CHAPTER 05……………………..
But why is he acting so annoyingly wholesome?
He looked like he could put Casanova to shame—tall, handsome, and with that easy, charming expression that practically screamed playboy.
Their first conversation had influenced her impression as well. She had approached him with a business proposal, yet he responded with an unexpected condition: sexual compatibility.
It wasn’t unreasonable that she thought this way.
I mean… I get why women go crazy over that face. And how is a man’s mouth allowed to look that sexy?
Her gaze lingered on Cha Hyukjin’s lips before she hastily pulled it away, lifting her eyelids.
At some point, Hyukjin had crossed his arms and was openly staring at her.
The gentle expression he had worn earlier had vanished, replaced with clear irritation in his eyes.
“I know I’m ridiculously good-looking, but maybe stop staring and answer me?”
He had every right to be confident in his looks, but at that moment, Seoyoung found his arrogance extremely annoying. She swallowed hard.
Her mind spun, trying to figure out how to fix this situation.
Hyukjin’s crooked gaze reminded her of the upcoming shareholders’ meeting.
If I keep this up, the contract might fall apart.
First, she needed to apologize.
Finishing her thought, Seoyoung lowered her gaze, tilted her head slightly, and spoke with a perfectly polite demeanor.
“I’m sorry. Since it’s a contract anyway, I thought you’d prefer… freedom even after marriage…”
Her eyes dropped again—and landed on his chest, rising and falling sharply with irritation.
Maybe because of the sexual compatibility condition, or maybe because she was already tense, her dry lips felt even drier.
Right now, nothing mattered more than securing this marriage.
If I have to do it anyway, I should just get it over with quickly.
Her palms were slick with sweat. She clenched and unclenched her fists.
She was nearly thirty, inexperienced in dating and sex—but this was business.
Thinking that helped her steady herself a little.
Her eyes drifted to the amber whiskey on the table.
I definitely need alcohol to loosen up.
It may have been business, but this would be her first time.
Seoyoung grabbed the whiskey glass, shut her eyes tight, and downed it in one go.
The strong liquor burned down her throat, leaving a sharp, tingling sensation.
Her stomach heated, her brows pinched, and she grimaced.
The alcohol was far stronger and harsher than she expected.
If she was going to spend the night with him, she’d prefer to be numb—but the shock only made her more alert.
I’m the one in a hurry. What difference does today or tomorrow make?
If she put this off, she’d spend the entire time obsessing and wouldn’t be able to work anyway.
So she should’ve been grateful he suggested they meet today.
Earlier, she was relieved he had to see the chairman first—thinking it bought her more time. Yet in reality, she had been useless all day just thinking about this meeting.
Waiting was more exhausting than anything else.
How could she get anything done when she was about to spend the night with a man she’d just met?
She had a friend who reveled in freedom instead of marriage and thought nothing of one-night stands, but Seoyoung was not that type.
She had practically married her job and her goals, sprinting forward nonstop for years.
She barely had time to rest—let alone date.
If she weren’t the granddaughter of the Shinhwa Group, she never would’ve even dreamed of holding her current director-level position.
A few years ago, I never would’ve imagined any of this.
Everything had changed after her parents’ accident, but she endured and pushed forward anyway.
Lost in thought, she felt the alcohol finally beginning to hit her.
Her heart raced faster, heat rising to her face.
The hard liquor made her pulse thunder compared to beer, and tension slowly eased from her body.
Her body relaxed slightly—but her mind felt frustratingly clear.
She stared at her empty glass.
I probably need another drink.
Breathing deeply to force the remaining tension from her body, Seoyoung let out a low exhale.
If hotel employees saw her like this, she wondered what they’d think.
She thought of the executives who marveled that she never looked at men and teased that she was married to her work—cold, aloof, and untouchable.
Who would ever imagine she’d be sitting in a hotel suite with a man—all because he wanted to “test compatibility”?
Reflecting on her nonexistent dating life, she pulled her gaze away from the empty glass and lifted her head.
“Then… now…”
She meant to say they should handle the condition he wanted first.
But before she could finish, Hyukjin spoke faster—having watched her face turn red after one glass.
“I assumed you came because you accepted my proposal. But if you’re uncomfortable, you can go. I’m not going to force myself on a woman who doesn’t want it.”
Relaxed against the sofa, Hyukjin crossed his legs and shrugged.
She was the one in a hurry, and women who wanted to marry him would be lining up—so his composure was unsurprising.
“No, that’s not what I meant. Please don’t misunderstand.”
Worried she’d tank the contract with another slip, Seoyoung quickly spoke and sprang to her feet.
Hyukjin’s gaze followed her upward.
He seemed to ask what she planned to do—but she met his eyes with determination.
Anyone watching would think I’m going to war.
Hyukjin let out a quiet laugh internally.
Her nervousness since walking into the room had been unexpectedly entertaining.
It was amusing how dramatic she looked over something as trivial as spending one night together.
Holding back his smile, he watched as she forced a polite smile and said:
“I’ll go wash up first.”
She had already taken a half-bath at her villa earlier, unable to focus on work.
But she needed time to calm her nerves—and a shower was a convenient excuse.
Before she even took a step, Hyukjin reached out and grabbed her arm.
She turned, startled—eyes wide.
“Why…?”
She remembered what she had glimpsed earlier—his lower body.
Was he really that impatient?
Hyukjin didn’t take his eyes off her as he stepped around the table, closing the distance between them in seconds.
He’s not planning to start right away… is he?
She held her breath as he looked down at her, then lightly grabbed the back of her head and tilted it downward.
Their faces were suddenly inches apart.
“No need for a shower. We start with a kiss.”
Seeing her trembling brown eyes, Hyukjin lowered his head, lips curved in a subtle smile.
His descending face looked unbelievably slow—like a scene in slow motion.
Her heart pounded violently.
She was sure he could hear the hammering in her chest.
His lips disappeared from her view—then brushed against hers softly.
A light touch, barely there—before he gently caught her lower lip, sucking on it.
The unexpectedly soft sensation froze her in place, eyes wide open, unable to breathe.
Then his arm slid around her waist—and when her lips parted in surprise, his tongue slipped in.
The sudden invasion overwhelmed her. She squeezed her eyes shut and clutched the edge of his robe.
She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think—only receive the sensations he poured into her.
“Breathe.”
His warm breath brushed her lips when he barely pulled back.
She released the breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding.
“Haa… haa…”
“Don’t tell me that was your first kiss?”
Watching her pant and blush, Hyukjin raised an eyebrow with amusement and let out a low laugh.
At a distance close enough for him to kiss her again at any moment, Seoyoung—her face burning—couldn’t bring herself to look at him. She lowered her gaze.
Her lipstick had smudged across her lips, glistening with their mixed saliva.
