By Zephyria 
The incident left Ashley with immense trauma. To think that his own child had tried to kill his one and only mate, who was more precious than anything to him. For Ashley, it would have been more horrifying than falling into hellfire itself. If he lost Koi, he would have no reason to remain in this world.
“I know.”
Koi said gently, embracing him. Holding the large, trembling body tightly, he whispered softly.
“But we can find other ways.”
After a moment of silence at the tender voice, Ashley slowly raised his head. Koi looked at his face and said with conviction.
“Let’s think about it together, from now on.”
Ashley still said nothing. Grayson felt emotions? That those glassy eyes, which never wavered no matter what he saw or what situation he was in, could reflect something else…?
He still couldn’t believe it. Admitting he was wrong wasn’t difficult. He could accept it gladly, even.
But having hope and then having it crushed was another matter. They had already gone back and forth between countless expectations and disappointments. Koi seemed to have new hope in his heart once again, as always, but Ashley’s case was different. He was pessimistic by nature, completely different from the optimistic Koi. That was also one of the reasons Ashley was drawn to Koi…
Haa, he let out a short sigh and came to a conclusion, as he always had. Time would naturally provide the answer. He would find out whether Koi was right, or whether it was just another vain hope.
Dane Striker.
Ashley recalled the name of the man he had seen back then. He hadn’t received a report that Grayson had found a new lover, so he must still be with Dane. Then perhaps Dane Striker was…
Thinking that far made his head spin. He had kindly offered information about his son, even the trivial details, but he still hadn’t run away?
He felt completely different from the partners Grayson had brought as his destined ones so far. That was why he had even given him a warning, but the man still seemed to be sticking around. Why? Did he have some foolish conviction that he wouldn’t die?
He needed to find out about that man.
Ashley thought. Even if Grayson really did feel emotions, how that would manifest was another matter. If he were to harm Dane Striker…
“Ash?”
Koi called him, sensing something was off. Ashley quickly put on a smile as if nothing had happened. But even as he did, all sorts of warning lights were flashing in his head.
That kind of thing must never happen. Until now, he hadn’t trusted Grayson enough to assign him bodyguards and had minimized the people around him, but if Dane remained around Grayson, things would be different. There was only one conclusion.
He had to find a bodyguard to protect Dane Striker.
Desire Me if you can
“Ugh…”
Grayson stretched his limbs and yawned, letting out a languid groan. He could feel the bright sunlight through his closed eyelids. Had there ever been such a refreshing morning? The corners of his mouth relaxed on their own. To be able to smile like this without consciously lifting the corners of his mouth was such a wondrous experience.
Smiling softly, he rolled to one side, then suddenly felt something was off. He felt around the mattress with his eyes closed, but there was nothing there.
…Huh?
It took a moment to realize the situation. And soon after, he opened his eyes wide and sat up as if he had been jolted awake. There was no one on the huge bed made to fit his tall frame. Only himself.
“…Dane.”
Grayson muttered, his face turning pale. The next moment, he escaped from the bed and ran out of the room. The first place he headed to was Dane’s room right next door.
“Dane!”
Grayson burst through the door without knocking, and was instantly shocked to the point of almost fainting. There was no one in the room. The fact that Darling wasn’t visible either made him feel like the world was collapsing.
What happened? Was it all a dream?
His head was filled with confusion. But the traces of lovemaking remained clearly on the bed. Besides, the sensation of the breasts he had been kneading was still in his hands, so for it all to have been a dream was absurd. Then where did he go? Where was Dane?
Could he have left?
“Dane, Dane!”
He ran around the house calling his name like a madman. Had he gotten tired of me? That must be it, right? It was the Rut, how annoyingly clingy must I have been? Dane hated annoying things, so he must have been completely turned off this time, right? What do I do? What do I really do now?
The memories of the Rut were fragmented and didn’t connect properly. But the fact that he had been intimate with Dane was certain.
I forced myself on Dane…
There was no other answer. Grayson, in a panic, ran madly down the hallway. His head was filled only with Dane.
I need to contact the secretary team right now. I need to find Dane. No, maybe he went to work? Right, I don’t even know how many days have passed. Dane must have gone to work. Damn it, then where is Darling…!
