I'm not in the mood

The next morning arrived with a slight throbbing at the back of my skull that mocked me for having one too many glasses of wine.

Still, as I rode the elevator up to the twentieth floor, I didn't regret the hangover as much as I should have. My choices were either too much alcohol or a whirl with my vibrating dildo and I was damned if I'd have a battery-provided orgasm starring Mr Dangerous.

Not that he'd know or even care that he made me so horny, I couldn't see straight. I'd know and I didn't want to give him the fantasy of satisfaction. I dropped my stuff in the bottom drawer of my desk and when I saw that Hobi wasn't in yet, I grabbed a cup of hot chocolate and returned to my cubicle to catch up on my new favourite ad-biz blogs.

"Taehyung!" I jumped when he appeared beside me, his grin a flash of white against his smooth skin.

"Good morning, Hobi."

"Is it ever? You're my lucky charm, I think. Come into my office. Bring your tablet. Can you work late tonight?"

I followed him over, catching on to his excitement. "Sure."

"I'd hoped you'd say that." He sank into his chair.

I took the one I'd sat in the day before and quickly opened a notepad program.

"So," he began, "we've received an RFP for Kingsman Vodka and they mentioned me by name. The first time that's ever happened."

"Congratulations!"

"I appreciate that, but let's save them for when we've landed the account. We'll still have to bid if we get past the request for proposal stage, and they want to meet with me tomorrow evening."

"Wow. Is that timeline usual?"

"No. Usually, they'd wait until we had the RFP finished before meeting with us, but the Jeon Group of Companies (JGC) recently acquired Kingsman together with dozens of subsidiaries. That's good business if we can get it. They know it and they're making us jump through hoops, the first of which is meeting with me."

"Usually there would be a team, right?"

"Yes, we will announce it in a group. , now want to review me...but to be fair, the RFP gives far more information than it asks for in return, it's as good as a briefing so it's not overly demanding and You can't blame me for being meticulous. It's comparable to JGC's course of treatment." He stroked the tense Karl with his hand, revealing the pressure he felt.

"What do you think of Kingsman vodka?"

"Uh... Well... Honestly, I've never heard of it." Hobi fell back in his chair and laughed. "Thank fvck! I thought I was the only one. Well, the plus side is there's no bad press to get over. No news can be good news."

"What can I do to help? Besides researching vodka and staying late?"

His lips pursed a moment as he thought about it. "Write this down..."

We worked straight through lunch and long after the office had emptied, it was a little after seven when Hobi's mobile phone rang, startling me with its abrupt intrusion into the quiet. Hobi activated the speaker and kept working.

"Hey, baby."

"Have you fed that poor boy yet?" demanded a warm masculine voice over the line.

Glancing at me through his glass office wall, Hobi said, "Ah...I forgot."

I looked away quickly, biting my lower lip to hide my smile. A snort came clearly across the line. "Only two days on the job, and you're already overworking him and starving him to death. He's going to quit."

"Shit. You're right. Yoongi, honey..."

"Don't 'Yoongi, honey' me. Does he like Chinese food?" I gave Hobi the thumbs-up, and he grinned. "Yes, he does."

"All right. I'll be there in twenty. Let security know I'm coming."

Almost exactly 20 minutes later, I called Min Yoongi from the waiting room door. He was wearing dark jeans, scuffed boots, and a nicely pressed button-down shirt. With mint hair and dark, steely eyes, he was as handsome as his partner. The three of us sat around Hobi's desk, kung pao his chicken and broccoli his beef on paper plates, added a little white rice and dug in with chopsticks.

I learned that Yoongi is a music producer and that he and Hobi have been a couple since college. I felt awe and envy as I watched them interact. Their relationship was so beautiful and functional that it was a pleasure to spend time with them.

"Damn, Taehyung," Yoongi said with a whistle, as I went for a third helping. "You can put it away. Where does it go?"

I shrugged. "To the gym with me. Maybe that helps...?"

"Don't mind him," Hoseok said, grinning, "Yoongi's just jealous. He can't eat that much."

"Hell." Yoongi shot his partner a look. "I might have to take him out to lunch with the crew. I could win money betting on how much he can eat."

I smiled. "That could be fun."

