Page 187 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

“You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Mano pulled him into his arms. Ody held him just as tightly, not saying a word.

When they finally pulled back, Ody’s hands moved back to his face. “I love you, Mano.”

Mano’s long lashes, still damp, fluttered as he leaned in, closing the distance between them. Their lips met, slow at first, then deeper, like they needed it just to breathe.

His hands slid to Ody’s waist, pulling him closer as the kiss deepened, Ody responding instantly.

They moved together toward the bedroom without breaking apart.

Ody guided him down until Mano sat at the edge of the bed, then followed, easing him back onto the mattress, his lips never leaving his for long. His kisses trailed from his mouth to his neck, drawing soft breaths from him.

Their hands moved between them, pulling at fabric, until there was nothing left in the way, their bodies pressed close.

Ody’s touch softened, slower now. He stayed close, his voice low as he told him how much he needed him, how much he loved the scent of his skin and the way his breath hit his lips. How he couldn’t let him go.

Mano held onto him, like he needed him just as much.

After the shower, they stayed curled up on the bed. Ody traced slow patterns through Mano’s hair as he lay against his bare chest. “Chris came over yesterday. I told him about us,” he said.

Mano’s head lifted, his eyes widening. “You did?”

Ody nodded. “Yeah. He took it really well. Honestly, it surprised me.”

“What do you mean?” he asked, his brows drawing together.

Ody let out a quiet laugh. “He asked who’s the top and who’s the bottom.”

Mano’s eyes nearly popped out. “You—you told him that I—” Panic crept into his voice.

“Relax,” Ody cut in. “I didn’t tell him anything. He came up with his own conclusions.”

Mano punched his chest.

“Ow!” Ody winced, laughing as his hand came up to cover the spot. “What was that for?”

“What we do in bed is our business,” Mano shot back, glancing around like someone might hear.

“You’re absolutely right,” Ody said, softer now. “That’s just Chris. No filter. Bit of an idiot, too.” His fingers brushed along Mano’s cheek, but Mano slapped his hand away and shifted back.

“He said you’re jacked,” Ody went on, a hint of amusement in his voice. “And that I must be the bottom because it’s more… practical. And that you’d only be the bottom in another universe.”

Mano turned to look at him. “What?”

“And I didn’t correct him.” A slow smirk tugged at Ody’s lips. “I let him think you’re the one fucking me.”

Mano’s lushes fluttered as he turned his head away.

“Happy now, big guy?” Ody teased. “Feel better?”

Mano hesitated. “So… you’re okay with… I mean, them thinking that you…”

“Yeah. As long as you’re mine, and I get to hear how bad you are at staying quiet, I don’t really care what anyone else thinks.” A crooked grin spread across his face.

Mano flushed and punched his chest again.

Ody huffed out a quiet laugh. “I’ve been meaning to ask you something for a while.”