Chapter 11

I felt the water rushing past me and a muffled noise. It was either inaudible or my brain had turned off its processing functions. I did all I could manage and repeated, "Tae" underneath the water, my voice nearly stolen by the water. It was the last lingering hope in my heart that I could change and make things right. I could live. Not a second later a swoosh of current came towards me and warm trembling hands had grabbed me by my waist. I had no control of my body and couldn't clearly recall where I was. Upon feeling his touch my body relaxed and I temporarily lost consciousness but I knew I was safe. I would live. I felt the air prickle my face. I stirred awake. Warm air touched my ear from Tae's hot breath. "Rina, are you okay? Can you hear me? I'm here now, I'm so sorry." As soon as my head hit the outside world, I began coughing and choking. My throat felt hoarse and my chest felt scratchy. I was gasping for the air I needed to fill my lungs but it hurt to take it in. I could breathe though, so I took massive heaping breaths. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm so glad you are okay. I'm here. I got you Rina, I got you." His reassuring words didn't stop as he swam us back to the stairs, my legs locked around his waist and my shoulders around his neck. He never stopped saying he was sorry, and continued to tell me that he was there. After a slow swim he walks up the steps one hand pressing into the underside of my thighs and ass. The other arm was securely holding my back, his arm easily reached around my back to my other side and he rubbed his hand up and down my ribs soothing me. I was still coughing, spit tracing down my face and most likely disgusting unmentionables coming out of my nose. I was crying and still hadn't muttered a word.

I was still clinging to Tae, my body shivering as he grabbed a towel and sat down on a chair. He draped the towel around my back and pried me from his neck to look at me. He grabbed the corner of the towel and started to gently dry my neck and face. "Rina, don't say anything, just nod your head, please forgive me." I shook my head no, he doesn't need to apologize. I was the idiot in this situation. A slight smirk as he brought me in for a hug and kissed the side of my head, that spot felt hot even moments after his lips had left. "What am I going to do with you?" He put me back in place and looked me over, "Are you hurt?" I shook my head in the same way. "You can't swim, Rina?" I nodded. He hissed out from his lips. "Why didn't you tell me that? I'm so sorry I couldn't find you sooner. I didn't know where you were. I couldn't see. I had no idea you couldn't swim. I had no fucking idea you were drowning. I thought you were going to die. I am sorry. I am so fucking sorry Rina."

I saw in the dim moonlight that he was crying. My throat was too hoarse to calm his fears, to tell him it was okay. Instead I shivered and immediately Tae looked me over and was immediately drawn to the T-shirt clinging to my chest and stomach. "Let's get you out of this first, you can use my towel and then I will carry you back home." I shook my head no, but inside I knew he was right. This shirt was soaking wet and the walk to the apartment is about 15 minutes. It wasn't summer just yet so the air outside was still a little frisk. He didn't take heed to my response and grabbed the hem of my shirt and started to pull it up, my face winced as the cold fabric retouched my skin. As soon as the shirt was about to expose myself he turned his head to the side and I slipped my arms through and then my head. He kept his gaze averted and reached for the other dry towel and he wrapped it around me twice and then patted the place he tucked it in for good measure. He threw my wet shirt and the other towel over his shoulders and slowly put on my sandals. He stood up and I hugged him with my legs, his hands under my ass and started to walk. I felt warm, and comforted. A prick at the bottom of my chest, I didn't want to worry about him leaving me. I just never want to regret like I had a few minutes prior. I looked into his eyes and wiped them with the corner of my dry towel. "I..am.. Sorry." My voice cracked. "Don't be, princess." Those golden eyes shone brighter. I felt the hot breath from his words on my lips. Electricity ran through my body and I stared intently. Tae had his gaze averted past my head watching where he stepped, ensuring a safe journey home. I finally did what I had dreamed of since I had cracked that door for the first time. Back when I saw those bright eyes filled with tears in the hospital. I rested my hand behind his head and pressed my lips to his, I felt the velvety softness and needed more. I opened my eyes to see Tae completely stunned but I shut them before I could see a look of rejection. To my surprise, he turned my head to the side allowing more contact between our mouths and his lips started to part. I felt as his tongue traced the divide of my lips and I opened my mouth allowing him inside. I felt a pressure growing in my chest and plunging down inside my body. I had never kissed anyone like this, I actually had never kissed anyone. Our mouths intensely changed positions passionately trying to understand each other. We were starved and hadn't eaten for a lifetime. I felt the desire forming and I couldn't control it, things I had never thought of doing had begun to surface. I bit at his bottom lip and he traced his tongue across my teeth. Then I tilted my head and he gently sucked on my bottom lips and I licked at him. Time became endless as we stood in the soft moonlight, my legs wrapped tightly around him and us… kissing.