Hana stirred awake the next morning, lashes fluttering as sunlight slipped through the curtains. A warm breath fanned across her face, startling her heart into a quick, sharp jolt. She blinked fully awake—and froze.
Kai's face was right there. So close their noses nearly brushed.
Her breath caught in her throat. He looked unfairly perfect, even in sleep. His lashes framed shadows on his cheeks, his lips parted just slightly, the kind of softness that made her chest ache. How could someone look so devastatingly gentle, so disarmingly beautiful, without even trying?
Her heart thudded painfully, a whisper of temptation urging her to lean in… just a little… to close the distance and steal the kiss she'd imagined a hundred times.
But fear shackled her. Fear that he would never forgive her. Fear that to him, she was nothing more than Jihoon's little sister—the little girl who would never grow into someone he could want. The thought burned. And yet, maybe that was the only reason he let her lie this close at all.
Still, her face drifted closer, lips curving with a nervous, dangerous smile.
Then his eyes flickered open.
Hana froze, wide-eyed, as his nose brushed against hers and he whispered, voice rough with sleep,
"Good morning."
Her heart stopped. Why now? Why of all moments did he have to wake up?
Kai's gaze locked with hers, his own pulse stuttering. For the briefest second, he could've sworn she'd been about to kiss him. The idea thrilled him. It cut him. No. Don't be ridiculous. Hana only sees me as an older brother. Nothing more. The thought lodged like a bruise in his chest.
"You're awake?" His voice was quiet, searching.
She gave the smallest nod, pulling back just enough to breathe. Even his morning breath smells nice, she realized with horror, heat flooding her face.
"I've actually been awake for a while," Kai murmured, "but you wouldn't let me go."
Her brows pinched in confusion.
He tilted his chin toward her arms and legs—tangled tightly around him like vines.
Hana gasped, her jaw falling open. She hadn't even realized she was clutching him so desperately. Color scorched her cheeks. "I—I didn't know!" she stammered, scrambling to release him, bolting upright.
Kai followed, rising with her, leaning in just enough to tower over her. His voice dropped low, gentle.
"I don't mind you holding onto me. You got cold and came into my arms. I couldn't turn the AC down."
She ducked her head, mortified. "It's my fault. I said I wasn't cold before I fell asleep."
"It's alright." His eyes lingered on her face—too long, too tender—before he cleared his throat. "Your friend called a few times. I answered. She's on her way here now."
"Oh." Hana blinked, still too dazed to process. "Okay."
Kai slipped into his slippers and disappeared into the bathroom.
Hana sagged back against the mattress, clutching her chest to cage its frantic beating. She hadn't meant to notice, but she had. And now, the image burned hot in her mind.
Kai's morning arousal.
Her whole body flushed crimson.