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The Space Between Hearts
Chapter 14 🔞

Chapter 14 🔞

Ji-Won wiggled his toes, delighting in the feeling of the cool sand slipping between them as if he were playing a game of tug-of-war with the waves that lapped at the shore. Each time the water touched his feet, it sent a small shiver up his spine, a playful dance between him and the sea. Youn-Jae, meanwhile, sat back in a lounge chair near the shore, engrossed in a book, the faint sounds of pages turning blending with the rhythmic crashing of the waves.

“Sir, why don’t you come enjoy the sea with me?” Ji-Won called, his voice carrying the playful energy of the beach as he glanced over his shoulder.

Youn-Jae barely lowered his book, just enough to shoot Ji-Won a smirk before returning to the words on the page, his posture relaxed and seemingly indifferent.

Ji-Won pouted, sticking out his lower lip in mock displeasure. “Why come all the way here just to sit and read?” he muttered, more to himself, turning back toward the waves. His feet sank deeper into the wet sand as he stared out at the endless expanse of water, the horizon stretching infinitely before him. The sight stirred something inside him, a familiar ache. His mind wandered, unbidden, to memories of his Hyung—the promise they had made, years ago, to visit the beach together.

A wistful expression softened Ji-Won’s features, the ocean now feeling like a distant, unreachable expanse, much like the growing distance between him and his Hyung. “Can I ever reach you, Hyung?” The thought weighed heavily on him, pulling him into a quiet reverie. Without realizing it, his feet moved forward, inching toward the deeper water, his hands gently swaying with the rhythm of the waves, as if pulled by an invisible force.

The cold water crept higher up his legs when suddenly, a strong hand gripped his wrist, yanking him back sharply. Ji-Won gasped, startled, and turned to find Youn-Jae standing behind him, his face a mask of tension, his eyes blazing with an intensity that made Ji-Won’s heart stutter.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Youn-Jae’s voice was harsh, edged with both anger and concern. “Do you even know how to swim?”

Ji-Won blinked, taken aback by the sudden shift in Youn-Jae’s tone. “No, Sir,” he admitted quietly, his voice soft in the face of Youn-Jae’s fury. “This is… my first time at the beach.”

Youn-Jae’s expression darkened, his grip on Ji-Won’s wrist tightening almost painfully. Without another word, he pulled Ji-Won back toward the shore, his steps quick and forceful. Ji-Won winced, the pressure on his wrist almost unbearable, but he didn’t resist. He could feel the heat of Youn-Jae’s anger radiating off him in waves as they moved through the sand, but beneath that, there was something else—something that resembled fear.

When they reached the dry sand, Youn-Jae abruptly released Ji-Won’s wrist, shoving him back slightly as he struggled to regain control of his emotions. “Are you out of your mind?” Youn-Jae snapped, his voice sharper than the wind cutting across the shore. “What if you had gotten caught in the waves? What were you thinking?”

Ji-Won stood there, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he caught his breath. Despite the reprimand, he found himself smiling softly, his eyes filled with warmth and sincerity. “I’m sorry, Sir,” he said gently, his voice calm, almost soothing.

Youn-Jae’s anger wavered, his brow furrowing as Ji-Won’s gentle smile disarmed him. It was as if that small, unguarded gesture had pierced right through the thick walls Youn-Jae had so carefully constructed. He swallowed, the intensity of his emotions catching him off guard. With a frustrated sigh, he ran a hand through his hair, turning away to hide the vulnerability flickering across his face.

“Just… don’t be reckless like that again,” Youn-Jae muttered under his breath, his voice losing its earlier sharpness. He shoved his hands into his pockets and began walking back toward the villa without waiting for a response.

Ji-Won watched Youn-Jae’s retreating figure, his heart pounding with a strange mix of emotions. Youn-Jae’s mood had shifted so suddenly, the anger giving way to something softer, something Ji-Won couldn’t quite name. He stood there for a moment, gazing after him, unsure of how to feel. Then, without a word, Ji-Won followed, trailing a few steps behind. His thoughts swirled in confusion and curiosity as he tried to make sense of Youn-Jae—the man who remained distant, yet seemed, at times, unbearably close.

"Should I let the waves carry me closer to you, though I cannot deny the pull of another, a familiar melody my heart has chased for years? If I find him, I know I’ll hold him tight, never to let him slip away."

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"But if that moment comes, am I truly ready to face the cost—to choose one, and lose the other forever?"

“Sir, wait!” Ji-Won called out, his voice catching in his throat.

Youn-Jae glanced over his shoulder, his expression unreadable as he replied, “Hurry up, I’m starving.” His words were laced with impatience, but there was something softer underneath, as if he was trying to mask his own unsettled feelings. He turned back, heading toward the terrace without waiting for a response.

As they stepped onto the terrace, Ji-Won felt the chill of the air against his wet clothes, sending a shiver through his body. He wrapped his arms around himself, trying to fight the cold, but his teeth chattered. Youn-Jae, noticing Ji-Won’s discomfort, paused and let out a heavy sigh. Without a word, he grabbed Ji-Won's wrist again, but this time, the touch was gentle and firm, not rough like before. He pulled Ji-Won quickly toward the stairs, the water from their soaked clothes dripping onto the floor, creating a trail that led all the way to Youn-Jae’s room.

