Chapter 173: Chapter 173: The Only Place He Softens

But inside the room, Adrian burst out laughing and quickly threw the white duvet off his shoulders. At the same moment, the lights suddenly flicked on with a remote in his hand. As the heavy fabric pooled gracefully onto the hardwood floor, Matteo’s breath caught sharply in his throat.

Adrian was entirely, beautifully naked.

"Oh, fuck," Matteo gasped, his eyes widening as a faint flush spread across his cheeks. "What the hell, babe? Are you crazy?"

Outside, the doorknob rattled as the guards prepared to burst in. Reacting with lightning-fast reflexes, Matteo slammed his palm against the door, pulling it shut firmly, and twisted the lock just in time.

Adrian stepped over the crumpled duvet, a beautiful, mischievous smirk playing on his lips. "Yes," he murmured, his voice smooth and seductive as he walked right into Matteo’s space. "I’m crazy for you."

Without warning, Adrian leaped forward, throwing his arms around Matteo’s neck. Matteo’s instincts kicked in instantly; his large hands moved to Adrian’s thighs, lifting him effortlessly and securing him against his waist. Before Matteo could even utter a word of protest, Adrian leaned down and captured his lips in a fierce, breathless kiss.

Groaning softly into the kiss, Matteo carried them both across the dark room, navigating the space until his legs hit the edge of the plush velvet sofa. He sank onto the cushions, keeping Adrian securely straddled on his lap. The kiss deepened instantly, turning heavy and intense as Adrian’s fingers tangled in the hair at the back of Matteo’s neck.

Lost in the heat of the moment, Adrian trailed his hand down Matteo’s chest, his fingers moving eagerly toward the buckle of Matteo’s belt, attempting to unfasten it.

The sudden movement snapped Matteo back to reality. He instantly caught Adrian’s wrist, pulling his hand away from his waist. "No, baby," Matteo breathed out, his chest heaving as he forced himself to stop the kiss. "We can’t do this."

Adrian pouted, his eyes heavy with desire as he looked down at him. "But I want to, babe. I’m so horny."

Matteo let out a shaky breath, fighting the war raging inside his body. He raised his hand, his fingers gently brushing a stray lock of hair away from Adrian’s face, his touch incredibly tender. "You heard the doctor clearly today, Rian. He said no strenuous or sexual activity until your eyes are fully recovered and he clears you at your follow-up appointment."

Adrian leaned into his hand, trying to press his lips against Matteo’s palm. "Baby, I promise you I’m fine. It won’t hurt anything."

"No," Matteo said, his voice firming up with unshakeable discipline despite how much his hands were trembling against Adrian’s bare skin. "We are not doing it. I’m not risking your health."

Adrian’s expression suddenly fell, a flash of insecurity crossing his face. He looked down at his hard waiting cock, then back at Matteo. "Don’t I attract you anymore? I’m literally sitting naked on top of you right now, and you’re rejecting me. Don’t you want me?"

Matteo’s heart tightened painfully at the sadness in Adrian’s voice. He leaned up immediately, capturing Adrian’s lips in a deep, reassuring kiss, murmuring against his mouth, "Please stop talking like that, baby... please."

He pulled back just enough to lock his dark, intense gaze onto Adrian’s. "I want this a thousand times more than you do right now. Trust me, it is taking everything I have not to just lose control. But I want you to be fully recovered first. Your health comes before my desires."

Adrian stared at him for a long moment, seeing the sheer sincerity and desperate restraint burning in Matteo’s eyes. The insecurity quickly washed away, replaced by understanding. He let out a soft sigh, shifting his weight. "I understand," he murmured.

He slid off Matteo’s lap and walked toward the bed, reaching for the silk robe he had placed there. He draped it over his shoulders, covering himself, then walked back toward Matteo. Without looking at his face, he said quietly, "We should eat then. I was waiting up for you so we could have dinner together before I go to sleep."

Matteo watched him as he tied the robe, a wave of guilt washing over him at the quiet rejection Adrian seemed to feel. He let out a deep sigh, reaching out to catch Adrian’s wrist before he could walk away again. With a gentle but firm tug, he pulled Adrian back down into his lap, wrapping strong arms securely around his waist.

"I’m sorry," Matteo whispered into his hair, holding him tightly against his chest. "I’m so sorry if I made you feel rejected. But I care about you so much, and you know how deeply I love you. You attract me so damn much, Rian, that right now my whole body is aching from trying to control myself. You’re the most beautiful thing in the world to me."

Matteo said it all in one breath, then lifted his gaze to Adrian’s eyes. "Don’t be mad at your man."

Hearing the raw confession, Adrian couldn’t help but smile slightly, warmth rising to his cheeks.

"So please, babe," Matteo coaxed softly, resting his chin on Adrian’s shoulder. "Let’s be patient for a few weeks, okay?"

Adrian suddenly felt incredibly shy under Matteo’s intense gaze. He buried his face into Matteo’s neck, his voice small and sweet. "Okay, baby."

Seeing his partner turn so beautifully compliant and flustered, Matteo’s playful side finally broke through. A low, rumbling chuckle vibrated in his chest. "Good boy," he teased.

Suddenly, Matteo leaned forward, burying his face in the sensitive crook of Adrian’s neck. He began peppering his skin with open-mouthed kisses, deliberately finding his ticklish spot before giving it a sharp, playful nip.

"Ah! Matteo, stop!" Adrian squealed, his body arching instantly as bright, breathless giggles spilled from his lips. He tried to squirm away, but Matteo’s hold was like iron, keeping him easily trapped against his chest as he continued to pepper his neck with soft bites and ticklish kisses.

"Say it again," Matteo murmured against his skin, his lips brushing his collarbone as Adrian writhed in his arms, laughing uncontrollably.

"Okay, okay! I’ll be patient! I promise!" Adrian cried out, giggling uncontrollably as he wrapped his arms around Matteo’s head, finally managing to make him stop.

Matteo pulled back, his eyes dancing with a rare, bright amusement as he looked at Adrian’s flushed, laughing face. The heavy tension from the hospital and the street ambush completely evaporated, replaced by the beautiful, safe warmth of their shared love.

Finally, after a quiet, comfortable silence settled over them, Adrian rested his head against Matteo’s chest, his fingers lightly tracing the fabric of Matteo’s shirt. His expression turned slightly serious as the reality of the evening came back to him.

Adrian looked up, his eyes locking onto his partner’s. "Did you catch Iris?"

Matteo let out a soft, deep laugh, the sound vibrating against Adrian’s cheek. "Catch her? She’s not a fish, baby."

Adrian rolled his eyes playfully, giving Matteo’s shoulder a light, affectionate swat. "Whatever. You know what I mean. What happened with Iris?"

Matteo’s smile faded into something a bit cooler...