Chapter 37

Marley POV

Walking to the pool was thankfully uneventful, Tae keeping us close but even the hotel staff we passed were just going about their work without glancing our way. Ji-ho was guarded but not tense as he showed us where to go, having scouted it out in advance.

The pool was still, noone in it to cause ripples through the water, air thick with the smell of chemicals. Sophia tried to drop Tae's hand but he held on tight, the water right there. "Stay with us until we all get in the pool Sophia," he said, crouching down next to her and holding both her hands in his long fingers. "Water can be very dangerous, we need to keep you safe."

My heart swelled a little more at how attentive he was being and I couldn't help but lean in to kiss him before starting to get us ready, his returning kiss the warmth I was always craving now.

Tae was gazing at me sideways as I lifted my dress up and over my head, swimsuit revealed underneath. He glanced to Choi Ji-ho who was politely looking away. "You can go now hyung, thank you, we'll be fine with the closed sign on the pool door."

Ji-ho bowed to us all as he left. "I haven't seen you in a swimsuit before," Tae commented, turning back to me.

"You've seen me in my birthday suit though," I said, playfully.

"Birthday suit? I missed your birthday this year didn't I?" he asked, scrunching his forehead in a confused frown.

"You don't wear anything at your birth so that's a birthday suit," I explained as I eased into the pool, Tae handing Sophia down to me before climbing in himself.

"Ah, I understand now. And yes, I very much enjoy your birthday suit," he said, smirking. "Your swimsuit too. You look... very pretty," he continued, running his eyes over before glancing at Sophia. She was flapping away, enjoying the chaos her splashing water made.

"Thank you Tae," I replied as he came close.

"I wanted to say sexy but I didn't want to say it in front of her," he said into my ear.

"She won't understand a word like that but thank you baby."

"It looks even better wet," he smirked again. "And you look amazing wet but we'd already worked that out in the bath when we were in Australia."

"I, ummmm," I cleared my throat, concentrating on my daughter and not the colour rising to stain my cheeks.

"And you look great with pink cheeks. But we knew that too." His eyes twinkled at me with mischief, he was carefree, wrapping his arms around us both as we bounced through the water together.

The water was warm enough that you could settle in straight away and Sophia was keen to go go go. Her new favourite thing to do back home at the pool was jumping into my arms and soon I was lifting her up to the side to jump over and over as she splashed into the water. It didn't take long for my arms to start aching, especially when it felt like the 50th time doing the same thing. "Time to do something different Sophia, mummy needs a rest."

"Mama I jump!" she yelled, wriggling to be put up on the side again.

"One more time OK Sophia Bug and that's it." I answered, popping her up on the side.

"Jump to me Sophia, I'll catch you," Tae said as she stood on the edge, his arms outstretched towards her. Her eyes darted to mine and back to Tae, checking to see my reaction.

"It's OK baby, Tae is strong, he won't let you fall."

"You think I'm strong?" he asked softly.

"In more ways than one," I answered, keeping my eyes on where Sophia teetered on the edge. I had seen his strength performing on stage and he was also strong for me when I was crying and falling apart. I had no doubt that he would keep Sophia from getting hurt.

Sophia did a little wriggle until her toes were just off the edge and then launched herself into his arms, where he caught her in the water and pulled her close. She spluttered as he swooped her up, water covering her face and he gently wiped it off. "Are you OK BugBug?"

She giggled, water all over her face and hair. "Again TaeTae?"

"Yes baby girl, I can do that again," and he set her feet back on the edge, preparing to repeat the game.

"Don't be fooled, she'll do that forever if you let her," I told him.

"I don't mind, she's turning into a... what is the name of the pixies who live in the water?"

"Do you mean a mermaid?"

"Yes, she is a beautiful mermaid, like her mother," he said, the wet curls hanging onto her shoulders as she jumped again.

"You are truly charming at all times," I replied, pressing wet kisses on his cheek.

"If charming works for more of those, I'll keep it up then," he answered as she jumped again.

I leaned with my back against the pool edge, watching them play. The expressions on both their faces were full of joy, Tae turning into a big kid as they messed around. I could see them building a connection with each little bit of trust she gave him and every moment they were sharing. All I wanted for Sophia was that she was around people who treasured and lifted her up, helping her grow. Tae was giving her those things and more, just like he was doing for me. It made me 100 times more attracted to him, if that was even possible.

