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Chapter 7
The feeling was completely different from the stories she had heard from her friends about their first kiss.
Some had said it was blissful, others said it wasn’t as great as they expected—but this was nothing like any of those stories.
Eunjae had never experienced anything so dizzying and intoxicating in her life, as though her body were floating off the ground.
The low vibration in Hajoon’s throat as he explored her lips sent ticklish shivers through her, and the way he gently guided her clumsy responses made the kiss feel both sweet and thrilling—enough to make the hairs on her body stand on end.
As Hajoon’s kisses gradually grew fiercer, Eunjae struggled to keep up, yet she didn’t want it to stop.
When his movements seemed intent on claiming the deepest part of her throat, Eunjae began panting. Her head spun so badly it almost hurt.
The deeper the kiss became, the more an unfamiliar heat spread through her body, making her lower abdomen ache strangely.
Then suddenly, the large silhouette of the man hovering over her nearly-reclining body stopped moving.
It was hard to believe this was the same man who had just been fiercely stirring up the inside of her mouth moments ago.
Straightening himself, Hajoon looked down indifferently at Eunjae, who was struggling to catch her breath.
Eunjae was breathing so heavily that her chest rose and fell as though she had sprinted a hundred meters, but Hajoon’s breathing remained perfectly steady.
Not only that, while she felt dizzy and feverish from just a kiss, he showed no sign of excitement at all.
Did kissing her mean nothing to him?
The thought left her oddly hurt and frustrated.
Hajoon spoke in a low voice.
“I suppose this counts as treating you like a wife.”
His tone was completely calm.
Eunjae felt that if she tried to answer, her voice would tremble, so she only nodded silently.
Like someone whose soul had temporarily left her body, Eunjae trudged upstairs to her room on the second floor.
Even after reaching the hallway, she stood blankly in front of her door for a long while.
And it was no different once she entered her room.
Staggering to the bed without even changing clothes, Eunjae collapsed onto it.
She hadn’t turned on the lights, so in the darkness she simply blinked her wine-heavy eyes up at the high ceiling.
It still felt as though the man’s hot breath and lips lingered against her skin, sending tingles down her spine.
Eunjae touched her lips with her fingertips.
Surely the man who had devoured her lips so hungrily had been affected too—she was certain she had heard his voice deepen with desire.
“If he actually enjoyed it too…”
‘Then I guess you’ve never kissed anyone either.’
Although she hadn’t answered him, she was sure he had figured it out immediately—that the kiss they shared had been her first.
She had been far too clumsy and inexperienced, her entire body stiff with tension, and she hadn’t even known how to breathe during the kiss.
It embarrassed her to think he must have realized how completely she had melted beneath his kisses.
Once she became his real wife… would they share kisses like that even more often?
Thinking that perhaps he wouldn’t always see her as a child made her smile foolishly to herself.
Eunjae gently touched her plump lips with both hands, the corners of her mouth lifting unconsciously.
Remembering that hot, heart-racing kiss made her heart pound wildly and filled her chest with a ticklish feeling.
It felt as though she were floating on clouds.
Until the moment she fell asleep, she kept covering her lips with both hands and kicking her feet against the bed in excitement.
Late at night, after parting ways with Eunjae and returning to the main house, Hajoon sat in his study reviewing the work he needed to finish before the day ended.
But he couldn’t focus at all.
Roughly running a hand through his hair, he let out a sigh.
Kissing Lee Eunjae had been a momentary impulse.
Perhaps he had been curious whether that bold little girl who demanded to be treated like a wife could truly handle beginning this kind of relationship.
Or maybe he had crossed the line while watching to see what she would do when presented with an escape route—perhaps secretly hoping she wouldn’t take it.
Lee Eunjae had kissed him with the awkwardness of a kindergartener, clumsily pressing her lips to his.
The moment her moist, soft lips touched his, Hajoon had to swallow a curse internally.
For the first time in his life, he felt thirst.
And instinctively, he knew a mere kiss would never satisfy it.
Every time her small tongue shyly retreated as though hiding from him, he found himself chasing after it, eventually capturing it stubbornly and teasing it greedily.
Clenching both fists tightly, he had to suppress the overwhelming desire that wanted far more than this.
Even though she was clearly exhausted from the storm of kisses, Lee Eunjae still looked up at him with flushed cheeks.
“This is driving me insane.”
Hajoon let out a low sigh and scrubbed a hand over his face.
Eventually, he gave up on working and headed for the bathroom instead.
The sound of running water from the shower continued for a very long time.
At the restaurant located on the top floor of the Taeon Hotel.
Since it was the day of Eunjae’s formal family meeting, Seongchan had happily reserved the entire restaurant.
Of course, he had only managed to attend by taking prescribed narcotic painkillers and arriving in a wheelchair.
Because everyone was meeting for the first time, and because this was a gathering to entrust Eunjae to another family, Seongchan did his best to maintain a warm atmosphere.
Suppressing the pain that refused to fade and hiding the cold sweat on his face, he spoke.
“My apologies, in-laws. Eunjae’s older brother and his wife couldn’t attend due to an overseas business trip. I hope you’ll understand generously.”
“Not at all. We’re simply sharing a meal and greeting each other before the wedding. Work comes first.”
“I’m grateful for your understanding.”
After bowing his head politely, Seongchan pulled a paper envelope from inside his jacket and handed it to Taeguk.
Traditionally, the bride’s side chose the wedding date. Inside the envelope was likely an auspicious date selected by a famous fortune-telling professor.
Eunjae knew this too, having researched many things while preparing for marriage.
“We selected dates after the eldest grandson’s wedding on the Kwonil Electronics side. The earliest possible date is three months from now.”
Taeguk skimmed through the dates written on the paper and nodded with satisfaction.
“I think that should be more than enough time. Young people these days handle everything well. I’m sure the two of them will adapt quickly even after marrying so soon. No, actually, perhaps this is even better. If they live like they’re dating after getting married, won’t their relationship become even stronger? Haha, isn’t that right, my dear daughter-in-law?”
“Yes, Father.”
Even at Taeguk’s sudden question, Eunjae answered neatly, like someone fully prepared.
Then she glanced at Hajoon, seated directly across from her.
He sat there with a consistently businesslike expression, as though he had come for a corporate meeting rather than a family gathering.
“Our future daughter-in-law gives such clear and graceful answers. I like that.”
At Taeguk’s compliment, Seongchan bowed his head modestly.
“Not at all. She still has much to learn. I only hope your family will guide her well.”
“Please don’t worry. I’ve already decided to think of her as my own daughter.”
Mikyung responded with a cheerful smile.
“I apologize. I need to take this call for a moment.”
At that moment, Hajoon politely excused himself and briefly left the private room.
He had been checking his phone repeatedly, so it seemed an urgent matter had come up.
“Haha, our company practically stops functioning without Executive Director Seo. As someone who runs a conglomerate yourself, I’m sure you understand better than anyone how men leading corporations live.”
“Of course.”
“I’m not saying this just because he’s my son, but Hajoon is truly exceptional.”
Just as Seongchan sincerely nodded in agreement with Taeguk’s words, a knock sounded and the food was brought in.
“After the wedding, our chairman will likely transfer some shares of Kwonil Electronics to them, and then from the Taeon side as well…”
But at that moment—
“Urk… ngh… Excuse me… I’m sorry.”
Taeguk’s subtle attempt to ask about the Taeon shares that would eventually go to Eunjae was abruptly cut off by Seongchan’s sudden retching.