"Ha. I knew you had a bit of a wild streak. It's in your smile."

Looking down at my food, I refused to let my mind wander into memories of just how wild I'd been in my rebellious, self-destructive phase. Hobi saved me. "Don't harass my assistant. And what do you know about wild men anyway?"

"I know some of them like hanging out, they like my perspective." His gummy grin flashed.

This was news to Hobi, from the twitching of his lips. They were secure enough in their relationship to find the whole exchange amusing.

"Oh?"

"How'd that work out for you?" I asked bravely.

Yoongi shrugged. "I don't want to say it's overrated, 'cause I'm the wrong demographic and I had a very limited sampling, but I can do without."

I thought it was very telling that Yoongi could relate his story in terms Hobi worked with. They shared their careers and listened, even though their chosen fields were miles apart.

"Considering your present living arrangement," Hobi said to him, catching up a stem of broccoli with his chopsticks, "I'd say that's a very good thing."

By the time we finished eating, it was eight and the cleaning crew had arrived. Hobi insisted on calling me a cab.

"Should I come in early tomorrow?" I asked.

Yoongi bumped shoulders with Hobi. "You must've done something good in a past life to score this one."

"I think putting up with you in this life qualifies," Hobi said dryly.

"Hey," Yoongi protested, "I'm housebroken. I put the toilet seat down." Hobi shot me an exasperated look that was warm with affection for his partner. "And that's helpful how?"

Hobi and I scrambled all day, to get ready for his four o'clock with the team from Kingsman. We grabbed an information-packed lunch with the two creatives who would be participating in the pitch when it got to that point in the process, then we went over the notes on Kingsman's web presence and existing social media outreach.

I got a little nervous when three-thirty rolled around because I knew traffic would be a bitch, but Hobi kept working after I pointed out the time. It was a quarter to four before he bounded out of his office with a broad smile, still shrugging into his jacket.

"Join me, Taehyung!"

I blinked up at him from my desk. "Really?"

"Hey, you worked hard on helping me prep. Don't you want to see how it goes?"

"Yes."

I pushed to my feet. Knowing my appearance would be a reflection on my boss, I smoothed my pants and straightened the cuffs of my long-sleeved silk blouse. By a random twist of fate, my crimson pants perfectly matched Hobi's tie.

"Thank you."

We headed out to the elevators and I was briefly startled when the car went up instead of down. When we reached the top floor, the waiting area we stepped into was considerably larger and more ornate than the one on the twentieth. Hanging baskets of ferns and lilies fragranced the air and a smoky glass security entrance was sandblasted with JGC in a bold, masculine font.

We were buzzed in and then asked to wait a moment. Both of us declined an offer of water or coffee, and less than five minutes after we arrived, we were directed to a closed conference room.

Hobi looked at me with twinkling eyes as the receptionist reached for the door handle.

"Ready?"

I smiled. "Ready!"

The door opened and I was gestured in first. I made sure to smile brightly as I stepped inside... my smile froze on my face at the sight of the man rising to his feet at my entrance. My abrupt stop bottlenecked the threshold and Hobi ran into my back, sending me stumbling forward.

Mr Dangerous caught me by the waist, hauling me off my feet and directly into his chest.

The air left my lungs in a rush, followed immediately by every bit of common sense I possessed. Even though the layers of clothing between us, his biceps were like stone beneath my palms, his stomach a hard slab of muscle against my own. When he sucked in a sharp breath, my nipples tightened, stimulated by the expansion of his chest.

'Oh no. I was cursed. A rapid-fire series of images flashed through my mind, showcasing a thousand ways I could stumble, fall, trip, skid, or crash in front of the sex god over the days, weeks, and months ahead.'

"Hello again," he murmured, the vibration of his voice making me ache all over. "Always a pleasure running into you, Taehyung."

I flushed with embarrassment and desire, unable to find the will to push away despite the two other people in the room with him. It didn't help that his attention was solely on me, his hard body radiating that arresting impression of power demand.

"Mr Jeon," Hobi said behind me. "Sorry about the entrance."

"Don't be. It was a memorable one."

I wobbled when Mr Dangerous set me down, my knees weakened from the full-body contact. He has dressed in black again, with both his shirt and tie in a soft grey. As always, he looked too good.

