Won-bin's body moved. Cautiously, with a cat-like lightness and hesitation, she slowly leaned against Hawk. Her shoulder gently brushed his arm. Through the thin material of his shirt, she could feel his solid muscle and body heat.
Hawk didn't move, holding the steering wheel with one hand like a seasoned driver.
Won-bin's heart pounded like a drum. She summoned more courage and gently rested her head on his upper arm. Her hair brushed his neck, light as a phantom touch. Still no reaction. This silent assent felt like encouragement.
Won-bin looked up, gazing at Hawk's face, which was now inches away. Her beautiful eyes were no longer afraid; they were filled only with sacrificial focus and the haze of being tamed. Her hand, trembling slightly, rose incredibly slowly, tentatively touching Hawk's hand resting on his thigh. Her fingertip first lightly traced the back of his hand, feeling the warmth and strength of his skin. Then, with an act of desperate courage, her fingers gently, tentatively slid between his.
Hawk's fingers finally moved. Instead of pushing her away, they tightened slightly, engulfing her cool, small hand in his palm. This subtle response ignited the long-suppressed fire within Won-bin.
When the traffic light turned red, she no longer hesitated. She leaned up and clumsily pressed her soft lips against the corner of Hawk's mouth. It was a kiss of naive probing and fierce dependence.
Hawk's eyes reflected Won-bin's face—nervous and eager. He looked down at her, his expression calm and unreadable, yet the oppressive sense of absolute control hadn't diminished.
A moment later, Hawk gently pushed Won-bin away.
In a flurry of panic, Won-bin thought she had done something wrong and instinctively recoiled. "I'm… I'm sorry, sir, I…"
Her words were cut off as Hawk pointed out the window and said, "It's green."
....
The five-minute drive took a full hour. The car pulled up to the entrance of a discreetly luxurious apartment building. Hawk looked at the woman in his arms—subdued by his expert technique, still breathless, cheeks flushed, eyes hazy and even slightly damp—as if admiring a piece of art he had just branded.
"Your new residence."
Won-bin awoke as if from a dream, her cheeks burning, her heart still wildly beating. She obediently straightened her wrinkled shirt and skirt. Her fingers touched her slightly swollen lips, causing another surge of panic and an inexplicable thrill. She dared not meet Hawk's eyes and meekly opened the car door.
Hawk got out too, leading Won-bin into the apartment elevator and straight to the penthouse. Fingerprint access. The heavy door silently slid open.
The view revealed a spacious, high-end apartment. Outside the massive floor-to-ceiling windows was the dazzling Manhattan skyline.
"This place… it must be very expensive…" Won-bin cautiously ventured, looking around curiously.
Hawk's mouth twitched, finding it somewhat amusing. He patted Won-bin's shoulder. "Five thousand dollars a month. The rent is deducted from the three of your salaries." He then pointed toward one of the bedrooms. "That's your room."
Won-bin took a deep breath. She turned, not toward the bedroom, but moved closer to Hawk again. This time, she didn't hesitate. She wrapped her slender arms around Hawk's lean waist, resting her cheek against his chest, listening to his steady, powerful heartbeat. Then, she stood on her tiptoes and deliberately kissed his throat.
It was an extremely bold and deeply suggestive gesture.
Hawk's body seemed to stiffen for a moment. Then, he let out a low chuckle, suddenly raising a hand to grip the back of Won-bin's neck, forcing her to tilt her head back to receive the kiss he pressed down upon her. Simultaneously, his strong arm slid under her bent legs, lifting her entire petite body horizontally.
Won-bin gasped, instinctively clutching his neck.
Hawk carried her, striding into the bedroom. The bedroom was equally vast and cool. The entire city's flowing light reflected off the giant floor-to-ceiling windows, and a massive black bed dominated the center.
Won-bin was tossed onto the soft duvet. Before she could even feel dizzy, Hawk's powerful body covered hers, his shadow completely enveloping her. All clothing proved as fragile as paper against absolute strength.
Time seems to have lost its meaning. The world outside melted away, leaving only the two of them, tangled together in a dance of fire and passion.
After an indeterminate time, the storm subsided. The only sounds in the room were the heavy, uneven breathing of the two people. Hawk rose and walked into the connected bathroom. Soon, the sound of running water filled the air.
Won-bin lay curled up exhaustedly in the center of the huge bed, her body throbbing with post-exertion soreness and strange, residual echoes. The cold air of the room and the sparkling world outside the window reminded her of the reality of her expensive cage.
The water stopped. Hawk emerged, a towel wrapped around his waist, water droplets tracing the lines of his sculpted muscles.
"How was that?" Hawk asked softly, his tone full of confidence.
Won-bin struggled to sit up, wrapping herself in the sheet. Traces of unshed tears and the flush of passion lingered on her face, and her black hair clung damply to her forehead and neck. Her eyes held the fragile submission of someone who had been utterly devastated. "Very… satisfying…"
Hawk smiled. He was confident in his abilities, thanks at least in part to the 'Best Coming-of-Age Gift' he had drawn that year. He really wanted to say: In '18, I walked with my hands in my pockets, and I didn't know what it felt like to have a real opponent!
She lay back down, sinking into a dreamless darkness, enveloped in Hawk's lingering scent.
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