Page 62 of Kiss Me

“Merry Christmas.”

I hang up before he responds because I know he won’t wish me a Merry Christmas back. He’ll say something mundane like ‘have a good day’ or ‘enjoy the holiday.’

“What happened to you?” I ask, staring at the blank phone screen in my hand.

The truth is, I already know the answer to my question. I don’t need him to tell me.

“What’s the matter?” Taehyun’s deep voice pulls me out of my thoughts as soon as I open the bathroom door.

He doesn’t wait for me to answer as he takes my face into his hands. His dark eyes peer down into mine searching for the truth within my soul.

“I miss my dad,” I tell him honestly.

Taehyun’s eyes soften and he pulls me into his warm embrace. It’s here that I find comfort. As I lay my head against his chest and let out a deep sigh, the pain of my father’s rejection starts to fade. No, it doesn’t completely go away, but it softens enough that I can breathe.

“This is the first Christmas in a while that I’ve had time to slow down and think. To remember,” I tell him as I pull away to look up into his eyes again.

He pushes one of my braids behind my ear. “Thinking about me, I hope.”

A smile pushes through my lips. “Among other things.”

He frowns which makes me laugh.

“I want to create a snowboarding camp for kids who wouldn’t otherwise have the chance to attend.”

He cocks his head to the side, his interest obviously piqued.

“I grew up well off. My father was one of the top sports agents at a major agency until he formed his own. My mother was a corporate attorney. We could afford to take vacations to ski resorts. They could afford my snowboarding lessons.

“Not everyone has those same advantages, and I want to expose more children who look like me and look up to me and to this sport.”

My heart swells when Taehyun’s mouth parts on a smile so bright it’s almost blinding.

“For something like that, you’re going to need investors. Sign me up.”

I playfully hit his chest.

“I’m serious. I’ll make a transfer right now.”

“No,” I shake my head, laughing. “I don’t have anything set up yet. It’s just something I’ve been thinking about for a while now.” I push out a breath, my mood feeling much lighter than it had been upon hanging up the phone with my father.

“I’m going to make it happen, though.” A determination I only feel while in the middle of competition pushes through me. I hated lying to the people closest to me about my ankle just to get some time off.

But I’m realizing this time was needed for me to figure out what I truly want. What my priorities are and remind me that at the end of the day, I love this sport.

I want to share that love with others who might not have the opportunities I did.

Taehyun grins and cups my face once more after I say as much out loud. A small groan escapes my throat when he brushes his lips against mine.

It doesn’t even come close to being enough.

“Please,” I whisper against his mouth.

“Baby, do you know how much I love it when you beg?” he growls before pulling me in for a kiss that steals my breath.

He rips away the bedding sheet that I still have wrapped around my body.

“Mine,” he says before lifting me up and carrying me to his bed.

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