Chapter 6
I woke in his bed the next morning, sheets smelling like him, like us. There was a lingering scent that I recognised was the shower gel I'd used at some stage in the early hours of the morning before falling into an exhausted heap in his bed. I didn't bring my signature brown sugar scrub but he did and I was not so secretly pleased to see he had it with him. So I used that, our scents mingling and overlapping together and I wondered if anyone would notice his scent on me or my scent on him or if it was just so hyper obvious to me.
The bed was empty and I reached for my phone to find a text from him letting me know he was down in the hotel gym working out so I stretched before climbing out to make the most of the water pressure in the hotel shower before he returned. I knew if I waited and we crossed paths while he was still all sweaty from being in the gym, I would cave and then risk us being late for work. Too risky. So I showered again, more to wake myself up than to clean up and grimaced as I put the same clothes back on. He didn't know but I kept a bag in my car, loaded now with several types of outfits on the off chance I would need something last minute. Talking myself into thinking it was because I might spill something on my clothes and need to change or a last minute schedule was added that I needed different clothes for, deep down it was because I always had the hope I might be staying overnight.
It was early, probably waking as Jungkook was leaving the suite as he wasn't all that quiet but I took the stairs down to my car on the off chance I ran into some BTS staff in the elevator. I was definitely way too early for when I was scheduled to start and my reason for being there that early could be brought into question. So when I had grabbed my outfit for the day out from my bag in the car and headed back up towards Jungkook's suite, pulling the door to the stairwell, I jumped back as I almost banged straight into Namjoon as he and a staff member headed out the stairwell.
"Oh, hey," I said, jumping back and then bowing quickly to cover up my informal greeting. "Namjoon-ssi, heading out to exercise," I asked, noting his thick thighs in running shorts, choosing not to linger on his legs.
"Yes, going for a quick run Marley-ssi," he said, stopping for a moment, bending to tie a loose shoelace. "You're here early," he continued, looking up as his fingers moved on his laces before he stood to tower over me again.
"Yeah, the gym here is better than the gym near my apartment," I said, shrugging and trying to sound as nonchalant as possible. "Was hoping to sneak in for a quick work out before I started my day."
"Yeah good plan," he nodded, looking at security who was pacing like they were ready to go. But Namjoon stopped for a moment longer, looking at the clothes I was wearing and you could almost see the wheels in his head spinning, noticing they were what I was dressed in when I'd left, although he didn't say anything. Crossing my fingers that he just assumed I'd grabbed the closest clothes as I was heading to the gym and then I'd change into my clothes for the day but I knew he was smarter than that. He was putting two and two together and I needed to disappear before he reached four.
"Well, I'll leave you to it then, see you soon Namjoon-ssi," I said, heading through the door at the bottom of the stairs and scurrying to escape his gaze. Taking them two at a time, I used the keycard I'd taken from the counter, racing to close the door of Jungkook's room before anyone else saw me. One person seeing me was enough, and maybe already too many. Jungkook came out of the bedroom, towel drying his hair as he did, raising his eyebrow at the way I rested back against the closed door.
"Namjoon saw me," I puffed out,
"And," he answered, unsure why that was in need of a frantic looking face.
"And I was wearing exactly what I had on when I was working with him yesterday." My hands came down to motion at my outfit, highlighting it's slightly rumpled state and clicked.
"Oh," he replied, mouth forming a big O. "Well, I guess you should change then."
"Onto it," I replied, rushing towards the room he'd just left.
"Can I come watch," Jungkook asked, laughing a little as I glared at him.
"Now is not the right time Jungkook," I called, closing the door so I couldn't see his smirky face. It was too tempting.
"Oh I disagree. Now is always the right time Marley," he called through the closed door and I couldn't help but smile as I quickly took the offending clothes off and changed into the ones I'd grabbed from the car. Smoothing those and my hair down, I went into the lounge area to join him.
"Is it going to be a problem, that Namjoon might've guessed?"
"He's the go between for us and the company so he walks a difficult line but when it comes to relationships, he chooses us and always has done. That's not to say he won't have an opinion about it but he might keep it to himself. Or at least talk to me and not you about it all. He's very diplomatic."
"I'm so embarrassed," I said and he walked quickly over.
"Hey, hey, it's nothing to be embarrassed about. We're adults right? In charge of our own bodies. Well, I mostly am," and she understood there were certain things in his job that were dictated for him to do with what he should and could look like. The tattoos on his arm clearly showed he flouted those rules from time to time and I wondered if that is what I was. A middle finger to the fact he could sneak me into his life for a portion of time and get away with it. I definitely knew he enjoyed the hide and seek nature of it all.
