CEB - 22

22. Does the Boss Get Excited Too?

Min-hyuk tried hard to read the expression on Dan-jung’s face as she gazed at him.

Her flushed cheeks and moist eyes seemed to clearly indicate that she wanted to kiss him.

But Dan-jung bit her lower lip tightly, almost as if in refusal.

“Is there a problem?”

“Well… you said you couldn’t feel emotions. So why do you want to kiss me?”

The words tumbled out of Dan-jung’s mouth before she could stop them.

“My primal instincts are still awake. After all, I’m a man.”

“Oh…”

“Then…”

Just as Min-hyuk leaned in again to kiss her, another thoughtless question slipped from Dan-jung’s lips:

“Then… does kissing make you really excited too?”

“...?”

Surprised by her question, Min-hyuk pulled back slightly from her lips.

But Dan-jung, her face bright with curiosity, eagerly awaited his answer.

Though it had been an impulsive question, she genuinely wanted to know.

“Yes, I get very excited. Extremely so.”

Min-hyuk couldn’t ignore the look of burning curiosity on Dan-jung’s face and decided to answer honestly.

“Oh…”

“But don’t worry. As stated in the marriage contract, I have no intention of consummating our marriage for the first hundred days.”

Min-hyuk was determined to strictly adhere to the terms of the marriage contract.

If he couldn’t honor this clause, he doubted he’d be able to keep any other promises either.

A rational man like Min-hyuk would never risk his entire life over a mere hundred days.

“Phew~.”

Dan-jung sighed, realizing she had been worrying unnecessarily.

If they weren’t going to consummate their marriage for a hundred days, then progressing slowly with kissing wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

“I’m sorry. I was worried things were moving too fast. Of course, we’re getting married, but… it hasn’t even been a week since we met.”

Dan-jung opened up to Min-hyuk about her concerns, though she couldn’t bring herself to reveal her true feelings.

“I don’t want you to think of me as an easy woman.”

It seemed that the stigma of being perceived as “easy” had left Dan-jung with some emotional trauma.

“...Should we stop, then?”

Min-hyuk was ready to do whatever Dan-jung wanted.

His future depended on their marriage, and he believed he could control his primal urges.

“No, go ahead. Kiss me.”

Dan-jung grabbed Min-hyuk’s retreating face and pulled him closer, initiating the kiss herself.

She didn’t want to let her insecurities win.

Besides, he had promised to wait a hundred days—how much harm could a kiss do?

But she was mistaken. A kiss with Min-hyuk was far more than just a kiss.

Though she had initiated it, Dan-jung quickly found herself surrendering to Min-hyuk’s lead.

“Oh…”

Min-hyuk’s hand pulled her waist closer, leaving her no choice but to press against him.

His deep, unrelenting kiss sent her heart pounding wildly.

Min-hyuk intended to dominate her completely, ensuring she couldn’t think of anything else.

And while he had promised not to consummate their marriage, that didn’t mean he wouldn’t explore other avenues.

________________________________________

As Min-hyuk’s aggressive kiss consumed her, the clutter of thoughts in Dan-jung’s mind melted away.

Instead, she felt overwhelmed by a dizzying sensation.

“What should I do?”

When Dan-jung seemed unsure how to handle his deep kiss, Min-hyuk tightened his hold on her even more.

He pulled her closer, making sure she couldn’t escape, and explored every corner of her mouth with his tongue.

Dan-jung tensed under the intensity of his kiss, instinctively clenching her fists.

Feeling her body stiffen, Min-hyuk loosened his grip slightly and withdrew his lips from hers.

“Haa, haa, haa.”

As Dan-jung gasped for breath, Min-hyuk stared at her with smoldering eyes.

Thump, thump, thump.

Dan-jung felt as though her heart might explode under his piercing gaze.

Moments later, Min-hyuk leaned in again, gently pressing his lips against hers.

His tender touch seemed to soothe her tension as he caressed her lips with care.

“Haa~.”

A soft moan escaped between Dan-jung’s lips.

Satisfied, Min-hyuk smiled and delved deeper into her mouth.

When his tongue swiftly sought out and embraced hers, Dan-jung flinched.

But only for a moment. Soon, they were lost in each other, driven purely by instinct.

“Haa, haa.”

“Hmm~.”

Their heavy breathing filled the room as Min-hyuk’s hand began to slip beneath her clothes.

Unable to resist his desire to touch her, Min-hyuk grew bolder.

Her soft, supple skin ignited a hunger within him. He wanted to explore her further.

His hand, which had been resting on her stomach, slowly moved upward, and Dan-jung’s body burned under his touch.

Her body twisted involuntarily, and her mind flooded with forbidden thoughts.

“S-Sir, please stop. I can’t take anymore.”

Overwhelmed by the pleasure Min-hyuk was giving her, Dan-jung pushed him away and broke free.

She struggled to catch her breath and regain her composure.

If they went any further, she feared they would end up making love that night.

“Phew~ Then let’s stop here for tonight.”

