Deal Breaker - Chapter 21
“Let’s go back to the hotel.”
This is a hotel too. But since they had to withdraw from the operation site as quickly as possible, there was no way they could get a room and fool around here. The hotel where the two of them were staying was five minutes away by car, maybe longer if the roads were clogged with New Year’s crowds.
“Can you hold out until then?”
Was he actually hesitating? Kanghyeon licked his dry lips with the tip of his tongue and stared at Hyeji before asking,
“What about a kiss?”
Her heart dropped. Was that why he licked his lips? The more their mucous membranes touched, the stronger the calming effect would be. So he was suggesting they kiss, even if they didn’t take off their clothes. Why did he have to phrase a work question so suggestively?
“If you don’t want to, you can refuse.”
She knew she could always refuse, of course. But she also knew she could negotiate.
“One percent raise in this year’s salary for my first kiss.”
“…First kiss?”
Kanghyeon was more surprised by the last part than the first.
You’ve never kissed anyone else before?
Sitting in the passenger seat, Hyeji wore the same determined expression she’d had six years ago, perched on the edge of a hotel bed, asking what she was supposed to do.
You really… And I’m the one taking advantage of you… Kanghyeon, feeling even more stifled, unbuttoned his shirt with a sigh.
“If we add kissing to your job description, I’ll raise your salary by five percent.”
Hyeji’s lips curled into a wide grin. More materialistic than anyone, she showed the purest smile only when money was involved. Kanghyeon knew this all too well, so he teased her but never blamed her for it.
Noh Hyeji, really, you…
Now’s not the time. He shook off his wandering thoughts and reached for his secretary.
“Kiss me.”
He had to take the lead for someone with no experience. He just lightly brushed his lips against hers, like a child’s play, instead of diving in with his tongue from the start. He didn’t want to leave her with a bad impression of kissing. Her saying it was her first time filled him with a baseless sense of responsibility.
As Kanghyeon lightly sucked on Hyeji’s lower lip, he looked into her eyes. He didn’t need mind-reading to know what she was thinking. Her bewildered eyes clearly asked if this was really it.
Noh Hyeji, you really are bold. It’s your first kiss, but you’re just doing it without feelings, with your boss, and without any mood—do you even care? That dry, desert-like sensibility of hers was actually helpful at times like this. He was about to feel uncomfortable, but let it go.
“Open your lips.”
Even at those blunt words, she didn’t blush, just parted her lips. Not only that, she even tilted her head back to make it easier for him to insert his tongue.
He pulled her head close, pressing their lips together, and pushed his tongue into her mouth. The moment their tongues touched, both of them jolted—Hyeji in surprise at the unfamiliar sensation, Kanghyeon in a thrill at the unique guiding sensation.
Kissing was clearly different from holding hands. Of course, it couldn’t compare to going all the way, but it was at least a temporary measure to prevent things from getting out of control on the way to the hotel.
“Nngh…”
The moment Hyeji’s moan spilled into his mouth, Kanghyeon suddenly came to his senses. He’d intended to use his tongue gently, since it was her first time, but before he knew it, he was practically devouring his Guide. The instinct to lose control in front of guiding was truly frightening for an Esper.
“Haa…”
He pulled back his tongue and gently parted their lips. While Hyeji caught her breath, Kanghyeon checked his own condition. The headache that had felt like it would burst had subsided, but something else now felt like it would explode.
And it was all Noh Hyeji’s fault, for fearlessly devouring him. When she asked if they were done, and he said no, she pressed her lips to his without hesitation. She bit and sucked on his lips, and when their eyes met, she finally let go and smiled shyly.
“Look at you.”
Noh Hyeji, so shameless. She raised her eyebrows as if nothing was wrong.
“Was it really your first time?”
“It was.”
“You’re good at it.”
“I watched how-to videos on YouTube.”
“Why would you do that?”
Why would you search for that, and why would YouTube even have those kinds of videos? Can you really learn by watching?
“Ah.”
Noh Hyeji, that slippery one. Instead of answering, she pulled out a black belt from the clutch.
“Put it on.”
When Kanghyeon unbuckled his belt and opened the front of his pants, Hyeji’s hand slid inside without hesitation. The belt she fastened around his thigh was an inhibitor.
The world required Espers to wear devices that inhibited their abilities in everyday life, to prevent them from using their overwhelming powers for personal gain and endangering peace and safety. That’s why the International Esper-Guide Center mandated wearing such devices.
Of course, the inhibitor didn’t actually stop rampages, it only prevented them from using their powers. If their waves went out of control, they’d still explode into rampage. Worse, if an Esper rampaged while wearing an inhibitor, they’d self-destruct.
In other words, whether or not he wore it, if Kanghyeon went out of control, he was as good as dead. The only reason to wear it now was to protect Hyeji.
