Page 67 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

“How come?”

“I’m not into men.”

Andreas gave a quiet, amused huff as he pulled out a cigarette, placing it between his lips and lighting it. “You’re seeing someone named Odysseus… and you’re telling me you don’t like men?”

“Ody is different. I don’t see anything in you I like.”

A faint smile tugged at Andreas’s lips. “That’s because you haven’t seen me without clothes.” He exhaled a thin stream of smoke between them, then leaned in. “I’d bet all my money I’m a lot bigger than your little boyfriend.”

“Hope you like the bus,” Mano shot back.

Andreas let out a low chuckle, dragging his tongue over his teeth. “You’ve got attitude. I like that.” His gaze lingered on him, heavier now. “Let’s see how long that lasts.” He leaned back in his chair. “I don’t like it when people don’t obey me. But for some reason… you make me want to tame you.”

“You’re a sick fucking psycho,” Mano said, almost forgetting what this man was capable of.

The waiter arrived and placed the plates in front of them. Andreas didn’t take his eyes off him.

Mano waited until the waiter left before speaking. “Stop staring at me like that, or I’ll punch you.”

“Like the one you hit me with earlier?” Andreas said. “That felt more like a caress.”

Mano’s expression sharpened.

They didn’t talk much after that. Andreas focused on his gourmet dish, taking his time, while Mano tried to come up with a plan. Every idea collapsed before it could fully form. He had no phone. He was locked inside the house. And if he tried anything… they’d hurt Ody.

When they finished eating, Andreas didn’t even glance at the bill. He slipped a few large notes into the folder and stood.

Soon, they were back at the house.

“I’ll go for a swim in the pool,” Andreas said. “Want to join me?”

Mano looked at him, hesitant. “You know I don’t want to… Are you going to make me?”

Andreas chuckled. “I make people obey me at work. But I like my men obsessed with me.” His gaze dragged slowly over him. “If you don’t beg me… I won’t touch you.”

Mano studied his face, trying to read him. Andreas seemed sincere. And despite everything, that eased something in him.

“If you need anything, you know where to find me,” he added, heading toward the back door.

“You too. Just check the cameras.”

Andreas smirked, lingering before disappearing.

Mano dropped onto the couch, his mind going straight to Ody. He just needed this to end, so he could find him and explain everything. Fix it before it was too late. Apologize for how distant he’d been, for pushing him away, for making him sleep on the couch instead of in his arms. For not answering his messages.

He kept seeing him… the way he’d looked that night. Hurt, confused. And now he wasn’t even there to protect him. What if something happened? What if Andreas got to him first?

He missed him. Not just his face, not just his voice, but him. The way he looked at him. The way he touched him. He wanted him in his arms. Wanted to hear him breathe, to know he was okay. He’d take anything. Every threat, every game, every second in this house. As long as Ody stayed out of it. As long as nothing touched him. As long as he was safe.

A couple of hours later, Andreas returned. Mano had half-dozed off on the couch. Andreas led him to the room he’d be staying in. Mano stepped inside and shut the door quickly behind him, like he needed the distance, then dropped onto the bed.

Rest didn’t come. His thoughts wouldn’t settle, chasing each other in tight circles, each one worse than the last. Ody. Andreas. What was coming next.

He turned onto his side, then onto his back, exhaling. It didn’t help.

Eventually, exhaustion dragged him under, leaving him in a light, restless sleep.

Sunlight pulled him awake the next morning. For a moment, he didn’t know where he was. Then it hit him. He pushed himself out of bed and went downstairs. Andreas was in the kitchen, cooking something in a pan like nothing was wrong.