54

To the normal folk, the morning after a night of never-ending sex, would be fuzzy, warm and all shades of not wanting to leave the bed. But nothing served to me came without a hard slap on my butt. That was a known fact.

As soon as I stirred and opened my eyes, I realised I was looking at a woman. A middle-aged woman. For fucks' sake, I thought I had grown old and was looking at my reflection or something. But no. She was bent over with a trash can.

I blinked, propping up on my elbow, only to realise I was stuck in the boulderish arms of Jungkook behind me. Fuck this bastard. I swatted his arm off me like a bug because who the hell was this woman?!

"Good morning, Miss." She smiled at me.

Miss?

Oh. Oh, wait. Jungkook had told me about this.

My jaw parted, one hand covering my mouth while the other pointed at her, full of realisation. "Housekeeping?"

She nodded and picked up a used wet wipe and a condom wrapper and was about to throw them in the bin when I jumped out of bed, my hips cracking and landing me on my knees. "Wait—wait. Please! We'll clean this mess up. You don't have to—!"

Heat crawled up my neck. My body was sore as if I could oink at any given moment now. Last night returned in my memory so badly that I immediately clutched my hair. Despair.

I wanted to cry to the heavens for help, but I knew that they'd kick my butt, too.

We hadn't stopped for several rounds after that. And once I got the taste of chasing myself to finish, I didn't let anything hold me back. The evidence of that behaviour was in the several condoms lying around on the floor along with wrappers for displaying the type we had used. After the ribbed ones, the tingling ones killed me alive in bed. And fuck, this man was so good at sex it wasn't even funny anymore. Was he practising or what? Because how the hell did he show me such a good time? I was still flabbergasted from the shock. To add to my gasted flabber, he cleaned me up post-sex. Like-using wet wipes and everything. It was as if I had a servant to look after me. I had never had someone clean me before. Usually, my next step would be to go to the bathroom and clean myself up. That was the only way I thought things could happen.

"That's quite alright!" The housekeeping lady insisted, slightly taken aback by my naked chest.

I screamed, grabbing the t-shirt and sinking into it quickly. It was long enough to cover my buttcheeks and save further shame.

"No, no, no~" I yanked the trash can out of her grip, "Please don't! I'd feel terrible having you clean this stuff up. I'll make this bastard—" I stilled, turning to the man peacefully under the sheets. "Wait a damn minute, Madam. This bastard is the one who threw them around!" I pointed accusingly at him.

The lady grew red, embarrassed but I had already been through that fire more than twice since I had woken up. My skin was thick.

"Jungkook!" I clutched his arm and shook him desperately. He was a log. He didn't move at first but then he opened his eyes when my screaming continued. "Wake up you bastard!"

He stirred, "What...?" His voice. God, his morning voice was so deep and manly. My knees squeezed. Fuck me.

His eyes scanned the room and then he sat up, realising that two women were looking at him sleeping. "What's this about?"

"Pick up all this! We can't have the housekeeping Madam clean all this personal stuff for us!" I squealed, ashamed on a level that had knocked the bells out of me.

His brows knotted. He clutched his dishevelled hair. "Fuck, Haerin. Why are you yelling? Didn't we have fun?"

I froze. This motherfucker was still half asleep. Still. My face exploded, eyeing the housekeeper apologetically. Her lips stretched in a flat line.

"Get up you wacko!" I shook him harder and he groaned, rubbing his face and eyes to get a better view of the situation.

"What are you even up for this early?"

"For the sake of my dignity." I snapped, voice cracking with dread. "Come on, help me clean this up."

"Wait..." He finally blinked at me, wide awake. "You're cleaning what up now?"

"The condoms!" I pointed at the messy floor. "And I threw only two. The rest of it is your fault. So why don't you work, Director Jeon?"

Jungkook stayed there, his back glazed by the morning sun. He assessed, gave the housekeeper a look and then threw his legs off the bed. "You're impossible, Haerin. Making me pick condoms from the floor after the first time we have sex." He smirked, that raspy voice trying its best to distract me.

