Page 45 of Show Off

When she starts to come down, I gentle my touch. She’s trembling and twitching and making sounds that aren’t words at all. If I didn’t know better, I might think she’s crying. Or is it laughter?

“Dal, oh my God.” She sits up with a shudder, laughter in her eyes as she swipes at one eye. “That was—I don’t even—” She chokes out a laugh that sounds more like a sob. “I can’t form words.”

“You don’t need to.” I kiss her softly, skimming my lips along her jawline. “I’ve got you.”

Lana laughs and seems to regain some composure. “Dal.” She grips my chin in both hands and kisses me deep and hard. It goes on for hours, or maybe just minutes, but I’m breathing hard by the time she draws back. “In the category of things I never thought I’d say, I need to recover from that insane orgasm and stop sitting naked on my parents’ counter before their housekeeper shows up.”

“Good plan.” I kiss her again, wanting her still.

Wondering if I’ve just quenched my thirst or created a craving that won’t ever stop.

* * *

We don’t havesex after that. Not the non-oral kind, though God knows I want to. Only a fierce determination to stay in control held me back.

We’re driving home now, me at the wheel of my Honda, Lana wearing pink sunglasses and humming along to some song on her phone.

“Who is this?” I slow as the Juniper Ridge sign slides into view.

“The band is called Japanese Breakfast.” She laughs and I’m not sure what’s funny. “They’re not Japanese. The lead singer grew up in Oregon, but her mom was Korean and her dad was Jewish-American.” She shrugs and drums her fingers on the dash. “She’s also the bestselling author of a book calledCrying in H-Mart.”

I glance over at her. “The American chain of Asian supermarkets?”

“Yep. Great book.” She watches me pull through the gated entrance to Juniper Ridge. “It’s a memoir about the author’s Korean heritage, plus food and family and grief and?—”

“Do we need to talk about what happened?”

Lana freezes, then flips her sunglasses up. Blue eyes sweep my face without judgment. “Wouldyoulike to talk about what happened?” When I don’t answer, she touches my arm. “Because I thought we could send out wedding invites next week.”

“Very funny.” I nod to the guard as Lana gives him a great big smile and a wave. “I just thought you might want to talk about it.”

“Do you?”

“No.” I clear my throat. “It doesn’t have to mean anything.”

She considers me for a moment. “I can’t decide if you’re being sweet or kind of a dick, but I meant what I said last night.” She unbuckles her seatbelt as I slide into the parking spot next to my cabin. “I understand you don’t want to get involved, and I’m on board with the idea that putting your tongue in my pussy does not constitute getting involved.” My God, the mouth on this girl. “And if you want, we can wipe the whole thing from our collective memory. What happens at the coast stays at the coast.”

“You can do that?” I’m not sure I can, but she’s saying what I thought I wanted to hear.

So why does it sting?

“Of course I can do it.” She turns to drag her pink duffel from the backseat, and I try not to look at her ass. “Can’t you?”

“Sure, yeah.” I rake a hand through my hair. “So it’s settled.”

“Yep!” Lana’s bright smile puts the sunshine to shame. Off to my right, silver light sparks off the pond. I’m conscious of birdsong, of cinnamon wafting from the bakery.

I’m conscious of how much I want Lana all over again. “Look—” I’m not even sure what to say. “I know I said before that I don’t really date influencers. Or PR people. Or?—”

“Dal?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you hear me trying to convince you to date me?”

“No.” That should be relief I’m feeling. Any minute now, it’ll hit. “So I guess that’s it.” I stare at the cabin I share with Ji-Hoon. Is my brother inside waiting? I was gone for one night and already I miss him. “I should probably get ready for dinner rush.”

“Great!” She gets out of the car, bouncy and cheerful as ever.

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