Sun-kissed

Chapter 41

She could feel his gaze on her.

Amina slowly opened her eyes, adjusting her vision against the brightly lit room.  The sun had already made its presence known.  And judging by the amount of light, she knew she had slept longer than usual.  She turned and found him watching her.

"Annyeong..." she whispered.

His lips curved up.  "Annyeong..."

"Have you been up long?" She eased onto her side so she could face him.

"About an hour."

Amina lifted an eyebrow. 

His eyes smiled at her.  "Neh... you would think, that after last night, I would be the one too tired to get up early." He watched as she blushed.  He searched her face and softly asked, "What was that all about?"

Amina raised painfully shy eyes up at him.  "D-did you not like it?"

"Ani..." Youngbae said, watching her eyes grow wary as she redirected her gaze down towards his chest.  He reached over and caressed her bare hip.  'Ani... I loved every bit of it."

She glowed upon hearing his reverent praise.  It erased all the self-conscious feelings she felt moments ago. 

"Did you... enjoy it?"

She looked up, hearing a hint of vulnerability in his voice.  She never realized how much her pleasure in the act would matter to him.  She felt her cheeks grow warm.  "Neh..."

Youngbae nodded quietly.

They continued to stare at each other for several silent seconds.

"Do you have work today?"

Amina shook her head, the light in her eyes dimming slightly.  "After I informed Dr. Park of my situation, we went ahead and decided to make my last day yesterday..."

"Wae?"

Amina swallowed hard.  "So I can get ready for the internship."  She moved away from him and sat up, clutching the sheets to her body.

He missed her closeness. "So you're not interning at the same hospital?"

"A-ani..."

"Which hospital then?"

She pressed her lips together and watched as he sat up to face her, the sheets falling down his torso and landing haphazardly around his trim waist. 

Amina tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.  She watched his eyes carefully.  "That's what I wanted to talk to you about last night.  The internship program."

He raised an eyebrow and waited patiently for her to begin.

She took another swallow.  "You see... I couldn't stay on at same hospital because... the job I have is only for medical students. And since I don't have the means to pay for tuition this semester, I'm no longer eligible for the position."

"Jagi... I told you I would p-"

She cut him off.  "But Dr. Park was able to make some phone calls and we found an opportunity for me to jump-start my internship.  Instead of waiting for the Fall semester, I can start now."

"Then that's good news..."

Amina nodded her head slightly, her eyes still watchful.  "It'll be a full ride and I would be working next to some of the best medical professions in the industry and also gaining credits for my degree.  They would transfer it back to Seoul National University, so I wouldn't have any interruptions in my studies."