This is the fourth story in the Undone series.
This is Jung Hoseok's time to shine.
He is taking control of a new project at Stellar Design, and he has decided it's time to take control of his love life as well. He is weary of being alone, and he...
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Hobi stiffened as he heard the door open. He knew without looking it would be Izabelle.
He did not know how, but he knew she would not miss something this important to him.
He thought he had seen her face early in the evening. When he searched for her as he exited for his solo dance he could not find her.
He told himself at the time he had merely imagined her, it would not be the first time.
But only one person would be here now.
He watched as she moved toward him in the low lights of the studio. She glowed in a dark pink silk dress that swirled as she moved.
His mind was racing, thinking of twirling her around the room with the silk flowing around both of them. He forced himself away from that fantasy, for that was all it was.
His jaw clenched till it hurt as he watched her come to him and sit facing him, close enough to inhale her scent, almost touching but not quite. He blew out a frustrated sigh.
“I could not forget,” she admitted, the deeper meaning behind her words settling between them.
“ Hobi, your dance. I have no words. It was simply beautiful,” she said.
He nodded in response.
They sat in silence, her nerves making her stomach roll.
“Hobi?” she called. He could not resist the mixture of vulnerability and desire in her voice as she called his name. He slowly lifted his face to hers.
“I missed you,” she confessed, her heart in her eyes. He clenched his fists to stay still.
She sighed when he did not respond, tears stinging her eyes.
“I just knew I had to be here tonight,” she began,” the plane was late and then I had trouble getting a car…..”
She rambled on, the words not mattering as she inched closer to him.
He felt her voice wash over him and against his resolve he felt his body soften toward her.
First her arm brushed his and then her leg fell to nestle next to him.
He found himself turning toward her and when she finally stopped for a breath they were face to face.
She reached to smooth his hair. He smiled thinking what a mess it must be, between the sweat and the wind.
When he smiled Izzy’s heart lurched. Right here was all she ever wanted. She just had to have the courage to reach out and take it.
Hobi gave in to the urge to rest his head in her gentle hand. It was not much and it would only be a second. Surely that would not be too much.
Then he made the mistake of looking into her eyes.
For the briefest moment he saw every promise he had ever wanted made right there He knew he was in danger but he could not pull away.
Then he closed his eyes to slow it all down and his world tilted.
Izzy watched his face fill with wonder at the touch they shared. When his eyes slowly closed, she could no longer resist the temptation. She leaned into him and softly pressed her lips to his.
It was supposed to be a safe kiss, like the one he gave her at the football game after a few beers and a big win, an innocent connection.
But they were much too far removed from those autumn nights of accidental touches and long walks home.
Hobi groaned at the sweet taste of her. The memories of innocence giving way to passion were overwhelming.
He unfolded his arms and embraced her, pulling her to rest across his chest.
He lost himself in the heady taste of her, his tongue searching to deepen the intimacy. He felt her sweet sigh as he kissed her again and again.
But as he became more aware of his body, and its response to her, he forced himself to pull away.
He put his hands on her forearms and gently moved her away from him.
He hurt to see her face, the rosy flush, the slightly unfocused gaze with eyes darkened with desire.
He cursed, the realization hitting him that this was everything he wanted – and everything he could not have.
Izzy leaned toward him for another kiss, seeking the warmth of his embrace, but his response was like a splash of cold water.
“Izabelle,” he said gently, “stop.”
She sat blinking at him, her body racing to catch up with her mind.
She reached to grasp his shirt, then recoiled with the realization he did not want her to touch him.
Hoseok stood and began to pace the room, struggling to bring some order to his wildly beating heart.
He turned from the far end of the room and stood staring as his heart broke all over again.
Izzy had turned to face him, on her knees now, her hands wringing in the silk. The flush of arousal had faded to the dull red of shame and her eyes brimmed with tears.
“I am so sorry. I should not have assumed…..Hobi I am so sorry. I thought we were……”
She stumbled over her words, her distress making her choke on her tears.
He cursed violently in his head. He was not sure he could do this.
He walked to her and lifted her from her knees.
He made sure she was steady and took a safe step away. The confusion and shame on her face hurt him.
“ Please,” she whispered,” please…..at least….we can start ….please, please still be my friend.”
The break in her voice was almost his undoing. He had to get the words out and get out of this room.
“ Izzy,” he started and took another deep breath as he caught her eye.
“Izzy….I don’t want to be your friend,” he said.
He reached out to steady her as her knees buckled. He led her to a bench and sat her down, kneeling at her feet.
“We have a problem Izzy. I can’t be your friend anymore,” he said as he pushed to his feet. He felt the need to put some distance between them.
“I want you… I want what we had. Hell, I want to make love to you right here, right now,” he said. He turned to see her face, eyes wide with shock and confusion.
“But Iz, I cannot do this anymore. I can’t have you for just one night and then maybe, who knows when, maybe if I am really lucky, for just one night again some time. I am not strong enough to love you- to hold everything I want in my hands, and then just casually tell you goodbye the next morning. I can’t…not again”
He watched as she absorbed what he was saying and braced himself as she stood on shaking legs and started toward him.
He saw the arguments forming even as she neared him.
He knew she would have reasons and suggestions and promises, and she would try to persuade him.
He had anticipated it all. She would lose this fight.
She reached him and stood looking into his face.
“Hobi, this night is all I have, please….” She said.
“ Izabelle,” he said, the word coming out a bit sterner that he intended. He saw he had hit a mark as her lips trembled.
“Izzy,” he said softly, “ please….please don’t make me tell you no.”
