Chapter 33: Is It Love?

The moment Qi Huai finished speaking, Yoon Nam-hyuk roughly kneaded the area below his belt, earning a muffled groan from him.

Yoon Nam-hyuk’s voice was icy, his dark eyes filled with a jealousy he hadn’t yet realized. “Do you have any idea what you drank, or where this room is?”

He unbuttoned Qi Huai’s shirt, one by one, venting his frustration, gritting his teeth in resentment. “If it wasn’t me today, do you know what would have happened to you? Even if you love to play around, couldn’t you have at least reported to Assistant Yoo before coming out? Or does your clever brain turn into seaweed soup whenever it comes to Baek Soo-kyung? You go wherever he goes. Even after being drugged and tied up, the first thing you ask about when you wake up is him! Did he ask about you? Can he save you?”

“…I didn’t expect him to save me. I know he can’t do anything,” Qi Huai said truthfully. With Kim Min-kyung’s background and Heaven’s security, Baek Soo-kyung had no power to resist.

This only made Yoon Nam-hyuk angrier. “Ha, you’re so devoted.”

Qi Huai was helpless. “Why are we talking about this again? There’s really nothing between us. When will you believe me?”

Yoon Nam-hyuk pressed his lips together, saying nothing, and went to unbuckle Qi Huai’s belt. His caresses and kneading had long surpassed ordinary flirtation. Qi Huai clenched his jaw, his body temperature rising rapidly, a faint Alpha scent emanating from him.

“Yoon Nam-hyuk,” Qi Huai said, his voice restrained, enunciating each word. “Don’t. Provoke. Me.”

Yoon Nam-hyuk sneered at his words, poking Qi Huai’s blindfold with his fingertip, his tone vicious. “Hey—what’s wrong with provoking you? What can you do to me? You said you don’t like Baek Soo-kyung, right? So you just like to hang out at nightclubs? Since you love to play, then let’s play all you want today.”

He ripped off Qi Huai’s belt and threw it on the floor, his fingertips circling, teasing, kneading, listening to Qi Huai’s gasps and groans, completely unaware that he was wildly stimulating the other’s nerves. “You love to touch, don’t you? Touch yourself for me. If I’m satisfied, I’ll let you go. How about it?”

Truly vile and unreasonable.

Qi Huai laughed in anger. “You’re really… haha.”

Yoon Nam-hyuk glared. “What are you laughing at? I—Ah!”

The nylon rope fell to the floor. Qi Huai, who had long since freed himself from the restraints, flipped over and pinned him down, landing a sharp slap on Yoon Nam-hyuk’s bottom. “What’s with the attitude?”

The slap was loud.

Incredibly loud.

Yoon Nam-hyuk let out a shuddering cry.

It hurt, but it also felt good.

He was pressed into the soft, fluffy duvet, bearing the full weight of Qi Huai’s body. Their bodies were perfectly aligned, the sensations of softness, hardness, and temperature distinct. Yoon Nam-hyuk almost thought Qi Huai would embed himself into his body, like a spear.

“Why aren’t you talking? What’s with the attitude? Getting angry at the drop of a hat. Do I owe you something?” Qi Huai, still not satisfied, followed the first slap with another. Yoon Nam-hyuk’s bottom was slapped repeatedly. He wanted to struggle and resist, but after a few slaps, his waist went soft. The curses on the tip of his tongue turned into moans and low cries.

Qi Huai didn’t remove his blindfold.

He couldn’t see, but he could hear.

The other’s melodious moans were music to his ears. Qi Huai liked the sound, but he was afraid of hurting Yoon Nam-hyuk if he hit him too much, so he switched to tearing at his suit jacket.

Yoon Nam-hyuk’s eyes widened. “What are you doing!”

Qi Huai’s lips curled into a wicked smile. “Didn’t you want to play with me? May the best man win.”

He grabbed Yoon Nam-hyuk’s wrists, pinned them to the bed, tore open his shirt collar, and his full, sensual lips found the other’s shoulder, then moved to the back of his neck, and bit down hard!

“Ah!”

Yoon Nam-hyuk shuddered from the bite.

Yoon Nam-hyuk had no glands, and Qi Huai, with his Alpha traits suppressed, had no pheromones. This bite was just to relieve his frustration, but it did the most to soothe his violent urges.

The pain from being spanked hadn’t faded, and now a new pain shot through his neck. Yoon Nam-hyuk buried half his face in the duvet, his face flushed, panting uncontrollably, his legs clamped tightly together, rubbing against each other, until Qi Huai’s hand slipped inside his clothes—

Yoon Nam-hyuk’s low pants turned into a different key.

Those hands were so wicked, exploring every inch of his upper body, then zeroing in on the most sensitive, embarrassing places to pinch and knead. He trembled like a leaf in the wind, his skin growing hotter, a fine sweat breaking out all over his body, his skin so slick it seemed to suck at Qi Huai’s hands.

He was so stimulated he wanted to cry.

Yoon Nam-hyuk hooked the corner of the duvet into his mouth with his tongue and bit down.

His body was unique. Although he often felt overwhelming sexual desire, it was difficult for him to find release, and it often came to nothing.

