MasukMASONWe’re both laughing softly as we walk through the quiet hallways of my building. Tyler’s hair is a little messy from the drive, and his lips are still red from the kisses in the car. My heart’s calmer now, the earlier adrenaline replaced with something softer.He presses the elevator button and leans against the wall, still wearing that smug little half-smile that drives me insane. “You know,” he says, voice low, “I still can’t believe we actually drove all the way to the coast for… whatever that was.”“Therapy,” I say, slipping my hand into his. “Worked better than your breathing exercises, didn’t it?”He laughs, the sound echoing in the empty hallway. “Barely. You almost got us arrested.”“Arrested?” I arch a brow. “That was romantic, babe. Scenic route, sea breeze, your hand on my thigh—”“Mason.” He shakes his head, trying not to laugh.“What?” I grin. “You looked hot under the moonlight. I was distracted.”The elevator dings, and he steps in first, giving me that side-eye t
MASONI pull Tyler closer in the dim glow of the parking garage, the engine's tick fading into silence. His lips crash against mine again, hungry this time, no more soft whispers. His tongue slips in, tangling with mine, and I groan into his mouth, hands gripping his waist like I need to anchor him here."Fuck, Tyler," I mutter between kisses, my voice rough. "You have no idea what you do to me."He breaks away just enough to grin, eyes dark and playful. "Show me then."Before I can respond, he swings a leg over, climbing into my lap. The steering wheel digs into my back, but I don't care. I reach down, fumbling for the seat lever, and shove it back with a loud scrape. More room. Finally."There we go," he says, settling on me, his ass pressing right against my hardening cock. He rolls his hips once, slow and deliberate, and I bite my lip hard to keep from moaning too loud."Jesus," I hiss, hands sliding under his shirt, feeling the heat of his skin. "You're gonna kill me."He grinds
MASONI slam my door shut and stride toward the black car that’s stopped a few meters behind us. My jaw’s tight, pulse hammering somewhere between my ears. The bastard didn’t even bother to pretend he wasn’t following us.The car’s window is half-tinted, but I can see a figure fumbling with something—camera, maybe phone. My fists clench automatically.I knock on the glass—once, hard. “Get out.”No answer. Just nervous movement.I knock again, harder this time. “I said get the fuck out of the car.”The driver’s door finally opens, and a man steps out. Thin. Nervous. Mid-thirties maybe. Holding a camera like it’s a damn weapon.“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I mutter, taking a step closer. “You’ve been following us since the coast?”He tries to smile. “Mr. Grant, it’s—it’s just a small story—”“Oh, it’s a story?” I interrupt, my voice sharp. “What story? The one where you stalk people at midnight? Or the one where you sell fake news for clicks?”His mouth opens, closes. He tries to act
TYLER By the time I reach the building, I’m exhausted — the kind of exhaustion that clings to your bones and makes every step feel heavy. The elevator hums quietly as it carries me up, fluorescent lights flickering overhead. I keep replaying Gabriel’s call in my head, his words looping like a soft melody that barely keeps me standing: You’re not alone, Ty. The moment the elevator doors slide open, I already see it — the faint golden glow spilling out from under my apartment door. My breath catches. Mason’s here. I step inside, and there he is, sitting on the couch like he belongs there — because he does. His jacket’s slung across the armrest, sleeves rolled up, hair a little messy like he’s been running his hands through it while waiting. He looks up, eyes softening immediately. “Hey.” “Hey,” I murmur, closing the door behind me. “What’re you doing here?” Mason stands, walking over slowly. “You weren’t answering texts.” “I was with Gabriel.” I drop my bag, my shoulders saggin
CHAPTER 142TYLER The phone rings just as I’m about to shut down my laptop. For a second, I don’t even look at the screen—I’m too tired, too drained to deal with another problem. But then the caller ID flashes, and my heart actually skips.Gabriel.It’s been months since I last heard his voice.I swipe to answer. “Kuya?”“Ty!” His voice bursts through the speaker, loud, warm, and so familiar it almost makes me tear up. “Thank God, you answered! I’ve been calling since this morning!”I lean back in my chair, letting out a breath that’s half laugh, half relief. “Time zones, Kuya. I was at work.”“Work, work, work,” he says with that mock-annoyed tone that never fails to make me smile. “Always work. Don’t tell me you’re skipping meals again?”“Maybe.”“Putangina, Tyler!” he scolds, slipping into Tagalog instantly. “You’ll die young if you keep eating like a ghost.”“I’m fine,” I say, laughing softly. “I had coffee.”“That’s not food.”“It’s breakfast,” I counter.There’s silence on the
CHAPTER 141TYLER The coffee machine hums softly, but even that sound feels like it’s mocking me. I stand there staring at the cup, watching the dark liquid swirl.It’s been eight hours since we found the video.Eight hours since my entire body went cold. Since Mason’s shaking hands clicked play, and there it was—our faces, our bodies, our sounds. Something that was supposed to be ours alone, now existing somewhere else. Somewhere out there.I barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw it again. The slow drag of his mouth down my chest. My fingers gripping his hair. His voice. Mine.I couldn’t breathe. Still can’t.“Ty?” Mason’s voice pulls me out of my head. He’s leaning against the doorway, hair messy, a shirt thrown on like he didn’t care if it was backward or not. His eyes are still red from last night.“You didn’t sleep,” he says softly.“Neither did you.” I hand him the cup I made for him before realizing I forgot to add sugar. He takes it anyway.We stand there in silenc







