16

Chapter 13

Jungkook sat in his office, staring blankly at the papers on his desk. His mind was far from the numbers and contracts in front of him, fully occupied by thoughts of Jiwoon. He couldn’t believe that earlier today, he had spent such a calm, intimate time with her in Sarang’s cafe. Every moment with her had ignited something deep inside him, making it hard for him to focus now. Her laughter, the way her eyes sparkled, her calm presence—it all left him in turmoil.

Frustrated, he leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. “What the hell is wrong with me?” he muttered under his breath. It was impossible to control himself around her. The way she made him feel—so out of control, so reckless—was something he hadn’t experienced in years. But now, being away from her felt unbearable.

Unable to resist, Jungkook grabbed his phone and opened the hidden folder he had made. There it was—a picture he had taken of Jiwoon, secretly, when she wasn’t looking at the cafe. In the photo, she was smiling gently as she looked out the window. Her beauty was captivating, her aura calm but powerful. Jungkook’s heart raced just looking at the image.

“Damn it,” he cursed, his voice a low growl as he slammed the phone on his desk. This feeling—this desperate need to be near her—was driving him insane. He had never missed anyone like this before.

Without thinking twice, Jungkook stood up, grabbing his coat as he stormed out of his office. His feet moved faster than his thoughts, his body already knowing what it needed. "I need to see her." The words echoed in his mind, the only clear thought he had.

Before he knew it, he was driving, the city lights blurring as he sped toward Jiwoon’s house. His heart pounded harder with every passing second. "I shouldn’t be doing this," he told himself, trying to regain some self-control, but it was no use. He had to see her—had to feel her presence to calm the storm raging inside him.

Meanwhile Jiwoon ‘s POV

The night was quiet, and the streets of Seoul glowed under the dim light of street lamps. Jiwoon walked with a restless pace, her thoughts spiraling back to the source of her frustration—Jeon Jungkook. The cool midnight air kissed her skin as she pulled her jacket tighter around her, her eyes scanning the empty road ahead.

“I don’t get him. Why is it that every time I think I’ve figured him out, he does something completely different?” she muttered under her breath, her irritation bubbling. Jungkook had always been an enigma, but lately, he had been even more unpredictable, driving her to a place where calm was hard to find.

As she walked, she found herself gravitating toward a familiar place—her mom's best friend’s tattoo shop. It was her safe haven, the one place she could think clearly, away from the noise of her complicated life.

She pushed open the glass door, the bell ringing softly as she entered. The place smelled of ink and sterilizing alcohol, its walls adorned with art of every shape and design. Jiwoon exhaled deeply, the calm she craved finally settling over her as she took a seat by the counter. The shop was closed at this hour, but she had her own key—her personal sanctuary.

For the next hour, Jiwoon sat in silence, running her fingers along the edges of the tattoo sketches laid out on the counter. The silence allowed her mind to drift back to Jungkook, a man who seemed to invade her every thought these days.

"Why can't I stop thinking about him?" she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible in the stillness. "He's dangerous. He’s a ticking bomb, yet..."

She stood up, shaking her head in frustration. She couldn’t allow herself to go there. Not again.

With a resigned sigh, she left the shop, locking the door behind her as she stepped back into the night. The city was still, the only sound was the faint hum of cars in the distance. Jiwoon stuffed her hands into her pockets and began walking toward her apartment, the cool wind pushing her forward.

But her thoughts refused to quiet. Jeon Jungkook. His name echoed in her mind, a constant reminder of how complicated things had become.

"Why does he have to be like this?" she asked herself, her brow furrowed as she walked. "One moment, he's cold, distant... next, he's acting like he cares."

She paused for a moment, leaning against a streetlight. Her breath fogged the air as she tried to sort through her tangled emotions.

"What do you want from me, Jungkook?" she whispered, as if asking the wind itself.

She glanced up at the sky, the stars twinkling faintly above her. It felt like the universe was silent, offering no answers. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t push him out of her mind. The way he looked at her, the way his presence made her feel... It was all too much.

