Hey guys! So I managed to get this chapter up faster than I was expecting. Now remember this story will probably only be around eight chapters so it will move around the same place as Woo Bin's and Myeon Gi's storyline. And don't worry. Yi Jeong, Ga Eul, Myeon Gi, and Jan Di all will be making their appearances soon!
Anyway, I hope you enjoy and let me know!
Lucy sat on a chair while Ji Hoo made an icepack for her head. She hissed at the cold on her aching temples and he apologized quietly. As he stood behind her, his friend Woo Bin knelt to look at her ankle and shot Ji Hoo an amused grimace.
"You know for a doctor; you still can't do a decent wrap." He looked at Lucy and pointed to her ankle. "May I?"
"Sure." Lucy shrugged. She was getting used to being injured and attended by handsome strangers over the course of the past few days.
He grinned and quickly began redoing her bandage. "I've sprained my ankle many times." He told her sympathetically. "But never this bad. You probably feel like a truck hit you."
"A truck named Doctor Yoon," Lucy replied, sending Ji Hoo an amused glance who narrowed his eyes. "Not funny."
"Want me to beat him up for you?" Woo Bin asked cheekily. "Repay the favor."
"Hmm," she pretended to think about it but Ji Hoo poked her side in response to her teasing. "Ouch." She laughed before shaking her head. "Not right now but if he knocks me down again, I might take you up on the offer."
"Deal."
Woo Bin straightened with a satisfied nod. "That's better. It was too loose before; you need some constriction."
"Thanks," Lucy told him gratefully, already feeling like her ankle was more secure. "This will help me get to the bus."
"Bus?" Ji Hoo asked in confusion. "What bus?"
"The bus home," Lucy said slowly as though he was the one with the head injury.
"You're not taking the bus. If Lee Soo Jung can't come to get you, I will take you home."
"Oh no." She shook her head firmly. "I've caused you enough trouble. I will be fine." She stood up carefully and shot Woo Bin a happy grin. "Hey, this feels much better. Thanks."
"You're welcome."
Lucy took her crutches awkwardly but after only a few steps she stumbled again and both Ji Hoo and the man who had introduced himself as Gu Jun Pyo quickly steadied her.
"This isn't going to work," Ji Hoo muttered to himself and Lucy nodded. "I told you."
Seeing her tears of frustration, he started to pull her into his chest but she straightened her shoulders with a long groan before he could.
"Augh. All right. Enough of that." She gave him a tight smile. "Sorry."
"Lucy," he began but she simply handed him the crutches. "I'm too short. I will only end up hurting myself with these. I think it's better if I just try to walk."
Ji Hoo opened his mouth to argue but she had already started slowly moving carefully back to the guest room. Presumably to grab her stuff and he scrubbed his face. "This was not in my plans, Jun Pyo."
"These things never are." His lifelong friend agreed before harshly pushing him forward. "Now go after her."
"It's not what you think." Ji Hoo insisted. "So, it's better if I just—"
"What?" Jun Pyo raised an eyebrow. "Let her hobble around Seoul? Really become injured this time?"
"You don't have to marry her, Ji Hoo." Woo Bin reminded him gently. "Or even have feelings for her. Right now all you have to do is make sure she gets home safely."
"All right," he agreed reluctantly. "So long as you both understand…"
"We've got it." Jun Pyo snapped and pointed down the hall. "Now go."
He left the room, his shoulder tight with tension and Woo Bin moved to stand beside Jun Pyo. "What do you think?" He asked the leader quietly.
Jun Pyo didn't answer right away, his eyes on Ji Hoo. "I don't know yet."
"It's obvious he feels something. They are both crackling with electricity."
"Mm-hmm."
"He's going to run, Jun Pyo." Woo Bin sighed. "He's going to run long and hard."
"I know."
"What do we do?"
"What we always do when Ji Hoo tries to run." Gu Jun Pyo said steadily. "We go after him."
