IT - 40

40. To Possess You

Their heated breaths intertwined, sharing an overwhelming warmth before dispersing just as quickly.

Tae-ha groaned, imprinting his mark on Ji-soo’s delicate body like a seal—on her parted lips and pale, fragile skin. Even after such fierce biting and sucking, Ji-soo slipped through his fingers like sand he couldn’t grasp.

“You’re beautiful. So beautiful it drives me crazy.”

Why? Why can’t I fully possess you, even though I’m touching you this much? What must I do to own you completely?

Like a wanderer in the desert searching for an unattainable answer, Tae-ha urgently thrust deeper into Ji-soo, consumed by desperate thirst.

“I’m scared of what I might do to you. Even I fear myself.”

Her trembling body rose and fell repeatedly, entwining with his relentless advances until they became one. The two met at their deepest points, reaching climax together—a warm, sparkling sensation spreading through them like countless stars filling the dark night.

Ji-soo closed her eyes, gasping, and Tae-ha gently kissed her sealed world. Their mismatched greetings continued endlessly until dawn.

The dull sound of dripping water stirred Ji-soo from her heavy slumber. She slowly opened her eyes, immediately recognizing where she was.

Yesterday, Tae-ha had acted unlike himself—impatiently pulling her into the car, insisting on going to the studio apartment, then unable to wait any longer and dragging her into the nearest motel.

Now, she understood why the bed creaked so loudly last night. The beds in the studio apartment Tae-ha prepared never made such obnoxious noises.

He wanted to focus entirely on every sound Ji-soo made—the soft moans that escaped her lips, the wet friction of their bodies meeting. Anything that could distract him during their lovemaking was absolutely intolerable.

This unfamiliar place was filled with such distractions. Yet, Tae-ha led her to a cheap motel with a sign reading “All Night Stay - 10,000 Won.”

The walls were covered in busy patterns, and on the old desk lay Tae-ha’s belongings: his heavy luxury watch, phone, and an unopened cheap condom provided by the motel. It felt as though she too had been placed atop the desk, becoming part of his possessions.

Her hair brushed against her bare shoulders, which Tae-ha had gripped repeatedly whenever she lowered her head last night. He pulled her by the strands, demanding answers.

“To possess you, what should I do? Tell me. Teach me.”

She had never thought about it. Since falling in love with Tae-ha, there hadn’t been a single moment when she didn’t feel owned by him. The engraving of Cha Tae-ha was deeply etched into her heart.

Even under his sharp interrogation, Ji-soo gave no answer. Then, Tae-ha bit her earlobe and chuckled, mocking her elusiveness.

As she recalled those cruel hours earlier, Tae-ha emerged from the bathroom. A loosely tied towel barely covered his waist, revealing chiseled abs and firm chest muscles beneath damp, unruly hair dripping water onto his broad shoulders.

After spending the night with Tae-ha, these moments of facing each other always felt awkward. If only one of them would leave first—but he clearly had no intention of leaving her alone here.

Ji-soo’s legs gave out as she tried to step off the bed, deliberately twisting away from where Tae-ha stood. This only caused her to stumble right into his arms, allowing him to catch her effortlessly.

“Are you throwing your body at me to say you want to go again?”

Startled, Ji-soo flinched. Chuckling at her adorable reaction, Tae-ha pressed his lips to her slender shoulder, as if rewarding himself for the show. Though he had just showered, the fresh scent of water clung to Ji-soo’s skin.

It was the fragrance he had craved madly while abroad.

His strong arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her close. Even after holding her all night, it wasn’t enough; Tae-ha kissed her nape and shoulders tenderly.

“I need to go to work now. I have a meeting this morning.”

“I know.”

Tae-ha had developed the annoying habit of always checking Ji-soo’s schedule before his own.

With lazy murmurs, his mouth nibbled on her soft flesh. His large palm caressed her lower abdomen and chest subtly. She should push him away, but instead, she surrendered herself once more to his touch.

“I’m on vacation until tomorrow. Why don’t you take a day off?”

“You want me to stay here with you?”

His movements paused as his lips grazed her skin.

“Are you insane? I don’t want to stay here even a minute.”

Tae-ha removed her hand, which modestly covered her body, pinning it to the bed. He pressed firmly against her slim back.

“You said you didn’t want to stay even a minute?”

