◎ Let’s throw caution to the wind and kiss until the end of time.◎

There was no gradual buildup, no careful testing of the waters. It was passionate and intense, free from any practiced techniques or calculated moves. At this moment, nothing mattered more than the sheer chemistry between us. It was as if I was born to be wrapped in his embrace, as if his arms were destined to hold me close.

The heat between us flared wildly in the confined space of the car. Just when I felt like I was running out of breath, he drew back just enough to let me breathe before pulling me right back into his warmth.

More than once, I could feel an undeniable reaction against me—an uncontrollable, physical response—but he didn’t push for more. He remained completely focused on kissing me.

The restraint in such an overheated atmosphere was almost torturous. He had me suspended in an unbearable state of longing, forcing me to wrestle with whether I should pull away or encourage him further.

In the end, the kiss remained just that—a kiss. The lingering hunger was, perhaps, the most beautiful part of it.

X rested his forehead against my shoulder, panting heavily.

I melted into the sound of his ragged breathing, my heart pounding so hard it felt like it was trying to escape my chest. Not wanting to be outdone, I seized the moment, pretending to be composed as I asked, “How did it feel?”

X lifted a hand to cradle the back of my head, pressing me back into his embrace. He let out a low, breathy chuckle. “Like I finally came back to life.”

I understood him perfectly. Or maybe he just understood me, because I felt the same way. Since Monday, it was as if I had been holding my breath, and now, oxygen was finally rushing back into my lungs. My heart felt full, light, euphoric—just from a kiss so perfect it made me feel weightless.

Burrowing deeper into the crook of his neck, I murmured, “This is unfair. I really love the way you smell.”

I had heard that the body was honest—when you liked someone, you would naturally be drawn to their scent. I could feel every molecule in my bloodstream being activated by his presence.

X paused, caught off guard. “The body wash?”

“No, not just the body wash. It’s…” I instinctively leaned in, inhaling deeply. “I don’t even know how to describe it. It’s like a drug that numbs my senses.”

I kept nosing against him, taking in his scent like an addict. Then, when I tilted my head up, I caught him looking down at me…

Pretending to be on guard, I grabbed his collar and demanded, “What are you laughing at?”

X leaned back slightly, a teasing smile still playing on his lips. “Will you be mad if I tell the truth?”

I crossed my arms. “Yes! So just say something nice instead. It doesn’t have to be the truth.”

With a gesture of surrender, he finally admitted, “You just looked like a little puppy just now. It was adorable.”

Surprisingly, I wasn’t the least bit offended. I loved puppies. I loved cats too. I loved anything fluffy. How nice it would be to become a small, happy animal in front of the person I liked.

I was suddenly grateful that we were in the car and not a more private, spacious place like a hotel room. Otherwise, I wasn’t sure if I could control myself.

It was too fast. Everything was happening too fast. I needed to slow things down myself. I didn’t want this heart-racing moment to turn into something rushed or disposable. A meal this exquisite deserved to be savored, bite by bite.

Lifting my head from his embrace, I playfully nudged his chin with my nose, grinning as I said, “No matter how sweet you talk, I’m not inviting you upstairs tonight.”

X’s ears immediately flushed red. He averted his gaze. “I wasn’t thinking that.”

“You better not be.”

I huffed out a laugh, pretending not to question whether or not he was telling the truth.

“Really, I wasn’t. This—just like this—is already perfect.”

His breathing had steadied, allowing him to turn back to me. His gaze was so focused, so intense, like he was trying to take in every inch of me. How had I not already melted?

“Alright, alright.” I exaggerated my voice, even throwing in a cutesy Taiwanese accent. “Doesn’t matter what you were thinking, my coworker is home, so it’s not convenient.”

Ugh, why was my face heating up too? I didn’t even dare to touch it, not wanting to confirm that it had turned red as a tomato.

I must have started fidgeting because X noticed. He brushed his chin against my hair, murmuring, “What’s wrong?”

“I’m embarrassed.” I buried my face into his chest, but my voice was anything but timid. “Being admired up close by such beautiful eyes—how could I not be embarrassed?”

I don’t know when, but he cupped my face in his hands and, taking advantage of my dazed state, placed a soft peck on the corner of my lips.

“Ah!” I gasped, covering my mouth in mock protest. “You’re playing dirty. That was a sneak attack.”

“Mm, yes. Is that not allowed?” He played along perfectly, pulling my hands down and holding them tightly in his grasp.

That pure and innocent kiss effortlessly drained all my strength. I slumped against his chest, letting him kiss me again and again, each time with increasing pressure, his breath growing heavier.

At this point, I couldn’t tell who had taken the initiative first. My arms instinctively wrapped around his neck once more. Just like this, let’s stay like this tonight. Let the world fade away as we kiss without care, as if time itself no longer exists.