Sighing, she pushed herself off the streetlight and resumed her walk home, her steps slower this time. "I don’t have time for this. I can’t afford to let him mess with my head," she muttered to herself, trying to convince her heart to follow what her mind already knew.

As she neared her house the quiet night only amplified her racing thoughts. Jungkook was mysterious but he was also... captivating. And that terrified her more than anything.

Before unlocking her door, she cast one last glance down the empty street, half-expecting to see his silhouette lurking in the shadows. But there was nothing. Just the quiet, empty city.

“Get out of my head, Jeon Jungkook,” she whispered before disappearing into the comfort of her home, shutting the door firmly behind her. But deep down, she knew it wouldn’t be that easy.

Meanwhile Jungkook's Side

Jungkook arrived in front of Jiwoon ‘s house . He didn’t hesitate for a moment. He parked the car and marched toward her door, his hand already curling into a fist to knock. But then he stopped, hesitating just before his knuckles met the wood.

"What the hell am I even going to say?"

Before he could think too much, the door opened. There she stood, Jiwoon, looking at him with wide eyes, clearly surprised to see him.

“Jungkook? What are you doing here?” Jiwoon asked, her voice soft but filled with curiosity. She leaned against the doorframe, her expression unreadable.

For a moment, Jungkook said nothing, his breath catching at the sight of her. She looked even more stunning now, in the soft glow of the evening light. But the words that were usually so easy for him to find seemed lost.

"I...I couldn’t stop thinking about you," he finally admitted, his voice raw, filled with an emotion he rarely let surface. "I know I shouldn’t be here, but I just—I needed to see you."

Jiwoon blinked, still processing his sudden appearance. "You shouldn’t be here," she said, but there was no conviction in her voice.

Jungkook stepped forward, closing the distance between them, his eyes never leaving hers. "I know. But I can’t help it. I don’t care if it’s wrong, Jiwoon. I needed to see you. Just for a moment."

Her breath caught in her throat as she felt the intensity of his gaze, the raw emotion in his voice. "Jungkook…"

Before she could say another word, he reached out, gently cupping her face in his hand. "Tell me you don’t feel it too. Tell me, and I’ll walk away."

Jiwoon’s heart raced as she looked up at him, the space between them filled with unspoken tension. She could feel the pull, the same irresistible force that had drawn them together back at the cafe.

"I…" she started, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, she found herself leaning into his touch, unable to deny the connection between them.

Jungkook let out a shaky breath, his thumb brushing lightly across her cheek. "I missed you," he whispered, his voice softer now, vulnerable in a way she hadn’t expected.

The air between them seemed to crackle with electricity, the world around them fading into insignificance as they stood there, lost in each other’s presence.

"You shouldn’t have come," Jiwoon said again, but her voice wavered, and the words held no weight.

"Maybe not," Jungkook admitted, his lips curving into a small, lopsided smile. "But I’m here now.

"It wasn’t enough," he confessed, stepping closer, his voice lowering. "I can’t get you out of my head, Jiwoon.

Being around you feels like… like I’m losing control, and I’m not used to that."

Jiwoon’s smile faded, and her gaze became more serious as she looked at him, studying his face, his eyes. There was a long pause between them, the air thick with tension.

"You shouldn’t lose control, Jungkook," Jiwoon whispered, though there was something in her eyes that showed she wasn’t pushing him away entirely.

Jungkook shook his head, taking another step toward her. "I already have," he said, his voice firm but filled with the weight of his confession , his hand gently cupping her cheek, his thumb brushing against her skin. "I’m not going anywhere until I figure out what this is between us."

Jiwoon’s breath hitched at his touch, her eyes locked on his. Neither of them moved, caught in the moment, and for once, Jungkook didn’t want to fight the pull he felt toward her.

