He took the bottle and glass from Mano’s hands and walked off. Instead of returning to the table, he slipped into the restrooms. His own reflection stared back at him, breathless, shaken. He had done it. He had kissed him. For real. His heart thudded against his ribs. A smile crept onto his lips as he leaned against the wall, replaying every second.
When he returned to the table, everyone looked at him. “Where the hell were you?” Steve asked.
“I took a walk on the beach. It’s nice. We should go for a swim in the morning.”
“Seriously? You ditched us to wander around?” Steve scoffed.
“Baby, are you okay?” Anna leaned close, lips brushing his ear to be heard.
“I’m fine.”
“Ody, have you seen Mano? He left a while ago,” Ranya asked.
“I don’t know. Maybe he went back to the hotel.”
“Without saying anything?” Antony frowned.
“Typical Mano.” Steve huffed.
Christina suggested more drinks and the party moved on. Ody didn’t. His mind stayed on Mano. He stood there with a drink inhis hand he never touched, letting the music and voices blur into background noise.
Every time he blinked, he felt Mano’s mouth again. Hungry at first, then soft right before they pulled apart. He felt the warmth of his breath on his lips, the way Mano’s fingers had curled into his shirt, the tiny sound he had made when Ody kissed him harder.
His whole body heated at the memory. He could still taste him, still feel the way Mano had swayed against him, dizzy and unguarded. His pulse jumped in his throat, and he shifted his weight, trying to steady himself, because nothing had ever hit him like that before.
Meanwhile, Mano reached the hotel, changed, and collapsed on the bed. It was barely eleven, but he lay still, staring at the ceiling, replaying everything. How did he let that happen? How did he let Ody kiss him like that, hold him like that? He should’ve stopped it. Pulled away. But instead, he’d leaned in.
His lips still felt warm. His skin still buzzed wherever Ody had touched him. His body had answered every kiss without hesitation, like it had been craving it. That thought alone made his stomach twist. What the hell was wrong with him?
He dragged a hand over his face, heart pounding too fast. None of this made sense. He wasn’t supposed to want a guy, or even let another man kiss him until he couldn’t think straight. He wasn’t supposed to remember the way Ody whispered to him, or how desperate his voice sounded. And yet he remembered everything. Every breath. Every sound.
Was he starting to feel something for Ody? No. No, absolutely not. He liked him as a friend. That was it. That had to be it. Anything else would ruin everything. It would destroy the life he understood, the one he kept in control.
But if it was only friendship, why did his chest tighten every time he replayed the kiss? Why did the thought of Ody goingback to Anna make his teeth grind? And why was jealousy burning through him now, sharp and unfamiliar and impossible to ignore?
His head felt hot. His thoughts spun. Nothing settled. Eventually exhaustion won. His eyes shut without meaning to, and he slipped into a restless sleep, only to jolt awake when voices echoed in the hallway outside.
“See you in the morning.”
“Goodnight.”
The door opened and Ranya stepped inside. Mano didn’t move at first. He lay half-asleep on the bed, one arm over his eyes, breath slow and heavy. “You’re here?” she whispered when she saw him. “I was worried.” She came close and touched his shoulder. “Why did you leave? Are you okay?”
He blinked at her, barely waking up. “I’m fine. I drank too much,” he mumbled, eyes already closing again. She let him rest, changed into pajamas, and lay beside him scrolling through her phone.
After a few minutes, Mano pushed himself upright with a slow breath, the room still swaying faintly.
She looked over. “Where are you going?”
“Lobby,” he muttered. “Need a coffee. I still feel weird.”
“Grab me some water too.”
He nodded, picked up his wallet and key card, and stepped into the hallway.
Anna pulled off her dress and tossed it onto the chair. “We had such a good time,” she said. “I haven’t danced like that in forever.” She turned to Ody, studying his face. “Baby, you’re a little off tonight, or is it just me?”
“Huh? No, baby. Just tired.” Ody lay on the bed, eyes heavy, his body sinking into the sheets.
