by Nia Arthurs
Two weeks?
Sky could hardly believe it.
Had the time really flown by that fast?
Fourteen days ago, Joon Gi Kim charged into her bakery and promised to change her life.
The guy kept his promises; she’d give him that. Now she set the table for two every day. Now she made sure she didn’t sit on ‘his’ side of the couch. He’d slowly taken ownership over her thoughts as well as her furniture.
Sky refused to call it anything other than friendship.
Not everything had to be romantic. Geez.
“Joon.” She knocked on the door to his room and stifled a yawn with a fisted hand.
No answer.
Scuffing her toe against the tiled hallway, she rattled the doorknob.
Locked.
He sealed himself in every night, without fail. Sky had jokingly asked if he was scared she would try to sneak in and have her way with him, but Joon Gi had just smiled in reply.
She still hadn’t gotten an answer.
“Joon Gi!”
More thuds.
“It’s five o’clock. You should wake—” The door burst open, cutting her sentence short.
A shirtless Joon stood bracketed in the doorway. The hall light blared over his masculine form. His skin was white as alabaster, as smooth as an unopened jaw of leave-in conditioner. Except, of course, for the ridged plane of his abs.
Since he moved in, she’d never allowed herself to think about Joon Gi as a man, but now… the picture of his muscles would forever be implanted in her mind.
Gosh, how many rows are there?
Her exhaustion packed up and sprinted away, leaving Sky slack-jawed and breathless. She heard the ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ somewhere in the background and glanced over her shoulder to check if a choir of angels had descended.
The room was free of the heavenly beings, but she didn’t have to search far to find something just as dazzling to stare at.
Look away!
Sky cleared her throat and dragged her gaze down before Joon Gi saw her tongue lolling out of her mouth like one of those cartoon characters in love. “I didn’t know you were up already.”
“Morning.”
She chanced a peek up and found Joon watching her, a smile flirting with his pink lips. His hair was wet and clumped together, reminiscent of the morning she’d stumbled upon him in Sweet Treats.
“I overslept and I thought…” She shook her head.
“I heard your alarm.” Joon shrugged. “But I figured you’d earned a few extra minutes of rest. You’ve been working hard all week and it doesn’t help that we’ve got ten seasons of that show to catch up on.”
“Right.” She bobbed her head.
Retreat. Now.
She took a hesitant step back. “Okay, well, I should go.”
“Wait.” Joon moved forward. His jeans slid down, riding the line of his hips and exposing the skin just below his waistband. As rugged and pale as the rest of him.
Her heart hammered against her chest.
Gaze skittering up to the ceiling, she swallowed past the lump in her suddenly dry mouth. “What?”
“I’ve been thinking about ways to get Sweet Treats more customers for the lunch rush. Research shows that most Belizeans prefer rice and beans or soup around twelve, but there are a few who don’t have the time—”
“Joon!” Sky dropped her gaze to his chest and then cast it sideways. “Can we talk about this later? I really need to go.”
“Oh sure. Yeah, we can talk later.”
“Thanks.” Sky whirled around and beat it to the bathroom.
The moment she got inside, she drenched her face with water and took deep, calming breaths.
Just friends, huh?
Friends didn’t ogle each other when one was half-dressed.
They definitely didn’t lose their mind because of said exposure.
She had to do something to curb these feelings. Something more effective than avoidance and pep talks. Obviously, her methods of choice weren’t cutting it.
After showering and dressing in a plain T-shirt and jeans, Sky felt a little more in control of her emotions. She headed to the living room and found Joon waiting by the door, his long legs crossed. The sun filtered through his dark hair and gave him an otherworldly glow.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Shut up, heart.
“You ready?” Sky said with far more cheerfulness than was warranted this early in the morning.
“Yeah.” Joon held the door open for her and waited until she locked up.
The sky was pitch black. Not even a sliver of moonlight. The streetlamps guided their way, shedding patches of orange and blue light on the sidewalk. A cool wind blew against her and Sky shivered.
“Here.” Joon took his jacket off and dropped it on her shoulders.
She was immediately embraced by his warmth and his scent. Resisting the urge to bury her nose in the fleece of his jacket, she shook her head and tried to return his clothes. “It’s fine. We’re almost there.”
“Leave it on.” His voice was low and compelling. He rubbed his hands together and faced forward. “I’ve noticed that you’re cold every morning. Even if it’s just a short distance between your house and Sweet Treats, you should dress warmly. In case you get sick.”
She wrapped her arms around herself, moved by his words.
Joon cleared his throat. “What’s the plan for today?”
“Hopefully, we make more money and don’t burn the stuffed jacks.”
He chuckled. “Sounds good.”
Once they were in front of Sweet Treats, Sky stooped to unlock the shutter and Joon Gi easily pushed it open.
She wanted to keep his jacket on for as long as possible, but once they turned the oven on, the kitchen became sweltering and she was forced to take it off.
Jo arrived at six.
“Morning,” Sky said, opening the door.
Joon Gi nodded. “Jo.”
Her friend grunted in reply.
Those two still hadn’t found common ground, but Sky figured Jo just needed more time. Even though she and Joon had clicked quickly, not everyone could see the side of him that she did.
