Page 198 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

“I don’t need to be,” Ody snapped. “It’s obvious she wants more. She literally told you she fell for you.”

Mano looked away, exhaling.

Ody shot him a mocking look and put on an exaggerated imitation of his voice. “We have great sex.”

Mano’s gaze snapped back to him.

“She sends you lingerie pics… you made out with her right in front of me… you were fucking, but yeah, nothing romantic, right?” Ody scoffed. Then his expression sharpened. “Actually—wait. How were you even compatible in bed? What did you do with her that you don’t do with me?”

“I don’t think I’ve ever ripped your underwear,” Mano said, frowning.

Ody shot him a murderous look.

Mano laughed.

“I’m not joking,” Ody said.

Mano’s expression shifted. “Do you want me to show you what we did?”

Ody stilled. “No.”

“Then let me reply to her.” He reached for his phone, but Ody grabbed it first and tossed it aside.

“No. I want to know. Why did you say you were so compatible? So what, we’re not?”

Mano didn’t answer right away. He shifted closer instead, his knee brushing Ody’s, his hand settling against his side. “Are you sure you want to see?”

Ody held his gaze. “Yes. As long as you don’t text her.”

“I won’t. But are you sure? Last chance to back out,” Mano said, a slow smile forming.

“I—yeah. Why wouldn’t I?” Ody said, hesitation slipping through. “Just… don’t fuck me.”

“Oh. Then never mind. Give me the phone,” Mano said, holding out his hand.

“No! You’re not texting her, Mano. Drop it!”

“Then let me do whatever I want to you.”

Ody swallowed, staring at him. “E-except that thing you’re thinking of… anything else.”

Mano raised an eyebrow. “Anything?”

The look on Mano’s face made Ody’s stomach twist. He didn’t want to give Ranya even the smallest opening. He wanted Mano entirely to himself. “Anything,” he said, quieter this time.

Mano’s hand slid around his neck, squeezing. “Do you remember in Serifos,” he murmured, leaning in, “when I choked you a little?”

Ody swallowed. “Y-yeah…”

“That was nothing, mikre.” He let out a faint laugh.

Ody’s pulse picked up. “What do you mean?”

Mano tilted his head, his grip tightening. “Do you know what BDSM is?”

Chapter 40

“Since you haven’t done anything like this before, we’ll start slow. I don’t want to scare you,” Mano said, guiding him from the couch to the bedroom, his hand steady at his back as he led him to the bed.