" Then Stay," Jiwoon whispered, their lips hovering just inches from each other and his eyes searching hers for an answer. "Are you asking me to stay with you tonight?"

Jiwoon’s eyes softened again, and she didn’t move away. “Yes ,” she whispered back, her voice barely audible, but it was all Jungkook needed to hear.

Without another word, Jungkook stepped inside, closing the door behind him, determined to spend the night unraveling the mystery that was Jiwoon.

Inside Jiwoon 's house

Jungkook’s breath was heavy as he stood close to Jiwoon, the intensity of their kiss still lingering between them. His gaze darkened with unrestrained desire, and before Jiwoon could fully comprehend what was happening, Jungkook pushed her gently but firmly inside her house, closing the door behind them with his foot.

The door clicked shut, sealing them in the quiet intimacy of her home. In one swift, fluid motion, Jungkook’s arms snaked around her waist, lifting her effortlessly off the ground. Jiwoon gasped, instinctively wrapping her legs around his waist as he carried her toward the dining table, his eyes never leaving hers. His movements were full of purpose, his hunger for her clear with every step.

"Jungkook..." she whispered breathlessly, her voice shaky as she clung to him, her mind racing with the sudden turn of events.

He didn’t respond with words, his focus entirely on her. With a determined look, he set her down on the edge of the dining table, her body colliding with the cool surface beneath her. The contrast of the cold table against the warmth of his body sent a shiver through her, but there was no time to dwell on it as Jungkook grabbed her by the waist and pulled her closer, his chest pressing against hers.

His lips found hers again, but this time the kiss was harder, more urgent. Jungkook’s hands roamed her sides, exploring her curves, and Jiwoon’s fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer as she returned the kiss with equal intensity. The heat between them was palpable, their breaths quickening as their bodies moved together in a frantic, desperate rhythm.

"You have no idea how long I’ve wanted this," Jungkook growled against her lips, his voice rough with need.

Jiwoon’s head was spinning, her senses overwhelmed by his touch, his scent, the way his body pressed into hers. "Jungkook... we shouldn’t..." she tried to say, but her words were swallowed by another searing kiss, his lips claiming hers with a possessive hunger that made her lose all sense of reason.

"I don’t care," he whispered, his breath hot against her skin as he trailed kisses down her neck, his hands gripping her thighs and pulling her even closer. "I can’t stop, Jiwoon. I don’t want to stop."

Jiwoon let out a soft moan as his lips found the sensitive spot just below her ear, sending a jolt of pleasure through her body. Her hands clutched at his shoulders, her back arching instinctively as he continued his assault on her senses.

"Jungkook, this is crazy," she gasped, her voice trembling as she fought to catch her breath.

"Then let me be crazy," he muttered against her skin, his hands sliding up her thighs, his touch setting her on fire. "You drive me insane, Jiwoon. I need you... now."

Before she could respond, Jungkook’s lips were on hers again, his kiss rough and demanding as he pushed her back slightly, her body resting on the edge of the table. He lifted her effortlessly, positioning her so that she was at the perfect height, her legs still wrapped around his waist.

Jiwoon’s heart raced as she felt the tension build between them, her body responding to every touch, every kiss, every whispered word. She was torn between the reckless desire coursing through her veins and the nagging voice in the back of her mind telling her this was all too much, too fast. But with Jungkook so close, his body pressed against hers, his lips moving against her skin, it was impossible to think clearly.

"Jungkook..." she moaned softly, her fingers digging into his back as he moved his lips down her neck, his breath hot and ragged.

"You’re mine," Jungkook whispered, his voice low and possessive, the words sending a shiver down her spine. He leaned in closer, his forehead pressing against hers as he looked into her eyes. "Tell me you want this too. Tell me you need me."

Jiwoon’s breath hitched as she looked into his dark, intense eyes, the heat between them undeniable. She wanted to resist, wanted to tell him to stop, but the truth was, she wanted him just as much.

"I need you," she whispered, her voice barely audible but filled with raw, unfiltered emotion. "I want you, Jungkook."

