Noah stood in the parking garage, waiting for Asher.
The night breeze was cool, the surroundings quiet save for the occasional sound of distant cars.
He leaned against a pillar, his mind drifting involuntarily.
Everything that had happened recently was truly absurd.
Just days ago, he'd been drowning in panic over the smear campaign, convinced his career was finished.
Then Asher appeared with a contract.
And then...
He'd become the bed partner of the actor he'd once admired.
Noah laughed bitterly to himself.
Those rumors they were Asher's doing.
All designed to corner him, to leave him no choice but to sign that contract.
He knew he'd been played.
From start to finish, he'd been under Asher's control.
But what could he do about it?
Before, he'd looked up to Asher as an idol, a goal to aspire to.
And now...
Their relationship had become this.
Noah didn't know what mindset to adopt anymore.
Beep
A car horn pulled him from his thoughts.
Noah looked up to find Asher's car stopped in front of him, the window rolled down to reveal that cold profile.
Noah blinked. When had he come out?
Asher glanced at Noah still standing there and raised an eyebrow. "Get in."
Noah walked over, opened the passenger door, and climbed in.
The car started and pulled out of the garage, merging into the evening traffic.
---
Not far away, in another car.
Sarah sat in the driver's seat, watching the black sedan leave.
Her gaze followed the taillights until they disappeared around a corner.
"Just as I thought," she murmured, a knowing smile curving her lips.
She leaned back in her seat, fingers tapping lightly on the steering wheel.
"Has my brother finally... figured things out?"
---
The car was quiet.
Only the low hum of the engine and the occasional flash of passing headlights.
Noah leaned back in his seat, watching the night scenery flow past the window.
After a moment of silence, he spoke. "Does Vivian know about us?"
"Mm." Asher's gaze didn't leave the road ahead.
"Your assistant too?"
"Mm."
Noah frowned slightly. "What about your sister?"
Asher was silent for a few seconds.
"If she found out, it would be troublesome."
Noah waited for him to continue, but Asher didn't elaborate.
Clearly not wanting to explain further.
Noah didn't press. He turned back to the window.
The car wove through the night, neon lights receding one by one behind them.
Whether from exhaustion or the comfortable warmth inside the car, Noah's eyelids grew heavier and heavier.
He leaned against the seat, his head tilting involuntarily to the side.
Before long, his breathing became slow and steady.
He'd fallen asleep.
---
The car stopped in the apartment's parking garage.
Asher turned off the engine and looked over at the passenger seat.
Noah was slumped against the seat, head lolled to one side, deeply asleep.
A trace of fatigue still lingered on his face, but his brow had relaxed, making him look much softer than he had during the day.
Asher watched him, and a strange feeling stirred somewhere inside.
He couldn't quite name it.
He didn't wake Noah.
Instead, he got out, walked around to the passenger side, and opened the door.
He bent down, slipping one arm under Noah's knees and the other behind his back, and lifted him up.
Noah's head rested against his shoulder, his body soft and warm.
Asher carried him through the lobby and into the elevator.
The elevator rose.
Noah stirred, his eyelids fluttering, then opened.
He gazed blearily at his surroundings he was being held in someone's arms, surrounded by the metal walls of the elevator, Asher's sharp jawline above him.
It took Noah two seconds to process what was happening.
Then he struggled violently.
"Put me down!"
Asher glanced down at him but didn't let go.
"Don't move."
The elevator arrived.
The doors opened, and Asher carried the still-struggling Noah out and into the apartment.
"I said put me down!" Noah pushed against Asher's chest. "I can walk myself!"
A slight smirk tugged at the corner of Asher's mouth.
Then he deliberately loosened his grip.
Noah's body dropped suddenly
"!!!"
Instinctively, he threw his arms around Asher's neck, clinging tight.
His heart nearly leaped out of his throat.
By the time he realized what he'd done, he was practically wrapped around Asher, their position even more intimate than before.
Noah's face flushed crimson.
"You!"
He looked up, glaring at Asher, eyes full of indignation.
But having just woken up, those eyes still held a hint of drowsiness and moisture, making his glare utterly unthreatening.
In fact...
Asher looked at his face, and a thought surfaced unbidden.
Cute.
Want to kiss him.
The next second, he lowered his head and captured Noah's lips.
Noah's eyes went wide.
"Mmph!"
