NLFSD Chapter 46

Chapter 46

Lee Jiwoon froze like a stone.

What just happened?

Seo Taecheon’s face filled his vision — a face as breathtaking as a finely sculpted statue — carrying a scent so intoxicating it nearly suffocated him. And that warmth where their skin touched… it all felt like a dream.

He had no idea how long he stayed like that — unmoving, voiceless.

Then Taecheon brushed Jiwoon’s damp lips with his thumb and asked,

“Did that surprise you?”

“Uh…”

So, this is what happens when you’re too shocked — you can’t think of what to say.

Jiwoon just blinked vacantly.

“You seem surprised.”

“Yes, I… surprised— Wait, what.”

We kissed. Taecheon‑C and I… our first kiss?

No, wait… It wasn’t deep, so maybe I should say “first peck”? But still — lips touched lips, right? Shouldn’t I count that as a first kiss?

A whirlwind of questions, awe, and excitement washed over Jiwoon’s face.

Then Taecheon leaned in again and pressed another quick kiss to his cheek.

“Since we’re outside, I’ll refrain from doing anything more.”

“…Huh? Anything… more?”

“We are outdoors. I’ll do it properly later.”

Jiwoon’s face heated so violently, it wouldn’t have been surprising if it simply exploded.

He didn’t even remember how he finished the rest of his drink. When he came to his senses again, he was sitting in the back seat of a car next to Taecheon, a chauffeur up front. And really, it had only been a daiquiri plus one sip of whiskey — hardly enough to count as drinking too much. But his head was spinning, and his heart was uneasy.

It was all because of that kiss. And Taecheon‑C’s promise to do “more.”

“Don’t sit so far away. Come closer.”

“Uh… okay.”

Taecheon reached out and pulled Jiwoon toward him until their shoulders were snugly touching. His scent and body heat rushed over Jiwoon, bringing back the vivid memory of their earlier skinship. It almost made his hair stand on end.

“Lean on me.”

Taecheon wrapped an arm around his shoulder, making it natural for Jiwoon to rest against him.

The faint perfume, mixing with the Alpha scent… it’s too good.

Even frozen stiff with nerves, Jiwoon savored the moment. God… I like this too much. Why is there no traffic tonight?

He almost wished the ride home would take longer so he could enjoy this warmth against him.

“We’ve arrived.”

“Thank you. Get home safe.”

Once home, they dismissed the driver and walked to the gate together. Jiwoon was still feeling giddy, so Taecheon opened the door for them.

“Watch your step.”

“Yes!”

Walked through the garden until they reached the main building — Jiwoon assumed Taecheon would just open the front door.

But instead, Taecheon stopped abruptly, placed one hand against the door, and looked back at him.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m going to keep that promise now.”

“…What?”

“It’s not outdoors anymore.”

Taecheon cupped Jiwoon’s cheeks in both hands and leaned down. He could feel the unfiltered heat in Taecheon’s breath, and Jiwoon’s heart felt ready to burst.

“Uh… o‑okay.”

“Good.”

Jiwoon realized it was his turn to be brave. He shakily slid his arms up around Taecheon’s neck.

You can do this. You’re an adult.

Rising slightly on the balls of his feet, Jiwoon brought his lips to Taecheon’s — and Taecheon’s arm slipped firmly around his waist.

It’s touching…! I did it — lips are touching!

It was more like pressing their mouths together than a real kiss, but Jiwoon still felt a rush of accomplishment at having initiated the contact himself.

“Haa…”

Out of breath, Jiwoon lowered his heels back to the floor and pulled back. But it wasn’t over — Taecheon immediately sought his lips again.

“Mm—!”

Something hot slid between them, parting his lips and leaving trails of heat. Their breaths tangled deeply until they became indistinguishable. Jiwoon felt as if he were plunging into a bottomless cliff. The only things he could cling to were Taecheon’s solid neck, his chest, his rock-hard shoulders — clutching and smoothing over them without thought.