Or maybe you’re just delusional.
Her inner critic had a point. All her ex-boyfriends had one thing in common.
They were all cheating dirt-bags.
Sky had a type. Not a compliment to her. And definitely not a compliment to the men she took a shine for.
Jo squeezed her eyes shut. “How do you do this every morning, Sky? My eyes are killing me. I want my bed.”
“Wake up, sleepy head.” Sky threw her arms around Jo’s shoulders. “A new day awaits.”
Jo moaned pathetically.
Joon Gi checked his watch. “I’ll go change the sign on the door.”
“It’s time to open up already?” Sky glanced at her phone. “Oh, yeah. Thanks.”
He strode away.
She watched him until he turned a corner and when she glanced back, Sky found Jo staring her down. Her cheeks flushed. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Why are you looking at Joon Gi like that?”
Sky started stacking the johnny cakes—wrapped in checkered wax paper—on the trays. “You’re seeing things.”
“My eyes might be small, but they’re working perfectly. You were totally checking out Joon Gi just now. What’s going on? Are you two secretly dating?”
“No!”
“I thought it was weird the way you had him constantly running errands last week and now he’s back in the kitchen every morning.” Jo shook her head. “Where does this guy live that he’s always here so early?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Is it far?”
“I don’t think so...”
Jo caught her guilty expression and latched on like an octopus. “Explain that face.”
“Jo, we have customers.”
She hugged her tighter. “I’m not letting you go until
you spill.”
“Okay! Okay!” Sky shot a fearful look at the door in case Joon Gi was nearby and hissed, “He’s staying with me.”
Jo’s arms dropped in shock.
“It’s just temporary. He got kicked out of his friend’s place.”
A gasp tumbled from Jo’s brown lips. “You did not!”
“It’s not that big a deal.”
“Helping a man while he’s down is one thing, but inviting him into your house?” Jo’s eyes flashed. “You barely know him. It’s been what? A week since you’ve met? Are you crazy?”
“He’s not a bad guy, Jo.”
“That’s your unbiased opinion, right?”
“If you’d just give him a chance—”
“He went to jail!”
“For bribery. Not murder or rape.”
“That doesn’t make it better.”
“He’s just an employee that’s working at Sweet Treats until he can get back on his feet. That’s it.”
“So why is he living at your house then?”
Sky opened her mouth, but she had no excuse. Before she could come up with something, footsteps clamored closer. Her head whipped up. Joon Gi sprinted into the room. His chest heaved as he caught his breath, brown eyes moving to Sky and pinning her in place.
Jo folded her arms over her chest. “What’s the rush?”
“Have we sold out already?” Sky glanced at the extra inventory laid out on the counters. “Should I bring in more johnny cakes?”
“There’s a problem.” Joon grabbed her wrist and tugged her forward. “You need to get out here.”
Before she could ask what was going on, Joon Gi whisked her into the front of the café. Sky saw the usual crowd of customers.
“What’s…?” And then she saw them. A camera crew stood in the middle of Sweet Treats, bulky video equipment perched on the shoulder like black birds on a pirate.
“Hey!” Sky flapped her hands. “I’m the owner here and I didn’t give anyone permission to film.”
The reporter ignored her.
Sky was about to jump over the counter, Madea-style, and teach him a lesson when a voice called her back.
“You’re the owner?”
Sky swung her head around, gaze connecting with a short, wiry man. He had dark brown skin, a closely shaved head and beady eyes that could cut with a single look. The long-sleeved shirt and pressed slacks told her he worked an office job, maybe one of the higher ups.
He didn’t look pleased.
“Can I help you?”
The stranger flashed a badge. She barely got a moment to look at it before he flipped the lid closed and slipped it into his jacket pocket. “I’m Patrick Grayson. Director over at Public Health and Safety.”
Sky slanted her eyebrows. She didn’t care if he was the Prime Minister right now. She just needed an explanation. “Did you bring the cameramen?”
Grayson’s voice was cold, icier than his dark brown eyes. “I’m afraid the cameramen are the least of your concerns.” The inspector lifted a hand and jousted two fingers. A team of men that had blended into the crowd soared past her and headed into the kitchen.
“Hey!” Joon shoved one back.
The rest, unfazed, kept marching.
Sky spun and locked eyes with Joon Gi, panic rising in her chest. “I don’t understand.” She swung back to face Grayson. “What are you doing?”
“Ms. Johnson, we received a tip that your bakery is in violation of the Belize Health Food and Safety Regulations.”
“What?” She gaped.
Grayson tipped his chin up and gestured to his workers. “Search the building.”
Sky heard the sound of their boots punching the concrete, the whir of cameras snapping photos, the gasps of her customers.
In that moment, her entire world crumbled.
19
JOON GI SAW Sky falling in slow motion. He charged toward her, fists pumping at his sides and feet pounding against the orange tiles. Sky’s hair flopped behind her shoulders, knees wobbling from the pressure.
“Sky!” he yelled.
She didn’t hear him.
She just kept falling, falling, falling.
