ADRIAN'S POVThe plush velvet of the couch felt alien beneath me. I was home, technically, back in our penthouse living room, but the air hung thick with unspoken tension.I craved the oblivion of sleep, but I knew it wouldn't come. Not with Damien across from me, his presence a palpable force. He was observing me, his dark eyes narrowed, and the silence stretched, taut and unforgiving. I could practically taste the simmering frustration radiating from him, and it was all aimed at me. I felt like a cornered animal, every instinct screaming at me to flee.“What’s going on, Adrian?” His voice was low, a husky rumble that usually sent shivers down my spine.I forced a casual shrug, trying to mimic the nonchalance I usually wore like armor. "What do you mean? Everything's fine."The sound of his palm slamming against the glass coffee table shattered the tense silence. I flinched."Don’t play dumb with me. Don't lie to me, Adrian," he growled, his voice a dangerous whisper. "Something's w
ADRIAN'S POV The sunlight streaming through the blinds woke me up at 7:00 AM, a minor miracle considering I hadn't drifted off until after 2:00 AM. But I felt…lighter. Like a knot in my chest had finally loosened. Damien and I had actually talked, really talked, and cleared the air. I'd explained, perhaps clumsily, that Selena and I weren't a thing, not yet anyway, and that I knew he was just looking out for me, worried about me getting hurt. I'd also confessed why I'd switched gyms so abruptly and why I'd been avoiding him. It wasn't my proudest moment, the avoidance, but at least it was out in the open.I went through my usual morning routine, a quick shower, a shave, and then pulled on a pair of gray sweatpants and a white, fitted muscle tee. Comfort was key, especially after the emotional rollercoaster of the previous night.The kitchen was my domain. I loved the methodical process of cooking, the way simple ingredients transformed into something delicious. This morning, it was
DAMIEN'S POV I felt…good. Genuinely good. The air between Adrian and me had been thick with unspoken tension for weeks, a suffocating cloud of misunderstanding I couldn’t quite grasp. The relief was palpable. It had been hanging over me for days, this suffocating fear that Adrian was somehow slipping away. We’d had… not a fight, exactly. Just a distance. A coolness that settled between us, a space where easy conversation used to flow. But this morning, we’d talked. Really talked. About the little things that bothered us, about everything and nothing.And now? It was gone. The distance had evaporated. I felt like I could breathe again. He was here, my Adrian, my best friend.I even felt a pang of guilt remembering the selfish thought I’d blurted out this morning, something about hoping he wouldn’t find his future wife for at least ten years. I just… I couldn't envision my life without him. He was a constant. A brother. The thought of him building a life with someone else, a family tha
ADRIAN'S POV Tuesday morning. Supposedly a fresh start, but all I felt was the lingering echo of Monday’s panic attack. Those damn cable ties. I hadn’t seen them for a very long time, not really, until the utility crew left them haphazardly under my desk. Just a forgotten detail, but to me, they were a portal back to a nightmare I thought I conquered but no, the fear isn't conquered, it's just buried deep down waiting to resurfaced again anytime. I rearranged my schedule, squeezing in patients who were understanding, if a little inconvenienced, by my unexpected… episode. Before I dared to sit, I glanced under my desk. Empty. Relief washed over me, a temporary reprieve from the suffocating dread. It was foolish, I knew. I was a grown man, a successful doctor. I should be able to handle a few plastic ties. But the truth was, the fear wasn’t about the object itself, it was about what it represented: helplessness, violation, the utter loss of control. My first patient, Greg, was a yo
DAMIEN'S POV The sterile scent of disinfectant hung heavy in the air as I stretched, the last of my morning patients finally seen. My back popped in protest, a familiar ache that signaled the end of another busy shift. I stepped out of my office, intending to flag down Sienna, our ever-efficient secretary, and check my afternoon schedule.As I rounded the corner, Adrian's office door caught my eye. It was closed. And locked.A knot of unease tightened in my gut. Adrian never locked his door during consultations. It was an open invitation, a silent reassurance to his patients that he was approachable, available. The only time I ever saw that door locked was… well, it was a memory I’d rather bury. The memory of catching Adrian and Selena in a compromising position.A flicker of anger, a possessive rage, threatened to ignite. Has he… was he doing it again? But reason quickly doused the flames. Adrian wasn't stupid. He wouldn't make the same mistake twice. This felt different, heavier. S
ADRIAN'S POV We sat around the polished mahogany table, the seriousness was palpable. Damien, ever the reassuring presence, sat beside me. Across from us, Mr. Harrison, our lawyer, a man whose calm demeanor usually put me at ease, was now radiating a focused intensity. Beside him, Mr. Harding, the private investigator, a man who dealt in shadows, kept his gaze sharp and unwavering. We were strategizing for a war I never wanted to fight, a war with my own family."Adrian," Mr. Harrison began, his voice cutting through the tension, "as we've discussed, your position is legally sound. The will is airtight, and the law is on your side. However, we need to prepare for every eventuality."He was referring to Delilah, my stepmother, and Brent, my stepbrother. They’d slithered back into my life like the vipers they were, demanding half of everything my father had left me. Years of silence, years of no contact, shattered in an instant with their audacious claim.I sighed, running a hand throu
