“Both. I want to be in a position where I can help my loved ones out of trouble.”
My mouth curves up. “You know that will include me?”
“Of course,” she mutters. “Whether this works between us or not, you’re a part of the group. My loyalty has nothing to do with how much I care for a person.”
“That’s comforting to hear,” I admit. Not that I have any doubt a relationship between us will work.
When we finally have one.
Hana’s my opposite in every way, and it’s exactly what I need to keep me grounded.
“How do you imagine your future?” I ask, wanting to know more about her dreams.
“Happy. Surrounded by my family and friends,” she replies. “I can’t wait for the trip to South Korea.”
“For the entire summer break?”
“Yes. I’m looking forward to experiencing my mother’s culture.”
“I hope it will be everything you want it to be.”
“Do you like traveling?” Hana asks as I begin to lead us back toward the car.
“I’ve done my fair share already,” I answer. “I’d like to visit Iceland again.”
“Why Iceland?”
“The landscape is different because of the volcano.” Trying to think of the right words to describe Iceland, I murmur, “It’s as if hell and heaven are constantly at war there.”
“It must be a sight to behold,” she whispers.
“It is.” Just like us.
When we step into the shadow of a tree, hiding us from the lights spread out along the path, I pull Hana to a stop. Letting go of her hand, I slowly move until I’m in front of her.
She takes a deep breath before she lifts her face up.
My hands fist next to my side, itching to touch her. My body aches to feel her skin against mine.
I savor the overwhelming feelings as I hold her gaze.
After a minute, I lift a hand, and it takes a hell of a lot of restraint to lightly brush the tips of my fingers over her jaw and down her neck. Reaching her shoulder, I close my eyes as I memorize the sensual curve under my touch.
I hear her breaths rush over her lips, and it draws me in.
“You may kiss me.”
As if on command, my body reacts. I slam into her full force as my hands frame her face. A startled sound escapes Hana before my mouth crashes against hers. My tongue plunges into her mouth, and the pure taste of her is another shot of adrenaline to my heart.
Holy fuck.
Surprise shoots through me like a flare that’s been launched when Hana grabs hold of the back of my neck. Pushing herself up against my body, her tongue begins to tango with mine.
Tilting my head, I lose control as I devour her. My teeth and lips war to consume her mouth while my tongue brushes hard strokes against hers.
A whimper from Hana gets through the lust overwhelming me, and I instantly pull back.
Breathless, she asks, “Why did you stop?”
With a drugged mind, I shake my head. “You whimpered.” I suck in a breath of much-needed air. “Did I hurt you?”
Hana shakes her head. “No. It was just intense.” She lets out a chuckle. “Which doesn’t surprise me.” She takes a step back from me. “It’s time for me to go home.”
Slowly, I nod once. I take hold of her hand, and as we walk back to the car, it takes more self-control than I thought I possessed to not kiss her again.
Chapter 5
HANA
Waking up, the previous night replays in my mind. It feels like a dream as I remember the intensity.
Stretching under the covers, I smile. I still feel apprehensive, though.
Getting up, I rush through my morning routine before I go to look for Dad. I find him in the kitchen, nursing a cup of coffee while he reads the latest news on a tablet.
“Morning, Daddy,” I say as I press a quick kiss to his cheek.
“Morning, snuggle-bug.” Dad waits for me to get a cup of coffee, and when I sit down at the table, he asks, “How was dinner?”
“Unexpectedly pleasant,” I answer honestly. “Tristan had Chef Anand prepare a meal for us.”
Dad’s eyebrow pops up. “Oh? I thought he retired?”
I shrug, then get right to the point. “I told Tristan I’ll only date when I start at Trinity.” I worry my bottom lip, then ask, “I need to know whether he’s involved in any kind of criminal activity.”
Dad stares at me for a bit before he sets down the tablet. Clearing his throat, his gaze locks on mine. “Not directly.”
Disappointment slithers down my spine. “What does that mean?”
“He has a close friend who’s… involved in illegal activities.”
“Who?”
Dad shakes his head. “It’s better if you don’t know who the man is.”
For now.
I’ll find out eventually.
“So Tristan is legit?” I ask.
Dad nods. “When you start dating, Hana, always be careful. You can come to me with anything.”