Butterfly

11. The Apartment

I let out a breath, lifting the laundry basket, heading up the basement stairs. The light outside blinds me momentarily, and I hurry into the stairwell, the air conditioning a relief. Making my way to the apartment, I balance the basket on one hip as I unlock the door, heading inside.

"Y/n?"

Sandra appears from the kitchen. I startle. "I didn't realize you were home."

She nods, her face bright. "Uhm, do you mind if I go out for dinner?"

"Out?" I squint at her, locking the door behind me. "Are we talking coworkers?"

"Well...no."

I set down the laundry basket, grinning. "Who?"

"He's a guy I met when I was helping deliver water to the hospital the other day. A doctor."

I grin at her. "He asked you out?"

She nods, her eyes bright, excited, and I notice how pretty she looks, the ends of her hair curled slightly, her makeup light but beautiful. "I know it's weird, but I really feel like this could work out. We've been talking a couple of days and he wanted to meet for dinner."

"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine."

She hesitates, looking slightly guilty. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, it's perfectly fine. Have fun."

Sandra grins happily. "Thanks, Y/n. There's leftovers in the fridge, or you can order in if you want. I don't know when I'll be back, but probably pretty late."

"He better bring you back here."

Sandra laughs. "He's a doctor. No way would he not, on the first date."

"Have fun." She hugs me and heads out the door, leaving behind her jasmine-scented perfume. I pick up the laundry basket again, heading to my room, pulling out clothing to fold.

I tilt my head at one shirt, larger than my others, then realize it's not mine - it's the one I wore when Jimin took my stuff out of the dryer. I smile a little, smoothing the fabric with my fingers. I should give it back to him.

I head out the front door, closing it behind me, tapping gently on his door. It opens almost instantly, and Jimin blinks at me, his hair wet, a towel around his neck.

Of course he's shirtless. Why wouldn't he be.

I tear my eyes from his bare chest, bringing them to his smirk. "I brought your shirt."

"Shirt?"

I hold it up.

"Ah. Here, come in." Jimin pushes the door open further, walking back into the apartment. I hesitate, unsure, and Jimin turns, smirking slightly. "I'm not going to jump you or anything."

I roll my eyes, walking into the apartment, shutting the door behind me, giving him a slightly defiant look. "I know."

He chuckles, leaning forward, and I take a step back. Jimin's eyebrows raise and he grins slightly, stepping forward again. I take a step back, feeling my back hit the door.

"What?" Jimin speaks lightly, his voice low, his eyes on mine as a smirk pulls at the corners of his lips. "I'm just getting my shirt."

I swallow, nervous, and I hold out the shirt in front of me. "Here. I should go, Sandra's not home."

"If she's not home, why do you have to go?" He steps forward, his eyes on mine, and my mouth goes dry as his hand brushes my hair off my shoulder.

I inhale shakily as he leans forward, and I can't breathe as he angles his head slightly, almost as if...he's going to kiss me.

I close my eyes, shaky, waiting for the pressure of his lips on mine, and I can feel his breath on my cheek, yet his lips don't touch mine. I open my eyes slowly and he's so close, centimeters away, his eyes closed, his breathing slightly shaky as well despite the smirk I can see pulling at the corners of his lips.

"You know..." He breathes the words, so close, and his eyes open, deep brown, flecked with gold and honey, darkly lashed. I stare at him, unable to breathe, unable to speak.

"I almost want to kiss you."

I let out a breath I didn't even realize I was holding, watching his lips curl up into their familiar smirk, feeling his hand come to rest on my waist, running up my side.

"Do it." I whisper the words, my eyes on his, almost a challenge, and he chuckles lightly, his hand trailing slowly up my side, making me inhale slightly, my skin burning.

"You don't want me to." He states it simply, straightforward, and leaning forward as if to press his lips to mine, moves so instead his forehead rests on my shoulder, and his other hand comes up to grasp my waist, his lips pressing into my shoulder, burning me even through the thin fabric of my top. My hands move to grip his shoulder blades, run over his bare back as I let out a shaky breath, the feeling of his lips on my skin sending shivers down my spine.

"I do," I breathe, letting out a soft sound as he kisses my collarbone, trailing along it, pressing a kiss to the hollow of my throat, his tongue running over the skin, and I press closer to him, feeling him chuckle against my skin.

Jimin kisses up my neck, slower, sucking gently at the skin, and I breathe his name, tilting my neck so he can better access the skin, my whole body just wanting him, his touch, his kisses, the tingly feeling as his hand runs over my side again.

"Well then, babygirl," he breathes it against the skin of my neck, his voice slightly gravelly from all the cigarettes he smokes. Smoked. "You really want that kiss, I'll see you on the roof tonight."

He presses another kiss, his tongue running over my skin, to the base of my throat and I let out a soft sound, my eyes closed, my fingers moving to tangle in his still-wet hair. He smirks against my skin, pulling away, and I don't open my eyes, trying to steady my breathing, my heart beating out of my chest.

"Why won't you kiss me now?"

Jimin chuckles, his voice low, and he runs his fingers through my hair. "Because, babygirl, I'm already shirtless and it would be only too easy to keep going."

My eyes open and I widen them slightly at him, flushing. He smirks at me, moving so I'm no longer pressed against the door. "Don't act innocent now."

"Park Jimin, you are horrible."

He chuckles lightly, opening the door, taking the shirt from my hands. "I'll see you tonight."

I step outside. "What makes you so sure I'm coming?"

Jimin flashes me a grin. "Your sister is out, I just had you pressed against the door of my apartment, and..." He raises an eyebrow, making his voice breathier, softer, imitating me. " 'Why won't you kiss me now?' "

I glare at him and he just chuckles lightly, closing the door.

"See you later."