As my tangent goes on, Monroe’s eyes widen and flicker with confusion then recognition as she pieces together what I’m saying.
We’ve only gravitated closer, with my grip firm on her wrist and her processing the turn of events.
Stunned by the admission I’m making.
“If you think I will ever stand aside while you get yourselfkilled chasing after Black Shell,” I go on bitterly, “then you are as naïve as you seem!”
“How do you know about?—”
“You think you’re the only one to visit Dok-su’s bar?” I ask. “You’re not the only one seeking answers about Black Shell. But it’s not your place to do so.”
“Funny you seem to think it’s your place to dictate that!”
“I can and will as far as Black Shell is concerned. I won’t let you get involved!”
“Too late for that—I was involved the moment he sent us flowers congratulating us on our baby boy!” she cries out, voice strangled by emotion. “Do you remember him, Jin? Our son? The one you’ve refused to grieve. The loss we suffered, yet you refuse to tell me what the hell is going on.”
“What more is there to say about it? He’s a threat you are to stay away from.”
“You know what? I can’t do this anymore. I’m not going to. Let. Go. Of. My. Wrist!” she screams frustratedly as her struggles return.
She pulls and tugs and jerks herself back in her desperate bid to break my hold. I’m equally as persistent and immovable as she proves to be stubborn and thrashing, making for an interesting combination.
A dance of sorts, where she twists frantically and I reel her closer with utmost ease. Her free hand curls into a fist she beats against my chest as she fights to be freed and her round features contort in anger.
I’m angry too. I’m fucking pissed I’m even in this situation, where I’ve once again behaved impulsively and not only followed her; I’ve revealed my hand by confessing how obsessed and fixated I still am.
The scuffle between us abruptly ends when Monroe goes to slam her fist into me a second time and myreflexes respond as quickly as ever. I catch it, now gripping both her hands, abandoning any restraint in that single second.
I drag her the rest of the way toward me, closing the ever-shrinking gap between us and doing what I’ve thought about for weeks.
From the moment our relationship started to crumble.
I press my lips to hers and kiss her hard and deep. I kiss her so suddenly it leaves us both shocked.
Monroe by how she gasps the second our lips touched. Me by the wave of confusion that passes through me.
I don’t understand why I’m doing what I am in this moment. I’m normally so strategic and calculated, but it’s safe to say the old Jin, once so disciplined, has been fading away for a while.
The new reckless version of me I’m becoming doesn’t give a fuck. He drinks himself blind and murders his men if they so much as look at him wrong.
He obsessed over the woman he loves while pushing her away and refusing to be with her.
None of it makes any sense, yet in this moment, it doesn’t need to.
For both of us, the kiss becomes immediate respite. A break from our dark and depressing reality as Monroe fists my shirt and parts her lips.
It’s merely an opportunity for me to devour her further. I push my tongue into her mouth and tangle my fingers in her tight curls, tilting her head further back and deepening our kiss.
Seconds pass before she seems to come to her senses and tries to wrench herself back all over again. Her fingers loosen on the fabric of my shirt, and she shoves at my chest, making strangled sounds of protest.
I draw back long enough to look her in the eye and see my reflection shining back up at me. Her eyes are wide anddark, pupils dilated. She’s borderline panting as we pause and stare as if silently debating whether to give in.
Our final chance to turn back rather than make a foolish mistake.
Then the moment passes, and Monroe’s grabbing at my shirt again and yanking my mouth down to hers.
Our lips crash together in a violent collision. A hard kiss that’s urgent and desperate enough it doesn’t matter that we bite each other’s lips and draw blood. I groan into her mouth as I taste copper and respond by groping at her hips and ass through her jeans.