“With you, it’s different. Han Ji-soo always creates special cases for me.”

Ji-soo stared at the bedside clock. Seeing the time nearing her commute made her anxious. Unfinished tasks from yesterday also came to mind.

“Do you have so much leisure to think about other things?”

“I really need to go.”

Thunk—the towel around Tae-ha’s waist fell between Ji-soo’s legs. A dizzying sensation coursed through her. She began calculating the time again. Having showered with him early in the morning, skipping her usual routine meant she might narrowly avoid being late for work.

But her thoughts were soon interrupted as Tae-ha pressed his hips against her back, tilting her chin toward him.

“You think I’ll let you go? Han Ji-soo is on sick leave until tomorrow.”

“I can’t. I have things to do…”

Tae-ha pressed his finger against her red lips, smirking wickedly like a devil possessing him. He whispered softly:

“Soon, you’ll be sick. Very sick. I’ll make sure you can’t even walk.”

As Ji-soo shook her head, Tae-ha’s lips grazed her cheek before sinking into her fragrant skin, biting down hard.

Despite not wanting to stay in this bed a moment longer, their bodies collapsed onto it once more. With her beside him, the fleeting sweetness of delusion enveloped him as he lowered his lips again.

---

Eun-ho visited the company cafeteria during lunchtime. On days when Ji-soo broadcasted, the place buzzed with male employees. Many used song requests as an excuse to approach or speak to her—even Eun-ho was guilty of this.

“Today, due to Team Leader Han Ji-soo’s illness, I’ll be hosting the broadcast. Let’s start with a request from Lee Sunwoo in Overseas Marketing.”

Ji-soo was sick? Expecting her gentle voice, Eun-ho put down his spoon. Was it because she drank too much yesterday? Or perhaps his confession had burdened her?

Questions swirled in his mind, unanswered. By the end of lunch, Eun-ho still sat alone in the cafeteria.

“Hee-kyung, is Team Leader Han on sick leave today?”

“Yes, I received a call before the lunch broadcast and submitted the approval request.”

Misinterpreting his concern as reprimand, Hee-kyung quickly responded. In truth, Ji-soo had called before the morning meeting, but Hee-kyung only processed the request later due to other tasks.

“Is she sick because of drinking too much yesterday?”

Among several possibilities, a hangover seemed preferable—it could be cured with rest, medicine, and hearty food.

“Yes, probably,” Hee-kyung replied, recalling how surprisingly energetic Ji-soo had sounded despite claiming illness. It could be a fake sick day or something minor. Either way, taking sick leave was effective, as company policy didn’t require specific reasons for illness.

“Hee-kyung, please take good care of her.”

Though he could’ve called Ji-soo under the guise of concern as her superior, Eun-ho refrained, respecting her need for space after his confession. If she avoided coming to work because of yesterday’s events, his feelings would weigh heavier.

Regretfully glancing at Ji-soo’s empty desk, Eun-ho turned away.

---

Back at the studio apartment, the couple spent their time like any relaxed holiday—eating together, making love, and sharing warmth in bed. They were catching up on the longing accumulated during their days apart.

Though Tae-ha called Ji-soo an exception, the real deviation was his own. Skipping work and taking sick leave simply because he didn’t want to part ways was behavior uncharacteristic of the diligent, responsible Ji-soo.

Yet, she nonchalantly called Hee-kyung from Tae-ha’s bed, asking her to approve the sick leave request on her behalf.

Frustrated and annoyed by Tae-ha’s demands, Ji-soo shot him a sharp glance as she rose from the bed.

Her desire to become someone special to him grew stronger. Though she knew it was wrong, controlling her swelling emotions became increasingly difficult.

His crucial marriage, the things she could never offer—she should give up and walk away, but she didn’t want to. Her rationality clashed with her wish to linger just a little longer.

“Why?”

“I’m leaving now. I want to change clothes and rest.”

Tae-ha held her hand, answering lightly.

“I should buy some clothes for you to keep here. While we’re together, you don’t need them, but for days like today, when you sleep over and go straight to work the next day, it’s different.”

“This isn’t a place where I’ll live with you. As I’ve said before.”

Tae-ha’s handsome face twisted slightly.

“For sex partners, sharing daily life is excessive. We’re supposed to only share a bed, not meals or routines. That’s how it’s always been for me.”