Beyond Boundaries • A KNJ Fanfiction

23.

I stood there, blankly staring at her, but my mind was far from still. It was playing tricks, weaving thoughts I couldn't ignore. The way her hands moved so delicately as she cleaned the dishes, the water trailing along her skin like a lover's touch-it was maddening. I realized, with a jolt, that I was biting my lower lip, the sting a sharp reminder of how tightly I was holding back.

My hand clenched against the marble counter, the cool surface grounding me as I struggled to regain control. Her presence was intoxicating, her every movement mesmerizing. The soft glow of the kitchen lights kissed her skin, and the faint, sweet scent lingering in the air only added to the haze she had wrapped me in.

Then I noticed her hair-those loose strands falling onto her forehead, brushing against her cheeks as she worked. They seemed to tease her, distracting her movements. Without thinking, as if pulled by an invisible force, my hand reached out. My fingers grazed the silky strands, tucking them gently behind her ear.

Her reaction was immediate. She flinched slightly, her wide eyes darting to mine. Her gaze held a mixture of confusion and something else-something unspoken.

"What... are you doing?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, laced with uncertainty.

"I... I just..." The words caught in my throat. How could I explain? How could I admit that every little thing about her drew me in, that I was fighting an impossible battle against myself?

I took a deep breath, letting my hand drop to my side. Without another word, I stepped away, putting distance between us before I lost what little control I had left.

She didn't move. She stood there, frozen for a moment, her expression unreadable. But I could feel it-feel the tension that lingered between us, an unspoken force pulling us together even as I tried to push away.

I came back with a hair tie, my resolve slipping with every step. I didn't think twice before reaching out, my fingers gently gathering her loose hair. She shivered under my touch, freezing in place. Before she could say a word, I pulled her closer, her body lightly bumping into my chest.

"Mr. Ki-"

"Don't talk," I interrupted, my voice low, almost a whisper. I focused on tying her hair into a bun, exposing the curve of her neck. The sight alone was enough to make me clench my jaw, forcing myself to maintain control.

This was hard. Too hard. I had decided to stay away, to protect her and myself from this... but how could I, when every small moment like this felt so inevitable?

"Yn," I called her name softly after a long silence.

She didn't speak, didn't even look at me, but her shallow breathing betrayed her. The only sound in the room was the quiet rhythm of our breaths mingling in the tension-filled air.

"Yn," I called again, unable to hold back.

This time, she slowly turned to me, her eyes meeting mine. They were wide, searching, filled with questions she wouldn't dare ask.

"What, Mr. Kim?" she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.

"The hair is tied," I said, letting out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. I avoided her gaze, trying to compose myself.

She inhaled deeply, her voice unsteady as she replied, "Uh... okay. Than...k you. But... you didn't have to."

"I know," I admitted, forcing myself to step back slightly. "Sorry. I crossed my line."

"I... Uh... it's okay," she muttered, her eyes darting away.

She turned back to the sink, her hands fumbling with the dishes, when suddenly, her foot slipped on a small puddle of water on the marble floor.