Forty-One

The scalding lips ground against his; Ji Su's mind went blank for several seconds, and along with it every motion in his body came to a halt.

The moment Gu Zhao pressed his mouth to Ji Su's, he could no longer hold himself back; his tongue slipped out, trying to pry open those pressed lips.

A jolt of numbness shot down Ji Su's spine; on reflex, his hands came up to push him away.

Gu Zhao raised a hand to cup that slender nape, pressed him closer to his own mouth, and at the same time bit down on the soft lower lip.

'Mm…' The pain made Ji Su's lips part, and the hot, heavy tongue took its chance and fed itself inside.

Gu Zhao kissed him fierce and brutal, his tongue rampaging without pattern through the tender mouth, wrapping around the soft tip of Ji Su's tongue and sucking hard — with a force that seemed bent on swallowing it whole.

As though dissatisfied with the angle, he gripped that narrow waist again, lifted him up, parted his legs and settled him astride his own hips, then fell on his mouth once more, ravenous as a wolf.

Ji Su could not stand up to such an assault; his waist went slack, his whole body pinned against Gu Zhao's thighs — he could neither struggle free nor slip away.

Until he could no longer draw breath at all, and the edges of his vision began to blacken.

In that dazed instant, Ji Su thought, half-conscious: Gu Zhao was surely going to kiss him to death…

A moment later, Gu Zhao took merciful pity and withdrew from the wet, hot mouth; his forehead pressed to Ji Su's, his voice gone hoarse beyond recognition. 'Breathe.'

Ji Su gasped on instinct, his chest heaving violently with each breath.

Gu Zhao had not yet let go; the high bridge of his nose brushed against the flushed cheek, then brushed again at the corner of those lips.

The full lips had been kissed until they were red and swollen, sheened with a glistening wetness; the little bead of the upper lip was red as though it might bleed.

He drew out the tip of his tongue and licked across that small bead in a soothing stroke — which only made the body cradled in his palm shudder.

At last Ji Su had recovered enough to try once more to push away that wall of a chest.

But his whole body had gone soft as a ball of cotton candy, with not a shred of strength left in it; he tried twice and still could not push the other away.

Gu Zhao laughed, low, and obediently leaned back against the headboard.

In those pitch-dark eyes, something indistinct and ambiguous stirred; his gaze moved slowly across the reddened corners of Ji Su's eyes, then dropped to the parted red lips.

Poor thing — kissed until his mouth couldn't even close.

'Gu Zhao, you—' Ji Su glared at him through eyes bright with unshed moisture, the back of his hand wiping the wet traces from his lips. 'How could you kiss me?'

'I told you — if you don't like it, you can push me away.' Gu Zhao looked at him. 'But you didn't.'

Remembering what had just happened, Ji Su felt wronged to the bone. 'I did push you! I couldn't push you away at all!'

'Oh.' Gu Zhao laughed again. 'I thought you hadn't used any force at all.'

'You—you—' Ji Su was both ashamed and angry, but he could not win the argument; he could only rise and start to climb off the bed.

But the instant his toes touched the floor, his legs gave way and he nearly fell.

Gu Zhao reached out in time and caught him by the waist. 'How about you sleep in my bed tonight?'

Ji Su braced himself against that long, firm arm, pinched hard at it but could not so much as dent the muscle, and grew angrier still. 'Let go!'

'Then stand steady.' Gu Zhao waited until Ji Su had steadied himself before letting go.

Ji Su drew a deep breath and walked toward the bedroom door.

Just as those slender fingers settled on the handle, that low, hoarse, magnetic voice came again from behind him: 'Very sweet.'

It took Ji Su several seconds to register what Gu Zhao meant by 'sweet.'

He turned the handle and fled the bedroom at a near-run.

Back in his own room, Ji Su threw himself onto the big bed and buried his burning-hot cheeks deep in the covers.

After a good long while, he rolled onto his back and lay there, eyes on the ceiling.

The base of his tongue had been sucked so hard it was still numb; on some unthinking impulse, Ji Su raised a hand and let his fingertips brush lightly against his burning lips — and a shiver ran through his whole body.

He had kissed Gu Zhao. Not a peck on the cheek, not a fleeting brush at the corner of the mouth, but a proper, thorough kiss — tongues and all…

Ji Su shut his eyes, then rolled over and buried his face in the covers again.

That night, he had no heart at all for reviewing the courses he would be examined on the next day; he only wanted to fall asleep as quickly as possible.