"But it's our mess!" I insisted. "For a fact, sleeping is my favourite thing to do so just think of what it means to me to do this myself."

He stepped out, stretching his arms and cracking a few of his bones like fireworks bursting. My eyes lowered to his naked chest, a fierce blush in my face.

"Your tracks are too low. Pull them up." I muttered, turning to crouch on the floor.

The trash can was yanked from me. I gasped, eyes snapping up to him. He bent down and began picking them up. "Don't touch a thing. I'll clean it up."

"Why?" I whispered aggressively. "It was my idea in the first place."

He chuckled under his breath. "Your idea? No, brat. You lie down, I'll clean this up."

I blinked a few times and then stood up, eyes hovering on his back. The housekeeping lady stood nervously to the side but I knew that she had seen the long red scratch marks too. Fuck.

"I'm...going to freshen up then...?" I added.

"Pardon my intrusion," the housekeeper said. Jungkook didn't even look at her, he continued with his cleaning. "Would you like me to prepare breakfast? Anything you'd like to eat in particular?"

"That's fine, Miss Gong." Jungkook smiled, "I'll make us something today. You can skip the breakfast part."

"I understand." She bowed politely.

I cleared my throat and turned to freshen up. It was quicker this time. I almost remembered how the shower worked. I had most of my body washes and supplies—thanks to my planning division, a.k.a Jungkook, who had suggested that I carry toiletries. Smart work. I didn't feel like I didn't belong there. It was easier to adjust and scrub myself off clean.

The room was clean and Jungkook was gone by the time I returned from the bath. I smelled omelettes and something sweet in the air, drawn to it like a dog sniffing meat.

In the kitchen area, Jungkook stood half-dazed, hair like a bird's nest. He was whisking more eggs in a bowl when I arrived, pretending to rub my hair dry inside his t-shirt.

"Morning, my lady." He looked up and then paused glancing at my clothes. "I have more T-shirts to give you. Why are you wearing that?"

"Because I have to leave...?" I said fixing my skirt as I stood next to him, eyeing the counter. "Pancakes? You?" I scowled at the batter and then at him.

He blinked. "What? You're leaving?"

"Yes, Mr Jeon." I dramatically rolled my eyes. "One night and done. That's my policy."

His face froze. Suddenly, it looked like I had joked at a funeral. I tried to chuckle sheepishly, backpedalling.

"Just kidding. Don't glare at me like that. I'll suffer wrinkles." My next joke didn't land either. His face was stiff as a stone, not even a smirk on that bastard's face.

He grabbed my wrist, gently tugging me towards him. "Stay, Haerin. Please. I'll fix you up for a work-from-home. We have your laptop too, don't we?"

Now it was my turn to blink, surprised. He looked way too serious for me to feel at ease.

"Ahoy," I weakly pressed my fist into his bare chest. "I have work. Did you forget that I'm on an early leave today? Don't tell me you forgot that just because you bedded—"

"I haven't forgotten." He dug his face into my neck, drawing in a deep breath as if sniffing my body wash. His hands twisted around me aggressively as if this was the last time he was feeling me. His breath made me jitter. I felt stupidly ticklish. He planted a soft kiss on the dip of my collarbone and stayed there like a needy bitch. "Stay, please. I'll treat you so well. I'll do everything. And you're too exhausted from everything last night, and that fucker chasing you down. I don't want you gone from my sight right now."

My whole body stilled.

"...where's Jungkook? And what have you done to him?" I said through gritted teeth.

He laughed weakly and I couldn't help but feel better to finally have him crack a laugh. "Jungkook's right here. And he's all fucked up for you..."

"Wait—" I shivered when his mouth burrowed deeper in my neck, "Wait, I have parents to go home to. I can't just—"

His arms tightened around my back, nearly lifting me off the ground when he tried to straighten his spine. I rose on the tips of my toes, fiercely blushing.

