ITCRWTL 14🌺

Chapter 14

Maybe I was turning into some kind of pervert—just a few kisses, and already I couldn’t stop thinking about them.

Since when did I even like kissing?

Not that I could just go to Heejae and demand, Why aren’t you kissing me lately?

So I kept pretending as if nothing was wrong.

“Mm!”

Haa… maybe it was because it had been a few days, but his kiss felt unbearably sweet. Without realizing it, Yujin’s arms had wrapped around his neck.

She pulled, pulled harder, clung to him.

The sensation of his tongue curling around hers, grazing her teeth and sucking her in—it was so vivid she had to squeeze her eyes shut.

“Ah…”

The indecent sound that leaked from their joined lips echoed in her ears. Yujin fought hard to keep her wits.

The blinds were down, yes, but outside the door, employees were still working.

She should tell him to stop, to get a grip, but—

“The problem was that Kang Heejae was far too good at kissing.”

He gave her no room to breathe, stealing her air until she was dizzy, until she forgot this was an office—his team leader’s office.

Chup. Chuup. Tslk. The obscene sounds filled the room, even to her own ears.

Her rational mind strained not to snap when his broad hand, supporting her back, began sliding up her spine.

Even while their mouths were locked, her every nerve focused on that hand.

Something about it felt different, charged—enough to make her finally push weakly at his shoulder. But that only seemed to make his hand bolder.

Twisting her head aside, Yujin gasped for air.

“O-oppa, th-this is… the office…”

At her protest, his hand—already slipping beneath her blouse—stilled. He only smiled at her from so close their foreheads almost touched. Her heart pounded like broken machinery.

“…Ha, you’re driving me crazy.”

The tight whisper of his voice, the rasp of his breath—it tickled her eardrums.

He really had been too busy.

Back-to-back meetings, late-night overtime. He hadn’t even had the chance to call Yujin into his office. Nor to pick her up in the mornings, since he had to be in before dawn.

Finally, today, he’d managed to bring her in.

“I-I should… get going.”

Even as she said it, Heejae held her close.

Maybe it was the scent of him filling the office, or maybe just the fact she was in his arms, but tonight his fragrance seemed to pierce deeper into her lungs.

“You’ll have to let me go…”

“Want me to tell everyone we kissed?”

Blinking, she looked up at him. He raised a hand and gently wiped her swollen lips.

Her mouth was puffed up from just a little sucking, and to him, it only made her unbearably cute.

After tidying her lips with a tenderness that left her aching, he finally released her with a regretful look.

“Phew…”

Yujin pressed her flushed face with the back of her hand, trying to cool the heat.

She couldn’t walk out like this—everyone would notice.

She didn’t need a mirror to know how red she must be. She forced herself to think of anything else, anything that could calm her down.

“Don’t drink too much tonight. Don’t just accept every glass they pour.”

“I can handle my liquor, though.”

At her cheeky reply, Heejae chuckled.

“Oh? And just how well can you drink?”

“Enough.”

She didn’t think her tolerance was poor. Back in school, she drank often enough, and even now she enjoyed it.

“All the same, you could still slip up. Take it easy, okay?”

“…Yes.”

“I’ll see you in a bit. Go on, head out.”

Just like that, as if he hadn’t just been sucking on her lips, Kang Heejae was back to being the unshakable team leader.

How could he switch so quickly?

Not a single trace of disorder as he picked up his tablet again.

Yujin lowered her gaze and hurried out of the office.

“Haa…”

Trying not to draw attention, she returned to her desk and snatched up the small mirror she kept there.

Ah, swollen.

Her lips were a mess.

In twenty-five years, she’d never realized how sensitive her lips were—until Kang Heejae.

Just a few kisses, and they ballooned up like this. No wonder Im Yoohyun had been startled when he saw them.

Panicking, she grabbed a glass, popped an ice cube into her mouth, and got back to finishing her work.

When work ended, the whole team gathered for the company dinner.

It wasn’t just her department—Business Planning—but also Strategic PR and HR Planning.

Tonight was a joint event for all three teams in the Strategic Planning division.

These all-hands dinners only happened a few times a year, and tonight was one of those rare occasions.

Nearly fifty people crowded into the first venue, a traditional Korean restaurant. Afterward, a second round followed.

No one forced anyone to join, so more than half had gone home already. The rest—about twenty people—moved freely to a nearby bar.

“Wow, this many people stayed?”

Dohee glanced around in mild surprise.

“Guess it’s because it’s Friday. No work tomorrow.” Jiyoung answered.

Thanks to a reservation, each team had its own spot. Naturally, Yujin ended up at the same table as her team leader, Kang Heejae.

“This week, everyone worked hard.”

Heejae raised his glass, and the others followed suit.

The sound of clinking glasses filled the air.

“You too, team leader. You worked the hardest.”

“I just did what I always do,” he replied lightly with a faint smile.

It was Yujin’s first company dinner.

She’d often wondered what office gatherings were like, but with work keeping her busy, she hadn’t realized how quickly the day had come. Sitting there now, she felt unexpectedly excited.

“This place has a nice vibe.”

“Right? I think the drinks taste better here.”

Songha and Jiyoung chatted as they sipped whiskey.

At the first round, she’d been too focused on the delicious food to drink much. But now, the sweet-bitter whiskey melted her tension away.

“First dinner with Yujin, huh? Must’ve been tough adjusting. Our youngest worked hard.”

Dohee, who doted on her, patted her shoulder with a warm smile.

“And you’re sharp, quick with your work. I like it. And your personality’s refreshing, too.”

“Thank you.”

Jiyoung winked at her, leaving Yujin smiling awkwardly as if she’d just struck some kind of deal.

“Well, she’s still a bit clumsy. But it’s her first time, so whatever.”

That, of course, was Yonggeon—who never passed up a chance to criticize.

Yujin had been exasperated more than once thanks to his daily nitpicking, but she endured it.

As long as Kang Heejae was around, she could handle anything.

“Actually, this is the first time I’m bringing this up…”

Dohee glanced around carefully, then spoke.

Heejae, already guessing where this was going, smiled faintly as he lifted his crystal glass.

“Go ahead.”

“Team leader, I heard you’re really close with Yujin?”

“Well, yes. We’re close.”

He didn’t deny it. Straightforward, calm.

Clearly, Dohee was about to stir the pot about their relationship.

“Ah, come on, manager…”

Yujin whined, nudging Dohee playfully, trying to stop her. But it was too late. Mischievous grins spread across every face at the table.

“Why not? I’ve been dying to ask. If not now, when?”

“What exactly do you want to know?”

“Can I really ask? Will you answer honestly?”

“If it’s something I can answer, sure.”

Heejae’s relaxed tone only spurred her on. After a moment’s hesitation, Dohee finally asked:

“So… are you two just close? Or is this a fling?”