Doctor Kim

Chapter 35

My mouth went dry as the stairs groaned. Minji was about to walk into my room, and I had to look like garbage. I hadn't showered since—oh, God—Thursday. I finger-combed my bedhead as fast as my wounds would allow, trying to look presentable.

Jay had left my door open when he'd gone, so there wasn't a knock, only Minji's voice from the hallway. "Hanni?"

"In here." Could she hear how tight my voice was?

She stepped into the room and was instantly greeted by Tripod. The dog's outward excitement was mirrored inside me. Minji looked how she usually did. Dark jeans, fitted t-shirt, expensive watch on her wrist. Her hair was styled as normal.

But she was more appealing than I'd ever seen her. The lines at the corners of her eyes were less pronounced. As she watched Tripod's ridiculous fit of excitement at her feet, Minji was quick to smile.

"This dog is missing a leg," she said.

"He is? I hadn't noticed."

As she looked at me, the connection between us was so strong, I worried I might melt. "And you want to be a vet," she teased.

I swallowed a lump in my throat. Everything was so different now.

Her gaze drifted around my room, taking in the lavender paint I'd had on the walls since I was five. At least I'd gotten rid of most of the high school junk.

"Are you making house calls now?" I asked.

"I'm not here as your doctor." Her expression was coy. "How did your conversation go with Jay?"

I snagged my bottom lip between my teeth for a moment. "It . . . went."

She mentally stumbled, probably expecting me to offer up more, but wires crossed in my brain. It was confusing having Minji in my bedroom. Jay had lifted the restraint on Minji and me, but I still felt it there between us.

Plus, I'd told her I was falling in love, so I needed her to make the next move.

One footstep was all she got before Polly lifted her head and hissed at the intruder.

"Your cat only has one eye."

"Would you feel more comfortable if I put on her eye patch?" I said. "She doesn't really like wearing it."

My joke died as she approached, her shadow falling over me. All I could see was her. Her tone was strong, yet soft. "I made you a promise yesterday."

My heart rate climbed as I recalled her words. She swore it wouldn't be the last time she touched me. But she'd also fulfilled this promise, hadn't she? My mom said she'd held my hand. Was she going to remind me of that?

"Did you come to collect?"

She reached out, skimming her fingertips along my cheekbone, her voice as soft as her touch. "I did."

The caress of her fingers sent sparks raining across my skin. Her hand moved along my cheek, sliding gently into my hair, and tilted my head back. My eyes fluttered closed as she lowered in and sealed her mouth over mine.

The kiss was so passionate, I was surprised it didn't blow the doors off the house. Her lips moved against mine, swallowing the small cry I gave, and kept on delivering a nuclear kiss I didn't even know existed until now. She shifted the angle, adjusting to taste me better, and I reached up, gripping her face between my palms. Did she notice my hands were shaking?

She lowered to sit beside me on the bed, deepening the kiss. Polly wasn't having it. Her hiss this time was laced with malice, followed by her low, angry growl.

"What is that cat's deal?" she asked between kisses.

"She hates people."

She cradled my face in a hand, holding me steady as her mouth roamed down the column of my throat. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to hold back the shiver I knew she'd cause.

"She likes you," she argued.

I stroked my palms down her t-shirt covered chest, enjoying the feel of the hard muscles beneath them. I loved having her back in my hands. "I have my moments."

Minji's traveling kiss ventured back up to my lips, where she lingered for a long moment. As she drew back, it came from her in a burst. "I might be in love with you too."

My eyes flew wide open, and I gasped. As I searched her expression, I saw everything in her eyes. She was nervous about admitting it, but it was the truth. Dr. Minji Kim was in love with me. How crazy was that?

I couldn't stop the grin that spread across my face. "Oh, Doctor. What are we going to do about this?"

She planted a searing kiss on me. "I'm sure we'll figure it out."