Page 87 of Scarbound

For one brief second, Chung-Hee hesitated. Noeul could have moved.

He didn’t.

Chung-Hee kissed him.

Noeul froze at the first touch of his lips. Then his eyes closed.

The kiss was softer than he had imagined it would be.

And he had imagined it. Far too many times. For years.

Noeul’s fingers curled instinctively into Chung-Hee’s shirt as the kiss deepened. His heart pounded so hard he could hear it.

For a few seconds, there was no Haneul. No cemetery. No revenge.

Only the man he had once wanted more than anyone else.

Then the memory returned.

Cold stone. Pain. Chung-Hee’s hands holding him down.

Noeul pulled away sharply.

They remained close, both breathing unevenly. Chung-Hee searched his face.

“I…” Noeul brought a hand to his mouth. “I don’t think we should do this.”

Chung-Hee said nothing.

Noeul stepped back. “I’m going home.”

He turned before Chung-Hee could see how badly his hands had begun to tremble.

“Noeul.”

Noeul kept walking.

“Don’t avoid me.”

“I’m not avoiding you.”

“You’re leaving.”

“Yes.”

Noeul pressed the elevator button. Behind him, Chung-Hee exhaled impatiently.

“You kissed me back.”

Noeul closed his eyes. “I know.”

The elevator doors opened. He stepped inside, and Chung-Hee followed.

For several seconds, neither spoke. Noeul stared at the changing numbers above the doors. He could feel Chung-Hee behind him, too close, and his pulse quickened again.

“Noeul.”

“Please.”