Chapter 7

The first kiss was completely different from the ones she had only heard about from her friends.

Some friends said it was wonderful, while others said it wasn’t as good as they had imagined.

But Eunjae had never experienced anything that made her feel this dizzy, this overwhelmed, or as though her body was floating.

The low vibration of Hajun’s throat as he devoured her lips tickled her, and his kiss that gently guided her clumsy movements was sweet and thrilling.

Enough to make every hair on her body stand on end.

As Hajun’s kiss grew more intense, Eunjae struggled to keep up, yet she didn’t want it to stop.

His movements, as if trying to take over even the deepest parts of her throat, made Eunjae begin gasping.

Her head felt dizzy enough to spin.

The deeper the kiss became, the more an unfamiliar heat gathered somewhere inside her, making her lower abdomen throb.

Then, the man’s large silhouette covering Eunjae’s body, which had nearly fallen back completely, suddenly stopped moving.

It was as if he had just realized what he had been doing.

Hajun lifted himself up and looked at Eunjae, who was desperately trying to catch her breath, with an unreadable expression.

Unlike Eunjae, whose chest rose and fell heavily as if she had just run a hundred-meter sprint, Hajun wasn’t even breathing unevenly.

Not only that, while she was dizzy and flushed from just a kiss, he showed no signs of being affected.

Did kissing Eunjae really not make him feel anything?

For some reason, she felt hurt and unfairly disappointed.

Hajun spoke in a low voice.

“This should count as treating you like a wife, right?”

His tone was perfectly calm.

Eunjae only nodded because she felt that her voice would tremble if she answered.

* * *

Eunjae walked toward her room on the second floor with slow, unsteady steps, like someone whose soul had briefly left her body.

Even after reaching the second floor, she stood there for a long time, staring blankly at her bedroom door.

It was the same even after entering her room.

Eunjae staggered to her bed and lay down without even changing clothes.

Since she hadn’t turned on the lights, her intoxicated eyes only blinked repeatedly as she stared at the high ceiling.

She could still feel the man’s hot breath and lips against her.

A shiver ran down her spine.

Eunjae touched her lips with her fingers.

The man who had completely taken her lips had definitely made sounds as if he was affected too.

“Could it be that he actually liked it too…”

‘Then I guess you haven’t kissed anyone either.’

She hadn’t answered his question, but he probably realized it right away.

That the kiss they shared had been her first kiss.

She had been so clumsy and inexperienced.

Her entire body had stiffened from nervousness, and she hadn’t even known how to breathe during the kiss.

She felt embarrassed thinking that he must have noticed how completely she melted under his kiss.

If she truly became his wife, would they kiss like that more often?

The thought that he wouldn’t always see her as a child made her strangely excited.

Eunjae smiled shyly.

She touched her full lips with both hands.

The corners of her mouth naturally lifted.

Whenever she remembered that hot and thrilling kiss, her heart pounded and her chest felt ticklish.

It felt like she was floating on clouds.

Until she fell asleep, she covered her lips with both hands and kicked her feet against the bed.

* * *

Late at night, after parting with Eunjae and returning to his family home, Hajun sat in his study reviewing the tasks that needed to be completed before the day ended.

But he couldn’t make any progress.

He roughly ran a hand through his hair.

Kissing Lee Eunjae had been a momentary impulse.

Perhaps he had been curious whether the bold young woman who asked him to treat her like a wife could actually begin a relationship like this.

Or maybe he had crossed the line while watching how she would act when he left her an escape route.

No.

Maybe a part of him hoped she wouldn’t take that escape route at all.

Lee Eunjae, who had kissed his lips like a kindergarten child with her unbelievably awkward movements.

The moment her soft and moist lips touched his, Hajun had no choice but to swallow a curse.

For the first time in his life, he felt thirst.

And he instinctively knew that a kiss alone wouldn’t satisfy it.

Every time her small tongue shyly tried to retreat, he could only chase after it.

In the end, he held her down persistently and indulged in his desire.

Hajun clenched both fists and used his reason to suppress the urge that demanded more.

Even though she was clearly exhausted from the overwhelming kiss, Lee Eunjae still looked at him with flushed cheeks.

“I’m going crazy.”

Hajun let out a low sigh and rubbed his dry face.

Eventually, he stopped working and headed toward the bathroom.

The sound of running water continued for a long time.

* * *

A restaurant located on the top floor of Taeon Hotel.

Since it was the day of Eunjae’s formal family meeting before marriage, Seongchan happily reserved the entire restaurant.

Of course, he had only been able to attend by taking prescribed narcotic painkillers and barely sitting in a wheelchair.

Since both families were meeting for the first time and this was a place where he would entrust Eunjae to them, Seongchan did his best to keep the atmosphere warm and pleasant.

He endured the pain that refused to disappear and hid the cold sweat running down his body before speaking.

“I’m sorry, in-law. Eunjae’s older brother and his wife couldn’t join us because they’re on an overseas business trip. Please understand with generosity.”

“Not at all. This is simply a chance to greet each other before the wedding and share a meal together. Work is important.”

“We’re simply grateful for your consideration.”

After bowing his head, Seongchan took out a paper envelope from inside his coat and handed it to Taeguk.

They said the bride’s side was responsible for choosing the wedding date.

Inside would be the auspicious date selected by a famous fortune-telling scholar.

Eunjae had also researched various things before marriage, so she knew about it.

“We chose a date after the eldest grandson of Kwonil Electronics’ wedding. The earliest available date is three months from now.”

After hearing Seongchan’s explanation, Taeguk looked over the date written on the paper and nodded with satisfaction.

“I think that should be enough. Young people these days handle everything well, so I’m sure the two of them will adapt quickly even after getting married so soon. Actually, this might be even better. Wouldn’t they become closer if they lived like they were dating even after marriage? Haha, isn’t that right, my daughter-in-law?”

“Yes, Father.”

Despite Taeguk’s sudden question, Eunjae answered politely as if she had been prepared.

Then she looked at Hajun sitting directly across from her.

He had maintained a businesslike expression the entire time, as if he had come here only for work.

“Our daughter-in-law is wonderful. She answers so clearly.”

At Taeguk’s polite compliment, Seongchan lowered his head.

“Not at all. She still has much to learn. I only hope your family will guide her well.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve decided to think of her as my own daughter.”

Responding to Seongchan’s request, Mikyung smiled warmly.

“Excuse me. I’ll step out for a moment to take a call.”

At that moment, Hajun politely spoke and left the room.

He had been continuously checking his phone screen, so it seemed an urgent call had come in.

“Haha, our company can’t function without Executive Director Seo. You understand better than anyone how the people who lead a group live, don’t you, in-law?”

“Of course.”

“I’m not saying this just because he’s my son, but Hajun is truly an exceptionally capable person.”

While Seongchan sincerely nodded along to Taeguk’s words, there was a knock at the door and the dishes began arriving.

“After the wedding, our Chairman will also give him shares in Electronics, and then Taeon will also…”

But at that moment.

“Urgh, ugh. I’m sorry… I’m sorry.”

Taeguk’s attempt to subtly ask about the Taeon shares Eunjae would eventually receive was interrupted by Seongchan’s sudden nausea.