Lucy felt hot and flustered which was a new sensation for her. While she had boyfriends back home including the one which lasted much longer than it should have, she had never had this reaction before. The feeling of being entirely comfortable with one person and at the same time being hyper-aware of them.
When Doctor Yoon had been laying on her, it had felt completely natural to have his weight on top of her but yet at the same, her whole body was tingling from it. And she could have sworn his lips had brushed against her neck before he all but leaped off her and frantically scrambled help her up. Which had been equally confusing.
For some reason, he was bothered by something which was making her feel awkward and flustered. Which she hated feeling, so she figured it was better to head home. Clear her head and find some space from whatever weirdness was developing. Most likely, it was just because of her injuries and having to spend the night together creating some sort of false intimacy.
"Time to go back to the real world, Lucy McCourt." She whispered to herself as she grabbed her purse. "You've taken a break long enough."
"I wouldn't call this a break." A soft voice interrupted and she closed her eyes for a second before straightening and giving him a confident smile.
"A whole night off from studying or answering a dozen emails from the students I'm tutoring. Trust me… This was a break."
He grinned and once again a strong release of butterflies erupted in her stomach and she quickly shook her head. "But I need to get home. I can't afford to fall any more behind."
Noticing he was about to protest, she held up her hand. "The last thing I need is another big brother checking up on me or telling me what to do, so please don't."
Ji Hoo took in her sharp tone and realized how suffocated she felt by the constant barrage of phone calls from her brothers, or her cousins earlier lecture. Apparently even traveling across the world had not resulted in any kind of freedom for her and he felt slightly annoyed on her behalf.
"All right." Ji Hoo relented quietly. "But promise me you will come to the clinic tomorrow."
"Doctor Yoon—"
"I will worry otherwise."
"Why? Afraid I will trip over my own feet without the aid of you knocking into me." Lucy teased but he didn't smile. He just leaned into the door and studied her. "No because it's you."
She felt heat run up her neck and she quickly looked away. "I can't come in tomorrow. I have to work but I will try to come in on Friday."
"Lucy," Ji Hoo scratched his head. "Look… I know this was an odd morning. I'm sorry. It's just… I can't get involved—" He stopped frustrated, not sure what he was trying to say. "You don't live here. You're not… Korean." He finally finished uncomfortably and Lucy took this in carefully before nodding.
"No, I don't live here." She turned to face him. Her eyes blazing furiously. "And you're right. I'm not Korean. I'm just an American who was adopted. But thank you so much for reminding me once again on how different I am."
"What? No." Ji Hoo shook his head frantically. "That's not what I meant."
"Never mind." Lucy snapped and grabbed her stuff angrily. "Thanks for everything, Doctor Yoon."
As she pushed past him, her limp only barely noticeable in her furious stride. He finally caught up with her at his front door but when he tried to grab her arm but she seemed to anticipate the move and successfully jerk away.
"Touch me and I really will punch your nose this time."
Woo Bin's eyes widened at the threat and the radiating fury coming off the young woman. "Lucy—"
"Goodbye, Song Woo Bin. Thank you for everything last night." She bowed quickly. "Nice to meet you Gu Jun Pyo."
"Miss McCourt—" His words falling away as she slammed the door and they both slowly turned to face Ji Hoo.
"What did you do?" Woo Bin asked suspiciously. "What did you say to her?"
Feeling horrible, Ji Hoo sank to the couch. "I told her it was because she wasn't Korean that I couldn't… you know. Get involved beyond a doctor."
"You what?" Woo Bin looked horrified. "You actually--" He shook his head before grabbing his jacket. "I'm going after her. If she walks too far on that ankle, she might really hurt herself." He looked over to Jun Pyo with a snarl. "You better take care of our ass of a friend here or I will break his nose for her."