“Dane…!”
“What.”
It was when he was running and shouting frantically. Suddenly, another voice came from behind. Grayson, who had been running, was startled and tried to stop abruptly, but ended up staggering greatly.
He turned around quickly, but that was it. Grayson froze like ice. Dane, who had half his body out of the panel, was seen in his widened eyes. It was the snack bar.
“Uh…”
Grayson was flustered and could only utter a ridiculous exclamation. What happened? He didn’t leave? Then Darling…
Soon after, Grayson found Darling perched on Dane’s shoulder. Just as he was losing all his strength, Dane suddenly contorted his face. He looked at Grayson’s crotch with a disgusted expression, then went inside without saying a word.
“Da…”
Grayson hesitated for a moment, about to call him in embarrassment.
Ah.
He belatedly realized why Dane had looked at him with such an expression. From the moment he jumped out of bed until now, he had been wearing nothing but his bare skin.
Desire Me if you can
“Got an exhibitionist streak?”
Dane said irritably, flipping the fried egg.
“Why the hell are you always running around naked, huh?”
Grayson, who had hurriedly put on a gown, crouched down at the bar and muttered.
“I thought you got tired of me and left…”
He seemed utterly dejected, but the corners of his mouth were endlessly turned up. He looked like he was about to die of happiness at the fact that Dane was right in front of him. Dane continued what he was doing without paying any attention to him. He was making breakfast.
He had taken off his top and was only wearing training pants. It was the same outfit as usual, but today it was an even more unavoidable choice. His large chest was completely covered in red and blue bruises without any space, and his nipples were also swollen and messed up. They had been touched so much that they were larger than their original size. It seemed like it would take several days for the swelling to subside.
Even the slightest breeze hurt.
The sudden cool air made his nipples sting and his chest throb, causing Dane to furrow his brow. He clicked his tongue and put the bacon and eggs on a plate. Just then, the toaster beeped and the bread popped out. Dane picked up the two plates with food, turned around, and placed one in front of Grayson.
“Eat, it’s yours.”
Dane said nonchalantly to Grayson, who was staring up at him with wide eyes and a dropped jaw, unable to even speak. Then he placed his plate in front of him and began to eat breakfast while standing.
Grayson still looked at Dane and his plate alternately with an unbelievable expression. Dane continued to eat, drinking the tomato juice he found in the refrigerator, regardless. He cut the egg roughly by holding the fork sideways, and then Grayson, who hadn’t moved until then, opened his mouth.
“Hey, Dane. Can you slap me?”
Dane put the egg in his mouth with a blank face. And the next moment, with a tremendous ‘smack’ sound, Grayson’s neck turned.
127 – 127
Grayson cupped his cheek with one hand and looked at Dane with a wronged expression. In response to the silent protest, Dane nonchalantly munched on bacon. Seeing Grayson’s cheek, red and swollen, he briefly felt guilty, wondering if he had hit him too hard, but he quickly dismissed the thought. Looking at his own ruined breasts, he had paid the price. No, more than enough. Wouldn’t hitting both cheeks with his fists be insufficient? Dane, who had suddenly thought of it, soon thought bitterly.
I won’t be able to change clothes in the locker room for a while…
He frowned, put the last remaining bread in his mouth, and chewed, when Grayson, who seemed to be deep in thought until then, opened his mouth.
“Hey, Dane.”
At the hesitant words, Dane glanced at him sideways while drinking juice. Grayson swallowed hard, making a noise, and asked with a pale face.
“Maybe… I… you…”
“I topped you.”
Dane answered expressionlessly and put down the empty cup. Grayson, who had squeezed out the words while swallowing dry saliva in the middle, looked blank for a moment. Seeing the reaction, Dane repeatedly and clearly told him.
“I topped you, you were out of your mind because of the Rut.”
Dane clicked his tongue as if annoyed and cleared the dishes. Grayson, who had not reacted until then, finally opened his mouth.
“…Oh.”
His lips loosened as he let out the short word. Only then did Dane stare down at Grayson, who was smiling.
He can be so happy to hear that he was the one who was topped.
Feeling complicated inside, Grayson suddenly asked.