The few accidental times in his life had taught him that his climax was more intense than others’, accompanied by continuous body tremors and a detachment from reality that was utterly humiliating.

And the most intense experience had been given to him by Qi Huai, who had made him surrender completely in just a few minutes… it was also the most humiliating.

But he found it captivating.

Not just this, but the man himself. For no reason, he found him captivating, addictive, maddening.

Their clothes were disheveled, at most bare-chested. Qi Huai forcefully pinned Yoon Nam-hyuk down, biting the back of his neck, his body growing heavier and heavier.

Yoon Nam-hyuk responded subtly, trying to hide, to restrain himself, but unconsciously rubbing back.

This is bad.

Qi Huai thought.

This response was like an invitation for the big bad wolf to come into the house, making him want to immediately lose all reason and rush in.

—But he couldn’t.

But he’s so pliant.

So pliant it makes me want to kiss him.

Qi Huai licked his lips, fumbled to slide his index finger into Yoon Nam-hyuk’s mouth, pulled out the corner of the duvet, and swirled it around his hot, slick tongue.

“Mmm…”

Saliva dribbled from the corner of his mouth. Yoon Nam-hyuk let out a low hum, a mix of desire and pleading. As the finger went deeper into his mouth, Yoon Nam-hyuk swallowed and whimpered. Qi Huai’s breathing quickened, his temples throbbing. He suddenly pulled his hand back, gripped Yoon Nam-hyuk’s waist, and, his lips pressed into a thin line, thrust hard.

They were two fully clothed people, yet they were creating an atmosphere as explosive as a wildfire. Blindfolded, Qi Huai relied entirely on his senses, tilting his head back and panting. Yoon Nam-hyuk’s eyes were glazed over, his moans broken. He felt like his whole body was on fire, about to be consumed by the flames.

The extraordinary stimulation made Yoon Nam-hyuk come instantly, his body trembling continuously, his mind in a daze. This trembling was incredibly pleasurable for Qi Huai. He ripped off his blindfold and stared fiercely at Yoon Nam-hyuk, like a ravenous wolf no longer willing to suppress its appetite.

But the sight before him suddenly stunned him.

Yoon Nam-hyuk, kneeling on the bed in a state of disarray, had a back covered in a crisscross of scars. Most of them were old, well-healed. He hadn’t noticed them when he was touching him, but seeing them with his own eyes, they were obvious.

What happened?

Did he do this to himself?

Qi Huai’s pause also brought Yoon Nam-hyuk back to his senses, but the tingling and trembling in his body continued. They both gasped for air, Qi Huai half-kneeling on the bed, covered in sweat, Yoon Nam-hyuk flushed and limp in the duvet. They stared at each other in the suddenly stalled, heated atmosphere.

The drug still hadn’t worn off, and its effects were getting stronger. Qi Huai stared at Yoon Nam-hyuk for a long moment with eyes red from desire, then got up and went into the bathroom.

Yoon Nam-hyuk closed his eyes.

It was a long while before he let out a long breath, not knowing if it was out of regret or relief.

He lay on the bed, listening to the sound of running water from the bathroom and Qi Huai’s occasional low pants and groans. The wet, slick lining of his pants filled him with an indescribable feeling.

It’s this guy again.

Making him embarrassed, flustered, lose all control.

The sounds from the bathroom were like a custom-made poison for Yoon Nam-hyuk. He turned his back to the bathroom, clamped his long legs together, and bit his lower lip to stop himself from making the same sounds as the man in the bathroom, while doing the same thing.

A long time later.

Qi Huai emerged from the bathroom, dripping wet.

The warm shower had steamed his bare upper body to a sexy shade of pink, the red marks from Yoon Nam-hyuk’s pinches still visible. Was he satisfied? To be honest, no. But clearly, this wasn’t the time to indulge in such things.

He threw on his shirt. His still-damp skin was semi-transparent through the white fabric, outlining his strong physique. Yoon Nam-hyuk averted his eyes, clutching a pillow tightly to his chest to cover his mess.

“Finished washing up?” Yoon Nam-hyuk asked flatly.

Qi Huai rubbed his throbbing temples. “Sorry… I lost my mind just now.”

“It’s not your fault,” Yoon Nam-hyuk said, looking down.

Qi Huai wasn’t to blame; they both knew that. The drug had been administered by Kim Min-kyung’s people, but Yoon Nam-hyuk had tacitly allowed it. He knew Qi Huai was uncomfortable and yet he had still provoked him. He deserved it… and perhaps he had even been looking forward to it.

Who knew?

His mind was a tangled mess.

Qi Huai’s mind was also a mess.

The Yoon Nam-hyuk before him had already put his shirt back on, his handsome face composed, without a trace of dishevelment. But the numerous scars on his back bothered him for some reason. That wasn’t a place Yoon Nam-hyuk could have reached himself.

Was it an ex-lover?

Or some other messed-up person?

Qi Huai’s mood suddenly soured, his deep eyes darkening. But just before he could ask, Yoon Nam-hyuk suddenly said, “Since you’re done washing up, you can go back.”

Qi Huai was stunned.

