Between the Lines | Riize Wonbin

Chapter 25: Firelight Revelations

The second day of the trip was filled with laughter, games, and the lingering tension that always seemed to surround Juhee and Wonbin. As they gathered for the bonfire that evening, the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. Students mingled, dancing and laughing as the fire crackled, casting warm light across the sandy beach.

Juhee joined her friends, trying to enjoy the night. They danced, twirling around each other, but her mind kept drifting back to the events of the previous day. She noticed Wonbin sitting a little distance away, his gaze fixed on her as Seunghan leaned in to whisper something that made her laugh. A pang of guilt mixed with excitement washed over her as she caught a glimpse of Wonbin's clenched jaw and darkened expression.

Feeling suffocated by the playful energy of the bonfire, she slipped away from her friends, wanting a moment of solitude. As she wandered along the beach, she spotted Wonbin walking towards her, a cigarette hanging from his lips, his white shirt clinging to his toned frame, paired with grey cargo pants and white shoes that only accentuated his allure. Juhee felt a rush of conflicting emotions but tried to ignore the flutter in her stomach.

She was wearing a backless white dress that swayed gently with the breeze, her heels in hand as she walked barefoot along the sand. The night air was cool against her skin, but it did little to quell the heat she felt from his gaze. When their eyes met, an electric charge filled the air, yet she remained determined to ignore him.

"Juhee," he called out, his voice breaking the distance between them.

She kept walking, her heart racing. "What do you want, Wonbin?"

"I just want to talk," he insisted, his frustration evident.

"About what? The fact that you think it was a mistake?" she shot back, her tone sharp.

He stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. "You're avoiding me, and I don't understand why. We need to figure this out."

"Figure what out?" she countered, her voice rising. "You're the one who said it was a mistake!"

He ran a hand through his hair, exasperated. "I didn't mean it like that. You know how I feel!"

Juhee's resolve wavered, and in a moment of heated impulse, he reached out and pulled her closer, crashing his lips against hers. The kiss was sudden, filled with a mix of urgency and frustration. It took her breath away, and she felt herself melting against him, the warmth of the bonfire fading in comparison to the heat igniting between them.

"I'm sorry," he murmured against her lips, pulling back just enough to look into her eyes. "I shouldn't have pushed you, but I can't just stand by and watch you pretend you don't feel something."

Juhee blinked, stunned by the intensity of his gaze and the moment. "What are you doing?" she whispered, feeling vulnerable.

"Let's just go talk," he suggested, his voice softer now, a hint of desperation lacing his words. "Please."

After a moment's hesitation, she nodded, and he led her away from the bonfire, guiding her to his room, away from the noise and the prying eyes of their friends.

Once inside, the atmosphere shifted. The tension that had been building between them hummed in the air, and Juhee found herself caught between anger and desire. "What now?" she asked, her heart racing.

"I don't know," he admitted, running a hand over his face. "I just wanted to be honest with you. I don't want to pretend anymore."

Juhee stood there, feeling a whirlwind of emotions. "What if it's too late? We can't just ignore everything that's happened," she said, her voice wavering.

"Maybe not, but I can't just walk away from this. From you," he replied, stepping closer again.

As he looked at her in that backless white dress, a surge of desire coursed through him. The way the fabric clung to her curves, the gentle sway of the hem as she moved, left him breathless. His heart raced not just from attraction but from the vulnerability she was showing. She looked like a vision, ethereal against the backdrop of the dimly lit room, and it ignited something deep within him-an urge to protect her, to cherish her.

With a deep breath, he leaned in, his lips finding hers once more. This kiss was different, filled with urgency and pent-up frustration, but also a tenderness that spoke of their shared history. He pressed her against the wall, the warmth of her body against his igniting a fire he couldn't ignore. Her hands tangled in his hair, pulling him closer as their kisses deepened.

The kiss quickly escalated, their breaths mingling as they lost themselves in each other. Wonbin's hands explored her waist, feeling the soft skin beneath the fabric of her dress. He could sense her shiver, but it only fueled his desire. Every inch of her seemed to call out to him, and he knew he wanted to do more than just kiss her.

"Juhee," he breathed, pulling back slightly to catch his breath, his forehead resting against hers. "Are you sure about this?"

She looked into his eyes, her breath hitching at the intensity of his gaze. "I am," she whispered, and that was all he needed to hear.

They continued to kiss, hands roaming freely as passion took over. Wonbin lifted her, wrapping her legs around his waist, and she felt weightless as he carried her toward the bed. The moment felt surreal, as if they were the only two people in the universe.

Once they reached the bed, he gently laid her down, their lips never breaking apart. The urgency of their kisses spoke volumes, each one a promise of what was to come. His hands explored the delicate curves of her body, tracing the outline of her dress, igniting sparks of warmth beneath her skin.

The air was thick with tension and unspoken desires as they kissed, each caress igniting a fire that had long been brewing between them. Juhee could feel the heat radiating off him, and it sent shivers down her spine. She clung to him, lost in the moment, letting her body respond to his every touch.

The world outside faded away, leaving only the two of them tangled in a web of desire and emotion, ready to cross the threshold into something deeper than they had ever experienced before.