The smell of cigarettes and omelette hung in the air. A strange mix, but somehow comforting. It was what made Taeryn stir awake, that familiar trace of smoke teasing his senses. Cigarettes. His detective always smelled like cigarettes.
He blinked his eyes open to find Rihan standing a few feet away, his face half-lost in a haze of pale smoke curling from his lips.
Those cold hazel eyes were narrowed on him. "You're awake." Came his thick raspy voice.
Fuck!
Rihan looked different this morning. So different it made his heart do a series of backflips. The deep blue sweater and grey sweatpants softened his usual sharp edges, and his long black hair was tied up in a loose, messy knot, a few strands falling across his face.
He looked unfairly beautiful. Ethereal, even.
And all Taeryn could think about was how badly he wanted to taste him.
Taeryn slowly pushed himself upright, grinning like an idiot. "Sorry for coming in uninvited."
Rihan scoffed, pulling the cigarette from between his lips. "You didn't just come in uninvited, did you now?"
Taeryn blinked, the words taking a moment to sink in until last night came flooding back.
Park Minsoo.
The rope.
The way the man's legs kicked uselessly as he choked on his final breath.
To everyone else, it looked like suicide. He'd even dumped all the evidence neatly, tying up the loose ends Rihan had been chasing for weeks.
"Is this about the case?" he asked, feigning innocence. "It's closed, right?"
Rihan's lips twitched. He stormed forward, grabbed a fistful of Taeryn's hair, and yanked his head back until pain shot down his spine.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Rihan hissed, his voice low and sharp. He dragged Taeryn's face close to his own, cigarette smoke curling between them. "You're getting in the middle of my job and I do not fucking like it. I made a mistake once thinking you were the killer, and that was cleared up. You were supposed to leave. So why?" His grip tightened. "Why did you step in and send evidence to the station in my name?"
Taeryn swallowed hard, his pulse pounding. The detective's breath was warm against his skin, the scent of smoke wrapping around him like a drug. His own pheromones slipped into the air sharp, heavy with excitement.
Rihan's eyes darkened in irritation. He tightened his grip, jerking Taeryn's head back harder until a pained groan escaped his throat.
"Are you seriously getting excited by this?" Rihan growled, his voice low and edged with disbelief.
"I… I can't help it, Detective," Taeryn breathed, his voice trembling with something between fear and desire. "But I'll explain everything."
Rihan didn't look convinced. Still, he released his grip slowly and stepped back, exhaling a sharp breath through his nose before dragging on his cigarette.
"Go on," Smoke curled lazily between them as he took three steps forward, his Adam's apple bobbing as he exhaled.
Taeryn stared at him utterly mesmerized. His detective looked sinfully good. Cold, dangerous, cigarette between his lips with those sharp eyes. He looked like a man who could ruin someone just by breathing.
When Rihan shot him a glare, Taeryn quickly snapped out of it, raking shaky fingers through his already messy hair as if the gesture could ease the delicious sting on his scalp.
"I'm a hired killer," he began quietly, his eyes flickering toward the floor. "An assassin who gets rid of the trash in this world for people I call clients."
"Yes, I know that," Rihan's brows lifted, interest breaking through his irritation. The shift made Taeryn's stomach twist with nervous excitement, but he forced himself to continue.
"I didn't know he was the killer of the other six. Not until I got a job to eliminate him. When I looked into it, I realized we were going after the same guy."
"You were in the House of Crimson to kill him," Rihan muttered, turning toward the counter. He crushed the cigarette in the ashtray, his shoulders tense.
"Yes." Taeryn nodded eagerly. "But you were drunk, and you left because you were angry with me. I just wanted to make it up to you. That's why I sent the evidence in your name to relieve you of the case."
Rihan frowned at that, though the edge had softened. Hope flickered in Taeryn's chest.
"And how," Rihan asked slowly, his voice dangerously calm, "did you get into my condo?"
Taeryn smiled faintly. "I know the passcode. And even if you change it, I'll still find out."
Rihan's eyes narrowed as he rubbed his forehead, cursing under his breath. "Have you been in here before?"
Taeryn froze, guilt painting his cheeks pink. "...Yes?"
Rihan stared at him like he was out of his mind. Then he stalked forward, jabbing a finger at Taeryn's chest.
"So you, an assassin, have been breaking into the home of a crime detective. Tell me, does that sound smart to you?"
Taeryn gave a sheepish laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "No… but I don't regret it."
Rihan's eyes narrowed. "I can tell you don't have bad intentions but do not ever…"
He grabbed a fistful of Taeryn's hair, this time rougher, yanking his head back until Taeryn's mouth fell open in a sharp gasp of pain.
"…ever involve yourself in my job again." His voice dropped to a low growl, every word vibrating with warning. "Are we clear?"
Taeryn's breath hitched. The pain shot through his scalp, down his spine, and settled hot in his stomach. He could barely think, barely breathe because fuck, he was turned on.
He was in heaven. And he didn't want to leave.