They were all lined up across the stage, seated now having been announced and escorted in amidst applause and I wasn't even sure how I got here. The co-ordinated suits were perfection, lower halves now hidden behind the covered table, sitting in stage order and I was unable to look away, positioned a few rows from the front, directly in front of Jimin.

I felt like an imposter, holding my pen and paper, ready to take notes and, if I was brave enough, ask a question. The album release press conference was much anticipated and I'd only been working in this role for 5 weeks so the heavens couldn't have aligned better for this to be one of my first jobs. Or maybe they could've because I was too nervous and knew I'd make an idiot of myself if I tried to open my mouth and speak.

Scanning my eyes from left to right, Taehyung was sitting the furthest from me, elegant long hands resting on the table as he gazed impassively out at the crowd, small smile on his lips. His fellow Daegu member was seated next to him, looking ready, somewhat bored but I wasn't fooled. Yoongi took everything in and would be laser focused on the questions being asked when we started soon. Jin sat straight, his face a trademark all of it's own, smiling around the room. I got the feeling he was nervous, more introverted than some realised, often using his humour to overcome his nerves. Jungkook was fidgeting, pen twisting in his hand as he gazed out at the reporters and cameras, cute smile that lit up his eyes settled on his mouth. Namjoon looked ready, shoulders set, professional look on his face that said he was here for business and I was so proud to be this close to the leader who had helped this group of men rocket towards their goals. Jimin was holding his pen too, tapping it slightly as his eyes moved a little side to side, taking in his surroundings but eyes often drifting back to sit centre and for a moment, it might even have felt like our eyes met before I moved to the last in the line, Hobi. He was sitting looking surprisingly relaxed, huge smile on his face, looking like he was ready to tackle any and all questions that came his way. Together, this line up of men had my heart.

As soon as the signal was given that the cameras were recording and everything was ready, the MC gave the announcement, introduced them and Namjoon started to speak, beginning with an overview of the whole album and process as I furiously took notes, unsure of exactly what I needed to write down and not wanting to miss anything. At one point I swiped away a stray bit of hair that fell across my eyes and when I looked up, found Jimin looking straight at me, a small amused smile on his face before he gave an infinitesimal nod, looking away. I blushed, wondering if I was doing this press conference all wrong but seeing others were making notes too. Why was I so amusing then?

The album overview process was mainly Namjoon and Yoongi as they has the most to do with crafting the album and then they played the music video of the first title track that was being released today. Everyone was focused on the huge screen behind the group, the song sure to be another hit, the music video beautifully created and as it continued, I couldn't stop my hand coming up to rest against my heart as I took it all in.

Furiously writing down keywords to describe it later in full, my handwriting scrawled across the paper and, for a moment I looked at it, my lip twisted as I wondered if I'd be able to interpret what I wrote once I was back in the office. A slight clearing of throat had me looking up, Jimin mirroring my mouth, his lip caught in his teeth before he slowly let it go, lips falling open, my eyes hyper focused on his actions as his thumb swiped across his lower lip as if catching a lose drop of liquid before his hand fell back down to the table. His eyebrow rose and my mouth fell open, hand stilled in it's writing as my lips untwisted, parting as I stared, heart racing. Why did it feel like we were the only people in the room when there were hundreds around us? What was happening?

The clapping as the music video finished caused me to blink, rapidly, snapping me out of my daze and he looked down, pressing his lips together to hide away the smirk that spread across his mouth. I frowned, was this amusing to him, to play with me? Or, and I blushed at the thought, was I misinterpreting everything that I was seeing right in front of me?

"Now, we'll start the question portion. Go ahead please," the MC announced and they all reached for their bottles, having a drink of water in preparation of talking. I listened as one after another, people raised their hands and the questions on my list were answered. Occasionally one question was directed at a specific member and I looked at them while they answered but if it was a general question, it was often Namjoon that answered on behalf of the group. This gave me the chance to watch Jimin as he listened to what was being said, nodding along. He seemed to have a half focus, listening and agreeing at the right times but eyes wandering the crowd. More often than not though they landed back straight ahead, finding mine and I always quickly glanced away, too shocked by how beautiful they were to let myself get locked in their grasp.

