love it here, and I’ll be over all the time. I just…I don’t want you two to remember me as…sick. When I have bad days, I want the option to hide away. I want you to see this version of me. And I want a safe place to be vulnerable.”
Jae’s jaw tightened, his eyes betraying his internal struggle. “Auntie, we want you to be comfortable. If that means staying with Jennifer, then we’ll support you.”
She patted his hand affectionately. “Thank you, Jae. And don’t worry, I’ll be just a phone call away. You two need to focus on each other as well.”
Auntie was right; things were going to get more difficult. But her decision to stay with my mom showed just how serious it had become.
“Let’s not dwell on it,” Auntie said, breaking the silence. “Tonight, we celebrate new beginnings. I’ve ordered dinner from that fancy Italian place you two love.”
I forced a smile, trying to match her enthusiasm. “That sounds perfect.”
Dinner arrived, and we sat around the table, the atmosphere a mix of bittersweet emotions. We talked about everything and nothing. Auntie’s laughter filled the room, a sound that both comforted and saddened me. She was still so full of life, despite everything.
After dinner, Jae and I helped Auntie pack her things. She insisted on taking only the essentials, leaving most of her belongings behind. “I’ll be back to visit often,” she assured us, her voice steady.
As we carried her bags to the car, I felt a lump form in my throat. This was another step towards the inevitable, another reminder that time was running out.
“Take care of each other,” Auntie said as she hugged us both.
“We will,” Jae promised, his voice thick with emotion.
As Auntie rode off, the reality of our situation settled over us. We stood in silence, watching the car disappear down the street.
Jae sighed, running a hand through his hair. “This is harder than I thought it would be.”
I nodded, feeling a tear slip down my cheek. “Yeah, it is.”
We walked back into the house, the silence between us filled with unspoken words. I knew we needed to talk, to figure out where we stood. But for now, all I could think about was Auntie and the time we had left with her.
“Do you want to talk about it?” I asked softly, breaking the silence.
He shook his head. “Not right now. I just…need some time.”
I nodded, my gaze filled with understanding. “Okay. I’m here if you need me.”
“I need…a distraction.”
“Okay, how about we watch a movie, then?” I suggested.
Jae nodded, his eyes still clouded with emotion. “Sure. Pick whatever you want.”
Without Auntie, the house felt strangely empty, an eerie quiet settling over the rooms. Was this how Jae always felt? The thought made my chest tighten.
And without Auntie, I felt less safe from…Jae. His attention, his heated looks. I shook off the thought, trying to push it to the back of my mind, and settled on the couch. Jae joined me, his presence both comforting and unsettling. He pulled a blanket over us, and I turned on Casablanca, hoping the classic would distract me.
“Love this movie,” Jae said, his voice breaking the silence. “Bogart and Bergman, timeless.”
“Yeah, me too,” I replied, trying to keep my tone neutral. My eyes were fixed on the screen, but my mind was elsewhere. What was Jae thinking? Was he as affected by Auntie’s absence as I was?
He shifted closer, his arm brushing against mine, sending a shiver down my spine. “You okay?” he asked, his voice soft, concerned.
“Yeah, just…it’s weird without Auntie,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
“I know,” he replied, clearing his throat and shifting his posture. “You forced this movie on me a thousand times back in college.” The subject change was glaringly obvious.
“Because it always cracked you up when you were stressed,” I countered, nudging him lightly.
“Yeah, I guess you always had a way of getting me to smile,” he said softly, his eyes locking with mine for a brief, intense moment before looking back at the screen.
Without thinking, I reached out and grabbed his hand. His fingers twitched slightly, then relaxed, intertwining with mine. He stared at our joined hands for a moment, his expression unreadable. He shifted his gaze back to the TV, but I could sense his awareness of our touch, the tension between us a constant hum in the background.
The movie played on, but my attention was entirely on Jae. Every breath he took, every subtle shift in his seat, every time his lips curved into a smile at a funny part—it all drew me in. The soft rise and fall of his chest, the way his jaw clenched and relaxed, the way his thumb absentmindedly stroked the back of my hand—it was all so mesmerizing. I found myself committing every detail to memory, savoring the closeness, the intimacy of the moment.
“Are you even watching the movie?” he asked.
I glanced up, meeting his eyes. “Not really,” I admitted.
