Chapter 9

Marley POV

When I wake the next morning, I stretched a little then froze at the unfamiliar feeling of legs and hands intertwined with mine. Then, a scent wafted over me and I smiled. I hadn't consciously been thinking about the way he smelled but it had obviously seeped into my subconscious as I knew it was Tae. It was just 'him', not defined as any particular fragrance but already a scent I was drawn to.

"Morning jagiya," he said and I melted at the endearment as I turned to face him, pursing my lips together as I realised I hadn't brushed my teeth the night before or this morning. Not that I was intending to kiss him right then and there but that definitely put a stop to it. I put my hand up to my mouth and he grinned. "I haven't brushed my teeth either but don't worry, this wasn't going to be that moment anyway. You'll know when it is," and he raised his eyebrows, moving away slightly to lay on his back.

I laughed at his confidence and lay on my back too, listening to the silent house, realising Sophia was still asleep. Reaching for my phone to check the time, I saw it was almost 8am. Long past when she would normally wake, we must all have been tired to sleep in although I suspected this was an early morning for Tae. It seemed like it would be a go slow morning and that was more than OK.

There was a comfortable silence as we both scrolled through our phones, catching up on life that had happened while we were asleep. When I went through my Instagram feed, I paused, taking in all the images. Concert photos from last night were already circulating and so many of them were of Sophia on stage, especially when Tae was holding her. Clicking on one of when she was snuggled into his chest, I read the comments.

"V is so good with kids!"

"Won't he make a great dad."

"She's so comfortable with him, it's like they knew each other."

I gaped at that, clicking out of the picture and on another similar one but this stopped me scrolling. Someone had done a side by side of Tae holding Sophia along with the picture he'd posted of her at the park. The caption said "Is this the same girl?"

"Looks like it to me."

"He must know her."

"Nah, definitely not the same girl. The one at the concert is much younger."

"Hair colour and style is the same. Could be the same girl but who is she?"

"I think it was just a cute kid they saw in the crowd."

"Ummmm Tae," and I held my phone out to him. Taking it, he read through and nodded.

"I'm not surprised. But don't worry, it won't last. Even if someone recognises and names her, there is no proof she's the same girl as the park. It will be OK."

"Name her? That's beyond scary!" That was something that hadn't crossed my mind and I felt instantly on edge.

"I'm sorry Marley," he said, his face dropping in concern for me. "That's part of this life unfortunately and a big part of why I am always pretty careful. I don't want you to worry though."

I frowned and tossed the covers back as I heard Sophia stirring. She'd come find me in bed and I didn't think us being seen there together was a good idea. He grabbed my hand before I moved too far away. "Are you OK with all of the Instagram stuff?"

I took a breath, his voice low, calm and reassuring."I think so, if you say it will be OK. I trust you."

"There are some pretty sharp ARMY but that's just a few photos and they'll have others to replace them in a day or two." He gave the back of my hand a kiss and let go so I could go to Sophia, my hand tingling and the photos suddenly seeming less important.

She came out of her room, rubbing her eyes as she woke up, holding Tinky, her favourite stuffed toy. It looked like a rat and had always been the strangest choice to become attached to and sleep with. Now, after years of being loved, it looked like a dying stretched out flat cat and I was beginning to wonder what would happen if, or when, its head came off.

"Hello bug," I greeted her as she charged into my arms. I carried her through to the bathroom, sitting her on the counter top as I grabbed my toothbrush and got to work on my teeth, feeling a lot fresher. As we walked into the lounge, Tae was rummaging in his bag and grabbed his toothbrush, holding it up to show me with a wink. I was about to comment on the fact he had his toothbrush packed in his bag, almost like he was prepared to stay overnight with me, when Sophia hurtled herself at him.

"TaeTae!" she yelled and he swung her up into his arms.

"Hello baby girl," he said and she frowned.

"I not a baby," and she stuck her lip out at him.

He laughed. "No, no, you're a big girl. Shall I call you Sophia Bug like Mummy?"

She shook her head at him. "I call you TaeTae, you call me BugBug."

"Sounds like a plan BugBug," he said, giving her a squeeze.

"We dance and singing," she continued, remembering the concert.

"Yes we were and you did so good," he said popping her on her feet and heading to the bathroom. "TaeTae has to brush his teeth so Mummy is happy with him and then I'll come back and see you."

