Page 70 of Mutual Desire

Craig let out a bitter laugh. “I never thought alcohol could make you spout bullshit. Getting off by another guy—what would you call that?”

Damien’s gaze dropped, shame burning through him. “I... I didn’t sleep with him,” he muttered, clinging to the flimsiest shred of truth. “I didn’t go that far.”

Craig’s lips curled into a sneer. “Because you love me, right?”

“Yes!” Damien cried, desperation breaking through his drunken haze. “I love you, Craig! I’m sorry—I know I fucked up, but please... please don’t throw us away.”

Craig stared at him, expression unreadable.

“I’ll do anything,” Damien whispered, clinging to Craig’s waist. “Just... don’t leave me.”

Craig tried to gently pry him off, but Damien only held on tighter, tears welling in his eyes.

“I beg you... I need you,” Damien whispered. His lips grazed Craig’s neck, soft kisses trailing down his skin.

“Damien, stop.” Craig’s voice was firm, but not unkind.

Damien pulled back, looking into Craig’s eyes, his heart breaking. “Please. Don’t say it’s over... not over this.”

Craig’s gaze softened—just a flicker, but enough to give Damien hope. “I can't just pretend nothing happened and pick up where we left off.”

Damien gently cupped Craig's face, his thumb brushing over his skin, before pressing his lips to Craig’s.“That’s not what I want from you,” Damien whispered, his voice low but sincere. “I’ll give you all the time you need, but I need to know if you still believe in us. If you’re willing to give us another chance.”

Damien forced a kiss on Craig’s lips, but Craig didn’t return it. Instead, he pulled back, his eyes locking onto Damien's with an intensity that made Damien’s stomach churn.

“Before I even think about that, I need to know something.”

Damien’s stomach dropped. He knew where this was heading. “Go ahead,” Damien muttered, trying to keep the unease from his voice.

“I want to know what pushed you to do it,” Craig said, his tone quiet but demanding.

Damien’s chest tightened. He had hoped Craig would ask him anything else but this.“I… it was just a stupid moment, and I—”

“Damien!” Craig’s voice cut through his stammering, fiery eyes cutting through Damien like a blade. “I need to know!”

Damien froze. He had never seen Craig like this—angry, hurt, and so raw. He didn’t want to speak the words out loud, but he had no choice.

“He…” Damien trailed off, his throat tight. He couldn’t even form the words.

“Damien,” Craig urged, his grip on the edge of the conversation tightening.

Damien sighed, feeling the weight of the lie he was about to tell. “He insisted a lot,” Damien continued, his voice barely above a whisper. “He’s... powerful, intimidating. And he kept pushing. I felt wanted, and I... I admit, I was physically attracted to him.”

Damien quickly dropped his gaze, unable to look Craig in the eye. “But that’s all it was. Just physical attraction. Nothing more.”

Craig remained silent, his expression unreadable. Damien lifted his gaze to meet Craig’s, desperate for some sign of relief.

“Craig, please. Please tell me you’ll forgive me. I’ll do anything, just... forgive me.”

Craig didn’t respond. He simply stared at Damien, his face hard, his silence unbearable.

Damien moved closer, his hands trembling as he took hold of Craig’s waist. His eyes begged for forgiveness.“If I have to let someone else jerk you off—someone you choose, whatever—just for you to forgive me, I’ll do it. I’ll do whatever it takes, Craig.”

The look on Craig’s face was one of pure disgust.

“What?” Damien asked, his voice trembling. “I’m serious. Whatever you want, Craig. Just... forgive me. Don’t leave me”

Craig exhaled sharply, his frustration palpable. “We’ll start with this break. It’ll be good for both of us.”

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