MO - 8

While ascending the elevator, the hand I was holding tightly was hot. I didn’t know what to say, so I was silent, and the silence brought tension. Even as I left the elevator filled with the sound of shallow breathing and opened the front door, my heart was still pounding and I couldn’t calm down.

What was Tae-han thinking while holding my hand? My heart was beating so chaotically that I didn’t have the presence of mind to even look at his face.

“Come in.”

Leaving one hand in Tae-han’s, I used the other to enter the passcode, opened the front door, and guided him inside. Thump, the door closed, and the entrance fell silent again.

“The house is a mess because I haven’t cleaned.”

Contrary to what I said, I thought it was a good thing that I had at least cleaned yesterday. The moment I took a step inside, Tae-han pulled my hand, wrapping his arm around my waist. The strong force pulling me into his embrace made my lips part in a gasp, and in that instant, Tae-han’s lips came crashing down on mine.

How much heat he was holding! The touch of our lips felt like they would melt. Hot breath and hot lips. Even as he turned his head and buried his lips in mine, he didn’t seem to be in a hurry at all. Although his lips came to me so hastily, the movement of his tongue pushing inside and exploring was gentle and leisurely.

“Ohh...”

When a small whimper, like a sigh, escaped from the back of my throat, he slowly pulled his head away, having been sucking and nibbling at my lips. Shallow breaths escaped through the gap in our lips.

“Tae-han... first, let’s have some tea...”

His gaze, looking down at my flushed face, glinted. With a similarly red face, he took a deep breath and said, “I think it would be better if I showered first.”

His low voice was laced with an unextinguished heat.

“I already showered,” I said.

He stared at the ends of my hair, which were not yet completely dry, and whispered, “Yes. I understand. I’ll be out soon.”

His fixed gaze was subtly suggestive. My ears turned red like a persimmon.

“No, that’s not what I meant...”

But that wasn’t what I meant at all. A smile played on Tae-han’s lips as he took off his shoes and stepped inside. I sighed, watching his broad back. I felt embarrassed, as if I was a person who had performed a ritual cleansing before a major event.

“Can I use this bathroom?”

“Yes. Just a moment.”

I went to my room and brought out a new toothbrush and a pair of pajamas that were still in their packaging. I had bought the couple’s pajamas in case my parents ever stayed over, but they had never been used.

“You can use these.”

“I’ll be out quickly.”

As if to say, “Just wait a little,” Tae-han accepted the pajamas and toiletries, gave me a subtle look, and smiled. The door closed. A moment later, I heard the sound of the shower running.

“I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing.”

It seemed I had used all my courage to hold onto him, and now I didn’t have the courage to handle the situation. I had held onto him because I liked him, but now that he was in my house, my mind was a mess. Listening to the sound of the water pouring from behind the bathroom door, my heart pounded even more, as if it would burst. I stood blankly, pressing a hand to my chest, but then I came to my senses and went to the kitchen to prepare some tea.

It would be best to avoid caffeine at this hour.

I stared at the neatly organized tea bag box by type, and chose a lavender tea for better sleep. After preparing two teacups on the kitchen island, I tried my best to ignore the rising tension. After all, only the single hydrangea blooming on the table would know what happened here tonight.

Just then, click, the bathroom door opened.

“It’s late, so the tea...”

Just as I was about to say that I had prepared lavender tea, my eyes met Tae-han’s. He was wearing only a bath towel around his waist, his hair wet at the ends. With his hair falling over his forehead, his face had a different charm than usual. As I stared, lost in a daze, he mumbled awkwardly, “The clothes are too small.”

“Huh? Oh, yes. Ah-ha.”

Snapping out of my daze, I hurried to explain why the new pajamas would be too small.

“It can’t be helped.”

Leaving the useless pajamas behind, the half-naked man strode toward me, looking menacing. His broad shoulders were as wide and muscular as an athlete’s, and the physique that even a fine suit couldn’t hide was now fully revealed.

His body was well-proportioned and sleek below his squared shoulders. Below his solid pectoral muscles, a clear six-pack was visible. He had a slim waist with a sturdy and well-defined physique. Below that, his abdomen was lined with bulging veins. The veins branched out from the edge of the bath towel, looking extremely primal.

As I was struck speechless by his elegant and exposed physique, which looked like something out of a movie, he pulled me toward him and laughed softly.

“Stop staring.”