"Yeah, I just don't want him or any of the others to think differently of me or that it might effect my job. I'm enjoying working in this role, it's got me thinking."
"Thinking about continuing to do something like this, translating? There's lots of K Pop artists that travel to English speaking countries who would be happy to have you be their translator. Although I would rather it was the girl groups unless you were working with us."
"It's just something in the back of my mind for after you're gone," I said, touching briefly on the fact it was soon, less than a week, not something we'd talked too much about.
"Yeah, OK," he hummed a little leaning down to kiss me, softer than he often did. I enjoyed the feeling as he gently slid his lips across mine before he pulled away. "You do know I think they all know now, all the members? Apart from maybe not Hobi hyung, he can be a little oblivious sometimes. Taehyungie, Jimin-ssi and Yoongi hyung all definitely do. Jin watches so I think he does as well."
"Is that OK then, that they know? It could be weird?"
"Most of them have known since last time and have they treated you any differently?"
I shook my head. "No, in fact, they've been quite at ease with me."
"Partly because you're off the table. Jimin especially might flirt but they know my eyes were set firmly on you and we don't get in the way of each other, even if we also find the person attractive."
"I'm off the table huh? Like some kind of possession that belongs to you?"
I don't think he could tell my tone, lowering his head to look me firmly in the eye. "I don't think of you that way Marley, you know that right? If I did, it would've been a one time thing. And that would definitely have been a shame. To have missed out on our fun times together. Don't you agree?"
"Yeah, a definite shame," I said, standing up a little taller to kiss him again, indulging in a slight calm he brought me after the frantic way I'd barrelled into the room. Hopefully the day wouldn't end with me being fired because I was breaking some kind of a contract.
"I'll head out to the suite. Probably best we go separately, just join us when you're ready," and I nodded as he grabbed his phone, pocketing it as he grinned and left the room.
It gave me a moment to breathe before I saw everyone. If they did all know, and he seemed to think they did, they hadn't been treating me weirdly because of it and I was grateful. If Namjoon brought it up with either of us, I'd be honest although in this moment I wasn't sure exactly what I'd be saying. That we were just playing while we were in the same country? It felt a little flippant and in all honesty wasn't the complete truth, at least from my end. I was actually a little bit smitten and I didn't want to fall any further because I wasn't sure you could easily come back from that.
Checking my hair one last time, I peeked cautiously out of the room before quickly heading to the suite. We had been playing cat and mouse with not getting caught so I suppose it was better it was Namjoon and not one of the managers. I was let in with a greeting and a smile when I knocked and walking in, I saw most people were already there. Members sitting around sleepily with caffeine poured into cups to wake them up, managers and other staff chatting. It wasn't as stressful in this room as when they were out and constantly having to be careful. They could all relax a little here in the safety of people they were familiar with. I was honoured to be included in that for a little while.
Jungkook was visible from the moment I entered the room, carefully avoiding me from where he sat near Namjoon and Jimin and I didn't think I was mistaken when I saw Namjoon watching me. I think Jungkook felt it too, both of us making the decision to lay very low today so we weren't pushing anything past what was obvious. And it was OK because after all, I was there to work and I still knew I'd end up in his room at some stage. After all, I'd left my clothes there.
"We're heading to a green space for photos today," a manager was explaining, "then dinner tonight, a chance to unwind before our flight tomorrow. It's only a short trip but there has already been a huge buzz about you being in town and we know some of the plans have made it to the media so we can expect lots of photographers at both airports. It appears one of the radio stations where we're going had let it slip to their listeners."
"It's not a big deal, we've done hundreds of airports before." Jin was popping grapes in his mouth as he spoke, a few platters of breakfast food laid out for the members.
"Yes and it's mostly contained back home. Here it can be a little more chaotic as you're well aware. Everyone needs to have masks and staff," he looked at me too before glancing away, "remember you need to cover as much as possible so you're not hounded too. Hats and masks and big jackets please."
I nodded that I understood, stomach turning over a little as it would be my first time going out with them in such a public capacity even if I was tucked back with the staff. I'd seen it online, airports and other locations. They could be swarmed and there were always pictures being taken. Jungkook met my eyes briefly, taking a small breath in and out, almost as if to pass on his calm to me and I mimicked him as he looked away. I knew he was right, it wouldn't be a big deal, they'd done this a lot and their security was fantastic at keeping people back. But I still worried. The people here were not as polite and willing to stand back as they seemed back in Korea and Japan and I did worry for their safety.
"So, that's it everyone. Let's pack up and head out to the photo-shoot."
