Ch 25

<25>

Two Months Before That Day (2)

 

It seemed the meaning hadn’t been conveyed properly. It wasn’t that he disliked the arrangements Yoonjae had made; he just didn’t want him to worry about every little detail and wanted to take over the planning himself from now on, but Yoonjae seemed to be misunderstanding. Eunho put down his fork, the sudden shift in atmosphere making him uneasy. Seeing this, Yoonjae asked,

 

“Do you perhaps… not like it?”

 

“Of course not. I just don’t want you to bother with me when you’re so busy.”

 

Eunho smiled gently, crinkling his eyes to show that wasn’t the case at all. Yoonjae quietly watched him, then pursed his lips slightly and picked up the juice glass beside him.

 

“I want to bother. It’s my pleasure. You’re trying to take it away from me.”

 

“Executive Director.”

 

“?”

 

“You’re not secretly taking personal coaching lessons somewhere, are you?”

 

Pfft, Yoonjae choked, hurriedly putting down his juice glass and covering his mouth with his hand, coughing. Startled, Eunho rose to pat his back, but Yoonjae waved him off, signaling that he was fine, and cleared his throat.

 

“I just can’t believe you’ve been single all this time, Executive Director.”

 

“I’ve had quite a few offers, but I turned them down because it was a hassle.”

 

Eunho watched him run a finger along his prominent brow bone and muttered softly. He sympathized, but the last part gave him pause.

 

“A hassle…”

 

“Don’t worry. I’m dying to tease Eunho-ssi.”

 

“How will you tease… Ah.”

 

Eunho’s face flushed at his playful remark. He reached for his glass but accidentally knocked the knife, which was resting diagonally on the plate, and got gravy on his sleeve. A sigh escaped his lips involuntarily.

 

“I’ll go clean this up.”

 

Why was he being so clumsy? Eunho pushed his chair back slightly and stood up. He looked around for the restroom and hurried off, unbuttoning his sleeve as he went.

 

Perhaps because it was blood and grease, the stain wouldn’t come out properly even with soap. Impatient, he turned the water on harder, and his shirt was soon soaked up to his elbows. Oh well, he thought. He turned off the faucet and grabbed several paper towels to wipe his wet shirt, when a man opened the restroom door and came in. Eunho recognized him.

 

“Oh? Fancy meeting you here.”

 

“Ah, hello.”

 

It was Kang Taeoh, Managing Director of Seoin Construction, whom he’d met at the secret auction.

 

Like Yoonjae, he was tall and had a gentle, round-faced impression, but his undisguised pheromones exuded the aura of a dominant alpha, just like Yoonjae.

 

Eunho, who usually remembered faces and names perfectly after seeing them only once, had made a rare mistake last time, so this time his information immediately came to mind. He gave a lukewarm greeting and continued to dab his shirt with the towel as Kang Taeoh approached him. I wish he’d just go on his way.

 

“Here to set the mood with your lover?”

 

Lover, huh. Choi Yoonjae seemed to already think of him as his lover, but from Eunho’s perspective, he was still cautious, and such a term felt burdensome. Besides, he didn’t need to report to a man he barely knew, so he cut him off with a businesslike tone.

 

“I came with the Executive Director.”

 

“Executive Director Choi Yoonjae?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“That’s odd. He doesn’t seem like the type to come to a place like this.”

 

Who is this guy to act like he knows everything? He wanted to ignore him, but he was an acquaintance of his former Executive Director, and he seemed to know Yoonjae as well, so he couldn’t treat him carelessly or brush him off.

 

He stood there blankly, trying to figure out the meaning of his words, when the man tilted his head slightly, made eye contact, and then walked past him.

 

“Well, enjoy your meal.”

 

Eunho nodded almost involuntarily, threw the soaked towels in the trash, and left the restroom.

 

When he returned to his seat, Yoonjae looked bored and was checking something on his phone. He saw Eunho, his eyes crinkled into a smile as he met his gaze. Eunho was curious about what Taeoh had said earlier, so he casually asked Yoonjae,

 

“Is this your first time here?”

 

“I told you, I wanted to try what other people do.”

 

The rich, resonant voice that followed his brief laugh tickled his heart. Eunho smiled faintly and asked again,

 

“Do you happen to know Kang Taeoh, Managing Director of Seoin Construction?”

 

At the unexpected name, the smile in Yoonjae’s eyes faded. He rolled his eyes as if gathering information, then met his gaze again and replied nonchalantly,

 

“Well, I’ve heard the name.”

 

“You haven’t spoken to him separately, have you?”

