The moment their lips parted, Seo-Jun felt his breath falter.

The world should have snapped back into focus.

It didn’t.

Nikolai’s face was still too close. His ocean-blue eyes, darkened by something unreadable, stayed locked onto Seo-Jun’s.

Seo-Jun’s pulse hammered.

He should pull away. He should say something.

But he didn’t.

Instead, he stared at Nikolai’s lips—already swollen from their kiss.

His own lips tingled.

As if waiting for more.

Nikolai’s hand slid through Seo-Jun’s wet hair, his fingertips lingering against his scalp.

“Still nervous, Teach?”

Seo-Jun swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. “I—I don’t…”

Nikolai smirked, his voice dropping lower.

“I’ll take that as a no.”

And then he kissed him again.

This time, Seo-Jun didn’t hesitate.

Their bodies pressed closer, the water sloshing around them as Nikolai’s arms wrapped around his waist, pulling him in.

Seo-Jun’s fingers curled into Nikolai’s bare shoulders, holding on.

His heart pounded against his ribs, drowning in the way Nikolai’s lips moved—hot, demanding, relentless.

It wasn’t just a kiss.

It was a claiming.

Seo-Jun gasped when Nikolai nipped at his lower lip, teasing him open.

A soft sound—a noise he didn’t recognize as his own—slipped past his lips.

The heat between them ignited.

And then—Seo-Jun’s back hit the cold tile.

Nikolai had pressed him against the pool’s edge, trapping him between the hard surface and his own body.

Seo-Jun let out a shaky breath.

“…We should stop,” he whispered.

But he didn’t move.

Nikolai’s thumb brushed against his jaw, tilting his chin up.

“Then tell me to stop.”

Seo-Jun opened his mouth—

But no words came out.

And Nikolai kissed him again.

They barely made it through the penthouse door.

The moment it clicked shut, Nikolai pinned Seo-Jun against it, crashing their lips together.

Seo-Jun’s back arched, his body reacting faster than his mind.

Nikolai’s hands were everywhere—his fingers trailing down Seo-Jun’s sides, gripping his waist, sliding under his damp shirt.

Seo-Jun’s breath hitched when cool fingertips brushed against his bare skin.

Nikolai pulled back slightly, his lips barely inches away, his voice teasing.

“You’re trembling, Teach.”

Seo-Jun’s fingers fisted in Nikolai’s shirt, his voice shaky. “Shut up.”

Nikolai chuckled against his mouth.

“Make me.”

Seo-Jun did.

He grabbed the front of Nikolai’s shirt, yanking him in, kissing him harder than before.

Nikolai let out a low groan, gripping Seo-Jun’s hips, lifting him slightly off the ground.

Seo-Jun gasped as his legs instinctively wrapped around Nikolai’s waist.

Nikolai’s hands tightened, supporting him effortlessly as he carried him toward the bed.

The moment Seo-Jun’s back hit the mattress, Nikolai hovered above him, his gaze burning.

Seo-Jun tried to catch his breath, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

Nikolai traced his thumb over Seo-Jun’s swollen lips, smirking.

“You look wrecked already.”

Seo-Jun gasped when Nikolai’s lips trailed lower—

His jawline. His collarbone. The dip of his throat.

Seo-Jun’s fingers tangled in Nikolai’s hair, gripping tightly as his mouth explored his skin.

Every touch, every kiss, sent heat flooding through his veins.

Seo-Jun’s mind was spinning.

His breath was uneven, his body burning with every touch.

Nikolai’s hands were firm, exploring his body with teasing strokes.

Seo-Jun let out a soft moan when Nikolai’s fingers skimmed under the waistband of his sweatpants.

His hips instinctively jerked up, seeking more.

And then—Nikolai stopped.

He pulled back slightly, his breath ragged, his pupils blown wide.

Seo-Jun felt the loss immediately—his body craving Nikolai’s warmth.

But Nikolai just smirked, his voice husky.

“Not tonight, Teach.”

Seo-Jun blinked, still dazed. “…What?”

Nikolai kissed him one last time—slow, deep, intoxicating.

Then, he leaned in, whispering against his ear.

“If I take you now, you won’t be able to walk tomorrow.”

Seo-Jun went completely still.

His face turned bright red.

Nikolai chuckled, amused as he pulled away, falling onto the bed beside him.

Seo-Jun buried his face in the pillow.

“…I hate you.”

For a while, neither of them spoke.

Seo-Jun’s heart was still pounding.

He could feel Nikolai’s warmth beside him, their breaths still uneven.

“…What does this mean?” Seo-Jun finally whispered.

Nikolai’s voice was quiet.

“Nothing.”

Seo-Jun’s stomach twisted.

He turned his head slightly, studying Nikolai’s face.

His expression was unreadable.

Seo-Jun’s chest tightened.

“…You’re lying.”

Nikolai didn’t answer.

Instead, he reached over, brushing Seo-Jun’s damp hair out of his face.

“Go to sleep, Teach.”

Seo-Jun wanted to say something more.

But he didn’t.

Instead, he turned away—pretending not to notice how cold it felt when Nikolai finally let go.

A long silence stretched between them.

Then—

Nikolai sighed, stretching his arms above his head.

“We’re both wet,” he muttered. “No way in hell I’m sleeping like this.”

Seo-Jun blinked, finally turning to face him.

Nikolai’s lips curved into something lazy, something unreadable.

“…The jacuzzi in the suite has a view of the city,” he mused, tilting his head toward the bathroom. “Might as well make use of it.”

Seo-Jun’s breath caught.

He swallowed hard, his fingers tightening in the sheets.

Nikolai stood up, running a hand through his damp hair before heading toward the bathroom.

He didn’t look back when he said, “Coming, Teach?”

Seo-Jun hesitated, his heart hammering.

He exhaled slowly.

Then—he followed.