Doctor Kim

Chapter 13

I didn't take any chances. I parked my car in the driveway of the vacant house for sale, then hurried down the sidewalk and into the patch of trees bordering the Kim property. Was it stupid to hide and sneak around like this? Yeah. But I was too focused right now on getting rid of Jay's voice in my head.

Minji must have seen me making my way up because the side door to her bedroom swung open and she welcomed me inside. Her gaze drifted down to the tote bag clutched in my hands, and her eyebrows pulled together.

"Jay's stuff you're returning?" she asked.

I tossed the bag onto a side chair and shook my head. "I lied. I don't want to talk about it."

I closed the distance between us, gripped her face in my hands, and pulled her lips down to mine. The evening had been hard on my system. My arousal had been interrupted by anger, and the emotions swirled together, creating aggression I hadn't experienced before. But I liked the combination. I enjoyed the way it launched me into her arms.

Minji's reaction told me she did too.

Her lips were pliant against mine, and I plunged my tongue into her mouth, eager to pick up where we'd left off. Just the connection to her was enough to quiet thoughts in my head. Maybe it was wrong to use her like that, but I couldn't quench the desire for her any other way.

Our kiss started with passion, but rather than explode, it slowed to a simmer. She eased me back and stared down into my eyes, contemplating whatever she wanted to say.

"You don't want to talk about it," she said softly, "but we should."

I sighed.

Fuck you, Hanni.

I winced at the echo in my memory and tore my gaze away from Minji, staring over her shoulder to the bed, and beyond to the doorway to her bathroom. I knew I couldn't avoid it forever; I'd eventually deal with the Jay situation and whatever it was Minji and I were doing, but I didn't want to face it tonight.

"Fine." My shoulders slumped, and I acted every bit the sullen teenager I felt at that moment. "Can I have something to drink first?"

She straightened and nodded. "What do you want? I've got wine, beer—"

Breath cut off along with her words. She'd just remembered I wasn't old enough to legally drink. Yet, this was stupid. She knew college kids drank, and she let us do it at her house as long as we were responsible.

I wanted Minji to see me as an adult, even if I wasn't exactly acting like one. "Wine would be great," I said. "Thanks."

She hesitated and tried not to look as if she'd been backed into a corner. "Okay. I'll be right back."

Minji was barely through the door when I snatched up the tote bag and scrambled for the bathroom. Coming here had been crazy. Grabbing her and kissing her was crazier, but I was about to do something so insane, it was likely to blow up in my face. As I stripped off my t-shirt, I refused to look at myself in the large mirror over the double sinks. I was sure I'd look back on this moment with heaps of regret, but I pushed forward anyway.

My hands were unsteady as I undid the button of my shorts, and I fumbled along, hurrying to put the dress on. The thick fabric was the shade of evergreen trees, and I squirmed into the tight bodice. Thank God it still fit.

The back zipper gave a muted vrrrp as I tugged it up, being careful of the beading, and then I couldn't avoid it any longer. I lifted my head and stared at my reflection. My hair wasn't in too bad of shape. I'd pulled it up into a sleek ponytail before coming here, but a few tendrils curled softly at the nape of my neck.