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"Noah!" Yunah called, her voice slurring as a hiccup escaped. She couldn't even pronounce his name properly. His hand was still firm around her waist, steadying her.
"He… he is Noah?" Serena squinted at him, wobbling closer and pointing at him like she'd discovered a secret celebrity.
"Mm-hmm!" Yunah nodded eagerly like a child, head bobbing up and down—until her balance betrayed her again. She stumbled, but Noah caught her swiftly, his arm curling around her with a helpless sigh. He didn't even have the heart to scold her.
"Wahhh!" Serena's eyes widened as she stared at him. "He's even more handsome than you said! Yunah, listen—" she leaned in dramatically, "you should date him for real. Age is just a num—"
Before she could finish, she suddenly turned away and vomited all over the floor.
"Ahhh! Gross!" someone nearby yelled.
"Yak!" Yunah scrunched her nose, then immediately buried her face in Noah's chest to escape the sight—and the smell.
Noah let out a soft chuckle, looking down at her pressed against him. She looked ridiculously adorable like this—messy, drunk, and still somehow the cutest thing he'd ever seen on this planet.
He glanced over Serena once, then signaled to his right-hand man, Ashish, who rushed over to help her.
"Make sure she gets home safe," Noah commanded quietly.
Ashish nodded and guided the wobbling Serena away.
Noah helped her walk—more like carried her—out of the club and toward his car waiting in the parking lot, the night air cold against the heat of her drunken cheeks.
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Noah carefully guided Yunah into the passenger seat, one arm holding her steady while the other opened the door. The moment her body touched the cushion, her eyes fluttered shut again — completely surrendered to the alcohol.
With a quiet exhale, he leaned in to buckle her seatbelt. His face hovered dangerously close to hers — warm breath brushing against his skin. His pulse started pounding when his gaze fell to her lips… soft, flushed, and temptingly parted.
His throat dried up.
God, she was the kind of temptation one shouldn't be left alone with.
His hand stilled on the seatbelt as he slowly inched closer, every nerve screaming at him to stop, but desire pushing him forward. Just a kiss… just a little taste—
Her eyes snapped open.
Noah froze.
His heart practically catapulted out of his chest.
Those eyes — hazy and heavy with unspoken desire — locked with his.
"I—I—" he stuttered, heat rushing up his neck as he quickly looked away, suddenly so aware of what he almost did. Drunk. She's drunk. What the hell am I thinking— Before he could pull back, her fingers curled into his collar.
And then she dragged him down.
Her lips crashed onto his.
For a heartbeat, he was a statue — stunned, wide-eyed. But her warmth, the quiet desperation in her kiss… it shattered every restraint he had left.
He responded — deepening it, claiming her lips with growing hunger.
He climbed further in not even caring about his injury on the back. His one arm securing her small waist as he pulled her onto his lap. Their kiss turned heated, messy, intoxicating — the world outside the car disappearing as he devoured every second of it.
But just when his control slipped entirely… she went limp.
Fast asleep.
Her head fell against his chest, breath soft and steady. Noah blinked, trying to come back to reality, his heart still racing like mad.
A helpless chuckle escaped him as he brushed a few strands of hair from her face.
"You really are trouble…" he whispered, affection softening every word.
His hand rested protectively on her back, holding her close.
"…but you're my trouble."
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At Haven's Appartment.
Noah pushed the door open with his shoulder, Yunah's sleeping form secure in his arms. The hallway light flicked on automatically, casting a soft glow over them as he stepped inside. The apartment was silent — Yogesh already fast asleep — a calmness that made his heartbeat sound louder in his chest.
The light faded behind him as he moved forward, the room plunging into darkness again — only the silver moonlight slipping through the curtains outlined his tall silhouette. His footsteps echoed faintly against the quiet floor, each one careful… protective.
Inside Yunah's room, he nudged the dim lamp on.
Warm amber light washed over her serene face.
Noah lowered her onto the bed with the utmost care — like she was something breakable… irreplaceable. He drew the blanket up to her shoulders, then sat beside her, unable to look away.
His fingers hovered before he finally gave in, gently brushing her cheek. She flinched at the coldness of his touch.
"Too cold?" he murmured, voice barely above a whisper, laced with a tenderness he could no longer hide.
His eyes traced every inch of her face — and inevitably returned to her lips. The same lips that had just kissed him like he was the only man in her world.
The memory sparked something dark… possessive.
"You're driving me insane, Di," he confessed quietly, leaning closer. "Do you even know what you do to me?"
His thumb traced her mouth, slow and hungry.
"Just the thought of you kissing someone else…" his jaw clenched, voice dropping into something darker, "makes me want to tear the world apart."
He studied her, searching for a reaction she wouldn't give.
"Tell me…" he whispered,"Did you kiss me tonight? Or was I just filling someone else's place in your mind in your drunk state?"
Her brows twitched, lips parting slightly—
"Noah…" she breathed out, soft and drunk and pure.
Noah blinked — caught completely off guard.
She said his name again.
This time, his heart didn't just skip — it plummeted.
Slowly, he cupped her face in both hands, as if that single word had shattered every barrier left between them.
"So you dream of me too?" he asked, a crooked smile tugging at his lips — relief and hunger tangled together.
He leaned closer, his forehead nearly touching hers.
"You have no idea," he breathed, "what you've done to me, do you?"
His thumb stroked her cheek, the possessiveness no longer masked.
"I'm already ruined for you, Di. And I won't let anyone… anyone… take you from me."