"Call them. I'll talk to them if they won't listen." He whispered in my ear, voice strained as he pulled my flush into his body.

Okay. One reason down. I had to think of something else to make sure I didn't look like a dumb ass who was easy like a latch on the door. I was a fucking keycard.

"But—" I pursed my lips. "What about my clothes? I thought we had a date today. I was prepared to dress up!"

"Of course, of course." He kissed my neck again making me squeak. "I know that. I'll arrange for everything you need to dress up. I can drop you off at your place to get ready in the evening. At four? I can wait outside."

Oh, this fucker. He was coming up with weird solutions that somehow worked.

"But—what about my clothes? My skirt and blouse are dirty and—"

"I'll dry clean them for you. You can wear something of mine till then." He said and my trap shut.

"You..." I pushed him back and he waited to look at my face this time, desperate with need. "You really want me to stay?"

"Really." He remained serious. "I can't have you doing this alone."

I gulped.

Awkward. This was getting too awkward. Not because I didn't like what I heard. But because I knew that my parents wouldn't mind me being gone. All I had to do was text them and keep them informed. I didn't even care about my clothes because he was right, I could wear his t-shirts and still have a good time. But most of all, I was much more nervous about facing the people at work after what happened with Taehyung. In short, I didn't want to do that. Plus, Mr Min was going to be livid when he knew I'd done the same thing again and not told him about Seokjin's brother.

I wanted to chicken out in peace. And Jungkook was giving me just that opportunity.

A random burst of forced laughter slipped off me. Somewhere between a villain and a rooster. Equal parts of both.

"I'm very high maintenance. You'll have to serve me all day." I twisted out of his grip, snapping my fingers at him challengingly. "Her ladyship is not satisfied with mediocre work."

He smiled, suddenly lively. "Yes, use me." He bowed with his hand on his chest. "This man is your tool for convenience."

"I swear if you don't get the original Jungkook back, I'm going to kill you." I frowned and elbowed him out of the way to take a look at the kitchen counter. "Move. I'll make the pancakes."

"But—"

"Jeon." My voice lowered. "Grab the plates."

"Okay." He obediently grabbed me the chinaware and set the plates aside.

I whisked the batter carefully, trying to remember all the lessons of my life as I poured it into the pan. It hissed. Then, carefully, I spread it out into a circle. I knew that Jungkook was watching me. So there was extra pressure to perform well. For the sake of my ego.

"Phew." I dramatically sighed and reached for the spatula at the same time that he jerked his hand away.

My eyes shot at him, "Why did you avoid me like a ghost?! I'm hurt!"

"Oh...—fuck," he hesitated, scratching the back of his head and trying to say the words. But failing.

"What?" I groaned, my face contorting with pained curiosity.

"No, I just. I'm scared to touch you..." He confessed quickly when he saw my haunted expression.

"Scared?" I raised my brows.

"I don't know—it just feels like—" he glanced at me and then back at the pan, biting his lip once. "As if I'll break you. Or everything. If I touch you wrong."

"What?" I tried to slide the spatula under the pancake, levelling it out of the pan softly. Then, I scoffed at him, rolling my eyes. "You didn't think that when you were fucking me last night."

I swear I'm the mother of stupid or something. The words I had said hit the marble of the kitchen floor and rebounded on my face.

"Wait—" I turned to him, the spatula raised defensively between us, "I didn't mean it like that. Forget I said that. Forget it!"

But he clearly hadn't. He blinked at me, covering his mouth burning red like a tomato. I bit my teeth, trying to swallow the shame but I had done it.

"You're going to kill me, Haerin." He muttered, backing off from me.

"Why don't you freshen up? I'll serve this quickly." I stammered, equally beet. He obliged and walked out of there, his neck all red from the back too.

Why, god, why? Why did I not take a keycard for my mouth too?!

I quickly flipped the pancakes into the dish, followed by the omelettes. By the time I had served the breakfast on the table, Jungkook arrived refreshed in a tight black t-shirt—that gave me the perfect view of his tight body—and grey track pants: the perfect kill for a woman like me.

