Fatal Attraction (Part 1a)
Title: Fatal Attraction
Author: VampireMadonna
Pairing: YunJae
Rating: NC-17
Length: Two-shot
Summary: Jaejoong is an assassin: Yunho, his target. But what happens when the hunter falls for his charming prey?
N/B: Inspired by, but not based on, the character of YeoWoon from Warrior Baek Dong Soo.
“No, serious. I’m not kidding. Girl had a mouth like a Hoover. It was literally the best I’ve ever had, man, I kid you not.”
“What?” There was a chuckle, the sound of ice clinking in a glass as it was set on the counter top. “I’ve heard that before, dude. Every girl you’ve had was better than the one before, how can I take you seriously?”
“I swear on my unborn children, this girl was a world class cock-sucker.”
More laughter, more clinking of ice.
They’d been at it for a while but he didn’t mind. Waiting was part of the job, patience an integral part of his training.
The info was solid. He’d been exactly where he was told he would be, at the expected time as well. The fact that he was seated next to the target was no stroke of luck either: apparently this was his favorite spot when he frequented this particular establishment. The data had been thorough, as always. For what it was, he could find no fault with the target’s taste. The pub was spacious, well-lit, elegantly decorated with security stationed at the entrance, the kind that looked like they knew what they were doing, and surveillance cameras throughout the joint, most of which were well hidden and undetectable to the untrained eye. Altogether, it created an environment well-suited to its uppercrust clientele.
“Anyway… See anything you like yet? If not, this is the third night you’ll be going home alone.”
There was a pause.
“Hmm…not sure. The girls are alright, none of them really call to me though. On the other hand, the guys look a bit more promising.”
“I still don’t get that, man. How can you bat for both teams? It’s like…you like pussy yet you like dick. How is it possible to sincerely like both? How can you go from ramming some girl’s soaking wet hole to taking it up the ass?”
“Well, first of all, I’m usually the one doing the plowing when it comes to guys, okay? And the few times I have been on the receiving end, it wasn’t entirely unpleasant. Don’t knock it ‘til you try it. Secondly, there isn’t much of a difference between being inside of a girl or a boy. One’s just slightly more comfortable and naturally lubricated, that’s all. But there’s a lot to be said for the tight, hot friction only an ass can provide, as I’m sure you know from your many sexcapades with Miss Hoover and her ilk. You ever thought about the fact that our, as in guys, pleasure spot, essentially the male version of the clitoris, is in our ass? Why is it there if not for us to explore and enjoy?”
He listened as they philosophized and theorized further on the subject, all the while staring at the clear brown liquid in the tumbler in front of him on the counter. He’d ordered it to keep up appearances but though he raised it to his lips every five minutes or so, he had yet to drink it. He had never before tasted alcohol. Behavior or mind altering substances were strictly forbidden. They could endanger oneself, one’s team and possibly jeopardize a mission. The latter was the greatest sin of all, punishable by death in his clan, not to mention the disgrace one endured. Failure was not acceptable.
“What about you? Picked out your bed mate for the night yet?”
“As a matter of fact, I have.”
He mentally braced himself. It was about to begin.
“Hello there, beautiful.”
He’d expected it, been waiting for it. He knew what they saw when they looked at his profile: long, sweeping midnight black hair flowing over his shoulders and shielding his face. A loose, nondescript black sweater hiding a body of indiscernible sex. And he knew what they would see when they finally saw his face: huge dark eyes, pale smooth skin, rosy red lips. Even the straightest of men would pause for a minute when they came face to face with him. His androgynous look was the reason he’d been chosen for the mission. It was his burden, his curse and, according to his Master, one of his greatest assets.
Turning towards the voice, he met the flirtatious gaze that bored into him. When those eyes went wide with surprise, he didn’t react. He’d expected that too.
“Um…my bad.” The guy took an unsteady gulp of his drink and hopped off his stool. “This one’s yours,” he said to the target before making a hasty escape.
“Sorry about that.”
His eyes swung to the target, who slid over onto the stool his friend had just vacated.
“I guess he thought you were a girl. It’s an honest mistake, please don’t be offended.”
He nodded, allowing a small smile to curve his lips.
