TUW | CHAPTER 42

Chapter 42

I’ll Take a Shower

“What will you do when we get home?”

Do-hyun asked in a voice full of quiet expectation.

“Rest, of course.”

“You’re thinking of resting?”

He had been leaning against Lee Yeon for a long while, but now Do-hyun straightened and shifted toward the driver’s seat.

He started the car, resting one arm on the wheel, and glanced back at her.

“Why shouldn’t I think of resting?”

Lee Yeon blinked prettily, as if she didn’t understand.

“You’ve got less responsibility than I thought, Yu Lee Yeon.”

Do-hyun chuckled, brushing a fingertip across the corner of her eye.

“I’m very sensitive about that word responsibility.

I’ve got too much of it.

That’s the problem.”

“Do you even know what you’re saying?”

“Well… no.

Actually, I’ve got something to tell you when we get home.”

The sudden mention made Do-hyun’s voice sink low.

“Something to tell me…?”

Unease flickered in his eyes.

“Just something.

Not something I can say here.”

“All right.

Seatbelt.”

When Lee Yeon buckled herself in, Do-hyun pulled out quickly.

***

Normally, he drove with a lazy calm, but tonight he pressed the car faster.

He could feel that the silent girl beside him had resolved herself.

“So, what is it you wanted to say?”

The moment had come.

Lee Yeon squeezed her eyes shut.

The firm decision she had made earlier had melted into fear.

Ah, what do I do…

As soon as they got inside, Do-hyun shrugged off his outer coat.

He tossed it aside and pulled her tightly into his arms.

“Wait a second, Vice President.

Let me catch my breath.”

Maybe one more day.

Inside the car, she had vowed to become Do-hyun’s woman tonight.

But Do-hyun, no matter how rough he seemed, had never gone beyond a kiss.

He always tried to hold back for her sake.

He knew why she had started disguising herself.

He fought to restrain himself, just as he had forced his hand to stop earlier when it roamed above her waist.

Lee Yeon wanted to respond to that consideration.

And to do that…

“I’ll take a shower first.”

Lee Yeon blinked slowly, her jewel-like eyes sparkling with playfulness.

Do-hyun frowned at her composure.

He ran a hand through his hair and braced himself against the wall, caging her in.

“You just want to watch me lose my mind, don’t you?”

Even as he felt her emotions, he looked tense, afraid the words she meant to say would be something bad.

“It’s good news.

So don’t make such a scary face.”

Lee Yeon grinned, then smiled brightly as if she didn’t notice his turmoil, slipping out of his arms.

She couldn’t share her first time with him smelling of sweat, wigs, and roasted meat.

She didn’t want to give him that version of herself.

*Just wait a little longer.

I’ll tell you the good news soon.*

That she would become Ahn Do-hyun’s woman.

“Twenty minutes!

No, fifteen!

I’ll be quick.”

She didn’t wait for his reply.

She ran upstairs, determined to wash quickly and come back down.

At the top of the stairs, she glanced back at Do-hyun, who stood frozen and staring up at her, before slipping into her room.

***

“Ah, refreshing.”

The faint haze of alcohol was long gone.

It was embarrassing, but being clear-headed was better.

At least this way she could truly feel him.

“He’s not asleep already, is he?”

Why was it so quiet?

She applied toner and lotion to her freshly washed face, then dabbed lip balm on her dry lips.

When she came out to the empty living room, she was startled.

“Vice President?”

Where had he gone?

Surely he wasn’t asleep?

He would regret it.

She had finally gathered her courage, only for the moment to slip away.

Lee Yeon stood before his room.

She raised her hand to knock, then stopped.

Just as she was about to turn away, the door opened.

“Oh?

You’re still awake?

I thought you were—”

She couldn’t finish.

Do-hyun suddenly caught her hand.

“You came here without any fear.”

Lee Yeon swallowed hard.

He smelled faintly of shampoo.

Yes, I’ve completely lost my sense of fear.

“How did you know?

That I have no fear.”

At her boldness, Do-hyun’s body gave a small jolt.

Sensing it, a sly smile tugged at Lee Yeon’s lips.

“Just keep a few things in mind.”

With serious eyes, she gently pushed him back.

“What kind of talk comes with warnings?

Sounds scary.”

Do-hyun teased, without a hint of fear.

“Vice President, you might be shocked and fall over.

So sit on the bed first.”

She pressed him down until he sat, then sat beside him, only a handspan away.

“Telling me to sit on the bed?

That’s dangerous, Yu Lee Yeon.”

“Why?”

“Sounds like you’re giving me permission.

Makes me want to lie down.”

His joking tone left her at a loss.

Should she say she wanted to lie down with him too?

She cleared her throat and steadied herself.

“It’s not a hard promise.

Just promise me first.

Here.”

She held out her small pinky in front of him.

“Whatever it is, I’ll keep it.”

Do-hyun answered as if entranced.

Her smile and flushed cheeks made him want to bite them.

He hooked his pinky around hers and shook it twice.

“First, whatever I say, you’ll keep this distance.”

His lips twitched with displeasure.

“Second, from now on, just listen without interrupting.”

“And third?”

“There isn’t one.

That’s all.”

“That’s it?

Not much of a warning.

Just telling me not to move.”

He tilted his head, confused.

Lee Yeon took a deep breath.

“You don’t need to handle me carefully.

Treat me roughly.”

Do-hyun stared, not understanding.

“I’ve been dull with my feelings.

But when we kissed earlier in the car, I realised you were fighting yourself.

You were holding back, trying to respect my wounds.

I finally understood how much you care for me.”

Her words filled the quiet room.

Do-hyun listened, heart racing faster and faster.

He was desperate, unable to bear even the small space between them.

“But you know…”

She hesitated.

“I don’t want to drag out that waiting.

Because I feel the same way you do.”

She lifted her head.

His face froze at her confession.

She etched herself into his gaze.

“I want you, Ahn Do-hyun.”

His eyes widened.

“I want to be your woman.

Let me have you too.”

So that was why she gave him warnings.

Do-hyun finally spoke.

“That’s the hardest promise to keep.”

He let out a small laugh.

“You drive me crazy.”

“….”

“Take me, Yu Lee Yeon.”

Before his words faded, Lee Yeon wrapped her arms around his neck.

Up close, her bare face was flawless.

She gazed only at him.

“This isn’t fair.”

“I finally decided to be brave.”

“I want to support that courage.”

His hand seized her waist.

The promise no longer mattered.

“I don’t need your support.

Just follow me.”

She pressed closer without words, offering herself.

“This doesn’t make sense.”

“What doesn’t?”

“That you’ve never dated, when you drive me this crazy.”

Lee Yeon laughed softly.

Unable to hold back, Do-hyun kissed her first.

Their lips clung, and the kiss deepened.

They tumbled onto the bed, clothes being torn away.

Do-hyun looked down at Lee Yeon, sprawled like scattered pearls.

Her dazed eyes fixed only on him, and his desire burned hotter.

From this moment, all of her would be his.

And he would give all of himself to her.

His gaze swept over her body with obsession.

Tonight would be both long and short for them.