There was a rumble in the room as bodies moved, things were gathered, some returning to their rooms before we headed out. I made myself another cuppa, knowing it would be at least 15 minutes before everyone was ready to go. I'd witnessed the amount of time it took to move this many people. They may be experienced and streamlined but it always took a chunk of time in the mornings. Stirring my mug, I smelt him before I felt his presence hovering near the breakfast food, not turning to look at him in case anyone was watching.
"There are some strawberries left if you want one," he said, forcing me to turn slightly to acknowledge him.
"I'm good thank you Jungkook-ssi," I answered, holding up my cup. "This will keep me going."
"Avoiding," he asked. One word but I knew what he meant.
"Mmmmhmmmmm," I answered as I sipped, nodding over my cup. I was going to be avoiding him, Namjoon had definitely been watching us already that morning.
"OK, I won't make it difficult for you," he replied, popping a strawberry in his own mouth, pretending like he wasn't taking way too long to lick the juice off his finger as he did.
"Mmmmhmmmmm," I said again but this time, I hoped he'd get the sarcasm in my tone.
"See you later Marley-ssi," he said as he started to walk off, an undeniable look of mischief on his face and I just knew that he was going to go out of his way to make this day a difficult one just to see what would happen. I'd scream in frustration for most people but I knew, deep down, I was looking forward to seeing what he would actually do.
As it turned out, he restricted himself to mostly behaving. The photo-shoot was too busy, loads of outfit changes which meant make up touch ups and hair style adjustments. Jungkook really didn't have a chance to cause any mischief and part of me was relieved. The other part of me, the one that really, really liked that side of him was a little disappointed.
I had developed a good relationship with Nicole by now, choosing to eat with her during lunch. It felt safer. Kook watched across the room and I sent him a small smile so we were OK with the distance. I would rather be eating with him but I was staff so this was more sensible anyway. And if I saw Nicole look between the both of us and smile slightly more than once, I choose to ignore it.
So by the time I raced home to get an outfit for tonight, nothing suitable in the bag I kept in my car, I was beginning to miss our little interactions, the looks, the way he'd find a way to come over to where I was working. Now standing in my bedroom, I pulled a few things out to replace the clothes in my bag that I'd worn the last few days before settling on what I wanted to wear that night. If we couldn't be seen to interact properly, I'd at least give him a reason to not want to look at anyone else.
Jungkook had been doing a terrible job of not looking since I'd walked in that evening. He knew I'd headed home for an outfit change, telling him I needed something fitting the meal we were attending. It was a celebration of sorts, the music videos wrapped and although there were still some other things left to do in their schedule, the super long days were over. But as we'd arrived at the restaurant, he hadn't been backwards about heading straight for the seat next to me before anyone else did, no matter how casual he tried to make it. And no matter how unwise it was with Namjoon paying closer attention than I would've liked.
It had been a great choice to wear the long skirt after days of functional work pants and jeans, not that they weren't something I was strategic about so he could enjoy those from all angles too. But this outfit, topped off with industrial boots just adding to the whole look, drew his eyes to my body, to the split that showed a peek of leg from time to time as I moved ahead of him to sit down. Seeing him look at me that way caused a persistent twinge when I was near him. I liked the twinge though. It did things to me. Especially knowing the surprise hiding just a little from his eyes.
As he moved to take the seat next to me, I crossed my legs in his direction, body language 101 for being open but it also allowed me to play out one small part of the evening, the split falling open as I did, reaching immediately to pull the split closed, almost as if it was an accident. Which it definitely wasn't. I knew how to sit gracefully, this was fully intentional and I don't know if he realised it but his eyes were focused exactly where I wanted them to be, on where the gap had disappeared, showing the hint of stockings that finished thigh high, suspender belt straps contrasting against the paleness of my thigh. He looked stunned into silence for a moment and then he looked up and I had to instantly look away. That wasn't a friendly look on his face or subtle in the slightest and my cheeks got a healthy glow at his expression, needing to not see the way he was looking.
"Everything OK Jungkook," I asked, not looking at him as I reached to pour myself water from the jug the server had left on the table. But his hand got there first, reaching to brush mine slightly as he placed it over the top, mine slipping out from under his.
He didn't answer straight away, filling my glass, using that as an excuse to lean close.
"You're going to need to keep your legs together," he whispered, tipping slowly.
"Oh am I now? Why's that," I asked softly, knowing he'd seen.
"Noone else can see you looking like this," he replied, voice low and gruff.
"Like what? Fully dressed," I half laughed and he pulled back a little, glaring in an attempt to silence me.
About to reply, I glanced up and met Namjoon's eyes across the table, watching us both with a look that clearly reeked of intent so I just smiled over at him, thanked Jungkook for the water and proceeded to engage in conversation with Hobi on the other side of me, effectively cutting Jungkook out although I was very aware of my proximity to his body.
