After (Jikook version)

Chapter 66

I remove my clothes and take a quick shower, even though I'm going to get dirty gardening with Karen. Jungkook waits patiently, fiddling through my underwear drawer to keep himself busy. When I'm done, he tells me to pack enough clothes to spend another night with him, which makes me smile. I would spend every night with him if I could.

As we drive back, I ask him, "Do you want to get your car and take it to your dad's?"

"No, I'm okay. As long as you stop swerving all over the road."

"Excuse me? I am an excellent driver," I say defensively.

He snorts but keeps his mouth shut. "So what made you decide to get a car, anyway?"

"Well, I got the internship, and I didn't want to keep taking the bus or depending on other people to take me places."

He looks out the window. "Oh . . . did you go alone?"

"Yeah . . . why?"

"Just wondering," he lies.

"I was alone; that was a bad day for me," I say and he flinches.

"How many times did you and Namjoon hang out?" he asks.

Why is he bringing this up now? "Twice: we went to dinner and a movie, then the bonfire. It wasn't anything for you to worry about."

"He only kissed you once?"

Ugh. "Yes, only once. Well, besides the time that . . . you saw. Now can we move on from this? You don't see me asking about Molly, do you?" I snap.

"Okay . . . okay. Let's not fight. This is the longest we have ever gotten along, so let's not ruin it," he says and reaches for my hand. His thumb rubs small circles on my skin.

"Okay," I say, still slightly annoyed. The image of Molly on his lap makes my vision blur.

"Aww, come on, Minnie. Don't pout." He laughs and pokes my side.

I can't help but let out a giggle. "Don't distract me! I'm driving!"

"This is probably the only time you'll ever tell me not to touch you."

"Not likely-don't be so full of yourself."

Our laughter blends together and it's a lovely sound. He brings his hand to my thigh and rubs his long fingers up and down.

"You sure?" his raspy voice whispers and my skin tingles. My body responds to him so quickly, my pulse drumming heavily. I gulp and nod, causing him to sigh and pull his hand away. "I know that's not true . . . but I'd rather not have you driving off the road, so I'll just have to finger you later."

I swat at him, blushing. "Jungkook!"

"Sorry, baby." He smiles, raising his hands in mock innocence and looking out the window. I love when he calls me baby; no one has called me that before. Seulgi and I had always thought that the ridiculous pet names people called each other were too juvenile for us, but when Jungkook calls me something, my blood sings in my veins.

When we get back to his father's house, Ken and Karen are in the backyard waiting for us. Ken looks out of his element in jeans and a WSU T-shirt. I've never seen him dressed so casually, and in fact he looks a little like Jungkook this way. They greet us with a smile that Jungkook tries to return, but he looks uncomfortable as he shifts on his heels and buries his hands in his pockets.

"Ready when you are," Ken says to Jungkook. He looks just as uncomfortable as Jungkook, though he's more nervous, whereas Jungkook seems apprehensive.