Min-hyuk didn’t want to stop—he wanted to keep touching her. No, he wanted to strip her bare.

He felt like an adolescent boy whose hormones had just awakened, burning with desire.

But he knew he had to be careful until after the wedding. Dan-jung held all the cards.

Reluctantly, Min-hyuk decided to call it a night.

“Tonight? Just until here?”

Dan-jung replayed Min-hyuk’s casual remark in her mind.

Did that mean next time they’d go further?

Remembering his hand moving toward her chest earlier, Dan-jung’s face flushed with heat.

“Let’s wash up and sleep.”

Min-hyuk stood, shrugged off his shirt, and stepped into the shower.

He desperately wanted to cool down his overheated body with cold water.

“Oh~.”

Watching Min-hyuk’s broad shoulders and perfectly toned back disappear into the bathroom, Dan-jung blushed.

“Ah… Maybe I should’ve just gone along with it?”

She sighed regretfully, muttering to herself.

Shhhhh~ The sound of the showerhead echoed through the room.

“He clearly said we’d stop here tonight…”

Nervously, Dan-jung gulped down the remaining wine in her glass.

“It’s just washing up before bed.”

She tried to reassure herself, fanning her hands frantically to cool down.

But the breeze she created was nowhere near enough to calm her now scorching body.

To make matters worse, the wine she had been drinking was taking its toll, and she could feel the effects of intoxication setting in.

“Hoo~.”

Relax, relax, Choi Dan-jung.

Taking a deep breath, she tried her best to stay calm.

________________________________________

[Forgive me, Hye-mi. It seems Min-hyuk has fallen in love with her. I hope you find someone good and be happy. Though we may not become family, let’s continue to cherish the bond we have.]

This morning, Hye-mi received a call from Yeon-ju that left her feeling a despair akin to grief.

Yeon-ju’s voice had been so resolute that Hye-mi knew there was no point in clinging on anymore.

Moreover, though Yeon-ju tried to hide it, her voice was brimming with joy.

Perhaps it was because her son, who supposedly couldn’t feel emotions, had fallen in love with someone.

“Love? What nonsense!”

Sitting alone at a wine bar, Hye-mi downed an expensive bottle of wine as if it were beer.

Love? For someone like Lee Min-hyuk? How absurd!

Hye-mi smirked bitterly, recalling Dan-jung’s face.

Aside from being somewhat attractive, that woman couldn’t even compare to her.

How could Min-hyuk fall in love with such a mediocre woman?

“Hmph!”

Hye-mi refilled her glass to the brim.

If she didn’t rely on alcohol, she feared she’d run straight to Min-hyuk, crying and begging him to take her back.

But losing Min-hyuk now meant he would never divorce her—it was clear he would fight to protect what was his.

In other words, this was the end of any chance for her to make Min-hyuk hers again.

“Hoo~.”

Why had she done it? Why had she let herself be swayed by some insignificant rookie?

The reason Hye-mi had broken up with Min-hyuk wasn’t solely because of his emotionless demeanor.

There was something she had never told him—a secret.

Lee Si-woo! The mere thought of him made her grind her teeth in frustration.

If it weren’t for him, she would’ve married Min-hyuk and built a happy family.

Unable to contain her anger, Hye-mi picked up her phone and dialed Si-woo—the man she considered the worst person in the world.

It had been four years since she last called him.

Beep, beep, beep. After several rings, Si-woo finally answered.

“Hello?”

“It’s been a while, Lee Si-woo.”

Hye-mi, drunk and fuming, suddenly sobered up and spoke in a cynical tone.

The mere existence of Si-woo was something she wanted to erase from her memory.

Of all people, why did her first lover have to be someone like him?

“Been drinking?”

“Yeah, I’ve been drinking.”

“Because of Min-hyuk?”

“Apparently, he’s in love with some woman named Choi Dan-jung. Isn’t that hilarious? When I begged him to love me, he wouldn’t even look at me.”

“Where are you now?”

“You wanna come see?”

“Yeah, I’ll come.”

“What, planning to sleep with me?”

“If that’s what you want.”

Ha! Though she scoffed at his audacity, Hye-mi couldn’t deny that she wanted company right now.

And if the easiest target was someone she’d slept with before… well, there was no reason to refuse.

“Classique.”

Click. As soon as the call ended, Si-woo hurried to meet her.

Even while driving, sweat beaded on his forehead—he was rushing.

“Sister.”

After four years, Hye-mi still looked beautiful despite being tipsy.

“You came?”

“You’re pretty drunk. Let’s go.”

“Where? Your place?”

Hye-mi sneered mockingly.

“I don’t live there anymore.”

But Si-woo, looking at her with soft eyes, remained calm.

“Fine, let’s go. If I followed you back then, why wouldn’t I now?”

Hye-mi stumbled to her feet, and Si-woo quickly caught her before she fell.

“Careful.”

“You’re the one who needs to be careful, Lee Si-woo!”

“...”

Though Hye-mi continued to taunt him drunkenly, Si-woo paid no mind.

Seeing her like this was his exclusive privilege—and he cherished it.