Page 56 of GR8VITY

Her friend throws out an arm and catches him across the chest as I whip my head toward him. "I've got it."

Squatting down, I start working the buckles loose before glancing up at her. She's already looking down at me, and it's a good thing I'm already down so low, because that look literally makes my knees weak.

"You cheated," I throw out to keep myself from drooling on her shoes or worse.

She laughs. "I did not, and you won."

"You let me win," I pout.

Reaching out, she pushes the hair back that's fallen into my eyes. "I don't know what you're talking about. I was just saving my strength and lost fair and square."

"Liar," I whisper.

She winks down at me, and I know it. I'm a goner.

TRACK 14

STAY

LIZ

Later, as we're walking home, my mind drifts back over the events of tonight. It felt good releasing some energy and being able to complete the expert wall that grown men were struggling with. It felt even better when I'd walked off in search of water and Jae-un had cornered me with Kyung watching our backs protectively. The man backed me into a wall and kissed me senseless. Which brings my thoughts to the promise I'd made them beforehand. My stomach does a little flip as I think about it, but I'm not backing out.

Jae-un forces me onto his back to carry me, even when I protest that it's my arms that are tired and not my legs. He isn't listening. Not like I'm going to complain once I get up here, though. I like the way his muscles flex underneath me as he walks. Temptation drives me further as his tan skin glares at me like a beacon, begging to be kissed. So, I do with the slightest brush of my lips down the edge of his ear. He stumbles but catches us. In Se and Dav En on either side of him reach out to steady him. Neither knows the reason he lost his footing, and I have to fight my laugh.

When we get back to their place, he puts me down, but I don't immediately go to make good on promises. Instead, I follow In Se down the hall to his room, catching him before he shuts his door.

"Can I come in?" I ask.

"Of course," he replies with a soft smile.

Jae-un's kiss and the reminder of promises made aren't the only things that have been on my mind tonight. I can't get the image out of my head of In Se being so possessive earlier and the way that he looked up at me when he was helping me out of my harness. Not to mention how attentive he's been all day.

What have these men done to me? They're turning my brain into mush.

Sliding my arms around his waist, I close the distance between us as his arms go around my shoulders.

"What's this for?" he asks, smiling down at me.

"Do I need a reason?" I return.

He swallows hard as his smile fades right before he drops his lips to mine. His kiss is soft and his lips even softer. I part my own for him and get lost in the feel of him. I didn't realize just how sweet and gentle he would be, even though I should have.

I kiss him until I don't know where I begin and he ends. We're both breathing hard when we finally pull away, and I wish for the first time tonight that I hadn't made that promise so that I could stay here with him.

Leaning down, his lips brush against my cheek and make a slow path up to my ear where he gives me goosebumps as he whispers, "I'm calling in my favor tonight."

"Okay," I tell him just as quiet, pressing a quick kiss to his jaw.

I don't know how I'm going to make it work, but I will. I'm not going to owe any of them debts after tonight. But I might just have to find a way to owe them more.

"Go on," he says, reluctantly releasing me, not letting go until the last thing touching is our fingertips.

It’s a strange feeling to have one foot wanting to lead me in a direction and the other wanting to go the complete opposite way. Jae-un's door is shut as I walk by it, making me wonder if he is going to be the one that goes back on my promise. I should know better than that.

Then, the universe has to go and throw another curveball into this as Minsul stops me in the hall. “How is your arm feeling? You banged it up pretty good yesterday.”

His soft fingers brush across my already hyperaware skin as he lifts my arm for inspection.