Don't Call Me Baby

#4

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As we reached my apartment, I fumbled with my keys, nerves and excitement buzzing in my chest. Jungwon stood close behind, waiting with his usual calm, a small grin flickering on his face. The door clicked open, and I led him inside, feeling both anxious and happy to have him here.

Jungwon took a quick look around, letting out a low whistle. "Cozy place you've got here," he said approvingly, setting the grocery bags on the counter. I gave a small, self-conscious smile. "It's nothing fancy, but it does the job."

"Perfect for some late-night pasta," he replied, rolling up his sleeves and reaching into the bags, pulling out the ingredients. "Alright, chef Jia, I'll need your assistance."

"Oh, I'm the chef now?" I laughed, joining him in the kitchen. "Of course! You're the official taste tester," he teased, nudging me with his elbow. "And you get to help with the pasta...and stirring the sauce."

I watched as he moved around my kitchen, filling a pot with water and setting it on the stove. Soon, the space filled with the rich aroma of garlic and tomatoes as he sautéed, adding in spices with practiced ease.

Before long, he plated the pasta, topping it with fresh basil and a sprinkle of parmesan. "Alright, taste-tester, give it a try."

I took a bite, savoring the deep flavors of the sauce. "This is amazing!" I exclaimed, genuinely impressed. "Who knew you were secretly a chef?"

"Got a few hidden talents," he murmured, inching closer. His fingers brushed softly against my lips, wiping away a bit of sauce I hadn't noticed. The touch lingered a moment longer than necessary, his eyes fixed on mine, and I felt my pulse quicken.

"I can clean up after myself, you know," I said, though I didn't move away.

"Oh, I don't mind," he replied, his voice low. He leaned closer, his gaze intense. "Messy eater or not, I think I like you better this close."

Before I could respond, he closed the gap between us, his lips brushing mine softly at first, giving me a moment to pull away. The gentle touch sent warmth flooding through me, and I found myself leaning into him, craving the closeness. His hand slid to my waist, pulling me against him as he deepened the kiss, his fingers tracing a slow, deliberate path up my back.

I barely noticed the pasta bowls set aside, food forgotten as his lips moved from my mouth, trailing a warm line down my jaw to my neck. He paused there, pressing soft, lingering kisses, his hands steady at my waist.

His fingers traced gentle circles on my back, and as he kissed me, I felt the world shrink to just the two of us. My heart raced as his touch set sparks through me, but amid the warmth and closeness, a question stirred deep inside, one I couldn't ignore.

I slowly pulled back, just enough to look him in the eyes, searching his face for something more. His gaze softened, the playful glint replaced by a vulnerability I hadn't seen before. His hands lingered on my waist, steadying me.

"Jungwon," I whispered, "what are we?"

For a second, he seemed caught off guard, his expression faltering. But he didn't look away. Instead, his hand came up to gently cup my face, his thumb brushing softly across my cheek. "I'm not sure, baby," he said, his voice soft, sincere, "but I'm ready to be more than friends."

The words lingered in the air, filling the space between us with a quiet warmth that made my heart skip. I felt a rush of emotions, a certainty mingling with the thrill of this moment, and a smile tugged at my lips.

After a pause, I glanced down, feeling my cheeks heat up. "It's late," I murmured, a hint of nervous laughter in my voice. "We should...probably get some sleep."

Jungwon chuckled, nodding as he leaned back slightly, his hand sliding down to give mine a gentle squeeze. "Alright," he agreed, his dimples deepening with a grin that held a quiet promise.

As we tidied up the kitchen, a comfortable silence fell over us, the warmth of our earlier conversation and that lingering kiss still hanging in the air. I felt my cheeks flush each time our eyes met, and even when he wasn't looking, I could feel the butterflies in my stomach fluttering at the thought of him staying over.

When we finally turned off the lights in the kitchen, I glanced toward the living room, a thought popping into my head. I hesitated for a moment, gathering the courage to ask. "So... where do you plan on sleeping tonight?" I asked, my voice casual, though my heart raced a bit faster with each word. "The sofa? Or... I can pull out the extra mattress."

Jungwon tilted his head, amusement sparking in his eyes as he considered my question. He took a slow step closer, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "Hmm," he murmured, pretending to think it over. "The sofa seems... far. And the mattress seems a bit cold, don't you think?"

I blinked, caught a little off-guard by his answer. "So... then...?"

He leaned in, his voice dropping to a low, teasing whisper as his hand brushed lightly against my arm. "I want to sleep beside you, baby."

My breath caught as I met his gaze, his words sending a warm thrill through me. I swallowed, feeling my cheeks heat up as I tried to find a response. "Um... yeah," I finally managed, my voice soft. "That... that sounds fine."

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Chapter 4

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