Side Story 1.6

The sweet sound of soft breathing stirred his consciousness. Taegyeom slowly lifted his half-closed eyelids. Beyond his expanding field of vision, he saw a serene face peacefully lost in sleep.  

In the fleeting moment between unconsciousness and wakefulness, the figure before him captured all his senses. It was a moment of complete satisfaction. This was his favorite time of the day—the chance to endlessly observe his sleeping wife.  

Her delicate eyelashes fluttered faintly, and her slightly parted lips exhaled a warm breath. Her cheeks, still flushed a peachy hue from the remnants of last night’s passion, added to her charm.  

With a lazy smile, Taegyeom leaned forward and gently pressed his lips against her pale forehead. The soft pressure lingered for a moment before his lips parted with a faint sound.  

“Mmm…”  

Leeseo stirred, burrowing deeper into his embrace. A faint moan, almost like a plea for affection, escaped her lips.  

Taegyeom froze as if struck by lightning, carefully watching her reaction. Her steady breathing, as peaceful as a heavenly melody, filled the room.  

It didn’t seem like she had woken up. It was simply her subconscious seeking comfort, an adorable yet bold display of her instincts. Despite its simplicity, the sensation sent shivers down his spine, as if the entire world had collapsed into him.  

Taegyeom let out a slow exhale, releasing the breath he had been holding. The man who had spent the entire night devouring her like a ravenous beast now found himself aroused again at the mere sight of her innocent face.  

His stiffened back ached with tension. Heat crept along his spine, gnawing at his nerves. With a deep sigh, Taegyeom buried his nose into her hair. He nuzzled against the soft strands, inhaling deeply until her scent filled his lungs.  

Her sweet, delicate scent was intoxicating, like an addictive drug. No matter how much he held her, it never seemed to be enough. The insatiable thirst she evoked in him had become a part of his very being. Unless he could somehow consume her entirely, he knew he would never be satisfied.  

Taegyeom leaned back slightly, his gaze fixed on his sleeping wife. Her delicate, clear face radiated a quiet beauty. Her sweet breaths warmed his skin, their gentle rhythm soothing yet tantalizing.  

Though his arousal throbbed painfully, he ignored it with practiced ease. It wasn’t just her presence—merely thinking about her was enough to stir him. Over time, he had grown adept at suppressing his desires.  

Leeseo often struggled with the intensity of his libido, though she didn’t realize how much he restrained himself. If he indulged every time he wanted her, her petite, fragile body wouldn’t stand a chance.  

Whenever he made such remarks, Leeseo’s eyes would widen in indignation as she glared at him. “It’s not that I’m small—it’s that you’re too big!” she would retort playfully. He could almost hear her voice now, and the thought brought a fond smile to his lips. Her stubbornness was endearing, no matter how much she protested.  

His hand moved gently, brushing the stray strands of hair from her forehead. His touch was tender, his smile soft and languid. At some point, Leeseo had developed the habit of falling asleep facing him.  

Perhaps it was because she had learned, through experience, that turning her back on him would only provoke his relentless pursuit. Whatever the reason, the fact that she now fell asleep facing him was all that mattered. It was a significant victory in his eyes.  

The days when she used to sleep with her back to him felt like a distant memory. Watching her small, hunched figure had once filled him with an inexplicable unease.  

The thought of her turning away and leaving him stirred an irrational impulse to sink his teeth into her nape and never let go. He wanted to mark her, to break her spirit, so that she would stay by his side without question.  

Of course, human instincts never truly change. Though he now masked his darker impulses with a serene smile, they still lingered beneath the surface, coiled like a serpent.  

His gaze lingered on her exposed chest, peeking out from beneath the blanket. She was completely bare, her clothes stripped away during their passionate encounter the previous night. Her chest rose and fell with each breath, the motion captivating his narrowed eyes.  

Her br*asts, marked with faint bruises from his kisses, bore the evidence of his fervent attention. The tender pink of her n*pples, now swollen and slightly darker, seemed to beckon him.  

A lump formed in his throat as his mouth watered. The dull heat simmering in his lower abdomen flared to life. The urge to take her into his mouth, to suck and nibble, became almost unbearable.  

He wanted to savor her, to let her fill his senses. His throat tightened with yearning, and his fingers twitched with suppressed desire.  

Clicking his tongue in frustration, Taegyeom reached out. His hand, initially heading for her chest, abruptly changed course and pulled the blanket up to her neck. He then grasped his own arousal, which pressed insistently against his abdomen.  

His er*ction, painfully hard, throbbed with intensity. It was a nuisance, to say the least. This relentless desire knew no bounds. Since he had no intention of waking his sleeping wife, he had little choice but to deal with it himself.  

Propping himself up on one elbow, Taegyeom began to stroke himself. His hand moved deftly, spreading the prec*m leaking from his tip along the length of his shaft. His gaze never wavered from Leeseo’s serene face.  

The slick sound of his movements filled the room, accompanied by his shallow breaths. Even as his hand quickened, his eyes remained fixed on her, drinking in the sight of her peaceful slumber.  

The faint tremors of the bed caused her to stir slightly, though she remained blissfully unaware of her husband’s activities. Her soft, steady breathing continued, oblivious to the heat radiating from him.  

A wry smile tugged at Taegyeom’s lips. 

What a lunatic. 

He thought, mocking himself.  

Grinding his teeth, he clenched his jaw as his body tensed. His hand, moving rapidly along his length, suddenly stilled, gripping the base of his shaft tightly.  

“Phew…”  

Releasing a heavy sigh, Taegyeom climbed out of bed. He bent down to pick up a crumpled piece of fabric from the floor.  

The item in question was Leeseo’s pharmacist’s coat, now thoroughly soaked from the previous night’s activities. Its once pristine state was long gone, replaced by a sticky, damp texture.  

The memory of how it had been used brought a smirk to his lips. He couldn’t understand why her embarrassment and protests only served to excite him further. Even if she called him a pervert, it wouldn’t change a thing. If anything, it would only fuel his desire.  

Shaking his head, Taegyeom used the soiled coat to clean himself. Though the sticky sensation on his skin was unpleasant, the image of Leeseo wearing the coat, her body barely concealed, reignited his arousal.  

His er*ction, which had briefly subsided, returned with a vengeance, pressing firmly against his abdomen. Ignoring it, he wiped away the remnants of his release before heading to the laundry room.  

He tossed the coat into the washing machine. Though they had staff to handle such tasks, Leeseo couldn’t bear the thought of anyone else dealing with items marked by their intimacy.  

Having lived independently in the U.S., Taegyeom was no stranger to household chores. Starting the washing machine was a simple task. As the familiar hum filled the room, he made his way to the bathroom.  

Leeseo would likely sleep for at least another hour. After enduring his relentless passion throughout the night, it was no wonder she was exhausted.  

Running a hand through his hair, Taegyeom stepped into the shower and turned on the cold water. The icy spray jolted his body awake, washing away the remnants of his fatigue.  

Preparing himself to greet his wife upon her awakening was a ritual he cherished.