Taehyung's pov

Jungkook walks by my side in silence, keen eyes taking in the beach and the boardwalk. It's not a long walk from the cottage to my parents' house on the other end of Ocean Drive, and I know it's not what he's there for, but I want to show him Paradise Seaside.

"So," I say finally. "What's the verdict?"

He glances up at me with intelligent eyes, tucking long hair behind an ear. "On what?"

"This place," I suggest, "or my brother. Take your pick."

"You know that's an impossible question."

"Is it?"

"Yes. You're fishing for compliments, I can tell. And if I refuse, I'm rude, but if I give in, you won't know if they're genuine."

I snort. "Maybe I'm just making conversation."

"Mhm. In that case, we can talk about all kinds of things." He turns and walks backward, ahead of me, his shoes in one hand. I've slipped off my own as well, and the sand is warm under my feet.

The summer air has gone to my head, because here with him, it's easy to imagine a different reality. One where he's actually mine-where we walk on the beach most days.

"What things?" I ask.

"You want me to pick a conversation topic? That can be dangerous."

I snort again. "I'm well aware. Maybe we could have a mature discussion about our mutual attraction."

He pretends to consider that for a bit. "Maybe not. Maybe we can talk about you."

"Again? You're turning me into a narcissist."

"You own a firm with your last name in the title. I'd say that ship has pretty much sailed."

"That's an excellent topic," I say. "Ships."

He shakes his head, but his eyes are amused. "That's not what I meant."

"No, but it's what we should talk about. My family sails a lot, and we have a sailing boat here."

"Of course you do," he says, rolling his eyes. "What's next? You're related to the Jack Sparrow?"

I wave a hand. "Second cousins, but that's not important. Let's go sailing this weekend. I'll take you out. Have you ever been?"

His eyes widen. "You can't be serious."

"I am. Let me take you sailing."

"No, Taehyung-sshi, about the jack thing."

"That was a joke,

He returns to my side. "You want to go sailing?"

"It's summer. Why not?" And, I think, because it gives me more time with you. Time with him away from the strict confines of the office, where the title of assistant and boss don't hang around our necks like blaring neon signs.

"I've never been sailing."

"I'll teach you," I say. I'll never tire of it-the wind against my skin, the feeling of rope running painfully through my hands. It's been too long.

Jungkook bites his full lip, reminding me of how sweet he tastes, and I have to look away before I lose yet another point in our imaginary game. "It'll take us away from the project," he says.

"For a few hours, yes. But I think both of us work hard enough to deserve a weekend with a bit of fun mixed in."

He shakes his head, his glossy mass of hair shimmering in the sun. "Who are you, and what have you done with Kim Taehyung?"

I smile at that and don't reply, mostly because there's nothing to say. With him, I feel more like myself than I have for a long while, and I don't want to let that slip out of my fingers.

When we're nearly at my parents' house, we stop to put our shoes back on, and Jungkook leans against me to steady himself. The small touch makes me irrationally happy. His wit, his intelligence, his beauty-everything is intoxicating. He's a man who gives as good as he gets in every interaction.

He looks up at me with an apologetic smile. "I'm going to get all the names mixed up. I always do. It's my one flaw."

"Your one flaw, huh?"

"Yes, and it would be very ungentlemanlike of you to point out any others."

"I would never," I say. "Jin hyung is the only princess, and you've already met him, so I'm sure you'll remember his name. When in doubt, just remember that it's hyung."

"Idiot."

"And I'm Taehyung," I say solemnly. "T-a-e-h-y-u-n-g."

"No, you're a complete asshole," he says, his grin widening. "Why haven't I realized it before?"

"I try very hard to keep it hidden."

"Try harder," he says.

Something inside me aches happily at his teasing and the clear ease in his voice. I take his hand in mine, leading him across the lawn toward my parents' house. It's large, Victorian, three stories and blue shutters. The picture of imposing Paradise Shores.

"This is where you grew up?"

"Yes," I say. "So, Yeonjun is the brooding brother, Eunwoo is the laughing, nice one. It's impossible for you to mix them up."

He nods. "Right. So Eunwoo is the adopted one?"

I can't help it-I laugh. It's the kind of joke my brothers would love, and he hasn't even met them yet. "Yeah, you could say that, though not to my parents' face."

"I would never."

Another voice calls in the distance. "Taehyung? Is that you, laughing?"

"Yes!"

