Shadows of desire : SVT✅

(44) Choice

Seungcheol suddenly scooped Yuri up into his arms, lifting her as if she weighed nothing. The unexpected movement left her momentarily breathless, her hands instinctively gripping his shoulders for support. He carried her effortlessly across the room, his expression unreadable as he sat down on the sofa, settling her on his lap.

Yuri’s heart pounded in her chest as she found herself in such an intimate position. "What are you doing?" she asked, her voice barely steady as she looked into his eyes. "I’ll go and sleep in the guest room—"

Before she could finish, Seungcheol gently placed a finger against her lips, silencing her. "Shh," he murmured, his gaze locking with hers. The touch of his finger was soft, yet it carried an undeniable command that made her words die in her throat.

"You’re not going anywhere," he said quietly, his tone firm but not unkind. "Not now at least."

Yuri’s pulse quickened, the weight of his words settling over her like a blanket. She could feel the strength in his arms as he held her, the warmth of his body seeping into hers, creating a strange mix of comfort and tension. The closeness, the way he had taken control of the situation, left her feeling vulnerable yet unable to resist.

She opened her mouth to protest again, but the look in Seungcheol’s eyes stopped her. There was something in his gaze—an intensity, a determination—that made her realize he wasn’t going to let her leave, at least not now. And, deep down, a part of her wasn’t entirely sure she wanted to considering everyone else was on a mission and who knows when will Joshua decides to wake up and pound on her again.

"Just stay here," he said softly, his finger still lightly pressed against her lips. "You’re safe with me."

He took a deep breath, inhaling the subtle lavender scent that clung to her. "You know," he continued with a flirtatious smile, "they weren’t wrong when they said you smell like lavender. It’s quite… enchanting."

He let his gaze linger on her fearful eyes, his own filled with a mixture of amusement and warmth. "I have to admit," he said, leaning in slightly, "there’s something irresistible about the way you look right now. Scared and vulnerable, but still so… captivating."

His hand continued to caress her hair, his touch deliberate and intimate. "It’s moments like these that make me appreciate how special you are," he whispered, his voice low and flirtatious. "Even if you're scared, it’s hard not to be drawn to you."

Seungcheol’s smile widened as he held her close, the playful edge in his voice contrasting with the depth of his gaze. "So, why don’t you stay here with me? Let me take care of you. You might find that the night isn’t so bad after all."

Seungcheol's fingers gently but firmly grasped Yuri's chin, tilting her face up to meet his gaze. His eyes locked onto hers with a commanding intensity.

"Look at me when I’m talking," he said, his voice a mix of authority and softness. "Understand?"

His grip was gentle yet insistent, forcing her to focus on him despite her hesitation. The closeness of his face and the intensity in his eyes made it clear that he wanted her undivided attention.

“Why do you hate me so much?” he asked, his voice carrying a mix of hurt and frustration.

Yuri’s eyes wavered as her thoughts flashed back to the times he had acted like a ruthless mafia king. Seungcheol continued, his tone a mix of exasperation and sincerity. “I’ve never tried to hurt you. I haven’t tried to kill my own members or tried to assault you. I haven’t pretended to be a gentleman either. And still, you hate me.”