Chapter 337

Chapter 337
Ice smiled.

It was thin. Public. The kind of smile that belonged to cameras, not to him.

The applause was still rolling when the president left the stage and started toward their table. People parted for him without being asked. Kenji's hand stayed at Ice's back like it had a right to be there.

"Smile wider," Kenji murmured, barely moving his mouth.

Ice did.

War clapped until the last echo died, then leaned in as if he belonged in the circle.

"Congratulations," he said softly, eyes on Kenji first.

Sebastian's smile had already flattened now that the lenses were off him. Zeno shifted half a step closer to his side, a quiet shield without making it obvious.

The president reached them with both hands open.

"Kenji. Sebastian." He shook their hands in turn. "I hope you don't mind. Partnerships this large deserve a little light."

Sebastian's voice was polite steel.

"Not at all, sir."

Kenji inclined his head. "We're honored."

Then the president's gaze slid to Ice.

"And you must be the husband."

Ice felt the word land.

Kenji answered before he could.

"Yes. Ice Arisaka." His fingers pressed once at Ice's waist. "My husband."

Ice shook the president's hand. His palm was steady. His pulse was not.

"It's a beautiful night," Ice said.

That was all.

The president smiled, turning to Sebastian. "So, the bodyguard you promised. My son is in the VIP room upstairs." He stated calmly.

Sebastian nodded, turning to Thomas. "This is Thomas. One of our best." He introduced.

Thomas forced a polite smile. "A pleasure, sir."

The president shook his hand briefly. "My son can't live like other kids. Even before I became president, the threats were there, but they're worse now. That's why I can't bring him into the limelight." He said, dipping his hand in his pocket.

"Here's the key card. Find his room upstairs and drive him home. His safety is on you, and if anything happens, you pay with your life. Are we clear?" The president asked, low enough that it sounded like a threat.

Thomas smiled brightly. "Crystal, sir."

'Great, now my life is on the line, too.'

"Excuse me." Thomas nodded and left.

"Ah, I'm really glad we get to work together." He patted Sebastian's shoulder and walked away, already turning to the next important face, and the table breathed again.

Cody let out a low whistle. "Well. That's one way to get your names in tomorrow's papers."

Cross had already picked his phone back up. Andre watched War the way people watched weather they didn't trust.

War touched Kenji's sleeve.

Just two fingers. Light. Familiar.

"You both looked perfect," he said.

Ice saw it.

He looked away before Kenji could catch him looking, grabbed a glass from a passing tray, and drank like the champagne might burn the jealousy out of him.

It didn't.

Kenji's mouth brushed the air near his ear.

"You're doing well, Kitten."

Ice kept his eyes on the hall.

"I'm acting," he said quietly. "Don't confuse it."

Kenji's smile didn't change.

But his hand, still on Ice's back, didn't move either.

"I need to call Andrew to get Ken back. I won't be surprised if he ended up taking him to a strip club." Zeno mumbled and moved away.

"I need to pee," Ice whispered and tried to step away from Kenji.

Kenji didn't budge. His arms stayed put on Ice's waist, his eyes looking around the hall as if he wasn't holding someone hostage.

Ice cleared his throat and gently patted the hand around his waist.

"Yes?" Kenji finally looked down at Ice, eyes searching.

"I said, I need to—"

"I'll take you," Kenji sighed. "I can't let you out of my sight. This gala might look all guarded and luxurious, but enemies are also lurking. Please?" He murmured softly.

"No." Ice refused.

"No?" Kenji frowned.

"I need to use the restroom and I don't want you there. It's privacy." Ice said as if they were discussing the gala.

Kenji turned to Ice, cupping his jaw. "I'm your husband."

Ice smiled, glancing around them. "I know that." He placed his hand on Kenji's that was on his jaw. "But husbands need privacy too." He kissed Kenji's palm.

"For the show." He winked and turned away.

"Looks like it's still a long way for you, huh?" Cross appeared beside Kenji, placing his arm on his shoulder.

"Not for long." Kenji smirked, watching Ice leave.

"Uhm..." Cross cleared his throat, gesturing toward War.

"What about him?" Kenji asked.

"I don't like him," Cross whispered.

"You don't like anyone who isn't Andre," Kenji replied flatly.

"True." Cross shrugged, his silver eyes narrowing at the way War smiled at something Jasper said to Jeremiah. "But something's off about him." He stated.

"Nothing is wrong with him. You're just immune to seeing someone who's actually really nice and respectful." Kenji picked up his glass and sipped slowly.

Cross arched a sarcastic brow. "You praise him so much. Considering dumping your husband for him—"

"Don't be silly. He doesn't come close to Ice." Kenji cut him off sternly.

Cross tilted his head. "In love?"

Kenji shook his head. "Not your business."

Ice only walked toward the restroom. When he was sure Kenji was no longer looking, he slid onto the balcony.

"Exhausting," he muttered, lighting a cigarette instantly as he leaned against the balcony door.

He inhaled deeply, shutting his eyes.

It's only been a few minutes, but he felt like his life was drained out of him.

"Bad evening?" A voice suddenly startled Ice.

He snapped his eyes open and looked toward the corner with tall decorative plant flowers.

A man. Tall, quiet, and those damn glasses made him look like a dictionary that had patients returning for things that weren't sickness. His grey suit made the air around him seem... grey; like he was purposely choosing to distance himself from the world.

"You might want to move away from the door," the man said, raising the untouched glass of wine in a polite cheers.

'Wouldn't mind a stranger's company.' Ice thought and leaned away from the door.

He walked over to the man, leaning against the rails at a respectable distance.

"You look like you're drowning in sorrow." Ice smoothly blew his smoke out, watching the man closely.

