“Are you okay?” The way he echoed my words from earlier in the day made me relax.
I turned in his embrace, tucking a stray strand of dark brown hair behind his ear. Itsuki’s big eyes blinked at me as I leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. It wasn’t that odd. We’d always been that way with each other, but what was different was the way my best friend suddenly tensed under my touch.
Instead of letting it bother me, I answered his question. “I’m fine.” Was it stupid to brush it off using the same half-assedexcuse he had earlier in the day? Maybe. But it didn’t stop me from doing it or trying to break free of his hug to walk away.
The air around us suddenly felt too thick to breathe, and I needed to get away and clear my head.
What the hell was I doing?
I couldn’t stay.
As much as it pained me to see the hurt on Itsuki’s face, I pulled away from him, running from the building. The biggest mistake was thinking that it would be that easy. I didn’t even make it two city blocks before a hand wrapped around my wrist and stopped me.
When I wheeled around, I met a deep stare and fiery red hair.
“What the hell do you want?” The words were laced with venom.
While I’d done my best to be friendly the day before, watching him take my place with my best friend brought it out. Ryosuke’s eyebrows furrowed as he watched me, but didn’t release me.
“What’s your fucking problem?” he asked, hand tightening around my wrist.
I struggled against his hold, but it didn’t do me any good. He had a hold of me and had no intention of letting go until he got answers. My nostrils flared as I looked at him, my breath quickening as I continued to stare.
“You. You’re my damn problem.”
Ryosuke laughed. It was dry and humorless as he finally let go of me and backed away, threading his long fingers through his hair.
“How long is this going to be an issue? I don’t know what else I can do to prove that I’m not out to destroy your precious band.”
I huffed, arms crossing over my chest as we continued to stare each other down.
“Maybe don’t fuck with Itsuki.”
Ryosuke’s eyebrows raised with curiosity. I knew I’d fucked up. I’d let him in on my biggest secret. That I’d do anything to protect our sweet little guitar player.
And that was all it took.
The next thing I knew, I was caged against the alleyway wall with one of Ryosuke’s hands on either side of my head. He was so damn close that his warm breath ghosted against my mouth. I wanted to spit at him. Scream. Anything to get him to back the hell away and leave me alone.
But then my body betrayed me. My gut tightened and my cock twitched because it had been too freaking long since I’d had someone close to me like this. I secretly loved it when someone took command of me like that. Too much of my life was spent being the one who called the shots, being in control. It was nice to hand that over every once in a while. That didn’t mean that Ryosuke was the right person to hand that over to.
“I’m not fucking with him. Everything we’ve done has been consensual.”
Shit. What had they done?
My mind raced, picturing the worst-case scenario. I could see Ryosuke tenderly holding Itsuki’s chin as he leaned in close and placed a gentle kiss against his lips, like I’d dreamed of doing so many damn times. That kiss was mine. Not his.
I growled, shoving against the hard chest in front of me.
“The hell does that mean?”
Ryosuke’s laugh was bordering on cruel. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
“I would.”
This was wrong. So fucking wrong, and I didn’t care. Ryosuke leaned in close. His body pressed against mine, I could feel the way he was hard. His erection pushed into mine, and it made my breath catch. I didn’t need this. It was the last thing I needed when it came to this cocky asshole.
“Nothing. You fucking prick.”
