Page 9 of Pursuing the Egoist
“I didn’t sleep with anyone else. You know that, don’t you?”
“I believe you are smart enough not to.”
Noah folded his arms in front of him and rested his cheek on top of them. In the weak daylight filtering through the splits of the curtains, he looked pale and sad. “Do you even care who’s fucking me? Or is it all about your reputation? Because I always thought that you just couldn’t stand the thought of me being seen with another man when you don’t give a shit…”
Of all injuries, a wounded pride had always been the longest to heal; Yugo knew that best. His mouth curled in a smirk he didn’t feel. “It’s bad for my reputation, but it’s not the only reason. You belong to me now, and you should act accordingly.”
“I don’t belong to you.” Icy resentment rang in the boyish voice.
Yugo thought that it probably wasn’t the answer Noah wanted to hear. “You think? I give you everything you need and more.”
“Fuck you.” Noah huffed and tried to get up.
“Stay.” Slamming his palm down on the glowing ass, Yugo pinned him to the bed, fingers grazing over the swollen welts. Noah yelped, hissed, and elbowed him in the chest, not hard, but still enough to be painful. Yugo swallowed a grin needing Noah to stay serious, to understand. “For people, you are my lover. No one will bother with dissecting our relationship. If you act approachable, you will end up in a situation similar to the one you found yourself in today, but with someone else’s cock in your ass. How many volunteers are there who dream of insulting me by fucking my lover?”
Or killing him…Yugo didn’t say that out loud, but he sharply remembered Mio and the triumphant look on his face when Yugo pulled the trigger.
“Well, you know better. You are fucking me to get to Patrice.”
“Watch your tongue.” Yugo’s palm lost the connection with the feverish skin only to land hard across Noah’s buttocks with a loud slap.
Noah howled and clawed at the fresh linens, fingers shaking. “Fuck!”
Yugo spanked again.
“Sorry-sorry...” Noah shouted out, surrendering. “But seriously, what could happen to me? I’m probably the most protected person in the whole of Vienna, aren’t I?”
Yugo nodded. “Possibly.”
“Then what’s the problem? Even you can’t hurt me.” Eyes glowing with a neon challenge, Noah held his gaze.
“Arrogant as fuck.” Yugo’s palm traveled up Noah’s nape and ruffled his hair. “There is a difference between can’t and won’t.”
Noah hummed. “I don’t need a watch or rent boys or … a bodyguard.”
That’s what it is about. You heard my conversation with Greg.
“There is a simple solution. Move in here, and you won’t need any of them. Clothes included.”
Noah’s gaze warmed a fraction, but his voice remained neutral as he spoke careful words, “Let’s say I move in. What do you expect me to do here?”
“Whatever you want.”
A pause stretched. Noah’s foot bounced against the mattress sending small shock waves throughout the bed. “You know, you only stay with me this long when we do impact play. Usually, after sex, we sleep or you go about your business and leave me here alone, bouncing against the walls bored out of my mind. I can’t even go to the city because it’s too far. It’s too-steep a price for a few hours of your scattered attention. Isn’t it better that you look for me when you have time for me?”
It was the first time Noah had mentioned this. Yugo loved his mansion, his bedroom. Even coming here for a smoke relaxed him. He always assumed Noah felt the same. “Well, then don’t complain about the bodyguard. There is a bright side too. As long as you are with him, you can go anywhere. Any club, any party. I can even hire someone you can fuck. Topping only, though.”
“I don’t want that.”
“It’s not debatable. You only bottom for me.”
“Not that. I mean I don’t want any of this. I don’t want another fuck toy.” Noah grimaced.
“What do you want then?”
Noah’s lips parted, brows drew up, the question itching behind his zoomed pupils. But then he smiled, dropped his gaze. “The ice packs grew warm. Can I get them changed?”
“Sure.”
