The sun is setting over the Outer Banks as the salty breeze dances with strands of your hair, carrying the scent of the ocean. You stand on the weathered wooden pier, glaring at the boy who embodies everything you've been taught to despise.
Park Sunghoon.
He's leaning casually against one of the posts, the wind ruffling his dark hair, his tanned skin glowing in the golden light. His signature smirk is firmly in place, eyes gleaming with that infuriating mischief and arrogance.
A Pogue through and through. Unrefined, reckless, and always up to no good. He spends his days surfing, working odd jobs, and causing trouble with his friends. Meanwhile, you're a Kook, the antithesis of everything Sunghoon stands for, living in the lap of luxury, attending charity galas, and rubbing shoulders with the elite. Your worlds should never collide and yet, here you both are, locked in another one of your seemingly endless stare-downs.
"What are you doing here, Kook princess?" Sunghoon's voice cuts through the silence, dripping with sarcasm as he looks you up and down. "Lost your way back to your mansion?"
You lift your chin, refusing to let him get the best of you. "I'm not lost," You retort, your voice as sharp as the edge of the pier. "Unlike you, I can go wherever I please on this island."
Sunghoon's smirk widens, and he pushes off the post, sauntering closer. "Yeah? Funny, I thought Kooks like you would melt if you got too close to the Pogue side of things." His nearness makes your heart race, not that you'd ever admit it. The way he stands there, so confident and unapologetic, is infuriating. But what's worse is the way your traitorous thoughts wander—wondering what it would be like to be that carefree, to live without the weight of your family's expectations pressing down on you every second of the day.
"Do you think you can intimidate me with those stupid Pogue lines?" You spit out, your voice laced with venom. You've known him for years, and yet, he still manages to push your buttons like no one else. There's a flicker of something in his eyes, something that's almost... regret? But then it's gone, replaced by that familiar cocky glint.
"Can't say for sure," He says, tilting his head as if studying you like you're some kind of puzzle he's trying to figure out. "But it seems like I'm doing a pretty good job so far."
You hate that he's right. Your blood boils at the thought of letting him get under your skin, of allowing him to see that he has any effect on you at all. But what's worse is the way his words cut deeper than they should, scraping against the carefully constructed walls you've built around yourself.
"Don't flatter yourself," You snap, taking a step closer, closing the gap between you. You're so close now you can see the tiny freckles dusted across his nose, can feel the warmth of his breath mingling with the cool ocean breeze. His presence is overwhelming, like the ocean at high tide, threatening to pull you under if you're not careful. "You're nothing but a distraction, Sunghoon. And distractions are temporary."
His smirk falters just a bit, and for a split second, you think you might have finally gotten to him. But then he chuckles, low and deep, a sound that sends a shiver down your spine despite your best efforts to resist. "Temporary? Is that what this is? You don't seem so sure of that, Kook princess."
"Stop calling me that." The sun is dipping lower as you stand toe-to-toe with Sunghoon, the last rays of sunlight casting an ethereal glow on his face.
"Or what, Kook-" He pauses, a playful glint in his eyes, "-princess?"
You clench your fists, resisting the urge to push him away. It's a game, a dangerous dance, and you're starting to wonder if you're losing control. The line between hate and something else, something unfamiliar and terrifying, is blurring. "This is ridiculous. I have to go-"
"Not so fast," You turn to leave but his hand shoots out, grabbing your wrist. You freeze, your body reacting without your consent. His touch is like an electric shock, sending shivers down your spine. "Come on, let me show you something you'll like." Before you know it, you're being pulled off the soft sand. Sunghoon is surprisingly strong, and before you can protest, he's dragging you away from the water.
"Where are you taking me?" You gasp, trying to break free from his grip. But his hold is firm, and he doesn't seem to be listening.
"Home," is what he simply says, his voice low and confident. Home? As in, his home? You've never been to his place, and the idea of being alone with him there is terrifying. But before you can protest further, he pulls you along, his footsteps quick and determined.
The walk feels like an eternity. Your mind races, trying to come up with an escape plan. You glance at him, and for a brief moment, you see a different side of Sunghoon. There's a vulnerability in his eyes, a longing that you can't quite decipher. You shake your head, trying to clear your thoughts. This is Sunghoon, the Pogue king, the boy who embodies everything you despise. You can't let yourself be drawn in by his charm.
As you approach a small, weathered house, your heart sinks. This is it. This is where you're going to spend the next... however long. You try to brace yourself for the worst, but as Sunghoon pulls open the door, you're met with a surprising sight. "Welcome, Kook Princess." All you do is roll your eyes and carefully step inside, staring at the beautiful paintings hung on the wall, along with the plants scattered around the place. It's not as dirty and messy as you expected, it's rather... cozy and inviting. There's a faint smell of sandalwood and something sweet, like vanilla. "You like it?"
You don't answer, too stunned to speak. The house is a complete contrast to the image you had built up in your mind. It's filled with warmth, with character. It's a reflection of the boy standing in front of you, a side of him you've never seen before.
Sunghoon disappears into another room, returning a few moments later with two glasses of what looks like lemonade. He hands you one, and you take a sip. It's surprisingly refreshing. "Thanks," You manage to say as you stare at him lean against the balcony that overlooks the ocean. He almost looks ethereal, standing there like some kind of mythical creature.
"Keep staring at me and I might just have to kiss you," Sunghoon says, his voice low and husky, making your heart skip a beat. You look away, pretending to be interested in the endless expanse of the ocean.
"Very funny," You lean against the railing, trying to appear nonchalant. But the truth is, your heart is pounding in your chest. You can feel the warmth of his gaze on you, and it's both exhilarating and terrifying.
"I'm serious," He says, his voice soft. "You have no idea how tempting you are right now."
You clench your jaw and before you can stop yourself, you close the distance between you, pressing your lips to his in a sudden, impulsive kiss. It's quick, barely more than a brush, but it's enough to send your heart into overdrive. When you pull back, you see the surprise in Sunghoon's eyes, quickly followed by something else—something that makes your pulse quicken.
Sunghoon's eyes darken as he leans in closer, his breath warm against your skin. Before you can react, he sneaks his arms under your thighs and lifts you off the ground. "What are you-"
"You're driving me crazy," He whispers, his voice rough with desire. "Tell me, Y/N, are you going to stop me? I'm a man who's hungry for a woman who's been playing with fire for far too long." His words send a thrill through you, igniting something deep within that you've tried so hard to keep buried. But now, with his hands gripping your thighs, you can't even think straight. "Stop me now because I don't think I'll be able to stop myself later."
You look into his eyes, your heart pounding in your chest. In this moment, there is only him and you. Nothing else matters. You open your mouth to say something, but no words come out. Instead, you nod slowly, your eyes never leaving his. "I won't stop you."
The smirk that follows and the way his lips collide with yours make your knees go weak. Sunghoon smiles against your lips and you can hear him whisper, "Good. Because I'm not planning on stopping anytime soon."