Sophia sighed. "Mummy say I have to brush my teeth too cos gimmies will come."

"Gimmies," he asked, confused.

"She means germs," I laughed.

"Ah yes, Mummy is right. Gimmies aren't very fun for grown ups too when they want to get close to each other so I will go brush my teeth and keep them away."

"She's so cute," he whispered to me as he walked past to the bathroom, shutting the door behind him.

"Breakfast then preschool today Sophia. You can go play with Kelsey."

She clapped her hands and I couldn't help but be glad that today was a preschool day. It meant more time with Tae and that sounded wonderful.

He came out of the bathroom, putting his toothbrush back in his bag and breathing minty breath on me as he went past. "Happy?" he asked, teasingly.

"Oral hygiene is super important," I replied primly, my laugh suppressed just under the surface. He caught my hand into his, the need for physical contact now constantly simmering just under the surface and then dropped it when he looked at Sophia. I grabbed it back, holding it in mine."It's OK, that's not something she'd notice or that I'm worried about," and he nodded as he leaned on the kitchen bench near me.

"Do you want breakfast?" I asked, unsure of his habits around food.

"I'm not normally awake at breakfast time so I don't usually eat until 1pm or 2pm and sometimes I eat dinner at 11pm. I think I'll just have a cup of tea."

"Sure, I'll make you one while I'm getting her breakfast. I'm not sure of your plans today but I need to drop Sophia to preschool in about an hour and then my day is free. I have work to do but I can do bits of that tomorrow."

"I looked at my phone before and I have an interview at the hotel at around 11am. Do you want to come there with me to get some of my things after the interview and then we can do something together this afternoon. And this evening. And tonight?" he asked, a cute smile on his face.

"I'd love all of that," I answered, partly shy at the thought of another huge chunk of time with him. "Why don't you stay here and shower while I'm taking her to preschool and then we can go back to the hotel? Her school is only 5 minutes away so I'll probably be gone abut 20 minutes. If you don't mind, I could shower now while she has breakfast and you could watch her?"

"Of course, that all sounds like a good idea," he answered, sipping on the tea I'd put in front of him while Sophia tackled her cereal.

"Sophia, Tae is going to hang out with you while Mummy showers."

"No, TaeTae is going to."

I rolled my eyes at him and then answered. "Of course, TaeTae is going to hang out with you."

"Remember, she is part of you so she probably gets that attitude from her Mother," he laughed and I poked my tongue out at him as I went to leave the room.

"Careful Marley," he said, grabbing my arm as I went past and leaning close to my ear to whisper. "I'm already trying hard not to think about you showering, the tongue needs to stay inside your mouth, for my sake." He let go as I gave a gasp that I attempted, unsuccessfully, to contain inside my throat.

He was grinning to himself as he turned back to Sophia. "So BugBug, tell me about your friends at preschool," he asked as I quickly left the room.

"I'm heading out now," I said to Tae as I finished zipping up Sophia's jacket and putting on her shoes. "There's a few fresh towels and face cloths in the bathroom, use anything you need that's in there to clean up."

He nodded crouching next to Sophia. "Have a good time with your friends BugBug," he said and his face lit up as she reached in for a hug.

"Can TaeTae come to preschool Mummy?" she asked, grabbing hold of his arm.

"I'm sorry sweetheart, he has to go do some work today," I said, making eye contact over her head as I smoothed down her hair, knowing it was another public place he definitely couldn't go. He reached out and squeezed my hand before turning back to her.

"I'd like to but Mummy is right, lots of work today. But, can I have dinner with you when you get home from preschool?" She nodded enthusiastically and I smiled at how cute they sounded talking to each other. She kissed his cheek and let go of his arm, skipping towards the door. He was smitten with her as he stood up.

"Could she be any more sweet?"

"You haven't seen her having a meltdown at 2am but she does have all of my heart."

"All of it? No room for anyone else in there," he asked, walking backwards as I paused with my hand on the door handle.

"Love makes the heart grow right?" I replied, a tinge of pink flooding my cheeks.

The cutest boxy smile came to his lips then his teeth caught his bottom lip as he looked down, an almost shy expression on his face. He nodded slowly. "See you soon," as he continued to the bathroom. I glanced back once before I opened the door. He started to take off his shirt as he walked, knowing that I'd look back. Knowing that he had me falling for him.

