Page 41 of Gumiho Kiss
She dipped her head.“Mr.Park, I owe you an apology.Please forgive me for being so disrespectful.I didn’t realize you were highborn.”
“There’s no need to apologize.Like I said, I only used to be one.”The grief in his voice was palpable, calling to her own.
Chin Sun aimed her sword at his chest, but he twisted out of the way and grabbed her outstretched arm, locking her in place.She peered into his eyes—if she wasn’t mistaken, they were wet with tears.
It was the first time she’d seen him so open, so vulnerable.Their faces were close now, close enough that she could fall forward and make it look like an accident.
But she was barely thinking about the mission anymore.She was too focused on the wounded man before her, a man who'd undoubtedly been treated worse than he deserved.
“I ...”Chin Sun swallowed.“I know what it’s like to feel alone, to feel lost.It’s a pain that can eat you up if you let it.The fact that you haven’t says a lot about the kind of man you are.”
“And what kind is that?”
“A brave one.One I’d be honored to call a friend.”She kept her gaze fixed on him, hoping he could see her sincerity.
The way Mr.Park’s eyes widened told her he’d gotten the message, loud and clear.He gave her a small smile.“Thank you, Lady Lee.The honor is all mine.”
Chin Sun smiled in return, unable to look away even if she’d wanted to.
But then he pushed her back with a cough, severing the connection between them.
Chin Sun grimaced.She’d meant to distracthim, not get distracted herself.He was almost in the perfect position.She needed to make the kiss happen now before the moment passed her by.
She swung toward his legs and, just as she’d predicted, Mr.Park swerved to the left, his heel sliding back until it was a hairsbreadth from one of the gnarled roots.He was slightly below her, courtesy of the uneven ground.
He started to move in for another attack, but she rose to her full height, lowering her weapon as though she were tired.“Maybe we should take a break?”
Mr.Park’s lips were tight with disapproval, but he sheathed his blade.“Giving up already?”
She ignored the jab and held out her sword.He reached for it, but then she took another step, her foot hitting the edge of the dirt mound she stood on.
She wobbled forward, free hand latching onto Mr.Park’s hanbok.His lips parted in surprise as she drew nearer, nearer.
But his reflexes were too quick.
Rather than tumbling to the ground, he managed to plant his right foot, one hand wrapping around her back while the other landed just below her ribs.
Chin Sun hissed as pain shot through her abdomen.She glanced down at the spot where his hand rested—right on top of the wound he’d given her the night he’d swallowed her bead.
It wasn’t bleeding anymore—she’d even called Hae Rim back after the fight in the schoolyard to make sure all was well—but she knew her behavior must seem suspicious.Had she just blown her cover?
But Chin Sun’s fear melted away as her gaze locked with Mr.Park’s, something new sparking between them.She was suddenly very aware of how their bodies were pressed together, her hand splayed across his chest while his gingerly held her in place.He, too, stood frozen, watching her with an unreadable expression.
But beneath her hand, his heart thumped erratically.
Seconds passed, or maybe none at all—Chin Sun didn’t know anymore.All she knew was Mr.Park’s nearness, his warm breath on her face, the endless depths of his eyes, the way his touch sent tingles through her skin.
His gaze dropped to her mouth, something smoldering in his dark eyes.Chin Sun’s stomach tightened as he leaned in.Her eyelids fluttered closed.
But then she was standing upright on shaky legs while he hovered two steps away, expression neutral.“You really ought to watch your footing,” he said hoarsely.
Chin Sun’s jaw dropped.Wait, what?She blinked a few times.Had he just?—
When he motioned for her to raise her hwando, she grimaced before she could stop herself.Was he trying to pretend like that hadn’t just happened?
“Mr.Park, I?—”
He swiped forward, forcing Chin Sun to leap to the side to avoid the blow.He raised his eyebrows, then pointed at her weapon again.