But the taste of Gu Zhao seemed to linger still on his lips, and that 'very sweet' kept circling in his head; he could only toss and turn on the bed, flipping like a pancake.

He did not know how long it had been before drowsiness at last began to creep in, and Ji Su's tangled mind fell, for the moment, quiet.

In the deep of the night, a soft click suddenly sounded.

The tightly shut bedroom door cracked open a sliver, then was pushed slowly ajar; a tall figure stepped inside.

Gu Zhao walked barefoot across the floor without making the slightest sound, and stopped at the bedside.

Ji Su lay in bed, eyes closed in deep sleep, his lips a deep red — the marks of that rough handling had not yet fully faded.

By the clear moonlight that fell through the window, Gu Zhao's gaze followed the slightly parted collar downward, slid over the chest that rose and fell with each breath, slid past a sliver of slim waist exposed where the hem of the pajama top had ridden up, and came to rest on those long, straight calves.

In his sleep, Ji Su turned over, one long pale leg drawn up, tracing the rounded curve of a firm, lifted behind.

Gu Zhao's throat moved, faintly; his eyes sank dark and fathomless.

Did he really think locking the door from inside would keep him safe? This was Gu Zhao's house — was there any room he could not enter?

A hundred wicked notions flickered through Gu Zhao's mind, but in the end he merely stood at the bedside, gazing down at the sleeping figure with a long, deep look.

After a long while, he bent down, drew up the duvet that had been kicked aside, and laid it over Ji Su.

'You can't run, Ji Su.' Gu Zhao straightened, mouthing the words soundlessly.

*

The next morning, Ji Su kept his head bowed the entire time he ate breakfast.

Gu Zhao sat across from him and reminded him, in a calm tone: 'Your head's about to hit the table.'

Ji Su's back stiffened; he sat up straight on reflex, but his eyes stayed fixed on the tabletop — he would not meet Gu Zhao's gaze, not for anything.

After breakfast, Gu Zhao drove him to School for his last exam.

The drive was too short; by the time they reached the school gate, Ji Su's thoughts were still wandering somewhere far away.

Gu Zhao unbuckled his own seatbelt and leaned in.

The familiar scent reached his nose, and Ji Su came to himself with a start, dodging swiftly to the side.

Gu Zhao kept pressing closer, his hot breath fanning across Ji Su's sensitive earlobe.

Ji Su's face flushed and his heart raced; he was nearly curling in on himself. 'Gu Zhao, we're at the school gate…'

With a click, the seatbelt buckle popped open.

Gu Zhao braced one hand beside him and asked, a half-smile playing at his lips: 'What did you think I was going to do?'

Ji Su: '…'

Gu Zhao went on: 'Or were you hoping I'd do something?'

Ji Su shoved him hard and shot back, fuming: 'I was not!'

Gu Zhao leaned back against the driver's seat, the smile at his lips deepening.

Ji Su looked at him and felt, for no reason he could name, that it was terribly unfair.

Since the kiss, he had not dared so much as glance at Gu Zhao — yet the other could tease him with such easy, practiced grace.

Could it be that…

That kiss last night had not, in fact, been Gu Zhao's first?

Gu Zhao narrowed his eyes, just slightly. 'Don't look at me like that.'

Ji Su shot back, fierce: 'I'll look at you however I like — what of it?'

Gu Zhao reached out and pinched his cheek. 'Keep looking at me like that and I'll have to kiss you again.'

Ji Su immediately clapped a palm over his lips, a wary look springing into his eyes.

'All right, go take your exam.' Gu Zhao withdrew his hand, opened his own door and stepped out, then walked around to pull open the passenger door.

Ji Su got out, ears burning red, and walked quickly ahead.

At half past eleven that morning, the last exam ended without incident.

Ji Su had handed in his paper early and was standing in the corridor, waiting for Qiao Jin.

After a while, the bell for handing in papers rang, and students began to file out of the classroom one after another.

'Ahhhh!' The moment Qiao Jin came through the classroom door, he flung himself at Ji Su. 'We're finally free!'

Ji Su blocked him with an arm, laughing as he reminded him: 'Don't celebrate too early — the grades aren't out yet.'

Qiao Jin's face was all pride: 'Today's exam was all the key points you marked out for us — I've got this!'

'Right, right — it's all thanks to you, Ji Su!' Zhao Ziyun walked over behind him. 'The moment I got the paper, I knew in my heart I was set!'

Ji Su smiled, faintly. 'Glad it was useful.'

'Oh, right — where are we having lunch?' Li You asked from the side. 'Ji Su, what do you want to eat?'

