Here lies your book boyfriend…naked.

I saw something recently on social media, I can’t even remember what now, typical! But what I remember is this: We must keep our promises to ourselves if we hope to achieve anything of substance. Basically, this enables us to trust ourselves, which is a building block for so much more when it comes to working to achieve a dream.

Then, when I casually mentioned to one of my best friends that I probably have a good dozen books that are ALMOST finished, she said something that I can’t get out of my mind: I think you’re afraid of success.

Me?

Afraid to hit it big??

No…

But why else would I be sitting on so many great stories that are almost done, that wouldn’t be tough for me to finish with some dedication and focus?

I can’t stop thinking about those two things, especially since I just recently relaunched the blog, and I’ve already been slacking. But I refuse this idea that I’m sabotaging myself — even if there is evidence to suggest that it’s true! I refuse to give in.

I do want to succeed. I want to be a huge! A globally beloved romance writer who people wait eagerly for her next book so they can get lost in a new world, a new love, and a new tale to blunt life’s bumps and make them feel hopeful about love and happy and sweet in their hearts.

Anyway, here’s another snippet from book 2 in my Idol Love series. I hope you read the first book Saints and Sinnas. If you did, thank you! Please leave me a review on Amazon, ok? 

In this snippet, which picks up where last week’s left off, Bik continues his pursuit of our skittish heroine. Between the small, thoughtful gifts she’d be churlish to give back and all of his clever little touches, our Vi is having a hard time resisting…BTW what are we thinking of potato boy aka Chae Jong Hyeop (pictured here) in Serendipity’s Embrace?

Despite some seriously tough self-talk, filled with cautions and admonishments not to be silly, ridiculous, and imprudent, Bik was getting to her. Vi hated that she looked for him when he wasn’t there, that she couldn’t help but stealthily ask different people did they know where he was?

“Singapore for a fan signing.”

“Malaysia for press and an appearance on a variety show.”

“Japan for a commercial shoot.”

She hated that she worried about him. He had to be tired with all that ripping and running, hopping on and off planes like his feet were on fire. Without fail, after a warm greeting and a few questions asking after her health, and how was she doing? he habitually fell asleep in her chair, looking like a fallen angel. 

“He very relaxed with you,” said one of her peers.

Vi just bowed. It was her response to most things.

But no matter how tired Bik was he never failed to tease her. He’d ask her a billion questions, most of which she didn’t answer. Then as soon as she started working on him, he was out like a light. She hated seeing the shadows beneath his blue eyes, and really hated that she couldn’t stop staring at his high cheek bones, ridiculous lashes, and that lush pink mouth.

Bik was beautiful, and that was saying something since every single member of 501K was extremely handsome in his own unique way. But Bik? Something about that long, slender body and those big blue eyes – and who told him to have monolids on top of that? – in his distinctly Asian face was irresistible. In a sea of unique and handsome he stood out the same way she did as a Black woman in Korea. She understood clearly why he was the “visual” for the group, and it wasn’t just his looks.

Bik was an irresistible combination of funny and sexy, but the sexy won out more often than not, and it was all natural. He was effortlessly gorgeous. The phrase everyday beauty was made for him. 

She wasn’t the only one who thought so either. Vi knew he was popular. 501K was one of the most successful K-pop groups in the game, and they had been for a long while. But she’d seen fans literally faint when Bik turned their way, or scream like they’d been shot. She’d watched him soothe them when they were tripped up in the scrum, easing their stress and hurt with a few lazy blinks and a soft “hush” as he carefully dusted them down.

She suspected one gentle squeeze from his big hands on their shoulders was as effective as a hug or a kiss. She thought about his kiss a lot. Too much. She couldn’t even feel bad about it. His mouth was sinful. Soft, plump lips in that eye-catching pinky red color, He just looked plush. That sexy, devilish smile, then an innocent blink of those long-lashed eyes in the most sweetly manipulative way. He looked like he should be laid up on a golden pillow while some submissive beauty happily fed him organic grapes. 

It was annoying that she could very easily picture herself in that role.

She loved and hated that he always sat in her chair when it was time to get worked on. The others had smilingly ceded his claim on her. At first she thought she might die of a heart attack. He thought nothing of staring at her – without stopping – in the mirror while she did his hair, smiling this little smile that made her want to run and hide, or slide into his lap and finish styling his ridiculously thick hair with her fingers.