"You look like you need an escape portal." The man said quietly.

Ice shrugged. "Maybe."

"I'm Ezra. Dr. Ezra, if you value titles." Ezra introduced himself.

Ice glanced at him. "I'm—"

"Ice... your white hair gave you away." Ezra smiled.

Ice scoffed. "Of course." He murmured.

How could he forget? Every fine, rich man belonged to Kenji's mischievous group.

But this one seemed different, like he could actually not mind other people's business.

"So, why are you here?" Ice asked.

Ezra finally took a sip of his wine, facing the night sky. "I lost the guy I wanted to marry." He stared out into the night, reminiscing.

"Ironic." Ice chuckled. "I'm married to a guy I want to lose."

"You really mean that?" Ezra questioned. "It's not every day we find someone perfect for us... Kenji's a nice guy." He spoke calmly.

Ice nodded. "Yeah. Not for me."

Ezra slowly nodded. "As long as you're not hurting."

"But if you are, or you're scared..." he chuckled, "You shouldn't mind what people would say... what your family would say. If Kenji makes you happy, makes your heart skip and makes your skin feel warm without a blanket, then..." he held Ice's gaze and smiled, "Then make sure you never let him go."

"You'll regret it." He patted Ice's shoulder and walked away.

Ice frowned, watching Ezra walk out the door.

He scoffed, turning to face the city. "I'll regret it..." he laughed. "I don't think so."

The door opened again and Ice sighed tiredly. "I heard you the first time, Doc. I—"

"This doesn't look like the restroom." Kenji spoke behind him.

Ice stilled, taking his cigarette between his fingers. "I needed air."

"You know..." Kenji slowly walked over, pausing behind Ice, "people will grow suspicious if you're gone for long."

"Can I just have a moment with the wind?" Ice said, not turning to look at Kenji.

Ice didn't turn.

"You're annoying, you know that?" Kenji murmured, closing the last of the space behind him.

Ice's mouth curved, sharp and tired.

"Funny. I feel the same about you."

Kenji pressed in.

His chest met Ice's back, heat through the white shirt and the dark suit, the city glittering under them. He reached around and plucked the cigarette from Ice's fingers like it had always belonged to him. Ice watched the ember disappear between Kenji's lips. Kenji dragged softly, then turned his head and blew the smoke beside Ice's face, close enough that Ice felt it against his cheek.

"Move," Ice said.

Kenji didn't.

His hands found Ice's waist and pulled him back, locking him there, body to body against the rail. Kenji's mouth lowered to his ear.

"If I wanted to move," he whispered, voice low enough to scrape, "I wouldn't have followed you. I want you to stop lying with that pretty mouth."

Ice's breath caught.

He turned his face like he might kiss him — close enough that their mouths almost touched, close enough that Kenji's smirk was heat against his lips.

Then Ice spoke instead.

"I just told your doctor friend I don't like my husband."

Kenji's smirk deepened.

"I intend to change that," he whispered.

Ice barely had time to frown.

Kenji's hand slid into Ice's pocket and pulled out the tie Ice had shoved there earlier. Before Ice could step away, Kenji caught both wrists, drew them behind his back, and bound them in one smooth motion.

The silk tightened.

Ice's shoulders locked. His pulse jumped hard against the knot.

Kenji leaned in again, mouth at the edge of Ice's jaw.

"Now," he murmured, "tell me again that you don't care."

"What are you doing?" Ice gasped. "Someone might walk in." Ice tried to free his hands.

"It'll only get tighter if you struggle." Kenji whispered, his hands anchoring Ice's waist.

Ice gulped. "You're crazy."

Kenji leaned in, kissing the back of Ice's ear. "Crazy... maybe. But I'm just a husband trying to get his baby to have sex with him."

Ice froze. Kenji's hand was already dancing along his waistline, the other hand sliding down his and staying there like it belonged there. His pulse was unsteady, heat crawling up his neck.

Ezra's words rang in his mind. 'If he makes you feel warm without blankets...'

"We can escape this boring place. Go home... I promise not to disappoint." Kenji murmured huskily, biting gently on Ice's earlobe.

Kenji's mouth stayed at Ice's ear.

"We can escape this boring place. Go home… I promise not to disappoint."

Ice opened his mouth to snap something back.

Nothing came out.

Kenji's hand left Ice's waist and slid lower, palm flattening over the front of Ice's pants, finding him already hardening through the fabric. Ice jerked, a broken sound catching in his throat. His bound wrists pulled against the silk and only made the knot tighter.

"Kenji—"

"Shh." Kenji's voice was husky, almost gentle. "You said you didn't care."

Then his hand slipped inside.

Warm fingers wrapped around Ice's cock, stroking him once, slow and sure, like Kenji had all the time in the world and the hall behind the door didn't exist. Ice's head dropped forward. His breath punched out of him. The city lights smeared in his vision.

He was speechless.

Worse — he was needy.

His hips pushed into Kenji's hand before he could stop them, chasing the next stroke. Heat crawled up his neck, down his spine, into the place where Kenji's chest was locked against his back. Kenji caressed him again, thumb sliding over the head, and Ice bit down on a moan so hard his jaw ached.

"That's it," Kenji whispered against his skin. "That's how you look when you stop lying."

Ice's knees nearly gave. His wrists flexed helplessly behind him. He hated how wet he already felt in Kenji's grip, hated how his body answered every slow pull like it had been waiting for this since the kitchen.

"Someone—" Ice tried, voice wrecked.

Kenji stroked him again, firmer now, and Ice's words died into a shaky inhale.

"Someone might walk in," Kenji finished for him, mouth brushing Ice's jaw. "Then they'll see my husband exactly where he belongs."