“Hey, the breasts… did I do that?”
Dane hesitated to answer for a moment and looked down at him. What is this guy feeling right now? Guilt? Apology? Or…
Thinking that far, Grayson asked with a flushed face and shining eyes.
“My boobs got bigger, Dane. How about you try on the bra I bought you?”
Dane just raised his fist without saying a word. Fortunately, thanks to his excellent survival instincts, Grayson shut his mouth.
I should have known, what can I expect from this guy.
Dane endured the urge to beat Grayson up and pointed to his plate with his chin.
“What are you doing, eat quickly.”
Grayson reluctantly picked up the fork, but couldn’t readily bring it to his mouth. Seeing him keep looking at it, Dane took special measures.
“…Gasp.”
Grayson gasped in shock. Dane snatched the bread and put it in his mouth as it was. Grayson couldn’t hide his shock as the bread, which had neatly occupied one side of the plate, disappeared into Dane’s mouth in an instant. Dane chewed on the bread and said to him, who was staring at him with a pale face.
“If you don’t eat quickly, this is what happens.”
Grayson wanted to protest, but there was no time. The moment he opened his mouth to speak, Dane grabbed the bacon with his hand and shoved it into his mouth this time. In the end, Grayson hurriedly lifted the plate to protect the remaining eggs. After confirming that he had started eating the fried eggs, Dane turned around, pushed the dishes into the dishwasher, and closed the door.
Okay, next.
He had no choice but to take two days off because he was caught up in Grayson’s Rut. Because of that, Station Chief was full of thoughts of exploiting him. Just thinking about being swamped with work made him sigh involuntarily.
I can’t help it.
He soon dismissed the thought. Dane Striker was not the type to dwell on unavoidable situations. More than that, the problem right now was his lunch box. Dane opened the refrigerator and looked at the ingredients inside and found high-quality sausage.
Should I make a hot dog…
He paused the moment he reached out. Suddenly, his breasts and nipples throbbed at the same time. Recalling the bad memories, he turned his eyes away from the sausage and looked for other ingredients. Soon, vegetables and meat came into view. What kind of lunch box can I make with this? Sandwich, hamburger…
…….
“Damn it.”
Dane roughly swept his face with one hand. He couldn’t forget it because his nipples and breasts, which ached whenever he was about to forget, were constantly reminding him. He immediately turned his head and turned his gaze to the culprit of all this. Grayson, who was staring blankly at the empty plate as if he was still regretful, felt his gaze and raised his head and paused. Dane immediately opened his mouth.
“You.”
“Uh, yeah.”
Grayson answered immediately. Dane warned him in a stern voice, seeing him seem nervous for some reason.
“From now on, you are banned from approaching me until this heals.”
“Uh…”
Grayson quickly became sullen. But that’s all it is. It must be another fake expression. Dane thought so and took out the chicken breast. After seasoning it with salt and pepper and putting it in the oven, he took out the crackers from the cupboard and put them down, when he suddenly felt an impure gaze.
“What?”
When he turned around, Grayson, who had quickly regained his energy, asked.
“Then, after it heals, is it okay?”
Dane just frowned. Grayson waited for an answer without taking his expectant gaze away, even though he thought it was impossible. Dane sighed, looking into the distance at the sparkling eyes directed at him. And he answered as if giving up.
“Do as you please.”
“Dane, I love you!”
Grayson shouted with emotion. Overflowing love poured out like a waterfall, but Dane’s reaction was indifferent.
“Yeah, thanks.”
He said casually and started preparing lunch again. Dane never says he loves him. But it doesn’t matter. Grayson sincerely thought so. It was enough that Dane was talking to him in the same space like this.
Yeah, how grateful I am for just this.
Dane is greeting Grayson and accepting his words. On top of that, he even gave him permission to touch his breasts. This, this feeling is right.
“I’m feeling happiness.”
Grayson said in a choked voice. This is happiness. This is love. What Grayson had been longing for was now vividly alive and moving. Dane glanced back and then turned his head again. But Grayson clearly saw him with a faint smile on his lips.
…Huh?
Grayson paused for a moment. What is that? What kind of reaction is that?