It took her a good two weeks before the heart and belly flutters settled enough to let her work on him without sweating. Then he started touching. The first time he did it she almost screamed. She’d been leaning in at awkward angle trying to style the hair over his forehead when he opened his legs and gently grabbed her waist to pull her between them.

“Easy,” he whispered, when she froze then tried to move back; he didn’t let her. “Did I startle you? I’m sorry, darling. I was trying to make it easier for you.”

Lord help her. That laughter-infused darling felt way too good on her underused senses. She couldn’t even protest because one or more of the members had done the same thing to her peers on more than one occasion, and no one ever said a word. It was work.

But that one casual touch set up a throbbing between her legs worse than a bad tooth. For the first time she realized how long it was since she’d had sex. She hadn’t even thought of such a thing in years, except to be glad she didn’t have to do it.

Now? Good Lord. If she was alone she’d have whistled.

“Bad hands,” she said quietly, and he immediately took them away.

He laughed softly. “Someone’s been reading up.”

“Don’t people usually learn something about a new place before they visit?”

He smirked. “You’d be surprised.”

No, she probably wouldn’t, but Vi quietly continued with her work.

“You know, I can’t quite figure you out.”

“Oh?” She hoped she sounded uninterested, not like she had both ears cocked like one of her daddy’s hunting dogs.

“You won’t flirt with me at all. But I’ve seen you flirting gently with Tan and with Hua, and you met them the same day you met me. Do you not like me?”

“You alright.”

He let out a full belly, throw your head back laugh. “Sorry, darling.” He self-corrected so she could get back to his hair. “You’re just so good for my ego.”

Vi snorted.

“Is that it, then? Do you think my ego is too big? Are you trying to keep me in line?”

“I’m trying to do your hair.”

He scowled at her. “You won’t answer any of my questions. You won’t even go for ice cream with me, and alright is not exactly a ringing endorsement. Have I offended you in some way?”

You scare me, she wanted to scream. I want to lay your pale, slender, blue-eyed ass out and feast until I make a food baby. Then I want to work on a real one. Instead she leaned back with a sigh of relief. “You’re done. Thank you.”

He stared at her, but she refused to look at him as she tidied up her station.

“Okay,” he said gently, and her belly fluttered at how tired and sad he sounded. Was her behavior upsetting him?

He’s just running game, her devil whispered in her ear. 

He might really like you, her angel countered. Every man is not like your husband.

He’s a client, she told them both. I’m going to keep things professional.

But Bik had other ideas. 

He brought her ice cream one day, but he brought it for the entire beauty team so she couldn’t refuse. Then she found a box of sheet masks at her station. She smiled and said thanks to the girl working next to her. 

“I can’t wait to try them.”

“They work well, but Bik left those, not me. He heard you talking about them the other day.”

She couldn’t give them back now; she’d already said she liked them. She went ‘round and round in her head about how to handle the situation. Should she just say thank you, but please don’t buy me anything else?

It wasn’t that big a deal. Sheet masks were very cheap in South Korea. Only these weren’t. They were high end and twice as expensive as most. She checked. She didn’t want to start accepting gifts. Once men started giving you things they started wanting things in return.

In the end, the next time he came to her station she simply said, “thank you.”

“No problem, love.” He didn’t give her a chance to say more. He started talking to one of her coworkers in Korean.

She wondered if he’d done it deliberately. So she’d look silly if she made a big deal about it.

He had. Bik let her know that he knew exactly what she was thinking. 

“Your little face telegraphs every thought, you little sweetheart,” he grinned. He leaned over her, ignoring the interested eyes watching as he caged her in against her work station.

“I know you’re running scared,” he whispered. “You may even think that you have a chance to get away from me. But dodgy lungs and all, I was actually a track star in school. And I’ve won every idol race we’ve ever entered.”

He leaned in a little more, enjoying her wide eyes when she looked around and realized there was nowhere to go. “I know you think I’m bad, and to some extent you’re right. But I’m still going to find out why you’re scared. Then I’m going to make sure you understand in your very soul that as long as I’m around you never have to be scared again.” 

She watched him walk away. Good Lord, she thought, too dazed to even chastise herself for taking the Lord’s name in vain. He hadn’t said a word about sex, so why was she practically dizzy with the desire to go after him, to feel his warm breath on her skin again? …

I hope you enjoyed that snippet and you’re looking forward to the book. Subscribe to my newsletter, okay? I publish new content for you to enjoy every week.