He had a fresh set of a t-shirt and shorts in his hand.

"Here. Get out of that outfit and wear this." He pulled a chair and sat down before me, handing me the change.

My smile turned flat, "Pyjama girlfriend, much?"

"Only girlfriend." He smirked and then looked around at the items on the menu. "Thanks, darling."

I blushed, putting the clothes aside on another chair and grabbing the fork. I pushed the bites of the pancakes into my mouth, relishing them and nodding my head. I could become a chef, too. Provided I got into cooking school with my pancakes.

I could do it, couldn't I? My mom would kick me out of the house, but still.

"Why are you clutching your chest like that?" Jungkook asked immediately after the first bite, eyes narrowing on me hunched there.

I nervously chuckled, stealing a glance at him, "The bra we got yesterday? Not my size. It's too tight."

I was stupid like that. We had already had sex but both of us blushed like teenagers who thought kissing made babies.

I cleared my throat, trying to sit straighter, regretting the entire invention of women's underwear. Jungkook took a sip of his water.

"I got you clothes. Change into them. You'll feel comfortable."

I looked at them and then at him. "Right. I should."

With a start I stuffed the entire breakfast quickly into my mouth, chewing down like my life depended on it. Jungkook watched me, stunned.

Once I was done, I picked the clothes up and grinned at him. "Do you want me to change in front of you? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Uh—what?" He blinked. "You just ate so fast I—"

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever." I rolled my eyes, starting to walk towards the bedroom when he grabbed my wrist.

"You know what? It's not weird for you to change in front of me anymore." He said, his ears like a parrot's beak. "Go ahead, change." His voice was calm but loaded.

Heat charred my face. "You pervert!" I slapped his arm. "You want me to change in front of you? What are you, an eighty-year-old man with no sex life?"

"Oh? Nervous, baby?" He tilted his head, his tone suddenly challenging.

I pulled my arm out of his grip, heated by my ego. I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "Matter of fact, you're the one who isn't going to be able to take it if I change here, lover boy."

"Oh, I will." He nodded, folding his hands at his chest and sizing me up like something he was waiting to devour.

I shook my head, disbelievingly. My body throbbed nervously. The room suddenly felt smaller. And I felt stupid. And I'd have backed out only if he hadn't put it forward in a challenging way. He shouldn't have done that. Now, I was responsible for the Kang bloodline's ability to be a slut and ruin your boyfriend.

"Sure. Don't blush like a little boy, okay?" I sweetly smiled, pulling the buttons of my top open.

His eyes went round. I saw his jaw shift and a winning smirk rose on my lips. He was a goner. What did he even think challenging the great Haerin?

I shook my head again, heart thumping. The room felt smaller, hotter. My fingers trembled slightly as I reached for the buttons of my blouse. God, why am I doing this? But the challenge in his gaze dared me forward. I wasn't backing down. Not now.

With a deliberate slowness, I started undoing my buttons, letting the fabric peel away from my shoulders. I kept my eyes locked on his, giving him a smirk that said, Try to resist me. My pulse raced as I felt him tense, that quiet growl threatening to escape.

"Careful, Kang Haerin. It's a thin wire." He warned, his voice clearly restrained from the heat.

I wanted to jump and kick my feet and tell him I won, but I couldn't do that. Not when my breasts were being choked by this bra. So I smirked at him, victoriously.

"And? What are you even going to do about it?"

That was it.

He jumped out of the chair, making me gasp and shrink. But I was too late. He had already grabbed my neck and pushed his mouth into mine. The taste of sweet pancakes spun in my head as his hand fumbled with the cup of my bra, clenching my breast.

I thought I heard someone keying the door. And I tried to pull back but the bastard hadn't heard anything. He scooped up my breast and tried to suck on it at the same time that a weak voice poured through the hallway.

"Jungkook? Are you home, child?"

We froze. My heart thumped in my throat.

Pink Gyarados alert!

Fuck. I had to move. Quickly.