Chapter 9: THOSE WHO PLAY WITH FIRE ALWAYS GET BURNED
...
Actually, in another situation, I might not have refused what she offered. After all, even though I had only lived until 16 in my past life, that didn't mean I was an innocent stranger to the world of sexuality. Even though I was still a virgin, there were many ways to learn about such things...
"But... you really are a big idiot."
Trading your body for a favor? You must be out of your mind.
"I didn't..."
"Nayun, you didn't think what I said this morning was a lie, did you?"
I said I would help you, and I will. The Devil's Seed in your brother isn't something impossible for me to remove. In fact, it's quite simple.
"I know, but I was scared... If what you say is true, then if others find out, they might want to kill my brother."
Yes, if others knew, it was almost certain that Chae Jinyoon would be six feet under.
Even if the world didn't do it, that old man would surely kill him to clear his name.
"And so... I thought..."
"You thought that by selling yourself to me, everything would be fine? Is that it? Do you really think I would accept something like that? Nayun, I like you and want to win you over for real. I want you by my side, but not like this."
Moving closer, Theo stared into her eyes. Nayun tried to look away, but he wouldn't let her. With a gentle hand, he held her chin and kept her face lifted.
"In the same way that I want you with me, I also want you to allow me to stay by your side, not as an exchange, but because we both care for and like each other. So, never treat yourself as an object again, and besides, there's no way anyone else will find out about this unless you or I tell them, understand?"
Of course, this included Hajin, after all, he still doesn't know about the changes that are about to happen...
"Mm!"
Seeing her nod, Theo raised his hand to her forehead, where a small red mark showed where he had hit her earlier.
"Sorry! I think I hit you too hard. Let me fix that."
He murmured, already preparing to use healing magic. However, before he could act, Nayun surprised him with an unexpected move.
"Do you think I'll let this slide just like that?"
She said, with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"I'm not some naive girl who's going to listen to your flirting and just stand there, pretending nothing happened."
With a charming smile dancing on her lips, she wrapped her arms around Theo's neck, pulling him closer.
Without hesitation, Nayun leaned in, her lips approaching his decisively.
"Nayun, what are you..."
Theo began to protest, confused.
"Shut up."
She whispered softly, her lips almost touching his.
"I'm kissing you because I want to. Consider this a way to repay part of my gratitude... You don't want anything in return for helping me, and I appreciate that."
She paused briefly, her eyes meeting Theo's, before continuing with a hint of challenge in her voice.
"But don't forget, I also have my pride. And this is my way of showing that I'm not someone who only takes without giving anything in return... Besides, you're someone who's my type..."
As her words floated between them, the space filled with mutual tension.
"Hah! So be it, don't think I'll refuse this chance."
Theo smiled, accepting the moment. What could he do when she, so spontaneously, expressed her desire to kiss him?
"Kyaaa!"
Before she could react, Theo, with a quick movement, spun Nayun's body, positioning her on his lap, facing him on the couch.
"Gulp!"
She swallowed hard, her face turning even redder. The silence between them was broken only by Nayun's rapid breathing, while Theo's eyes remained fixed on her.
"There are times when a real man should take two steps back..."
Theo began, his voice low and serious.
"But there are also times when those steps need to be forward. I don't know if what I'm doing now is right, considering how early everything is between us. But I feel that if I don't do this now, I'll deeply regret it tomorrow."
"And... Theo..."
Nayun, clearly nervous, looked at him and tried to speak, but the words failed to come out.
"What? Are you embarrassed? You started it."
Theo teased her, his voice a little softer, but with a playful tone.
"You don't like it when the other person is more active than you?"
Nayun tried to hide her nervousness, but her even redder cheeks gave her away.
"...A handsome scoundrel."
She muttered while staring at him.
Smiling softly, Theo raised his hand, touching Nayun's chin gently. His long fingers slid over her skin, while his thumb caressed her slightly parted lips. Nayun instinctively closed her eyes, surrendering to the touch.
A subtle shiver ran down her spine, as if each of his movements left a mark of anticipation in the air.