There's a faint whoop and then my brother's voice rings out again. "I haven't heard that since 2007!"

"Very funny. They're exaggerating," I tell Jungkook.

He nods, eyes teasing. "I know. You're a clown in the office."

I want to tease him back, but we're already at the porch, and there's no more time. A flurry of introductions and hugs and handshakes ensue.

"This is Jungkook," I say, and he shoots them all a big smile.

"It's really nice to meet you all."

My youngest brother Eunwoo shakes his hand immediately, and something in me eases. He can talk to a wall, and there's no one who'll be kinder to him.

Jungkook's hand slips out of mine as my mom hugs me for a long few seconds.

"You look good," she tells me.

"Thank you."

"Yeonjun." My second brother shoots me a wry grin and pulls me into a half-hug. He's gotten tan and his hair has grown long too. Spending months of the year traveling as a photographer apparently does that to you.

"Get a haircut," I tell him. "Think of the wedding pictures, man."

He gives me a level look. "It's artfully disheveled. It's a look."

I keep a hand on his shoulder and nod hello to my youngest brother.

"Eunwoo."

"Good to see you, hyung."

"Likewise."

"Where have you been hiding this one?" He smiles at Jungkook, and he laughs.

"Is Jin hyung already here?"

"Yes, he's making cocktails with Joon hyung. Would you each like one?"

"Yes, please." Jungkook shoots his winning smile at my mother-the megawatt one, the one that could melt ice-and the effect it has on my mother is immediate. She smiles back.

"I'm so happy you're here, dear," she says. "Come on up, let's show you around. And Taehyung, your father is by the grill."

Something in me tightens at her words, at the look in her eyes. No doubt she's heard about our argument. Dad hasn't called or emailed me since I turned down the project in Chicago. I knew he'd be angry, but I hope he has the wherewithal to not take it out on hyung's wedding weekend.

Dad barely says hi to us, his back turned, focusing on the lobster tails on the grill like he has to make sure they stay put. The rest of us drink juice and wine with the setting sun, out on the porch, the soft sound of waves crashing below.

Jungkook takes the seat next to me around the table. "This house is beautiful, Mrs. Kim. Absolutely stunning."

"Oh, it's nothing," Mom says, but she's loving it. She's always been a sucker for flattery. "I'll give you a tour after dinner."

My family is the picture of politeness, but it's clear that they're curious. It's been a long, long time since I've introduced them to anyone, and Eunwoo and Yeonjun are both currently single. My hyung's fiancé is sitting opposite Jungkook, occasionally shooting him bemused looks. "Don't worry," he tells him once, as the table devolves into a debate about the new construction project next to the marina. "They're always like this. You'll get used to it after a while."

Jungkook smiles. "I don't mind at all. I'm an architect too, actually. We could talk about developments all day."

My father has barely spoken all dinner, but he immediately perks up. "You're an architect?"

The table quiets, as it so often does when he deigns to speak.

"Yes," Jungkook says, his broad smile still intact. "It's what Taehyung and I first had in common. And I understand building runs in the family?"

He's being charming and kind. If my father throws this back in his face somehow...

"Why did you choose architecture?"

It's a simple enough question, but there's nothing simple about him. He'll inevitably find some way to spin his answer back around to critique, if not about Jungkook, then about me.

"I love it. Building structures that last, the shape and the forms. It's art that we inhabit, functionality and beauty combined. It's been with us since we constructed the first huts." Jungkook's voice is earnest. "It's man's attempt to tame the world into shapes, into recognizable forms, to make structures that last. There was never anything else I wanted to study."

There's no mistaking the clear passion in his voice. Under the table, I reach for his hand, and it slides into mine without hesitation. He means every word he says, but he's also set up a situation where it can't be turned against him without making my father sound like a philistine.

"That's beautifully put," Jin hyung says.

Dad looks unmoved. "So you're the new influence, huh?"

"Pardon?"

"Did you know about his trip to Chicago last week?"

I shake my head. "Dad, stop. We're not discussing this."

But he doesn't stop, and neither does Jungkook. I can see the exact moment it clicks in his eyes-that my friend who offered the firm the contract is my dad.

Something flares in them, the same kind of competitive anger I've seen so many times before, and I know it's not Jungkook I need to protect. It's my father.

He gives a slow nod. "I knew about his trip, yes."

Dad slides his eyes from him to me, narrowing them into slits. "So your decision wasn't even your own?"

