IF LOVE HAD A NAME

1. The Ride to Nowhere

The city lights blurred outside the car window.

Hana sat in the passenger seat, her hands curled into fists.

Ji-hoon hadn't spoken since they left.

Hadn't looked at her.

But his grip on the steering wheel was tight.

Too tight.

"You're mad," she murmured.

Ji-hoon's jaw clenched. "I'm not mad."

She scoffed. "Liar."

Silence.

The tension between them was thick.

Finally, Ji-hoon exhaled sharply.

"You don't get it, Hana," he muttered.

"Then make me get it," she shot back.

Ji-hoon's grip tightened.

"You should have stayed away from me."

Hana turned to him, heart pounding.

"And you should have let me go."

That made him falter.

For a second, just a second, his mask slipped.

And she saw it—

The fear.

Not for himself.

For her.

But before she could say anything—

The car slowed.

They weren't at his house.

They were at a hotel.

Hana blinked. "This isn't—"

"It's safer," Ji-hoon cut in.

She swallowed.

Something about being alone with him in a place like this made her heart race.

But she didn't argue.

Because deep down—

She wanted to be here.

---

2. A Room for Two

Ji-hoon swiped the key card and pushed the door open.

The room was small but warm, dimly lit by a soft golden glow.

One bed.

Hana's stomach flipped.

Ji-hoon dropped his jacket, running a hand through his hair.

"You take the bed," he muttered.

She raised an eyebrow. "And you?"

He nodded toward the couch.

Hana hesitated.

She should leave it at that.

She should let him keep his distance.

But instead—

She whispered, "Stay."

Ji-hoon stilled.

Slowly, he turned to her.

His dark eyes searched hers.

For what—she wasn't sure.

Then—

He sighed.

And sat on the edge of the bed.

Just close enough to touch.

---

3. A Confession in the Dark

The room was quiet.

Only the soft hum of the city outside.

Ji-hoon leaned forward, elbows on his knees.

"I wasn't always like this," he said suddenly.

Hana's breath caught.

He never talked about his past.

She waited.

"When I was younger…" He exhaled, running a hand over his face. "I trusted the wrong people."

Hana's chest ached.

She reached out—hesitated—then rested a hand on his arm.

He flinched.

But didn't pull away.

"Ji-hoon…" she whispered.

His gaze flickered to hers.

And suddenly—

She wasn't thinking.

She was moving.

Leaning in.

So close she could feel his breath against her lips.

So close that if either of them moved just a little more—

Ji-hoon inhaled sharply.

Then—

His fingers brushed her cheek.

A touch so light it made her shiver.

His thumb traced her jaw, his eyes dark, hungry.

And then—

He kissed her.

Soft at first. Testing.

Then deeper.

Rougher.

Like he was losing himself.

Like he had been waiting for this.

Hana's fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer.

A quiet gasp—his hands gripping her waist, pulling her onto his lap—

Then—

Ji-hoon tore himself away.

Breathing heavy.

His forehead pressed against hers.

"We can't," he rasped.

Hana's heart ached.

"Why not?" she whispered.

Ji-hoon clenched his fists.

"Because if I let myself have you…"

His voice was raw. Dangerous.

"I won't be able to let you go."

Hana swallowed.

Then, softly—

"Then don't."

Ji-hoon let out a shaky breath.

And this time—

He didn't resist.

---

End of Chapter 8