Page 81 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

Andreas slowly turned back, meeting his gaze, a faint, twisted smile on his lips.

“Are you out of your mind?” Mano snapped, dragging Ody away.

Ody didn’t break eye contact until they were outside.

Mano pulled him into a narrow alley. “Have you lost it? Do you even understand what you just did?”

“Fuck him,” Ody shot back. “If he comes near you again, I’ll have ten guys tear him apart.”

Mano crossed his arms. “Yeah? With what money?”

Ody stilled, then a small laugh slipped out. “Yours.”

Mano dragged a hand down his face, turning away.

“I told you I’m not leaving you alone again,” Ody said, serious now. “We’re in this together.” He cupped his face, pulling him closer. “Whatever happens from now on, we face it together. You and me.”

Mano’s expression shifted, turned softer.

“I’d do anything to protect you too,” Ody added, steady, unwavering. “I’m not afraid of anyone when it comes to you.”

Mano’s hands came up, gripping his face, pulling him into a kiss. Ody let out a startled breath before melting into it.

When they finally broke apart, their eyes locked. Ody blinked, still caught off guard. Mano took his wrist and started walking.

“Where are we going?” Ody asked.

Mano didn’t answer. He just pulled him along.

Chapter 18

Less than an hour later, they were at Ody’s place. A bag was sitting outside the door. Mano stopped short, then dropped down, unzipping it. Everything was there. Exactly as it had been that day at the gym. His phone. His bike and house keys, all of it.

“I have an idea,” he said, still crouched. “Stay with me for a couple of days… then we go to Volos.”

Ody’s face lit up. “I’m packing.” He rushed inside.

Not long after, they were at Mano’s place. Ody sat back against the couch, Mano straddling him as they kissed, slow and heated. Mano cradled his face while Ody pulled him closer by the waist. They savored each other, breaths slipping between kisses.

“You drive me crazy, Mano…” Ody whispered against his lips. “I love the way you smell…” Their lips met again. “I love your voice…” Another kiss. “I love everything about you.” His hands slid up, threading into Mano’s hair, holding him there. The friction between them built as the kiss deepened.

Mano’s lips drifted, brushing over the corner of Ody’s mouth before pressing a soft kiss to the small beauty mark above it, lingering for a breath. When he moved away, his gaze stayed there, fixed on it. “It’s so pretty,” he said, catching the small smile forming on Ody’s lips. He shifted back just enough to drag his shirt over his head.

Ody took him in, drawn to the hard lines of his body, the muscle beneath his skin, the ink stretched over it. “God… You have no idea what you do to me.” His lips moved to his chest before tracing the tattoo there, kissing along the Roman numerals one by one.

Mano leaned in and met his lips again. His hands moved to Ody’s belt, undoing it with impatient fingers. Fabric shifted, clothes pushed aside. Ody lifted to help, kicking the rest away before reaching for him again.

They came back together, mouths crashing, hungrier now.

He wrapped his hand around Mano’s hard shaft, moving it slowly up and down. Mano did the same, their mouths never parting. Their rhythm fell perfectly in sync, their moans blending together, breath brushing against each other’s lips. Their eyes locked, the sounds between them growing louder like only the two of them were left in the world.

“I’m close…” Ody murmured.

“Me too…” Mano whimpered, his lashes lowering.

A sharp breath slipped from Ody’s mouth. “Look at me,” he whispered, and Mano opened his eyes, meeting his instantly.

Ody groaned as Mano let out a low breath, both of them coming against each other’s bodies at the same time.