He tried to push Asher away, but his arms were still looped around the man's neck, his whole body trapped in that embrace, unable to find any leverage.
Asher carried him to the sofa and set him down.
Noah's back sank into the soft cushions as Asher's body pressed down over him, pinning him in place.
The kiss was deep and urgent, prying open his lips with aggressive force, tongue driving in without hesitation.
Noah could only submit passively, his lips going numb, his breathing growing more and more difficult.
"Mm... mmph..."
Muffled sounds of protest escaped him.
He couldn't breathe.
His chest felt crushed, the air in his lungs dwindling.
He summoned every ounce of strength and shoved hard against Asher.
Asher pulled back slightly but didn't fully release him.
His lips left Noah's mouth and trailed down to his neck.
Licking.
Nibbling.
Sucking.
Noah gasped for air, face flushed deep red, the corners of his eyes glistening with moisture.
His body trembled, trying to pull away, but Asher's arms held him firmly in place.
Asher's hand began to roam over Noah's body.
From shoulder to waist, from waist to the small of his back, leaving a trail of searing heat.
Noah's body shook faintly.
Not from cold.
But because everywhere that hand passed felt like it was catching fire.
Asher's hand moved upward, slipping beneath Noah's shirt.
The temperature of that palm was high. When it touched bare skin, Noah couldn't help but shiver.
Then that hand found his chest.
Fingers located a spot and brushed against it lightly.
Noah's body went rigid, as if struck by electricity, his whole frame shuddering.
Asher's movement paused.
He'd felt Noah's reaction.
This spot... was sensitive?
A glint of amusement flickered in Asher's eyes.
His fingers began to circle and knead that spot deliberately.
"Nnm!"
A moan Noah couldn't suppress spilled from his throat.
Noah froze completely.
What was that sound?
Had that come from him?
His face burned instantly, wishing he could sink into the floor and disappear.
Asher raised his head and looked at Noah's flushed face, the panicked expression.
Noah bit down hard on his lip, refusing to make another sound.
But Asher didn't stop.
He continued kissing Noah's neck while his fingers toyed with that sensitive spot.
Noah clamped down on his lip, fighting desperately to hold back.
But the body's reactions couldn't be hidden.
His breathing grew more and more ragged, his body beginning to go soft against his will.
Asher's other hand began moving downward.
Sliding over his stomach, past his waist, finally coming to rest at his inner thigh.
His fingers, through the fabric of Noah's pants, began kneading that area gently.
Noah's body jerked, his breathing falling apart completely.
He thought more was coming.
Just like that night.
And then...
A shrill ringtone pierced the air.
Both of them froze.
The atmosphere shattered.
Asher's movements halted.
He frowned, pulled out his phone, and glanced at the screen.
A flash of irritation crossed his eyes.
Then he answered.
"What is it?"
Noah couldn't hear what was said on the other end.
He only saw Asher's expression shift slightly.
"Fine." Asher said. "I'll be right there."
He hung up and rose from Noah's body.
Noah lay on the sofa, clothes disheveled, cheeks flushed, breathing still unsteady.
He watched Asher with a dazed expression.
Asher straightened his clothes, picked up the car keys from nearby, and walked out without another word.
The apartment fell silent.
Noah lay on the sofa, staring at the ceiling, his mind a jumbled mess.
What... had just happened?
His body still held the lingering warmth of Asher's touch. His heartbeat still hadn't returned to normal.
But that man had just... left?
Just like that?
Noah didn't know whether to feel relieved or angry.
He lay there, closing his eyes.
So tired.
Physically tired. Emotionally tired.
He wanted to go back to his room and sleep, but his limbs felt drained of all strength, and he didn't want to move.
Forget it.
This was fine.
Noah stayed on the sofa, and before he knew it, drifted off to sleep.
---
Past four in the morning.
The sky was still dark, the world outside the windows pitch black.
The sound of the elevator doors opening.
Asher walked into the apartment, a trace of weariness on his face.
He'd been out most of the night handling urgent business and had only just finished.
He'd planned to go straight to his room and rest.
Then he saw the figure on the sofa.
Noah was curled up on the couch, body drawn tight, as if searching for a more comfortable position.
His clothes were wrinkled, his hair a mess.
His cheek pressed against a cushion, deep in sleep.
Asher stood there, watching him for several seconds.
He'd slept here on the sofa all night?