'What would it be like to be that amazing looking? There was no way he could go anywhere without causing a disturbance.'

Reaching out, Hobi steadied me and eased me back gently. Mr Dangerous' gaze stayed focused on Hobi's hand at my elbow until I was released.

"Right. Okay then." Hobi pulled himself together. "This is my assistant, Kim Taehyung."

"We've met." Mr Dangerous pulled out the chair next to his. "Taehyung."

I looked to Hobi for guidance, still recovering from the moments I'd spent plastered against the sexual superconductor in a Fioravante suit. Mr Jeon leaned closer and ordered quietly, "Sit, Taehyung."

Hobi gave a brief nod, but I was already lowering into the chair at Mr Jeon's command, my body obeying instinctively before my mind caught up and objected.

I tried not to fidget for the next hour as Hobi was grilled by Mr Jeon and the two Kingsman directors, both of whom were attractive people in elegant pantsuits. The one in raspberry was especially enthusiastic about garnering Jeon's attention, while the one in cream focused intently on my boss. All three seemed impressed by Hobi's ability to articulate how the agency's work - and his facilitation of it with the client created provable value for the client's brand.

I admired how cool Hobi remained under pressure - the pressure exerted by Mr Dangerous, who easily dominated the meeting.

"Well done, Mr Jung," Jeon praised lightly as they wrapped things up. "I look forward to going over the RFP when the time comes. What would entice you to try Kingsman, Taehyung?"

Startled, I blinked. "Excuse me?"

The intensity of his gaze was searing. I felt like his full attention was on me. It only increased my respect for Hobi, who had to work for an hour under the weight of his gaze, his chair perpendicular to the length of the table and facing me squarely. I was. His right arm rested on a smooth wooden surface and his long, graceful fingers stroked it rhythmically.

I caught a glimpse of his wrist at the end of his cuff and for some crazy reason, the sight of that small expanse of fair skin with its light dusting of dark black hair made my cock throb for attention. He was just so... male.

"Which of Mr Jung's suggested concepts do you prefer?" he asked again.

"I think they're all brilliant."

His beautiful face was impassive when he said, "I'll clear the room to get your honest opinion if that's what it takes."

My fingers curled around the ends of my chair's armrests. "I just gave you my honest opinion, Mr Jeon, but if you must know, I think sexy luxury on a budget will appeal to the largest demographic. But I lack—"

"I agree." Mr Dangerous stood and buttoned his jacket.

"You have a direction, Mr Jung. We'll revisit next week."

I sat for a moment, stunned by the breakneck pace of events. Then I looked at Hobi, who seemed to be wavering between astonished joy and bewilderment. Rising to my feet, I led the way to the door. I was hyper-aware of Mr Dangerous walking beside me. The way he moved, with animal grace was a major turn-on. I couldn't imagine him not fucking well and being aggressive about it, taking what he wanted in a way that made anyone wild to give it to him.

Mr Jeon stayed with me at the bank of elevators. He said a few things to Hobi about sports, I think, but I was too focused on the way I was reacting to him to care about the small talk. When the car arrived, I breathed a sigh of relief and hastily stepped forward with Hobi.

"A moment, Taehyung," Mr Jeon said smoothly, holding me back with a hand at my elbow. "He'll be right down," he told Hobi, as the elevator doors closed on my boss's astonished face.

Mr Dangerous said nothing until the elevator car was on its way down, then he pushed the call button again and asked, "Are you sleeping with anyone?"

The question was asked so casually it took a second to process what he'd said. I inhaled sharply. "Why is that any business of yours?"

He looked at me and I saw what I'd seen the first time we'd met—tremendous power and steely control. Both of which had me taking an involuntary step back. Again. At least I didn't fall this time; I was making progress.

"Because I want to fvck you, Taehyung. I need to know what's standing in my way if anything."

The sudden ache between my thighs had me reaching for the wall to maintain my balance. He reached out to steady me, but I held him at bay with an uplifted hand.

"Maybe I'm just not interested, Mr Jeon."

A ghost of a smile touched his lips and made him impossibly more handsome. 'Dear God...'

The ding that signalled the approaching elevator made me jump, I was strung so tight. I'd never been so aroused. Never been so scorchingly attracted to another human being.