His large upper body quickly filled my vision. The lower half of our bodies met, feeling strangely solid and firm.

“Uh, Tae-han...”

My face turned so red I thought it would burst, and I froze. Every pulse point felt like it was being hit with electricity. My body trembled with tension, and I couldn’t think of anything. The brief silence and even the sound of our breathing were clear and distinct. In that moment, Tae-han leaned down and kissed me.

Bending over, he pulled me into his large embrace, almost engulfing me, and his lips met mine. The soft sensation of my lips being massaged opened a gap, and he entered. The fresh scent of mint was pleasant. After a few soft and lingering sucks on my lips, he slowly pulled his head away.

“Did you drink the lavender tea?”

“Yes, a little.”

“Trying to put me to sleep quickly?”

He let out a soft laugh, looking me in the eyes as I blushed. And then, he resumed the kiss he had paused.

Hot breath passed between our parted lips. As the kiss deepened, my head tilted back. The sound of our breathing was like fireworks. I couldn’t think straight from the explosion of fire between our lips. A flame hotter than fire began to erupt sporadically somewhere in my body. It was a festival.

In his wildly heaving embrace, I was rummaged through and bitten, giving my tongue and breath to the lips he pulled on. After a long while, Tae-han, who had been teasing my lips as if he would lick them all off, belatedly moved to my cheeks and the nape of my neck.

His large upper body cast a shadow over me, and he leaned down to push his hand inside my t-shirt. His big hand brushed against my ribs and grabbed my chest. My breasts were gently squeezed in his hand.

“Euh.”

I let out a small moan. He slowly massaged my chest with his fingertips, slowly rubbing the hardened peak. A thrilling sensation shot through my head. He pressed down on my twisting hips with his lower body and continued to move his hand.

A slightly softer movement landed on my lower lip. The soft, melting warmth that sucked me in moistened the space between my lips. While stimulating me with his fingers, Tae-han pushed his tongue against my teeth, then skillfully entwined my frozen tongue with his. His firm tongue scraped the roof of my mouth and licked the membranes before pulling away.

“Hah, hah...”

As I let out a gasp for air, my bra was pushed down from inside my loose t-shirt. My breasts spilled out and were crushed in his large hands. My nipples were rolled between his fingertips. A sharp thrill resonated in my belly with every brush of his finger on my nipple.

“Hah, wait a moment.”

I looked up, breathing hard with a flushed face. My shaky eyes were disheveled, unlike their usual state. Tae-han was also not his usual self. His eyes were deep, dark, and hot. Unlike his calm eyes, which didn’t show his excitement, the towel around his waist was excessively bulging. Tae-han lifted me in his arms.

“We can have tea later.”

He carried me, kissing me all the way to the bed, away from the kitchen table. He was a man who, with a fiery embrace, instantly vaporized all my worries. I was the one intoxicated with the feeling that tonight was the only time. But it seemed he noticed the faint fear in my trembling body.

“Are you scared?” he asked, slowly lowering me onto the bed.

“I’m afraid... I’ll like you too much.”

My eyes, meeting his, shook with a mix of fear and anticipation. Tae-han slowly and softly touched my lips.

“Isn’t that a good thing?”

“It’s a bad thing,” I said, denying it.

In my eyes, a suppressed desire surfaced. Tae-han’s long fingers slowly parted my lips and touched my neat teeth.

“Don’t draw a line.”

Whatever hurt he had experienced in the past didn’t matter.

Because he wasn’t planning to give me such a pathetic love.

If a promise was needed, he would make a promise, and if I wanted more, he was prepared to give it. Of course, Seo-eun would not ask for anything. It was Tae-han who was more desperate for a future. Tae-han looked me directly in the eyes and whispered, “This isn’t easy for me either. So...”

His hand, which was toying with my lips, moved to cup my cheek and then gripped the nape of my neck.

“Let’s be a little more honest with each other.”

Like a knight from history pledging his loyalty, he lowered his head beneath my head, which was lifted in the air. He then crawled down beneath my body, pulled off my t-shirt, and pressed his lips against me. I let out a faint moan at the hot heat covering my skin.

“Hah...”

Tae-han took my round, swollen breasts into his mouth, which felt soft, sloppy, and hot. Every time the tip of his firm tongue brushed against my nipple, and every time his sloppy, ticklish tongue wrapped around the peak that had quickly hardened with excitement, I bit my lip.