As Woo Bin stormed off, Ji Hoo stared at the ground. "I didn't mean it." He told Jun Pyo miserably. "I only meant she didn't live here so-"
"Ji Hoo, you are rivaling me for asshole comments." Jun Pyo broke in sharply. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
"I don't know." Ji Hoo groaned in defeat. "I just…" He shook his head. "I didn't mean that. Truly."
"Then what did you mean?" Jun Pyo folded his arms. "From what Woo Bin tells me, Lucy was adopted. She is probably already sensitive to the idea her entire family is Korean and she's not. I suspect she was made fun of that quite a bit growing up. Then you go and imply you won't date her for the same reason?"
"No." Ji Hoo yelled in frustration. "But I can't date someone when it already won't work out, Jun Pyo. There's no point."
"Who said it wouldn't work out?" Jun Pyo asked in honest confusion. "Ji Hoo, you're creating problems that aren't even there."
"She lives in San Francisco." He pointed out angrily. "Her whole family lives there. My whole family lives here. Then what, Jun Pyo? We see each other while she's here and then in a few months, I take her to an airport and once more watch someone else leave?"
This made Jun Pyo wince. Even though it had been years since Ji Hoo had left Jan Di to go after Seo Hyun only to realize his mistake and find out Jun Pyo had already claimed her, but it didn't make it any less uncomfortable for the Shinhwa heir. He still felt guilty for the hurt he had caused his friend but unable to apologize for it since he would never regret loving his wife. Nor did he believe that Ji Hoo still held any resentment towards him for it. But apparently, some scars didn't go away so easily.
"No," Jun Pyo told him with a sigh. "But what you just did—"
"I know." Ji Hoo pinched the bridge of his nose. "Damn it."
They were quiet as they waited for Woo Bin to return. Both jumping to meet him when he strode furiously back into the house. "You're an epic shit."
"I know." Ji Hoo agreed without hesitation. "Hit me whenever you want."
Woo Bin wasn't finished though. "You were mad at us," he snarled angrily. "And you took out on her. You wanted to prove to us that you didn't feel anything for Lucy by deliberately saying something you knew would hurt her. Something that would guarantee she would stay away and then you could prove your fucking point about not having feelings for her."
Ji Hoo reeled back slightly at the harsh truth coming from his friend before guilt sank on him. Woo Bin was right. He had been mad at his friends for reading more into the situation and took it out on Lucy.
"Is Lucy all right?" Jun Pyo quickly broke in with a frown. "Did she let you take her home?"
"No," Woo Bin snapped. "She insisted on walking all the way to the corner to catch the bus. I practically begged to let me drive her but she claimed I had already done enough. She even tried to pay me for driving her around last night." He threw a glare at Ji Hoo. "She is a sweetheart and you are an idiot if you blow this simply because you can't get your head out of the past."
Ji Hoo didn't answer him but hurriedly grabbed his keys. "I will go after her."
"I would wait." Jun Pyo said thoughtfully. "Give her a few days to cool off."
He gave them a pained stare. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said those things to Lucy. But I need you guys to understand that I am not going to let myself fall for someone with a risk again. I know you mean well but it's not helping. And I know you worry about me being alone but I'm fine. Truly."
"Ji Hoo—"
"Fine. We will back off," Jun Pyo warned off Woo Bin with a shake of his head. "We will let you deal with this in your own way."
"Thank you."
"After you apologize." Woo Bin snapped and when Ji Hoo nodded, he eased back. "Good."
"Come on," Jun Pyo gestured to the door. "Let's go. I will drop you off and then go pick up Jan Di."
"Thank her for working at the clinic for me today." Ji Hoo told him wearily. "I really appreciate it."
"I will. Are you coming with us on Friday to pick up Yi Jeong at the airport?"
"Yeah." Ji Hoo gave him a weak smile. "I am going to need my In Ha hug after today."
"We all will," Jun Pyo saluted him before shoving Woo Bin out who was still fuming slightly. After they left, Ji Hoo sat in guilty silence. He finally took out his phone to message her before he remembered he didn't have Lucy's number and threw it down in disgust.