“I’m Yunho. Jung Yunho,” the target introduced himself, holding his hand out in greeting.
Jung Yunho. Born December 26th, 1989. Oldest son of President Jung Kwon and heir to his international conglomerate.
He took the proferred hand. “Jaejoong.”
Jung Yunho cocked his head to the side, a flirtatious smile playing on his lips. “Just Jaejoong?”
He nodded. It was his real name and the only name he was ever allowed to reveal while on a mission, partly because of pride, and partly for protection. His name wasn’t overly common but he wasn’t the only Jaejoong in Seoul, of that he was certain.
“I hope you don’t mind my saying this but you really are quite striking. I don’t think I’ve met a man or woman whose beauty is comparable to yours.” Although Jung Yunho’s words were toneless, Jaejoong could see the awe in his eyes and knew them to be true.
They were words he’d heard on many occasions and yet, whereas he had never reacted to them before, he felt a strange flutter in his chest when they came out of Jung Yunho’s mouth. It was an unusual sensation, one he wasn’t sure he was altogether comfortable with.
Still, he had a job to do. “Thank you,” he said softly, lowering his head in a small bow.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you here before. Is this your first time?”
He nodded. “Yes.”
“How are you liking it?”
He made a show of casting a glance around the place. “It’s nice. Upbeat but not overly noisy.”
Yunho nodded. “That’s what I like about it too. It’s refined but not too snooty and you know you won’t find any shady types in here. Well, there are rich, dignified shady types too so I guess that’s not entirely true.” He chuckled.
Jaejoong smiled in return.
Yunho stopped laughing and stared at him for a moment. “You have a beautiful smile…but I get the feeling that you don’t use it very often. A smile like that should be shared with the world, not hidden.”
He was feeling uncomfortable again. Due to his upbringing, he wasn’t a naturally social person so he’d decided in advance to let the target take control and follow his lead. Once he got him alone, he could take over. However, the target was throwing in some moves his file hadn’t prepared him for. He wasn’t just a spoiled, rich playboy like his file had indicated. He was a lot more intuitive than mere facts let on. That could possibly complicate his mission.
“I’m sorry,” Yunho apologized, breaking the silence. He smiled sheepishly. “I consider myself good at reading people but sometimes I forget that it’s not always polite to blurt out the first thing that pops into my head.”
Jae smiled slightly and nodded his understanding.
They fell into silence, broken only when Yunho called for the bartender.
“Can I get you anything?” he offered.
Jae shook his head and indicated his drink on the counter.
“Another one of those, perhaps?”
He shook his head again. He already hadn’t touched his first drink, if he let Yunho order a second, he’d be forced to drink it.
Yunho shrugged and placed his order.
The boy, Jaejoong, was beautiful, most definitely, but he had such a strange aura around him that Yunho didn’t know how to approach him. He was intrigued yet something about him, the stillness with which he sat, the way that even though he didn’t move, he seemed to be aware of everything and everyone in the room, the fact that he had barely spoken a word since he’d sat beside him, set off warning bells. Something deep inside told him to leave this boy alone and get as far away from him as possible.
He’d never been good at heeding his inner voice and his intrigue far outweighed the urge for self-preservation.
Still, he didn’t want to stay where he wasn’t welcome so he asked, “Should I leave? I get the feeling you’d rather be alone.”
He was surprised when a blush leached into those pale cheeks. Jaejoong was even prettier, even more becoming now if that was at all possible.
Jaejoong’s eyes dropped to his clasped hands, which rested on the counter. “I’m sorry, I’m just not used to…socializing. I’m sorry if my awkwardness is making you uncomfortable.”
Yunho smiled in understanding. He raised a hand and patted Jaejoong’s clasped ones. “It’s okay.”
The touch was brief but it was enough to cause that strange flutter in Jaejoong’s chest again.
For the next half hour, Yunho engaged him in whatever random topics sprung to mind, from sports to the weather to the Playboy Playmate of the month, which he had absolutely no knowledge of. Carnal desires rotted the mind and destroyed the inner balance, or so he had been taught. Sex of any nature should be for procreation only.