Sophia was getting a little more confident, swimming from my arms to the edge of the pool a few feet away, her little inflatable water wings keeping her floating. I stepped further away and she did it again. "That's so good Sophia!"

She turned around and flapped the few small strokes into my arms and I held her tight. "Baby girl, you are going to be swimming lengths in no time."

She giggled and said, "again?"

"Of course you can," I said, setting her into the water, about to release her to swim back towards the edge of the pool.

"Can you swim to me BugBug," Tae asked, as he drew closer.

She instantly let go of me and turned her body to head towards him, my stomach clenching at the distance, the most she would've ever swum. Her arms and legs were going madly and he held his arms out, ready to catch her, ready to step forward to help if he needed to. She started to slow and wane and I felt a little panic beginning to well, ready to call out to Tae to help when he spoke.

"Just a little more Sophia, you can do it," he said and she splashed again, into his waiting arms. "Good girl, you did so well," he shouted in excitement and she laughed and laughed, little giggles echoing off the walls and into the open space above the water.

Throwing her up into the air in celebration, she giggled again, her face full of a joy as she fell back into his arms, an expression I wanted to etch into my mind. I had a flash, just for a moment, Matty doing the same and my heart ached a little at the thought. She would never remember that happening with her father but maybe she would have other new special moments instead. Locking that memory away, I smiled at the scene in front of me.

"TaeTae, make Sophia fly," she yelled and he obliged again as I waded over to them, creating a circle of 3.

Noticing her lips were starting to turn purple, I turned to Tae. "Probably time to get her out, she's looking cold."

"No mama!" she said loudly, overhearing my comment. "I schwim."

"It's cold baby, time to get out so we can get you warm again."

"No! I schwim," she said again, getting her grumpy face on.

"Sophia, mama said it's time to go. Lets get out so we can go and get something to eat," he said firmly but gently, his voice low and rich.

"OK TaeTae," she said and I rolled my eyes as he smiled.

"The ladies love me."

"Oh ha ha," I replied as we walked over to the pool stairs.

She clung to his front as he climbed out to sit on a pool chair, a koala who refused to move so I wrapped the towel over her as they sat down, then grabbed his towel to put over his shoulders too. Tae managed to pull it around them both, giving her extra warmth. She snuggled in more and he rested his head on the top of her head. I wanted desperately to join them, to be a part of their little bit of warmth but left them to it as I gathered all of our things together, his eyes closed in bliss. I knew that feeling, when just for a moment, someone was pouring all their love and trust into you. I was glad she could already tell he was someone worth giving that to.

The next few hours were full of having dinner in the hotel room and trying to keep Sophia awake so she'd sleep the whole night. The travel and time in the pool meant she was tired and the slightly later than normal bedtime all meant she was very ready for bed when it was finally time. Both bedrooms had a large bed in them and she looked tiny as we tucked her in, leaving the door slightly ajar so a little of the light from the lounge spilled into her room like a nightlight.

We had curled up on the couch together, listening to her settle into sleep, cosy and a little sleepy ourselves. Planting little kisses on various parts of each others body from time to time, it felt very comfortable and I could hear his heart beating calmly where my ear was pressed against his chest.

"Today Marley, at the pool, it felt amazing to share the time with you and Sophia."

"She really likes you Tae. Well, you could tell that when she wanted you to read to her at bedtime rather than me, you are clearly now her favourite person," I said, remembering Sophia refusing to put her Pjs on until Tae agreed to the book she held out to him.

"She is wonderful, you have a beautiful child. I am becoming very attached to her."

"She's stubborn but already has good taste as she is friendly with lots of people but not like she is with you. That means she trusts you a lot."

"Thank you for trusting her with me. I know that's a big thing for you."

"It's been surprisingly easy. I can just tell you care about her, about the both of us."

"I do," he said, leaning in to kiss the side of my head. I soaked in the feeling of being next to him but after a few minutes, my mind started to wander.

"Tae?"

"Mmmhmmmmm," he murmured, tracing up and down my arm at a leisurely pace with his finger.

"I know it's early but can we go to bed soon?"

"Tired?" he asked, his heart beating a little faster under my ear.

"A little but also, not really," I replied, moving my hand on his thigh.

"We can go to bed anytime you want aein," he said, lips on my ear, breath warming more than just my face.

