TE Ch 25

Hongju was in much the same state as he was at the gambling house. The stifling atmosphere where he couldn’t comfortably take a sip of water was identical.

“That’s why I tagged along.”

Was it Koo Bbing? Was he trying to pawn him off again in place of money? What if Boss Mookyeong agreed? The chill of early morning settled on the back of his neck.

“As long as there are no loose ends, it’s fine.”

The flow of conversation was erratic. It didn’t seem to be Koo Bbing. Hongju focused all his attention on the low rumble of his voice.

Mookyeong leaned against the island bar and gulped down the bottled water. His head tilted back, his Adam’s apple bobbing. Even as he continued talking, his gaze remained fixed on Hongju. He swallowed his dry thirst, enduring the intensity of Mookyeong’s stare.

“Right. There’s more to find if you keep digging.”

Hongju watched his wet lips move, then quickly averted his gaze. As he stared blankly at the scars on Mookyeong’s toned body, Mookyeong glanced down at himself.

“Ah, is this what you’re curious about?”

He wasn’t sure if Mookyeong was speaking to him or to the person on the phone. As Hongju stood there silently, Mookyeong abruptly hung up. He could still hear the other person talking, but Mookyeong tossed the phone carelessly onto the sofa. He ran a hand through his dry hair and walked towards Hongju.

“Is this what you were staring at so intently?”

The tips of their shoes nearly touched. Hongju froze, clutching his robe tightly. Mookyeong looked down at the frightened Hongju with amusement and roughly grabbed his thin wrist.

“W-Why?”

Mookyeong pulled his hand and placed it on his side. His cold, white fingertips brushed against the raised, reddish scar tissue. He wanted to pull away, but the window blocked his retreat.

“What do you know from just looking? You have to touch it to know.”

“No, I’m not curious, so let go of my hand…”

The more he twisted his wrist, the more his fingers traced the prominent scar. Mookyeong licked his lips and let out a hot breath, perhaps at the sensation of being touched.

“I told you, your eyes give you away.”

Despite having nowhere to retreat to, Hongju continued to back away until his heels bumped against the cold glass of the window. His damp hair stuck to the glass, leaving a wet mark.

“Who keeps staring while denying it?”

His captured hand trembled, but the fierce grip didn’t loosen. Even when still, Mookyeong had a heavy presence. Now, with the strange pressure he exuded, Hongju’s bare, white feet fidgeted nervously on the cold floor.

“Are you taking stock, seeing if I’m an easy mark?”

“No, I wasn’t thinking that.”

He shook his head so hard that the hair plastered to the window became a tangled mess. Mookyeong’s gaze briefly lingered on his hair before moving away. He let go of Hongju’s wrist and placed both hands on the window, his large frame casting a shadow over Hongju.

“I can’t trust a gambler’s words.”

His large physique loomed before him, and Hongju felt a heavy sense of oppression. The atmosphere had shifted again. He tried to escape, but despite his struggles, he was trapped.

“I, I don’t…”

He was about to say, “I don’t gamble,” but he stopped himself. He had just been sitting at the gambling table, holding cards only a few hours ago. Such an excuse wouldn’t work. Hongju’s chapped lips parted and closed soundlessly.

“We’re supposed to be in the same boat. Shouldn’t there be more trust between us?”

“…..”

“How can we build trust? Between you, the collateral, and me?”

Calling Hongju collateral, Mookyeong’s hand touched the collar of his robe, pulling it open slightly before withdrawing.

“Should I ask Madam Koo?”

Trapped between his large frame, his arms blocking any escape, and his persistent gaze, Hongju knew exactly what he had to do to get out of this situation.

“…..”

He had thought Mookyeong might be better than Koo Bbing. But they were the same—aroused by another man, caring only about money. He took a breath and bit hard on the inside of his cheek.

“…Huu.”

Letting out a small sigh, he tried to convince himself. This might be better than what Koo Bbing did. Even the aroused Koo Bbing didn’t ask for more than this, so Mookyeong probably wouldn’t either. Most people weren’t comfortable with same-sex relations and would feel repulsed by it. If he just let him cum once, it would probably be over.

He rationalized endlessly and slowly bent his knees. Mookyeong slammed his hand against the window.

“What are you doing with that mouth that’s been sucking someone else’s dick?”

Hongju straightened awkwardly, trying to gauge what Mookyeong wanted. His mouth, or his hand? His hand trembled slightly as he reached between the folds of the towel. This time, there was no reprimand, so he must have done the right thing. Hongju tightly bit his lower lip. He could taste a hint of blood from the wound.