“I can wash myself in my room, Sir,” Ji-Won protested softly, still shivering.

“What’s the point? We’ve already seen each other naked,” Youn-Jae said dismissively as he shrugged off his top and tossed it aside. He turned to the bathroom, his movements quick and unbothered. “Hurry up, if you don’t get those wet clothes off, you’ll catch a cold.”

Ji-Won hesitated but followed Youn-Jae into the bathroom. Both of them climbed into the bathtub, now filled with warm water. Ji-Won sat facing Youn-Jae, knees drawn up and arms wrapped tightly around them, trying to shield his bare body beneath the water. The warmth started to seep into his skin, but the tension on Ji-Won remained thick in the air.

Without warning, Youn-Jae reached out and grabbed Ji-Won’s feet, pulling him closer. Ji-Won slid toward him, his hands scrambling to find a grip on the edge of the tub as he tried to maintain some distance. His heart pounded in his chest, a mix of anxiety and something else he couldn’t quite name.

“Come closer,” Youn-Jae murmured, his voice softer, almost affectionate as he turned Ji-Won around. “I’ll rub your back.”

“No, Sir… that’s really too much,” Ji-Won whispered, a mix of reluctance and uncertainty in his tone.

“It’s fine,” Youn-Jae insisted, his touch light yet firm. “Why are you so tense? I’m just helping you clean.”

Ji-Won was taken aback by Youn-Jae's sudden gentleness. It was as if the roughness from him had vanished, replaced by a tenderness that caught Ji-Won off guard. Slowly, he turned back around to face Youn-Jae, his defenses lowering. Emboldened by the unexpected kindness, Ji-Won leaned in and lifted his body slightly to meet Youn-Jae’s gaze before pressing a soft kiss to his lips.

Youn-Jae didn’t seem surprised; instead, a smirk played on his lips as he deepened the kiss, his hands gripping Ji-Won’s shoulders, strong and possessive. Ji-Won felt the firmness of Youn-Jae’s touch, a reminder that escape wasn’t an option—not that he wanted to. Ji-Won surrendered to the kiss, the warmth of the water mingling with the heat of the moment, unsure whether to hold on or let go, but knowing one thing: he didn’t want it to end.

Youn-Jae's hands roamed over Ji-Won’s chest, pressing firmly Ji-Won’s nipples as their lips intertwined in a heated kiss. The intensity between them grew, their breaths mingling and hearts racing. Youn-Jae's lips trailed down Ji-Won's neck, leaving a trail of kisses before biting gently, drawing a sharp gasp from Ji-Won.

"It’s amazing to hear you couldn’t stop moaning “Youn-Jae teased with a low, affectionate tone, savoring every sound Ji-Won made.

Ji-Won straddled Youn-Jae, his body responding to every touch, every movement. He felt Youn-Jae's arousal press against him, and his breath hitched.

“Sir, you’re…” Ji-Won managed to gasp out, his voice thick with tension and need.

“I know,” Youn-Jae replied, a smirk playing on his lips. He shifted Ji-Won slightly, guiding him into a rhythm that sent shivers down Ji-Won’s spine. Ji-Won moaned, his head falling back as his body moved instinctively, every sensation magnified by their closeness. The pleasure was overwhelming, building with each deliberate movement as Ji-Won’s back arched, head leaning against the cool edge of the tub.

Youn-Jae pulled Ji-Won closer, lifting him effortlessly and carrying him under the warm spray of the shower. The water cascaded over them, mingling with their heated breaths. Ji-Won leaned back against the cold tiles, his body shivering slightly from both the temperature and the intensity of their actions. Youn-Jae lifted one of Ji-Won’s legs, positioning it carefully.

“Here,” Youn-Jae said, his voice firm but caring, guiding Ji-Won’s arm around his shoulders. “Hold on, so you don’t lose your balance.”

Ji-Won nodded, gripping onto Youn-Jae’s shoulder for support. His fingers dug into Youn-Jae’s neck, holding on as waves of pleasure and intensity crashed over him. The warm water from the shower pounded down on them, adding to the sensory overload.

“Turn around,” Youn-Jae commanded softly but urgently, his voice edged with a mix of desire and concern. Ji-Won obeyed, placing his hands against the cool shower wall for balance. His legs were trembling, the exertion leaving him breathless, but Youn-Jae's presence kept him grounded. He leaned in close, pressing his forehead against the back of Ji-Won’s neck, his breath hot against Ji-Won's damp skin as they moved together.

Ji-Won's body shuddered with every motion, his breaths coming out in ragged gasps. He could feel the strain in his muscles, the exhaustion creeping in, but he didn’t want it to end. Youn-Jae’s grip tightened slightly, steadying Ji-Won as he continued, both of them lost in the intensity of the moment, unwilling to let go.

The story doesn't end here......