Never been so offended by a person I lusted after. I stepped into the elevator and faced him.

He smiled. "Until next time, Taehyung."

The doors closed and I sagged into the brass handrail, trying to regain my bearings. I'd barely pulled myself together when the doors opened and revealed Hobi pacing in the waiting area on our floor.

"Fudge, Taehyung," Hobi muttered, coming to an abrupt halt. "What the hell was that?"

"I have no freakin' clue."

I exhaled in a rush, wishing I could share the confusing, irritating exchange I'd had with Mr Jeon, but well aware that my boss wasn't the appropriate outlet.

"Who cares? You know he's going to give you the account."

A grin chased away his frown. "I'm thinking he might."

"As my roommate always says, you should celebrate. Should I make dinner reservations for you and Yoongi?"

"Why not? JungsikDang at seven, if they can squeeze us in. If not, surprise us."

We'd barely returned to Hobi's office when he was pounced on by the executives - Park Seojoon, the CEO and president, and Park Hyung Sik and Jung Dawon, the executive chairman and vice-chairman.

I skirted the four of them as quietly as possible and slid into my cubicle. I called JungsikDang and begged for a table for two. After some serious grovelling and pleading, the hostess finally caved. I left a message on Hobi's voice mail, "It's your lucky day.

You're booked for dinner at seven. Have fun!" Then I clocked out, eager to get home.

"He said what?" Jimin sat on the opposite end of our white sectional sofa and shook his head.

"I know, right?" I enjoyed another sip of my wine. It was a crisp and nicely chilled sauvignon blanc I'd picked up on the walk home. "That was my reaction, too. I'm still not sure I didn't hallucinate the conversation while overdosing on his pheromones."

"So?"

I tucked my legs beneath me on the couch and leaned into the corner. "So.. what?"

"You know what, Taehyung." Grabbing his iPad off the coffee table, Jimin propped it on his crossed legs. "Are you going to tap that or what?"

"I don't even know him. I don't even know his first name and he threw that curveball at me."

"He knew yours." He started typing on his keyboard. "And what about the thing with the vodka? Asking for your boss in particular?" The hand I was running through my loose hair stilled.

"Hobi is very talented. If Mr Jeon has any sort of business sense at all, he'd pick up on that and exploit it."

"I'd say he knows the business." Jimin spun his iPad around and showed me the home page of

JGC boasted an awesome photo of the Obsidian building. "That's his building, Taehyung. Jeon Jungkook owns it."

'Damn it.' My eyes closed. 'Jeon Jungkook. I thought the name suited him. It was as sexy and elegantly masculine as the man himself.'

"He has people to handle marketing for his subsidiaries. Probably dozens of people to handle it."

"Stop talking, Minnie"

"He's hot, rich and wants to bang you like there's no tomorrow. What's the problem?"

I looked at him. "It's going to be awkward running into him all the time. I'm hoping to hang on to my job for a long while. I like it. I like Hobi. He's involved me in the process and I've learned so much from him already."

"Remember what Dr Joonie says about calculated risks? When your shrink tells you to take some, you should take some. You can deal with it. You and Jungkook are both adults." He turned his attention back to his Internet search.

"Wow. Did you know he doesn't turn thirty for another year? Think of the stamina."

"Think of the rudeness. I'm offended by how he just threw it out there. I hate feeling like a fvcking hole with legs."

Jimin paused and looked up at me, his eyes softening with sympathy. "I'm sorry, baby boy. You're so strong, so much stronger than I am. I just don't see you carrying around the baggage I do."

"I don't think I am, most of the time." I looked away because I didn't want to talk about what we'd been through in our pasts.

"It's not like I wanted him to ask me out on a date. But there has to be a better way to tell a man you want to take him to bed."

"You're right. He's an arrogant douche. Let him lust after you until he has blackballs. Serves him right."

That made me smile. Jimin could always do that. "I doubt that man has ever had blackballs in his life, but it's a fun fantasy."

He shut his iPad with a decisive snap. "What should we do tonight?"

"I was thinking I'd like to go check out that Krav Maga studio in Seocho-dong."

I'd done a little research after meeting Mingyu during my workout at the nearby gym and as the week passed, the thought of having that kind of raw, physical outlet for stress seemed more and more ideal.