Gnawing, gnawing. The repeated biting sensation ultimately made me release the breath I had been holding back.

“Hah, euh.”

Conflict and desire, longing and passion. My reason ultimately knelt before my emotions, making me grab onto his collar and pull him closer.

It felt like it had to be tonight. Tae-han pushed forward without giving me a chance to back down or turn back, and I moaned like I was sobbing.

“Ah... Tae-han.”

As I tightly closed my eyes from the thrilling pleasure of my nipple being sucked and wrapped in his tongue, a black universe seemed to unfold before me. It felt as if my reason and my body were being sucked into a black hole. When I opened my eyes, I was met with his pitch-black gaze, which never left me, as if he was observing my reaction. At those moments, the electric pleasure in my belly grew even more intense.

Whether my eyes were closed or open, I couldn’t get my head straight.

Sluurrp, tsuk.

As his hands massaged the breasts he held, a throbbing sensation started between my legs. Unaware that my underwear was getting sticky, I grabbed the back of his head. As my fingers dug into his hair, pulling at the roots, Tae-han’s hot breath poured onto my soft breasts. Soon, unable to endure it, he began to kiss my breasts a little more violently.

I couldn’t believe it. The Ryu Tae-han, who had always been so formal, was now burying his face in my breasts and licking them to his heart’s content, like a man who had lost his mind.

“Tae-han. Hah, euh.”

When I said his name, he bit my nipple between his teeth. A sharp pain shot through my spine, followed by pleasure. My body trembled with a shiver. Soon, a sigh-like laugh tickled my skin.

“Stop... stop now.”

My nipples, which had been licked and sucked for a long time, were plump and swollen. Just from this, my face was as red as someone who had been sunburned in the midday sun.

“If you keep sucking only there... it hurts.”

I mumbled a plea with my face turned away in embarrassment.

My big breasts, which were overflowing in his hands. He was so caught up in the smooth, white skin that he didn’t even know which one he was licking or for how long. The sensation of his tongue licking it and the shape of my nipple when he held it between his lips were just too perfect for teasing, and for a moment, he lost himself.

“Of course. It has to be fair.”

As if to say, “Don’t worry,” he slightly twisted his lips, then took my other breast, which he had been massaging like dough, into his mouth. The white breast was completely sucked into his mumbling lips. My mind became hazy again. With a face so red I looked like I was about to cry, I squirmed, not knowing what to do.

“Ah, ah... euh.”

Amidst my dizzying state, I subconsciously tightened my body to resist. The bed was hazy with heat. Tae-han’s hot bare skin touching me was already making me dizzy.

“Why can’t you stay still?”

“It’s because of you, Ryu Tae-han... euh.”

When his lips stopped teasing me, I let out the breath I had been holding back in little gasps. The spots where he had bitten me were swollen and bruised.

“I haven’t done anything yet.”

He pointed to the distinct marks, running his hand down them, and naturally parted my legs. My eyes widened in surprise as my legs were helplessly parted by his hand. Before I could say anything, Tae-han buried his nose between my legs. His deep, hot breath touched my underwear. With his ticklish breath on my lower half, I felt my body get wet with sticky fluids.

“Ah, Tae-han, not there...”

Afraid that he would handle me like he had my breasts, I tried to close my legs in shame and embarrassment. But even with all my might, I was defenseless against Tae-han. His firm hand supported my thigh, and he used his other arm to put his weight on it and part my legs. Then he pulled my body up to make me cling to his.

“I told you before that you smell good, Seo-eun,” he mumbled, his nose still buried between my legs, slowly inhaling as if savoring the scent.

“You really do smell good. A very sensual smell.”

He whispered in a low voice and pushed my underwear aside. I tightly closed my eyes as the air touched my bare skin. It was the first time I had shown him my lower half, which was sticky and wet with fluids. The mere thought of his gaze on it made me feel hot. At the same time, Tae-han’s thumb gently wiped away the wetness from my sensitive vulva.

“Aah!”

As his touch landed, my delicate, pink vulva quivered, secreting a clear fluid. As he rubbed the round, glistening area, I fluttered. He then wrapped my legs around his waist and slowly scratched at my small entrance with his fingertips, as if tickling it. The feeling of him scraping my sensitive flesh was vivid. Sizzle, sizzle. The places where his nerves touched mine felt like they were being burned.

