CHAPTER SIXTEEN

 Damien’s POV

“I’ll miss you!”  Adrian whispered, though loud enough that anyone nearby could hear. He clung to Drew tightly, refusing to let go just yet.

Today was the day Drew flew back to Europe. We’d all come to the airport together with me,  Adrian, and Thomas, who practically begged to tag along. Watching Drew leave had an odd weight to it.

“I know, I’ll miss myself too,” Drew teased with a cocky grin.

I bit down on my lip, holding back a laugh. Damn, the guy was funny.

“Jerk!”  Adrian shoved him playfully, his cheeks puffed out in mock anger, though his eyes were sparkling. Drew chuckled and patted him on the shoulder. Standing next to each other, I noticed again how Drew was just a little taller than  Adrian, though both were slim, sharp around the edges but softer when they smiled.

I turned my gaze to Thomas, who was standing stiffly at my side. His expression gave him away. He wasn’t just sad, he looked like Drew was vanishing forever, not just boarding a plane.

Funny thing about Thomas: he never did tell me what happened during that little lunch date with Drew. He dodged every time I brought it up. But the way he came home the next day grinning like an idiot… yeah. I could guess.

Drew finally broke away from  Adrian and walked over to Thomas. I stayed back, tugging  Adrian gently with me. Those two probably needed some privacy.

I expected a hug, maybe some soft words. Instead, Drew leaned close and whispered something to Thomas and then stomped on his foot. Hard.

“What the hell was that for?!” Thomas yelped, hopping in pain.

I burst into laughter, shaking my head. Only Drew would turn a farewell into slapstick comedy.

 Adrian raised a brow at me like What is even happening? I just wrapped an arm around his waist and kissed his cheek, keeping my eyes on the disaster unfolding in front of us.

“That’s for upgrading my flight into first class without telling me!” Drew growled.

Thomas spun around and glared at me instead of him. My shoulders shot up in a guilty shrug. He had told me to keep it a secret, after all. Technically, it wasn’t my fault  Adrian overheard and spilled the beans to Drew later.

“You should be ” Thomas started, but he didn’t get the chance to finish.

Drew grabbed him by both sides of the head and pulled him down into a kiss. Not a quick peck either full-on, long, and deep.

I couldn’t help the grin spreading across my face.  Adrian laughed outright, doubling over. I bent down and kissed his hair, savoring the moment.

When they finally pulled apart, Thomas’s face was crimson, his shock melting into something softer, warmer.

“And that’s for making my stay here memorable,” Drew said with a smirk.

Thomas didn’t even hesitate. He dragged him back down into another kiss.

“HEY! Enough smooching! You’ll miss your flight!”  Adrian yelled, hands cupped around his mouth.

Both of them sprang apart like guilty teenagers. Drew’s pale skin flushed redder than a tomato.

He gave Thomas one last lingering look before turning and hurrying toward the boarding gate.

“Call me when you land!” Thomas shouted after him.

Drew spun around, grinning, and threw up a thumbs-up before disappearing into the crowd.

 Adrian waved, Thomas waved, and then Drew was gone. Just like that.

“So… you and Drew, huh?”  Adrian asked once Thomas wandered back to us.

“Yep,” Thomas said casually, though the pout on his face ruined the effect. “I’ll fly to Europe to find him if I have to. He wouldn’t even give me his address.”

I barked out a laugh. “Maybe that was the point so you wouldn’t find him.”

“I’ll waste all my money if that’s what it takes.” Thomas crossed his arms like a sulking kid.

 Adrian giggled. “Wow. He’s got you wrapped around his little finger.”

Thomas shot me a glare sharp enough to kill. I raised my hands in surrender, smirking. “Kidding. Relax.”

 Adrian rolled his eyes, and Thomas muttered something under his breath before heading off, saying he’d catch a ride home.

That left me and  Adrian in the car with Adam driving us back to the inn. The ride was quiet at first, peaceful. I let the silence stretch until  Adrian broke it.

“My mom said she wants to see you again,” I said casually.

