Thank goodness the little black dress never went out of style because Jessie couldn't remember the last time she had gone out to a club. The Buzzed Bee didn't count. That was work and a local bar. Not an upscale bar and definitely not on the arm of the best-looking man she knew.
The form-fitting dress hit her right above the knees. The sleeves were long, with rhinestone buttons at the cuffs. The square neckline revealed her collarbone but only a hint of cleavage. A ruby pendant rested in the cleavage and matched the teardrop earrings. Steph had given her a smokey eye look that was too dramatic for her tastes, but Jakara and Steph swore perfectly balanced with the rich red lipstick that made her mouth pop as her best feature.
Beside her, Steph's burgundy dress was shorter with a sweetheart neckline. She wore the diamond necklace her grandmother had left and four-inch rhinestone heels that she borrowed from a friend.
A menagerie of people ranging from edgy club kids to members of the geriatric crowd packed the club. The music was upbeat, the lights low with a laser light show that bounced from mirror to mirror and split into streamers that shattered overhead into a fireworks show.
Jessie grinned when she spotted the wait staff. No bootie shorts here. Trousers with matching vests, white dress shirts, and loafers. A tuxedo stripe of LCD lights ran down each leg. The soles of the loafers lit up with each step like sneakers Liam had worked as a toddler.
The DJ booth loomed over a spectacular multi-leveled dance floor. The floor was packed. The bar was crowded. The line they had bypassed outside was packed, and yet, it took Jessie all of thirty seconds to spot Min Jun making his way toward them from the left side of the bar.
Stage presence ready, Min Jun wore a military-inspired tuxedo. A chatelaine held a series of chains that looped down his left hip and leg. The sheer black shirt beneath the jacket highlighted the cuts across his chest and abs. He had combed his hair forward into a thick bang that shadowed his eyes, but it didn't matter. He stalked toward her like a panther, and she was his prey—a very willing prey.
The rest of the club disappeared when Min Jun stopped in front of Jessie and spoke close to her ear so she could hear him over the music. "You're beautiful." He kissed her cheek before turning his attention to Steph. He kissed her cheek and repeated the compliment.
"I'm so happy you came."
"This is crazy," Steph said, her body already moving to the music.
Min Jun's smile widened. "Yeah, and it's all mine. Now, let me get you a dance partner before you explode.:
He turned to find Luke and Hong Gi had joined him. The twins sported metallic silver hair. They wore oversized white silk shirts with the front tucked into black leather pants. Gold earrings, lips, and eyeshadow finished the looks.
Min Jun introduced Hong Gi to Steph, then let the boys lead Steph to the dance floor.
"Are you sure they can be trusted?" Jessie asked as she watched her daughter dancing between the two men who could roll their bodies like experienced strippers. What was even more surprising was how well her level-headed scholar kept up with them.
"She's a natural," MJ said.
"I had no clue. I mean, we've danced together at home but ever like this."
Steph looked lost in the music as Hong Gi—at least Jessie thought it was Hong Gi—had his hands on her waist supporting Steph as she bent backward, her back arched and her hair fanning almost to the ground. As she came back up, Hong Gi looked at Jessie's little girl like they were one step away from fucking right there on the dance floor. Luke stepped up behind Steph and put his hands over his brother's, the three falling into step together.
"Are you sure I can trust them?" Jessie asked.
"Absolutely. I gave them a good talking to. They will be gentlemen and take good care of Steph."
"Gentlemen dance like that?"
Min Jun leaned into her space, his hand resting on her lower back. "You've never seen me dance, have you?"
Jessie shook her head. "Just a few steps at The Buzzed Bee."
"Dance with me, Jessie."
"I can't do—that." She motioned to the trio."
"You don't have to. I want to feel your body move with mine."
Jessie nodded, and Min Jun led her to the dance floor. He stopped a waiter on the way and said something Jessie couldn't hear. By the time MJ led her up to the third tier of the dance floor, a new song was playing. It was slow and soulful. The singer sounded a lot like Min Jun.
"You?" Jessie asked.
Min Jun nodded as he took her in his arms, holding her close, her cheek resting against his shoulder, their bodies flush.
"It's beautiful."
"So are you, Jessie." Min Jun laid a kiss on the side of her neck.
He led her around the floor, his arms wrapped around her, hers around his neck. This felt good. It felt right. It felt like something she could do all night.
"You never asked for my truth." Min Jun said, his tongue flicking across her exposed collarbone.
"Min Jun, what is your truth?" Jessie's pulse fluttered at the feel of his words so close to her bare skin.
"My truth is there is nothing now nor in my past that has ever felt as good as you feel in my arms. Not by a longshot." His lips found hers, and Jessie lost herself in his taste, in the feel of his tongue teasing hers. In the background, Min Jun's voice serenaded her with words of love and longing that mirrored her feelings at that moment implicitly.
