Hauen finally found him in the gym room, standing near the wide window like a storm pressed into human form, every line of his body folded into stubborn tension. Arms crossed. Jaw set. That pout curved just enough to promise trouble, the kind of trouble that made her want to bite it.
She paused at the doorway and smiled, her chest blooming with affection for this large, sulky man who was absolutely refusing to breathe in her direction.
"Teddy…"
Silence. He didn't even twitch.
"Kim Suho…"
Still nothing.
She almost laughed. He was really committing to the role of 'deeply wounded husband betrayed by wife's outrageous accusation of being in love with his own bodyguard.'
"Mr. Kim…"
He didn't even give her a blink. He was a statue. A very beautiful, deliciously sweaty statue.
She puffed her cheeks, sighed dramatically, and tried her last trump card.
"…Yeobo."
That did it. His shoulders loosened. The pout trembled. He shifted just a little, like a sulking planet trying very hard not to orbit back toward her gravity. He heard her, oh, he heard her, but he was determined to look like the wronged party.
Fine. If he wanted cute war, she would give him cute war.
She moved closer until she stood right beside him, their arms brushing. "You're really mad because I said you were in love with Mr Lee?" she asked gently.
Suho still didn't speak. Not a word. But his head dipped lower, hair falling over his forehead in that breathtakingly adorable mess. He kept drawing slow circles on the glass, as if the condensation might answer on his behalf.
A tiny sulk. A quiet bruise to his pride. A warm whirlpool of jealousy he didn't want to admit. He looked beautiful like that.
She smiled tenderly and reached up, brushing a soft lock of hair away from his eyes. He didn't stop her… but he didn't look up either.
"Teddy…" she whispered again, her voice slipping around him like a warm cardigan. "Talk to me."
Then, Hauen slid her arms around his waist, looking up at his face even though he was still sweaty from the workout. "I'm sorry, yeobo…" she whispered gently.
Suho still didn't move.
She pressed a soft kiss to his bicep. "Talk to me, Teddy…" she coaxed.
He glanced down at her, finally, still holding that stubborn, adorable, angry face. She smiled and puckered her lips, offering a kiss. He refused, turning away like a sulky prince.
Her eyes sparkled with mischief. She tried another trick. "How can you punish your lovely nurse like this?"
His mouth wobbled. He fought it. He lost by half an inch. He tried not to smile.
"Teddyyyy…" she shook him by the waist, still hugging him, trying her best to break his wall. "You've really become so strong… and so heavy… these days..." she complained dramatically. "You've become a bull now." She stroked his arm dramatically.
That did it. His lips twitched, and before she could react, he hooked his arm around her neck under his bicep, playfully trapping her. She squeaked, flailing dramatically, pretending to choke.
"Yaa! Leave me! Ahhck, I'm dying..., somebody, please—"
The glittering smirk on his face could power an entire city. He lowered his arm but didn't let her go. Instead, he trapped her against the cold glass with one arm planted beside her head, his chest close enough to steal her breath. His body radiated heat and confidence.
Her pulse burst like fireworks.
He leaned in, eyes darkening, voice dropping to a sinful velvet. "Look at me… Do I not seem straight to you? Did you forget those nights? The ones where you begged for me?"
She was stunned by the sudden confidence in him. Those dark, steady eyes. That raw, irresistible masculine charm. His messy hair fell over his forehead. The tank top was clinging to his chest. His newly built biceps caged her in. His warm breath brushes her lips.
Her knees nearly gave out. This wasn't her shy teddy bear. This was a version of him dipped in heat and confidence, all broad shoulders and untamed hair and dangerous charm. Her words stumbled out.
She blinked at him, almost out of breath, as if wondering where her shy, soft teddy-bear-husband had gone and who this confident, bossy creature was standing in his place. "Are you…" Her voice kept skipping, "Are you okay...?"
The shift was instant. His eyes softened into those familiar puppy eyes, his whole face cracking into laughter as he looked down, the intense aura evaporating in a heartbeat. She sighed in relief while he kept laughing.
She glared and slapped his chest. He clutched it dramatically. "Awck… that hurts…"
"You scared me for a second," she snapped.
He just laughed, catching her again and tugging her close. She squealed, trying to push him away, which only made him laugh harder. He kissed her lips quickly, softly, and teasingly.
"Don't be bratty. Stay still," His hands anchored her by the waist.
She gave him a deadpan stare. He leaned in and rewarded her with another quick, sweet peck. Before murmuring proudly, "I ran forty-five minutes on the treadmill today. No breaks."
She blinked. "Why are you reporting this to me? I can already see you getting bulkier… more than ever."
He smiled like she'd complimented him with poetry. "You're my home minister. My nurse. I should tell you my progress." His grin softened. "I was excited. Wanted to tell you. But that bodyguard ruined my mood."
"You were rude to him. He came here for a job," she said, unimpressed.
"I know." He sighed. "And I'm sorry. But I'm telling you, there's nothing with Mr Lee. Nothing. He's just a bodyguard. That's it." He softened further, lower lip jutting out as he mumbled, "And I love my wife more than anyone."
She looked at him from the corner of her eye, doubting. "You sure?"
"What do you mean, you sure?" he shot back. "I'm serious. Do I look gay to you?" He was offended all over again.
She pressed her lips together. "No…" Her gaze swept down and back up, teasing. "But who knows…"
He narrowed his eyes. Dangerous. Then he caught her wrist. "Come here, you little tease. Let me show you what I am—"
"No—!" She burst into laughter, struggling to escape his grip. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I know you're straight!" she admitted between giggles, breathless.
He finally smiled and loosened his hold on her wrist. "Holy god, you've really turned into a bull," she muttered, rubbing the spot he grabbed.
That made him grin wider. He stepped closer, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her into his chest, gentle and warm.
"This new transformation is for you," he murmured. "So I can protect you always. So the world knows this isn't the old Suho anymore. This is the new one. Strong. Bulked up. And belonging to Kim Hauen."
Her smile softened. She cupped his cheek, heart glowing at his words. "But your smile is still the same… adorable enough to make people drop dead on the spot."
His ears turned scarlet immediately. She laughed. "And still shy. With that same pure, warm heart."
He hid his face against her shoulder, completely undone. "Hajimaa… I'm trying to build an intimidating image, and you're ruining it," he grumbled.
She smiled into his hair. "That's the part I like most in you."
He chuckled, burying his face in the curve of her neck, arms snug around her waist.
"You're a sweaty teddy," she whispered.
"But you smell nice," he mumbled, refusing to move.
She stroked his back. "Seems like now I have to take a shower."
"Hmmm, maybe together," he muttered, getting a slap from her on his arms. He giggled, staying wrapped around her, soaking in her warmth.
To be continued...