Joohyun

"Will you stop doing that?" Sooyoung asked, her voice laced with exasperation.

I blinked.

"What?"

"That. Ignoring me when I'm talking to you."

"Sorry."

She didn't know what was happening right in front of her nose. I smirked. To say I was amused, was an understatement. I was beyond amused. I was thrilled.

Seokjin was seated just a table away from us, clearly not enjoying his meal or his company, for that matter. I wasn't surprised.

"Who are you smiling at so lewdly?"

"I am not. Just get on with what you were saying." I replied. "You want the next book to have 'dark academia' vibes?"

"Oh yes," she replied back, remembering our conversation before we were interrupted by a gorgeous piece of chocolate cake who was sitting across our table. "So, guaging from the response and sales of your recent book, me and the others from Moonji have decided that it's time for you to get back on gear and this time it should be something compelling and intriguing with dark, almost mysterious overtones in it, you know."

"Hmm," I pondered on the prospect of diving in this. It would be fun, no doubt. The possibilities of producing a variety of plotlines under this particular genre would be endless.

"Interesting," I smiled at her. "I can look into the basics of it and then let you know if I'm up for it. But... I think I will be up for it anyway, considering the subject matter."

Sooyoung gave me a full blown grin. "Perfect! I'm really looking forward to this." She raised her flute towards me and said with a new sense of promise in her voice, "To your new book. Eventually."

I smiled at her enthusiasm. It's one of the reason she is my friend first and my editor, second. Moonji Publishers is a flake without her hard work, skills and determination.

I raised my flute and did the same. "Soon, Soo. Very soon."

We made the toast and sipped on our champagne, totally giddy with excitement.

But my excitement was tenfold now, because of a certain handsome someone who was giving me the hardest glares in a room full of people, just a table away.

Totally sexy, Jin.

I trained my eyes at him now. He was looking dashing, as usual, in a crisp black suit. His hair wasn't styled tonight, as if he was in a hurry, but they were fine. He was with someone. I couldn't see his face though.

Seokjin was talking to him at times, smiling so whole heartedly when the other person was speaking to him. Almost like a loving father.

I smiled at that sight. So warm, pure. I never thought I'd see Jin give that look to anyone. Not even that flamboyant best friend of his. Hoseok was his name, I guess.

Suddenly, Jin's eyes fell on me. I saw him murmuring to the guy he was with, which made him turn and look at us. I was caught off guard, not expecting him to boast about his conquest. Atleast, that's what I assumed. There was a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

He really wanted to go all out, huh?

His companion looked at me and then to Sooyoung after me, but not before taking a full look at her long legs.

Pervert.

"That's it." Sooyoung lightly slammed the table with her palm. She was annoyed now. "This is the hundredth time you've chose to not answer my question. Just who is it, for god's sa..?" She trailed off when she looked back her shoulder, only to be greeted by two pairs of dark black eyes, staring at us like wolves in heat.

Okay. To say time stood still, was an understatement.

Sooyoung was locked in a heated gaze with the unnamed guy and I was revelling in it. The chemistry they oozed was mind-blowing, to say the least.

Do they know each other?

Out of nowhere, I heard a slight cough behind me.

Shit.

I didn't see him coming.

An arm shot out from behind me, his palm settling beside my hand resting on the table. He was so close. But not touching me in any way.

I looked at the thick veins protruding on the back of his hand, the sight sexy beyond comprehension. I took a nervous gulp.

I felt his perfume waft between us, swallowing me in his presence. He leaned in closer to my ear, I felt him smirk, and said in a husky whisper, "You're such a fucking tease, Joohyun."

My insides were tingling, turning my senses into overdrive. I felt him, his aura and everything which defined him, in an impossible clarity. The fact that I couldn't touch him now was taking a toll on my conscience.

I really shouldn't have been a prick.

Stupid deal.

I turned my face towards him, my breath coming out in short pants, when he tilted his head towards me at the same time. We were so close now. Our breaths mingling, I was lost in his eyes.

They were always dark and breathtaking.

I let my eyes down for a second and that was a big mistake. I was greeted by the sight of his lips, forever adorning that insufferable smirk. I can never control my urge to kiss them. It was like a forbidden fruit, waiting to be bitten into.

Here we are, in a family restaurant, eye fucking each other moments after we met and the prospect of having sex after the third meeting was looking ridiculous?

It would be more ridiculous if we didn't.

I was jolted out of my thoughts when I felt a firm and hard nudge on my leg under the table.

"Ouch," I looked down for a brief moment and then to Sooyoung, the apparent leg kicker. "What strong legs, Soo." I said with a frown.

"And sexy too," came a short response from the man who was leering at Sooyoung before. Or more like her legs.

He was standing beside her, looking at her with interest.

I still felt Jin's face a few inches away from me, his eyes boring into me. As if nothing happened.

I gathered myself and said in a comfortable tone, "Why don't you both join us, if you're fine with it? The more, the merrier."

"Great. I was waiting for this," the unnamed guy said, enthusiastically. "I'm Taehyung. Mr. Kim's younger brother. That's Mr. Kim," he pointed at Jin, who was making himself comfortable on the chair beside me, "my older brother." His smile was cute and... boxy?