It had been easy to drop Sophia off that morning. Sometimes she didn't want me to leave but she'd seen her friends and the teachers were setting out a new game to play outside, Sophia heading out to have a go with barely a backwards glance at me.

In the car on the way home I was processing everything that had happened in the last 24 hours. The concert had been amazing, Tae coming back to my house afterwards, falling asleep together, this morning. It was all a lot. But a good lot of emotions to process. Especially thinking about being curled up together in sleep and the comments he was beginning to make. I had seen the flirty V online but he'd been cautious with me as Tae and only now was beginning to allow himself to let his guard down a little with what he was saying, taking his time until he could see I might be ready.

As I walked into the kitchen, he was leaning against the bench, towel drying his hair as I dropped my keys and bag on the counter and I was stunned again at how he looked, my breath catching as a few water droplets fell down his caramel coloured skin. He was obviously a lot better prepared than I thought, wearing a different t-shirt and trackpants. "Did you plan on spending the night when you packed your bag yesterday," I asked with a grin.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hoping that I could. But I had no thought that it would go further than sleep and I did want to be ready in case."

I didn't know how to reply to that. When he'd asked to come back to my place the night before, I had hoped he would stay, unsure as to what exactly that would mean. So, instead of speaking, I reached my hand out, touching his damp hair where it fell across his forehead while I regrouped. He stared at me as I traced down his face before reaching up to take my hand, pulling me close, my heartbeat speeding up. Time stopped for a moment as our eyes locked, shifting to our lips and back up to hold our gaze as we drifted towards each other, the air heavy with tension. Tae locked his arms into the small of my back and I took a breath, settling my nerves as we leaned in, my eyes falling closed.

Beep Beep Beep

I was startled and the moment broken as his alarm went off and he dropped his head to my shoulder, exhaling before pulling back and taking out his phone. He smiled apologetically at me. "That's to remind me we need to head to the hotel. I have to shave before the interview."

My heart was beginning to slow and I smiled to cover any awkwardness. "I'm ready if you are."

He nodded and swallowed. I could see in his eyes he was wondering if we could pick up from before the alarm but the air had changed and I reached for his hand instead, linking fingers. "Lets go," and I pulled him towards the door, both of us grabbing our bags on the way past.

The ride back to the hotel had gone fast as we'd talked about our families. I'd mentioned my sister and he had one too, both of us had parents that were still together and who we adored. I could tell by the way he spoke that he was a big family man, they'd moved to be closer to him when it became apparent that work kept him from hardly ever returning home. He seemed happy to share little bits of information about them, the dynamics of his family very similar to mine.

As we neared the hotel, I asked what we were supposed to do so we wouldn't be seen together and he called ahead to staff to check. "There is an underground car park. If we drive under and I get out, a staff will come and get in the car. Then you can drive a little further away and walk into the hotel so you come from a different place to me. They will drive the car back and park it in the car park. By the time you enter the hotel, I will be able to text you where to come, after I've talked to staff."

I nodded, taking it all in. Would I get used to this attempt at privacy?

"I know it's a lot to get used to, are you OK?" handing me a keycard as he asked.

"It will all be fine," I said, as much for my benefit as his and we turned in, driving under the hotel. Tae recognised some staff waiting in a huddle near the elevator and I pulled to a stop as he put on a mask. "See you soon," he said, touching my hand in farewell, speaking briefly to a male staff who bowed and walked around to the other side of the car.

"Good morning Miss Marley," he said as he climbed in and guided me out to stop a little way from the hotel, swapping sides with me as I climbed out. "I will drive back to the hotel in about 10 minutes and park your car there."

"Thank you, I understand," I said with a smile as I turned to walk back to the hotel. It was a crisp but still day and I briefly wondered what would've happened if it was raining. Would I still have to do the same thing but turn up looking like a drowned rat in order to not be recognised?

I was a few minutes away when a text came through. "If you come to room 1408, I will see you soon." I looked up at the hotel, realising that was near the top of the building. As I turned the corner to the front entrance, I noticed a few cameras stationed outside and lowered my head, trying to make myself look as insignificant as I could. No-one reacted, I really wasn't someone who looked important so I was happy to run the gauntlet without a reaction. My nerves were starting to kick in more though as I pulled the door open, thinking that I was walking into an unknown situation.

