Just A Bit Ruthless

Luke sat by the pool, looking at the brightly lit mansion.Even in this position, he could hear laughter and music coming from inside.Today is James' 23rd birthday. In view of these days, James basically lives with his boyfriend, so this year's birthday party will be held at Hardaway's house.

Luke put his arms around his knees and smiled reluctantly.He is happy for his friend, because the life of the other party is finally satisfactory.James' happiness was won by his own hard work.To witness that such deep love exists, and that happy endings don't just happen in fairy tales, is a comforting thing in itself.

Luke bit his lip and looked up at the moon.

It was almost time for him to go back to the house.But god, he's had enough of being surrounded by sympathetic and worried looks like he's terminally ill.He was fed up with telling everyone one by one that he was fine.Of course, no matter what he said, no one believed him.

It's not like Luke doesn't know why everyone cares about him like this.As far as the public knows, his experience in the past few months can be described as the worst in his life: first he was kidnapped, and then less than a month after he escaped, his father suffered another accident.It's too uncomfortable.It's really hard.But he held on.He's fine.Why couldn't his friends understand that their sympathy and concern only made him more stressed and kept him thinking about things he'd rather forget?

For example, it is likely that the death of the father was due to him.

Don't think about it, don't think about it, don't think about it.

Movement on the other side of the terrace caught his attention.Seeing the two tall figures standing there embracing each other, Luke smiled slightly.Ryan and James are kissing under the full moon, their hands in each other's hair, their mouths moving greedily and tenderly, as if they belonged to each other.

The feeling of loving someone and being loved by someone must be very pleasant.

Realizing that he was staring helplessly at someone, Luke forced his gaze away, and instead stared at the dark, calm surface of the swimming pool.There was another burst of laughter in the room.Luke swallowed the sudden lump in his throat.It's not the first time he's felt out of place with his friends since returning to England.He felt like he didn't belong here.

But then again, he's also not sure if he has anywhere else to belong.If he was willing to admit it to himself, that might be one of the reasons why he had fallen for Dominique so quickly.Domini didn't know him in the past, that the normal Luke had been a far more cheerful and easy-going guy than he was now.If Luke was silent and didn't like to talk to people, Dominic wouldn't care too much.It was Dominic's silent presence and comfort in the weeks after his father's death that supported him through that almost unreal frenzy, without questions or comments.Dominique is awesome.Luke wished he was with him tonight.Maybe that way, others wouldn't look at him that way.Also, Luke...maybe missing Dominique too?possible.They're not officially in a relationship yet—and Dominic isn't pushing him, given his father's death—but Luke really misses his flirting, and being with Dominic, That sense of security.

Luke couldn't help thinking, is this how one person falls in love with another?He hoped so.For a man like Dominique, he can completely trust that the other party will not break his heart.He is friendly, confident, and exceptionally straightforward.Before he went on a business trip to Japan, he looked Luke in the eyes and told him that he hoped Luke would give him a clear answer when he came back.It's a bit arrogant, but it also reflects his charmingly straightforward nature.Dominic doesn't play mind games, and Luke likes him that way.

Behind him, there was the snap of branches.

Luke froze, goose bumps ran up his spine, and a strange familiarity surged in his body and quickly filled his body.

He held his breath, his heart beating wildly in his chest.Bang bang, bang bang, bang bang.

It's also silly.There will be no one behind him.He's gone back to England, home.

That person can't be here.

A large calloused hand wrapped around his neck.

A shudder ran through Luke.This is impossible.This is what he imagined.This cannot happen.

He swallowed, and slowly turned his head.

After being met by those icy blue eyes, Luke couldn't breathe, and indulged in those cold and deep eyes, like a rabbit caught in a hunter's trap.

He can scream.Whenever he called, Ryan and James would hear it.

"Miss me, solnyshko?" said a soft, bewildering voice.

Luke jumped up and kissed the man hard on the lips.Roman cupped his face in his hands, his lips were burning hot, his tongue in Luke's mouth with irresistible force, his beard stinging at Luke's skin.