Yoon Nam-hyuk: “Turn right when you go out. There’s an elevator. There are bodyguards at the door. Tell them I told you to leave. The code is 0159.”

Qi Huai stood still. “Are you angry?”

“I’m not,” Yoon Nam-hyuk said.

Qi Huai had nothing more to say. He wasn’t used to a silent Yoon Nam-hyuk. Where had the foul-mouthed, easily angered, and vile chaebol gone?

“You’re not leaving? I’ll walk you out,” Qi Huai asked.

There were some things he wanted to figure out—both the scars and the root cause of their mutual loss of control.

“No need,” Yoon Nam-hyuk said, turning his head to avoid Qi Huai’s almost tangible gaze, the tips of his ears so red they looked like they were about to bleed. “Assistant Yoo will pick me up later. You ruined my clothes; I need to change.”

“Oh…”

Qi Huai stood for a moment longer, then left.

He kept looking back as he went.

Sitting on the bed, Yoon Nam-hyuk listened intently to his footsteps until he was truly gone, then he pursed his lips and sighed.

If someone appeared, he thought, who could so easily make me lose my mind, who could stir my emotions and desires, what does that mean? Is it love?

But me, right now…

Am I worthy of love?

---

Qi Huai took a taxi home.

On the way, he repeatedly fiddled with his phone, wondering if he should call Yoon Nam-hyuk.

Regardless of how things had started, he had indeed been disrespectful to Yoon Nam-hyuk. Damn Alpha genes—aggressive, belligerent, impulsive, and finding pleasure in it all. He enjoyed the sensations, the moans, the expression of the person beneath him lost in desire, even looked forward to tasting their tears and the fluid after their release.

But the ordinary human part of his genes made him very concerned about Yoon Nam-hyuk’s feelings.

He wanted to know if he was okay now, if he was very angry. He hoped they could talk about it, instead of this evasive attitude of not talking about it at all.

I blame myself for not thinking more just now. Maybe I shouldn’t have left, Qi Huai sighed. I should have cleared things up. A fight would have been fine too.

The taxi stopped at an intersection. It was around midnight, but since it was a weekend, there were still plenty of pedestrians and cars on the road. Qi Huai walked slowly up the stairs, his mind replaying the image of the scars on Yoon Nam-hyuk’s back, only to find Baek Soo-kyung squatting at his front door.

Qi Huai was stunned. “What are you doing here?”

Baek Soo-kyung looked up, surprised and pleased. “Qi…”

But the moment he saw Qi Huai, he swallowed the rest of his words.

Qi Huai had showered.

His hair was unusually fluffy, not like the slightly styled look he had before they went out drinking. It was obvious he had just washed it. His clothes were messy and almost unkempt, his shirt collar even wrinkled.

What just happened? Was Qi Huai…

Baek Soo-kyung’s mind was in turmoil. Qi Huai was completely unaware and uninterested. He had successfully prevented the first encounter between Baek Soo-kyung and Kim Min-kyung, and that was enough. As for why Baek Soo-kyung was squatting here, Qi Huai had his guesses, but he didn’t think it was important.

He opened the door and gave Baek Soo-kyung a polite smile. “Come in. It’s cold outside. Want something hot to drink?”

Baek Soo-kyung was embarrassed and flustered. He observed Qi Huai’s expression as he said, “No need, Qi Huai hyung… The police said you left the nightclub, but you weren’t answering your phone. I didn’t know where you would go, so I thought you might come home and came to check. As long as you’re okay, I’ll be going now.”

Qi Huai was slightly surprised. “You called the police?”

Baek Soo-kyung nodded, his eyes red. “Mmm, because you said you weren’t feeling well, Qi Huai hyung, and then you suddenly disappeared. Even though they all said it was fine, I was still very worried, so…”

Qi Huai nodded, gratified, feeling like he was watching a crooked sapling gradually straighten up. His voice softened. “The people at the nightclub did use a sedative, but it wasn’t very strong. I escaped when the guards were careless. Thank you for calling the police. You shouldn’t go to places like that anymore either. It’s very unsafe. Not only is it not good for getting roles and resources, but if you’re blackmailed with a video, it could also affect your career.”

Baek Soo-kyung nodded eagerly.

Qi Huai didn’t blame him, and he felt much better. He was also still shaken. If he had been the one who was drugged, he wasn’t as tall or as strong as Qi Huai, and he might have even missed the chance to ask for help because he reacted too slowly. He probably wouldn’t have been able to escape.

Thank God it wasn’t me.

Baek Soo-kyung felt both guilty and a little relieved. Plus, Qi Huai was clearly distracted at the moment. After a few polite words, Baek Soo-kyung decided to leave.

For Baek Soo-kyung’s safety, Qi Huai specifically called a taxi for him, lest the protagonist shou, who was 600 million won in debt, get the sudden urge to walk home or have Park Seok-jin pick him up. That would probably give Qi Huai a heart attack tonight.

After seeing Baek Soo-kyung off, Qi Huai collapsed onto his bed, exhausted. The image of Yoon Nam-hyuk’s face, consumed by desire, filled his mind. He pressed a hand to his aching heart.

Is it love?

Qi Huai asked himself.