I knew it wouldn't be anything close to banging the hell out of Jeon Jungkook, but I suspected it would be a lot less dangerous to my health.

"There's no way your mom and Kyung-bae are going to let you come out here at night multiple times a week," Jimin said, hugging his stylish denim jacket around him even though it wasn't more than slightly chilly.

The converted warehouse Kim Mingyu used as his studio was a brick-faced building in a formerly industrial area of Seocho-dong presently struggling to revitalize. The space was vast, and the massive metal delivery bay doors offered no exterior clue as to what was taking place inside.

Jimin and I sat in aluminium bleachers, watching a half-dozen combatants on the mats below.

"Ouch." I winced in sympathy as a guy took a kick to the groin. Even with padding, that had to sting. "How's Kyung-bae going to find out, Minnie?"

"Because you'll be in the hospital?" He glanced at me.

"Seriously. Krav Maga is brutal. They're just sparring and it's full contact. And even if the bruises don't give you away, your stepdad will find out somehow. He always does."

"Because of my mom, she tells him everything. But I'm not telling her about this."

"Why not?"

"She won't understand. She'll think I want to protect myself because of what happened, and she'll feel guilty and give me grief about it. She won't believe my main interest is exercise and stress relief."

I propped my chin on my palm and watched Mingyu take the floor with a woman. He was a good instructor. Patient and thorough, and he explained things in an easy-to-understand way.

His studio was in a rough neighbourhood, but I thought it suited what he was teaching. It didn't get more "reality-based" than a big, empty warehouse.

"That Mingyu guy is hot," Jimin murmured.

"He's also wearing a wedding band."

"I noticed. The good ones always get snatched up quickly."

Mingyu joined us after the class was over, his dark eyes bright and his smile brighter. "What'd ya think, Taehyung?"

"Where do I sign up?" His sexy smile made Jimin reach over and squeeze the blood out of my hand.

"Step this way."

Friday started awesomely. Hobi walked me through the process of collecting information for an RFP, and he told me a little more about JGC and Jeon Jungkook, pointing out that Hobi and Jungkook were the same age.

"I have to remind myself of that," Hobi said. "It's easy to forget he's so young when he's right in front of you."

"Yes," I agreed, secretly disappointed that I wouldn't see Mr Savagely Beautiful for the next two days. As much as I told myself it didn't matter, I was bummed. I hadn't realized I'd been excited by the possibility that we might run into each other until that possibility was gone. It was just such a rush being near him.

Plus he was a hell of a lot of fun to look at. I had nothing nearly as exciting planned for the weekend. I was taking notes in Hobi's office when I heard my desk phone ringing. Excusing myself, I rushed over to catch it. "Jung Hoseok's office-"

"Taehyung, love. How are you?" I sank into my chair at the sound of my stepfather's voice.

Kyung-bae always sounded like old money to me—cultured, entitled, and arrogant.

"Kyung-bae. Is everything okay? Is Mom all right?"

"Yes. Everything's fine. Your mother is wonderful, as always."

His tone softened when he spoke of his wife and I was grateful for that. I was grateful to him for a lot of things actually, but it was sometimes hard to balance that against my feelings of disloyalty. I knew my dad was self-conscious about the massive differences in their income brackets.

"Good," I said, relieved. "I'm glad. Did you and Mom receive my thank-you note for both our tuxedos?"

"Yes, and it was thoughtful of you, but you know we don't expect you to thank us for such things.

Excuse me a moment." He spoke to someone, most likely his secretary.

"Taehyung, love, I'd like us to get together for lunch today. I'll send Jackson around to collect you."

"Today? But we'll be seeing each other tomorrow night. Can't it wait until then?"

"No, it should be today."

"But I only get an hour for lunch."

A tap on my shoulder turned me around to find Hobi standing by my cubicle.

"Take two," he whispered. "You earned it."

I sighed and mouthed a thank you. "Will noon work, Kyung-bae?"

"Perfectly. I look forward to seeing you."

I had no reason to look forward to private meetings with my stepfather, but, I dutifully left just before noon and found a town car waiting for me, idling at the curb. Jackson, Kyung-bae's driver and bodyguard opened the door for me as I greeted him.