 

“If I had, there’s no way I wouldn’t remember.”

 

“Ah…”

 

“Why?”

 

Yoonjae smiled innocently, asking him to explain the purpose of his question. Eunho wondered if he should tell him the truth, but then he remembered Director Yoon getting a severe scolding just for sending him to the secret auction last time, so he made up an excuse.

 

“I just met him by chance, and he seemed to know you.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

Yoonjae, intrigued that someone he didn’t know knew him, immediately opened his phone and searched for the name. Seoin Construction Kang Taeoh. Yoonjae’s eyes slowly stopped on one spot as he casually browsed through news articles and columns.

 

He slowly rubbed his lower lip with his finger, deep in thought. He hadn’t spoken to him, but he clearly remembered his face. Yoonjae had seen him at Eunho’s funeral, before time had turned back.

 

Due to the sudden accident, Yoonjae had urgently tried to contact Eunho’s parents, but his family’s contact information wasn’t in his personnel records. He was pacing anxiously while preparing the wake.

 

Fortunately, Secretary Han, who was always with Eunho, remembered seeing the pattern password he used several times and managed to unlock his phone on the second try, contacting his family and people who seemed to be close friends.

 

But Kang Taeoh was a mysterious man who knew about Eunho’s death faster than anyone else, even though he hadn’t been contacted, and had come to the funeral himself.

 

“Is he someone you know well?”

 

In that situation, he seemed like someone who knew Eunho better than anyone else. Was the other party feeling affection? But Eunho’s reaction was lukewarm.

 

“No, he said he’s an acquaintance of my former Executive Director, but I don’t know him well.”

 

Seeing Eunho’s indifferent reaction, it seemed like the other party was showing unilateral interest. Or perhaps the connection between the two had weakened as time flowed differently from the past. Yoonjae relaxed the nerves he had been keenly on edge.

 

“Would you like more dessert?”

 

“No, I can’t eat any more.”

 

Mango sherbet had come out while Eunho was in the restroom. It was usually his favorite, but Eunho took only a few spoonfuls and then stopped, saying he was full.

 

“I thought there was always room for dessert.”

 

“Sometimes there is, sometimes there isn’t.”

 

Eunho would usually stretch his stomach to make room for dessert, but he had already overeaten at the movie theater, so there was no more space. Actually, he had deliberately kept eating popcorn every time Yoonjae brushed the back of his hand, liking the sensation, and ended up eating almost a whole bucket by himself.

 

“Shall we get up, then?”

 

He reached out his hand for the keys. Eunho smiled playfully and shook his head. He already felt guilty enough for leaving work during work hours, and Yoonjae was trying to encroach on his main duties and constantly reverse their hierarchical relationship, so he had to stop him.

 

The two didn’t exchange many words until they reached his neighborhood. But Eunho’s face burned as if it were being scorched by the sun, under Yoonjae’s intense gaze, which was fixed on him like a sunflower, his head turned to the left.

 

“Actually, I was going to drop you off first and then go back.”

 

“My legs are perfectly fine, so you don’t have to worry. I’ll walk to burn off some calories.”

 

Eunho parked the car in the parking lot and turned off the engine, patting his thighs to show off his sturdy legs.

 

“Ha, that’s not what I meant…”

 

Yoonjae’s heart melted at Eunho’s cute behavior, and he covered his eyes with one hand, letting out a hollow sigh. He had wanted to drive around Eunho’s house once more if possible, to see him a little longer.

 

“It’s nothing. Then go carefully.”

 

Yoonjae swallowed the words that lingered on the tip of his tongue, wanting to tell him he didn’t want to let him go. Perhaps because his condition was good today, Eunho’s pheromones, which had been faint all along, repeatedly bloomed thinly like heat haze in the spring, teasing and stimulating Yoonjae. The pheromones had been swirling since they were in the car on the way to the movie theater, but he had endured without showing it. So he didn’t want to ruin things at the end.

 

Eunho naturally lowered his gaze at Yoonjae’s reluctant tone. The light from the garden street lamp shone into the car, creating deep shadows along the wrinkles of his clothes, and his crotch was quite thick.

 

“Executive Director.”

 

Reading Eunho’s thoughts from his hesitant voice and expression, Yoonjae cut him off with a firm tone.

 

“Don’t do something you don’t want to do just to please me. I don’t want that either.”

 

He had been observing Eunho intently for months, so he immediately knew what he was thinking. He always put himself last and valued the other person’s feelings and condition. Eunho stared intently at Yoonjae for a long time as he blocked his next words and drew a line, then lowered his voice slightly.

