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chapter 30
Before the heat had fully faded, he held her tightly again.
When she swallowed nervously, he kissed her forehead sweetly and whispered,
“Did you plan to be like this from the start?”
“I would’ve managed somehow if you hadn’t come into my room,” she replied.
“So you’re saying it’s my fault?”
“Exactly. You shouldn’t have been so attractive.”
She rolled her eyes at his ridiculous remark, but he just smiled and pressed in closer.
Her breath caught, her head spun, and a burning heat spread wherever they touched. Just as she thought it wouldn’t matter if everything burned to ash, a warmth spread through her stomach.
Once her breathing calmed slightly, he rolled onto his side and pulled her, half-fainting, into his arms. Gently, he separated her sweat-damp hair from her face and whispered softly,
“Thank you. Thanks to you, I think even if I have nightmares now, I won’t be scared.”
His gaze softened as he looked at her.
The uninvited guest arrived without warning.
It was a weekend afternoon.
Having woken late, she had grabbed cereal for breakfast and crawled back into bed.
The cleaning and laundry waiting for her touch could wait; she ignored them. After staying up late last night preparing for a review, she didn’t feel like moving a muscle.
Just as she reached for the TV remote to lie comfortably, her phone rang.
She sat up abruptly in bed, cleared her throat, and answered.
“Hello?”
[It’s the weekend. What are you up to?]
“Just staying home.”
His relaxed voice tickled her ears, making her toes tingle for no reason.
[The weather’s nice. Want to go see a movie?]
“Hmm… I think I’ll just rest today.”
After thinking it over, she politely declined his invitation.
[Why? Are you worried someone might see us?]
“If word gets out, it’ll just be tiring for both of us.”
She didn’t bother denying it. She didn’t like crowded places or the thought of running into someone she knew. And, more importantly, they weren’t dating. The idea of a movie date felt uncomfortable.
She thought the call would end there.
But he was unexpectedly persistent.
[If you don’t want to go out, we can just watch a movie at my place.]
“I’m not sure…”
Before she could finish saying she didn’t want to, he continued,
[Then I’ll come to your place.]
At that moment, she imagined the messy clothes and the living room she hadn’t tidied for over a week.
“No! I’ll come to you!”
When she showered and arrived at his place, the living room had been transformed, as if into a small theater.
A large screen had been lowered over the wall where the TV usually stood, blackout curtains covered the windows, and popcorn, squid snacks, and cold beer were laid out on the table.
“Isn’t this a bit overprepared?”
“If we’re going to do it, we should do it properly.”
Though she wondered why he went to such lengths, she shrugged and sat on the sofa since she hadn’t prepared it herself.
“Romance, action, thriller, or horror—which one?”
“Romance.”
The French film he chose was about former lovers reuniting.
She was drawn into the gentle plot and beautiful scenery, but halfway through, an unexpectedly explicit bedroom scene appeared.
Blushing at the surprisingly bold scene, she sneaked a glance at him. He was casually watching the movie, arm draped over the back of the sofa.
Feeling embarrassed for being self-conscious alone, she adjusted her posture.
But the scenes only grew more intense.
Heat spread between her legs, and her stomach tingled. Though he couldn’t possibly know, she flinched involuntarily.
Noticing her movement, he turned toward her.
“Uncomfortable?”
“No, no.”
“Then why is your face so red?”
“It’s… I’m just thirsty. I’ll get some water.”
Not wanting him to notice her excitement, she offered a clumsy excuse.
He squinted in curiosity but quietly got up.
“Sit tight. I’ll bring it to you.”
Luckily, he didn’t seem to notice her flustered attempt to rise. He went to the kitchen, and she fanned her face to cool down.
When he returned, he handed her a water bottle he opened himself. She carefully drank, thanking him, when he casually asked,
“Were you… excited?”
“Pfft!”
Coughing, she accidentally sprayed water from her mouth, quickly covering it with her hand, but couldn’t stop herself from coughing.
“You okay?”
She grabbed the tissue he offered and wiped her face, asking,
“What was that all of a sudden?”
“Your face is red.”
“You imagined it.”
“No need to be embarrassed.”
With that, he relaxed his crossed legs and placed her hand between his. Her palm met something hot and hard.
Her pupils widened in shock, realizing what it was.
She hadn’t noticed any outward signs, so she hadn’t suspected he was aroused.
“When… since when…”
“Since you were standing in front of my house, you’ve been like this,” he replied.
Dazed, she watched as he tilted his head and pressed his lips to hers.
Blinking in surprise at the sudden kiss, she felt him cup her face and deepen the kiss. He skillfully parted her lips, exploring eagerly.
The kiss grew intense, and she was pushed down onto the sofa.
He naturally straddled her, his hands cupping her chest. Soft breasts compressed under his touch.
Her mind told her to push him away, but her hands tangled in his hair.
A thrilling current spread from her chest down to her lower abdomen.
Her swelling desire engulfed her.
She exhaled, wrapping her arms around his neck.
He didn’t look away, drinking in her heat.
What began on the sofa ended in his bed.
Exhausted, she fell asleep, unaware of time, while he watched her. His stomach growled—he’d only had a protein shake after his morning run, so it was no surprise.
Kissing her forehead, he rose from the bed, gathered the scattered clothes, and quietly stepped outside the bedroom.
He tossed her clothes and lingerie into the washing machine and pressed start. He planned to give her his clothes to wear once she woke—she wouldn’t want to put on clothes damp from arousal.
Imagining her wandering around in his clothes on her bare body made him smile as he whistled toward the bathroom.
After a quick shower, he prepared a late lunch.
While washing mushrooms for tomato pasta with shrimp and bacon—a dish he had made hundreds of times—the doorbell rang.
Who could it be?
He went to the door, puzzled. Seeing the face on the intercom, he froze in shock.
Ding-dong. Ding-dong.
The bell rang again when no one answered. Finally snapping out of it, Do-hyun hurried to the door. There stood his sister Kayla, who should have been in Australia, puffing proudly with a massive suitcase.
“What? Jayden! Why are you only coming out now?”
“Why are you here?”
Do-hyun couldn’t believe his eyes.
“You said I could come during vacation?”
“You should’ve called ahead! How can you just barge in?”
“I wanted to surprise you. Aren’t you happy I’m here?”
Expecting him to be delighted, Kayla asked, looking offended when he didn’t react.
“I am happy, but what would I have done if you weren’t here?”
“I knew you had no plans this weekend.”
Do-hyun squinted at her, realizing she must have learned that from their mother.
“So that’s why Mom called a few days ago, grilling you about whether you had plans this weekend?”
“Busted.”
Seeing Kayla stick her lips out in a cheeky smile, he groaned. He could already imagine how much she had pestered their stepmother, Sophia.