"Yes, it was, and I still stand by it. But we can talk shop after dinner."

"So you can insult me again?" He puts his wineglass down hard, the glass rattling, and the temperature around the table drops noticeably. Fuck. This was exactly what I hoped wouldn't happen. My mother's gaze flicks from me to my father, and my brothers are both gearing up for a fight.

This needs to be diffused.

"I gave you my honest opinion on the project, Appa. It wasn't meant to be an insult, and it's unfortunate that you chose to take it as one."

His gaze zeroes in on Jungkook. "Did you think it was immoral too? That was the word he used. Immoral."

If looks could kill, my dad would be dead from the one my mother shoots him. "Min-ho! Behave!"

I put my hand flat down on the table. "Dad, let this be the last we talk of it. Stop embarrassing yourself."

"It's a simple question," he says, clearly unbothered by our demands.

Jungkook leans back in his chair and slips his hand out of mine, crossing his arms over his chest. "I don't know the specifics, but I didn't think it seemed like a good project, no. Your son is an expert at these things. I've seen the way his employees idolize him, even if they're scared out of their minds of him, too. I trust his opinion. If he said it was immoral, then I'm sure it was."

Dad's eyes widen, and then he breaks into a surprised chuckle. "I understand why you brought this one home, Taehyung. Damn. Do you know he doesn't own his firm? He has a co-partner."

His voice is challenging, like he wants to provoke Jungkook again, but it still cuts. I know he thinks I should be further in my career by now-he runs me harder than any of my siblings. Always has.

"Come on, Appa, you're being wildly unfair," Jin hyung protests. "Tae is the most successful of all of us!"

"Yes, and don't I know it." He shoots him a pointed look that makes Namjoon bristle, before returning to Jungkook. "So? What do you think?"

"Well, sir, as you've pulled no punches here tonight, I'll do the same." He puts down his napkin and smooths his hand over it, like he's preparing for battle. "I think it was an exceptionally smart move. Together with Ryu Rita, Taehyung can attribute double the number of prestige projects to his name. They can pull in more funding as a firm, not to mention Rita focuses on different kinds of projects. They strengthen one another. I've been told you're a very successful developer, but so far, I haven't seen any of that business savvy in your comments tonight. If you'd like to really learn more about your son's business, you should come to Seoul. That is if he'll have you, after your rudeness. And that, sir, is what I really think."

I'm in shock.

There was not an ounce of pretension in his voice; it was ringing with sincerity. Is that how he sees me?

The table is quiet, including my dad, who is just staring at him. Jungkook smiles sweetly and picks up his wineglass. "The meal is excellent, Mrs. Kim. Thank you for inviting me."

My mom swallows. "There's sherry in the sauce. That's the secret."

"I'll have to try that."

Dad is drumming his fingers along the edge of the table, for all the world the picture of ease again. His linen shirt is open at the top, his thick hair the same as his sons', but gray now.

I meet his gaze with my own and dare him to say anything insulting back. He's been rude enough already to Jungkook, but if he decides to really lay into it...

He doesn't.

"Well," he says finally. "Welcome to Paradise Seaside, Jungkook."

The table releases a collective sigh of relief-that the tension is over, that I'm not about to storm off, that Dad isn't going to retreat to his study, that this won't become another battle.

Under the table, I find his hand again, this time just for a light squeeze. Thank you. Jungkook smiles down at his plate and squeezes right back.

After dinner, my hyung insists on showing Jungkook around the house, and I follow dutifully, watching as all kinds of things are pointed out.

"Here is our dog, we used to have one... Atlas. And this is Taehyung, winning the Paradise Shores Junior Sailing Regatta." They stop at a picture of me, gawky and gangly, lifting a much-too-heavy trophy in the air.

Jungkook grins. "Why am I not surprised you won?"

"Because I win everything."

Jin hyung rolls our eyes at me and keeps going, walking through the hallway between the dining and living rooms. "Not everything, Taehyung. I can beat you in Monopoly."

I nod, but when he turns around, I shake my head at Jungkook. "I let him win," I mouth.

We stop at the bookshelves with our diplomas. Three identical ones from Seoul International University. Kim Taehyung, School of Architecture. Kim Eunwoo, School of Management. Kim Seokjin, School of Art.

There is none for Yeonjun, but Jungkook doesn't comment. He just leans in closer and reads the fine print on mine. "You weren't valedictorian? I'm disappointed."