Too soon, the song ended, and a thumping bass beat out a new one that had the crowd jumping.
With a smile, MJ led Jessie back down to the main floor. The trio of Steph, Hong Gi, and Luke now included Jordan wearing a backless halter top cut way too low as far as Jessie was concerned, but Jordan was an adult. The choice was hers.
Jackson sat at the bar drinking a beer. The girls were directly in his line of sight, which made Jessie feel better, not that she distrusted the twins, not really. It was just hard to think that bodies moving like that weren't attached to brains fully capable of talking even the most level-headed girl out of her panties.
With a smile and a raised glass, Jackson acknowledged her presence. When she nodded back, he pointed two fingers at his eyes and then to the girls to assure her he had them covered.
Jessie let Min Jun lead her through the crowd, her hand firmly clasped in his. She loved the excitement in the air and seeing how successful the club was. All of Min Jun's work was paying off.
Min Jun swiped a keycard across a reader in the back of the club to open the door for Jessie. As soon as the door closed behind them, the decibels dropped to a low hum.
Min Hun smiled at her. "Though I'd give you the tour. You'll find the kitchen to the left, but let's go this way. I'll show you the kitchen when it isn't so busy."
He led her down the hall and around the corner. The next hallway had evenly spaced doors to the left and right. Min Jun let her into one. "This is one of our recording studios. We've equipped each one with some of the most advanced equipment available. These on this floor are small studios. Upstairs, we have studios big enough to accommodate larger groups.
Jessie could smell the fresh paint. She ran a hand along the edge of the control board. "It looks complicated."
"It can be, but the results are worth it. I'm hoping to expand into talent management in a year or two after mentoring some raw talent. We have an after-school program for neighborhood kids, both those with musical and dance abilities.
"When we hire more qualified people, we will expand, vocal coaches, music lessons, mixing, lighting—the works."
They took the elevator to the second floor, where he showed her the larger recording studios and the dance studios.
Jessie felt the edge of nervousness as they returned to the elevator for the third floor. Min Jun had said Steph could hide in his apartment on the third floor. Her hands were sweaty, and she was thankful Min Jun had his hand on her lower back instead of in her hand. She gave him a side glance. Min Jun looked straight ahead. He had lost the smile and look of accomplishment that had accompanied them on their tour. The easy conversation was gone, and suddenly, the elevator seemed too confining, too slow, too much of a commitment.
Jessie attempted to ease her growing tension with conversation. "Didn't you say something about karaoke suites?"
Min Jun nodded. "Those are included in our Phase Two plans. The building has two lower levels. Half is parking. The other half is under renovation into high-end nolaebang lounge for private parties. We will make back our investment in six months to a year."
"We? I thought you were the sole owner of Keepin' It Real."
Min Jun nodded. "Of everything above ground, I am. Hong Gi and Luke masterminded Phase Two from the décor and playlists to refreshments, price lists, and advertising."
"Really? They don't seem that business minded."
"Their father owns one of the biggest karaoke chains in Korea. It is in their blood."
The elevator stopped. The door slid open. Min Jun directed her to the left. "This is my favorite part of the building. He stopped at an ornate door. The keycard unlocked the door, and the lights came on automatically.
He opened the door to a mirrored room with a sound system built into one wall next to a bench. "Other people run or swim. I dance." He turned on the stereo, scrolling through until he found the song he wanted. A Korean pop song with techno tones. He slipped off his jacket and tossed it on the bench, motioning for her to sit. "You've never seen me dance. Let me dance for you, Jessie." He unfastened the chains, dropping them beside her with a grin. "I can dance with the chains, usually, but tonight, I want you to see me, not the chains."
Like Jessie could see anything but him. His body began to move with the music, his hips gyrating as his feet moved in a complicated series of steps, and then he did a body roll with so much control that she almost reached out to touch him. She needed to make sure he was real. Jessie was torn between watching his eight pack and falling into the pure sexuality that transformed his startlingly good looks into an erotic cookie jar of temptation.
She wanted a taste, but just like a normal cookie jar, she knew a taste would never be enough. She would want the whole jar no matter whether the contents were good for her or not.
The song transitioned into a hip hop beat and MJ's entire persona changed into something full of rage as he dropped into a floor routine that tested his upper body strength. In one fluid motion, he was back on his feet, popping and locking until the beat reverted to a techno pop dance song. With a panty-dropping smirk, MJ danced closer to Jessie until he was in her private space, as if making sure she knew every move was made just for her.
As the song ended, Min Jun dropped to his knees in front of her, his breathing heavy, sweat gleaming on his perfect skin.
Jessie's control escaped her. She slid off the bench onto her knees. She wanted him, just one taste. But where to begin? She sought an answer in the depths of his eyes, in the bead of sweat glistening on his earlobe, in the heat rolling off him and over her like a blanket of desire.
With a hand to his cheek, she leaned in to kiss him. "Just one taste," she mumbled against his lips.