The white-capped waves of the Caribbean Sea sparkled in the sunlight. A blue horizon spotted with fluffy white clothes filled the sky above them. A gentle breeze lifted a lock of her hair and carried in a frantic dance.
Sky tucked the curl behind her ear only to have it pop out again. She sighed in frustration and sat straight up to tug her clip free and readjust her ponytail.
“Need some help there?” a warm voice rumbled close to her ear.
Sky scooped the mass of black coils into one fist and stretched the clip with her teeth. “Nah, I’m good.”
She felt a hand clasp the back of her neck and knew that Joon was helping anyway. Sky relinquished the clip to him and closed her eyes as his deft fingers made quick work of her ponytail. When he was done, he dropped a kiss on the back of her neck.
These past few weeks, Sky had learned how much fondness Joon had for that particular body part.
“Mm,” Sky arched back to give him more room, “you’re way too good at that.”
“Necking?”
“Fixing my hair.”
Joon chuckled, the warmth of it sending goosebumps skittering over her skin. “I like your hair. But then, I like everything about you.”
“You’re such a smooth talker.” She turned in his lap so her legs were hanging off the pool chair. Joon’s dark brown eyes met her gaze. He looked unimaginably handsome in a baseball cap, orange tank top and swimming trunks.
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Your giant ego turns everything into a compliment, whether it is one or not.”
“So that’s it? We date for two months and you start bashing on me? Is this who you really are?”
Sky laughed and slid her fingers over the tattoo lining his forearm. Sobering slightly, she whispered, “I wish I could have met him.”
Joon’s smile dimmed. “He would have loved you. Dad was great at business and had a big heart. I never could be like him.”
“You’re closer than you think.” Sky held his gaze. “Thank you for opening up about the tattoo.”
“The story wasn’t as exciting as you thought it would be.”
She tilted her head. “I keep my mom’s store to have her close to me. You have a tattoo. I understand.”
“I know you do.” He leaned his forehead against hers. “You see me.”
And she did.
Joon Gi had his moments of gruffness and brooding, but with her, he always tore down his walls. She was honored every time and vowed to treasure his love the way she treasured Sweet Treats.
“Alright, love birds,” a voice broke their tender gaze, “this isn’t your honeymoon.”
Joon draped his arm over Sky’s waist and glanced at his brother. “Don’t piss me off, Sun Gi. I could toss you overboard and no one would say anything.”
Sky leaned back against Joon’s chest and pretended to cough so she could hide her laughter.
“I’d haunt you in your dreams, hyung.” Sun Gi promised.
Sky tapped Joon’s leg. “Babe, you’re applying for a business loan. You can’t have murder on your résumé.”
“It’d be worth it,” Joon grumbled.
Jo appeared next to Sun Gi, dressed in a red bikini over a see-through kimono. “Let’s get the keys to the food pantry before we throw him away. I’m starving.”
“Is that all I am to you?” Sun Gi turned to Jo. The wind battered his black hair and tore at his T-shirt. “A meal ticket?”
“Hey, I was promised shrimp. That’s the only reason I boarded your fancy little yacht.”
“This woman,” Sun Gi muttered as he turned and headed into the lower deck, “walks around with her belly in her hands.”
As soon as they were out of earshot, Sky and Joon burst out laughing.
Joon shook his head. “Sun Gi’s been hanging around Sweet Treats a lot lately. You think it’s for Jo?”
“Jo? Are you crazy? He’s getting married next year.”
“So?”
She rolled her eyes. “Whatever the reason, I’m glad he’s been showing up so often. It gives you two an opportunity to make amends. Family is too important.” She lifted her chin and smiled at him. “You taught me that.”
“Guess I did.” He kissed her cheek.
Sky cuddled with Joon Gi and admired the beautiful day.
He’d changed her. For the better. And, even though he’d never admit it, Sky had changed Joon too.
They were two flawed, imperfect people who’d found a perfect love. Sky looked forward to seeing where the wind would take them next.
Book 2: SUN GI follows the exciting journey to love between Sun Gi and Jo.
SUN GI is available here.