Yunho signaled for the bartender again and, when he came, ordered two drinks before Jaejoong could think to stop him. When the bartender returned, he was surprised to see two tall glasses of a pink, forthy liquid. He raised a questioning brow to Yunho.
“Daiquiris,” he explained with a smile. “I noticed you hadn’t really touched your drink so I figured either you didn’t want to get drunk or you don’t like the taste of it. This is kind of fruity with a slight kick. If you limit yourself to just the one, you should still be able to drive home later.”
Jaejoong nodded, reaching for the glass. He wasn’t supposed to but how could he refuse, especially since Yunho had been considerate enough to order something with a low alcohol content. If he refused, it would look even more suspicious, or worse, Yunho would feel like he was rejecting his advances and that would endanger their chances of leaving together. Whatever it took, they had to leave together.
He braced himself and took a sip of the pink foam, surprised when a burst of fruity flavor, strawberry, exploded on his tongue. The alcohol was there but barely. It was quite delicious.
He turned to Yunho and smiled, taking a bigger sip to show his pleasure.
Yunho grinned, picked up his glass and clinked it to Jaejoong’s before taking a huge gulp of his own. “Cheers!”
For the next couple of minutes, Jaejoong surprised himself by momentarily forgetting his mission, too wrapped up in the simple joys of his tasty drink. When he found a cherry at the bottom of the glass, the sheer delight on his face had Yunho smiling sweetly at him.
He was quite a contradiction, Yunho thought. On the surface, he was undeniably gorgeous and well-bred if the way he carried himself was any indication. His clothes were of fine material, which also indicated money. Yet…it seemed like he had very little life experience. How could something so trivial as discovering a cherry at the bottom of his glass make his face light up like a kid on Christmas morning? He didn’t understand it…but he found it extremely endearing. And arousing. Innocence of any kind tended to appeal to him.
“Can I ask you a personal question?” he suddenly asked.
Jaejoong raised curious eyes to his and nodded slowly.
“What exactly are you into? What I mean is, did you come in here looking for something, or rather, someone, in particular?”
It was as good a way as any to find out if he was straight, gay or somewhere in between, Yunho decided. Usually he could tell just by looking at a person and measuring the way they reacted to him or the people around them but Jaejoong barely looked at him and he didn’t look at anyone else, nor directly anyway, though he was still convinced that even though he rarely raised his head, he knew everything that was going on. It almost gave him chills thinking about it.
Jaejoong considered his words for a minute. He had to reply, he just wasn’t sure what to say. When faced with the question, he realized he had no answer for it. His entire life had been dedicated to his training. Sex, physical attraction, love: none of them played any part in his upbringing. He had no idea what he liked. He assumed he liked girls because that was the natural order of things, wasn’t it? Yet, he knew what Yunho was asking, why he had asked it and he knew what he was expected to do to complete his mission.
“To the second question: no. To the first: I’ve never really thought about it,” he finally replied. “I guess I’m more interested in the person, their personality, than what gender they might happen to be.”
Yunho smiled widely. “That’s what I always say too. People generally label me as bisexual but I don’t really consider myself as such. My friend thinks it’s weird that I’m attracted to both men and women and am intimate with both but I don’t see why I should limit myself to one when I don’t need to. If I find someone that I connect with, the physical stuff is just a technicality, right?”
Jaejoong nodded. He had no idea but he supposed Yunho had a point. It was against his training but looking at it through Yunho’s eyes, he could understand where he was coming from.
Yunho glanced at his watch.
Is he leaving?, Jaejoong wondered. That could potentially throw a wrench into his plans.
“Do you need to go?” he asked. “I hope I’m not keeping you…”
“No, no,” Yunho rushed to assure him. “It’s not that late.”
Jaejoong nodded.
“But…” Yunho’s eyes locked with his. “Do you want to get out of here? We could go somewhere quieter and…talk.”
It was what he’d been waiting for for the past two hours and yet…now that Yunho had finally asked the question, he hesitated. He was supposed to say yes. If he could get Yunho somewhere private, it would make his job even easier. He could get in and out without being seen, accomplish his mission without any interruption. However, for some reason, the thought of being alone with Yunho terrified him. That flutter in his chest was back and stronger than ever.
