Chapter 29
“Growing Bolder”
Do-hyun lowered his head, gazing at Lee Yeon nestled in his arms.
She just collapsed like this?
Maybe it was because she’d downed that strong liquor so quickly; it seemed the alcohol had completely overtaken her.
What on earth gave her the confidence to be so defenceless?
From now on, he couldn’t let her attend company dinners on her own.
How could he possibly send this little yellow chick anywhere, when she made him so uneasy?
Once again, Do-hyun carried Lee Yeon to the guest room and laid her gently on the bed.
Then he carefully smoothed the strands of hair that had come loose.
Her face, with eyes tightly shut, looked utterly at peace.
The sight made him smile without realising it, the corners of his lips curving upward.
And then she smacked her lips softly.
Is she eating even in her dreams?
What could she be tasting that makes her look so delighted… so happy…
Only then did Do-hyun realise.
He had been staring at her lips all this time.
Those lips, moistened from smacking together, looked even more tempting than before.
He had to run.
Just take off her glasses and leave that’s all.
Extending his arm, Do-hyun removed her glasses carefully.
But the moment he set them down on the bedside table, Lee Yeon stirred, brushing against the arm that supported him.
“Ugh”
With no time to react, Do-hyun collapsed forward, right onto her.
“Mm.”
A faint groan slipped from Lee Yeon’s lips.
His body was so much larger than hers when his torso dropped onto her, the weight alone had forced that sound out.
Do-hyun lowered his head, finding her half-lidded eyes meeting his.
Only then did the reality of their overlapping bodies hit him.
He tried to push himself up, but then he felt the small hand slipping between them.
The trail her fingers left on his waist burned hot.
Her face pressed against his chest as her arms wrapped tightly around him.
Do-hyun worried his unstable heartbeat might echo in her ears, and gently tried to push her away.
But the more he tried, the more she burrowed into him.
And she didn’t move an inch.
What a reckless woman.
To cling so tightly to a man’s chest… what would she have done if it weren’t me?
After several failed attempts, Do-hyun gave up trying to free himself.
Instead, he shifted onto his side.
It almost seemed more comfortable, the way she nestled against him.
He thought time would calm his racing heart but it only pounded harder.
His restless arms and uncertain gaze hovered, searching desperately for somewhere to settle.
Truthfully, desire crept in.
He wanted to hold this little chick.
He really had tried to push her away, but she was the one who refused.
What would it feel like to hold her with both arms?
“You’re the one who held on.”
Lowering the arm that lingered uncertainly, Do-hyun wrapped it firmly around her waist.
With the other, he cradled the back of her head, pulling her closer.
The sensation was even better than he had imagined she fit perfectly in his arms.
His mind went completely blank.
Her scent was intoxicating, making him crave more.
He wanted to rub his face into the curve of her neck.
He wanted to bury his nose against her skin and inhale deeply.
Every part of her was irresistibly alluring.
Do-hyun felt as if he’d gone for a third round of drinks her scent alone had him drunk, and holding her let him indulge without restraint.
Before long, he was intoxicated in more ways than one.
His gaze lingered on her delicate forehead.
From there, it traced down to her brows, her eyes pressed shut, her small, endearing nose… until finally, it landed on her lips.
Those soft red lips, twitching faintly as if nibbling something, utterly captivated him.
Do-hyun realised this was the day.
The day he lost all control.
Eyes fixed on her lips, he lowered his face without hesitation.
Alcohol gave him courage, but the moment his lips brushed hers, he froze.
He hadn’t meant to, but instinct had guided him he couldn’t pull away.
Her lips were soft, yielding, like ripe persimmons.
Just one bite and sweetness would flood his mouth.
But he couldn’t bring himself to invade the mouth of someone fast asleep.
He stifled the primal urge, forcing restraint.
Dozens of times in mere seconds, he crushed his hunger back down.
And the instant he finally pulled away, Lee Yeon’s arms looped around his neck.
She tugged him down, and the lips that had just parted sealed together again.
The last thread of reason snapped.
Gripping her chin, Do-hyun deepened the kiss, fiercely devouring her mouth.
Her breath carried the lingering sweetness of mango.
He consumed every trace of that mango flavour, greedily inhaling as their breaths tangled.
His body grew hotter.
At first, Lee Yeon only accepted him passively.
But soon, her breath began to move, tentatively at first, then bolder.
As if deciding she too wanted to explore him.
Seeing her respond made Do-hyun lose himself even further.
“Haa…”
When Lee Yeon struggled for breath, he finally pulled back.
“Breathe.”
