Chereads / Under His Command: The Complete Series / Chapter 4 - Chapter 4: Crossing the Line

Chapter 4 - Chapter 4: Crossing the Line

The days following their lunch together felt different. Ji Hoon couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted between him and Tae Joon. The subtle glances, the lingering moments—they were no longer just fleeting thoughts. Ji Hoon found himself anticipating the intern's presence more than he cared to admit.

It was a Thursday afternoon when things truly began to change. Ji Hoon had been buried in work, trying to meet deadlines, when his phone buzzed. The message was from Tae Joon.

"Want to grab a drink after work?"

Ji Hoon stared at the message for a long moment. He hadn't expected an invitation like this. The line between professional and personal had always been so clear to him, but now, with Tae Joon's words hanging in the air, it seemed less defined.

He typed out a response, his fingers trembling slightly. "Sure. I'll meet you at 7?"

The reply came almost instantly. "Perfect. See you there."

The rest of the day passed in a blur. Ji Hoon couldn't concentrate on anything. His thoughts kept returning to the idea of meeting Tae Joon outside of the office. What would it mean? Was this a step closer to crossing a line they couldn't come back from?

At 7 p.m., Ji Hoon found himself standing outside the bar they had agreed to meet at. The warm evening air did nothing to calm his racing heart. He had always prided himself on being able to keep things professional, but the pull he felt toward Tae Joon was something he couldn't ignore anymore.

When Tae Joon arrived, Ji Hoon's breath caught in his throat. The intern looked effortlessly handsome, wearing a dark jacket that accentuated his broad shoulders and slim waist. His hair was slightly tousled, giving him a casual yet irresistible look.

"Hey," Tae Joon greeted, his voice soft yet filled with an underlying warmth. "I hope I'm not too late."

Ji Hoon shook his head, trying to hide the way his pulse quickened. "No, you're right on time."

They stepped inside the bar and found a quiet corner booth, away from the bustling crowd. The dim lighting, the soft hum of conversation—it all added to the intimate atmosphere. Ji Hoon was suddenly aware of every movement Tae Joon made, every word he said.

They ordered drinks, and the conversation flowed easily at first. They spoke about their lives outside of work, the things they enjoyed, the places they wanted to visit. But as the night wore on, the tension between them grew. The words came more slowly, and the pauses between them felt heavier.

Ji Hoon couldn't help but notice the way Tae Joon's gaze lingered on him, the intensity behind his eyes. It was as if there were words unsaid, thoughts unspoken, that neither of them was willing to voice.

"Ji Hoon," Tae Joon finally said, his voice low. "Can I ask you something?"

Ji Hoon nodded, his heart racing. "Of course."

Tae Joon leaned in slightly, his eyes searching Ji Hoon's face as if looking for an answer he wasn't sure he'd find. "What's going on between us?" he asked, his voice almost a whisper. "I can feel it, and I know you can too."

Ji Hoon froze, the question hanging between them. He had known it was coming, but hearing it aloud made everything feel so real, so much more dangerous. He had always kept his emotions under control, but now, in the face of Tae Joon's honesty, he was struggling to maintain that distance.

"I don't know," Ji Hoon admitted quietly, his eyes locking with Tae Joon's. "I don't know what this is, but it's... it's hard to ignore."

Tae Joon smiled softly, his lips curving up in a way that made Ji Hoon's heart skip a beat. "I feel the same," Tae Joon confessed. "But I'm not sure where this will lead. Are you ready to find out?"

Ji Hoon's breath caught in his throat. He wasn't sure if he was ready, but one thing was certain—he couldn't walk away from this connection. Not anymore.

Before Ji Hoon could respond, Tae Joon leaned in, closing the gap between them. His lips brushed against Ji Hoon's in a soft, tentative kiss. The touch was electric, sending a rush of heat through Ji Hoon's body. He froze for a moment, unsure of what to do, but then his hands found Tae Joon's shirt, pulling him closer.

The kiss deepened, and Ji Hoon's mind went blank. All of his fears, his doubts—they disappeared in that moment, replaced by an overwhelming need for more. His hands moved to Tae Joon's neck, feeling the warmth of his skin, and for the first time in what felt like forever, Ji Hoon allowed himself to give in to the moment.

The kiss was slow, almost agonizingly so, as if neither of them wanted to rush what was happening. It was a kiss that spoke of desire, of longing, and of something far more complicated than either of them had anticipated.

Finally, they pulled away, both breathing heavily, their foreheads resting against each other. Ji Hoon's heart was pounding in his chest, his thoughts a whirlwind.

"I don't know what this means," Ji Hoon whispered, his voice shaky.

Tae Joon smiled softly, brushing a stray lock of hair from Ji Hoon's face. "We'll figure it out together," he said quietly, his eyes filled with warmth and understanding.

Ji Hoon didn't know what the future held, but for the first time, he didn't feel the need to have all the answers. What mattered was that they were here, in this moment, together.