“Jaejoong?” Yunho prompted. “You don’t have to if…”
“Yes,” Jaejoong blurted.
Yunho raised a brow.
Flushing, he clarified, “Yes, I…want to. I’m sorry, I’m just not used to this sort of thing.”
Yunho smiled. Jaejoong was very sweet and his innocence was such a turn on. As the thought crossed his mind, another quickly followed that had him gasping internally.
Was Jaejoong a virgin?
The possibility both excited and unnerved him. He’d never been with a virgin before. He found experienced partners more comfortable and, well, knowledgeable. A virgin could prove to be an unnecessary complication. Yet…the thought of being Jaejoong’s first stirred his manhood to life. There was something heady about being the first to explore, to touch and lay claim to another being, especially one as prime as Jaejoong.
Oh yes, he thought, his eyes glinting in anticipation. He would greatly enjoying getting to know the ins and outs of the mysterious Jaejoong’s body.
Knocking back the rest of his drink, he slid off the stool and held his hand out toJaejoong.
“Let’s go.”
Jaejoong took one last fortifying sip of his drink and slowly slid off the stool, taking Yunho’s outstretched hand.
He let Yunho lead him to the exit where he stopped, looked back and whistled sharply. His friend turned in his direction and he signaled that he was leaving. When the friend’s gaze slid to Jaejoong, then to their joined hands, he rolled his eyes, which made Yunho laugh. Then Jaejoong found himself out the door in a side alley where a black car and two huge bodyguards waited.
“Don’t be afraid,” Yunho whispered, slipping his arm around Jaejoong’s waist as he guided him to the car and into the backseat. “This is just an unnecessary precaution: an unfortunate side-effect of my father’s business. So embarrassing…” he muttered, turning to look out the window as they sped through the night.
It wasn’t long before they pulled into an underground parking lot. They climbed out of the car and, flanked by the bodyguards, entered an elevator that took them to the 12th floor of the building. They walked out onto a thickly carpeted hallway.
Jaejoong let himself be led, looking around, eyes slightly wide, as if he was mind-boggled by the extensive luxury. The truth was, it was foreign to him. Minimalism was encouraged for the lifestyle he led. It was pointless getting attached to earthly possessions when one was constantly traveling and knowing that one’s life could end at any given moment. The less baggage, the better. Plus, there was no one to bequeath their belongings to, such was their solitary existence.
They stopped outside a door, which the bodyguards unlocked and ushered them inside, closing it behind them. He wasn’t worried about completing his mission and escaping with them there. The bodyguards had been included in his information packet and his escape route had been planned way in advance. However, he was worried about whether he could complete the mission at all now what he was alone with Yunho.
He’d killed before, and had thought nothing of it, but this was different. Yunho was different. So far, everyone he’d killed had been bad but Yunho…his only crime was being the son of a man with a bullseye on his back. The clan did not kill for honor: it killed for profit. Tradition. No one was exempt, not even women, children or the elderly. Having spent the last hour or so with Yunho, he didn’t think he could look him in the eyes as he took his life. He would have to do it from behind.
“Jaejoong?” Yunho called, snapping his fingers in front his face.
He shook his thoughts away. “Huh? Sorry.” It seemed he was destined to keep apologizing tonight.
Yunho smiled. “You zoned out there for a bit. It’s fine, I was just asking if you wanted anything to drink.”
He shook his head. “No thanks.”
He walked further into the room, looking around. It was an apartment but it may as well have been a five-star hotel suite for all its finery.
“Well, if you don’t mind, I’m going to help myself to one. I’ll just be a minute. You can go ahead to the bedroom. It’s just down the hall on the left.” Yunho gestured as he spoke before turning to make his way to the wet bar.
Jaejoong followed his directions, though he already had it imprinted on his brain from the blueprints he had studied.
The bedroom…with the lovely terrace that just so happened to open onto the fire-escape.
The room, when he entered, was dark but he left the lights off. His night vision was excellent, plus there was a slight gleam of moonlight behind the thick curtains at the terrace doors. Crossing over to the doors, he pushed the curtains open and looked out at the night beyond. The moon was big, full and bright, and seemed awfully close, making him feel like he could reach out and touch it.
