Carpe Noctem

Chapter 5

There are only a few shirts left in Jeong Hyeok’s dresser. And one of those—the white one which is his personal favorite—is on Se Ri.

Considering how petite she is, it seems as though she’s donning an oversized pajama, so much so that she had to roll the sleeves up to her elbows in order to move freely. Regardless, the sight of her wearing it along with a shy smile takes his breath away.

“I hope you don’t mind that I borrowed this,” she says as she steps into the kitchen and ambles towards where he is seated by the counter.

He gives her a once-over, his eyes appraising how tempting she looks at that instant. Her hair is up in a messy bun again, and a couple of stray tendrils are framing her face. The tips fall right above her collarbones, which are conveniently exposed thanks to the top buttons she left undone. And as she approaches him, his fingers itch to unfasten the rest of those tiny disks—all the way down to the hem until the damned garment slides down her shoulders and off of her body. It doesn’t help to curb his urges that he’s already seen the peaches and cream skin underneath that thin fabric.

And kissed every inch of it, he thinks to himself a little too proudly.

She must have caught the smirk that he is trying to suppress because she asks him shortly afterwards, “Do you like what you see, Ri Jeong Hyeok-ssi?”

Knowing that it’s pointless to deny his approval, he simply nods and spreads his legs apart so that she can stand in the space between them. And as soon as she does, he wounds his arms around her waist to keep her in place.

“I do,” he admits straightforwardly.

To that, she scoffs, “Caveman.”

“I couldn’t help acting like one when you’re walking around my apartment in my clothes.”

“Should I take it off?”

“Would you?”

She shakes her head and bites her lip, then murmurs, “After lunch.”

“Like you said,” he shrugs. “Speaking of which—what are we having today, jagi?”

“I found a few drumsticks in the freezer. And I took them out to thaw before I went into the shower,” she tells him. “Now, what I’ll make out of those chicken pieces depends on whatever remains in your pantry.”

“There are leftover leeks, onions, garlic—the usual. Some condiments… I have a pack of gochugaru,” he recalls. “I’m afraid I have already ran out of kimchi, though.”

“That’s fine. I think it’s going to be dakbokkeumtang for lunch, then.”

“Well, let me know if there’s anything else that you need. I can go to a nearby store and check.”

“I have potatoes and carrots at my place. Other than those two, I guess I’m all set.”

“I’ll get them for you.”

“Oh—and I have a bottle of Amigne de Vétroz on the kitchen counter.”

“Is that your choice of drink for lunch?”

“Yes. We can also have a glass or two while I cook.”

“You haven’t eaten yet,” he reminds her with evident disapproval in his tone.

“We had a heavy breakfast,” she argues. “I’m not hungry, I promise.”

He considers it for a while, then yields to her demand with a hushed ‘okay’.

Ecstatic that she won him over again, she almost squeals. And to his delight, she leans in to lock her arms around his neck, drawing him down to her until their lips are barely inches away.