A slow smile spread across his face, his eyes darkening. “Me neither.”
I shifted slightly, turning to face him more fully, our knees brushing together under the blanket. The movement brought us even closer, our faces mere inches apart. I could see every detail of his expression—the curve of his lips, the intensity in his eyes.
His gaze flicked down to my lips, then back up to my eyes. “Verena…” he began, his voice trailing off as if he wasn’t sure what to say.
“Yeah?” I prompted, my own voice shaky.
He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “I don’t know what’s happening between us, but…it feels different. More real. Tell me I’m not the only one that wants this.”
I could feel his breath on my skin, warm and tantalizing. My own breathing was shallow, my heart racing as I struggled to maintain my composure.
“Can I kiss you?” he asked.
“No,” I said, barely above a whisper, feeling a rush of conflicted emotions.
His gaze darkened with something desperate and raw. “Please, Verena,” he begged, his voice breaking.
“You’ve gotten bold in asking.”
“That’s because I’ve learned you like it when I’m weak for you,” he said, his voice a strained whisper.
“Wh-what?”
“I saw it when we first kissed,” he continued, his gaze unwavering. “How your eyes flared when I begged you to touch me. Those pretty lips twisted into a smirk. I’ve been demanding a lot from you, but you know what gets the sweetest result?”
“What?” I asked, my voice barely audible, the tension between us almost unbearable.
“Please,” he murmured, leaning in to kiss my neck. “Please kiss me, Verena.” He licked my collarbone.
“Please,” he whispered again, his lips trailing kisses along my jawline. “Please, Verena.” He kissed the corner of my mouth, his hands trembling slightly.
He moved to my ear, his voice husky and low. “Please.” He kissed the sensitive skin just below my earlobe, making me shiver.
“Please,” he said once more, his lips brushing against my shoulder, his fingers trailing down my arm. Each kiss, each touch, was a plea, a desperate attempt to bridge the gap between us.
He drew back slightly, his eyes dark with need. “Please, Verena,” he whispered, his voice rough with emotion. “I need you.”
The room seemed to shrink around us, the air thick with tension and longing. My breath hitched, my resolve crumbling under the weight of his pleas.
Slowly, I leaned in, my lips brushing against his in a soft, tentative kiss. It was all the encouragement he needed. He deepened the kiss, his hands tangling in my hair, pulling me closer as if he could fuse us together. Our tongues fought and he sucked on my bottom lip. It was one of those rough kisses that made your toes curl.
His voice dropped to a husky murmur as he pulled away. “Verena, I need to taste you,” he said, his eyes burning.
I bit my lip, feeling the electric tension crackle between us. “Jae…” I started, unsure how to continue.
His hands moved to the waistband of my sleep shorts, his fingers teasing the fabric as his lips brushed against my stomach. “Do you know how many times I’ve wondered what you taste like?” he growled, his voice thick with need. “Will you be sweet? Or maybe something else entirely?”
“You’ve thought about it?”
“Too many times to count,” he admitted.
What the fuck? “Why am I just now finding out about this?”
He ignored my question and groaned softly, his eyes rolling back. “Just a little taste, hmm? Can I pretty please lick your pussy, baby?”
“Jae…”
“Look at you. You have no idea how much I fucking crave this, crave you. Just give me a taste.”
My heart raced as he spoke, his words igniting a fire within me. He kissed the curve of my waist, his lips hot and insistent against my skin. “Keep talking,” I rasped. “I…I like this.”
I looked down, catching a glimpse of his triumphant smile as he tugged my sleep shorts and panties off. The cool air hit me and?—
“Look at that pussy…fucking hell, just…fuck. Let me see how wet you are.”
He dragged his index finger along my slit, making me nearly jump off the couch from the zaps of pleasure.
“Can I just appreciate how gorgeous this fucking pussy is for a second? Look at that clit. Makes me want to just wrap my lips around it and…”
And he did just that. It was brief, like he couldn’t hold back anymore. Just enough to make my mouth part and a pant escape me.
One little taste. Just one.
I was so fucked.
He looked up at me from between my legs, his eyes dark with hunger. “Can I do that again? I’ll do anything, anything you want,” he breathed.
My resolve was crumbling. “Mmm. Just one…one more taste,” I croaked.
He flicked his tongue against my sensitive nub, teasing me. I twitched from the pleasure.
