After (Jikook version)

Chapter 47

I rush out the back door and see Jungkook pacing back and forth on the deck. I’m not sure what I can do to help the situation, but I know I would rather be out here with Jungkook than face his family in the dining room after that outburst. I feel responsible for this whole thing anyway, since I agreed to come here when Jungkook didn’t want to. If he started suddenly hanging out with my mother, I know I would feel weird about it. 

Ha, like she would ever let that happen, my subconscious points out. 

As if he heard my thoughts, Jungkook shoots me an annoyed look. When I approach him he turns away from me. 

“Jungkook . . .” 

“No, Jimin, don’t,” he says sharply. “I know you’re going to say that I need to go back in there and apologize to them. But there is no way in hell that is happening, so don’t waste your breath! Why don’t you just go back in there and enjoy your dinner and leave me the hell alone.” 

I take a step closer, but all I can manage to say is “I don’t want to go back in there.”

“Why not? You fit in perfectly with their prudish and boring personalities.” 

Ouch! Why am I here again? Oh, yeah, that’s right: to be Jungkook’s punching bag. 

“You know what? Fine! I will leave—I don’t know why I just can’t stop trying with you!” I shout, but hope they can’t hear me inside. 

“Because you just can’t take a hint, I guess.” As the words leave his mouth, I feel the lump growing in my throat. 

“The hint is well-taken.” I stare at the stone patio and try to swallow the sting from his words, but it’s impossible. When I look up at Jungkook, his cold eyes meet mine. 

“That’s it? That’s your defense?” He laughs and rakes his hands through his hair. 

“You don’t deserve any more of my time. You don’t deserve for me to even speak to you, or those nice people in there to spend their time setting up this dinner to have you ruin it! That’s what you do: ruin things, everything! And I am done being one of those things.” My tears soak my face as Jungkook steps toward me. I back away, my feet tripping on something. Jungkook reaches out to steady me, but I grab hold of a patio chair instead. I don’t want or need his help. 

Looking up, I see that his expression is one of exhaustion. His voice is, too, when he says softly, “You’re right.” 

“I know I am.” I turn away from him. 

Faster than I could have imagined, he snakes his fingers around my wrist and pulls me to his chest. I lean into him without hesitation, wanting to touch him so badly. But I know better: I can hear the warning in the thump of my heart, rapid beneath my chest. I wonder if Jungkook can hear it, too, or feel the pounding of my pulse under his grip. His eyes are full of anger and I know mine mirror his. 

I have no warning before he crashes his lips down on mine, the force of his mouth almost painful. His action is so full of desperation and hunger that I am lost. Lost in Jungkook. Lost in the salty taste of my tears on both our lips, lost in his fingers threaded through my hair. His hands move from my head to my waist and he lifts me onto the railing. My legs part for him and he moves between them, never losing contact with my mouth. We are all heat and gasps, tangled in each other. My teeth graze over his bottom lip, causing him to groan and pull me even closer. 

The back door creaks open, breaking the spell. Turning to look, I am horrified as Jin’s soft eyes meet mine. His face is red, and his eyes wide. I push Jungkook away from me and jump down from the rail, adjusting my shirt as my feet hit the deck.