42. Chapter 42
Ody took another slow step forward. Mano’s back touched the wall with a soft thud, shoulders pressing against it as if the cold surface might steady him. His chest rose, lips parting like he wanted to say something, but no words came out.
Ody stopped right in front of him. Close enough to feel his warmth.
Mano’s eyes flickered between Ody’s gaze and his mouth.
Ody leaned closer. “When I have sex with Anna,” he said, “I think of you.”
Mano’s breath hitched.
“When I kiss her, I think of you.” Ody’s voice dropped lower. “Even when Kash touched me… I still thought of you.”
Mano’s fingers twitched uselessly at his sides. His eyes stayed lowered, but Ody saw the way his throat moved as he swallowed.
He stepped closer, until there was barely any space left between them. Mano could feel the heat of his body now. Ody’s gaze lingered on his lips for a moment before he leaned in beside his ear. “I want you so much it hurts.”
Mano let out a shaky exhale and turned his head to the side, eyes squeezed shut.
A small, knowing smile curved Ody’s lips. “What’s the matter, Mano?” he whispered. “Did that give you goosebumps?”
“S-stop…” Mano managed, his voice barely steady.
“I just found your sensitive spot.”
A shiver ran through Mano’s body.
Ody reached up and grabbed his face, tilting it so their eyes met. The space between them was almost nonexistent. “I know you want me too,” he said.
Mano’s eyelids fluttered. “I… I don’t want you.”
One thing was certain. Mano was stronger than Ody and they both knew that. If he wanted to, he could’ve shoved him away in a second. One push would’ve been enough to send Ody stumbling across the room.
His hands even twitched like he might do it. But he didn’t. He stayed there, back against the wall, letting Ody keep him pinned.
“You’re lying,” Ody said, his eyes never leaving his.
Mano’s gaze dropped to the floor. “I’m not lying…”
Ody’s mouth curved, like he already knew the truth. “Are you sure?”
Mano’s lips parted, but no answer came out. His chest kept rising and falling, his gaze flickering away for a second before snapping back to Ody’s face.
For a moment, neither of them moved. Ody was still too close.
Mano’s jaw tightened. If he stayed there another second, he knew he wouldn’t be able to stop what was about to happen. So he forced himself to move. He shoved Ody back and tried to slip past him.
Ody caught his arm. With one sharp motion, he pulled him back and pressed him against the wall again.
Mano pushed at his arms, trying to break free.
Ody held him there, something sharp flashing through his eyes. His patience snapped. He yanked Mano by the neck and slammed his mouth onto his, the kiss rough and hungry.
Mano stiffened in shock, his hands pressing hard against Ody’s bare chest as he tried to push him away.
Ody didn’t stop. His hand slid to the back of Mano’s neck, holding him there as the kiss deepened, more demanding now, more desperate.
Mano’s resistance faltered. His hands stayed against Ody’s chest for a second longer before the pressure finally weakened.
Ody felt it immediately. He pulled Mano away from the wall and threw him onto the bed.
Mano landed on his back, eyes wide, a nervous, almost shy look flashing across his face before Ody climbed over him, capturing his lips again.
Mano kept his hands stiff at his sides, too nervous to touch him. Ody being shirtless only made it worse, the heat of his skin so close it left Mano flustered.
Their kisses turned wet, their tongues brushing and sliding against each other. Ody’s hand slid down to the front of Mano’s pants, gripping him.
Mano jerked at the touch, breaking the kiss with a startled gasp.
Ody leaned close to his ear. “I see you’re hard for me.”
Mano punched his chest in protest, but Ody caught both wrists and pinned them above his head.
Mano looked up at him, eyes wide, his chest rising and falling quickly.
“Easy there,” Ody said, a hint of amusement tugging at his lips before he leaned down to kiss him again.
Ody’s every move sent unfamiliar waves of pleasure through him.
It didn’t make sense. Mano had always been the one in control.
With every girl he’d dated, things eventually ended the same way.
They rushed through everything, eager and impatient, and sooner or later he would take over, guiding things where he wanted them to go.
He never complained. It was just how things worked.
But this… this was different. Ody wasn’t rushing. He wasn’t waiting for Mano to take control either. He was paying attention.
And somehow, every touch, every kiss, every slow movement made Mano’s breath grow heavier, his body responding in ways he couldn’t quite understand.
Something about it felt… good. Too good.
Their tongues tangled as Ody pushed Mano’s shirt up, his hands sliding over the firm lines of his abs and chest.
Then his lips drifted down to Mano’s neck.
“Ah!” A soft cry slipped out when Ody’s teeth grazed his skin.
Ody lifted his head, and their eyes locked. His expression was hungry, almost savage. With a rough motion he pushed the shirt higher, bunching it near Mano’s neck before lowering his mouth again, leaving slow kisses across his muscular torso. “God… what a body,” he groaned.
