The soft glow of his phone lit up Jason's room as he scrolled to the group chat he'd created months back. His circle wasn't large, but it was carefully chosen. Every name in there mattered: Daisy, Natalie, Hendricks, and a few others who had proven themselves reliable.
Jason typed quickly, thumbs moving with purpose:
[Jason]: Everyone meet at the office tomorrow, 10 a.m. sharp. And don't use any skincare products or body lotion beforehand.
He set his phone down for a second, leaning back against the headboard. The silence that followed lasted only seconds before the notifications came rolling in.
[Daisy]: …what??
[Natalie]: Okay, but why are we banning lotion now??
[Hendricks]: Is this some kind of weird test?
[Daisy]: It sounds like a test. Jason, what are you scheming?
[Natalie]: LMAO what if it's another product trial? He better not ruin my skin.
[Hendricks]: I swear if this involves needles again—
Jason smirked and typed back one simple line.
[Jason]: Relax. It'll make sense when you get there.
The chat erupted again, full of emojis and sarcastic remarks. He muted it, satisfied. They'd come. They always did.
Backing out of the chat, Jason realized something. He hadn't messaged Son Liying all day. A small frown tugged at his lips. That wouldn't do.
His thumbs moved before he even thought twice.
[Jason]: Hey beautiful.
The reply came faster than he expected.
[Son Liying]: Took you long enough. Thought you forgot about me.
Jason chuckled under his breath.
[Jason]: Impossible. I was just saving the best for last.
[Son Liying]: Smooth. What are you up to?
[Jason]: Trying to survive the chaos. You?
Her typing bubble lingered for a moment, then appeared.
[Son Liying]: Honestly? I'm in the washroom about to take a shower.
Jason's brow arched. He leaned back, settling in.
[Jason]: Dangerous thing to tell me.
[Son Liying]: Why? Afraid you can't handle the image? ;)
[Jason]: Afraid I'll get distracted.
[Son Liying]: Distract me then.
His lips curved into a grin.
[Jason]: If I were there, I wouldn't let you take that shower. Not yet.
[Son Liying]: Oh? And what would you do instead?
Jason let his imagination flow into words.
[Jason]: I'd start by pressing you against the wall, letting the steam curl around us. My hands would explore before the water even touched you.
A pause. Then—
[Son Liying]: …go on.
[Jason]: You'd feel my breath at your ear. Slow, deliberate. I wouldn't rush it. I'd make sure every inch of your skin knew I was there.
Another pause.
[Son Liying]: You're making it hard to step into the shower now.
Jason smirked.
[Jason]: Good. I don't want you stepping in yet. I want you thinking about what I'd do if I was there.
Her reply this time was a photo. Her legs, stretched out just enough to tease, the tile beneath her wet from condensation. No words—just the picture.
Jason's chest tightened, his grin sharpening.
[Jason]: You're playing with fire.
[Son Liying]: I like the burn. Tell me what you'd do next.
He obliged.
[Jason]: I'd trail my hands down your thighs, parting them slowly. The water would beat against your skin but you'd barely notice—too busy focusing on me.
[Son Liying]: …Jason.
[Jason]: You'd lean into me, helpless, while I made sure you forgot the rest of the world. Every touch deeper than the last. Every moment heavier than the last.
There was a pause in her typing. Then another photo. This time, messier—her legs damp against the floor tiles, hints of the chaos she'd let him inspire.
Her caption came after.
[Son Liying]: Thanks for the stress relief. But now… I really do need that shower.
Jason stared at the photo, the corner of his mouth twitching upward.
[Jason]: I'll let you go—for now. But next time, I'm not settling for texts.
[Son Liying]: Promise?
[Jason]: Promise.
He slipped the phone into his pocket, the ghost of her teasing still hot in his mind.
By the time his car pulled up outside the office, Jason's expression was calm again, sharp focus replacing the smirk. His circle would be waiting. His next move would unfold here.
But somewhere in the back of his mind, the memory of Son Liying's last message lingered like smoke.