His lips felt aflame, and the pleasure starting from them ran down his spine, shivering all the way to his toes. He swore he’d never felt anything so intoxicating in his life.

Taecheon‑C… Didn’t you say you’ve never dated before? Then why are you so good at kissing? Was that a lie?

“Stop overthinking.”

It was as if Taecheon had read the doubts in his mind. His arm around Jiwoon’s waist and back tightened suddenly — enough to crush him — and combined with the onslaught of the kiss, Jiwoon’s thoughts were wiped completely blank.

The front door opened, and still locked together, they stepped inside. The sound of the door slamming shut sent a shiver down Jiwoon’s spine. And of course, inside this house… it was just them. Which meant that whatever lovers might do, no one would know.

“W‑wait a second.”

Jiwoon gasped desperately for air. In the brief space where their mouths parted, they panted nose‑to‑nose. And then Jiwoon really saw Taecheon’s expression — something new, almost predatory.

This isn’t the Director I know. How to describe it…

“Taecheon…”

Like a carnivore.

It was as if the gentlemanly act had been a mask all along. In the next moment, Taecheon was pushing him back, still kissing him. His shoes slipped off without him realizing, and stumbling clumsily to keep from falling, Jiwoon backed away. His whole body burned, his brain felt like it was melting, and Taecheon’s movements were fast and fierce.

As he was driven away from the entrance, sudden alarm jolted through him.

Wait… Is he planning to cross the line tonight? This atmosphere, the deep kiss, this predatory Taecheon — is he really…

Jiwoon’s heart hammered at a dangerous rate. He couldn’t deny there was anticipation — but underneath, there was also a trace of fear.

Back at the island guesthouse, when he’d boldly considered pouncing on Taecheon, he’d had only a vague idea of what that would entail. Having never truly experienced the adult side of things, he’d recklessly assumed, I’ll figure it out somehow.

But now… now the air was entirely different. He felt both excited at the thought of what was coming and, at the same time, afraid.

No… I’m too scared to just get swept away like this. But… I also want to get swept away…!

Conflicting emotions pumped wildly through his chest.

“Wait — hold on!”

They were nearly at the master bedroom door when Jiwoon flailed, trying to push Taecheon back — at least enough to talk and cool his head. Just then his hand collided with something hard, and it clattered to the floor with a loud thud.

The noise snapped him back to his senses, and Taecheon also released him.

“What happened? Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine. Ah… what is that?”

Jiwoon knelt to see — it was a fairly large parcel box.

“A delivery.”

Come to think of it, the sideboard beside the master bedroom was where the housekeeper always left parcels.

“I must have knocked it down.”

A brief silence lay between them. With their heated mood spectacularly shattered, awkwardness and embarrassment filled the air.

“Haha… It’s a package! A delivery came.” Jiwoon hurried to fix his rumpled collar as he spoke, grasping at the chance to break the tension.

Why? Because if they went into the bedroom right now… something very risky might happen, and he wasn’t mentally ready for that yet.

“See it later.”

But Taecheon pulled him up and back into his arms. Jiwoon panicked and pushed him away.

“M‑maybe… we should check? It could be… urgent mail.”

Even as he said it, he knew how ridiculous it sounded. Urgent package? That’s not a thing. Still, once you start babbling, you can’t stop.

He fussed about how the tape looked tough and he’d have to grab a knife from the kitchen to cut it open.

“…Fine. If it’s that urgent, open it.”

“Y‑yeah… okay.”

Taecheon released his wrist, and Jiwoon swallowed hard, looking down.

Smack.

Taecheon pressed a kiss to his forehead.

“Next time, I won’t let you off.”

His voice was low, and it sent goosebumps racing down Jiwoon’s arms. The sensation carried the thrum of fear — but also something akin to pleasure.

Inside, a strange anticipation stirred in Jiwoon’s chest.

I hope that ‘next time’ when you don’t let me off comes soon…

…But tonight, please understand if I’m still a little scared.