**Chapter 7: Embers of Desire**

As the kiss finally broke, Hongjoong's lips left Moon's, but his arms remained wrapped around her, holding her close. They lay there, entwined on the bed, their chests heaving in unison, their breathing slow and labored. The room around them was bathed in a warm, golden light, as if the sun had burst through the windows, illuminating the intimate scene. Moon's eyes fluttered open, and she gazed up at Hongjoong, her pupils dilated, her irises sparkling with a mixture of confusion and desire. Hongjoong's eyes, locked on hers, seemed to burn with a fierce intensity, as if he was struggling to contain the emotions that threatened to overwhelm him. The air was thick with tension, heavy with the weight of unspoken words. Moon's fingers, still tangled in Hongjoong's hair, slowly untangled themselves, her hands drifting down to his chest. She rested her palm on his heart, feeling the rapid beat beneath her touch. "Hongjoong," she whispered, her voice barely audible. He gazed down at her, his eyes searching for something, but Moon couldn't quite decipher what it was. "Moon," he replied, his voice low and husky, "what are we doing?" Moon's eyes dropped, her gaze drifting to his lips, still swollen from their kiss. She felt a flutter in her chest, a sense of excitement mixed with trepidation. She had never intended to kiss him, but the way he had responded, the way he had made her feel, was like nothing she had ever experienced before. As she hesitated, Hongjoong's arms tightened around her, pulling her closer. "Don't think about it, Moon," he whispered, his breath caressing her ear. "Just feel." Moon's eyes snapped back to his, and she saw the sincerity there, the desire, the longing. She felt her heart skip a beat as she realized that he was right. She didn't have to think about it. She could just let herself feel. As she nodded, Hongjoong's lips brushed against hers once more, gentle, soft, and exploratory. The kiss deepened, and Moon's body responded, melting into his, their hearts beating as one. The world around them dissolved into nothingness, leaving only the gentle rustle of their breathing, the soft curve of their lips, and the deep connection that seemed to grow stronger with every passing moment. In that instant, Moon knew that she was lost, lost in the depths of Hongjoong's eyes, lost in the warmth of his touch, lost in the thrall of his kiss. And she didn't want to be found.