A growl escaped Jungkook’s throat, the words igniting something primal inside him. In one swift motion, he grabbed her by the hips, pulling her flush against him, his lips crashing against hers in a kiss so fierce it made her toes curl after kissing for few seconds they broke the kiss and Jiwoon’s resolve faltered as she looked into his eyes—eyes filled with longing, desire, and a depth of emotion she wasn’t sure she was ready for. But something inside her was tired of resisting, tired of pretending that what she felt for him could simply be ignored .

“I don’t want to hurt you,” she whispered, her gaze falling to the floor.

Jungkook stepped closer, his voice soft but firm. “You won’t hurt me.”

Jiwoon looked up at him, her eyes filled with hesitation. “You don’t know that. You have your world, and I have mine. Mixing them could ruin everything.”

“I don’t care,” he said, his words leaving no room for argument. “I want you, Jiwoon. No games. No hiding. Just us.”

She bit her lip, torn between the intensity of his words and the nagging voice in the back of her mind warning her of the consequences. But the truth was, she wanted him too. Every stolen glance at the cafe, every quiet conversation, and every heartbeat in his presence had drawn her closer to him, even when she had tried to resist.

“Jungkook, this is reckless,” she said, though the protest was growing weaker.

“Maybe,” he replied, his gaze unwavering. “But sometimes the best things come from taking risks.”

His words hung in the air, heavy with meaning, and Jiwoon felt the tension between them build to an almost unbearable point. She was teetering on the edge, knowing that stepping forward meant giving in, and stepping back meant losing something she didn’t even want to admit she needed.

“I can’t promise anything,” she whispered, her voice shaky, her walls beginning to fall.

Jungkook smiled faintly, a glimmer of hope lighting his eyes. “I’m not asking for promises”.

Jiwoon’s resolve faltered as she looked into his eyes—eyes filled with longing, desire, and a depth of emotion she wasn’t sure she was ready for. But something inside her was tired of resisting, tired of pretending that what she felt for him could simply be ignored.

Jungkook’s breath caught as he leaned in slowly, his forehead resting against hers, their closeness filling the space with warmth and unspoken need. “Thank you,” he murmured, his voice barely audible.

Jiwoon closed her eyes, her heart pounding as she let herself surrender to the moment. “Just for tonight,” she whispered, her words a fragile agreement, but it was all he needed.

Jungkook tilted her chin up gently, their lips inches apart, his gaze searching hers for any last hint of doubt. When he found none, he closed the distance between them, capturing her lips in a slow, deliberate kiss. It was tender, filled with the pent-up emotions he had held back for too long.

Jiwoon melted into the kiss, her fingers curling into the fabric of his jacket, her breath mingling with his. The world outside ceased to exist, and all that mattered was this moment, this reckless, perfect moment where nothing else could touch them.

As the kiss deepened, Jungkook’s arms wrapped around her, pulling her closer as if he feared she might slip away. But Jiwoon didn’t pull back. Instead, she clung to him, her body responding to the fire he ignited within her.

When they finally pulled apart, their breaths were ragged, the air between them thick with desire.

“Are you sure about this?” Jiwoon asked, her voice barely above a whisper, her forehead resting against his chest.

Jungkook pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head, his hand gently stroking her hair. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

Jungkook’s heart raced with anticipation as he carried Jiwoon up the stairs, his mind filled with nothing but the desire to be close to her. He pushed open the door to her bedroom and gently threw her onto the bed, her body bouncing slightly on the soft mattress. But before he could move closer, Jiwoon instinctively pulled herself backward, her eyes filled with uncertainty.

Jungkook understood her hesitation, baby just relax ,” Jungkook murmured, his voice low and husky as he reached for her, his hand wrapping around her ankle and pulling her back toward him. The look in his eyes was intense, filled with passion, but as he leaned down to kiss her, Just as their lips were about to meet Jiwoon suddenly placed her hand on his chest, stopping him in his tracks.

