It was a Saturday afternoon, sunlight spilling golden across the living room, and Tae was curled on the couch scrolling through her phone. Her mom had gone out shopping, leaving her blissfully alone for a few hours. At least, she thought she was alone.

Then she heard the floorboards creak behind her.

She knew that sound by now—heavy, deliberate steps, slower than her mom’s, heavier than her own. Tae’s chest tightened before she even looked.

Kook.

He walked in from the hall shirtless again, sweatpants slung low on his hips. A towel hung loose around his neck, damp from a workout or maybe a shower. His hair was messy, sticking up like he’d run his hands through it too many times.

When his eyes landed on her, that lazy smirk slid across his mouth.

“Look at that,” he drawled. “My favorite view.”

Tae rolled her eyes, though her pulse jumped. “You’re delusional.”

“Maybe.” He dropped onto the other end of the couch, sprawling like he owned the place, one arm thrown over the backrest. His thigh brushed the cushion close enough that she could feel the heat of his body radiating. “But you didn’t tell me to shut up. That’s progress.”

“I don’t have the energy to fight with you today.”

“Good,” he said, voice dropping just a little, low and smooth. “Then maybe we can… talk.”

The way he said it made her throat go dry.

Tae shifted, hugging her phone tighter. “About what?”

Kook tilted his head, eyes dragging slow down her tank top, her bare legs tucked under her. “About how you look at me when you think I’m not paying attention.”

Her breath caught. “I don’t—”

“Yes, you do,” he cut in, tone sharp but playful. His knee brushed hers deliberately, sending a spark up her leg. “Always stealing little glances. Always acting like you hate me when I know your body’s telling on you.”

Her skin burned. “You’re imagining things.”

He leaned closer, grin widening, and suddenly his scent filled her head—soap, sweat, and something darker, something male. “Am I? Then why are you blushing right now?”

Tae’s fingers clenched around her phone so tightly she thought it might crack. “Because you’re… impossible.”

“That’s one word for it.”

Before she could retreat, he shifted, sliding down the couch until he was right next to her. His thigh pressed against hers now, solid and hot, his arm stretching along the backrest so his hand hovered just behind her shoulder. He didn’t touch—yet—but the closeness caged her in.

Her heart pounded.

“Kook,” she warned softly.

“Relax.” His voice was a low rumble in her ear. “I’m just sitting.”

But he wasn’t just sitting. He was watching her like a predator watching prey, every move measured, deliberate. His fingers brushed the back of her shoulder lightly, barely a touch, but enough to make her jump.

She twisted, glare sharp. “Don’t touch me.”

He smiled slow, infuriating. “You didn’t move away though.”

Her breath hitched. “That doesn’t mean—”

“Doesn’t mean what?” he interrupted smoothly, leaning even closer. His nose was almost at her hair, his breath warm against her temple. “That you don’t want me?”

Tae’s stomach flipped. She wanted to shove him, scream at him—but her body betrayed her, heat pooling low between her thighs.

“You’re disgusting,” she whispered instead.

“Maybe.” His lips brushed close to her ear, not touching, but so close she could feel the ghost of them. “But I bet I’d feel so fucking good inside you.”

Her eyes widened, breath snagging in her throat.

Kook chuckled low, dark satisfaction rumbling in his chest at her reaction. His hand slid down from the couch back, finally resting on her bare arm. His thumb traced lazy circles against her skin, setting her nerves on fire.

Tae squeezed her eyes shut, trying to steady herself. “My mom could walk in any second.”

“She’s not here.” His voice was velvet-wrapped steel. “It’s just us.”

That was the problem.

Her chest heaved, caught between fury and desire. Every nerve screamed to push him off, but another part of her—the part that ached every time his eyes lingered too long—begged for more.

Kook seemed to sense it. His hand slid higher up her arm, stopping just short of her shoulder. His nose brushed a whisper against her hair, and he murmured, “One day, princess, you’re not gonna run from me. You’re gonna beg me to ruin you.”

Tae gasped, heat flashing through her whole body. She twisted toward him, face flushed, lips parting to fire back something sharp—

But her mom’s voice floated through the front door. “I’m home!”

They sprang apart instantly. Tae jumped to her feet, heart hammering, while Kook leaned back into the couch like nothing happened, smirk firmly in place.

When her mom walked in with shopping bags, Tae was already halfway up the stairs, muttering something about needing to shower.

But as she shut her bedroom door and pressed her back to it, chest heaving, she couldn’t get his words out of her head.

“One day… you’re gonna beg me to ruin you.”

And the worst part?

She didn’t know if she hated him for saying it… or hated herself for wanting it to be true.