I shake my head at him and follow them through my childhood home, through the nooks and crannies, listening to them talk. Despite the outburst at dinner, there's something at peace inside me, watching Jungkook with my brother. I want them to like each other. I want Jungkook to like this place.

I want him to like me.

"Come on," I say finally. "Let's grab a last drink. I think Eunwoo was talking about cards."

Jin threads his arm through Jungkook's. "Tae's just feeling left out. Has he filled you in about tomorrow night already?"

"No, he has not." Jungkook wiggles his eyebrows at me. "What's happening?"

"Well, it's not really a traditional bachelor and bachelor party, but Joonie and I are splitting up. These hunks will go do something-I don't want to know what-and us pretty boys will be at mine in the evening. Do you want to come?"

"I'd be happy to. Thanks for inviting me."

My parents have already called it a night, but the rest of us gather around for a few rounds of rummy for old times' sake.

Namjoon pulls Jin onto his lap and ignores Eunwoo's and Yeon's grumbles.

"Come on, I'm marrying him on Saturday. Cut us some slack."

My hyung puts a hand on his cheek, laughing. "They're overjoyed that you're joining the family, don't you worry."

It's such a public display of affection-not one they usually indulge in-but I can't fault them. Jin and Namjoon have been in love for years and years, and it's only recently that they've gotten the happy ending they deserve.

But as Jungkook sits down opposite me, my hands twitch to do the same: to have him next to me, near me. It's a dangerous impulse. He's as deliciously competitive with my family as he is with me. I watch as he beats Eunwoo soundly.

"A very low bar to clear," Yeon says dryly, and we all laugh. When it's like this, all of us together... I wonder why I'm not home more often.

We play until our drinks run low, until the night starts are blinking clearly, setting the ocean ablaze. Jungkook is a natural. He fits right in, laughing and joking, and I'm the one who has to call it a night.

"All right, all right," I say. "We're heading out. Jin hyung-get some sleep."

"Some beauty sleep," Eunwoo interjects. "Think about your upcoming nuptials."

Namjoon slaps a hand on Eunwoo's shoulders. "Don't encourage him woo. I don't think I could stand it if he got more beautiful."

We all groan at the cheesy compliment, and Yeon frowns at him. "Lowhanging fruit. You already got your ring on his finger."

Jin slips his arm through Namjoon's. "Flattery is always welcome, so shush. Thanks for coming, Jungkook. I'm sorry that they're behaving so badly."

Jungkook doesn't seem to agree at all, though. He is a living flame next to me, our fingers interlaced, his smile broad and true. "Not at all. I've had a fantastic time. Would have been better if I'd have won that last round, though."

Yeon shoots him a smile. "I couldn't let that happen, not even for my big brother's boyfriend. I'm sorry."

"Apology accepted. I'll win next time, though."

"Looking forward to seeing you try."

I shake my head at their trash talk. "We'll see you all tomorrow."

The door shuts behind us and we're alone in the warm night air. Jungkook is still holding on to my hand, his skin warm and soft against mine, his fingers slender. I don't want to let him go.

"Come on," he says. "Let's walk along the beach back."

"You sure? There are no lights."

His smile is still wide, and a little wild. "Scared, Kim?"

It's such a juvenile thing to say that I laugh. "No. I have the home field advantage here, in case you'd forgotten."

"Oh, I definitely haven't. God, your family is huge."

"Yeah, we're a lot of people. Careful there." I steady him as we walk across the edge of our property, around the little driftwood fence Yeon and I built many years ago, and onto the public boardwalk.

"And you're so beloved," he says with a sigh, our hands swinging lightly between us.

The word strikes me like a shot. "What do you mean?"

"Taehyung, everyone hangs on to your every word. Your younger brothers look up to you, your hyung adores you, and your mom dotes on you."

It's good it's dark, or the blush he'd joked about earlier would be blooming on my cheeks. Damn it, how did he manage to disarm me like this?

"I'm sorry about dinner," I say. "I didn't know my dad would ambush you like that."

"You never told me he was the silent partner in the Chicago project."

I sigh. "It didn't seem important at the time. The project was still bad."

"Is it okay, what I said? I wasn't too harsh?"

"Too harsh? Jungkook, you were fucking excellent in there. I'm sorry, but... no, you weren't too harsh." Not at all. Nobody had ever stood up for me the way he did.

