The first mistake Jeon Jungkook made that evening was agreeing to come. The second was allowing Kim Taehyung to choose the destination.

Judging by the music vibrating through the floor, the flashing lights, and the woman currently dancing on a stage across the room, Jungkook was beginning to suspect there would be a third.

Taehyung laughed, leaning back against the velvet booth.

Jungkook sighed, reaching for his glass of water. It wasn't that he disliked women. He'd simply never been particularly good at approaching them. Raised to be respectful, considerate, and mindful of boundaries, he'd spent most of his life playing things safe. Romance had never come naturally to him, and his curiosity about intimacy was something he'd kept entirely to himself.

Following his parents' deaths, however, he'd inherited a fortune and found himself with considerably more freedom than he'd ever known what to do with. Perhaps it was time to use some of it.

Jungkook nodded, finally relaxing a little.

Then the music changed.

The crowd turned toward the stage as a dancer appeared beneath the red lights, dressed in black lingerie, towering stiletto boots, and holding a whip in one hand. She moved with effortless confidence, completely comfortable with the attention she commanded. Jungkook found himself watching. She knew exactly how to captivate a room, teasing the audience with a smile before moving away and leaving them wanting more.

Taehyung followed his gaze, a knowing grin spreading across his face.

Jungkook looked back toward the stage, ignoring him. For the first time that evening, he wasn't thinking about how uncomfortable he felt or how soon he could leave. He was genuinely interested. And Taehyung had already noticed.