His lips traveled back up, brushing along Mano’s neck as he leaned close to his ear. “When you came out of the shower with just a towel… I wanted to rip it off and take you right then.”
A shiver ran through Mano’s entire body. Heat rushed to his face, spreading across his cheeks until he was beet red. Then he punched Ody’s shoulder. “Don’t talk like that,” he grumbled, looking away.
Ody smiled slowly. “Why?” he murmured. “You don’t like hearing that?”
Mano turned his face away, his cheeks burning.
“The big tough Mano who beat the hell out of those guys is suddenly shy?” Ody teased.
Mano’s jaw tightened, but the redness on his face only deepened. “Cu-cut it out…” he muttered, still refusing to look at him.
Ody chuckled. “You’re so cute like this.”
Before Mano could answer, Ody’s lips returned to his neck, leaving slow, wet kisses along the warm skin. His hand slid down and closed over the hardness in Mano’s pants. Mano gasped, his body jerking under him.
Ody lifted his head, watching the reaction with clear satisfaction. “Look at you. You’re actually blushing. Adorable.”
“Hah…” Mano exhaled.
The sound nearly destroyed Ody. He buried his face in Mano’s neck again, his hand still teasing him through the fabric of his shorts.
Then a vibration buzzed from Mano’s pocket.
Ody went still. “Your phone?”
Mano barely reacted, still lost in the moment.
Ody reached into Mano’s pocket and pulled it out, glancing at the notification. Ranya: We totally forgot you and Ody fought. Why didn’t you text me? Anna went to wake him up. Are you coming?
Ody shot upright, panic flashing across his face.
“What’s wrong?” Mano asked, still dazed.
“Anna! She’s on her way here!”
“What?!” Mano bolted upright, eyes wide.
“To the bathroom, quick!”
Mano jumped off the bed, nearly tripping over the sheets. “What if she wants to come in?” he whispered harshly as he yanked his shirt down.
“She won’t,” Ody shot back, waving frantically at him. “Hurry up!”
Mano ran for the bathroom just as the card slid into the door lock.
Their breaths hitched.
He slipped inside and shut the door behind him just as the room door opened.
Ody collapsed face-first onto the bed, groaning at the ache throbbing low in his body.
“Wake up, sleepyhead,” Anna said as she walked into the room.
Ody kept his eyes closed, pretending to sleep. Crap... She can’t see me like this. And I have to get Mano out of the bathroom.
“Mmm…” he groaned, slowly opening his eyes. “What time is it?”
“6:30.”
“Still early.”
“Yeah, but you won’t be sleeping tonight. Are you coming to the pool?”
“In a bit,” he muttered as she walked farther into the room. “Where are you going?”
“To the bathroom.”
Inside, Mano pressed himself flat against the wall behind the door, panicked.
“I want cuddles!” Ody grabbed her hand, pulling her onto the bed.
“Fine. Turn around.”
“No, I’m comfy like this. Hold me.”
She smiled and wrapped her arms around him. “Aww, my baby.”
Behind the bathroom door, Mano stood frozen, trembling as he silently cursed.
Once Ody was sure his little problem had settled, he rolled onto his back. “Ready to go?” he asked.
“Yeah, hold on. I need to use the bathroom.”
“Oh, come on, let’s go now that I’m awake.” He pushed himself up and started getting dressed.
“It’ll only take a second. I have to pee.” She walked toward the bathroom door.
Mano pressed himself even tighter against the wall, knowing it wouldn’t help much.
Before she could reach the door, Ody hoisted her over his shoulder.
“Ody! I’m gonna pee!” she shouted as he carried her toward the room’s exit.
The sound of the door opening and closing reached Mano’s ears. Then everything went quiet.
He slowly emerged from the bathroom, phone still in hand, and cracked the door open. After making sure the hallway was clear, he slipped out and headed quickly to his own room.
“Ody! What are you doing? Put me down!” she protested as he carried her toward the stairs. “Are you crazy?”
“I just like messing with you,” he teased, giving her nose a playful squeeze.
“Yeah, but if I peed on you, you’d be the one screaming,” she said with a pout, and Ody chuckled.
As she turned back toward the room, Ody followed, glancing around cautiously. He must’ve gotten the chance to leave, right...?
Anna opened the door with her key card and stepped inside. Ody followed her. He watched as she entered the bathroom. Only then did he finally exhale.
His entire body loosened at once, the tension draining out of him as he dropped back onto the bed.
For a moment he just stared at the ceiling.
Jesus… that was close. If Anna had walked in a minute earlier…
He groaned and dragged a hand through his hair, his mind flashing back to Mano pressed against the wall, the way he’d looked beneath him on the bed.