God, it felt like drowning, like he was being torn apart like a rag doll, and the only thing keeping him physically and mentally intact was Roman's mouth and hands.Luke's thirsty lips quivered in a small broken moan - he needed this, he needed it - and he wrapped his arms around Roman's neck, pushing his body up like a flower against the sun .Roman's big hand ran down Luke's back, pinching his buttocks and lifting him up——

Luke whimpered into Roman's mouth, clasped his legs around his waist, and let Roman take him... anywhere.At least he thought in his heart that the other party was leading him away, but it was so difficult to think about things, when his whole body and mind were shaking with this physical and emotional need, it was impossible to think at all, okay!He couldn't do anything but cling to Roman, his hands wandering greedily on Roman's broad back, feeling his muscles straining through his shirt - God, his mouth tasted so good, he smelled Nice, unadorned masculinity, nothing like the expensive colognes Dominy's available—

Fuck, Dominique!

Luke forced his mouth away and gasped, "Wait—I can't."

Roman pushed him hard against the wall of the room, and easily held him there with only his crotch.The lower bodies of the two rubbed against each other, and Luke held back a moan.

"Why not?" Roman said, his arms pressed against the wall on either side of Luke's head, his blue eyes staring straight into his.

Luke licked his sensitive lips swollen from kisses, feeling dizzy from Roman being so close.He just wanted to bring Roman's lips back to his own, so much that he couldn't even think and speak.

"What are you here for?" Luke whispered hoarsely, trying to move his legs away from Roman's waist, but his body refused to cooperate with his will. "Are you following me? This is too scary, even for you."

"I came to London for business," Roman said with a twist of his mouth. "I'm too busy with business, so I don't have time to follow you, dear."

Luke was suddenly ashamed, and then realized that the other party didn't answer him directly. "Then what are you here for?" He raised his chin. "This isn't even my home."

It took a while before Roman replied, "You haven't told anyone that I kidnapped you. I want to ask you why. That's why I'm here."

Oh.

Luke managed to suppress the overwhelming disappointment in his stomach, and forced himself to put his legs down along Roman's body.He was still trapped between Roman's arms though, and he took a deep breath. "is that you?"

"What did you say?"

"Did you kill my father?"

There was a slight change in the expression on Roman's face. "No," he said, looking directly into Luke's eyes.

Luke exhaled, the guilt that had been suppressed in his heart for a month finally let go of his clutches.Maybe he didn't love his father, maybe he didn't know him very well, but Richard Whitford was his own father after all.Thinking that he might have been partly responsible for his father's death—because he hadn't told Roman about kidnapping him—Luke felt like dying.

The sudden release of the immense pressure took his breath away, and Luke found himself laughing.

"Blyad," Roman cursed, before bending over to suck the skin on Luke's cheek - where his dimple happened to be.He kept sucking, and if he continued like this, he would definitely leave a hickey.

"Stop," Luke said with difficulty. "I'm not—you can't."

Roman puffed into his cheek, fingers gripping Luke's hip. "Why not?"

"I—I'm dating, sort of." Somehow, the sudden guilt made him feel like crying.So stupid, so stupid.

Roman's entire body screamed "No" as he pulled back.

The street lights were too dim, and he couldn't see Roman's expression clearly at the moment.

"Dating people?" Roman said.

Luke nodded, feeling strangely uncomfortable.Just a harmless little lie, right?He and Dominique weren't officially together yet, but they both assumed in their hearts that they would.They are already dating.Be it.

"He's super nice," Luke said. "I like him very much. So I can't fool around with you anymore, even if you are not... such a person. I won't be two-footed. I hate cheating."

Roman also had the nerve to put on a joking expression. "Looks like you're still that sentimental, silly kid with pink bubbles all over your head."

Luke glared at him hard.

Roman smoothed the crease between Luke's brows with his thumb. "Is this the expression of the little milk cat who is angry and wants to be scary?" he said, his mocking tone contrasted with the hunger in his eyes.This comparison is too uncomfortable: Roman talks to him in such a sarcastic tone, but still looks at him as if he wants to wipe him clean.

"I hate you," Luke said.

One of Roman's mouths twitched slightly. "That's why you got your hands on me, don't you, dear?"