“…..”

His fingertips touched something hot and hard. Though hidden by the towel, the cock he grasped was heavy. When Hongju tentatively applied pressure, he could feel the distinct veins beneath his palm. It was firm at first, but as he stroked it, it began to swell.

“Huu.”

A low, deep sigh echoed above him. He couldn’t cover his right ear since his hand was occupied. His hand moved faster, his thumb pressing and rubbing the slit at the tip as he stroked downwards. The soft towel beneath his hand rustled roughly.

“Ah.”

The towel seemed about to come loose, revealing the dark red glans beneath. His palm, gripping the glans, felt damp. As the moisture coated his hand, Hongju loosened his grip and squeezed his eyes shut.

“Don’t lose your grip.”

A cold command. The sudden voice made Hongju flinch. Mookyeong roughly grabbed the back of his head and tilted it back.

“Is it because this isn’t what you’re used to?”

He swallowed with difficulty, his head tilted back, his Adam’s apple bobbing noticeably. Hongju let out a shaky breath and resumed stroking him, applying pressure, his thumb tracing the thick veins, and pressing down on the wet glans. He did everything he could to stimulate him.

“…..”

When he looked up, he saw Mookyeong frowning slightly. He was getting aroused by his touch. The sight of Mookyeong’s face flushed with pleasure, no different from Koo Bbing, made his stomach churn. He bit down hard on his lower lip, tasting the metallic tang of blood.

“Why are you slowing down?”

“Ugh!”

His head was jerked back roughly. The force was so strong that the back of his head hit the window with a thud. Hongju quickly stroked the hot, firm flesh. Mookyeong’s downward gaze swept over Hongju’s wrist, the open front of his robe, and his exposed neck before finally settling on his tightly closed, trembling eyelashes.

“Ha.”

Watching Hongju trembling, Mookyeong chuckled. But the warmth stimulating his glans quickly erased the amusement. His fingers curled as if crushing the window, and his hand moved from Hongju’s hair to his slender neck. The grip tightened, leaving a reddish mark on his skin.

“Ahh…”

Mookyeong let out a short, sticky moan. He bucked his hips forward slightly and came. The towel darkened with his release, and something sticky dripped onto Hongju’s hand.

“Huu.”

His chest heaving, he caught his breath. Then he suddenly pulled open Hongju’s robe. His cool gaze settled on the thinness between his legs. Hongju frantically reached out to stop him, but he couldn’t push away his firmly planted hand.

“…You came, so we’re done.”

“Ha.”

Looking up at him with an expression close to disgust, Mookyeong let out a dry laugh. He had brought himself to orgasm with his hand, but Koo Hongju wasn’t even hard. Instead, he just glared back at him, his face devoid of any lust. It was absurd, yet it strangely fueled a possessiveness within him. A spark ignited in Mookyeong’s dark eyes. He quickly lowered his head, their noses bumping against each other.

“…..”

Hongju clenched his wet hand tightly. Semen oozed from between his curled fingers. He was so close that all he could see was the corner of Mookyeong’s eye. Every hot breath he exhaled ghosted over his lips.

“It’s only fair if I make you cum too.”

He only had one good ear, yet his low voice and the sticky sensation of his lips brushing against his skin were crystal clear. Then, he felt the slick, wet touch of a tongue licking his lips. Hongju’s breath hitched.

“…..”

The soft pressure on his cracked lip felt more hot than painful. The wide tip of his tongue pushed against his lower lip, pressing it this way and that. Mookyeong, his hand firmly on Hongju’s neck, slowly licked his wound several more times. Hongju couldn’t even blink, overwhelmed by the unfamiliar sensation.

“Haha.”

Looking down at him with lowered eyes, Mookyeong finally chuckled. As he slowly straightened up, a large shadow fell over Hongju once more.

“Ugh!”

The hand on his neck moved to roughly grab his hair. Hongju’s lips, slick with saliva and blood, trembled. He felt like his eyes were shining intensely, even with the light behind him. Mookyeong abruptly pulled him closer.

Hongju tumbled onto the sofa. His robe fell open, revealing his thighs. Before he could calm his racing heart, he frantically reached back, his hand grasping for the robe. His hand, covered in semen, was instantly caught. Startled, Hongju’s eyes met Mookyeong’s.

“There’s something that’s been bothering me. You keep looking at me the same way you look at Madam Koo.”

He knelt on the sofa, a crooked smile playing on his lips, sending a chill down Hongju’s spine.