Soulmates in Disguise

Crossing Lines

Ria woke in the middle of the night, her throat dry and her mind restless. She quietly slipped out of Taehyung's embrace, careful not to disturb him, and made her way to the kitchen to get a glass of water. The silence of the house enveloped her, heightening her awareness of every small sound, every beat of her heart.

As she drank, her eyes wandered to the living room where Jungkook was sleeping. Bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight filtering through the curtains, he lay on his stomach, one hand under his head, the other resting beside him. His back rose and fell with the steady rhythm of his breath, exuding a calm that contrasted sharply with the storm of emotions brewing within her.

Her heart swelled with gratitude as she looked at him, recalling the way he had stepped between her and her mother earlier, shielding her from the slap that had stung more than just her cheek. It was the first time someone had stood up for her like that, had put themselves in harm’s way to protect her. A lump formed in her throat, the realization hitting her hard. Jungkook had done something no one else ever had—he had placed her safety above his own.

She approached him quietly, noticing the blanket Taehyung had draped over him had slipped to the floor. With a tenderness she couldn’t quite explain, she bent down to pick it up and gently laid it back over him. But as she did, she couldn’t resist the magnetic pull that seemed to emanate from him. Her fingers hesitated for a moment, then moved of their own accord, brushing lightly over his cheek and down the curve of his jaw. His skin was warm and soft, the contact sending a shock of electricity through her that jolted her to her core.

Her hand paused, hovering just above the mole on his neck, the spot she had always been drawn to. The temptation was too great, and she let her fingers graze it lightly. A shiver ran through Jungkook’s body, his lips parting in a soft murmur that made her heart clench with a mix of longing and something darker, more possessive.

Ria pulled her hand back quickly, startled by the intensity of her own emotions. But the pull was too strong, too irresistible. She wanted-no, needed-to touch him again, to feel that connection one more time. As she reached out, her fingertips barely brushing his skin, Jungkook moved, his hand shooting out to grab her wrist. In one swift motion, he pulled her down beside him, his arm snaking around her waist, trapping her against him.

"Don't," he whispered, his voice low and rough, filled with a barely restrained desire that sent a shiver down her spine. "Or I might lose control."

His words hung heavy in the air, charged with an intensity that made her pulse race. His body was warm and solid against hers, the heat of his breath fanning across her cheek, and she felt herself melting into his embrace, her resolve crumbling. The tension between them was electric, the air thick with unspoken emotions, the darkness of the night took the forbidden nature of their closeness.

"Let me just feel you, Ria," he murmured, his voice a dark caress that sent tremors through her body. "I promise I won't do anything."

But they both knew it was a lie. The need simmering between them was too powerful, too consuming to be controlled. Ria's breath hitched, her body trembling as she felt his hands move up her back, his touch both possessive and reverent. The feel of his fingertips tracing her spine, sent a wave of heat coursing through her veins.

“I’ll always be there for you, Ria,” he murmured, his voice a dark caress that sent tremors through her body. “Even if it’s your mother, I’ll protect you. You don’t have to face this alone.”

Ria’s heart ached at his words, overwhelmed by the depth of his promise. No one had ever stood by her like this before, and the realization brought tears to her eyes. She buried her face in his chest, letting his warmth envelop her, feeling safer than she ever had. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice trembling with the intensity of her emotions. “But please… be careful.”