Luke looked down, blushing, and his disobedient hands were touching Roman's chest.He quickly withdrew his hand, clenched his fist and placed it by his side.

"It's just a dumbass version of Stockholm syndrome," he said, blinking quickly to hold back the tears that had pooled in his eyes from anger.what happened to him?After finally meeting a wonderful man, a man who can build a life with him, why would he want to bury his face in Roman's chest and beg Roman to take him away?

"My father is dead," Luke said firmly. "Your friend's vengeance has been avenged, and you have no reason to continue to trouble me." He whispered into Roman's eyes, and his voice was a little hoarse when he said what was in his heart: "So why do you still do this? You It can't be so cruel."

Roman put his hands back in his trouser pockets. "I didn't do anything, sweetie," he said in a very soft voice. "That's not what I came here for. You jumped on me when you saw me."

Luke couldn't help but be thankful that the light was too dark to show his blush.He crossed his arms. "It's Stockholm Syndrome. I'm going to see a therapist."

"Your tone seems uncertain."

"I'm pretty sure," Luke said, lifting his chin. "If I hadn't been mentally ill, I wouldn't have cheated on Dominique. I never cheated on my partner."

"Cheating means a formal relationship has been established," Roman said. "Have you ever thought that your relationship with that... Mr. Perfect Model is not so formal yet?" He approached Luke again, bowed and lowered his head until their faces were only an inch apart.His breath brushed Luke's cheek. "Maybe your body knows better who it belongs to."

Luke's eyelids slowly drooped involuntarily, and he felt a sense of powerlessness all over his body. "No," he replied reluctantly.

"You're shaking, honey, and I haven't even touched you."

Luke swallowed uncomfortably, trying to suppress the mad urge to lean against Roman.I'm dating Dominique.I hate you.

Roman nibbled his jaw lightly with his teeth. "Who do you belong to, baby?"

Luke nearly sobbed.

"Did he touch you?" Roman said. "Have you ever been fucked??

Luke wished he could say "yes" so that he could shut the other person up. "My father is dead," he whispered. "Where do I have the heart to have fun?"

"Really?" Roman said, kissing Luke on the cheek.God, his lips, his beard. "I don't remember you like that. You were such a hottie, you little one, you couldn't live a day without a cock." He sucked on Luke's jaw, teeth sinking into the flesh.

That's your cock too, Luke swallowed a groan and almost said it.

And all he said was, "Why should you care?" It took some willpower to keep his eyelids open. "Why do you care if I have sex with him or not? I'm just a toy for you. A chess piece. Now the game is over and the king has been checked by you. Why do you need a chess piece?"

Roman leaned back. "You're right: I don't need it anymore. You're useless to me."

Luke put on a masked smile. "Exactly. So please, please don't ruin my relationship with him. I'm looking forward to a formal relationship with him. He's a good guy, he's a good person and treats me well. We are like-minded. I'm very happy Like him." He can give me what you can't - and never will - give me.

The muscles in Roman's jaw twitched. "I'm not interested in ruining your perfect relationship. However, before you settle down with that 'Mr. Nice Man' for the rest of your life, you might want to search his house to see if there are any stray animals."

Luke frowned. "What?"

"You're too credulous, too idealistic," Roman said, eyeing Luke with unabashed disgust. "Try a different way of living, try to see everyone as a jerk. Some people just hide a little deeper than others."

"It's too sad to be alive like that," Luke said softly.

Roman shook his head. "When you are hurt, don't come to me and cry."

Luke blinked, a strange emotion welling up in his heart. "Can I still cry to you? Why didn't I know there was such an option."

Roman pursed his lips. "Because no." He looked at Luke for a moment, then said, "Farewell, Curly." He turned and left.

Luke's throat clenched in what seemed to be panic. "My hair isn't curly anymore," he heard himself say.

Roman looked back at him, and that look made Luke uncomfortable with his straightened hair and dull, prim clothes.He was no longer the barefoot, curly-haired boy in bright, fancy clothes that Roman was used to.

"Farewell, little curly," Roman said, his tone changed a bit, a little more reluctantly, and then he disappeared into the night.

Luke slumped against the wall, closing his eyes, trying to swallow the lump in his throat.

do not.