'I'm fine with anything.' Ji Su replied. 'Xiao Qiao says he wants BBQ — what about you guys?'

Zhao Ziyun picked up the thread: 'Let's do BBQ, then — it's been a while for us too.'

The few reached an agreement and headed downstairs.

Qiao Jin leaned close to Ji Su's ear and asked, in a low voice: 'Susu, have you decided whether you're staying on campus over summer?'

Ji Su's steps faltered. 'You just reminded me — I'll go fill out the stay-on-campus application this afternoon.'

Reassured, Qiao Jin said: 'Then after lunch, I'll come with you to Gu Zhao's Residence to pick up—'

The sentence cut off mid-word.

Ji Su followed his gaze, and a handsome, cold face appeared before him.

Gu Zhao standing there, expressionless, was enough to make every passing student turn and look.

Ji Su paused for a beat, then quickened his steps down the stairs. 'What are you doing here?'

Gu Zhao's gaze softened. 'To take you home.'

'I forgot to tell you — I'm having lunch with my roommates today.' Ji Su replied softly. 'You should head home first.'

'Lunch?' Gu Zhao's gaze swept back over his shoulder. 'Can I come along?'

Ji Su was just about to refuse when Zhao Ziyun's hearty voice came from behind him: 'Gu Zhao, you're joining us for lunch too?'

Gu Zhao glanced at him, but the question was for Ji Su: 'Is it convenient?'

'What's not convenient about it?' Zhao Ziyun said breezily. 'By the way, do you remember me? We played basketball together!'

Ji Su: '…'

Was this referring to that time he'd been utterly demolished by Gu Zhao on the court, then gone back to the Dormitory to rant about it nonstop?

Gu Zhao gave a slight nod. 'I remember.'

'Excellent!' Zhao Ziyun brightened. 'Then let's go — BBQ for everyone!'

The roommates had no objections, and Ji Su could hardly say anything more.

They went to a BBQ Restaurant near the School, the five of them taking a small private room.

Gu Zhao kept grilling meat on his side of the grill, picking each piece up once cooked and setting it on the plate in front of Ji Su.

After being fed for a while, Ji Su was full, and he settled back to listen to the others talk.

Zhao Ziyun and Qiao Jin drank and traded barbs, keeping the energy up no matter what — the conversation was lively and loud.

Li You sat on the other side, quietly observing Ji Su and the Gu Zhao beside him, with the persistent feeling that something was off.

Until Gu Zhao lifted his gaze and looked at him, cold.

Li You dropped his head at once, stuffing grilled meat into his mouth.

Halfway through, when Ji Su got up to use the restroom, he rose and followed.

Ji Su was washing his hands at the sink when he noticed Li You standing behind him.

'Ji Su…' Li You hesitated. 'There's something — I don't know if I should say it.'

Ji Su turned around. 'It's fine, go ahead.'

'I feel like the way Gu Zhao looks at you isn't… simple.' Li You gathered his courage. 'He seems to like you.'

Ji Su: '…'

Was the fact that Gu Zhao liked him really that obvious?

'I remember you're straight, right?' Li You stepped toward him. 'Gu Zhao is a complicated person — I think you should stay away from someone with that kind of intention.'

Ji Su's brow furrowed. 'Gu Zhao and I are friends. You can't talk about him like that in front of me.'

Li You grew a little flustered. 'That's not what I meant, I just —'

'Sorry, I know you're trying to look out for me, but this is my own business.' Ji Su cut him off, polite but firm. 'And he's not someone with bad intentions toward me, either.'

Li You's face was full of regret; he could only apologize. 'I'm sorry, I…'

Ji Su said nothing more and walked out.

The moment he stepped through the door, his eyes met Gu Zhao's at the corner.

Gu Zhao was leaning against the wall, his gaze unfathomable, his expression impossible to read.

Ji Su's chest tightened. 'You — you heard all of that?'

'Not more, not less.' Gu Zhao looked at him. 'Just enough to hear how you defended me.'

Ji Su's ears grew warm; he explained softly, 'Don't take my roommate's words to heart — he was just worried about me.'

Gu Zhao gave an ambiguous hum, reached out an arm around his shoulder, and led him back.

Li You stepped out of the restroom too, watched the two of them walk away with their shoulders pressed close, and couldn't stop himself from punching the wall hard.

After the meal, they walked back to the School together.

Gu Zhao went to get the car; Ji Su stood at the school gate, saying goodbye to his roommates.

'Then I'll head back to the Dormitory to pack.' Zhao Ziyun said. 'I bought a ticket home this afternoon — see you when the semester starts!'