Especially when, half an hour later, still mostly avoiding each other as we ate, his hand came to rest on my leg under the table, causing a momentary pause in conversation before I carried on. And I was very happy to be listening and eating instead of talking in that moment when that same hand started the slow creep higher up my leg, coming to eventually rest where the stocking sat on my thigh. I had half been expecting something but his fingers on my skin were always a surprise, a trail of fire, an awakening of all the nerve endings in my body, or so it felt like. And when those fingers slipped under the top of the stockings, lightly stroking where they landed, I attempted to move slightly away, his hand gripping to hold my legs in place. I risked a glance out the corner of my eye and saw him caught in a conversation where he seemed to be actively participating, even as his hand was doing things out of sight. Whoever said men couldn't multitask were very wrong.
He kept it there for as long as he could, the weight of his touch comforting once I got used to the stroke on the fabric of my stockings and skin. So when everyone was making noise to leave, an early flight meaning not a lot of drinking was done and sleep was much needed, his hand slipped out and away from my thigh, the heat instantly absent. I didn't realise how easy it was to get used to absorbing the feeling of him until it went away.
"Jungkook-ssi," Namjoon called as we all stood, "travel in my car," and Kook called back his yes as he glanced at me, both guessing a conversation was going to be had. So even as I disappeared into a car with staff, I watched Namjoon, Jungkook and Yoongi get into another and wondered if our time was up.
"Marley-ssi, can I ask you to come and quickly translate something for me," Jimin said as we were leaving the central suite half an hour later.
"Of course," I answered before noticing the look on his face. Jungkook had left a few minutes earlier and I hadn't been able to ask anything about the conversation or form a plan to go to his room since everyone seemed to be coming and going constantly from their own rooms, the corridor full of staff. Jimin was directing me down towards his room and it just happened to be the one next to Jungkook's. Making a show of patting his pockets for his keycard, he then proceeded to drop it and to my amusement, tapped lightly on Jungkook's door as he stood up. It popped open and if anyone happened to be looking from up the hallway, they wouldn't be able to tell whether I followed Jimin or Jungkook into their room so as Jimin winked at me, I quickly slipped inside Kook's room and he shut the door behind me.
"Hey," he said, pulling my body into his.
"Hey," I answered, wrapping my arms around his waist and leaning into his chest. I'd felt on tender hooks all day, mostly because of him.
"What was with all of that tonight Kook," I asked, running my hand down his chest, grazing lightly over the top he still wore.
"I simply didn't want anyone else to look at you dressed like that, I wanted to be the one with an up close and personal view. And touch," he smirked at that and my mouth twitched into a barely contained smile. "And anyway you can't talk, you're the one who dressed like that."
"What, this old thing," I asked and he stepped back.
"Can I," he asked, running his hand down my side to the split, moving the fabric apart when I nodded my consent. His fingers instantly went to play with the top of my stockings again and his breath came out in a whistle. "I really like these," he said and I grinned. "Like, a lot," he added before stepping in to close the gap between our bodies, taking my lips in his after what felt like a long time and not just this morning.
"Are you staying," he asked, playing with the hair around my ears.
"It's an early start tomorrow right," I asked, pretending to debate.
"Yeah, hardly seems worth the drive home. Practically have to turn around and came right back," he countered and I laughed. It wasn't even 1030pm.
"Well, who can argue with that logic," I said as his hand came back to my thigh and my lips found the freckle on his neck, pressing a small kiss there, not marking anything because it was so visible but thinking about other places I could hide a kiss instead.
"What did Namjoon say," I managed to get out between kisses as he walked us backwards to his room.
"He didn't ask directly if anything was going on. He just commented how I seemed to be juggling work and my private life well these days and that he was glad to see me happy and hoped I knew how important sleep was."
"So he gave us his blessing," I asked as I fell back on the bed, Jungkook above me as he pressed to melt me into the bedding.
"I think he wanted me to know he knew and to remind me to be careful but also to have fun. Yoongi was good too. He mentioned how I'd seemed quite relaxed while we were in town."
"Oh did he? He's a dark horse that one, I can't quite tell what he's thinking most of the time."
"We all usually have no idea what Yoongi is thinking but Marley," Jungkook said as I hummed a yes at him, his lips trailing down my throat, "I don't want to talk about the other members right now."
"Oh no? What did you want to do instead," I asked as my fingers lingered in the hair around his nape, wriggling as his mouth hit my stomach.
"I kind of want to stop you talking in the best of ways," he said and I felt the warmth from his breath against my stomach spread over my skin and down to the tips of my limbs as he set about working out how to peel me out of the stockings, an early night definitely not on the cards.