He was usually good at reading people’s feelings and thoughts. He had never been wrong before, and his predictions had come true. So, this time too, it must be the same.
What does that smile mean?
If it wasn’t Dane, Grayson would have only given one answer. That man loves me.
But the opponent was Dane Striker. A man who would never love him, even if Grayson was the only one left in the world.
As he thought that, his excited heart slowly calmed down. What kind of ridiculous delusion am I having. Laughing at himself, Grayson changed his mind. Now was not the time to be caught up in such a dazed delusion. He had something to say to Dane.
“Dane, what do you want?”
“What?”
Dane turned his head at Grayson’s bright voice. Grayson said to him, who had his eyes on Grayson and was casually putting lunch in a zipper bag with his hands.
“I spent my Rut with you. So I want to repay you. What do you want? A gift for Darling is also good. I’ll repay you with whatever you want.”
Grayson added a smile. This was so natural. When he looked back on what Dane had done for him, his heart felt tight. He spent the Rut with me and took away my Pheromone, made me breakfast, and even said I could touch his breasts again even though they were in this state. That terrible individualist Dane Striker…!
“Why?”
Grayson came back to reality at the sudden words.
“Huh?”
Suddenly, he felt like he had been splashed with cold water. Dane was staring at him with a frown. Dane repeated the question to him, who was speechless.
“Why are you giving me a gift, suddenly. There’s no reason.”
Grayson was flustered and just looked at his face.
128 – 128
Seeing Grayson’s reaction, Dane still frowned as he asked,
“Or do you give gifts to everyone you sleep with during Rut?”
“Well… that’s…”
Grayson hesitated, unable to answer easily. It was clear he had touched a nerve with Dane. The happiness he had felt just moments ago vanished like dust, replaced by fear.
What if Dane refused to talk to me again? What if he got angry and told me to get out of his sight? What am I supposed to say now?
“Miller.”
“Uh, uh-huh.”
Dane called him again. Grayson looked up, startled, and Dane, still frowning, spoke as nonchalantly as usual.
“I’m just asking because I’m curious, not because I’m angry at you.”
His tone felt genuine. But Grayson noticed that Dane was still frowning.
“…You’re frowning.”
“This is just how my face looks. I can’t help it if you don’t like it.”
Dane’s tone hadn’t changed much this time either. Come to think of it, Dane’s face wasn’t much different from how Grayson remembered it. He frowned more when he was working, but that was out of annoyance, not anger. Realizing this, Grayson’s shoulders relaxed, and he felt much more at ease. Only then did Grayson answer the question.
“I don’t just give something to everyone I spend Rut with.”
After confirming that the color had returned to Grayson’s face, Dane asked,
“Then why are you offering to give me something?”
“Because you helped me.”
The answer was simple. It was just a simple repayment. This man had clearly lived his life like that. Paying back every favor he received.
He must have been trying to win people over like this.
Dane thought so and opened his mouth.
“You don’t have to repay me for things I did voluntarily.”
Grayson paused at the plain tone and looked up at him. It didn’t end there. Dane took the plate in front of Grayson and even stroked his hair. Casually, but familiarly, with a gentle touch, as if he were Darling.
Surprised, Grayson widened his eyes and touched the spot where Dane’s hand had just been.
“…Dane, I…”
Grayson opened his mouth with a dazed expression. Before the next word could come out, Dane slapped him on the other cheek.
Desire Me if you can
When Grayson Miller came to work, the employees were surprised by two things. The fact that both of his cheeks were red and swollen, and the fact that he was grinning as if he was in a good mood despite that.
“Miller, what happened? That’s…”
“Good morning, hello.”
Ezra asked in surprise, and he greeted him cheerfully. Thanks to that, one more surprising thing was added. Grayson Miller was returning a greeting so brightly? What happened?
But it didn’t end there. Dane’s face, which appeared soon after, was the complete opposite. His eyes were tired, with dark circles under them, and his drooping steps looked more depressed than usual. It was the first time he had looked so listless.
“It looks like Miller absorbed all of Dane’s energy.”
Hearing the whispers from the side, Ezra denied it in a small voice, wondering if that was possible.
“Something must have happened during his vacation. It must have been something serious for him to suddenly take time off.”