Before leaving, Li You glanced at Ji Su once more. 'Take care of yourself.'

Ji Su nodded. 'Thanks. You too.'

After the two of them left, Qiao Jin volunteered eagerly: 'Susu, I'll come with you to Gu Zhao's Residence to pick up your things.'

Ji Su thought for a moment. 'Xiao Qiao — I'll go get it myself.'

Qiao Jin stamped her foot. 'Argh! I'm just afraid you'll go and never come back!'

'How can you be so dramatic?' Ji Su laughed. 'Gu Zhao's Residence isn't a wolf's den or a tiger's lair — how would I not come back?'

Qiao Jin was about to say more when a low-key black Audi pulled up.

'Xiao Qiao, I'm off.' Ji Su waved. 'See you at the Dormitory tonight.'

'Fine, I'll wait for you at the Dormitory.' Qiao Jin added, 'If you can make it back, that is.'

*

Back at the house, Ji Su went into his room and began to pack.

He'd only stayed ten-odd days, but perhaps because the surroundings were too comfortable, a faint reluctance had quietly risen in his chest.

Ji Su slowly zipped the suitcase shut, stood and looked around the room once, then walked out toward the living room.

Gu Zhao was sitting on the sofa; he looked up at the sound. 'All packed?'

'Mm.' Ji Su answered, then thanked him. 'Thank you for letting me stay, and thank you for taking care of me all this time.'

Gu Zhao: 'That's it?'

'I'd like to take you out to dinner tonight.' Ji Su replied softly. 'If you're not free, I can owe you this meal.'

Gu Zhao stretched out his long legs. 'No need to eat out. Let's cook here.'

And so, somehow, it became Gu Zhao at the stove again, with Ji Su assisting at his side.

Gu Zhao seemed to be in a good mood tonight — he'd even opened a bottle of red wine for the occasion.

Long fingers curled around the stem of the wine glass; he raised it. 'Congratulations on getting through Final Exam Week.'

Ji Su lifted his glass and clinked it lightly against Gu Zhao's. 'Congratulations to you, too.'

After the first glass, Gu Zhao poured another.

'I can't drink much.' Ji Su pressed his lips together. 'You know I don't hold my liquor well.'

Gu Zhao raised his glass. 'It's fine — this wine isn't high in alcohol.'

Before he knew it, a faint flush had spread across Ji Su's cheeks, and warmth was gathering in his body.

Gu Zhao sat across from him, watching — quietly grinding his back teeth.

'Gu Zhao, I think I'm a little dizzy.' Ji Su stood up. 'I want to get some water.'

Gu Zhao rose with him. 'I'll get it. You go sit on the sofa and rest for a bit.'

Ji Su walked to the sofa, sat down, and leaned back against the cushion.

Gu Zhao walked over with the glass and handed it to him. 'Drink some water.'

Ji Su drank several mouthfuls in a row before he began to feel a little better.

Gu Zhao took the glass back and, with an entirely natural expression, drank what was left of the half-glass of water.

Ji Su meant to remind him that was his own glass — but his gaze fell on that face, and he suddenly lost his voice.

Gu Zhao tilted his head back; his jawline was striking and sharp, his sensually prominent Adam's apple bobbed up and down, and the sound of his swallowing was unusually clear.

When he finished, a sheen of water clung to his thin lips.

Ji Su stared and stared, and could not stop himself from recalling the warmth and texture pressed against his own lips the night before.

Lips that looked unfeeling and hard were in fact hot and soft — and of course, what was even hotter was…

Ji Su realized what he was thinking, and the heart in his chest began to beat disobediently once more.

Gu Zhao set down the glass, leaned forward until they were eye to eye. 'What are you looking at?'

Ji Su shook his head. 'Nothing.'

Gu Zhao's gaze dropped slightly. 'You're looking at my mouth.'

Whether from the alcohol or something else, Ji Su's head was spinning, and a belated accusation rose to his lips: 'Why did you kiss me last night?'

'Because I like you.' Gu Zhao answered frankly. 'I like you, so I want to kiss you.'

Ji Su was a little unhappy. 'But I didn't agree to you kissing me.'

'The kiss has already happened — what to do about it?' Gu Zhao's fingers pinched that pointed chin. 'Then I'll let you kiss me back.'

Ji Su's gaze went hazy. 'Kiss you back?'

'Mm.' Gu Zhao sat down on the sofa and pulled Ji Su onto his lap. 'This time I won't move — you kiss me back.'