I tried my best not to moan. I bit my lips and let out a small “euh, euh” before a sudden, firm, and large sensation plunged inside me, making my lips part.

“Ah, Tae-han.”

The passage was tight and narrow. Tae-han, who had pushed his middle finger inside to make a path, soothed my stiff, panting body and added another finger, a pointer finger, to slowly widen the space.

“Wait a minute. Ah!”

There was no such thing as “a moment” in sex. He expertly pushed and prodded my loins, which were trying to cut off my breath. Every time his fingers dug inside, my hot inner flesh wildly squeezed his hand. If he were to hold me like this... the mere thought made his breathing ragged.

“You’re excited, Seo-eun.”

His low voice was strained with heat. Looking at my eyes, which were shaking with a confused expression, as if asking how he knew, he whispered slyly, “Because it’s very soft and hot inside.”

My neck turned red at his words. I turned my head and panted. For someone who was already surrendering her body, I was still so bashful, unable to meet his gaze. As he carefully observed my face, he pressed down on the part of me that reacted most sensitively.

“Haah!”

My body, which had barely relaxed, tightened up, and my hips lifted and fell.

“So this is what feels good.”

He mumbled to himself as if he had learned something, and again jabbed that spot repeatedly.

“Hah, don’t do that.”

“Why not?”

“It’s strange... it feels strange.”

My vision blurred to white, and then fireworks instantly burst before my eyes. A current of heat flowed from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. I thought I would climax before we even began.

The thought quickly vanished as his hand, exploring my completely wet insides, came back into focus. It felt like my body had turned into a sticky liquid monster. All I could think of was that I was going to melt into the bed, and that my soul and everything else would be mashed up horribly.

“How about here?”

“Euh!”

Like an endlessly curious scholar, he probed my slick vulva with a persistent and careful touch, messing up my inner flesh. Yet, his face was composed and undisturbed, a stark contrast to his savage body pressing down on me.

His gaze, which observed my every reaction, was deep, as if he were watching voyeuristically. When his abyssal eyes looked right into mine, the chaotic things in my head seemed to fall neatly into place. It was just as Tae-han wanted. It felt like I was being enchanted.

In the darkness, his eyes glowed with a bluish light. Seeing his gleaming eyes, I was reminded of Seung-won’s words, who had taunted him as a “crazy pervert,” but the thought was immediately cut short as Tae-han threw my legs over his shoulders and pressed his body against me, half-folding me.

My legs were exposed and spread open in front of his face. The hand that was parting my opening and poking inside became more forceful. Every time his thick finger joints scraped against the inner walls and touched something bulging, it felt like the heat concentrated inside would erupt.

“Stop... euh... please, hff... stop.”

“Then just feel it.”

A leisurely voice scattered like the wind over my knees, which were trembling as I pleaded with my thighs unconsciously spread apart. Soon, chup, a warm kiss landed. He kissed my knee, then the inside of my thigh, and finally, he parted his lips and bit the soft skin on the inside of my leg.

“...Ah!”

The stimulation on my aroused body was beyond imagination. I trembled with pleasure, unable to bear the pain, and he laughed, still prodding between my legs. In his annoyingly composed eyes, there were repressed emotions I had never seen before. His lower body, where the towel was loosely undone, was bulging. He then cast off the bath towel, as if there was nothing left to hide.

“Hah... ah, aah... euh...!”

My soft moans gradually quickened, and I finally grabbed Tae-han’s arm, as if scratching him. My body, which was tightly gripping his arm, convulsed violently in short intervals.

“Hah, hah, hah...”

The afterglow of my climax still lingered in my body, making it hot. He pulled his soaked fingers out of my body, which was convulsing around them, and took out a tissue to wipe his hand. Then he tore open a condom wrapper.

Tear, the plastic tore, and the rustling sound of the rubber being stretched taut was heard. He then put the thin layer over his ferociously erect cock and crawled over my limp body.

His cock, jutting out into the air, was excessively large and hard. The veins were a tangled web on his lower body, and his massive cock swelled.

It’s getting bigger?

My eyes shook violently as I witnessed his already large size become even harder.

How is that going to fit?

Its size was unbelievable, matching his mountain-like physique and thighs that were sturdier than words could describe. A hint of fear flashed in my eyes. But Tae-han slowly and calmly lowered his arms between my armpits.

“Are you scared?”

I couldn’t say no.