It didn't help that his hair had been dyed for the comeback, a silver that was one of my favourite looks on him, somehow making him look regal as he sat there taking it all in. It wasn't that he looked above it all, he simply looked like he belonged. Every now and again he'd play with his pen or tap his fingers on the table and the action would catch my eye, looking away from whoever was talking and back to him. And every time it looked like he was doing it on purpose, trying to reclaim my attention. Or was I overthinking it?

A couple of times I thought I could be brave enough to ask something, tentatively beginning to raise my hand before someone else was pointed to and I quickly lowered my hand. Each time that happened, my eyes would flick to him and he'd always be looking my way. I wondered if all the people around me thought he was looking at them too, his gaze seemed hyper focused in our direction but when our eyes hit each other, I knew it was me he was looking at because it felt like he was looking inside my soul. It made my breathing change, a certain feeling sit in the pit of my stomach and the definite need to keep looking at him. Or look away. I couldn't decide.

The questions sped by and soon enough the MC was wrapping up, telling us it was almost over for the conference.

"I think we have time for one more question though," Jimin said quietly, earning a surprised look from his members, staring straight at me before he lifted his hand, gesturing for me to go ahead.

My breath came out in a woosh and I quickly swallowed as I turned the page back, scanning the questions I had written down just in case, realising they'd all been answered. Turning my eyes up to look at him, they grew wide with nerves and he tilted his head slightly to the side, sending a reassuring smile for me to proceed, unaware I didn't have anything to say so I quickly blurted out what came to mind.

"Are you happy?"

There was movement all around me, a few small titters and a shuffling on stage at my words, Namjoon putting the microphone to his mouth. "With how the album turned out? Very happy and I hope ARMY and everyone who listens to it finds joy and solace in our music."

"I think you were meaning happy in ourselves though," Jimin asked and I nodded slowly.

"Oh, you mean our personal happiness," Namjoon asked, smiling at me, dimple showing and I nodded, blushing, wondering if the question was crossing a line, embarrassed that I'd blurted it out the way I had. My boss would likely have something to say about it when we talked about the press conference and I hoped I wouldn't lose my job over embarrassing the company name.

"I am," Jungkook spoke up with a cute grin and I wondered briefly if the dating rumours were true and if that played a part in it.

"We're all working on our own personal projects in the background so there are a few things going on for each of us that are allowing us to tap into what we enjoy doing the most," Yoongi answered.

"I'm looking forward to announcing something in the next few weeks that has kept me busy but has made me happy," Tae said, deep voice reverberating through the room, a buzz of murmurs as those around me speculated on whether he was going to be doing some more acting.

I was making notes as I listened to each of them answer, aware my cheeks were probably a little pink from blushing as they looked my way while they answered. Each of them had gorgeous eyes and I knew I could fall into each and every set of them. I was also aware Jimin hadn't answered and for some reason, I couldn't bring myself to look up and see what he was doing, sliding my eyes across him to Hobi when he brought the mic to his mouth to speak. When Hobi spoke about being happy that his music and dance could continue to reach lots of people and that made him happy, then the MC took that as a cue to wrap it up, thanking the band for their time and the new album.

We clapped and the members stood ready to follow each other out, the room growing a little noisy as they did, people gathering their items to rush off and write their reports. So quite a few didn't notice when Jimin quietly spoke into the microphone but my ears had become attuned to his voice, head flipping up to listen, staring straight at him as I did.

"I could be, at the right time, with the right person," and he gave me a quick bow before he put the microphone down and calmly walked off, Hobi slapping him on the back with a grin as he did. There were a few confused looks and I paused in what I was doing. Was he answering my question from earlier? Was he hinting at something that he hoped I'd understood? Or, like the rest of the afternoon, was I completely bewildered by the whole process and out of my depth where it came to interpreting their messages?

