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“Don’t.” It came out as a plea. She couldn’t hear this when her heart had already been so battered tonight. If he did this, she was afraid it would shatter.

“Why not?” Jihoon frowned.

“You can’t feel that way. It’s only been two months.”

Jihoon grinned. Not what she expected. “A lot can happen in two months. You can meet a girl who seems angry and secretive and learn that it’s all just a front for a kind heart that’s been hurt too many times. I know what it’s like to need to hide your bruises behind a mask.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m not kind.”

Jihoon chuckled. “I know you don’t see it, but you’re a kind soul. You helped Changwan when he was being bullied. You forced me to make up with Somin because you knew I’d regret fighting with her. And you saved me, multiple times. You’re my hero.”

Miyoung laughed. “People often mistake gratitude for deeper emotions.”

“Fine,” Jihoon said, his voice sobering. “Then I’ll say it simply.”

For the first time in her life, Miyoung felt like the unsuspecting prey. Jihoon’s irises were dark. Too dark. Like they’d swallow the world, her included.

“I love you.”

Miyoung let out a shuddering breath. Tears fell, hot against her cheeks. Jihoon wiped them away with his thumbs.

“You’re such a foolish boy.”

His dimples flashed. “I take that to mean you believe me.”

“Yes, I believe you.”

Jihoon brushed the hair from her forehead. Miyoung held her breath as his featherlight touch ran down to her ear. She never knew an ear had so many nerve endings. Every cell in her body vibrated. And she was no longer exhausted.

He leaned closer.

“I’ve never kissed anyone before.” She squeezed her eyes shut, mortified. Her cheeks burned and she tried to push her hair forward to hide it.

Jihoon stopped her fluttering hands.

She kept her eyes closed as he ran his fingers down the line of her cheek and into her hair. He tucked the strands behind her ears carefully. She waited to feel where his hand would trail next.

His movements were slow, like he wanted to savor thismoment as much as she. The small moments that built and built, an intricate weaving maze. Branches snaked into every crevice until it latched on to all of her. And she could no longer hide anything, because now he held it all.

She felt completely exposed. But she didn’t pull back. She wanted him to see. This was who she was, without artifice or carefully erected shields. For the first time, there was a person who knew all of her. And accepted it.

He cupped her cheek, his fingers curling through her hair.

The first brush of his lips on hers was so soft, she wondered if she had imagined it. Then came the second, a deeper exploration, but just as quick. The feel of his skin against hers made her fingers tingle and she fisted them in the lapels of his shirt.

When he kissed her the third time, she pulled on his collar, dragging him down so his lips crushed against hers. He gasped at the pressure, but the hands holding her trailed back to cup her neck, until it was unclear who held who.

She tilted her head to deepen the angle. A hum sounded in his throat—a vibration that traveled from his lips into hers and down her spine.

A thousand lights burst behind her closed lids. Energy shot through her fingertips, warming her previously chilled body.

Jihoon’s arms wound around her waist, pulling her into his lap.

She’d read books that said two lovers’ hearts could race as one. This wasn’t true for Miyoung. Her heart chased Jihoon’s, speeding in a breakneck sprint to catch up.

She wanted to absorb the feel of his skin, the scent of him, the taste of him. Her heart had been emptied tonight, and she wanted to fill it again with him.

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