"Great."
A loud boom of thunder echoed his dark thoughts and his gaze went to the window where rain was beginning to come down violently. Finding comfort with weather reflecting his current mood, he moved to open his door and stepped out onto the porch.
As he watched it pour, he desperately tried to think of a proper apology for his mess of behavior but no words seemed to adequate enough. He looked down the road with a sigh when he noticed someone sitting at the corner getting soaked. At first, he didn't pay them much attention until they moved slightly and he noticed a small limp.
His eyes widened and he hurried down. "Lucy?"
She turned at the call but seeing him, her expression hardened. "What?"
"What are you doing?" Ji Hoo demanded as he stalked towards her. "Why are you standing in the rain?"
"The bus is late." She snapped impatiently. "So I am waiting. Why else?"
"You can't stand out here," Ji Hoo went to grab her but she evaded his hold. "I'm fine."
"Lucy, please." He called softly. "Just come back to my house until the bus arrives."
"No."
"I will only pick you up again. You can be mad as you want but I am still not letting you stay here."
She clenched her jaw but as lightning began to streak across the sky, she realized she didn't have a choice. It wasn't safe to keep staying out here. So without a word to him, she turned and began her slow trek back to his house.
She heard him move next to her but before she could get away, he wrapped his arms around her and lifted her up. "Hit me if you want later." Ji Hoo said quietly. "Once we get inside."
Lucy didn't respond but at least she wasn't trying to leap from his arms. He carried her carefully inside and grabbed a towel. "Here. Before you get sick on top of everything else."
Her silence was almost suffocating as she took the towel without a word and wrapped it around her shoulders. Desperately needing to break the tension, he gave her a small grin. "You can hit me now if you like."
Lucy didn't even bother to look up but only continued to sit on the couch wringing out her hair and seeing the crazy tangle of curls, her skin pale and wet, Ji Hoo closed his eyes. He really should have let Woo Bin knock him to the ground before he left.
"Lucy," he breathed and knelt in front of her. His hands coming up to rest on her legs. "I'm sorry."
She stiffened at his touch but didn't push them away which he took a small victory in. "I didn't mean anything I said earlier. I don't give two squats if you're American, adopted, or anything else." He took her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Lucy. Talk to me."
"I don't have anything to say," Lucy told him stiffly. "Besides you're entitled to think whatever you want about me. We're not friends. I'm simply a patient."
"That's not true." Ji Hoo titled his head, his eyes dancing in worry. "And I hope you don't honestly believe that."
"Doctor Yoon," she tried to move his hands off but he quickly interlaced their fingers so she couldn't get away. "I don't like you mad at me." He told her quietly. "I don't like knowing I hurt you." He stroked the bare skin of her palm with his thumb. "Please, Lucy."
She studied him for a long time, tears beginning to build up in her eyes. "That really hurt."
"I know." He leaned forward and pressed his forehead to hers. "I'm sorry."
She was silent for a long time and he held his breath in anticipation, his grip tightening on her legs.
"Okay," Lucy finally whispered and he felt a rush of relief.
"I didn't mean it," Ji Hoo repeated and she nodded. "I know."
He exhaled shakily but didn't move away and only when he was capable of breathing normally again did he lift his head to scan her carefully. "You're soaked."
She gave a watery chuckle. "Twenty minutes in the rain has that effect."
He opened his mouth to reply but his phone rang before he could finish. He apologized and went to turn it off but stopped when he saw the caller. "It's my goddaughter."
"Take it," Lucy insisted quickly. "Please."
He grimaced but seeing she was sincere, he quickly answered it. "Hello."
"Unca HOO!" A voice called out loudly with a giggle and the sound of it immediately made Lucy smile. She barely sounded old enough to talk but the delight in her voice in reaching her beloved uncle made her feel warm. Especially since Doctor Yoon immediately beamed in pleasure.