ADRIAN'S POV Suddenly, sirens wailed in the distance. The police were coming. "We have to go," Delilah hissed at Brent, her voice shaking. "Now!" Brent looked confused, but Delilah grabbed his arm and dragged him towards their car. He hesitated for a moment, glancing back at me, the ice pick still poised against my neck. "This isn't over, Adrian," he growled. "You haven’t seen the last of us." With that, they scrambled into their car and sped out of the parking lot, leaving me trembling in their wake. Damien rushed to my side, his face etched with concern. "Adrian! Are you okay? Let me see that cut." I nodded, pressing my hand against my neck. "Yeah, I think so. Just a scratch." He examined the wound, his expression grim. "That needs stitches. Let's get you to the emergency room." As we waited for the police to arrive, Damien put his arm around me, pulling me close. "I'm so glad you're okay," he murmured. "Me too," I said, leaning into him. "Thank you, Damien. You saved my li
DAMIEN'S POVIt had been two weeks since the drama with Adrian's stepmother and stepbrother had died down, and things were finally getting back to normal. Adrian and I were busy attending to our patients, and it was now Friday night, which meant it was time for my after-hours sessions. It’s a delicate dance, balancing professionalism with the...intimate nature of the help I provide.Footsteps echoed down the hall towards my office. Two knocks on the door. Sienna, our clinic's secretary, and Adrian, my best friend, had already left for the weekend. It was just me and the night ahead. "Come in," I said, my voice even and calm.The door swung open, and Sandra stood there, framed in the doorway. She wore a simple, form-fitting red dress that screamed innocence against the backdrop of the dimly lit hallway. She looked shy, almost fragile."Please, have a seat," I gestured to the chair opposite my desk.She moved with a hesitant grace, settling into the chair like she was afraid it might d
DAMIEN'S POVThe text message from Adrian still blazed on my phone screen, a cold, accusing fire even after an hour. “I already left 30 minutes ago. Go home. Don’t wait for me, I’m not coming home tonight.” No matter how many times I reread it, the chill seeped into my bones. This wasn’t the Adrian I knew. This was ice.I gripped the steering wheel, knuckles white. A wave of self-loathing crashed over me. Instead of patiently waiting for Adrian, as I’d promised, I’d let myself be seduced by the fleeting, tawdry promise of Nadia, a complete stranger whose face was already fading from my memory while Adrian’s haunted me. The sharp scent of her perfume, a cheap imitation of something exotic, still clung faintly to the car’s interior, a bitter reminder of my betrayal.Adrian probably saw us. Saw me and Nadia, tangled together in the driver seat of my car, the car I was supposed to be using to pick him up. The thought twisted a knife in my gut. It wasn't just the sex; it was
ADRIAN'S POV The air was thick with the scent of desire, a heady mix of sweat and lust that clung to every surface. Selena and I had just reached our first climax, but it wasn’t enough. Not even close. Our breaths came in ragged gasps, our bodies still trembling from the intensity of what we’d just shared. But the hunger between us was insatiable, a dark and relentless force that demanded more.Selena knelt before me, her fair skin glowing under the dim kitchen light. Her dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing her face as she looked up at me with eyes that were both hungry and tender. She pushed me gently against the sink, her hands firm on my hips, guiding me into position. I leaned back, my athletic frame braced against the cold stainless steel, my heart pounding in my chest."You’re not done yet," she murmured, her voice low and seductive. Her words sent a shiver down my spine, and I felt my cock twitch in anticipation. It was still wet from our earlier encounter, throbbin
ADRIAN'S POVThe kitchen was a mess, but I didn’t care. The counter behind Selena was cluttered with packages of ingredients for the dinner that I suppose to prepare. But none of that mattered now. All I could focus on was the heat of her body pressed against mine, the way her lips moved against mine like she was trying to devour me whole. Selena’s tongue was fierce, demanding, and I met her challenge with equal intensity. Our kisses were torrid, desperate, like we were trying to erase something—or someone—from our minds.My hands gripping her hips as I ground against her. Her moans were loud, unapologetic, and they fueled the fire burning in my chest. But beneath the surface of my desire, there was something darker, something I couldn’t shake. The image of Damien, my best friend, fucking some stranger in his car flashed in my mind. I’d seen it all—the way Damien’s hands had gripped the stranger’s waist, the way his head had thrown back in pleasure. He was supposed to be waiting for m
