49. Chapter 49 #2
Ody slid into the driver’s seat and started the engine.
The drive back to the hotel was quiet. Mano barely stirred in the back seat.
When they arrived, Ody stepped out and opened the back door.
“Mano... Can you hear me? Wake up. I can’t carry you.
” He nudged him gently, but Mano just lay there with his eyes shut.
“Mmm…” he groaned, rolling onto his side.
“Come on. We’re at the hotel. You need to drink some water and lie down.”
After a moment, Mano’s eyes fluttered open. Ody managed to get him to his feet, though he was barely standing. He slipped Mano’s arm over his shoulder and guided him inside.
At the room door, Ody reached into Mano’s pocket, pulled out the key card, and unlocked it. Once inside, he helped him onto the bed.
“Ugh... I’m dizzy,” Mano groaned, pressing a hand to his forehead.
Ody exhaled slowly. “Take off those clothes and splash some water on your face.”
Mano didn’t move.
With a sigh, Ody sat beside him, lifted his arms, and pulled off his shirt, tossing it aside.
He went to the bathroom, soaked a towel with cold water, and returned to press it gently against Mano’s face, running it over his chest and arms. “I’m going to the vending machine to get you some water,” he said, starting to stand.
But Mano’s hand shot out and grabbed his wrist. Ody went still. With half-lidded eyes and slurred words, Mano mumbled, “You know that you are...” he trailed off.
Ody waited, curious.
“The biggest asshole ever,” Mano finished.
Ody closed his eyes and sighed.
“You think... I don’t want this?” Mano murmured. “Huh? Is that what you think? You’re the one with... with a girlfriend... and you’re just gonna leave me without an explanation…” His words were tangled.
But Ody understood. And it knocked the breath out of him.
“Yeah!” Mano shouted, making Ody flinch. “I’m keeping my distance. Because you... you just want me for one day. Then you’ll go back to her.” He swallowed. “But I’m already attached to you.” His voice dropped. “And if you leave me…”
He didn’t finish. The rest of the sentence never came. His eyes closed. His body slackened.
Ody looked down at him, his heart pounding.
Mano wanted him too. Every harsh word. Every shove away. Every moment of distance suddenly felt different.
Ody let out a slow breath. Carefully, he reached out and brushed a strand of hair away from Mano’s face. God, he wanted to kiss him so badly it hurt. But Mano was drunk. It wouldn’t be right.
He started to pull his hand away, but his fingers lingered for one last second. “I want you too,” he admitted quietly.
Mano’s eyes opened, locking onto his. His cheeks were flushed. He lifted a hand to Ody’s face. “I didn’t mean to hit you that hard.” His thumb brushed his cheek. “Did I hurt you?”
Ody huffed out a faint laugh. “I’ll survive. But damn, you punch hard.”
“I didn’t use all my strength,” Mano murmured.
Ody’s smile faded. “You really made me think you hated me.”
Mano shook his head, his gaze fixed on Ody’s. “I could never hate you.” His hand lingered against Ody’s skin. “I’m sorry.”
The words hit Ody harder than the punches had. “No,” he whispered. “I’m the one who should be sorry. I was way out of line.”
Silence settled between them as Mano studied his face like he was trying to memorize every detail. “Kiss me.”
Ody’s eyes widened. “Y-you’re drunk,” he said. “You should have some water first and—”
“I said kiss me,” Mano interrupted.
Ody swallowed hard. He couldn’t tell if Mano was truly aware of what he was saying, or if the alcohol was speaking for him. And he didn’t want to do something Mano might regret later.
“You’re drunk,” he repeated. “I don’t want to take advantage of you.”
Mano just stared at him. Then he suddenly pushed himself up from the mattress. Before Ody could react, Mano grabbed the front of his shirt and flipped him onto the bed. Ody landed on his back with a startled breath, staring up at him with wide eyes.
“You’re not drunk,” Mano said. His voice was low, rough. “So I guess that makes it fair.” He crashed his lips onto Ody’s.
For a moment, Ody didn’t move. The kiss was rough, desperate. His mind struggled to catch up with what was happening. Just hours ago they had been fighting on the beach. Now Mano was above him, kissing him like he had been starving for him.
“Mmm… Mano…” Ody breathed, pulling back.
But Mano didn’t give him time to think. “Shut up,” he murmured, pulling him back into the kiss.
His bare chest pressed against Ody’s as their mouths met again, harder this time. Their tongues intertwined, the kiss deepening into something hotter.
Ody lifted his hands to cup Mano’s face, but Mano caught his wrists and pinned them to the mattress. “Don’t move.”
Ody blinked up at him. “Why?”
Mano didn’t answer right away. He just stared at him, his eyes dark and hazy. Then his tattooed forearm lifted slowly as his hand wrapped around Ody’s throat. “Just stay still.”
Ody’s breath caught. Mano watched him for a moment, then lowered his head and kissed him again. Slower this time, but no less hungry.
Ody let out a quiet breath against his mouth as Mano deepened the kiss, his weight pressing him further into the mattress.
The world outside the room seemed to disappear. There was only the warmth of Mano’s body and the taste of his kiss.
Mano’s fingers tightened around Ody’s throat as he bit down on his lower lip.
“Ow!” Ody turned his head to the side.
Mano kept hold of him, guiding his face back toward him. “Hey. Eyes on me.”
“Mano... what’s gotten into you?”
“Didn’t you say I was moaning like a bitch when you made me cum?” Their faces were only inches apart.
Ody was at a loss for words. “Y-yeah, but…”
“Shh…” Mano hushed him.
Ody could smell the alcohol on his breath before Mano’s hand moved lower, touching him where he was already hard.
“Wait a second…” Ody tried to pull away, but Mano’s grip on his throat tightened more.
He leaned close to Ody’s ear and whispered, “Wanna hear how you sound when I make you cum?”
Ody’s cheeks burned. His breath caught in his throat as he stared up at him, not daring to move.