Cupping her cheek, he whispered, and her eyes fluttered open.
Do-hyun gazed down at her, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips.
He brushed back the strands of hair clinging to her flushed face.
The heat beneath his fingertips was unmistakable.
At some point… she had stopped being Secretary Yoo and had become Yoo Lee-yeon, etched into his heart.
“You’re driving me insane.”
Do-hyun was already completely entranced by her.
Even if she wouldn’t remember because of the alcohol, that was fine.
He would remember.
He could remind her, anytime.
Rolling onto his side, he lingered for a long while, watching her sleep.
Then he finally returned to his own room.
***
It had been a hazy, rapturous dream.
In the dream, Lee Yeon had wrapped her arms around Do-hyun’s neck and kissed him.
It’s just a dream.
That means I can do whatever I want, right?
But the moment their lips met, he had plunged into her, exploring her with desperate intensity.
In that blissful instant, Do-hyun had wanted her so fiercely.
As she sank into the sensations he gave her, she began to doubt whether it really was a dream.
It was too vivid, too real.
When he nipped at her lower lip, she even felt pain.
His breath, his lips overwhelming her, his hands caressing her back.
So even in dreams, a kiss can make you feel this high.
Even when she awoke in the morning, everything was so sharp and clear it left her body trembling.
Remembering it again now, her heart thrashed wildly, uncontrollable.
Dream or not, seeing Do-hyun now made it feel like her heart might leap straight out of her chest.
As soon as she rose from the guest room, she hurried to her own.
Thankfully, it was still early Do-hyun wasn’t in the living room.
She dressed quickly for work, but when she stepped out, he was already at the door.
Dressed in a charcoal-grey suit, leaning casually against the wall, fiddling with his phone.
So handsome it irritated her.
She wished no other woman could see that heart-stopping sight.
Sensing her presence, he turned his head, eyes settling on her.
The moment he saw her, a faint smile spread across his face.
“You’re up, Yoo Lee-yeon.”
Yoo Lee-yeon?
Had they agreed last night to finally use her name?
From the moment she started eating mango, her memory was a complete blur.
How much liquor had she drunk, to be that utterly gone?
Her already restless heart grew noisier.
Hearing her name in his voice how could she not lose her composure?
“Of course.
I have to go to work, don’t I?”
Forcing a neutral expression, she pried open her lips to answer.
“Let’s go.”
So they were heading to work together again.
Quietly, she followed him out the door.
Why does the road to work feel so long today?
Sitting upright, fists resting on her knees, her body was taut with nerves.
Her heart hammered heavily, like someone was squeezing it tight.
Every little movement from Do-hyun beside her, even his breathing, made her hyperaware.
“How do you feel?”
“Mm… not particularly good, but not bad either.
I guess I fell asleep early last night.”
Her voice dwindled weaker and weaker.
“I’ve learned something else about Yoo Lee-yeon.”
“What’s that?”
“When you’re drunk… You get bold.”
A smile curved across his lips as he looked at her.
His slightly narrowed eyes carried a strange sweetness.
She wanted to ask.
So that’s why you started calling me by my name?
Or maybe the real question was: What exactly happened between us last night?
That dream had been far too vivid.
With a faint sigh, she fidgeted with her glasses.
There’s no reason he’d kiss me in real life. He doesn’t like me…
Finally, she asked obliquely, “I… didn’t make any mistakes last night, did I?”
“Well… mistake, you say.”
“Did I?”
Why was he dragging it out like this?
If he was going to tell her, he should just say it!
“You did.”
But he didn’t elaborate.
“What?
That’s it?
You have to tell me what it was!”
I’m going to lose my mind!
Her words rushed faster, spurred by growing unease.
“We’re here.”
But Do-hyun showed no sign of continuing.
“What was it!
If you stop here, I’ll just imagine the worst!”
Her voice rose in small, desperate protest.
Do-hyun chuckled softly and glanced at her.
“Well, I don’t feel like telling you.
You were too cheeky.”
Unbelievable.
“With that cute little head, I’m sure you can figure it out.”
What?
He’s insane!
Lee Yeon’s face flamed red.
Cute?
Her mind went completely blank.
That one word cute was all she could latch onto.
Wait, did he mean himself?
Did he ca
ll himself cute?
But no that word didn’t fit him at all.
Unless… unless he’d decided last night to drive her utterly insane.
Ahhh!
She wanted to tear her hair out.
Of all days, why had her memory failed her?
She hated herself for it.
As Do-hyun walked ahead, stirring her heart all over again, Lee Yeon could only stare blankly at his retreating back.