I took a deep breath, then another, shook my head with a small laugh and reached down to gather my bag from the ground, loading my papers and pen into it as I did. When I sat back up, I gave a start, a man standing in front of me, appearing silently while I was preoccupied. He bowed when he saw me look, apologising for startling me but handing over a piece of paper and walking away.

"Happiness can be a lot of things and I'm interested in what makes you happy. Do you drink coffee and are you free now? Off the record of course. Jimin"

I sat back, bag dropping out of my hand to the floor, looking towards the exit where they'd walked out of the room. No-one was there, at least they weren't visible to me but I wondered if he could see me from where he was, smoothing down my hair at the thought. The piece of paper also contained a phone number and I looked at it a few times before deciding what to say, punching it into my phone and shaking as I clicked send.

"I'm one of those weird people who don't drink coffee. But I could definitely drink a hot chocolate. And yes, now is good, off the record."

"Someone will come shortly to bring you to me, I'm looking forward to answering any questions you have and you won't have to raise your hand to ask me them cutie."

A lot was going through my mind now. How did they know to give it to me, did he describe me to them? What did he say, did he describe my clothes or what I looked like or did he say, 'remember the reporter that asked the strange question at the end? Take this to her please." They found me based on whatever it was he said and I wondered how soon they'd come after his text was sent, if I had enough time to go to check my makeup before I saw him. The answer was no as the same man returned straight away and indicated for me to come with him, smiling at me as he did.

Standing and gathering my bag, I somehow managed to put one foot in front of the other as we walked out the same side exit the members had left through and I walked a few steps behind him, down a corridor out to where cars were waiting. As I walked I saw Taehyung and Jungkook get into one car, Namjoon and Jin into another and then the man paused next to the third car waiting in line. He bowed as he clicked the button to open the door and as it slid sideways, he stepped back, indicating for me to climb inside.

I frowned a little at this point, all the shows I'd seen where the person had gotten into a random car swirling in my brain until a voice spoke from inside. "I won't bite."

"Promise," I asked, stepping in and moving to the back when he pointed to the seat next to him, door sliding closed behind me.

"No, I don't think I can actually promise that," he said with a smirk. "I'm Jimin, nice to meet you." He stretched out his hand and I put mine automatically into it, as he shook it in greeting, bowing over it as he did. "And you are," he asked, keeping a hold on it.

"Marley," I replied, charmed as he pressed a kiss to the back of it. "Nice to meet you Jimin."

"Buckle in Marley, we want to get there in one piece."

"Where's there," I asked, clicking my seatbelt in place, sitting back as he removed his hand from mine, taking his warmth with it. I instantly felt the loss. Get a grip, I thought.

"I was thinking the restaurant in my building. Although, I have hot chocolate at my place too which might be even better."

"Did you just ask me to come up to your apartment Jimin?" My words came out as a stutter, hardly believing they were even leaving my mouth at all.

"Hmmm, I think I did," he chuckled, voice sounding deeper than I usually heard him speaking online. "Which would you rather?"

"Are you asking me if I'd rather go to a restaurant or your place for a hot drink?"

"No strings attached, just a hot drink is fine. I just found you... interesting to watch during the press conference so I was wanting to talk more. You were very detailed in your note taking. I like it that you were so focused."

I blushed, looking away from him. No strings attached? The fan girl in me knew there was no way I was turning down going back to his place. The journalist in me was loving the idea of asking him questions even if it was off the record.

"I was a little distracted from time to time," I said, acknowledging the unspoken moments between us. He nodded. Of course he'd noticed. "OK, I'd like to hang out at your place Jimin," I replied, finding it weird to use his name.

"I'm glad to hear it," he said, settling back in his seat, quiet for the rest of the trip which was fine by me as my mind was all over the place.

Pulling up to his building, we were dropped off under and I wondered who parked his car and how they got home afterwards as Jimin guided me to the elevator, hand lightly on the small of my back. Punching in a code, the lift rose into the skyscraper, my heart beating a little faster as it carried us higher. This was actually a little surreal.