The lifts were in front of me and I walked over, clicking the button to head up to him. As I entered and headed for the 14th floor, I took a few deep breaths. It had only been 10 minutes since I'd seen him but he calmed me and this world of his was so unfamiliar, I didn't know what to expect. I probably should've asked more questions in the car but we'd spent the whole time talking about other things, conversation flowing easily and I hadn't thought about this part of the day until now.

When I arrived at the floor and looked at the first door number, I could tell I was heading for a room at the end of the corridor. Arriving in front of the door, I took another few breaths before knocking. Staff opened the door and let me in with a bow, already seeming to know who I was which made me feel a little disconcerted. "Taehyung is in the bathroom, getting ready," he said, guiding me to a chair to wait in the lounge area. I knew he had said he needed to shave, I noted clothes laid out on the bed ready for him. It didn't take long for him to come through, rubbing his hand over his face, smiling when he saw me.

"Everything was OK?" he asked, coming over as I stood up. He grabbed for my hand as I smoothed down over his freshly shaved face.

"Nice," I commented, feeling how soft it was. "And yes, it all went fine. The staff are very helpful," I continued, softening my voice, feeling conscious of the staff member who was leaning against the wall, seemingly intent on his phone. Tae turned to follow my line of vision, keeping hold of my hand.

"You'll get used to it, we all know it's part of the job, having people around a lot of the time does take getting used to but everyone is very respectful of our privacy and tries to make it easy on us, most of the time." There was a twitch on the face of the staff member which was the only hint he had heard, his eyes still locked on his phone.

"I should probably get dressed," he said, looking at his watch and the staff member pulled away from the wall.

"They want the shirt with one button open, no tie."

Tae turned to look at me then back at the staff before answering. "But I like ties," biting his smirk away as I chewed on my lip, eyes dropping to the ground, choking back my laugh. I was actually, enjoying this flirty Tae a lot.

The staff member looked between the two of us and then bowed. "I'll wait outside," he said with a grin, rolling his eyes towards Tae. Clearly they were closer than I realised.

As the door closed behind him, Tae walked over. "See, they know when we need privacy."

"You know him well?" I asked, stalling at the look on Tae's face.

"Yes, he's my manager so with me most of the time when I'm working. I've also talked about you so he knows who you are."

"And he'll be back to remind you to get ready shortly so we only have a few minutes for you to get dressed?" I continued.

He nodded and we stood staring at each other, I was focused on his breathing which seemed to increase as he took a step towards me before there was a knock at the door. He burst out laughing. "I get the feeling that we are going to be continually interrupted today," he said, going to open it.

Speaking briefly to the person outside and looking at his watch again, he bowed and closed it. "Yes, I need to be getting makeup on in about 5 minutes," and he walked over to the bed, grabbing the waistband of his pants as I quickly turned away. I averted my eyes to my phone while the movements continued, hearing a belt buckle being locked into place, a rustle of a shirt being buttoned and when I thought it was safe to look up, I stared. The black pants fit closely against his legs, accentuating his butt. The belt emphasised his waist while the patterned shirt buttoned almost up to the top, like they'd asked, falling open slightly across his collarbones. He was just fitting his feet into shoes when our eyes met and I spoke.

"You look really good," I said, understating how gorgeous he really did look as his hair fell across one eye. A shy smile crossed his face and I marvelled that he reacted like that to a compliment when he must hear it all the time. Standing up and stomping his shoes down, he blinked at me a few times before reaching out his hand.

"Shall we go?"

I nodded, taking it, a zing sparking between us. He stopped and looked at me. "That happens a lot, when we touch."

"I thought I might be the only one of us who had noticed," I replied.

"How could I miss it? It hasn't happened with anyone else. We electricity each other."

In that moment, the cutest way of speaking translated into my desire to transfer the sparks to our lips and I bit mine at the thought, seeing his eyes move to my mouth as his dropped open slightly and then he went to lean in, reading the mood in the room. So it was no surprise when there was another knock on the door. Tae actually sighed. Loudly. And I just laughed at what seemed like the 10th interruption that day.

"It's OK Tae, this wasn't going to be that moment anyway. You'll know when it is," and wrinkled my nose at him as I repeated his words from this morning. He touched the end of my nose in a cute boop and we headed out the door, hand in hand.