𝔒𝔟𝔰𝔢𝔰𝔰𝔦𝔬𝔫 𝔬𝔣 𝔐𝔞𝔣𝔦𝔞

13

Hae-rin barely made it to the hallway before she felt the heat radiating from Taehyung's presence behind her. Her heart raced, but she refused to let him see her falter. She needed to be strong, to keep her distance, but something about him had a magnetic pull that was hard to resist.

"Running away is cute," he called out, his voice dripping with playful mockery. "But you know, I'd prefer a chase."

She turned around to face him, frustration bubbling beneath her skin. "This isn't a game, Taehyung. You can't just—"

"Can't just what?" He stepped forward, closing the space between them with a swagger that made her pulse race. "Can't just treat you like the treasure you are? The way you handled that knife? That fire in your eyes? It drives me wild."

Hae-rin's breath hitched, caught off guard by his words. "That's not—"

"Not what?" He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper, his breath warm against her ear. "Not true? You're the only one who has ever stood up to me. And it makes me want you more."

Her cheeks flushed, and she turned away, trying to mask the effect he had on her. But he wasn't done. He stepped even closer, the heat of his body almost overwhelming. "You know, they say you should never mix business with pleasure," he continued, his tone teasing but laced with something darker. "But I'm not one to follow rules."

"What are you talking about?" She tried to sound indignant, but the way he looked at her, with that predatory gleam in his eyes, made her stomach flutter.

He chuckled softly, the sound low and dangerous. "I could show you just how thrilling it can be to break a few rules. Imagine being wrapped in this life with me—dangerous, exhilarating, and utterly irresistible."

Before she could respond, Taehyung closed the distance completely, his lips brushing lightly against her ear. "You'd be my queen in a world of chaos. We could have it all—the power, the thrill, the passion. Just think of what it would feel like to be wanted by someone like me."

Her heart raced, caught between fear and desire. She could feel the warmth radiating from him, almost tangible, wrapping around her like a cloak. "You think I'd want that?" she challenged, though deep down, the idea of being his queen sent a thrilling shiver through her.

He pulled back slightly, just enough for their eyes to lock. "I think you want me. You wouldn't keep running if you didn't. Every time you look at me, there's a flicker of something in your eyes—curiosity, desire... maybe even a little bit of fear."

"Fear?" Hae-rin scoffed, but the tremor in her voice betrayed her. "You think I'm afraid of you?"

His gaze darkened, an intensity flickering just beneath the surface. "You should be," he said, a wicked smile creeping onto his lips. "I'm not just a mafia guy. I'm the kind of man who gets what he wants, and right now, I want you."

In that moment, the world around her faded, leaving just the two of them in a charged silence. The air crackled with tension, and she could almost taste the electricity between them.

"Taehyung—"

"Just imagine," he interrupted, his voice dropping to that low, sultry tone that made her heart pound. "The thrill of being with someone like me. Late nights, secrets, the danger that comes with my world. I could take you places you've never dreamed of. You could be part of something incredible."

His words wrapped around her, intoxicating and dangerous. Hae-rin felt herself leaning closer, caught in his orbit. "And what if I don't want to be part of your world?" she challenged, though it was a feeble attempt to regain control.

"Then you'll always wonder what could have been." He leaned in again, this time brushing his lips against her temple, sending a jolt of heat through her. "You're playing a dangerous game, Hae-rin. And trust me, I'm not the one who will get burned."

Hae-rin gasped, pulling back slightly, her heart racing. "You're insane," she said, but her voice was shaky.

"Maybe," he replied, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. "But isn't that what makes it all the more fun? We could ignite something that no one else would understand—a fire that consumes us both."

As he stepped back, the space between them felt charged, electric. Hae-rin's mind was a whirl of thoughts, half of her wanting to push him away, while the other half longed to pull him closer. "You think you can just—"

"I can," he interrupted, his voice a low, sultry promise. "And I will."

The confidence in his tone sent a thrill down her spine, and despite herself, she felt her resolve wavering. Taehyung was a storm she couldn't help but be drawn to, and the allure of the unknown was intoxicating.

"Just remember, Hae-rin," he said, his eyes dark and inviting, "every moment you spend running from me is another moment I'm going to make you regret it. You'll want to give in eventually, and when you do... I'll be right here, ready to show you everything you've been missing."

As he stepped back, a smug smile on his face, Hae-rin felt a mix of anger and undeniable attraction. She was trapped in his web, and no matter how hard she fought it, the lines between hate and desire blurred dangerously.

The game had only just begun.