Could something have happened to his family?
Ezra was worried but couldn’t easily ask. He just glanced at him, trying to read his expression, when he suddenly noticed another strange thing. Dane had come to work in his uniform. Thanks to that, he didn’t change his clothes and just took his ID card out of the cabinet and shoved it into his pocket.
“What’s going on?”
At Ezra’s question, Dane finally turned his gaze. When Ezra gestured at his attire, Dane replied nonchalantly.
“I was too lazy to change.”
Ezra tilted his head, but Dane soon closed the cabinet door. He turned to leave, when the guy who had just come in started talking loudly.
“Hey, everyone, gather around! Wilkins bought hot dogs. Let’s all eat together, come on over here! Hurry!”
“Ooh!”
The colleagues gathered together happily. Dane was the only one who didn’t approach. Seeing him grimace and look displeased for some reason, Ezra asked, puzzled.
“What are you doing? Aren’t you going to eat?”
“I’m okay.”
Dane refused, turning his gaze elsewhere. There were more than one or two strange things about him today. Dane, who never turned down anything free, was refusing a hot dog? What on earth was going on?
Someone handed a hot dog to Ezra, who was wondering. Ezra, who had accepted it, said thank you, and soon found Grayson a little distance away and held out the hot dog to him.
“Here, Miller.”
Grayson, who was staring with blank eyes, quietly accepted it but only unwrapped it and didn’t put it in his mouth. The sausage in the bread was strangely eye-catching today. What is it? At the moment of frowning in doubt, something forgotten was revived in his head.
…Huh?
Grayson blinked his eyes rapidly. He forcibly squeezed his brain cells to recall the blurred memory. And the effort paid off, suddenly a tremendous sight unfolded before his eyes.
”
Venus…
Hup.”
The moment Grayson screamed, someone gagged him from behind. With everyone’s attention focused, Dane threatened in a low voice from behind him.
“Come with me.”
And Dane grabbed Grayson’s mouth as it was and dragged him outside. The remaining guys could only stare blankly at Grayson, who was struggling and being dragged away, and Dane, who was rapidly moving away with a pale face.
Desire Me if you can
“I remembered,
Virginia in Venus, Virginia!”
As soon as he released his mouth, Grayson screamed at the top of his lungs. He knew this would happen and dragged him out, but he couldn’t help but feel his ears ringing. Dane blocked his aching ears with his hands and then gagged Grayson again.
“Calm down.”
He muttered, glaring at Grayson with scary eyes.
“Calm down, before I shut your mouth by shoving my dick in it.”
Anyone would be horrified to hear these words and shut their mouth. But Dane had chosen the wrong opponent. Seeing Grayson quickly make a blissful expression and exude strong Pheromone, Dane broke out in a cold sweat down his back. Dane, who immediately removed his hand, sighed, touching his forehead with his other hand.
“Forget about that.”
“I can’t.”
As expected, Grayson refused at once. It was a terrifying thing to almost lose that memory forever.
“I’ll never forget it for the rest of my life. I wish I could scan my brain and save the memory. Then I’d zoom in on Venus and save it, and save 100 copies of the scene with Virginia inserted, just in case the saved data gets lost. You inserting Virginia between Venus and licking my dick, save 1000 copies…”
“Stop.”
Dane blocked his words, feeling the fatigue coming over him. Grayson had no choice but to shut his mouth, but he seemed restless, unable to somehow pour out the surging emotion. If he gagged him, Grayson wouldn’t spill the words anywhere. But he had to restrain this excitement. His colleagues would think it was strange.
Unfortunately, there was only one card Dane could play in this situation.
“If you behave, I’ll do it again next time.”
Grayson suddenly stopped all movement. Seeing him not even breathing, Dane added.
“On the condition that you stay still until my chest gets better.”
Grayson still didn’t move. 1 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds.
Exactly 5 seconds later, Grayson asked loudly, as if exhaling the breath he had been holding.
“Really? Are you really going to insert Virginia between Venus and suck it? Not when I’m in Rut? When I’m sane?”
Dane only uttered one word to the barrage of words.
“Yes.”
“Then I…”
“No.”
Dane refused immediately.