Chapter 329

Chapter 329
Ice was quiet during the drive back, alternating between staring out the window and looking down at his lap.

"How are you?" Kenji asked.

Ice shrugged. "How should I be?"

"Did they overwhelm you?" Kenji glanced at him.

Ice shrugged again. "They're just as boring as you."

"Now, Kitten, we both know that's a lie." Kenji smirked.

"Whatever," Ice muttered.

As they drove into the busy street, Ice shifted in his seat.

"You can drop me off anywhere."

"How about I take you home and fuck the stress out of you?" Kenji asked casually, as though he were commenting on the weather. His face remained completely straight.

Ice snapped his head toward him, eyes widening slightly.

"Y-You're joking, right?" he stammered.

His fingers dug into his thigh, and his pulse jumped.

Suddenly, the car felt much smaller.

His forehead prickled with sweat despite the cool air-conditioning.

"You know I'm not joking, Kitten," Kenji murmured.

Ice stared at him for several seconds before turning toward the window.

"Come on. Let's grab dinner," Kenji said.

He pulled up in front of a large restaurant and stepped out of the car.

He was already two steps away from the entrance when he realized Ice wasn't following.

Kenji stopped and frowned.

Ice was walking down the street in calm, deliberate steps.

Kenji closed his eyes and inhaled deeply.

He needed to stay calm with Ice. If he pushed too hard, he would lose his chance with him.

Taking out his phone, he dialed Ice's number while watching him from the restaurant entrance.

Ice paused beside a streetlight and pulled out his phone.

Beep.

The call was rejected.

The sound was like a slap to Kenji's face.

He stared at Ice's retreating figure for a moment before walking into the restaurant.

He typed a message while placing his order.

Three minutes later, he strode back outside and headed toward his car.

A slow smirk tugged at the corner of his lips when he reached it.

Ice was sitting in the passenger seat, arms crossed and scowling.

Kenji calmly opened the driver's door and got inside, placing the food bags behind them.

"One's for you," he said before slowly pulling away.

Ice remained stiff for nearly a minute.

Then he finally turned toward Kenji.

"That was unprofessional and very low… for you."

Kenji smiled.

"I'd go lower for you, Kitten."

He glanced at Ice, taking in the scowl that still sat perfectly on his face.

"You didn't seriously think I'd just stand there and watch you leave?"

Ice scoffed.

"We're done seeing your family and friends. You need to understand that I have a life outside of you. You don't own me."

"Technically…" Kenji cut in smoothly, "I do."

Ice slowly turned his head.

"You're really an asshole."

Kenji's lips twitched.

"You think this is hot? I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but in real life, rudeness is a turn-off. There's no way you're getting anywhere with me if you keep that attitude."

Kenji raised an eyebrow, his gaze darkening slightly.

"Ah. So I can get somewhere with you if I play nice?"

Ice's eyes narrowed.

"That's not what I said."

"But it's what I heard."

"You hear whatever you want."

"Maybe." Kenji's smile deepened. "But I'm a very good listener when it comes to you, Kitten."

"Threaten me one more time with exposing my sensuality to my mother and trust me, Mr. Takumi, I will find filthy dirt on you and show it to the whole world." Ice warned.

"I love it when you say my name like that..." Kenji's voice turned husky. "Wondering how it would sound when you're taking my orders." He smirked.

"Psycho," Ice rolled his eyes and turned toward the window.

Kenji chuckled under his breath.

For once, he decided not to push further.

Not yet.

They arrived home and Ice hurried up to his room, hating that he was letting himself get controlled by another man. But he could not leave. He knew men like Kenji; they didn't do empty threats. The moment he tried to go against him, Kenji would go blabbing his secrets to his mother.

He showered and settled on his bed, staring at his phone on top of the bedside drawer.

He leaned over and grabbed it, dialing a number.

"Ren... I won't be coming out tonight. No, nothing, I just don't feel like it. See you tomorrow." He didn't let Ren speak and quickly ended the call.

Kenji was a monster, tying him to the house and masking control as protection. He had lived for over twenty years. Who told Kenji he needed any protection from something he'd done years and years over?

He was about to drop his phone back on the nightstand when he received a message.

He frowned, not recognising the number. "Tell him to back off," he murmured quietly.

"Who is telling who to back off?" He blinked slowly, shrugging as he had no idea what that text meant.

It must have been a misplaced text.

"Fuck, I really need to ride," he groaned and fell onto his back, sinking his fingers into his white hair.

He felt caged, and he knew it was just a matter of time before he found a way to escape every night.

He heard those familiar footsteps walking toward his room and quickly got under the covers, shutting his eyes to pretend like he had slept.

He already heard enough of Kenji's voice. Hearing it just before going to sleep might give him nightmares.

Slowly, his door was opened, his lights turned off. And, just like last night, he heard Kenji getting closer to his bed and leaning closer to him.

If Kenji was a vampire, he would have definitely heard the way his heart was throbbing against his ribs.

Why did he react so stupidly to Kenji's presence? The man was a certified dark cloud, yet his heart raced faster than a dark horse.

He felt every second and every bit of body heat as Kenji leaned over him.

"Goodnight, Kitten," Kenji's rich, deep voice whispered right above his cheek, and the next thing that followed were those damned soft and warm lips pressing gently into his skin.

Ice held his breath, counting seconds as Kenji slowly withdrew to the door, a part of him suddenly feeling a great sense of loss as his door softly clicked shut.