Sunrise

Chapter 4

"Thank you both for your hard work. I know it was difficult to complete in such a short time, and I know you both don't get along very well, so it's really nice to see that y'all can come together in this way." Janice says, giving us a warming smile. I'm still a little angry, but hopefully, if I play nice right now it'll work to my benefit in the future.

"Well, we found a way to make it work. Turns out we work pretty well together if we try." I say.

"We might have learned some other things too last night, but someone happens to be non-confrontational." Taehyung murmurs under his breath.

I let out a startled squeak. "Some things are best discussed during another, more appropriate time." I hiss back.

Janice studies us with a confused look, but then suddenly, a slow smile spreads across her face, it's almost scary. She looks between us and covers her growing smile with her hand. "Best of luck."

I return her smile weakly, but it feels more like a grimace. I'm not entirely sure what she's talking about, but I could care less. I'm incredibly drained. When I get back to my desk, I put my head down, attempting a five-minute nap.

"Up all night thinking about me Y/N? Those eyebags look designer."

"Fuck off Taehyung. Look at yourself. Your tie is a mess, your shirt is crinkled, and you're wearing two different kinds of socks. Did you roll out of bed after crying yourself to sleep about how unattainable I am?"

"Ha. Trust me, if anyone's going to be crying, it's you."

"Why?" I spin around to face him.

"I'm thinking of leaving."

I suddenly feel like all the air in my lungs has been knocked out. Those are words I had dreamed of hearing, but now, it feels so bittersweet. "What do you mean you're thinking of leaving? Why would you want to leave?"

He smiles conspiratorially, "ooo are you going to miss me? You seem riled up."

"Shut up Taehyung, answer the question."

"I kind of just want a fresh start. Maybe I'll get into freelance design, put my skills to use elsewhere rather than the corporate world."

"Is this because Janice hates your designs? I promise she's warming up."

He laughs, "I mean yes, that's part of the reason why, but also, think about it Y/N, don't you want to get out of here and try something else?"

"Yes of course, but I crave stability, and this job offers that."

"But are you really happy here, with this solemn, mundane life? You'll stay here forever. Going to company dinners, working late at night, reading whatever Janice recommends – however much you hate it. It's an endless cycle."

I consider his words for a moment but don't say anything.

"Would you miss me if I was gone?" he asks, his voice deep and rich. It sounds like a genuine question. Even though he's smirking, his eyes make it seem like he truly wants to know.

I hold his stare, unable to really form any words. It would be so easy to deny, so easy to say no and just move on, but there's something about the way he's looking at me, like whatever I say really matters. I don't want to lie to him, but I don't want to tell him the truth either.

"I need to get some coffee; I don't think I'm fully awake." I say, getting up abruptly and grabbing my mug. I make my way quickly to the break room, but I hear Taehyung follow suit.

I pop a Keurig cup into the machine and brace my hands on the counter, watching the steady flow of coffee drip into my mug, unable to turn around and face Taehyung.

"Why are you following me?" I ask

"I figured I could use some coffee too."

He reaches over me to grab a Styrofoam coffee cup from the cupboard above, pressing his chest firmly against my back. I gasp at the sudden contact. His body is hot, and the heat seeps through my clothes. The sensation of him makes me forget how to breathe. Suddenly, he slips an arm around my waist, holding me tighter against him as he rests a broad hand on my lower stomach. Tingles spread through my body. I loosen myself from his grip and turn around, attempting to push him away, but his grip on me is firm.

"Taehyung, what are you doing?" I whisper, pushing at his chest, but he doesn't budge, and I don't push very hard.

He is silent, as his slim fingers slide over my waist, gripping it tightly, and drawing me closer to him. My hands rest on his muscled chest, immobile, as if they don't want to part from his enticing warmth.

He cups my face gingerly and tilts my head back, so I look straight into his eyes. He's so, so close. His thick eyelashes make him look ethereal, and his eyes, which are brimming with a new kind of desire, drop swiftly to my lips.

Unknowingly, my mouth opens slightly. He moves an inch closer, and then closer still until our mouths are centimeters apart. I press further against the counter, and Taehyung's hips dig deep into my body, grinding slightly against me, leaving me breathless and aching for more. A hardness pushes into me. I know what it is, but I refuse to acknowledge its existence.

"Y/N" his breath is a soft caress. It's velvet smooth and sensual. It's deep and throaty, on the cusp between a groan and a whisper. He says my name like it's a prayer, like it's his answer to everything he's ever wondered. And with that final thought, he consumes me like wildfire.

He captures my mouth, licking softly, nipping, biting. He kisses me like he is making love to me, slowly and sensually, and I kiss him back the same way. It feels like we have hours to explore each other and we are anywhere but this break room. I've never been kissed like this before. I've never felt this burst of warmth fill me entirely or the buzz of electricity that courses through my blood. I feel whole and content kissing Taehyung, almost as if I've spent my entire life waiting for him. My hands stay glued to his chest, but his roam freely up and down my waist, gripping my hips, his thumb drawing slow circles over the thin material of my button-down. His tongue swipes the underside of my top lip slightly, before venturing deeper into my mouth to meet my tongue.

"Fuck," I hear him groan against my mouth, as his hands dig into my hair. His kiss becomes hungrier and I moan as our tongues meet in fervent passion. I don't break away - I can't break away. Why am I so weak at his touch? I don't want to stop but I need to, if at the very least to realize what these new emotions I'm feeling are.

I break away, gasping for air. My mouth feels swollen, and Taehyung's skin is flushed. His breath is coming out in little pants and he looks at me expectantly, like he's hoping I'll pull him back in for another kiss. His hands are still gripping my waist, pulling me tightly against him, letting me feel all of him, every hard part of him. His fingers dig in slightly, as if they're not ready to let go.

"Taehyung, what. The. Hell." I say, trying to place as much bite in my words as I can. I don't know what to do in this situation other than use anger as a defense mechanism. I cannot let him see how he has made me feel. It'll be the last thing I ever do.

He blinks, bringing himself back to reality. "Y/N, I – "

I push harder this time, and he falls back, letting me go. I shove past him, abandoning my mug, and go to my desk to gather my stuff. I don't give myself time to comprehend what just happened.

I pop my head into Janice's office, "I'm taking a sick day, Janice. I'll email a formal request." I don't wait for her to respond. My mind is whirring, and a million different thoughts are running through my head. I can't stay here. I can't be within two feet of him. I jump into the elevator and lean against the back wall, willing my heart to slow down and take a breath. As the doors close, I see Taehyung run a hand through his silky hair, messing it up. His eyes, which are pinned on me, look pained, broken. I look away and let the doors close.