Page 180 of Scarbound

“You waited?”

“You sound surprised.”

“I thought reliable future partners went home at reasonable hours.”

Noeul rolled his eyes. “Do you want a ride or not?”

Duri grinned. “Your place or mine?”

Noeul stared at him. “What?”

“You made it too easy.”

“Get in the car.”

Duri laughed all the way to the passenger side.

They had barely made it into the underground parking garage beneath Duri’s building when Noeul switched off the engine. For a moment, neither moved. Snow melted slowly across the windshield; the outside world blurred beneath the water.

Duri unfastened his seat belt. “You coming up?”

Noeul looked at him. The answer should have been easy. Instead, he found himself watching Duri’s mouth.

Duri noticed. His lips curved. “Hyung.”

“Don’t.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You were going to.”

Duri leaned a little closer. “What was I going to say?”

Noeul caught the front of his jacket and kissed him.

Duri froze for barely a second before kissing him back. The position was awkward, the center console was between them and Noeul had twisted half-sideways in his seat, but Noeul didn’t care. Not tonight. Duri’s hand came up to the side of his neck, warm against skin still cold from outside. Noeul kissed him again, slower this time, feeling Duri smile against his mouth.

“What?” Noeul murmured.

“Nothing.”

“You’re smiling.”

“I’m happy.”

Something about the simple answer made Noeul kiss him again. Duri’s fingers slipped into his hair, and Noeul moved closer until the console made it impossible to go any farther. He pulled back, breathing harder than before.

“This car is terribly designed.”

Duri laughed. “I don’t think they expected this to be one of the features.”

“Shut up.”

Noeul kissed him before he could say anything else.

Duri pulled away first, but not far. His forehead rested against Noeul’s. “You know,” he murmured, “there’s an apartment upstairs. With a bed.”

Noeul laughed softly. “I remember.”