unrivaled

chapter 9

She soon grew flushed with the rich and rare vintage, smiling and reaching across the table for Jin. He loved to see her like this, relaxed with her guard down, allowing her carefree side to peek out.

They talked through the delicious dinner and with another glass of champagne relaxed into their comfortable rhythm.

Jin was watching her face closely as she was telling a story, using that really for an excuse to stare at her, to openly memorize all the tiny expressions that moved across her face.

He loved to see her brow raise the tiniest bit when she thought he was teasing her. He loved the dimple that only appeared when she was really, genuinely happy. It would sink the slightest indent right next to her lips, making him unable to resist kissing it over and over.

And oh, did he love to watch her eyes darken in passion as he kissed his way down her body.

Jin was losing himself in those thoughts and plans when he saw her face change.

She stopped talking and her whole body seemed to light up, her eyes were shining and that elusive dimple made it's appearance. She was not even aware of the change or that her attention had been completely captured.

Jin knew who she was greeting without even turning around. The realization was like a hard kick to his chest.

"Jimin!" Dae called to him, excited to see her friend. "What are you doing here? You said you had a meeting!" she scolded, reaching to lay her hand on his arm.

Jimin smiled down at her, his eyes sparkling as well.

"I AM in a meeting, but the two of you snuck off for a private celebration it seems," Jimin responded, glancing at Jin.

Dae followed Jimin's glance and slowly removed her hand from his sleeve as she saw Jin's face. Gone was the smile, the sparkle that had been there just moments before.

Dae felt confused and guilty and a jumble of other emotions that the champagne was making difficult to sort through.

A look passed between the men. Apology? Anger? Challenge?

Dae's attention was drawn away from the tension between them by a loud voice calling Jimin's name. She then saw a woman attaching herself to his side, pressing her very large, very fake breasts against him, giving Jin a generous view in the process.

Jimin smiled, his "work" smile as Dae called it, and introduced her as an "actress" he was representing.

Dae had never heard of her, and after watching Jin's eyes flicker across those breasts and then to her ass she had so helpfully turned toward him, she did not care to spend any more time getting to know her.

Jimin quickly took his leave and took his date away to their table, the actress looking over Jimin's shoulder and giving Jin a slow wink.

Dae felt her face flush with anger, but when she looked back at Jin she pasted on her best smile and asked him to order her dessert as she excused herself.

Jin stood as Dae left the table, glad for the few minutes to gather himself. His perfectly planned evening had been derailed, if not ruined. He hated the way Dae always responded to Jimin. He hated how jealous and insecure it made him feel.

He needed Dae to tell him how she was feeling, to show him what he meant to her.

When Dae returned to the table she abruptly asked Jin if they could leave.

"I ordered your favorite dessert," he said, confused over her change in attitude.

"Leave it," she responded," I only want you."

Jin nodded in response, quickly taking care of the bill and taking her hand as they waited for the car.

Jin warmed at the way she leaned into his body. When he looked down at her she was searching his face. He gently cupped her face in his hand and kissed her tenderly, nodding at whatever unspoken question she was asking.

He only wanted her right now. The answers he needed would wait.

Dae had walked past Jimin and his actress on the way to the ladies' room. She felt guilt when she remembered the look on Jin's face. He had taken time to make tonight special.

Washing her hands, she looked at herself in the mirror. Tonight, she needed Jin. She needed to lose herself in him. She wanted to feel him break in her arms, hear him call her name. She had returned to the table and asked Jin to take her home.

She leaned against him in the car, taking his gentle kisses until she felt him growing hungry for her.

They were both flushed messes when they hurried out of the car, chased each other to her front door and tumbled in, breaking from kissing only to whisper words of want and need.