Boundless

제 8 장

"Thank you. Your meal will be ready in about fifteen minutes," the waitress chirped, smiling a little too tightly—so tightly, in fact, that she nearly tripped over her own heels trying to retreat with grace. Jae didn't even blink. His hands slid over mine like they belonged there, grounding me with a touch that sent quiet fireworks to my spine.

"You look beautiful," he said again, with that husky reverence he reserved just for me.

I rolled my eyes, my lips curving despite my best efforts. "You've said that, what, a thousand times now?"

"And I meant it each time, probably more," he replied with that thunderous laugh that cracked through my chest like lightning on a dry night.

His laughter always felt like rain after drought. And just like that, I was warm.

He leaned in closer, his gaze dipping low and sincere. "You are radiant. A celestial being among mortals. The stars weep with envy when you pass. Your eyes are the godparents of the moon and sun. Your body? A divine temple, purifying any unworthy soul that dares to look upon you."

I blinked. "Sweet Lord. Did you rehearse that in the mirror before dinner?"

He grinned, unashamed. "I only speak the truth, my goddess. My beautiful, unstoppable, soft-spoken hurricane of a woman."

His flattery felt like silk and sin. Sweet poison—I drank every drop, and yet my lips quivered from the intensity of it. I bit down on my bottom lip, trying to gather my wits.

He smirked, clearly entertained. "You bite your lip a lot. You know that?"

"Do I?" I feigned innocence, dragging my thumb slowly across said lip. "I hadn't noticed."

Jae's grin stretched wider. Mischief in full bloom. "Athena, I don't think you've ever explained where you got that ass from. Where's your mother? I need to send her a fruit basket."

I threw my head back in pure laughter, choking slightly. "Why are you like this?"

He shrugged, looking far too pleased with himself.

"She's somewhere in Barbados," I replied with a smile dipped in bitter chocolate, "probably planning her next wedding with husband number five."

Jae blinked, caught off guard. "Oh," he said awkwardly, scratching the back of his head like a boy who'd just been told Santa wasn't real.

The awkward silence between us was so thick, it begged to be laughed at. So I did. Loudly.

"And your mom?" I asked, curious.

"She's tough," he replied after a pause. "Sweet, too. Never really liked my dad."

"How were you conceived then? A stork emergency landing?"

He gave a dry chuckle, face shifting to that sarcastic, bittersweet smirk I was beginning to recognize. "Forced marriage. Grandfather's will. Two strangers with matching last names. Romance, huh?"

The air thinned. My throat tightened around a knot I didn't know was there.

He noticed immediately, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear with a gentleness that undid me. "What's wrong? You look like you just had an orgasm in public."

I slapped his hand away, mortified. "Jae!"

He cackled. "What? Just trying to lighten the mood."

"Pervert."

He gasped dramatically, hand over his heart. "I am no such thing."

"You are."

"Oh, I am?" he raised a brow. "Says the woman who—what was it again? Moaned my name like a psalm—"

"Jae!" I hissed, my cheeks bursting into flames.

He winked, smug and unbothered. Our food eventually arrived—far later than promised—but by then, I'd lost count of the number of times he made me laugh out loud or the butterflies he unleashed in my stomach with just a glance.

And I knew then—I had him. And he had me.

Midnight Confessions & A Blue Dress

Jae parked the car in front of his house and I sighed, already regretting what I knew was coming.

"Jae," I groaned. "I have to be at school early tomorrow. You're going to keep me up. Seriously, take me home."

He leaned over and unbuckled my seatbelt like I hadn't said a word.

"Jae, I'm not playing—"

He kissed me.

Like punctuation. Like a period to end my sentence.

He pulled back slowly, his lips brushing mine with maddening restraint. "I have a gift for you," he said softly. "I was going to take you home afterward. Unless, of course, you'd prefer your gift to be... something else?"

I bit my lip. Again.

He smirked knowingly. "Pervert."

"You're projecting," I whispered, slapping his shoulder.

He only laughed, eyes dancing. "Come inside."

I followed him into his apartment, the familiar scent of sandalwood and secrets wrapping around me like a memory. He led me into his bedroom, holding my hand like he didn't want to let go.

"Close your eyes," he murmured.

I obeyed, heart fluttering.

I heard the rustle of fabric, then felt something soft placed gently in my hands.

When I opened my eyes, it was a dress—midnight blue, silky, long, elegant. It shimmered slightly in the light like it already had a thousand memories stitched into it.

"What's this for?" I asked, fingers brushing the smooth fabric.

"For tomorrow," he said with a proud smile. "You're receiving your teaching certificate. You needed a dress worthy of the occasion."

My heart swelled.

"Thank you," I whispered.

"You're welcome, baby."

He pulled me into his arms, and I melted against his chest. He smelled like all the good things I was afraid to want.

"So," he murmured, nose against my hair, "that means you can get dressed here in the morning. You should stay tonight."

I looked up at him, smirking. "Knew it. You did want me to stay. Huh, pervert?"

His ears turned bright red. "Who are you calling a pervert?"

Before I could reply, he lifted me effortlessly over his shoulder.

"Jae! Put me down!" I squealed.

He smacked my behind playfully. "You started this."

I squirmed and kicked while he laughed like a madman, tossing me gently onto the bed like I was weightless.

"Come on. Lay with me," he said, crawling onto the bed beside me.

I bit my lip again—habit, curse, or both—as he pulled me into his chest.

"It's hot," I whispered against his skin.

In response, he peeled off his shirt in one smooth motion. And Lord help me, I had to try not to let my hands explore every inch of that smooth, toned canvas.

I pressed my cheek to his chest, hearing the steady beat of his heart.

"You'll be busy tomorrow," I mumbled.

He didn't answer, but he didn't need to. I felt his breath, slow and even, exhaling into my hair like a promise. He was still awake, and so was I.

And somehow, just lying in the quiet rhythm of his body, I felt something I hadn't felt in a long time.

Home.

Not a place.

A person.
And his name was Jae.