Taeho:

  Anya. It really is a beautiful name. It almost sounds like the word “No” in Korean. Like she’s off-limits. It trips off my tongue so easily too. Anya. Anya.

  Dammit.

  Why can’t I stop thinking about her? It was that one moment…

  When she removed her mask, I could see how beautiful she was, but it was the moment her deep blue eyes penetrated my soul that I felt lost. She had such intense eyes , and they were full of meaning. It was like they were telling me she needed rescuing. Like… she needed me. No. I’m reading too much into that. Rescuing? What would she need rescuing from? She was just a stranger, someone who needed a doctor’s care for a moment—nothing more. The sooner I could get away from her and her intoxicating scent, the better.

  Of course, I’d had thoughts about other women before, but not like this. Nothing this intense. The urges that surged through me when I looked at Anya… even now when think about her… I haven’t felt anything like this in years. Come to think of it, I don’t remember the last time I thought this much about any woman other than my fiancée.

  Right. Eliza.

  That’s who I should be focusing on. Not Anya. Not the sexy, black-hooded enchantress who’s somehow hijacked my every thought. I have to get her out of my head. For some reason, though, her scent still lingers. How is that even possible?

  I grab the lapel of my woolen overcoat and breathe in the notes of fresh tangerine and lychee and… she’s there again. Not only in my thoughts, but her gorgeous scent is clinging to my damn coat. Why did I let her hug me for so long?

  That scene plays on repeat in my mind and I can’t help but feel confused and… aroused. Did she have to smell so fucking seductive? With her lingering scent all over me, there’s no way I can forget her. I need to air this coat and shower ASAP. To do that, I’ve got to get to my hotel pronto, so my Kakao Taxi better be here soon. Anya’s scent hits me again and has an instant effect on my mind and my body—this isn’t the time or the place. I reconsider my imminent shower—make that a really, really cold shower.

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  As I glance out the window at the ocean views around Incheon International Airport, I can still feel her lingering touch on my hand. I look down at the lines on my palm as I remember that fleeting feeling. Like I was important to her—like I had a purpose. I felt that calming her, holding her hand, and being by her side in her moment of need was what I’d been put on this earth for. Maybe it’s the doctor in me, or maybe just the kind of person I am, but being there next to her felt so…

  No. Stop thinking about it.

  I try to tell myself that nothing about our interaction was natural. None of these feelings I’m having are natural. That long lingering hug she gave me before parting ways was definitely not natural. But I have to acknowledge that those few moments with Anya is all it took to feel things I haven’t felt in a long time. It’s like she’s awakened some part of me that’s been dormant for way too long.

  I take a deep breath and try to push all my thoughts and urges back into line. I also try my hardest to ignore Anya’s scent as it drifts upwards from my coat—nothing’s working.

  I know I shouldn’t think like this. I have a woman at home, and I love her. I should be thinking of her. But I can’t let Anya go. Not while her scent still lingers. Most people would say there’s no real harm in fantasizing about Anya—it’s not like anyone’s going to know and I’m never going to see her again.

  But I would know. And I won’t let myself do it.

  ***

  As soon as I enter my airport hotel room, I peel off my coat. Even hiding it away immediately in the wardrobe by the entry doesn’t work. I had hoped the scent would fade and take my thoughts of Anya along with it because they’re overwhelming me. Nothing I do seems to work. She’s everywhere all at once and I can’t escape.

  My room in this hotel is small but practical. It has all the amenities anyone would need for a short stay and the décor’s crisp white tones are soothing. The balcony is a small perk. So, I go outside to get some fresh autumn air. That doesn’t work either.

  I go back to my original plan. I go back inside, strip my suit off, and jump in the shower. The water is ice-cold, and for a time it takes me out of my tumbling thoughts, but it’s only able to distract me for so long.

  You cannot be thinking like this. You love Eliza, remember? She’s the nerdy little blond psychology major you fell for in college. She’s… she’s the love of your life… she’s… those pretty plump lips you want to kiss… her delicate hand you want gripping your hard shaft… stroking it while you look into her deep blue eyes and kiss her hard like she’s all yours. You pull her close and her warm breath tickles your ear just like on the flight. You want to hear her moan when you slide your own hand between her legs and slowly up her thigh to the sweet spot. You want her to stroke you harder, faster… and…

  Fuck.

  I gasp and steadying myself against the shower wall, abs flexing as I climax.

  This freezing temperature isn’t doing a damn thing to cool off my burning desire for Anya.

  ?Sky Mincharo