“Wait,” she whispered, her voice barely audible but filled with determination. “I need time, Jungkook… I can’t do this right now.”

Jungkook froze, the raw hunger in his eyes softening as he looked down at her. He could see the conflict in her gaze—the part of her that wanted him just as much, and the part of her that needed space. He took a deep breath, reigning in his emotions as he nodded slowly, his fingers brushing against her cheek. He leaned down and placed a soft, lingering kiss on her forehead. "I won’t do anything until you’re ready, Jiwoon," he whispered against her skin, his voice low and tender. "I promise , I won’t do anything until you’re ready. I’ll wait for you, Jiwoon. Whenever you want, you tell me.”

Jiwoon’s chest tightened at the warmth in his words, her heart conflicted. She wasn’t used to someone being so patient with her, especially someone like Jungkook. Her walls had been up for so long, but in that moment, she felt them slowly beginning to crumble.

Jungkook, always perceptive and respectful of her boundaries, leaned back on the bed, propping himself up on his elbows while Jiwoon turned her back to him, facing the other side of the room as she tried to steady her racing thoughts. She could hear Jungkook He reached up and began unbuttoning his shirt, the sound of fabric slipping from his body filling the quiet space. He discarded the shirt effortlessly, revealing his toned, muscular chest, the moonlight accentuating the hard lines of his body. It was a habit of his—he couldn’t sleep comfortably with his upper body covered, and tonight was no exception.

Without saying a word, He lay down next to her, his bare chest brushing lightly against her back as he made himself comfortable while Jinwoon wasn’t used to it, but still she felt the heat of his skin against her, comforting and familiar in a way that surprised her. Jungkook shifted closer, wrapping his strong arm around her waist and pulling her gently into his embrace.His chest pressed against her back, and Jiwoon’s body felt relaxed into him, finding comfort in his presence.

Jungkook inhaled deeply, his nose burying itself in the crook of her neck as he kissed her gently, his lips grazing the delicate skin of her nape. “You smell so good,” he murmured, his voice low and filled with affection. The scent of her hair, the warmth of her skin—it was intoxicating to him. He pressed another soft kiss to her neck, but nothing more, respecting her need for space , I could stay like this forever.”

Jiwoon’s eyes fluttered closed as she allowed herself to relax in his arms. There was something undeniably calming about the way he held her, as if he was her anchor in the storm of her emotions. She didn’t say anything, but her body softened against his, silently letting him know she was okay with this moment, with him.

Jungkook smiled softly, sensing her acceptance. He tightened his hold on her, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm as he closed his eyes. The quiet of the room enveloped them, the only sound being their shared breathing, slow and peaceful. Jiwoon felt the tension melt away from her body as the exhaustion of the day caught up to her. Despite the chaos in her mind, being wrapped in Jungkook’s arms felt strangely safe.

“Goodnight, baby,” Jungkook murmured sleepily, his voice barely a whisper as he nestled closer, his lips brushing against her neck one last time.

Jiwoon’s lips parted, but no words came. She simply let herself be in the moment, her mind finally giving in to the calm as her eyes drifted shut. She could feel Jungkook’s warmth surrounding her, his protective embrace holding her close, and for the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to feel at ease.

Within moments, sleep claimed her, her breathing steady and soft in Jungkook’s arms.

Meanwhile Jungkook, feeling her body relax in his arms, closed his eyes too, a small smile tugging at his lips. Holding her like this, feeling her soft breaths against his skin, brought him a sense of peace he rarely experienced. He tightened his grip around her slightly, his chin resting against the top of her head as sleep began to claim him.

The night passed in quiet tranquility, the only sound in the room was the soft rhythm of their breathing as they slept, wrapped in each other’s embrace the quiet darkness of the bedroom, with the moonlight streaming through the window, they lay entwined, finding solace in each other’s presence, their worlds colliding in this peaceful, stolen moment of calm.

To be continued…

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