Then he slid behind the wheel and drove me downtown. By twenty after the hour, I was sitting at a conference table in Kyung-bae's offices, eyeing a beautifully catered lunch for two.

He came in shortly after my arrival, looking dapper and distinguished. His hair was pure white, his face lined but still very handsome. His eyes were the colour of worn black denim, and they were sharp with intelligence. He was trim and athletic, taking the time out of his busy days to stay fit even before he'd married his trophy wife - my mom.

I stood as he approached, and he bent to kiss my cheek. "You look lovely, Taehyung."

"Thank you." I looked like my mom, who was also a previous Ms Korea. But my light brown eyes came from my dad.

Taking a chair at the head of the table, Kyung-bae was aware that the requisite backdrop of the Seoul skyline was behind him and he took advantage of its expressiveness.

"Eat," he said, with the command so easily wielded by all men of power.

'Men like Jeon Jungkook. Had Kyung-bae been as driven at Jungkook's age?'

I picked up my fork and started in on a chicken, cranberry, walnut, and feta salad. It was delicious, and I was hungry. I was glad Kyung-bae didn't start talking right away so I could enjoy the meal, but the reprieve didn't last long.

"Taehyung, love, I wanted to discuss your interest in Krav Maga."

I froze. "Excuse me?"

He took a sip of iced water and leaned back, his jaw taking on the rigidity that warned me I wouldn't like what he was about to say.

"Your mother was quite distraught last night when you went to that studio in Seocho-dong. It took some time to calm her down and to assure her that I could make arrangements for you to pursue your interests cautiously. She doesn't want—"

"Wait." I set my fork down carefully, my appetite gone. "How did she know where I was?"

"She tracked your cell phone."

"No way," I breathed, deflating into my seat. The casualness of his reply, as if it was the most natural thing in the world, made me feel ill. My stomach churned, suddenly more interested in rejecting my lunch than digesting it.

"That's why she insisted I use one of your company phones. It had nothing to do with saving me money."

"Of course, that was part of it. But it also gives her peace of mind."

"Peace of mind? To spy on her grown son? It's not healthy, Kyung-bae. You've got to see that. Is she still seeing Dr Kim?"

He had the grace to look uncomfortable. "Yes, of course."

"Is she telling him what she's doing?"

"I don't know," he said stiffly. "That's Myung-hee's private business. I don't interfere."

'No, he didn't. He coddled her. Indulged her. Spoiled her. And allowed her obsession with my safety to run wild.'

"She has to let it go. I've let it go."

"You were an innocent, Taehyung. She feels guilty for not protecting you. We need to give her a little latitude."

"Latitude? She's a stalker!" My mind spun. How could my mom invade my privacy like that? Why would she? She was driving herself crazy, and I along with her.

"This has to stop."

"It's an easy fix. I've already spoken with Jackson. He'll drive you when you need to venture into Seocho-dong. Everything's been arranged. This will be much more convenient for you."

"Don't try to twist this around to being for my benefit." My eyes stung and my throat burned with unshed tears of frustration. I hated the way he talked about it like it was a third-world country.

"I'm a grown man. I make my own decisions. It's the goddamn law!"

"Don't take that tone with me, Taehyung. I'm simply looking after your mother. And you."

I pushed back from the table. "You're enabling her. You're keeping her sick, and you're making me sick, too."

"Sit down. You need to eat. Myung-hee worries that you're not eating healthy enough."

"She worries about everything, Kyung-bae. That's the problem." I dropped my napkin on the table. "I have to get back to work."

I turned away, striding toward the door to get out as quickly as possible. I retrieved my small bag from Kyung-bae's secretary and left my cell phone on the desk.

Jackson, who had been waiting for me in the reception area, followed me, and I knew better than to try and blow him off. He didn't take orders from anyone but Kyung-bae.

Jackson drove me back up to midtown, while I stewed in the backseat. I could bitch all I wanted, but in the end, I wasn't any better than Kyung-bae because I was going to give in. I was going to cave and let my mom have her way because it hurt my heart to think of her suffering any more than she already did.

Myung-hee was so emotional and fragile, and she loved me to the point of being crazy about it.

My mood was still dark when I got back to the Obsidian.