He reached between my legs, his gaze fixed on my stiff body. I swallowed my tense breath at the dull, hot sensation of his touch.

“Tell me if it hurts.”

I grabbed his firm forearms between my arms, as if holding onto the safety bar of a ride. I stroked the inside of his elbow along his veined wrist, and the split muscles trembled slightly. He slowly began the insertion, with his gaze lowered. The firm, forceful cock struggled to break through my vulva.

“...Euh.”

My body was forced open with a burning sensation. Following the movement of his hips slowly pushing up and getting closer, he slid into my body.

“Ah...”

“...Kuh.”

It felt like a hot pillar was carving a path inside my body. The volume slowly pushing inside made me breathless.

My eyebrows furrowed in a splitting pain. He lowered his lips and kissed my forehead.

“Does it hurt?”

“...Hff, it hurts.”

Though it was painful, a faint warmth of pleasure coiled around the end of the pain. He continuously kissed her eyes and expertly thrust into the tight, sticky gap.

“Should I stop?”

“No... hah... keep going.”

Even though it hurt so much that tears welled up, Seo-eun grabbed his arm, which was about to pull away.

“...Don’t stop.”

At the same time, thud, he put his weight on her and pushed his large body inside her. Ahh, with a gasp of admiration, her small body shook. Tae-han also felt like his body would burst from the tight pressure. He pushed his lower body even more into the space between Seo-eun’s legs, which were completely spread. The firm hips, which made their bodies collide with a thump, thrust hard down again.

“Euh, ugh, I can’t breathe...”

“Hoo, breathe, just breathe.”

As Seo-eun recoiled or spread, he pushed in further, covering her body and trying to soothe her struggles.

Thump.

Heat rose in her stimulated inner walls, and they gradually became sticky. Just how much deeper was he planning to go? Even after burying his body so deeply that it seemed to engulf Seo-eun’s, he still didn’t seem satisfied and slowly rotated his hips. It felt as if the axis piercing through her body was moving massively.

Hah, his large body twitched and recoiled with her exhalation. He curled up his body and pushed his arms behind her knees. Looking down at her more-spread body, she felt a flush of shame.

“Why, what are you... looking at?”

He again stirred the sticky, wet insides. Tae-han smiled as he looked down at her, who was chewing and swallowing him. A pale, sticky fluid leaked out from the place where their bodies were joined.

“Don’t keep... looking at it. I don’t like... ugh... that.”

Watching his face, which was getting excited while scrutinizing her every reaction to him, was more shameful and erotic than she had expected.

The moment Seo-eun’s face turned red and she reached out to push Tae-han away, he pulled her arm and lifted her onto his body. Suddenly, I was face-to-face with Tae-han, and there was no way to avoid his gaze. Even then, he embraced my body, as if joining them together.

“Haah, Ryu Tae-han, you’re a real pervert.”

His heavy body pushed into her narrow vulva, stirring her inner flesh wildly. A thrilling pleasure, enough to make me lose my mind, shot through my spine to the top of my head.

“Ah!”

I let out an unconscious moan. Soon, my lower lip was bitten between his teeth, and his tongue pushed in. His hot tongue, skilled at its work, swam and explored my mouth. It was a sweet kiss. Was he this gentle with everyone? His careful yet momentarily uncontrolled movements. The sparks of impulse in between. I felt it all.

“Who’s the naughty one?”

“Ryu Tae-han, euh, you’re even more so!”

“Me?”

As if to ask if I really meant it, Tae-han looked me in the eyes and thrust his hips upward. My vision was split with a shocking sensation, and pleasure filled my body. I wrapped my arms around his neck and rested my cheek on his firm shoulder.

Tae-han’s flushed neck and his forearms, where veins bulged with all the strength he was using. The lines that connected below them blurred my vision. The heat that filled my lungs was exhaled from my throat.

“Hah, ah. It’s... too, hard like this.”

The moment I thought it was better to be crushed than to be pounded from below, Tae-han, still inside me, laid me on the bed. He lifted one of my legs, which was half-turned, and pushed his weight into the widened gap again.

“Hah... you’re heavy.”

I was so crushed by his large lower body that I could barely breathe. My overwhelmed murmur barely escaped, and his body moved away for a moment, but then, thump, a huge force slammed into me from below.

“Ah! Tae-han, hff...”