DAMIEN'S POVMy breath hitched, finally starting to even out. My heart hammered against my ribs, a lingering echo of the raw, animalistic encounter with Nadia. Just a stranger. A fleeting connection based on nothing but mutual, undeniable need. Nothing more. Nothing Special.Once she was gone, a ghost of perfume hanging in the air, I straightened my clothes, ruthlessly erasing any trace of what had just happened. A quick spritz of air freshener – pine, thankfully – fought against the lingering scent of sex and sweat. Adrian would be here any minute.Except, the minutes stretched on, becoming a small eternity. Thirty minutes crawled by, each tick of the clock a hammer blow against my patience. Adrian was never late. Not like this. Unease coiled in my gut, a cold, constricting serpent.I pulled out my phone, fingers trembling slightly as I dialed his number. Ring, ring, ring… voicemail. I tried again. And again. Finally, on the last attempt, the line went busy. He was
DAMIEN'S POV I was leaning against my car, drumming my fingers on the cool metal, I needed to kill some time. Adrian had informed me that he’d be at least another thirty minutes, stuck in the supermarket’s rush-hour queue. Suddenly, I heard the sound of a shopping cart’s wheels rolling across the asphalt. The parking lot was bathed in the harsh fluorescent glow of the mall’s lights.I sighed, glancing at my watch, when the cart came into view. Pushing it was a woman— a vision of a woman. Her hair was a cascade of blond curls, wild and untamed, and her dress hugged her curves like it was painted on. She moved with confidence.Our eyes met, there was something electric in her gaze, a challenge, a promise. I felt my pulse quicken as she approached, her heels clicking against the pavement like a drumbeat. "Hi," she said, her voice low and husky, with a hint of an accent I couldn’t place. "I’m Nadia.""Damien," I replied, my voice rougher than I intended. I cleared my throat, trying to
ADRIAN'S POVAll throughout the afternoon, I was busy planning dinner for Damien. Roast chicken? Too simple. Pasta? He had that last night. I wanted it to be special, a proper apology for the Selena lunch debacle. God, I still felt so guilty about that. I hadn’t even explained it properly – Selena had just sent me a noticed, unexpectedly, and invited me. It was a business thing, sort of, and I hadn’t wanted to be rude. But Damien… Damien deserved better than a mumbled explanation.Of all the people in my world, it was only Damien I never wanted to disappoint. I loved him. I was hopelessly, irrevocably in love with Damien. Of course, he had no idea. He only saw me as his best friend, maybe a younger brother. But to me, he was everything. His sharp wit, his mysterious aura, the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he was genuinely amused… it was intoxicating.During my breaks, I busied myself listing ingredients, scribbling notes on napkins, and covertly Googling recipes. Seared T
ADRIAN'S POVIt was Monday morning, and I'd just finished my last appointment. Glancing at the digital clock on my desk, I saw it was 11:30 AM, practically lunchtime. Usually, this meant heading over to Damien's office – right across from mine – to see what he was planning to eat. It had become a ritual, a much-needed break in the day and a chance to catch up with my best friend.I was about to make my move when my phone buzzed with a text message notification. I smirked, figuring it was Damien. "Lazy bum can't even walk across the hall," I muttered to myself. But when I picked up my phone, the sender ID was Selena.Selena? It had been a while.My stomach clenched as I read her message: "Hey Adrian, it's been a while since we last saw each other. I know you've been discharged from the hospital. I guess it's time to continue our deal, right?"The "deal." A shiver ran down my spine. I'd almost managed to push it to the back of my mind during my recovery. It was a forced agreement, conco
ADRIAN'S POVThe comments exploded. Speculation ran rampant. "Who was the lucky woman? ""Was it a celebrity? ""A fellow doctor?"They had no idea."That's all I'm saying for now," I announced, cutting off the inevitable flood of follow-up questions. "Let's move on to something else."None of them knew that the song was for Damien. My best friend. My confidant. The man who had been by my side through thick and thin, through medical school, through failed relationships, through every single triumph and disaster life had thrown my way.The man I was hopelessly, irrevocably in love with.The lyrics weren't just about gratitude. They were about love. Unspoken, unrequited, simmering beneath the surface for years. The "secrets I keep" weren't just secrets. They were the agonizing words I could never bring myself to say, the confession I feared would shatter our friendship.I hope he wasn't watching the stream right now, but maybe he was laughing along with everyone else, oblivious to the
ADRIAN'S POV "’Are you single, Adrian?’" I read aloud, a grin spreading across my face. "Well, that's a popular question! And the answer is..." I paused for dramatic effect, knowing I was being a tease. "It's complicated." The comments exploded. Even behind the screen, I could feel the collective gasp and flurry of fingers typing. "Complicated... how?" "Who is it, Coach Adrian?" "Spill the tea!" I chuckled. "Okay, okay, I'll elaborate a little. There's someone... someone I care about deeply. Someone who's incredibly important to me. But the nature of our relationship… is not easily defined." I knew I was dancing around the truth, but revealing my feelings for Damien to thousands of strangers online felt like a betrayal, a violation of something sacred. My feelings for Damien were complex, a tangled web of love, admiration, and a deep-seated fear of ruining everything. He was my best friend, my protector, the closest thing I had to the family. He had rescued me from a l