His head snapped toward me, eyes wide. “Really?”

“Yep. She was squealing over the phone this morning.” I chuckled at the memory.

 Adrian smiled softly, almost shyly. “Your mom and dad are… funny. They told me to let you ‘tap my ass.’ Their words, not mine.”

I groaned, dragging a hand down my face. “Of course they did. They’re insane.”

He laughed and nodded, leaning into my shoulder. “I miss Drew already. His stay was too short.”

I kissed his hair. “Drew’s… unique. The fact that Thomas fell for him makes him even more special.”

 Adrian’s eyes shot open, then slowly drifted closed again. “Wait. Thomas never falls for anyone?”

I thought about it. I’d never seen Thomas in a real relationship. Plenty of hookups, sure, but nothing lasting. “Nope. He’s slept his way through half of New York, but I’ve never seen him actually in love. Until now.”

 Adrian sat up straighter, an alarm flashing across his face. “Then I should warn Drew!”

I shook my head, smiling. “Don’t bother. Thomas is gone. He’s head over heels for Drew. Trust me.”

“How do you know?”

I took his hand, kissed his knuckles, and looked him dead in the eyes. “Because he wore the same look I had when I fell in love with you.”

 Adrian turned bright red. I leaned in and kissed him on the lips, pulling him close. He looped his arms around my neck, and for a moment I thought about deepening the kiss until the radio shifted, a snapping beat filling the car.

“Oh my God, this is my song!”  Adrian squealed, pushing me back. “Turn it up, Adam!”

The beat thumped louder.  Adrian started singing, then straddled my lap, moving to the rhythm. He wasn’t exactly dancing, more like performing, acting out every lyric with sass and flair.

I leaned back, smirking, just watching him. He pointed at me dramatically, wagged a finger, even laid one across my lips during the “Shhh” part. The sight of him, playful and bold, sent heat racing through me.

By the time the song ended, I was painfully hard.  Adrian froze, realizing what he’d just done, and scrambled back into his seat, cheeks blazing.

“Naughty,” I murmured, stealing a kiss.

He ducked his head, stammering. “I-I can’t believe I did that!”

“Relax. It wasn’t a striptease.” I grinned. “But it did give me a hard-on.”

His blush deepened, and when I glanced down, I noticed his slacks tented, too.

“Guess I’m not the only one,” I teased. He covered himself instantly.

I chuckled, turning toward the window as Taylor Swift’s voice filled the car, letting the moment settle.

Later that day, I buried myself in paperwork at the office. Real estate contracts, property disputes, endless numbers mind-numbing, soul-sucking work. Still, I called  Adrian whenever I needed a breather. Hearing his voice always steadied me.

I was mid-signature when a knock came at my door.

“Come in,” I said without looking up.

The sound of uneven footsteps made me glance up and my pen clattered from my hand.

“my wife?”

 Adrian stood there, swaying slightly. His face was flushed, his movements sluggish, almost drunken. My chest tightened with alarm.

I rushed over, grabbing his hips to steady him. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“I… can’t. Not anymore.” His words slurred, barely above a whisper.

Before I could question him, his hand shot up to the back of my head, yanking me down. His lips crashed against mine, hot and desperate.

“I can’t wait anymore,” he gasped between kisses. “Make love to me,  Damien. I want you. Now.”

My blood roared in my ears. His breath was uneven, his skin burning under my hands. Something was wrong.

I touched his forehead and he was on fire. Feverish.

“Did you eat or drink something?” I demanded, shaking him gently.

“F-fuck me,  Damien,” he pleaded, eyes glassy. “Suck me off… fuck me senseless… I want your big, fat ”

“Stop.” I held him tighter, fighting my own arousal clawing at me.

This wasn’t  Adrian talking. His pupils were blown wide, his body trembling in ways that screamed drugged.

And then it hit me.

Someone had done this to him.

Not by accident.

On purpose.

And whoever it was, they wanted him vulnerable.

My heart pounded as rage overtook desire. I pulled him close, wrapping him in my arms.

Who the hell had dared touch him?