"Is he always like that? Such a hard-ass?"

"Pretty much, yeah."

He shakes his head, dark silk flying. "That feels like such a crime. I mean,look at you! What parent wouldn't be proud? If that's the metric being used, then no parent could ever be proud of their child unless they were the first man on the moon or something."

I'm smiling, listening to him go on. His tongue is definitely looser with drink, but then again, so is mine. With the starlit sky above us and the soft waves against the shore, I feel more at home in Paradise seaside than I ever have before.

"You're defending me. Again."

He looks up at me in surprise. "I suppose so, yes. Not that you need defending. But... I just don't get it!"

"It was sweet of you," I say. "Back then, and now, right here."

"Well, that's why you brought me, right? Moral support, arm candy, and business partner, all rolled into one." His voice is amused, but at his words, I feel none. He's right, and maybe his words were only part of an act, but somehow... it had felt real.

"You're awfully free-spoken tonight."

"Should I not be?" He looks up at me, eyes luminous in the moonlight. "Are we being serious now, or playful? I never can tell when we decide to switch, you know."

"You can't? I'm trying to keep up with you, most of the time."

He laughs, and the sound sends delicious shivers across my skin. I want to make him do it again. "You obviously don't see yourself very clearly."

"I think the same could be said for you sometimes," I say, thinking about him offhand comments about just being an assistant.

"Let's play a game," he says, voice dropping a few octaves. It's the same voice he used when he challenged me to the contract.

"You already know I'll win."

He shakes his head. "If played right, we both win."

"I'm listening."

"Get-to-know-Taehyung."

I groan, and I'm rewarded with another one of his laughs. "It's all we've been playing, Jungkook. I'm all played out."

"Tell me about your last relationship."

"I think you're a little bit drunk."

Jungkook rolls his eyes at me. "Are you avoiding the question?"

"My last relationship was with Aerum, who you've already met, in spectacular fashion."

Jungkook wrinkles his nose. "Hmm. Walking perfection, that's what she was."

"As much as she'd like to think that, she's definitely not perfect. Are you okay?" He's started to tilt, slightly, and I reach out to steady him. His skin is warm under my hands.

"Yes."

It's wrong to exploit this opportunity-and I'm sure I'll pay for it later-but I can't stop myself from asking him the same thing.

"Now tell me about your last relationship."

He tuts. "That's a different game

"We can't play get-to-know-Jungkook? That strikes me as cruelly unfair."

"There's not much to know."

He still has his hand in mine, and I can't stop myself from gripping it tighter. "That's untrue. You don't even believe that yourself."

"Fine." He takes a few steps forward, his hand slipping out of mine again, and walks backwards in front of me. The moonlight illuminates his hair, a dark halo around him, and it strikes me-not for the first time-how much person he fits into his buff yet feminine stature.

"I dated a guy called Dong-wook for a few years. He was a classic Wall Street type guy."

I groan. "No."

"Yes, and I don't want to get any grief about that. It's in the past." He holds up a finger, as if disciplining a dog, and I nod obediently. If there's one thing more amusing than Jungkook himself, it's Jungkook intoxicated.

"Go on."

"He was so dreamy. I thought so, and my friends thought so too. We were going to get married in this marvelous restaurant Westin Chosun, you know."

That sounds serious. "You were engaged?"

"No, God no. But these were discussions, you see. Discussions we had about our future. But eventually, those discussions turned to arguments, and our relationship into a nothing-ship."

"When was this?"

"Our breakup? Nearly two years ago. I don't miss him anymore. Do you miss Aerum?"

"Not at all," I say, "but let's stay on topic. Why did your ideas about the future diverge?"

He throws his hands up, his face still split in a smile. "See? This is why I don't like playing get-to-know-Jungkook with you. You're too... observant. Too much Taehyung. You'll see straight through the cracks, and get all the details, try as I might to hide them."

He's speaking lightly, but it's revealing far more of him than I think he would have wanted sober.

"Jungkook, you can tell me anything."

"Right," he nods. "Anything, because we're such good friends, right?"

He's being facetious, but I answer him straight-faced. "Yeah, we are."

In the distance, the lighthouse revolves, a flash of light momentarily illuminating the shoreline before disappearing out to sea again. He reaches for my hand again, despite the lack of an audience. I take it firmly in mine and wonder if my skin burns his like his does mine.

