Chapter 26
26. In My Room
At his words, Naeun jumped in surprise, waving her hands frantically and shaking her head vigorously.
"No! I absolutely wasn't waiting for you, CEO. Why would I wait for you?"
Naeun tried to speak firmly, but it was hard to hide the faint blush rising on her face.
Kangwoo felt his fatigue melt away at the sight of her endearing reaction.
He shrugged playfully and added,
"Good thing then. I thought you were waiting for me."
Naeun gave an awkward smile and quietly turned her body, but his smile lingered in her mind. The distance between them felt subtly closer.
"Let's go inside. It's cold."
At Kangwoo's gesture, Naeun nodded lightly and stepped inside. The warm indoor air enveloped them.
Once inside, Kangwoo quietly looked around.
"The kids must be asleep."
His voice, as he glanced about, carried a subtle undertone, as if relieved that the children were sleeping.
Naeun smiled faintly and replied,
"Yes. They stick to their bedtime well."
Her voice held the pride of a teacher in the children's regular routine. Of course, it also reflected her devotion and responsibility as their caregiver.
Kangwoo turned his gaze to Naeun and said quietly,
"Shall we have some tea?"
Naeun seemed to hesitate slightly before nodding.
"Chamomile? It might help you sleep well."
Naeun looked at him with a soft smile. But in Kangwoo's eyes, there was more heat than amusement.
"...In my room?"
His gaze was deep and meaningful. Naeun's face flushed as she caught the intent in his pitch-black eyes.
Naeun's heart skipped a beat.
Was this the moment she'd been waiting for? It was unexpected too. But what was this man lacking?
A flurry of thoughts raced through her mind. She recalled Hyesun's words from their last call. Something about wanting a man to come down at night? She knew nothing about nights with a man—what was she to do?
As she hesitated, Kangwoo spoke.
"Don't want to? Then we'll have it downstairs."
At that, Naeun bit her lip and then opened her eyes wide, saying,
"No. Let's have a drink... in your room."
Kangwoo clenched his fist, suppressing the heat surging through his body at her words.
Daring to ask for alcohol? In my room? Does this woman know what that means? Of course she does. She has a child.
Naeun's provocation set Kangwoo's heart racing uncontrollably.
Kangwoo took Naeun's hand and led her inside. Naeun followed him silently up to the second floor. She couldn't even remember climbing the stairs. Kangwoo gripped her hand tightly, as if afraid she'd run away, and quickly ascended the second-floor stairs.
The second floor was a completely different space from the first. At the top of the stairs was a double door, and beyond it lay a living room. As spacious as the one downstairs, but since Kangwoo lived alone there, the atmosphere felt entirely different.
Crossing the living room led to the bedroom. One side had a simple bar for tea or drinks.
"What kind of drink? Something strong? Or wine? What do you like?"
Naeun pondered quietly before speaking.
"I want to try something I've never had before."
"Something new? Have you ever tried whiskey?"
Naeun shook her head. She'd had wine with friends, but never whiskey.
"I heard it's really strong."
"Playing with me. What do you plan to do after strong liquor? Trying to bewitch me?"
Naeun laughed at Kangwoo's words.
"If I drink strong liquor, will you be bewitched, CEO?"
Kangwoo nodded.
"Yes. I'm already half-bewitched right now."
Kangwoo skillfully added ice to two glasses and poured whiskey.
"It's pretty strong, so don't drink it all at once or you'll be in trouble. But if you savor it, it'll be fine. It feels intense on the tip of your tongue, but then the flavor lingers and vanishes. Shall we toast?"
As Kangwoo held out his glass, Naeun clinked it with a ting and then said as if remembering something,
"We should say something before toasting."
She pondered briefly and then spoke.
"To the health of the children and all of us."
Naeun toasted again lightly with her cheer. Kangwoo stared at her intently before clinking once more and saying,
"And to the bold future ahead for us."
It felt meaningful. But Naeun just smiled. Kangwoo was right. The whiskey was very strong, but it left only fragrance in the mouth and vanished. Of course, that was only if sipped moderately. After another sip, she unwittingly stuck out her tongue.
"Wow. It's strong."
"I told you it was strong. And remember what I said before? If we drink tea on the second floor, it won't just be tea."
Naeun looked straight at Kangwoo and slowly nodded. Kangwoo approached, caressing her cheek with his hand. Just his touch on her cheek made her whole body feel aflame. Somehow embarrassed, Naeun turned her gaze away.
-3-
It was the moment Naeun lifted her head again to hear what came next. In an instant, their lips overlapped. His thick, hot lips devoured hers in one go.
Her head grew dizzy. It felt like vertigo. Then a deeper, more intense kiss followed. His tongue parted her lips, ravaging wildly and sucking hers in. Her breath quickened, and her eyes closed unwittingly.
At some point, his arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her close. His other hand cradled the back of her head, preventing any movement. As the kiss continued, she found herself wanting more, clinging desperately.
After the long kiss, Naeun exhaled shakily and opened her eyes wide. His eyes shone darker than before the kiss, filled with desire.
"Already drunk?"
"No way. You might be surprisingly strong with alcohol, Naeun. Want another?"
Naeun shook her head at Kangwoo's suggestion. If things progressed further now, it would be her first time.
She didn't want to lose that first time to drunken haze without memory. Accepting Jiho as her son didn't mean her life as a woman was over. She could afford one love to cherish deep in her heart. Especially if it was just one night.
Kangwoo pressed his lips to hers again. This time, Naeun actively accepted his kiss. Kangwoo let out a deep sigh and swept her up into his arms.
"I'm not running away."
"Don't even think of running. I won't let you go, even if it kills me."
Kangwoo carried her into the bedroom. His bedroom felt somewhat cool. He kept the temperature low. Unlike the downstairs, always cozy like a spring day for the kids, the air was markedly different. The large gray bedding suited him well.
When Kangwoo laid her on the bed, the cool sheets touched her back.
Kangwoo tossed his tie aside and set his jacket down. His clothes piled up one by one. Then he climbed over her. His downward gaze burned hot. As his lips touched her nape, Naeun shrugged her shoulders.
"You know I've wanted this?"
Naeun didn't answer. She recalled his body swelling wildly in the driver's seat that day. Maybe she'd thought of this since then.
"Did you think I'd boldly follow you up here?"
Kangwoo nodded.
"I noticed from the moment you were waiting outside. Let's not pretend otherwise. We've both known about those entangled gazes and feelings all along, without needing words."
He was right. Shaken by his subtle looks, witnessing his physical changes. Each time, Naeun felt she wanted this man too. It was a feeling she'd never known—a inexplicable urge to go to him endlessly, care for him, lean into him.
"I'll go slow."
Naeun whispered cautiously to Kangwoo.
"But... I'm not good at this."
She couldn't bring herself to say it was her first time, but felt she should mention her inexperience. Kangwoo laughed.
