“Yes. How come you know what makes me happy? As if you know me better than myself.”
“I don’t know. But I feel we have a connection. Do you believe that?”
“I think so. It’s like you intentionally met someone and it’s like you’ve known each other for a long time. As if destiny brought you together.”
“As if destiny brought us together,” he said in a raspy voice, his eyes searching her face. "I don't even like you at first."
“Ay! You’re so mean,” Cheska said and snubbed him. "That’s cruel, you know."
“No offense meant. But I felt like you were a scammer because you just randomly and suddenly cried on the train. Come on. Those kinds of crooked people were everywhere. What do I know if they were now operating internationally and they were already here in Korea scamming people. Then omma was pushing you on me. I know she doesn’t like Min Ji. But I didn’t expect her to push me to someone like you.”
"Someone who’s not pretty?" she said bitterly.
“No. A stranger and a scammer. I was also not comfortable having you stay in our house. I was thinking you might steal my purity.”
“You are really crazy.” She slapped his shoulder. “Why? Do you still have your so-called purity?”
“Apart from my handsomeness, that's all I have left. But since you helped us with Park Gung, I've liked you a little bit.”
Her brows furrowed. "Just a little?"
“I can’t like you too much. You are stubborn and you only give me headaches. I already got enough trouble in my hands.”
"And now?"
"You’re still such a headache but I like you so much now.” He stroked her hair. "I feel like even if I push you away, you will still not move away from me.”
"And if I stay away from you?"
“I just can’t seem to leave you alone. In a short time, you’ve grown in me. I feel like I'm so used to you being around. When I get distracted even for just a moment, I get worried of what’s happening to you. What if you need me, stuffs like that. I’m never like this even with Min Ji. I want to make sure that there’s a smile on your face every time you are with me. That you won’t have to look for anyone else when you’re with me.”
Cheska licked her lip. Carter liked her a lot. When he said that she was better than Min Ji, she wanted to cry with happiness.
“I feel the same. I don’t like you either the first time we’ve met. I know you don't like me. And besides, you are far from Doc Darryl.”
He scoffed. "You're just saying that because you wanted to get even with me earlier.”
“I don’t want to like you. I’ve already told you how quickly I protect myself when it comes to other men. I want to protect Doc Darryl in my heart. He was too perfect, I don’t think anybody could take his place. But I let you get close to me.”
He gathered her hands and kissed her knuckles. “Czech, I am not perfect. I know I couldn’t match up with Doc Darryl. Today is not the right time to fall in love with me. I have nothing to offer you yet. I must fix my family first. I don’t want you to be a rebound girl. Min Ji’s cheating is still fresh to me. And you still haven’t recovered from Doc Darryl. If you are not in a hurry, we can wait for the right time for it. Let’s see where it will take us. I just want you to know how I feel about you right now.”
"Me too." She breathed a sigh of relief because this made it easier for her to tell Carter that she likes him. Because he was the first one to confess. But he was right. This was not the right time for them. “Let’s just enjoy each other’s company. We still have a lot to learn about each other. I just have one request.”
"What?"
“Can you kiss me? I just want to make sure that you are real. We are real. You know, I might like you less if you turn out to be a lousy kisser.”
"Let's see." There was a challenge in his eyes.
He cupped her face between his palms. He claimed her lips in a swoop. It was not like that ‘almost’ kiss they had before. He was kissing her for real. He nibbled her lips first. As if he was tasting a fruit if it was really sweet. She slightly opened her lips. Her breath hitched when the tip of his tongue swiped her lips. His kiss became deeper.
Poor novice here. She was no match for him. All she could do was drown in the sensation. She could only clutch on his shoulders. The cold autumn night in Jeju Island suddenly became volcanic hot.
“So, how’s my lousy kiss?” Carter asked with a grin when their lips parted.
“It was…” she inhaled deeply. “So disappointing. You really are a lousy kisser.”
“Well, I intentionally did it. I just don’t want you to suddenly fall in love with me and I also don’t want to surprise you coz I know you’re not prepared for it.” He caressed the edge of her lip. "I told you I am willing to take my time until you are ready."
"To fall in love with you?"
“No. For a real kiss. ”
She was swallowed. If he would give her a real kiss, she might not only give him her heart but her virginity as well. Calm down, Cheska. Don't be too excited. Just as Carter said, there was a right time for everything.