“Look how that made your leg jump, baby. I could do that again.”
“We should…probably maybe stop?” My words sounded like a hollow question.
“Look at me,” he murmured against my center, his voice filled with reverence. “I’ll do whatever it takes. Beg, plead, get on my knees and worship you. Just give me the chance to fully taste you.”
I moaned softly, my hands tangling in his hair, pulling him closer. “Again. Just a little?—”
I couldn’t even finish my sentence. He wrapped his lips around it and circled his tongue in a rhythm. Once. Twice. Three times. I moaned his name.
His lips were full and soft, molded perfectly around my throbbing clit. His tongue flicked out, circling it in a mesmerizing rhythm, sending sparks of pleasure through me. I watched as he worshiped me, his hands holding my thighs gently but firmly, his eyes locked on mine with hunger.
“Keep going,” I choked out.
His eyes flashed with desire, his hands never leaving my thighs, his lips never leaving my aching clit. He knew exactly how to please and torment me at the same time, and I couldn’t get enough of it.
“Yes,” I gasped, my fingers digging into his hair. “More. I need more.”
He chuckled, the sound thrilling as it vibrated through me. “I can do more, Verena. I’d do anything to make you come.”
Without warning, he thrust two fingers inside me. I cried out, my hips bucking, and he finger-fucked me harder. His eyes burned into mine as he stroked me with his tongue, the intensity of his gaze making me feel like I was the only person on earth.
“I can give you so much more, baby,” he whispered hoarsely against my pulsing center.
“All,” I forced out. I couldn’t say much. I didn’t care if this was a colossal mistake. Or that it wasn’t real. My throat was too dry and my heart was pounding in my chest, threatening to burst out of my ribcage.
“All of it, baby. I’ll give you everything you want.”
The room seemed to spin as his fingers pushed harder, deeper, faster. The pleasure built up, higher and higher, until I thought I’d burst.
“Jae…” I moaned, my voice thin and shaky.
“I’ll do anything to make you feel good,” he promised, his voice thick with emotion. “Just let me know, and I’ll give it to you.”
I didn’t know what I needed.
“Jae…” I said.
“Yes, baby?” he asked, his voice filled with anticipation.
“Yes,” I whispered, my voice shaking. “Make me come.”
I was making the demands today.
His lips parted in a smirk as he thrust his fingers in and out of me with renewed vigor. His thumb continued its relentless rhythm, driving me higher, the pleasure building like a wave.
“Just let go, baby,” he urged, his voice low and seductive. “Let me show you how good it can feel.”
I could feel it building, the pleasure swelling, the wave rising higher and higher.
“Jae…” I moaned again, my eyes fluttering shut.
“That’s it,” he coaxed, his voice a seductive whisper. “Let go, baby.”
And then it hit.
A mind-blowing orgasm washed over me, my entire body tensing and then melting into the couch as wave after wave of pleasure crashed over me. My throat was hoarse from moaning, my breath coming out in labored gasps.
Jae watched me, his face a mix of triumph and satisfaction, his eyes never leaving mine as I rode the high of my climax. He stroked me gently, his fingers slowly sliding out of me as I came back down to earth.
And when the last of the aftershocks were gone, he licked his lips like I was a treat to be savored. Holy shit. Jae was way too good at that.
Holy shit, I let him do, well, that.
What now?
Did I say thank you or?—
“Let’s go to bed, baby.”
“What about?—”
“It’s time to sleep.”
He helped me up, his hands gentle but firm, leading me to bed as I felt the remnants of the orgasm still coursing through me. We climbed under the sheets, his body heat radiating against mine as I snuggled close to him.
This was a terrible idea.
I didn’t have to sleep in this bed with him. I could have easily gone to the guest room.
But I wanted to.
What did that mean?
Why was I so attracted to him? I thought I gave up on those feelings years ago when he stopped being my friend and started being this relentless boss in pursuit of power.
He kissed my neck and I felt a contentment spread through my body.
“Did you mean what you said earlier?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
“About anything you want?” he asked, and I could hear the genuine curiosity in his tone.
“Yes. What you promised before.”
He was quiet for a moment, and I could feel him thinking. Then, he spoke. “I meant everything. I’ll do anything.”
My heart rate quickened. “Really? Anything?”
“Anything.”
I knew my body believed him.
But my heart? My heart didn’t.