Every time he connected with my body, my head bumped against the headboard, as if being pushed into a narrow corner. The furniture slid, thump, hitting the wall, and the single-size bed, which was comfortably spacious for me alone, rattled as if it would break at any moment.

“Ah, hff... aah...”

“I don’t know if that’s a pain or pleasure.”

He mumbled as if he didn’t know, and slowly penetrated and pounded with his hips. His large shadow pressed down on my hot body.

“Ugh, it feels good.”

At some point, the pain turned into pleasure, paralyzing my whole body. I couldn’t hold back my moans at the ticklish, thrilling sensation.

“Seo-eun’s little yelps are cute.”

He kept thrusting in, saying, “I didn’t know your breathing could be so erotic.”

“Do it more.” He slowly pulled his hips out and then slammed them back in, urging me on.

“Hff, wait. Just a moment.”

“Do you think it won’t hurt if I stop? No.”

He buried his hips deep again. The space between my legs was pierced once more. My ribs puffed up massively. I couldn’t breathe from the fullness filling my belly.

“Tae-han... you’re... hah...”

“Hoo.”

“...Are you a beast?”

“Then why is your body so small?”

He held my prominent hips and tirelessly pushed his hips in. As he tried to cram his large body even more deeply into Seo-eun, who was panting underneath him, thump, a sound of something coming loose was heard.

“Wait. The bed is... Ugh!”

Regardless, Tae-han pushed mercilessly.

The mattress heaved violently. I gradually felt something shifting underneath, but the odd sensation only lasted a moment. Thump, thump, I closed my eyes tightly at the sound of the bed hitting the wall, which was so loud I wondered if it was okay.

At this rate, I wouldn’t have an excuse if I were arrested for indecency.

Scraaape, scrape. The sound of the bed scraping the floor and the intermittent thump, thump of it hitting the wall mixed loudly.

“Hff, aah. Wait. Ah, stop. The feeling is too much right now...”

My hips, which were shaking as if they couldn’t endure it, moved on their own.

“Aah... Tae-han.”

The way I said his name sounded so erotic that the cock inside me became even harder.

“Why, why is it getting bigger?”

“I know. It’s driving me crazy.”

He buried his lips in my neck and mumbled, then slammed his hips up again. My body shook as if it would break. Would he stop only after splitting my body in two? When he pushed his hand under my hips and thrust his hips up, my tightly joined inner flesh gushed and contracted.

I couldn’t endure Tae-han, who was thrusting wildly into my heated insides, and as I tightened my body, I heard his desperate moan, which sounded like a curse.

“Hah, don’t squeeze.”

Thump, he thrust into Seo-eun, who was tightly gripping him, and whispered.

“...I can’t go on anymore.”

“So, relax.”

“Aah, Tae-han... Stop. Stop.”

“I’m at my limit too.”

Despite my pleas, his thrusting movements sped up. The movements, which were crushing my hips, began to gain momentum. My legs spread wider and wider. My body couldn’t handle it and started to fall to the floor, but he was still focused on thrusting from below.

Crack.

An ominous sound came from under the bed. Nevertheless, he was still focused on deeply piercing and coming out of my warm, excited body.

“Ah, euh, aah!”

“...Hah.”

I eventually climaxed first in Tae-han’s arms due to his persistent thrusting. My small, trembling body convulsed and tightened, and Tae-han, who had buried his body deep one last time, held me and let out a disheveled breath.

We were buried in each other’s bodies, slowly settling down.

________________________________________

• I have a delivery coming today. What time do you get off work?

Seo-eun’s jaw dropped when she saw the delivered bed. The bed, a size she had wondered if it would fit, barely made it into the main bedroom. The room, which used to be spacious even with the dressing table and closet, was now filled with the new bed, leaving no room to step.

To think he would send such a massive size.

• I’ll stop by after work. I have to check for any defects.

On the first night I spent with Tae-han, the single bed, which had been a cozy resting place since I moved in, was gloriously destroyed.

“This is too big.”

The bed filled the room and looked like four strong men could jump on it without a problem. Oh, Ryu Tae-han. Even when sending a bed, he had to send a huge one, just like him. The mattress I was sitting on was soft and didn’t shake.

“It’s so fluffy.”

I secretly bounced on the bed, and then I smiled sweetly. The moments when the bed frame had rattled so violently that it had split in two. After that, Tae-han started staying over more and more often.