Part 1b
Author: VampireMadonna
Pairing: YunJae
Rating: NC-17
Length: Two-shot
Summary: Jaejoong is an assassin: Yunho, his target. But what happens when the hunter falls for his charming prey?
N/B: Inspired by, but not based on, the character of YeoWoon from Warrior Baek Dong Soo.
“No, serious. I’m not kidding. Girl had a mouth like a Hoover. It was literally the best I’ve ever had, man, I kid you not.”
“What?” There was a chuckle, the sound of ice clinking in a glass as it was set on the counter top. “I’ve heard that before, dude. Every girl you’ve had was better than the one before, how can I take you seriously?”
“I swear on my unborn children, this girl was a world class cock-sucker.”
More laughter, more clinking of ice.
They’d been at it for a while but he didn’t mind. Waiting was part of the job, patience an integral part of his training.
The info was solid. He’d been exactly where he was told he would be, at the expected time as well. The fact that he was seated next to the target was no stroke of luck either: apparently this was his favorite spot when he frequented this particular establishment. The data had been thorough, as always. For what it was, he could find no fault with the target’s taste. The pub was spacious, well-lit, elegantly decorated with security stationed at the entrance, the kind that looked like they knew what they were doing, and surveillance cameras throughout the joint, most of which were well hidden and undetectable to the untrained eye. Altogether, it created an environment well-suited to its uppercrust clientele.
“Anyway… See anything you like yet? If not, this is the third night you’ll be going home alone.”
There was a pause.
“Hmm…not sure. The girls are alright, none of them really call to me though. On the other hand, the guys look a bit more promising.”
“I still don’t get that, man. How can you bat for both teams? It’s like…you like pussy yet you like dick. How is it possible to sincerely like both? How can you go from ramming some girl’s soaking wet hole to taking it up the ass?”
“Well, first of all, I’m usually the one doing the plowing when it comes to guys, okay? And the few times I have been on the receiving end, it wasn’t entirely unpleasant. Don’t knock it ‘til you try it. Secondly, there isn’t much of a difference between being inside of a girl or a boy. One’s just slightly more comfortable and naturally lubricated, that’s all. But there’s a lot to be said for the tight, hot friction only an ass can provide, as I’m sure you know from your many sexcapades with Miss Hoover and her ilk. You ever thought about the fact that our, as in guys, pleasure spot, essentially the male version of the clitoris, is in our ass? Why is it there if not for us to explore and enjoy?”
He listened as they philosophized and theorized further on the subject, all the while staring at the clear brown liquid in the tumbler in front of him on the counter. He’d ordered it to keep up appearances but though he raised it to his lips every five minutes or so, he had yet to drink it. He had never before tasted alcohol. Behavior or mind altering substances were strictly forbidden. They could endanger oneself, one’s team and possibly jeopardize a mission. The latter was the greatest sin of all, punishable by death in his clan, not to mention the disgrace one endured. Failure was not acceptable.
“What about you? Picked out your bed mate for the night yet?”
“As a matter of fact, I have.”
He mentally braced himself. It was about to begin.
“Hello there, beautiful.”
He’d expected it, been waiting for it. He knew what they saw when they looked at his profile: long, sweeping midnight black hair flowing over his shoulders and shielding his face. A loose, nondescript black sweater hiding a body of indiscernible sex. And he knew what they would see when they finally saw his face: huge dark eyes, pale smooth skin, rosy red lips. Even the straightest of men would pause for a minute when they came face to face with him. His androgynous look was the reason he’d been chosen for the mission. It was his burden, his curse and, according to his Master, one of his greatest assets.
Turning towards the voice, he met the flirtatious gaze that bored into him. When those eyes went wide with surprise, he didn’t react. He’d expected that too.
“Um…my bad.” The guy took an unsteady gulp of his drink and hopped off his stool. “This one’s yours,” he said to the target before making a hasty escape.
“Sorry about that.”
His eyes swung to the target, who slid over onto the stool his friend had just vacated.
“I guess he thought you were a girl. It’s an honest mistake, please don’t be offended.”
He nodded, allowing a small smile to curve his lips.