"Hi Taehyung. I'm Joohyun. This is Sooyoung. She is my friend and also my editor at Moonji Publishers. But.. I have a feeling you both met already." I smiled and glanced at them both.

"Oh yeah," Taehyung said, leaning a tad bit closer to her, "we met at a photo exhibition, a few days ago in Switzerland. I was the photographer and she was particularly interested in that one picture out of all the ones displayed." He looked at Sooyoung at the last part and smirked at her, mischievously.

I then heard a slight groan from Jin beside me and he clicked his tongue in annoyance when I glanced at him.

Sooyoung was a blushing ball of mess at that instant.

Okay.

"Really?" I was interested now. I directed my question towards Sooyoung now. "What picture was it, Soo?"

I heard her gasp lightly, and then she stole a brief glance towards Jin but looked at me instantly.

Okayy. Now I'm really curious.

She gave off a nervous chuckle and turned towards Taehyung. "I don't know why you would say that, Taehyung." She was giggling now. "I was fond of all your pictures and I–I made sure you knew that. That particular picture was just a highlight in all those masterpieces there. You sure do exaggerate, don't you?" She was chuckling again.

Taehyung was amused. I could figure that out from the smile playing on his lips when Sooyoung stuttered.

Seokjin, on the other hand, was not the least bit impressed. He was glaring at Taehyung and Sooyoung, I wonder why.

Sensing that she didn't want to say anything about that incident, I diverted the topic away to other things.

"Well, it's a small world after all." I said with a shrug.

There it is again. His white hot stare.

"You must be Bae Joohyun, right?" Taehyung chimed in and I nodded. "Damn. I loved your book! I literally finished it at one sitting."

"You read?" That was Seokjin.

Seriously? That's all he says the entire time?

"As a matter of fact, I do, hyung," he said in mock offense. "And you need to stop patronizing me, seriously."

Jin shook his head and raised his hands as a peace offering.

They both are so cute.

"Anyways! The book. It was so engaging and intriguing. I was devastated the whole day after I read it..."

I tuned him out because I felt a warm hand placed on my thigh. His touch was soft yet firm. Jin was caressing me, right in front of his brother.

His hand was slowly moving upwards, way too close to my centre. My breath hitched but I masked it by taking a sip of water.

I looked at him briefly, to not distract Taehyung from talking. He was engaged in a conversation with Sooyoung now. My book, the least of his concerns.

I was flushed and I could feel it from the way my body was feeling hot all over. I mouthed at him to stop but he was too amused to do that.

"Listen," I said in a low whisper. "You're being an ass now. I think I specifically told you not to touch me anytime you wish to."

He smiled at me, all mirthful and arrogant. "You should have thought that before seducing me across the fucking table when all I was doing was peacefully having dinner with my little brother."
"You wanna tease me. Go ahead. But I can't guarantee I won't do things to you by the time we finish this food and you will curse yourself for ever initiating this stupid bet in the first place. You got that?"

I gasped, my senses were numb and I wanted to breath.

He leaned in very close, his breath on my cheek, away from his brother's line of sight and said, so low, so deep, "I just wonder who you should be praying to, when I meet you the third time," he smirked, this time slightly brushing his lips with my ear. "I'm gonna ravish you, Joohyun and you'd be so confused, you wouldn't know if you love it or hate it. And that's a fucking promise."

I felt my panties get wet and the fact that it was an instant reaction was very humiliating.

And the other fact, that he knew it, was equally embarassing.

He didn't lie. I knew that the moment I met him that night, on the accursed balcony. Wrapped up in lust and the thrill of throwing myself in danger.

I looked at him, pleading with eyes to let me go. Anything. Just let me go. Because if he won't, I won't be able to trust myself to break my own rule.

I was gone into this anyway. But I can't risk losing myself in public like this. I wouldn't be able to handle the shame later.

The mere reason that he is affected by me, as much as I do to him, is enough for me to uphold myself. It's as if his presence in my life would give me some satisfaction I deem myself worthy of.

If he wasn't into me, then it would all be futile. It would be boring. And I can't risk myself with that.

He must have understood me. How, I don't know. He pulled back completely, his body, his hand and gave me a smile. Then,  he looked at Taehyung at said, "I have to leave early. Hoseok texted that it's important. Will have my dinner with him. "Uh.." he looked at me and Sooyoung then, "you guys carry on with him. I'm sure he would love that."

"Fine," Taehyung grumbled. "But we are doing this again anyway."

"Absolutely, kiddo," he smiled at him. "Well then, if you'll excuse me." He stood up, without giving me a glance and strode off the restaurant, leaving me in a mess.

I could get used to this.

Our foods arrived a few seconds later and the three of us ate in comfort, sharing simple anecdotes and brief things about ourselves. It wasn't bad for a first meeting. I enjoyed it.

It's just that Kim Seokjin will always be an anamoly to me. I can never pinpoint my feelings with him around and I was revelling in my confusion.

Sigh.

Such a masochist, Joohyun.