Thinking about it made my throat tickle with embarrassment again. Just the thought of it made me feel hot inside, so I opened the window and started cleaning, shaking out the dust.

As I took out the feather duster to clean the places I swept and wiped every day, Tae-han’s belongings on the dressing table sparkled. I wasn’t sure when, but probably recently. They were cufflinks that he had left behind after hastily coming through the door past midnight.

A sweet smile spread across Seo-eun’s lips as she remembered his always neat sleeves.

His things were in my house. His toothbrush was placed next to mine in the bathroom, and two mugs were hanging in the kitchen. Gradually, his presence was becoming more and more a part of my space. I suddenly wondered if this was what dating was like, and I thought back on the past.

The first time we spent the night together, we sat side-by-side at a sandwich shop for lunch the next day. He was a man who looked handsome as he neatly finished a sandwich in just a few bites. As I stared at him, he wiped his mouth with a napkin and said, “The bed will be delivered on a weekday.”

“You don’t have to. It’s okay.”

Blushing from the commotion we had created together, I refused. It was only natural that the single-size bed, which was perfect for one person, couldn’t endure the commotion we had caused. And then, how many more times had we crumpled our bodies together on that narrow bed with that large man?

“To be honest, this is the first time I’ve ever woken up with someone.”

“Me too.”

When Seo-eun carefully opened her mouth as if to confess shyly, Tae-han smiled with his lips tilted and replied.

Among the people who were spending a leisurely Sunday afternoon, couples and families, the two of them looked at each other.

“Tae-han, you know. Want to date for just a month?”

Tae-han was quiet for a moment after hearing my carefully considered words.

“Isn’t a month the period for ‘let’s try to live together’?”

“Let’s just date first.”

“So you can dump me if you don’t like me?”

“If you don’t want to be dumped, you can try harder.”

Tae-han stared at me, who had answered as if I were Solomon, then let out a hollow laugh in disbelief.

“This won’t do. This woman.”

He adjusted his posture. He leaned against the backrest and crossed his arms, and the front of his dress shirt became so taut it seemed it would burst. After a long look at me with his deepened eyes, he finally made a decision.

“Okay. Let’s take it slow.”

As if waiting and spending more time on me wasn’t a difficult thing. His smile was reassuring.

“You know in a marathon, you have to pace yourself slowly.”

If you sprint from the start, you’ll get tired and drop out quickly.

“I think dating is the same.”

It was a confession as if he was thinking of a lifetime. So he was focused on the beginning. Because they would be together at the finish line anyway.

I thought about how deep our relationship had become, and as I looked into his immeasurably deep eyes, I realized that this man was serious.

“I don’t want to date casually.”

Whatever the ending, he hoped they would share everything they could.

“This is not an easy start for me.”

“It’s the same for me.”

They decided to walk down this path, not knowing anything about each other and not knowing how much more confusion they would get into as their lives intertwined.

“But people say,” Tae-han suddenly began, “that when you meet the person you’re going to marry, you just, know it instinctively. I think we’ll be like that.”

Even though he knew it was a premature thought, Tae-han couldn’t hide his feelings and poured them out. His words, which must have circled around his big body before coming out, made me laugh.

Remembering that moment, I rolled the cufflink in my fingers.

Since we started dating, he would come back here every day, making all sorts of excuses, and then leave early in the morning. It felt like I spent half of my day with him.

Except for days like today, we would get off work at my store and go home together. He would follow me, saying he would only walk me to the front door, or that he would just have a cup of tea, and as the time went on, spending the night together, we wondered how far we could go.

I didn’t know where we would end up, but I decided not to think about the distant future.

I decided to slowly let myself be colored by his sweet whispers.

________________________________________

The banquet hall was noisy. With a tired face, Tae-han quietly watched the people mingling in groups.

Today was the engagement party for the second daughter of the Hanseon Group and the eldest son of the Seonil Ilbo. Tae-jun’s wife, and Tae-han’s sister-in-law, Han Eun-seong, was the eldest daughter of the Jeil Group. It was a combination of prestigious groups and media, and a family celebration.

Just as a hint of boredom flashed across Tae-han’s face, who was dutifully holding his place, Tae-jo, who was sitting at the same table, showed a look of welcome.

The woman approaching arm-in-arm with Min-jeong was Song Hyeon-jin of Jinsong Corporation, who was rumored to be in talks of marriage with Jin-han.