“I’m Yunho. Jung Yunho,” the target introduced himself, holding his hand out in greeting.
Jung Yunho. Born December 26th, 1989. Oldest son of President Jung Kwon and heir to his international conglomerate.
He took the proferred hand. “Jaejoong.”
Jung Yunho cocked his head to the side, a flirtatious smile playing on his lips. “Just Jaejoong?”
He nodded. It was his real name and the only name he was ever allowed to reveal while on a mission, partly because of pride, and partly for protection. His name wasn’t overly common but he wasn’t the only Jaejoong in Seoul, of that he was certain.
“I hope you don’t mind my saying this but you really are quite striking. I don’t think I’ve met a man or woman whose beauty is comparable to yours.” Although Jung Yunho’s words were toneless, Jaejoong could see the awe in his eyes and knew them to be true.
They were words he’d heard on many occasions and yet, whereas he had never reacted to them before, he felt a strange flutter in his chest when they came out of Jung Yunho’s mouth. It was an unusual sensation, one he wasn’t sure he was altogether comfortable with.
Still, he had a job to do. “Thank you,” he said softly, lowering his head in a small bow.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you here before. Is this your first time?”
He nodded. “Yes.”
“How are you liking it?”
He made a show of casting a glance around the place. “It’s nice. Upbeat but not overly noisy.”
Yunho nodded. “That’s what I like about it too. It’s refined but not too snooty and you know you won’t find any shady types in here. Well, there are rich, dignified shady types too so I guess that’s not entirely true.” He chuckled.
Jaejoong smiled in return.
Yunho stopped laughing and stared at him for a moment. “You have a beautiful smile…but I get the feeling that you don’t use it very often. A smile like that should be shared with the world, not hidden.”
He was feeling uncomfortable again. Due to his upbringing, he wasn’t a naturally social person so he’d decided in advance to let the target take control and follow his lead. Once he got him alone, he could take over. However, the target was throwing in some moves his file hadn’t prepared him for. He wasn’t just a spoiled, rich playboy like his file had indicated. He was a lot more intuitive than mere facts let on. That could possibly complicate his mission.
“I’m sorry,” Yunho apologized, breaking the silence. He smiled sheepishly. “I consider myself good at reading people but sometimes I forget that it’s not always polite to blurt out the first thing that pops into my head.”
Jae smiled slightly and nodded his understanding.
They fell into silence, broken only when Yunho called for the bartender.
“Can I get you anything?” he offered.
Jae shook his head and indicated his drink on the counter.
“Another one of those, perhaps?”
He shook his head again. He already hadn’t touched his first drink, if he let Yunho order a second, he’d be forced to drink it.
Yunho shrugged and placed his order.
The boy, Jaejoong, was beautiful, most definitely, but he had such a strange aura around him that Yunho didn’t know how to approach him. He was intrigued yet something about him, the stillness with which he sat, the way that even though he didn’t move, he seemed to be aware of everything and everyone in the room, the fact that he had barely spoken a word since he’d sat beside him, set off warning bells. Something deep inside told him to leave this boy alone and get as far away from him as possible.
He’d never been good at heeding his inner voice and his intrigue far outweighed the urge for self-preservation.
Still, he didn’t want to stay where he wasn’t welcome so he asked, “Should I leave? I get the feeling you’d rather be alone.”
He was surprised when a blush leached into those pale cheeks. Jaejoong was even prettier, even more becoming now if that was at all possible.
Jaejoong’s eyes dropped to his clasped hands, which rested on the counter. “I’m sorry, I’m just not used to…socializing. I’m sorry if my awkwardness is making you uncomfortable.”
Yunho smiled in understanding. He raised a hand and patted Jaejoong’s clasped ones. “It’s okay.”
The touch was brief but it was enough to cause that strange flutter in Jaejoong’s chest again.
For the next half hour, Yunho engaged him in whatever random topics sprung to mind, from sports to the weather to the Playboy Playmate of the month, which he had absolutely no knowledge of. Carnal desires rotted the mind and destroyed the inner balance, or so he had been taught. Sex of any nature should be for procreation only.
