My Summer in Seoul

“Gross.” I made a face. “How does a person get so drunk that they crawl into the wrong bed?”

“Ah, you never went to college.” She winked. “And that’s not a slam, but I will say—” She lifted the soju from my hand, poured some into the glass in my other hand, then downed it. I just let her, too entranced by the way her lips touched where mine had just been.

God, I was losing it.

She licked her lips. “It’s pretty easy to end up in the wrong bed when you’re in co-ed dorms—trust me.”

Damn it, now I was curious. I poured her another shot. She glared but took it anyway.

“Did you ever end up in the wrong bed, Grace?”

“Kind of a personal question, don’t you think?” She handed the glass back.

“Well, we are bonding at midnight, so…” I gave a half-shrug.

“Ohhhh, is that what this is?” She leaned against the counter. “Is that even allowed?”

“We’ll break the rules just a little bit…” I smiled.

Her eyes flickered to my mouth then back up. “Once, it happened once.”

“Kevin?” I guessed, earning a smack in the arm. “Ouch, what?”

“Kevin?” she repeated. “First off, he’s way too tall. Don’t even get me started on the logistics.” Grace gave a hearty laugh, then slapped a hand over her mouth and looked around, perhaps worried she’d been too loud. When no one came into the kitchen, she continued. “Not just that, but he’s not my type. He’s just… this massive athlete, plus he always got after me for not taking enough protein. To this day, I gag when I smell strawberry whey protein shakes.”

“You gag, huh?”

Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t you dare finish whatever you were thinking in your head…”

I held up my hands in innocence. “I was just going to say good thing I don’t like strawberry protein.”

Her eyes remained narrowed, and she tilted her head. “Why do I feel like you’re lying?”

“Please… I’m just an innocent.” I took a step toward her. “Never been to college.” Another step. “K-pop idol…” I grinned. “Who sings about sex but doesn’t engage in it.”

Her lips parted. “Wait—”

I took advantage of her shock, pressing my mouth to hers before lifting her onto the counter and wrapping her legs around my waist.

I tasted Grace everywhere; I needed more of her surrounding me, inside me, marking me.

She clawed at my back, pulling my shirt over my head.

Well, okay.

I wasn’t going to say no.

I should.

We could get caught.

It was a horrible idea the night before—or I guess morning of—our official MV premiere, but my body told me I needed to let off steam, that I deserved this—that I needed her—we needed her.

My hands slid inside her thin tank top.

A throat cleared.

We broke apart.

I looked over my shoulder as a guilty Grace held my white T-shirt still in her hands. I was in nothing but pajama bottoms and slippers with my hands literally inside her shirt.

And there was Sookie, poor damn Sookie standing there, mouth ajar, cheeks red. He cleared his throat again, opened the fridge, grabbed a water, missed his mouth twice before finally getting some in, then closed it and shuffled off.

Grace pulled away from me and covered her face with her hands. “I’m so sorry. Do you think he’ll say anything?”

“It’s Sookie. Talking about it would embarrass him more than just keeping it inside.” I sighed. “But I’ll talk to him tomorrow.” The last thing I needed was him telling Rae and Rae scolding me or throwing me off the roof without my participation.

“Positive?”

I stole another kiss. I had no self-control with her. “Promise, he’ll be a vault.”

“Okay.” Her lips were featherlight against mine.

Another throat cleared.

“Son of a bitch, how much water do you…” My voice died when it was Kai on the other side of the kitchen, grinning like an idiot. “…need?”

“Water.” He pointed toward the fridge.

Sookie poked his head around the corner and grinned.

“I was wondering why Sookie was trying to get me to go back to my room.” He laughed. “Carry on. What’s the expression? Not having a leg to stand on or something like that?” He sighed. “I forget. I swear I’m losing my English ability.”

“Good thing Solia’s Korean,” I said.

“Mmmmmm.” Kai nodded. “Yup… you should head to bed though, big day.” He’d switched to Korean, maybe not to hurt Grace’s feelings or embarrass her or because he truly was more comfortable when sleep-deprived not using English.

“Yeah.”

I helped Grace off the counter. When her feet were solidly on the floor, I grabbed my shirt and put it on. How embarrassing. It was almost as bad as getting caught by a parent, except Kai had been doing the same thing a few hours ago, so at least he understood the compelling need.

“Sleep.” Grace yawned behind her hand when Kai and Sookie went back into their room and closed their door.