"Is that So In Ha?"
"YEP!" In Ha squealed. "And uess what, Unca Hoo."
"What?"
"I's acking."
"Packing?" Ji Hoo smiled and leaned against the table. "For what?"
"To ome ee you." In Ha called excitedly. "And Unca Bin! And Unca Gu."
"You promise?"
"I romise." In Ha said slowly. "I eally, eally romise."
"Good." Ji Hoo told her seriously. "And I want a giant hug."
"Kay."
There was some shuffling on the line as Yi Jeong took over the call. "Ji Hoo?" He moved away from In Ha, his expression worried while Ga Eul watched carefully. "Are you all right?"
"Yeah." Ji Hoo assured him quietly. "I'm fine."
"I talked to Jun Pyo," Yi Jeong told him. "What's going on?"
"Nothing." Ji Hoo sighed. "I'm all right."
Yi Jeong shot Ga Eul a pointed stare who nodded and moved to help In Ha pack a little faster. It seemed like Papa was needed back home more than they originally believed
"We will be there soon." Yi Jeong told him quietly which made Ji Hoo close his eyes with a chuckle. "Do you promise?"
Yi Jeong answered him by simply hanging up which Ji Hoo knew to take as his signal that he was already on his way. And he felt a rush of gratitude that his best friend whom he hadn't even realized he was missing quite this much would soon be home.
"She sounds adorable." Lucy broke in softly and he nodded. "She will like you."
She didn't respond since she found it unlikely she would ever get the chance to meet So In Ha but instead just smiled. "Maybe."
"She will. In fact, she will probably fall in love with you and the minute she learns I hurt your feelings, turn around and kick me."
Lucy couldn't help but laugh. "My kind of girl."
He smiled apologetically. "I will make it a point to tell her then."
An odd tension still hung in the air before she finally looked up at him. "I don't know how to act. I feel uncomfortable."
Ji Hoo stared at her but he had no idea what to say. Even though she had accepted his apology, it didn't mean the damage of his words from this afternoon was not there. A sense of panic filled him at the idea it might always exist between them. Especially if they didn't fix it before she left.
"I should call Soo Jung. She will be worried."
"I want you to stay here." Ji Hoo blurted out quickly and she looked up in surprise. "What? Why?"
"You hit your head again… I need to monitor you for another night just to make sure."
"Doctor Yoon—"
"Please, Lucy." Ji Hoo took a careful step towards her. "I need to do at least this much."
Lucy shuffled uncomfortable but when he took her hand again with a low whisper of her name, she nodded. "Okay."
He brushed her hair back and feeling a bad tangle, he turned her carefully so he could gather her dripping strands, his fingers trying to break apart the mess.
"It's no use," Lucy reached up to remove his hand. "The only way to fix them now is for me to take a shower."
"Why don't you?" Ji Hoo dipped his head to his large bathroom. "I can call your cousin."
She hesitated but as a cold drop of rain rolled down the back of her sweater, she handed him her phone. "She will yell at you."
"I can handle that." Ji Hoo assured her and pressed a small kiss to the top of her head as she began to hobble towards his room. "Do you need anything?"
"Clothes…" Lucy looked down at her soaked jeans. "Or a way to dry these."
"I will take care of it."
He called Lee Soo Jung who didn't even answer and he shook his head. For someone who was so protective of Lucy this morning, she rarely answered her calls. He left a voicemail explaining that Lucy would be staying with him again as a precaution before going to his room to find her some clothes.
He found an old pair of workout sweats and a t-shirt he believed might fit. He was laying them out on the bed when she came out and stopped in surprise at the sight of him.
Ji Hoo's eyes never strayed from her as he slowly rose to full height. She was only wearing a towel, the steam from the shower turning her skin all pink. Her hair spiraled down her back and her body which had been hidden earlier by her sweater and jeans were on clear display since the towel left nothing to the imagination. Her legs were toned and her stomach was flat. Her curves in perfect proportionate to her size and height and he swallowed hard.