Yeah. That could’ve ended very badly.
“Dude, we thought you were dead. How long did you sleep?” Steve asked when they arrived at the pool.
“Has anyone seen Mano?” Ranya asked.
Ody felt his breath catch. “Uh… no,” he said, trying to sound casual. “He didn’t come?”
“I texted him, but…”
“He didn’t come to wake you, huh?” Antony asked with a smile.
“No.” Ody leaned back in the chair, trying to look relaxed, but his fingers kept tapping against the armrest.
“Come on. When are you two going to make up?” he added.
Ody shrugged, avoiding everyone’s eyes.
“I’ll go check on him,” Ranya said, standing up.
Ody watched her leave, a tight knot forming in his stomach.
When she entered the room, she found him lying on the bed. “Hey, babe. Aren’t you coming to the pool?”
“Do I have to?” Mano muttered without looking at her. “We’ll be going for a night swim soon anyway.”
Ranya frowned and leaned against the doorframe. “So what? You’re just going to stay here by yourself?”
“I’ll stay and watch some videos until we leave.”
“Ugh, do whatever you want,” she sighed, rolling her eyes. “I’m heading back.”
The door closed behind her and silence filled the room again.
Mano stared at the ceiling as Ody’s bold words replayed in his mind.
His face slowly flushed. But he couldn’t stop thinking about why he hadn’t pushed him away.
Or why he had let Ody treat him like that.
Pin him against the wall. Grab his wrists. Bite his neck… The neck!
He shot upright and rushed to the bathroom mirror. Tilting his head, he inspected the spot where Ody had bitten him, searching for any mark. What the hell did I get myself into with this vampire...
His gaze lingered on his reflection as his thoughts drifted back to Ody’s kisses. To the way his hands had moved down his body.
“I see you’re hard for me.”
He let out a heavy sigh, closing his eyes. His hand moved slowly over the front of his sweats, the memory of Ody’s breath against his ear making him tense.
“When I have sex with Anna... I think of you.”
His pulse quickened.
“When you came out of the shower with just a towel... I wanted to rip it off and take you right then.”
His hand tightened over the fabric.
“The big tough Mano who beat the hell out of those guys is suddenly shy?”
Mano’s hand slid under his shorts, pushing his boxers down as his fingers finally touched bare skin. “Aah…” His head tipped back, one hand bracing against the sink.
“You’re so cute like this.”
The memory sent a shiver through him, his grip tightening as a broken sound escaped him.
“Look at you. You’re actually blushing. Adorable.”
“Ah, fuck…!” He braced himself against the sink, breathing hard as he came.
For a second he just stood there, trying to steady himself. His eyes lifted to the mirror, landing on his flushed cheeks and slightly parted lips. The realization of what he had just been thinking about made his face burn with embarrassment.
His gaze dropped. “Shit…” he muttered. He quickly cleaned up the mess, washed his hands, and splashed cold water on his face.
Night fell, and everyone threw on their swimsuits, grabbed their things, and headed down to the lobby. Mano arrived with Ranya a few minutes later, his gaze staying low as he avoided looking at Ody.
Soon they were all heading to the cars. Ody ended up driving, the girls chatting in the back while Mano sat beside him, staring out the window. Neither of them spoke during the ride.
Before long, they reached a quiet beach, the faint glow of nearby streetlights barely illuminating the sand. The girls quickly jumped out of the car and headed toward the loungers near the water, their excited chatter breaking the silence.
The others followed, grabbing towels and bags as they made their way across the sand. Within moments the group had moved ahead, leaving Mano and Ody alone in the car. Mano unbuckled his seat belt and reached for the door handle, ready to step out.
“Why didn’t you come to the pool?” Ody’s voice stopped him.
Mano turned slowly, avoiding his gaze. “I was... tired. So I slept.”
“Tired, huh…” Ody said.
Mano nodded uneasily.
“So it had nothing to do with what happened in the room?”
“N-no... what does that have to do with anything?” Mano muttered, his eyes fixed straight ahead.
“I’m pretty sure you didn’t come because you didn’t want the others to see you in the state you were in.”
Mano turned toward him, his brows drawing together. “What state was I in?”
Ody leaned closer, his gaze steady, studying every flicker of reaction on Mano’s face. “Come on,” he murmured. “Admit it.” A sly smile tugged at his lips. “You stayed in the room to finish what I didn’t get to.”
“W-what the hell are you talking about? You’re getting way too cocky, mikre!” Mano snapped, clearly flustered.
“So you’re saying…” Ody leaned close to his ear, deliberately brushing that sensitive spot. “...you didn’t jerk off thinking about me?”
Mano flinched back, eyes wide.
How the hell did he even guess that?