Page 42 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

“You know what I think?” Ody said.

Mano crossed his arms. “Let’s hear it.”

“I think you do want this. You’re just not ready for what comes with it.”

Mano let out a dry laugh. “I’m not ready?”

“You’re not ready to let me in,” Ody said. “And you’re definitely not ready for me to choose you.”

The words hit deep. Mano’s gaze dropped, before he forced it back up.

Ody stepped closer. “You don’t want me with her,” he added. “But you don’t want me fully either.”

Mano’s jaw tightened, his eyes locked onto Ody’s.

“I don’t do halfway,” Ody said. “I’m already in.” He stopped in front of him. “I’ve kissed you. I’ve touched you. I’ve seen you break.” His voice dropped. “I’m not acting like that means nothing.”

His gaze lingered on Mano as something twisted in his chest. The thought came uninvited. Ranya. His breath on her skin. Her lips on his. Her hands on him.

Ody clenched his jaw. “When are you meeting her?” he asked.

“Tomorrow,” Mano said, wary. “Why?”

Ody moved fast.

Mano barely had time to react before he was pushed back onto the couch. “Ody—”

“I told you,” Ody murmured, already leaning in. “I don’t do halfway.”

Chapter 10

Ody crashed into Mano, his lips finding his neck, leaving a wet, heated kiss. Mano’s eyes fell shut as a breath slipped out of him, but the moment he felt Ody suck at his skin, he jerked back. “What are you doing?”

Ody’s hand came up to his jaw, turning his head to the side before his lips found his neck again.

“Fuck, Ody, don’t suck—”

“I want her to see my marks on you,” Ody muttered against his skin, “and know you belong to someone else.”

“I don’t belong to anyone,” Mano retorted, trying to sound firm, but Ody’s hot breath against his neck was throwing him off.

The words came back to Ody, uninvited. About the sex Mano had with her. About how she liked it rough. How he’d torn her underwear. The images snapped into place. Mano sucking on her nipples in the pool.

“Are you going to fuck her?” Ody asked, his voice low against his ear.

Mano didn’t answer.

His grip tightened, both hands closing around his head. “Answer me.”

“And you? Are you fucking Anna?”

Ody pulled back just enough to look him in the eyes. “I thought you didn’t care.”

“I don’t,” Mano said. “That’s the deal, isn’t it? You take what you want from her, I take what I want from others.”

Ody’s jaw clenched. “Fine. Have it your way.” Then he dropped back to his neck, sucking hard.

Mano gasped, his hands grabbing at his shoulders as he shoved him back, but not before a mark was already there.