Yunho signaled for the bartender again and, when he came, ordered two drinks before Jaejoong could think to stop him. When the bartender returned, he was surprised to see two tall glasses of a pink, forthy liquid. He raised a questioning brow to Yunho.
“Daiquiris,” he explained with a smile. “I noticed you hadn’t really touched your drink so I figured either you didn’t want to get drunk or you don’t like the taste of it. This is kind of fruity with a slight kick. If you limit yourself to just the one, you should still be able to drive home later.”
Jaejoong nodded, reaching for the glass. He wasn’t supposed to but how could he refuse, especially since Yunho had been considerate enough to order something with a low alcohol content. If he refused, it would look even more suspicious, or worse, Yunho would feel like he was rejecting his advances and that would endanger their chances of leaving together. Whatever it took, they had to leave together.
He braced himself and took a sip of the pink foam, surprised when a burst of fruity flavor, strawberry, exploded on his tongue. The alcohol was there but barely. It was quite delicious.
He turned to Yunho and smiled, taking a bigger sip to show his pleasure.
Yunho grinned, picked up his glass and clinked it to Jaejoong’s before taking a huge gulp of his own. “Cheers!”
For the next couple of minutes, Jaejoong surprised himself by momentarily forgetting his mission, too wrapped up in the simple joys of his tasty drink. When he found a cherry at the bottom of the glass, the sheer delight on his face had Yunho smiling sweetly at him.
He was quite a contradiction, Yunho thought. On the surface, he was undeniably gorgeous and well-bred if the way he carried himself was any indication. His clothes were of fine material, which also indicated money. Yet…it seemed like he had very little life experience. How could something so trivial as discovering a cherry at the bottom of his glass make his face light up like a kid on Christmas morning? He didn’t understand it…but he found it extremely endearing. And arousing. Innocence of any kind tended to appeal to him.
“Can I ask you a personal question?” he suddenly asked.
Jaejoong raised curious eyes to his and nodded slowly.
“What exactly are you into? What I mean is, did you come in here looking for something, or rather, someone, in particular?”
It was as good a way as any to find out if he was straight, gay or somewhere in between, Yunho decided. Usually he could tell just by looking at a person and measuring the way they reacted to him or the people around them but Jaejoong barely looked at him and he didn’t look at anyone else, nor directly anyway, though he was still convinced that even though he rarely raised his head, he knew everything that was going on. It almost gave him chills thinking about it.
Jaejoong considered his words for a minute. He had to reply, he just wasn’t sure what to say. When faced with the question, he realized he had no answer for it. His entire life had been dedicated to his training. Sex, physical attraction, love: none of them played any part in his upbringing. He had no idea what he liked. He assumed he liked girls because that was the natural order of things, wasn’t it? Yet, he knew what Yunho was asking, why he had asked it and he knew what he was expected to do to complete his mission.
“To the second question: no. To the first: I’ve never really thought about it,” he finally replied. “I guess I’m more interested in the person, their personality, than what gender they might happen to be.”
Yunho smiled widely. “That’s what I always say too. People generally label me as bisexual but I don’t really consider myself as such. My friend thinks it’s weird that I’m attracted to both men and women and am intimate with both but I don’t see why I should limit myself to one when I don’t need to. If I find someone that I connect with, the physical stuff is just a technicality, right?”
Jaejoong nodded. He had no idea but he supposed Yunho had a point. It was against his training but looking at it through Yunho’s eyes, he could understand where he was coming from.
Yunho glanced at his watch.
Is he leaving?, Jaejoong wondered. That could potentially throw a wrench into his plans.
“Do you need to go?” he asked. “I hope I’m not keeping you…”
“No, no,” Yunho rushed to assure him. “It’s not that late.”
Jaejoong nodded.
“But…” Yunho’s eyes locked with his. “Do you want to get out of here? We could go somewhere quieter and…talk.”
It was what he’d been waiting for for the past two hours and yet…now that Yunho had finally asked the question, he hesitated. He was supposed to say yes. If he could get Yunho somewhere private, it would make his job even easier. He could get in and out without being seen, accomplish his mission without any interruption. However, for some reason, the thought of being alone with Yunho terrified him. That flutter in his chest was back and stronger than ever.