“There you are, handsome brothers. Hi Tae-jo? But why do you look so bored?”

“How many people here actually want to be here?”

Tae-jo smiled, tilting his champagne glass in response to Min-jeong’s greeting.

“We decided to have another drink by ourselves after this. Are you coming?”

“Count me in.”

“What about Tae-han?”

“You guys go on your own.”

Even though it was a reception with a relatively free atmosphere after the main ceremony, it was still a formal occasion. To avoid gossip, it was polite to stay until the event was over. Tae-han politely refused, giving a disapproving look to Tae-jo, who couldn’t stand the wait and was making plans to drink.

“Speaking of which, I heard Tae-han is busy expanding the duty-free shop these days? Whoa, take it easy, man, take it easy. The industry is in a frenzy with you guys coming out strong.”

Tae-han just smiled quietly at someone in the group’s comment.

“I heard you’re going to break into Taiwan this time? That’s amazing.”

“Well, I’m just doing what needs to be done.”

Tae-han let the man’s words pass behind him as he drank the champagne in his glass. Taiwan’s international airport gave exclusive business rights to domestic companies, making it difficult for foreign companies to easily enter. Several Korean companies had tried a few times but had failed each time. Everyone was surprised by Haeshin’s announcement that they would lead the charge and break through it head-on.

“Do we have to talk about business even at a place like this?”

Min-jeong frowned as if she didn’t want to hear it and stared at Tae-han.

“You say you’re so busy, but I heard you’re distracted by something else these days? Tae-jo said so. He said you were messing with some naive girl.”

Tae-han’s expression turned cold at Min-jeong’s words, which she was blabbering like a joke, not even knowing who the person was. Hyeon-jin, who was tilting her champagne glass next to her, opened her mouth.

“Wouldn’t it be better if she was at least on your level? Even if you’re just playing with her for a short time.”

“Right. There are so many families interested in you. Oh, right. I saw Yu-jin earlier. You know Yu-jin? She’s after you, Tae-han. Did you know?”

This was a place where sincerity was useless. Tae-han sneered at a conversation that had initially excluded feelings. Tae-jo, who had been quietly glancing around next to Tae-han, remained silent. “Why?” The curiosity, which had been observing Tae-jo’s gaze, again chattered loudly and noisily.

“Why are you staring so hard at Yoon I-heon?”

Their eyes met as his gaze vaguely landed on I-heon, who then bowed his head. Tae-han only greeted him with his eyes and looked at the younger sibling standing next to him.

“That’s Yoon I-seo. Yoon I-heon’s sister.”

As Min-jeong’s explanation scattered into the air, the delicate and slender younger sister bowed her head awkwardly. She seemed uncomfortable in this setting, and Tae-han gave a generous smile to her, who was stiffly trying to be polite.

“Aren’t they a bit strange? What kind of relationship do they have?”

“I don’t know. I don’t care.”

And yet, Tae-jo, who couldn’t easily tear his gaze away from that direction, answered curtly and emptied his glass.

“Anyway, Tae-han will probably be next. After Hyeon-jin and Jin-han have their engagement ceremony, it’s bound to be your turn. You should have some fun before that. Just make sure not to make the naive girls cry too much.”

It was the moment Min-jeong’s laugh brushed past his ears.

“Watch your mouth, Han Min-jeong.”

“Why so serious? It’s a joke, a joke.”

“Is that funny?”

Min-jeong, who had been hitting Tae-han’s shoulder and giggling as if to say, “Don’t be like that,” suddenly froze.

“She’s the woman I chose. She’s at least better than you.”

Tae-han finished the rest of the champagne in his glass and stood up. As he stood, the chattering table fell silent. Tae-han looked at Min-jeong, who was staring in disbelief, and the group around her, and spoke with a cold gaze.

“Have fun. Tae-jo, you too, don’t get too carried away.”

After giving a sharp remark to keep a distance from people who were not on his level, Tae-han left the banquet hall without looking back. Only after he got in the car did he loosen the tie that was suffocating him.

He was longing for Seo-eun, who had come to mind so suddenly and who he had been wanting to see all along in the midst of all the things he had to face so naturally with a mask on.

A woman who could make his heart flutter just by the two of them facing each other and smiling. A woman who could create a hot wave in his chest just with her whispering voice. The warm, fuzzy feeling he had when he was with Seo-eun. When he felt the absence of that, everything here became meaningless.