Jimin was fascinated with the texture of her skin. He continued to rub the pad of his thumb across her cheek. So soft. And he noticed she was blushing under his touch now. Curious, he lifted his eyes to hers. The look in them stilled him.
Once again, they stared at one another. Time stood still for them both. Yet it was actually marching on. People were searching for Jimin; the boys were concerned about him. But he was oblivious. Right now, Eileen was his whole world. All his concentration was bent on skating the edge of those striking, emerald pools. He didn’t want to fall all the way in. He’d probably drown in them if he did.
It was too late. He could feel himself sinking beneath that glimmering, green water, his hair soaked in her essence as she overcame every one of his senses. Without any conscious thought, his lips found hers again.
Eileen sat rooted to that spot, his hand still cupping her cheek, making her melt. Then his lips brushed hers with tenderness, and every nerve ending in her body gave a shout of joy. The touch of his fingertips had simply been the opening act. The true performance was given by his mouth against hers. She was inwardly sighing. She was melting into him. She felt light-headed. Perhaps she would simply sink into the ground beneath her feet. She reached for his shoulders to steady herself.
It was all the invitation Jimin needed. He wrapped his arms around her waist, drawing her closer to him as he deepened the kiss momentarily. Then he pulled slightly back, just resting his lips against hers as he touched his forehead to hers.
“I don’t want to leave you,” he whispered against her lips.
“Neither do I,” she whispered back, her lips tickling his as she spoke.
In reply he rubbed his lips back and forth against hers in an effort to relieve the tickle. But the action simply caused a different tickle in his body. He kissed her again and then released her.
“We need to go. It must be after nine. I was supposed to be in a meeting at ten o’clock. Hopefully, we can make it in time.”
She bent to gather all the leftover food and stuff it into the bag. Jimin picked up the cup of champagne and took a swig before pouring the rest onto the grass and tossing the cup into her bag.
“Wait,” he ordered as they both stood up. “There’s something I’ve been wanting to do.” It was now or never.
He reached for her hand, sliding his palm across hers as his fingers embraced hers. Her heart melted.
“You wanted to hold my hand?” He heard the vulnerability in her voice and felt the vibrations of an answering chord in his own heart.
His eyes sought her own with an intensity that made her stomach flip upside down. “Yes. Very much.”
She smiled at him, overcome by his sweetness. Oh, that she could have a thousand days like this one with him!
They turned and headed towards her car. He tugged on her hand to pull her close to his side as they walked. He was in no hurry now. He didn’t want to release her hand. Could she drive and hold his hand at the same time? Having made the connection, he wasn’t ready to let her go.
As they approached the car, she made a weird sound, sucking her breath inward through her teeth.
“What?” Jimin’s eyes flew to her face. “What’s wrong?”
“Look!” She gestured by swinging the bag in her hand towards her car. “The tire is flat! I just drove back from the market a little while ago. How on earth do I have a flat tire?”
Jimin sighed. They had no phone. And now they had no tire. They were going to have to walk into the little town and hope someone could help them. Was this place even big enough to have an auto repair shop?
He determined to make the most of it. After she threw her bag into her car, he pulled her close again, relishing the feel of her hand cozied up against his own. At least this meant he’d get a little more time with her.
He could find a phone and call the boys. But then they’d send a car for him, and she would be stranded here alone. He shook his head. He couldn’t do it to her. The Bangtan Boys would just have to survive today’s meeting without him.