“Jaejoong?” Yunho prompted. “You don’t have to if…”
“Yes,” Jaejoong blurted.
Yunho raised a brow.
Flushing, he clarified, “Yes, I…want to. I’m sorry, I’m just not used to this sort of thing.”
Yunho smiled. Jaejoong was very sweet and his innocence was such a turn on. As the thought crossed his mind, another quickly followed that had him gasping internally.
Was Jaejoong a virgin?
The possibility both excited and unnerved him. He’d never been with a virgin before. He found experienced partners more comfortable and, well, knowledgeable. A virgin could prove to be an unnecessary complication. Yet…the thought of being Jaejoong’s first stirred his manhood to life. There was something heady about being the first to explore, to touch and lay claim to another being, especially one as prime as Jaejoong.
Oh yes, he thought, his eyes glinting in anticipation. He would greatly enjoying getting to know the ins and outs of the mysterious Jaejoong’s body.
Knocking back the rest of his drink, he slid off the stool and held his hand out toJaejoong.
“Let’s go.”
Jaejoong took one last fortifying sip of his drink and slowly slid off the stool, taking Yunho’s outstretched hand.
He let Yunho lead him to the exit where he stopped, looked back and whistled sharply. His friend turned in his direction and he signaled that he was leaving. When the friend’s gaze slid to Jaejoong, then to their joined hands, he rolled his eyes, which made Yunho laugh. Then Jaejoong found himself out the door in a side alley where a black car and two huge bodyguards waited.
“Don’t be afraid,” Yunho whispered, slipping his arm around Jaejoong’s waist as he guided him to the car and into the backseat. “This is just an unnecessary precaution: an unfortunate side-effect of my father’s business. So embarrassing…” he muttered, turning to look out the window as they sped through the night.
It wasn’t long before they pulled into an underground parking lot. They climbed out of the car and, flanked by the bodyguards, entered an elevator that took them to the 12th floor of the building. They walked out onto a thickly carpeted hallway.
Jaejoong let himself be led, looking around, eyes slightly wide, as if he was mind-boggled by the extensive luxury. The truth was, it was foreign to him. Minimalism was encouraged for the lifestyle he led. It was pointless getting attached to earthly possessions when one was constantly traveling and knowing that one’s life could end at any given moment. The less baggage, the better. Plus, there was no one to bequeath their belongings to, such was their solitary existence.
They stopped outside a door, which the bodyguards unlocked and ushered them inside, closing it behind them. He wasn’t worried about completing his mission and escaping with them there. The bodyguards had been included in his information packet and his escape route had been planned way in advance. However, he was worried about whether he could complete the mission at all now what he was alone with Yunho.
He’d killed before, and had thought nothing of it, but this was different. Yunho was different. So far, everyone he’d killed had been bad but Yunho…his only crime was being the son of a man with a bullseye on his back. The clan did not kill for honor: it killed for profit. Tradition. No one was exempt, not even women, children or the elderly. Having spent the last hour or so with Yunho, he didn’t think he could look him in the eyes as he took his life. He would have to do it from behind.
“Jaejoong?” Yunho called, snapping his fingers in front his face.
He shook his thoughts away. “Huh? Sorry.” It seemed he was destined to keep apologizing tonight.
Yunho smiled. “You zoned out there for a bit. It’s fine, I was just asking if you wanted anything to drink.”
He shook his head. “No thanks.”
He walked further into the room, looking around. It was an apartment but it may as well have been a five-star hotel suite for all its finery.
“Well, if you don’t mind, I’m going to help myself to one. I’ll just be a minute. You can go ahead to the bedroom. It’s just down the hall on the left.” Yunho gestured as he spoke before turning to make his way to the wet bar.
Jaejoong followed his directions, though he already had it imprinted on his brain from the blueprints he had studied.
The bedroom…with the lovely terrace that just so happened to open onto the fire-escape.
The room, when he entered, was dark but he left the lights off. His night vision was excellent, plus there was a slight gleam of moonlight behind the thick curtains at the terrace doors. Crossing over to the doors, he pushed the curtains open and looked out at the night beyond. The moon was big, full and bright, and seemed awfully close, making him feel like he could reach out and touch it.
Part 1b