"This way," he said, standing back to let me exit first but pointing which way to walk as we fell into step, heading to the door at the end of the corridor. Very few doors led off the hallway, I assumed he was one of only a couple on this floor.

He kicked off his shoes the moment we walked in the door, using his toes to slide them into a tidy line before reaching for my hand. "Let me show you the living room," he said, as I put my shoes next to his and followed shyly as he pulled me with him.

It was like he was a different person now that he was in his domain. Previously he was flirty and intense. Here he seemed more relaxed and smiley rather than sending smirks my way. Loosening his tie, he headed out of the room. "Still want that hot chocolate? Or a wine? Beer?"

"A hot chocolate will be great, I can come help make it?"

"If you'd like," he replied and I leaped up from the couch, walking into his kitchen behind him. Great view, I thought before averting my eyes.

He gathered the mugs, hot chocolate and coffee, handing me a spoon to put the amount of hot chocolate I'd like into my mug before pouring in the water and milk. It felt easy and even though we didn't really talk, we didn't need to, strangely relaxed enough in each others company to just potter around making our cuppas. He'd taken off his suit jacket, slinging it over the back of a dining chair as he'd walked past, rolling up the sleeves a little as he set things up, moving around the kitchen. It was sexy, his arms revealed and veins on display as he reached around me to find what he needed.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Isn't that why you're here," he asked, raising his eyebrows as he stirred the mugs.

"Is it? I mean, well," my voice faded out as we looked at each other.

"Yes you can ask me something," he replied, taking pity on me as my cheeks tinted red again. "As long as for every question you ask, I can ask one back?"

"Off the record."

"All entirely off the record," he said, handing me a mug and leaning back on his counter as we both took the first sip, satisfied sighs coming out at the taste. He was shoeless, tie pulled loose, formal shirt fitted to his body and hair a little dishevelled from running his hand through it several times. It was insanely attractive and I doubted I could keep that look out of my eyes if we made eye contact so I avoided looking at him, focusing on my drink instead.

"Ok, so, why did you invite me over for a cuppa?" The question was asked tentatively but I really was curious to know.

"Don't you want to be here?"

"Are you going to keep avoiding my questions if I ask them?"

"You did say I could ask you a question for every one you asked," he replied with a grin. I looked up at that with a laugh.

"Better," he said. "I didn't want you to be shy around me, I am just a normal person really. Shall we go back through to the lounge?"

I nodded, walking back in and curling up on the couch, legs tucked under me. This was a day I was grateful I had decided not to wear a skirt to work. And I thought it was sweet that he was trying to put me at ease. As we sat sipping our hot drinks together, I almost relaxed. Almost. Because I couldn't forget who I was sitting next to, knees close enough to touching that they might as well have been.

"You didn't answer me," I said eventually, putting the mug on a coaster next to my seat, hugging my legs to my body to keep myself grounded.

"Hmmmm, why did I invite you," he clarified and I nodded, waiting for his words. He measured them before he spoke, blinking a few times as his eyes scattering throughout the room as he searched for the words to answer.

"I said in the car I found you interesting. That's true but I said that so I didn't scare you away. The truth is I thought you were beautiful."

I cleared my throat with a cough, caught off guard. Biting my lip to keep my emotions in check, I finally looked at him to find him smiling lightly back at me. "Sorry if that embarrassed you but I was only speaking the truth."

"Ummmm, thank you," I replied, unsure how to respond when someone who was that good looking paid me a compliment like that. I looked down at what I was wearing, skinny jeans, a loose flowing top, nothing out of the ordinary.

"Not what you are wearing, although you look very pretty in it. I mean, you, you're beautiful. Natural. Are you even wearing any makeup?"

"Not really," I replied, wishing I'd put some on in my rush to get there on time that morning. In the end I had just used a little concealer to hide my tired under eyes and some lip gloss.

"See, natural. You're beautiful without even trying."

OK, he'd said it three times now and it didn't get any easier to know what to do with my hands when he did, currently squeezing them together to try and hold all my emotions inside. I realised I wasn't really saying anything, probably sitting here looking like a fool. So I just spoke honestly. "I don't know what to say to that."

