A quiet moment settled between them as Katherine rubbed her arms, realizing her brother’s shirt was useless against the growing chill. She shivered as the cool air brushed against her skin, and she glanced upstairs, a sudden realization hitting her: her clothes were still in the washer.

  “Kimi, I need to check on my laundry,” she said, meeting his steady gaze. “Do you want to wait here or call it a night?”

  Kimi took a slow breath, savoring the faint citrus scent of her freshly showered skin. A pinch of reluctance to leave made him ask, “Can I come with?”

  Her lips curved into a playful smirk. She rose and held out her hand. “Sure! Follow me.”

  Kimi’s pulse quickened, his usually guarded demeanor cracking just enough to let a smile slip through. Their fingers intertwined, the touch sending a jolt through him as if something monumental had just shifted between them.

  Silence greeted them as they entered the laundry room, confirming that the wash cycle was done. Katherine popped open the lid, moving the damp clothes to the dryer. She hit start, and the machine’s noisy hum filled the space. She turned on her heel, only to find herself almost colliding with a human wall. She stepped back but found herself pressed against the dryer.

  “Sorry,” she stammered, the sound of the dryer swallowing her words. “It’s loud in here. Let’s bounce.”

  He nodded, his hand finding hers as they slipped out, the dryer’s thrum fading behind the closed door.

  In the hallway, Kimi closed the distance between them, his towering frame pinning her gently against the wall. The warmth radiating from him felt both comforting and slightly intimidating. His gaze, intense and unyielding, locked onto hers.

  “Katherine,” he whispered, his voice smooth like velvet, “are you not afraid of me?”

  She blinked. “Why would I be?”

  His mind spun. She was pinned, yet she didn’t flinch. Emboldened, he leaned in closer still, his breath brushing her cheek. “I know we just met,” he began, his voice low, magnetic, “but today at the hospital, I felt a strong emotional connection with you. It didn’t leave me, not even after I got home. That’s why I texted you. I wanted to be back here with you.”

  Katherine’s heart picked up speed. What is he saying?

  Kimi’s gaze remained transfixed on her as he continued, “When you came downstairs like this, it confirmed that I’m also physically attracted to you. Other than with my sister, this is the first time I’ve ever held a girl’s hand…” he raised their entwined hands for emphasis.

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

  “I’ve never done such things before, but here I am... I want to pursue you, to be with you. Exclusively.”

  Katherine froze, his confession hitting her like a thunderbolt. Love? Romance? Those were concepts for other women, not her—not in a world where office romance was forbidden, and certainly not in a world where she was always one-upping her male peers.

  Yet here was Kimi, expressing feelings she hadn’t expected, sentiments she hadn’t thought anyone would ever say to her.

  She bit her lip, crossing her free arm as if to shield herself from the intensity of his stare, betraying her calm facade.

  “W–Well, it’s my first time being confessed to…” she said, her cheeks warming. “And… also my first time holding someone’s hand, besides my brother’s.”

  “Really?” Surprise flickered in his slate-gray irises. “But you’re so beautiful…” He mumbled, his thoughts tangling. “It doesn’t add up.”

  “I’m serious!”

  Katherine’s blush deepened. “In high school, no guy would even look at me because I was ‘the General’s daughter.’ Then, at the police academy, my colleagues called me ‘Powerpuff Girl.’ Who would want an ego-wrecking ball as their girlfriend?”

  Kimi’s mouth quirked, her self-deprecating bluntness pulling him in. “I’m just glad you met a bunch of thin-skinned wimps so far. I, on the other hand, have skin as thick as an elephant’s.”

  Katherine’s eyes crinkled, a light chuckle slipping out. But even as she joked about those nicknames, the familiar sting of insecurity crept back in, reminding her how those labels had followed her through her life.

  Kimi’s face softened, his voice steady, insistent. “As long as you don’t outright reject me, I’ll pursue you. But I’d rather know now, can we make this exclusive?”

  The proposal hung in the air, apprehension flooding her senses. Was she ready for something like this? “But we just met... isn’t this moving too fast?”

  Kimi shook his head, unwavering in his stance. “Decisiveness is my forte. I know what I want and I want you. If you have doubts, let me ask: do you feel an emotional connection with me?”

  “Yes,” she hummed, the word came easily.

  “And do you find me physically attractive?”

  She let her gaze wander over his features, a teasing lilt in her tone, “Though your eyes are gray, you’ve got that young Ben Affleck vibe. So yeah, you’re definitely hot.”

  Kimi beamed, pleased with her answer. “Then what’s holding you back?” His breath brushed her ear, sending a shiver through her.

  She opened her mouth, but no words came. Kimi, sensing her dilemma, pressed forward. “Remember at the hospital when my parents ranted about Kasra being clueless in love? Well, let me tell you: my dad is a giant hypocrite!”

  Katherine’s confusion melted into amusement, vividly recalling the scene. “How so?”

  Kimi’s smirk grew wider, playful. “Growing up, he never let us hug or kiss our mom, saying those are things men did with their wives. But here’s the thing: he’d hug and kiss our sister every chance he got! Hypocrite, right?”

  Katherine doubled over from the absurdity, melting her nerves, her eyes tearing up as she tried to catch her breath. Kimi laughed with her, his thumb gently brushing a stray happy tear from her cheek. Then, his murmur dropped an octave as he leaned in.

  “Katherine,” he purred, his lips dangerously close to hers, “I want to be the one to hold you, hug you, kiss you, and much, much more. Can I kiss you right now?”

  Author’s Note 1:

  Do you think Katherine will agree to a kiss? ?? They literally met just hours ago, and he’s already hot on her heels—someone’s in a hurry!!!

  Author’s Note 2:

  I noticed my posting time (5?PM SGT) may not be ideal for my US readers. ?????? If you’d like me to adjust the schedule, please leave a comment—I’d love to hear your thoughts!

  Author’s Note 3:

  Heads up! There’ll be a special announcement at the next upload on Friday (still 5?PM SGT unless US readers suggest otherwise ??). Stay tuned—you won’t want to miss it!