Summer Nights (Book 1)

A Moment on the Edge

Chapter 21

The rain was back, pounding against the roof of the camper as Yeon Jun and Diana stumbled inside, laughter spilling from their lips. They were tipsy—no, they were drunk—and it felt good, the kind of good that made the edges of the world blur and everything seem softer.

"Okay, okay, I'll admit it," Diana said, leaning against the small kitchenette for balance. "You're a terrible influence."

"Me?" Yeon Jun grinned, shrugging as he pulled off his wet jacket. "I'm an excellent influence. I bring adventure, excitement... and, sometimes, a lot of alcohol."

She laughed, her eyes sparkling, and he felt that familiar thrill in his chest. Every time she looked at him like that, he felt pulled in, like gravity wasn't just pulling him down—it was pulling him toward her.

They settled onto the bed, their laughter trailing off into a comfortable silence as they both leaned back, heads resting against the pillows. The storm outside felt distant, like it was happening in another world. Here, inside the camper, it was warm, the air thick with the scent of rain and the lingering buzz of the drinks they'd had.

Yeon Jun watched her, the way the lamplight cast soft shadows across her face. She looked relaxed, her eyes half-closed as she lay next to him. She was so close he could feel the warmth of her body against his, and every fiber of his being ached to reach out, to close the distance between them. But he held himself back.

Don't do it, he told himself. It's just the alcohol talking. It's temporary.

But when she shifted, her head resting on his shoulder, her breath soft against his neck, he felt himself lean in just a little. Just enough to feel the heat of her skin, to catch the faint scent of her perfume. He hesitated, caught between caution and the rush of desire that surged through him.

He told himself to stop, that it was wrong, that this would change everything between them. His heart hammered in his chest as his lips hovered near her temple, the smallest movement away from something he knew he couldn't take back. But then she tilted her head, her eyes fluttering open.

"Yeon Jun," she whispered, her voice low and hazy, "it's okay."

He pulled back, his breath catching. "Diana... we're drunk. I don't want to—"

"Go ahead," she murmured, her hand reaching up to rest against his cheek. "I want you to."

The way she looked at him—vulnerable and bold all at once—made his resolve crumble. Every ounce of restraint he'd built up melted away as he leaned in, his lips finally finding hers. The kiss started slow, tentative, but the moment their mouths met, a heat ignited between them that felt more intense than he'd ever imagined.

It was like the world narrowed to just this moment, to the feel of her lips soft against his, her breath warm as their kiss deepened. She moved closer, her hand sliding into his hair, and it was all he could do not to pull her against him, to lose himself completely in the feeling of her, the electricity sparking between them.

His head spun—not just from the alcohol, but from the way she kissed him back, like she had been waiting for this as long as he had. She tasted like the sweet remnants of the drinks they'd shared, mixed with something that was purely her. He felt her smile against his lips, and it made his heart twist, made him want to stay in this moment forever.

But then she pulled back, just enough to look into his eyes. "You don't have to hold back, you know."

Yeon Jun's breath hitched. "What if we regret this in the morning?"

Her smile was soft, her fingers tracing the side of his face. "Will you just kiss me already?"

That was all it took. He kissed her again, deeper this time, feeling the last of his restraint slip away as he let himself be lost in her. The storm outside raged on, but inside the camper, it was just them—wrapped up in each other, the rest of the world falling away.