Joo-won stood in the middle of Kim's office, his breath shallow and his heart pounding in his chest. The kiss lingered on his lips, the warmth of Kim's body still pressing against him, the heat of their closeness almost too much to bear. His mind was racing, filled with a whirlpool of thoughts that clashed with the reality of what was happening. His body betrayed him, yearning for more, but his mind screamed for him to stop, to pull away before they crossed a line that could never be uncrossed.
Kim pulled back, his eyes dark and intense, as though searching for something in Joo-won's gaze. Joo-won couldn't look away. His body was still buzzing from the kiss, the magnetic pull between them almost too strong to resist. The world outside of the office seemed distant, like it no longer mattered. There was only Kim, and there was only him.
"Joo-won," Kim's voice was low, almost a whisper, yet it held an undeniable authority. "I told you we can't pretend this isn't happening. You feel it too, don't you?"
Joo-won swallowed, the words stuck in his throat. He didn't want to admit it, but he couldn't lie to himself anymore. The attraction was undeniable, the chemistry between them undeniable. Every glance, every touch, every heated exchange—he felt it all deep within him. His heart raced every time Kim was near, and it wasn't just because he was his boss. It was something more, something far more dangerous.
"I…" Joo-won's voice faltered, unable to find the right words. "I don't know what to do, Joon-ho. I didn't ask for this. I didn't…" His voice trailed off, and he ran a hand through his hair in frustration.
Kim stepped closer, his presence overwhelming, and for a moment, Joo-won thought he might lose himself completely in him. But the cold reality of the situation hit him like a slap to the face. He was an intern—an inexperienced, naive young man—and Kim was his boss. The risks, the consequences, were terrifying.
"You don't have to do anything, Joo-won," Kim said, his voice softer now, but still carrying the weight of an unspoken promise. "You don't have to decide anything right now. But don't fool yourself into thinking this will go away. This desire between us…it's not something either of us can ignore."
Joo-won looked up at Kim, his mind racing, his heart in turmoil. He wanted to pull away, to run, to escape from the dangerous pull between them. But something deeper inside of him held him captive, a yearning he couldn't suppress. He was afraid—afraid of what this would mean, of what this could cost him—but a part of him didn't want to let go.
Kim's fingers gently grazed Joo-won's cheek, his touch almost tender, and Joo-won shivered under the contact. He didn't know if he was ready for whatever this was, but the way Kim looked at him, the way he made him feel—it was intoxicating.
"I can't promise it will be easy," Kim said, his voice thick with something Joo-won couldn't quite place. "But I can promise you one thing. It won't be boring."
The words hung in the air, and for a moment, Joo-won didn't know whether to laugh or cry. What kind of game was Kim playing? Was this just a power play? A test? Or was there something deeper? He couldn't make sense of it, and the uncertainty gnawed at him.
"I…" Joo-won began, but he didn't know how to finish the sentence. He wanted to walk away, to put some distance between them, but the pull was too strong. His body wanted Kim—needed him—and that terrified him.
Kim's eyes softened, as if sensing Joo-won's inner turmoil. He took a step back, giving Joo-won some space, but the tension between them didn't fade. If anything, it only seemed to grow stronger.
"You don't have to make any decisions now," Kim said quietly. "But think about it, Joo-won. Think about how much you want this. How much we both want this."
The words settled heavily in Joo-won's mind, leaving a lingering sense of uncertainty. He didn't know what to do. Part of him wanted to pull away, to leave the office and forget this whole thing ever happened. But another part of him—one he couldn't ignore—yearned for Kim's touch, for the thrill of this forbidden attraction.
Kim turned toward the door, his back to Joo-won, and for a moment, Joo-won was left standing there, frozen in place. He had the chance to walk away, to leave, to distance himself from this. But something in him couldn't move. Something inside of him—something primal, something deep—kept him rooted to the spot.
Before Kim left, he turned back to Joo-won, his eyes meeting his in a silent understanding. "I'll be waiting for you," he said, his voice low and filled with something unreadable. "Whenever you're ready."
Joo-won's heart raced in his chest as he watched Kim leave the office, the door closing softly behind him. He was alone now, but the weight of the moment lingered. He had crossed a line, and there was no going back. But the question that still haunted him was: Was he ready to face the consequences of his desire?