As Jackson pulled away from the curb, I stood on the crowded sidewalk and looked up and down the busy street for either a drugstore where I could get some chocolate or a mobile phone shop where I could pick up a new phone.

I ended up walking around the block and buying a half-dozen candy bars at a Chocolate Tree Sinchon on the corner before heading back to the Obsidian.

I'd been gone just about an hour, but I wasn't going to use the extra time Hobi had given me. I needed work to distract me from my crazy-assed family. As I caught an empty elevator car, I ripped open a bar and bit viciously into it.

I was making strides toward filling my self-imposed chocolate quota before I hit the twentieth floor when the car stopped on the seventh floor. I appreciated the added time the stop gave me to enjoy the comfort of dark chocolate and caramel melting over my tongue.

The doors slid apart and revealed Jeon Jungkook talking with two other gentlemen. As usual, I lost my breath at the sight of him, which reignited my fading irritation.

'Why did he have that effect on me? When was I going to become immune to his hotness?'

He glanced over and his lips curved into a slow, heart-stopping smile when he saw me.

'Great. Just my crappy luck. I'd become some kind of challenge.'

Jungkook's smile faded into a frown. "We'll finish this later," he murmured to his companions without looking away from me. Stepping into the car, he lifted a hand to discourage them from following him. They blinked in surprise, glancing at me, then Jungkook and then back again.

I tried stepping out, deciding it would be safer for my sanity to take a different car up. "Not so fast, Taehyung." Mr Dangerous caught me by the elbow and tugged me back. The doors shut and the elevator glided smoothly into motion.

"What are you doing?" I snapped. After dealing with Kyung-bae, the last thing I needed was another domineering male trying to push me around.

Jungkook caught me by the upper arms and searched my face with that vivid black gaze. "Something's wrong. What is it?"

The now-familiar electricity crackled to life between us, the pull made fiercer by my temper.

"You."

"Me?"

His thumbs stroked over my shoulders, and he withdrew a lone key from his pocket and plugged it into the panel. All the lights cleared except for the one on the top floor. He wore black again, with fine grey pinstripes. Seeing him from the back was a revelation.

His shoulders were nicely broad without being bulky, emphasizing his lean waist and long legs. The silky strands of hair falling over his collar tempted me to clench them and pull. Hard. I wanted him as pissy as I was. I wanted a fight.

"I'm not in the mood for you now, Mr Jeon."

He watched the floor indicator above the doors passing floors. "I can get you in the mood."

"I'm not interested."

Jungkook glanced over his shoulder at me. His shirt and tie were both the same awesome cerulean as his irises. The effect was striking. "No lies, Taehyung. Ever."

"That's not a lie. So what if I'm attracted to you? I expect most people are."

Wrapping up what was left of my chocolate, I shoved it back into the shopping bag I'd tucked into my pocket. I didn't need chocolate when I was sharing air with Jeon Jungkook. "But I'm not interested in doing anything about it."

He faced me then, turning in a leisurely pivot, that ghost of a smile softening his sinful mouth. His ease and unconcern aggravated me further.

"Attraction is too tame a word for" he gestured at the space between us "this."

"Call me crazy, but I have to like someone before I get naked and sweaty with them."

"Not crazy," he said. "But I don't have the time or the inclination to date."

"That makes two of us. Glad we got that cleared up."

He stepped closer, his hand lifting to my face. I forced myself not to move away or give him the satisfaction of seeing me intimidated.

His thumb brushed over the corner of my mouth then lifted to his own. He sucked on the pad and purred, "Chocolate and you. Delicious."

As the hair at the back of my nape stood up, a shiver moved through me, followed by a heated ache between my legs as I imagined licking chocolate off his lethally sexy body.

His gaze darkened and his voice lowered intimately. "Romance isn't in my repertoire, Taehyung. But a thousand ways to make you come are. Let me show you."

The elevator car slowed to a halt. He withdrew the key from the panel and the doors opened. I backed into the corner and shooed him out with a flick of my wrist.

"I'm not interested."

"We'll discuss."

Jungkook caught me by the elbow and gently, but insistently, urged me out.

I went along as I liked the charge I got from being around him and because I was curious to see what he had to say when afforded more than a few minutes of my time.