Page 143 of Scarbound

“Did you enjoy yourself with Kija?” Chung-Hee asked.

Noeul stared at him. “What?”

“You heard me.”

“Hyung…”

“You thought you could come here alone and pursue something with my friend after everything between us?”

Kija’s expression hardened. “Excuse me?”

“We’re leaving,” Chung-Hee continued. “You will not stay here alone with another man.”

Kija froze, his eyes moving between them. “Wait. You two are together?”

Noeul responded immediately. “No.”

Chung-Hee’s jaw tightened.

“We are not together,” Noeul repeated, more firmly. “And this is not a date.”

Kija looked at Chung-Hee. “I didn’t know you were interested in men, Hee.”

“This isn’t about me.”

“It obviously is.”

Chung-Hee ignored him again. “If this wasn’t a date, why didn’t you tell me you were coming here?”

Noeul stared at him in disbelief. “Because I don’t need your permission.”

Something flickered across Chung-Hee’s face. Noeul saw it. So did Kija.

Chung-Hee pulled Noeul toward the door, but Kija stepped between them.

“Stop.”

Chung-Hee looked at him.

“Nothing inappropriate happened,” Kija said. “We talked about art. Ji-Woo’s portfolio. Noeul’s paintings.”

“He doesn’t need private lessons with you.”

“That isn’t your decision.”

Chung-Hee’s gaze sharpened. “I saw how you looked at him.”

Kija went quiet. Noeul closed his eyes briefly.

Of course.

Kija didn’t deny it. “I won’t pretend I wasn’t drawn to him,” he said after a moment. “He’s beautiful.”

Noeul’s cheeks flushed despite everything.

“But I did nothing.” Kija looked directly at Chung-Hee. “And now that I know there is something between you, whatever it is, I won’t cross that line.”

Chung-Hee remained silent. Something dark moved beneath his composure.