Tae stared forlornly at her retreating back. He hadn’t even gotten to show her the picture in his wallet. He hadn’t had a chance to speak all the words that his heart had been storing up for her ears alone.
His roaring fire – beautiful Tia – had sent a blazing arrow straight into his heart. Right before she had slammed a frigid door in his face. Could he scale the freezing walls of the fortress she had so carefully constructed around her? Tae stared after Tia, desiring to chase after the love of his life but unsure how she would react. If she denied him again, he had no recourse. No words came to him.
Something was clearly wrong here. Had his silence hurt her this badly? Why? Hadn’t she understood that they had no future, him in South Korea, her in Argentina? Did his behavior justify her attitude towards him?
It wasn’t that he hadn’t wanted her. Oh, no! He had wanted her. He had adored her from the moment she’d loosed those abundant, flowing masses of chestnut hair from her motorcycle helmet. He had loved her from the second his eyes had connected with the burning flames in her gaze. Tae had been a goner. But he was not alone. And he couldn’t afford to fall in love. Not at twenty-three. But his birthday was in a few days. Could he afford to fall in love then? He was beginning to feel like he couldn’t do without it. Like he couldn’t do without her.
Now what could he possibly do about it? That’s when a brilliant idea struck.
—
Her phone had been ringing. Jin picked it up. Why was Tae calling Julieta? How did he even have her number?
Jin handed her the phone as she entered the room. “Tae called you.”
“Tae?” she raised her eyebrows. “Why would Tae call me?”
“I’ve no idea. I was going to ask you the same question.”
She gave Jin a stern look. “What are you implying?” she asked, a little exasperated. Hadn’t she convinced Jin that she had no interest whatsoever in Tae? “Is your love tank getting a little low?” She leaned over to purr her question into his ear.
He nodded, a mock sadness blanketing his features. “I think,” he breathed, “I need lots of kisses.”
Julieta laughed. Right before she bent over and kissed him on the cheek. Twice.
“There you go,” she teased him. “All better now?”
Jin reached out with lightning speed, his arm snaking around her back to pull her tightly up against him. He bent his head, his breath tickling her cheek as he spoke, “You know, that’s not what I meant.”
She laughed, then spun away from him. “I should call Tae back.” She glanced around. “Have you seen Tia?”
Just then the front door burst open, and Tia bolted inside. She didn’t even glance their way as she ran for her room.
Julieta met Jin’s eyes.
“What was that about?” Jin asked.
Eyes wide, Julieta responded, “I have no idea. I think I should check on her.”
Jin reached out and caught her wrist. “Wait a while. She obviously didn’t want to see anyone.” His brain was working furiously. Was it possible that Tae had something to do with this? “Call Tae back. See what he wanted.”
Julieta read his mind. “You think he had something to do with this?”
Jin shrugged. “I’m not sure. But there’s no harm in asking.”