"Okay, I'll tell you," he says. "He didn't like my ambition. He did in the beginning, of course. It was a turn-on then. But as time went by, it became more and more of an issue. I was supposed to sacrifice for him-and I did, skipping afterwork socials to be with him-but he never once cut down on his hours. He worked straight through my twenty-third birthday party, because he wanted to trade on the Japanese stock market."

"Wow."

"And when he admitted that he didn't like my goals, or that he wanted a more traditional lifestyle like he grew up with, with a husband who stayed at home... well, my ambition wasn't so sexy then. So I broke up with him."

His tone is flippant, but his words are not. The experience must have hurt him deep. Having someone reject such an essential part of you... I would have reacted just like he did.

"He was a coward, and an asshole."

He gives me a wry smile, and I decide that I like these ones the best, not his winning, megawatt ones.

"Yes, you could definitely say that."

He leads me up through the shrubbery, onto the boardwalk, as if he knows this town by heart already. We're nearly at my hyung's cottage, so his sense of direction is spectacular. I open my mouth to tell him that when he derails me entirely.

"Your mother was a stay-at-home mom."

I close my mouth in surprise. "Yes. Yes, she was."

"Do you expect your wife to make the same choice?"

Ah. I get it, and something in me grows both warm and cold from the question.

"No, I don't. Any wife or husband of mine could decide for her/himself what he wanted to be. But if you're asking what I like, I like women/men with career ambitions."

"Do you find it sexy, too?"

He's half-joking, but I pull him closer regardless, wrapping my arm around his waist. "Very, very sexy. But I also find it inspiring, and I'd be supportive."

"Mmm." His body is warm against mine, the skin at his waist soft beneath his thin shirt, and I know that lines are going to be crossed this weekend. How could they not be?

I unlock the front door and we walk into the cottage, still hand in hand. I've never been a handholding kind of guy, but with Jungkook, I don't want to let go.

He pulls me to the little hallway in between the two bedrooms and we lean against the wall. He blinks slowly, long eyelashes lowering over beautiful eyes, before he looks up at me bashfully. I can't help the impulse-I reach out and run a strand of his dark, silken hair through my fingers.

"Are you trying to seduce me, Jungkook?"

"Maybe," he says. "Is it working?"

I run my hand down his cheek, down his neck, to where his pulse is beating fast. "You seduce me daily, simply by being you."

His breath catches as my fingers trail across his collarbone. I move the collar out of the way, his skin a map I can't wait to explore.

"Who taught you to speak like that?" he asks, his voice a bit unsteady.

"Is it working?"

He sways closer. "Yes."

I should walk away, but self-discipline has never been my strong suit with Jungkook.

I tip his head back, his breath ghosting across my lips, and my entire body tightens in response. Need, sharp and clear, is like a stab in my lower stomach.

Our kiss isn't careful. It's like things have always been between us-a little fast, a little hard. I deepen it, tasting him, and Jungkook moans. The sound makes my mind go blank. It feels like I'm unraveling, layer by layer, undone by this beautiful man with sharp words and kind eyes.

He pulls away, his eyes shining. "I'm feeling a bit reckless."

"Clearly," I murmur, my lips against his jaw. His hands trail up my shoulders, tugging at my hair, and I have to fight against the fierce need inside me.

"Let's do something we'll both regret, Taehyung."

I close my eyes against his temple and force myself to take a few deep, calming breaths. God, but I want to. Every cell in my body is screaming at me to take what he's offering, to follow him into the master bedroom and see just how well we fit together. But his words make that impossible. When I take him to bed, I never want him to regret it.

His lips are soft when I kiss him. "Not tonight."

"You're too moral for your own good."

"That's definitely the first time I've heard that." I smooth his hair back behind his ear, his eyes dazed and beautiful. I've never wanted anyone like I want him in this moment. "Good night, Jungkook. I'll see you tomorrow."

He kisses my cheek. "Sleep well."

"I doubt that," I say, glancing downwards, and he laughs a little. "But I'll try."

The bedroom door shuts behind him, and I put my head in my hands, trying to still the roaring desire still pounding through me. His words ring in my head.

Regret.

I don't want him to regret anything from this weekend. And despite how tricky it will be, I want us to figure out a solution to our boss-assistant predicament.

Because despite what we'd both agreed to, tonight hadn't felt like we were acting. Not in the slightest.

-

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To be continued............

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