"Sorry," Lucy said embarrassed. "I wasn't expecting you."
"I umm," Ji Hoo coughed to disguise the rough pitch of lust in his voice. "Brought you some clothes."
"Thanks."
He nodded and tried to move from the room but his legs didn't seem to respond to the command.
"Are you going to?" she pointed to the door and he nodded. "Yep."
"Okay." She looked at him expectantly but as another long beat passed between them, she gestured awkwardly to herself. "Umm, Doctor Yoon, I am kinda of naked here."
He closed his eyes with a mumble and she frowned. "What?"
"Never mind." He finally began walking towards the door but as he passed by her, she heard him growl. "Damn it."
And before Lucy could even register he had moved, he had turned around and using his body roughly backed her into the wall. She was so surprised that her grip slipped on the towel and she only barely caught it in time. However, before she could recover or ask him what the hell he was doing, his mouth crashed down onto hers. As the instant heat erupted between them, Lucy sank bonelessly into the wall behind her and through the haze of fire, she heard one of them moan.
His arms encircled her waist, yanking her up into him. She used her free hand to sink her fingers into his hair and at the touch, his kiss became more urgent. Lucy opened her mouth at the command and Ji Hoo groaned, his body pressing more firmly into her. Consumed by the intensity of it all, she whimpered his name which made him grin with a satisfied hum.
Softening his frenzy, his tongue explored her with long, wet glides and Lucy felt her hand slip in response causing the towel to fall a little further. Realizing they were on the verge of losing control, she pulled back slightly.
Ji Hoo lips grazed openly over her while they tried to catch their breath. He rubbed slow circles over her hips, his body tight with tension and desire.
"I didn't mean to do that." Ji Hoo eventually mumbled. "I was going to leave."
Lucy didn't know what to say so she only leaned forward and placed her face into his chest. He seemed relieved by the gesture and gathered close. "Are you cold?"
"A little."
He pressed a tiny kiss to her temple, "I should probably let you get dressed."
"Probably."
Neither one of them moved though but simply stood there holding each other. A loud clap of thunder suddenly shook the house before plunging them into complete darkness. They both froze in disbelief, and the sexual tension rising with each passing moment as it became apparent the lights were not going to return.
Ji Hoo lifted his head to the ceiling as though he was praying for strength and Lucy bit her lip to stop herself from laughing. "Ji Hoo, this is…"
"I know." He snorted and buried his face into her hair. "And if I didn't know my friends couldn't control the weather, I would swear they had just done this on purpose."
Feeling better than she had since their fight, she wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. Knowing the minute he moved, the towel would fall off completely and no longer caring either way.
Seeming to also realize this, Ji Hoo pressed a long kiss into the tender side of her throat, his hands pushing down on the towel to ensure success and she giggled. Grinning at the sound, he used his foot to kick off from the wall.
They tumbled onto the bed and he only barely caught himself before he crushed her. "You've been falling on me for the past two days." Lucy teased. "Why stop now?"
"Because this time," Ji Hoo murmured as he kissed his way down her body, warming up her chilled skin inch by inch. "I would prefer you awake."
"Every four hours?"
He chuckled low in his throat, and feeling her tugging on his shirt, he rose up long enough to help her and his eyes darkened as he took in the image of her laying bare underneath him. His hands and lips traveling sensually over her until she arched and unable to wait any longer, he lowered himself fully over her and recaptured her mouth.
"Every four hours huh… I can work with that."
Woo Bin whistled as he twirled the pair of pliers at Jun Pyo who handed him a whiskey. "Did you get it?"
"Yep."
Jun Pyo lifted his glass. "Bus canceled."
Woo Bin grinned and clinked them together. "Power out."
Jun Pyo nodded in satisfaction and as another bolt of lightning light up the sky, he swirled the amber contents of his drink with a smirk. "And a stormy night… Damn. We're good."