"Now please," I answered softly and he exhaled sharply, bringing his arms up to squeeze me tightly to his chest before pressing a kiss to my mouth. It quickly turned passionate and he tugged me up to my feet, our mouths still connected. Hands on my face, pulling me as close to himself as he could, we eventually had to gulp air, drawing apart.

"Nae saranag, you mean so much to me," he said, gently guiding me into the bedroom, closing the door behind us. As soon as it was closed, he was in front of me again, running his hands down my shoulders, down my arms, resting on my lower back as he drew me flush against himself. I felt every surface of his body connected to mine, every curve that felt familiar but I wanted to reacquaint myself with, as soon as possible. He placed butterfly kisses on my neck and the tickling sensation fluttered through every part of my body. It was building intensity and fire in me and I itched to taste him again but he was keeping my hands tucked by my side, unable to touch him and my frustration was growing.

"Kim Taehyung, can you kiss me before I give up and go to sleep instead," I said, pressing my mouth to his.

"In a hurry baby?" he grinned against my lips.

I pulled away from him, stepping back out of his reach as I raised an eyebrow. He ran his hand through his hair and then stepped forward. I took another step back away from him and he took two long steps to prevent me from going any further away. Smiling at the look on his face, I put my hand on his chest, trailing lightly and slowly down and he hissed, his tongue claiming mine as his hands began to work on my clothes, things escalating quickly, our kisses becoming heated, frantic.

"Now who is in a hurry," I asked against his shoulder as he discarded the last of our clothes.

"It feels like forever since I held you like this Marley," he murmured, leading me the last few steps to the bed where we fell onto it together. Easing into each other as our embrace was complete, time stood still as our eyes locked for what seemed like an eternity. Then it sped up as we explored each other again, remembering all the little things that made our eyes grow huge or to close with heaviness, the things that made our breathing change. All the small touches that increased the pleasure of being held as close as we were clutching each other now. There wasn't any holding back, each stroke and brush of fingers a reminder of what we meant to each other. Too soon and not soon enough, stars sat behind my eyes as they scrunched tightly closed while I fought off the escalating sensations.

"Marley, baby, ja-gi-ya," he breathed out in small gasps, "I'm, I'm going to," and he started getting louder, my hand coming up to clamp over his mouth in order to muffle the noise. Tae's eyes grew large, eyes burning into mine as his lips fluttered against my hand and I leaned in to whisper in his ear.

"We definitely don't want Sophia waking up right now, do we? It's OK oppa, go for it," as my hips circled again and I felt his mouth open against my hand as he moaned into the moment, the sounds captured against my skin. I quickly replaced the hand with my mouth and swallowed his noises as we both soared towards release.

Afterwards, as I lay in his arms, he ran his thumb down my cheek, over my mouth before placing another kiss on my lips, lingering close. "You're so beautiful."

I shook my head against the compliment, especially as I was feeling a little sticky and pink in that moment. He was around beautiful people all the time and I was not one of them. I wasn't being humble, just realistic.

"No Marley, you are so beautiful. Your eyes melt me, your skin is glowing right now." And I could almost believe him because he made me feel beautiful by the way he looked at me.

"Have you ever looked at yourself after we've been together? Because you need to see what you look like right now," and he pulled me out of bed, reaching for a robe to put over my body against the slightly cool air. Guiding me into the bathroom, he turned a light on and pointed me at the mirror. "You need to look, really look."

My hair was dishevelled, skin slightly flushed still and my lips were full from our encounter. I looked thoroughly loved up. He was standing behind me, watching and I dropped my gaze, embarrassed. Tae reached his finger under my chin, lifting my eyes up again to meet his in the mirror. He held them for a moment before tucking my hair away from the base of my neck as he replaced it with his mouth, pressing his breath against my skin and I tilted my head to give him more access. Sliding his mouth down my shoulder, I closed my eyes again, feeling all the sensations of having him touching me, storing them all up for when he wasn't.

Coming up for air, he spoke softly. "I get to look at you like this, no-one else."

I nodded, opening my eyes again, his cocoa ones, just inches from mine. "No-one else," I agreed and turned my head slightly, claiming his mouth with mine. It was deep, leisurely, no frantic rush like earlier and as I pulled away to look at him, I couldn't help feel for the 100th time how taking Sophia to the park that day was one of the best decisions I had ever made.

I turned into his arms, so I could run my hand down his naked torso and then his mouth was back on mine as he walked us backwards out of the bathroom towards the bed, the evening promising a lot more than just sleep.