He skidded the rest of the way and caught her in his arms seconds before she stumbled. The jolt she made when she hit his chest shocked the breath out of him. Her eyelashes fluttered up a storm. Brown eyes darkened. With confusion. With pain.
“Are you okay?”
She shook him off and stood on her own feet. “I’m fine. I just got woozy for a second.”
“You didn’t eat this morning or last night.” He lingered close, ready to swoop in again if she was just putting on a front and still hadn’t found her footing.
“We had too much to do.” She waved away his concern, her gaze fanning out around the bakery. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
Joon did a cursory sweep of his surroundings. A few customers stared at the television crew in the middle of the room. Others peeked at the kitchen where the inspector and his team of Men-In-Black wannabes had disappeared. A couple inched toward the exits but kept looking back in indecision. They were probably torn between the possible health hazards in Sky’s kitchen and the addictive taste of her food.
But most… most were streaming through the exits, lost in a haze of fury and disgust.
Joon Gi gritted his teeth. Nice timing Grayson had. Storming in at the peak of Sky’s business.
Why would an inspector barge into a shop so early in the morning? Most government offices hadn’t even opened yet. This show of strength had to mean more than Grayson flexing his arm to prove a point.
Someone was behind this.
The same someone who’d left the anonymous tip?
I’m getting real tired of these damn cowards hiding behind tips.
Instead of giving in to the anger, he focused on damage control. Sky was spiraling and he needed her to get it together so they could tackle this problem.
“Sky, look at me.”
Her gaze remained on the people who were—one by one—giving up on purchasing from Sweet Treats and turning toward the door.
“Sky!”
She spun and glanced up at him. Vulnerability screamed from those deep brown eyes and something in his heart clenched painfully. Spread heat all through his body. Not lust. Something different. Something deeper.
“I need you to focus on me.”
“I-I did something wrong. I must have done something wrong.”
“You’re fine.” He cupped her cheek. His big hand dwarfed her face. Fingers tangled in her curly hair. “Listen, Sky. There are still some customers left. Can you calm them down? Assure them that we’re figuring everything out?”
“Y-yes.” She nodded absently. “I should offer a one-plus-one special or something. To thank them for their loyalty.”
“That’s my girl.” He grinned and ran his hand down her hair. Joon found a competent businesswoman incredibly sexy and the fact that Sky was thinking of wrangling what was left of her customers in this situation made him proud.
“I’ll deal with the cameraman and then we can talk to the inspector together. See what we can find out.”
Sky let out a deep breath. Her fingers twined into the front of his shirt. “Who would have done this?”
“We’ll figure everything out, okay?” He dropped a kiss to the top of her head because it felt right to do so.
Sky didn’t seem to notice. She just kept bobbing her head and taking deep, controlled breaths. Joon studied her upturned face and waited for her to calm before he stepped back.
She dropped her hands.
“You need help with the counter?”
“Jo and I will handle it.” She nodded swiftly.
Joon squeezed her shoulder once and then turned toward the reporter who had the gall to record his disparaging exposé right in the middle of Sky’s store.
It had been a while since he’d punched someone.
This guy definitely deserved a poundi
ng.
The cameraman noticed Joon’s firm stride and pointed to his co-worker. The journalist glanced over his shoulder. At the sight of him, his mike began to tremble.
“Let’s pack this up,” he mumbled under his breath.
“Not so fast.” Joon clamped the cameraman’s shoulder and frowned. “I have a few questions.”
The reporter squirmed. “Article 23 of the Belize Constitution guarantees freedom of the press. We have every right to film here as long as it’s not for commercial purposes.”
“Of course. Of course.” He pasted a smile on his face and drew closer to the camera. “It just seems a little concerning to me that you knew exactly what was going down this morning and came prepared to film.”
“Are you accusing us of something?”
“No of course not.”
The cameraman shirked back when Joon advanced.
Holding a hand up in mock surrender, he assured. “Come on, man. I’m not going to hit you.”
“W-what do you want?” the guy stuttered. His eyes were hidden behind thick, circular glasses.
“I’m here to escort you to the door.”
“We’re not finished yet,” the reporter hissed.
Stubborn, aren’t you?
“I think you’ve recorded enough footage. It’s time to leave.” Joon Gi tipped his chin toward the exits.
“Come on, Tim.” The younger guy tugged on his sunbae’s arm. He obviously respected his superior, but—in this moment—he feared Joon more.
Smart guy.
“Alright, alright.” Tim grumbled.
Joon gestured to the door. “I’ll walk you there.”
“We’re fine.”
“I insist…” As he took his first step toward the exits, Joon Gi stumbled, intentionally bumping shoulders with the kid.
The camera tottered.
The kid lost his grip.
Gravity took the reins.
“No!” Tim yelled.
The kid roared too, their voices colliding in a chorus of panic that drew the eyes of everyone in the café. Both men dove to catch it.
Joon snatched it out of the air first. “Got it.”
“Oh, thank God.”
Tim smacked his partner on the shoulder. “Do you know how expensive that thing is?”
While the two argued, Joon deftly flicked the SD card from the slit in the camera and smoothly offered it back to the cameraman. Expletives burst from the youth’s lips as if the curses had been bottled up inside and had just exploded.
