Page 149 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

Ody leaned in, brushing a soft kiss against his lips before settling back against him. “I haven’t been sleeping much,” he murmured.

Mano’s hand kept moving through his hair.

“But I think I will tonight.” His breathing had already slowed.

In Mano’s arms, everything else finally went quiet.

Chapter 31

Ody stretched as he woke, his gaze landing on Mano, still asleep beside him. A soft smile pulled at his lips. He reached out, brushing his fingers over Mano’s cheek, slow, careful, like he didn’t want to wake him.

He stayed there, just watching him, until Mano’s eyes finally opened.

“Morning, sleepyhead,” Ody murmured, leaning closer. “Has anyone ever told you how good you look when you’re asleep?”

“A couple times,” Mano said, voice rough with sleep.

“Who?” Ody’s smile dropped.

“Some tall guy with brown hair and green eyes. You wouldn’t know him.” Mano rolled onto his side to face him.

Ody grinned. “Does he have a cross tattoo on his left wrist?”

“Yeah.”

“And a black and blue watch?”

“Yeah.”

Ody turned away. “Don’t know him.”

Mano lunged, fingers digging into Ody’s ribs. “Oh, you don’t know him, huh?”

“Stop—” Ody twisted, laughter breaking out of him as he tried to pull away. “Mano! Stop—”

Mano let him go and their eyes met.

Ody’s laughter faded into a smile. “See? I was right.”

“Right about what?” Mano asked.

“When I’m with you…” Ody tilted his head, still smiling. “It just feels right.”

Something in Mano’s expression shifted.

“Hey, no.” Ody reached up, brushing his fingers at the corners of Mano’s lips, coaxing them into a smile. “Better.”

A small sound escaped Mano, almost a laugh.

Ody beamed. “I’m making breakfast. What do you want?” He was already out of bed before Mano could answer.

“I’ll leave it to you.”

“Got it.” Ody disappeared into the kitchen.

Mano’s smile faded the second he was gone. His jaw tightened, his eyes closing as he slowly exhaled.

They ate together, talking, Ody teasing him, laughing.