The trees whizzed by in a blur as we drove down the highway. Connecticut in the summertime was usually pretty mild, there wasn't a scorching heat like down South; but the days were pleasant and the nights were cool. I stared out the window of Sehun's 4x4 and mentally ran down the list of things that needed to be done.

Make sure rent is paid. Notify doorman I won't be back for a couple of weeks. Make sure class schedule is set for this fall. Look through internship applications. Check with Sydney to get the Bid Week prospect list. Buy clothes. Buy a car. Appropriately freak out about accident when alone. Equally freak out about spending two weeks with a total stranger, who could be a crazy person. Make a damn friend who's local so this doesn't happen again. Did I mention freak out?

"You're thinkin' mighty loud over there."

The masculine voice shook me out of my thoughts. "I'm sorry?"

"Let me guess: you're wonderin' what the hell is wrong with you that you'd go home with a total stranger, who could be a dangerous serial killer, or somethin' worse. Like a Mormon."

I folded my arms across my chest. "Well? Are you?"

Sehun chuckled softly. "Not a serial killer. Or a Mormon, my parents would throw a fit. I'm just tryin' to be helpful, since you seem to be all alone."

I turned to study his profile. His red hair was long enough to sweep over his ears, down to the nape of his neck. Long blonde eyelashes framed those emerald green eyes of his. I couldn't see any freckles, as most redheads have...of course, that didn't mean he didn't have them anywhere else on his ridiculously muscular body. Muscular body? Get a grip, Soojung. "What about dangerous?"

He glanced at me briefly. "That depends. Do you want me to be?"

My mouth gaped open. "Do I want...what?"

Sehun grinned, showing me a side-view of two rows of perfect teeth. "I'm just messin' with you, darlin'. I'm safe to be around, I promise." He made an X over his heart with his index finger before giving me the Boy Scout sign.

I glared at him for a moment before turning my attention out the window again. "Actually, I'm thinking about everything I need to take care of. Not just for this week, but for the rest of the summer."

He nodded. "I'm guessin' you go to Yale? You seem like the type."

"And what type might that be?"

"Overworked. Overeducated. Rich."

"Well you just have me all figured out, don't you." I didn't mean to sound defensive, but the description touched a nerve.

"Oh, don't get mad, I didn't mean any harm by it." He waved it off with his hand. I didn't answer, just stared straight ahead silently stewing. He tapped his fingers on top of the steering wheel. "Well? Am I wrong?"

Shifting nervously in my seat, I thought about his assessment of me. "...no. You're not entirely wrong. But that's not all I am."

He glanced my way again, locking my brown eyes with his green. "Trust me, darlin'. I know."

***

"Soojung?" I felt a gentle shake on my shoulder. "Wake up. We're here."

I didn't remember falling asleep, but as I opened my eyes I saw we had parked in front of a small, two-story log cabin surrounded by trees. The yard was unadorned, but large -- I guessed it was on about an acre of land.

My door opened and suddenly I was swept up in Sehun's arms like I was some kind of Disney princess. "Whoa! Sehun, I can walk, put me down!"

"Nothin' doin', the doctor said you have to rest your body, and that's what you're gonna do," he said without skipping a breath as he carried me towards the house.

"So, what, you're going to carry me around for the next two weeks?"

I felt his chest rumble with a silent laugh. "Of course not. I do have to go to work," he said with a wink. That wink made my stomach do a little flip, but I dismissed it as nerves from being so close to a man I knew nothing about.

He set me on my feet once we crossed the threshold. The inside was cozy, but very comfortable. Tan couches and lighter wood floors complemented the dark walls. A large fireplace with and even larger flat screen mounted above it just screamed "male". To the right was an open kitchen with bamboo cabinets and a small island. A set of teak stairs led to, what I assumed, the bedrooms and bathrooms upstairs. It was simple, warm and clean.

"There's a guest bedroom at the top of the stairs with its own bathroom. My room is just down the hall. The fridge is full, mostly because I don't cook, so help yourself," he shuffled his feet. "Make yourself at home. I'm usually at the station for two days straight, then I'm home for three, but it's only a few minutes down the road so I'm not too far away. There's not much to do in town, but there's few shops and a couple of bars. Is there anything you feel like doin'?"

I closed my eyes and swayed a little. "Shower. I need a shower."

"Yeah, of course you want to get cleaned up. I'll get you some towels, and, uh...I didn't buy you any clothes to sleep in, but one of my shirts should do the trick for tonight. They'll be big on you but they'll cover up all the important parts." He took my arm gently and led me slowly up the stairs.

"Give me a sec and I'll wrestle somethin' up for you." As he disappeared into his room, I leaned against the bathroom door and peeked inside. The bathroom was basic -- a t