 

“No.”

 

Eunho unbuckled his seatbelt and leaned his upper body toward the passenger seat. Not wanting to give Yoonjae a chance to escape, Eunho grabbed his cheeks, pulled him closer, and groped for his lips. As saliva mixed on his soft, moist lips, a hot breath burst from the gap between his lips.

 

“Don’t regret sending me back.”

 

His image was densely packed in Yoonjae’s dark, swirling pupils. The self within was wanting Yoonjae. I want to be with you. Eunho said honestly with his eyes.

 

Yoonjae, who had been stuck together in the narrow car, kissing, felt suffocated and unbuckled his seatbelt, got out, and lifted Eunho from the driver’s seat.

 

“Why didn’t you tell me from the beginning that you wanted me to stay with you tonight?”

 

Eunho wrapped his arms around Yoonjae’s neck, pressed his cheek against his, and asked reproachfully. He kept thinking of Hyunjun, even though he didn’t want to make comparisons. Hyunjun was like someone who had gone to a distant land, almost completely out of contact unless Eunho contacted him first, and then one day he would suddenly contact him, asking for quick money or demanding sex in a lustful voice. Perhaps he had been too accustomed to Hyunjun for too long, and he found it difficult to understand Yoonjae’s patience.

 

“Because I know you’ll do what I want.”

 

He was speechless at his curt reply, and heat rose in his eyes. Eunho swallowed hard to hide his surging emotions.

 

“So… so what if I do? Were you going to keep waiting, then?”

 

As soon as he opened the front door and entered, the sensor lights in the hallway and the indirect lighting under the hallway turned on in a rush. It was late, so the housekeeper had left, and there was no one in the house but the two of them. Yoonjae slowly lowered Eunho to the floor and took off his shoes himself. His ankles, which could be grasped in one hand, were so slender.

 

“I wanted to wait. Until you felt comfortable.”

 

Yoonjae tried his best to suppress his lust even in a situation where he was reacting to pheromones. Eunho’s feelings came first. He could endure his instincts by masturbating or getting an inhibitory shot. He had been living like that ever since he broke up with Junseo, so he could do it if he just set his mind to it. The only problem was that it was harder to endure than usual because Eunho had burrowed into his heart.

 

“Why are you so foolish?”

 

“I don’t think I’ve ever been called foolish before… I like it.”

 

As he lightly hugged him again, sliding his arms under his back and knees, Eunho, who was tightly hugging his shoulders, whispered in a faint voice.

 

“I want to shower.”

 

He hadn’t drunk alcohol because he had to drive. Yoonjae also hadn’t drunk alcohol because he was going to drive, so both of them were sober today. Eunho was more nervous and embarrassed today than the first time, when he had been drunk.

 

Yoonjae lowered Eunho in front of the shower room in the bedroom. Eunho grabbed him as he turned to leave, telling him to wash up comfortably because he would use another bathroom.

 

“Do you want to shower together?”

 

He didn’t want to leave Yoonjae alone. He had a desire to try everything, just like he said. His lips curved into a smile at his bashful tone. Eunho, having received confirmation with Yoonjae’s smile, slowly unbuttoned his jacket. Yoonjae’s gaze followed his hand. As if he was going to watch slowly how to do it, since tomorrow was the weekend and there was plenty of time.

 

After taking off Yoonjae’s jacket, tie, and shirt, only his pants remained. His upper body, filled with firm muscles without any excess fat, felt unfamiliar even after seeing it again. Eunho felt like that day was a dream and this was reality.

 

This time, Yoonjae slowly took off Eunho’s shirt. His face drew closer, darkening his vision. His lips, pressing firmly on his lower lip, explored his mouth, breathing hot air.

 

Eunho closed his eyes at the alpha’s thick pheromones flowing down his neck. The sound of his tongue sticking together pierced his ears. Yoonjae took off Eunho’s shirt and let his pants slide down to his pink ankle after unbuckling them. The heat of their breaths, mixing each time they took off a layer of clothing, gradually intensified.

 

Yoonjae, who had already become naked, carefully supported Eunho’s buttocks and carried him into the shower room. He never thought he would use this space, which he had carefully designed to be spacious for enjoying half-body baths after exercising, with Eunho.

 

As soon as he took him into the shower booth, Eunho opened the faucet without thinking. Cold water poured down like lightning from the showerhead hanging from the ceiling, and Yoonjae, surprised, hurriedly turned up the temperature. The two, who were instantly soaked from head to toe and looked like drowned rats, burst into laughter.