"You don't need to say anything, I just wanted you to hear it," he said, putting his own mug down and turning his body a little to lean against the corner of the couch. He was facing me more now and I automatically adjusted my body to mirror his, hands settling in my lap.

"What do you normally do in the evening," I asked.

"This mostly, sitting and relaxing. But to be honest, I don't really get evenings. I work best then, sleeping strange hours, eating at different times and then staying up super late and writing or recording."

"Do you enjoy it though," I wondered out loud. It felt like a lot of work and very little play, how did he have time to just be Jimin?

"That's two questions I'm owed now," he said with a grin.

"One. The last was a statement."

"OK, I'll accept that although you really might have to work on how you say things," he replied, cheekily. "So what about you, what do you do in the evening?"

"My flatmate and I will watch Netflix, sometimes I'm working on a story while we do. Like, I'll probably go home after this and write up about the press conference today. It is going in a weekly feature thankfully not anything due tomorrow or I wouldn't be here now."

"And that would've been very disappointing for me."

"For me too," I replied, smile small but hopefully he could see it reached my eyes.

"It's already a little disappointing that you said you'll probably go home after this."

I froze on the spot, unsure if I'd heard or understood what his intentions were behind his words. But I wasn't stupid and I'd been feeling something bouncing off him since the press conference started.

"Jimin," I finally breathed out, unsure what I wanted to say after his name.

"Yes Marley," he asked softly, leaning forward a little to take the hand out of my lap, holding it in his. I focused down on his movements, incapable of saying anything more for a moment and he filled in the silence, voice velvety as it flowed through me. "Do you really want to go home?"

I shook my head slowly, finally forcing my head up to look at him. "Not just yet," I said, equally as quietly but he heard, smiling.

"I'll take that for now."

"Just for now," I asked.

"Another question? Yes, just for now. Now my question for you, what do you like for breakfast?"

"Jimin!" I said loudly, slapping him on the arm as he cracked up laughing. "Stop teasing."

"I might not have been teasing. It might've been a serious question. And now you might not ever know. Ouch, you can pack a punch."

"I have three older brothers," I shrugged, aware I was stronger than I looked."

"You didn't answer though."

"Breakfast? I like having sausage with my breakfast." And then I stopped, and blushed, throwing my hands up to cover my face is it changed to bright red. "OK, I heard how that sounds and I didn't mean it like that! I just really like...meat."

Meanwhile, he was clutching his stomach and rolling all over the couch as he roared with laughter at my expense.

"Stop, you're terrible," I said, cheeks still pink and warm, still hiding.

He reached up and forced my hands away from my face, my head was still dropped so our eyes weren't meeting. I was too embarrassed.

"Marley, don't worry, I think you're great."

"I'm embarrassed," I said, still refusing to look up.

He rolled onto his back and slid head first across the couch until he was almost under me, looking up at my flushed cheeks so I couldn't hide from him any longer. Then he flipped to his stomach, nudging my chin with his head as he pushed it up, sitting up to face me, now just a few inches apart.

"Marley," he said gently.

"Mmm...," I said, now not able to look away.

"You are delightful," he continued as his lips pressed lightly to mine and I swallowed back my worry, letting our mouths glide over each other, feeling every surface as it reacted to mine. Like fire, like silk, soft, warm. And perfect.

"That was smooth," I breathed out, getting my bearings as we pulled away.

"I thought so," he said, grinning and rubbing his bottom lip between his fingers. "And very enjoyable. I mean, I'd do that again," he shrugged and I hit him on the arm again, this time lighter, not really meaning to inflict any pain on him. So would I.

"So, what will you have for breakfast," he said with a wink which turned to a look of surprise when I finally replied.

"Eggs, sunny side up on a piece of toast with an apple juice please. Oh, and I will take that side of sausage."

"We can definitely arrange that," he said,leaning forward again, then stopping. "Anymore questions?"

"Oh, I think I'm good for now," I said, closing the gap as he wrapped his arm around me and we sank into each other.