The sensation dominating Nayun was new and strange. Her heart was beating fast, uncontrollably, and a mix of nervousness and desire welled up in her chest.
Theo, with a calm smile, felt it. He noticed the subtle changes in her breathing, the way she reacted to his closeness, and it made him hesitate for a brief moment, as if testing the limits of that moment.
Theo interrupted the touch suddenly, and Nayun slowly opened her eyes, surprised by the absence of that warmth. She wanted more, though she barely knew how to ask.
"Ah..."
A soft sigh escaped her lips, almost a lament. However, before she could speak, Theo leaned forward, closing the distance between them, and their lips finally met.
Nayun froze for a few seconds, her thoughts scrambled by Theo's sudden action.
He had kissed her, the kiss starting soft, just a light touch, but loaded with intention. Theo guided with a silent confidence.
At first, Nayun didn't know how to react; her lips simply followed his movements, but gradually, she relaxed.
Her heart raced with each passing second, while her mind tried to keep up with the wave of new sensations.
On the other hand, Theo felt a mix of emotions that were almost impossible to describe. Perhaps it was joy, maybe even happiness itself. He wasn't entirely sure.
Theo, knowing that Nayun was inexperienced in such things, silently guided her.
He pulled her closer, his hand sliding from her nape to her back, while the kiss became a little more intense, as she seemed to be getting used to it. His lips molded to hers, and he increased the pace of the kiss.
Nayun felt a mix of anxiety and desire growing within her. The warmth of Theo's body, so close to hers, made her lose her breath for moments. Each touch, each movement, seemed to awaken something new in her mind, something she didn't know how to name, but that made her want more.
After almost 3 minutes of continuous kissing, he broke the kiss, leaving only a small space between their faces. Nayun still felt her heart pounding and her breathing uneven.
Her lips tingled with the memory of his touch, and her face was hot, with small beads of sweat running down her forehead.
"Are you okay?"
Theo whispered, his voice hoarse and full of care, his eyes attentive to her reactions. He also felt the weight of that moment, as if something greater was beginning there.
Nayun took a deep breath, trying to organize her thoughts, but her heart wouldn't let her.
"You... weren't inexperienced?"
She murmured, her voice faltering, still tasting the kiss between them.
Theo smiled, his gaze full of affection.
"I never said I didn't know everything."
Thanks to my other life, I was sure I wouldn't ruin this incredible moment. The mood between us was light, showing that my work was very well done.
"That's unfair..."
She said, with an expression that mixed surprise and slight embarrassment.
"Uh! You misunderstood, this was also my first kiss..."
In this life, it really was my first kiss.
I moved closer. As soon as those words came out, I saw her expression change slightly.
A touch of happiness was clearly visible on her face.
"Eh... So... What did you think?"
She asked hesitantly, biting her lower lip slightly, curious but at the same time trying to hide her nervousness.
"I'd say inexperienced..."
I teased, seeing her look away in embarrassment.
"If it weren't for me, I think you would have knocked my teeth out."
Her eyes widened, and she huffed in pure indignation.
"Aaah! I'm leaving, you only know how to make fun of me."
I couldn't help but laugh, but I quickly pulled her back before she could really move away. Still held in my arms, I made a proposal.
"Hehehe! How about a chance to learn..."
She stopped, suspicious, with her arms crossed and her expression trying to remain serious, but I knew she was curious.
"Proposal? What are you scheming, Theo?"
"Me? Nothing much..."
I shrugged, feigning disinterest, but kept a mischievous smile on my lips.
"I just thought of teaching you how to kiss... Of course, you'll have to keep your eyes open to see everything."
She blinked several times, surprised by my boldness. Looking at him while kissing was a bit...
"Eyes open?"
"Trust me,"
I said in a soft voice.
"If you keep your eyes open, you'll be able to learn the movements more easily. We'll do it together."
She looked at me with suspicion, but I could see she was interested. Her lips formed a slight smile, and after a small sigh, she asked, still hesitantly.
"And what do you get out of this?"
I moved even closer, leaving almost no space between us, and whispered.
"The chance to kiss you again."
She rolled her eyes, but the small smile on her lips told me it wasn't just me who wanted a replay.