 

“Are you okay?”

 

“I’m cold.”

 

“Then why did you do that?”

 

Eunho hugged Yoonjae’s body at the sudden coldness. Warmer water gradually poured down from above, but it was better to raise the heat with their touching skin than with warm water. Moderately warm water flowed down Yoonjae’s crown and trickled down his chin.

 

Their lips met again. Even as the flowing water rushed into their mouths, they swallowed the water and mixed saliva. As they senselessly explored each other, the sound of the pouring water gradually evaporated, and only Yoonjae’s breath echoed in Eunho’s ears. His lower abdomen was already throbbing.

 

Eunho wrapped his arms around Yoonjae’s neck. He kissed every inch of his face, from his forehead to his eyelids, the tip of his nose, and his cheeks. Every time he carefully moved around his face, kissing and sucking, laughter burst out.

 

“It tickles.”

 

Yoonjae bit Eunho’s soft earlobe and then released it, and he made him dizzy by blowing hot air into his ear. Perhaps because warm water was constantly pouring down from above, or perhaps because he was drunk on Yoonjae’s pheromones, his legs kept giving way and he was about to slip. Eunho hugged Yoonjae’s neck even tighter.

 

“It’s uncomfortable like this.”

 

Eunho nodded his small head as if agreeing with Yoonjae’s low voice. Yoonjae reached out and wrapped Eunho in several towels, carrying him to the bedroom. As his head touched the rustling bedding, Eunho hugged Yoonjae, who was in front of him, without restraint.

 

The pheromones emanating from his neck were thick and heavy, yet felt soft. Eunho rubbed his face against his left neck and said.

 

“I like it.”

 

“What do you like?”

 

“Just… everything.”

 

Yoonjae’s shoulders shook slightly. He had been laughing all the time lately, as if he had air in his lungs. Eunho was amazed by the fact that a person whose image had been solidified by his cool charisma at work was lavishly pouring out laughter, and he would laugh along with his precious smile. Every time Yoonjae bit and released the pheromone glands on Eunho’s neck without hurting him, a subtle jasmine scent spread throughout his body.

 

Yoonjae’s lips, which had been lingering on his neck, moved to his collarbone and then to his pink nipples. As he sucked and tickled with his tongue, excitement rose to the top of his head. Yoonjae drew a long line between his collarbones, sticking out his tongue, because he was cute for continuing to swallow and endure his moans. Eunho’s body flinched, and the strength in his fingertips, which had been holding onto the sheets, tightened and then loosened.

 

“There’s no one but us, why are you so conscious?”

 

“I don’t know… I wouldn’t be like this if I had some alcohol.”

 

A light breath scattered from his chest. Yoonjae settled between Eunho’s thighs. As Yoonjae leaned his upper body toward Eunho, Eunho’s waist twisted on its own.

 

“Ah… there… hngh.”

 

Eunho’s head tilted back at the hot, wet warmth enveloping his stiffly erect member. He wanted to move his body, crawl up to the head of the bed with the sensation that was electrifying every nerve ending, but Yoonjae’s arms already had his thighs pinned.

 

The sounds of sucking and licking were utterly obscene. Each time the papillae of Yoonjae’s tongue adhered to the thin foreskin of his glans and slid down, Eunho’s lower body muscles stiffened as if electrocuted. Yoonjae buried his face between Eunho’s thighs, absorbed in his ministrations.

 

“Hng, stop…”

 

Eunho trembled, digging his fingernails into Yoonjae’s shoulder. The sensation of climax washed over him like a tidal wave. He tried to hold back, not wanting to ejaculate into Yoonjae’s mouth, but Yoonjae remained as still as a stone, refusing to release him. Eunho, who had been holding his breath to endure, finally threw his head back and gasped. Darkness flickered before his eyes, rushing in and then receding.

 

“Why…”

 

Yoonjae’s lips, having raised his upper body, glistened. It was a kind of foreplay he had never received from Hyunjun. Hyunjun was always in a hurry to push in and satisfy his own desires, so Eunho had to reach orgasm on his own while following the rhythm.

 

A teardrop clinging to the corner of his eye trickled down his temple. Yoonjae’s pupils wavered at Eunho’s glistening tears.

 

“Should I stop?”

 

Yoonjae’s arm, which had slipped under his lower back, gently embraced and soothed Eunho. Eunho shook his head at the tender voice that echoed in his ear.

 

“Because it feels good.”

 

Yoonjae smiled lightly at the whisper filled with shyness, and swallowed the tears flowing from Eunho’s eyes with his mouth.