Chapter 217 - Rescue Arc (14): Conclusion

KJ entered the room, carrying a jug of water. Mirae had just come out of the shower in her t-shirt and a pair of panda printed pajamas, drying her hair with a towel. Her face turned red when her eyes fell on him. 

"You can shower now!" she blurted out, not meeting his gaze. KJ bit back a smile as he kept the jug near on a table. 

"Alright," he said casually, picking up his towel from the closet. He passed by her before pausing to turn back. 

"You look cute in those," he winked. Mirae's face got redder. She was baffled by his boldness. But before she could say anything, he headed into the bathroom. 

Mirae could feel her heart beating rapidly. She was afraid she was about to get a heart attack. 

"Is that how he seduced his fans?" she wondered. "With that smile?" 

She sighed and poured some water into her mug. She was drinking it when KJ came out of the bathroom, which made her choke. He was shirtless.

He was flaunting his muscular physique in front of her. Pretending to casually pick a shirt from his closet, he noticed that she was ogling at him. 

"I can't seem to find my grey t-shirt," he said, pretending to look through his clothes. "Can you help me find it?" 

Mirae gaped at him. "O-okay," she stammered as she approached him. She tried to concentrate on searching for the t-shirt but was aware of how close he was standing to her. His musky cinnamon scent was reaching her nostrils which only made her blush more. 

She finally managed to extract out his shirt and handed it to him. He put it on while Mirae turned away. She headed for the bed and began to talk quickly. 

"I'm feeling well now," she blabbered. "You should sleep on the bed now." 

KJ raised his eyebrows. 

"I'll take the couch," she said, picking up a pillow and blanket but he stopped her. 

"Let's both take the bed," he suggested boldly. Mirae's eyes widened. 

"KJ I will take the couch," she insisted. 

"Fine," he said. "Both of us will sleep on the couch." 

Mirae took a deep breath. He was being shameless. 

"Don't worry," he grinned. "I won't do anything. Because you will be the one to make the first move. I'll just keep trying until you fully accept me." 

"KJ I-" 

"Should get used to my shamelessness," he grinned, putting words into her mouth. "I told you Jung Mirae. I'm gonna win you over. So choose. Bed or couch? Just FYI. The couch is smaller so you'll be plastered to me all night." 

He gave her a devilish smile. Mirae quickly put the pillow back on the bed but took another one to put it in the middle. 

"Don't you dare cross this barrier!" she threatened. Her cheeks were still blushing furiously. 

KJ snickered as he laid down on one side of the bed. "I won't cross the barrier, wifey," he teased her. "I can't say the same for you." 

"I won't!" she insisted. She hesitated but finally, laid down. 

KJ grinned as he felt her lying down. Knowing his wife's sleeping habits, she will kick the barrier away herself. 

…. 

Dasom pulled up in front of Eli's apartment. She was unusually quiet. His jacket was wrapped around her but she was still shivering. 

"He's fine," Dasom reassured her. "KJ texted me. They managed to save him." 

Eli gave him a stony look but did not say anything. Dasom got out of the car and opened the door for her. 

"Let me escort you to your apartment," he said. He held out his hand to help her. She held on to it and let him lead her to the elevator. 

"Which floor?" he asked.

"Five,"she croaked. He pressed the button and they silently rode it all the way to the fifth floor. He followed her to the apartment.

Eli's hands trembled as she struggled to type her passcode. 

"Are you alright?" he asked again but Eli shook her head. 

"No," she sobbed. "I'm not…" 

Dasom frantically tried to console her. He gently coaxed her to go inside. She was still crying when he closed the door behind them. 

It was a small, one room apartment. Just las Dasom thought, Eli's apartment was kept neat and tidy. Her books were organized on shelfs attached to the walls while her kitchen was clean and crisp without a single dirty utensil. He made her sit on the bed. 

"I'll make you some coffee," he said. She sniffed and mumbled, "Thanks." 

He went over to the kitchen cabinet and took out two mugs. Mixing some instant coffee into them, he heated the water in a kettle and poured it into the mugs. He carried them in his hands and gave her a cup. 

He sat down next to her. "Are you still blaming yourself?" he asked. "He's fine. He survived!" 

"If it wasn't for my recklessness, he wouldn't have almost died today," she wept. "What if something had happened to him? I've put the whole team in danger as well. I should've stuck to the plan!" 

"If you had stuck to the plan, then he would have been still a prisoner," Dasom consoled her. "You saved him. That's what matters!" 

"But-" 

"You saved him," Dasom reiterated. "He was rescued because you didn't give up! He'd probanly thank you for helping him." 

"I was useless there," she lamented. 

"You did what you could," he assured her. "He was saved. Crying won't help. Now smile." 

He poked her cheek. Eli gave him a small smile. 

"Thank you," she aaid gratefully. "For helping me down there." 

"Ahh the strict female detective knows how to thank me," he joked. Eli scoffed. 

Dasom pinched her cheek. Eli playfully slapped his hand. 

"Stop it!" she giggled. She tried to retaliate by grabbing his hands but Dasom pinned her wrists. 

"You're slow!" he taunted her and stuck out his tongue. 

"Why you-" 

Eli pushed him but Dasom lost his balance and they fell tumbling on the bed. He fell on top of her. 

Eli was pinned underneath Dasom, looking at him in surprise. There was a lock of stray hair on her face. Dasom gently brushed it off and put it behind her ears. 

She felt her temperature rising. On an impulse, she pulled him close, locking their lips together. Dasom reciprocated the kiss as he held her closer. His hands were traveling all over her body as she squirmed under him. 

Their lips were hungrily exploring each other. She took off his shirt while his hands slid under her shirt, touching her smooth skin. Soon, their clothes were strewn across the floor.