Passion and Power

Chapter 30

"I just want to say that...I'm...falling in love with you, Minji. No, I mean...I'm...in love with you."

Minji's eyes went wide with surprise as she lay on Hanni's chest. Hanni felt her heart squeeze with fear. She wanted so much to say it but hadn't really considered the consequences of Minji's reaction.

"I'm sorry, I..." Hanni stammered. "I shouldn't have said it! You don't need to... just, go to sleep. Let's pretend I didn't..."

"Hanni, stop." Minji whispered as she raised up on her elbow. "You just surprised me, don't apologize for saying how you feel."

Minji reached up to caress her cheek and found a lone tear, which she wiped away.

"Baby, please." Minji kissed the other cheek. "Surely you already know. I've been falling in love with you since you hugged that young fan on the plane. The first time we met."

Hanni bit her lip, feeling more tears coming. "And every moment since. Every time I've seen you, talked to you, touched you. I only fall harder. Of course, sometimes I tried not to. Tried to be friends, just like you asked. It never worked. It never could work. No matter what happens between us...I know for certain. I'll always love you, Hanni."

Now it was Hanni caressing Minji's cheek and encouraging her closer for a kiss. She found Minji's lips for a deep searching kiss.

"It's all I ever want to do. I want to know you more, be with you more, love you more. I have such a drive to love and protect you, Hanni. If you let me, I'll never stop."

"Yes. Yes." Hanni admitted. "I want to be loved like that. And I want to love you like that in return. It has to be a two-way street. You have to let me take care and protect you too."

"Whatever you want." Minji said. She eased her hands behind Hanni's hips and gently rolled them so that she was on her back and Hanni was resting on her chest. The movement caused them both to moan as Minji shifted inside her walls.

Minji kissed the top of her head. "That was so brave of you to say. And I'm never going to make you sorry you did."

Hanni arched her neck to kiss Minji below her jaw, then nuzzled into her neck to take in more of her scent.

"How can you be so perfect?" Hanni asked.

"You make me want to be good." Minji said, a smile in her voice. Hanni laughed to hear her own words repeated back to her.

"How could I not fall in love with you?" Hanni asked, then teased, "Though I really did try."

"I noticed." Minji laughed. "And I'm glad you stopped trying."

"Me too."

"Why don't we get some sleep?" Minji soothed her fingers through Hanni's hair.

Hanni kissed Minji's collar bone and settled her head on her chest. "Mhmm."

***

Hanni woke hours later, disappointed to find the bed empty. She soon after she detected a delicious smell from the kitchen. She slid out of bed, grabbed a silky robe laid out on top of the comforter and hurried down the hall. In the kitchen she saw and smelled a gorgeous sight - Minji in a short robe and a counter piled with pancakes and bacon.

"I feel like I've died and gone to heaven." Hanni said, her stomach rumbling.

"I felt the same way when I woke up with you in my bed."

"Cheesy."

"You would know." Minji smiled and moved in for a kiss. "Now go sit at the table. We may as well try to act civilized for a few minutes."