The voice turned out to be none other than Matthew, Rafael's ex-boyfriend. But what was he doing here?
That very question raced through Rafael's mind as he scanned Matthew from head to toe. Matthew closed the distance between them, his eyes locked on Rafael. "You've got a new lover?"
Rafael, feeling a surge of annoyance, blurted out without much thought, "Yes, so what? What does it have to do with you?"
A flicker of pain crossed Matthew's face as he responded, "Nothing. Just... congratulations on finding someone new. But can I at least know who he is?"
Rafael scoffed, the irritation evident in his tone. "And why on earth would I tell you that?"
"I don't know," Matthew replied, his voice calm, but there was something unsettling about his demeanor. "I just want to see him. Maybe have a little chat."
Rafael felt an urge to stand up and smack the smug look off Matthew's face, but he restrained himself.
"As if," he muttered under his breath.
"You okay?" Louis interjected, eyeing Matthew, who was still standing there, waiting for Rafael to respond.
Rafael was about to reply, ready to give Matthew a piece of his mind when his words froze in his throat. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Marco, striding out of the restaurant with an entourage of staff trailing behind him.
'Right… I forgot, this is his restaurant…' Rafael muttered, smacking his forehead in realization.
"What are you doing here?" Marco's voice was a mix of curiosity and authority as he approached.
Rafael stood up instantly, his heart pounding in his chest. Marco's presence was overwhelming, his handsome, fierce look making him appear every bit as intimidating as Matthew.
Quickly regaining his composure, Rafael gestured toward Louis, who was still sitting with an innocent expression. "I came to see my friend."
"Hmm…" Marco nodded, his eyes drifting to Matthew, who was now staring daggers at him. "And him? Is he a friend too?"
It was then that Matthew decided to assert himself, stepping forward until he was face-to-face with Marco.
"No, I'm his ex-boyfriend," he said, his tone laced with a challenge.
"Okay…" Marco's response was clipped, his eyes narrowing slightly. There was an underlying tension in his voice, as if he was silently asking, And why should I care?
Matthew, still fixated on Rafael, added with a hint of bitterness, "Is this why you broke up with me two weeks ago?"
Marco's calm voice cut through the tension. "Perhaps."
Matthew's attention snapped back to Marco, his annoyance growing. "Are you his new lover?" he demanded.
A slow, amused smile spread across Marco's face as he looked from Matthew to Rafael. "Did he tell you that?"
Matthew hesitated, uncertainty flashing in his eyes. "Yes…"
Marco's gaze flicked back to Rafael, a fierce glint in his eyes as he smirked. "So be it, then."
The words hung in the air like a challenge, sending a ripple of tension through the group. Without another word, Marco continued walking toward the entrance, but then he stopped, turning his head slightly to glance at Rafael.
"Why don't you follow me to my office?" Marco suggested, his tone cool but with an edge that sent a shiver down Rafael's spine. "There are some things I need you to do."
______________
Diaz's Enterprise was an elaborate one, though distinct from Mateo's, which Rafael had seen before. He understood why; when he met Mateo, it had been in his underworld den, not his actual office, which was likely just a façade.
Does Marco have one of those dens too? Rafael wondered as he followed closely behind, his eyes fixed on Marco's back.
Suddenly, Rafael collided with something soft yet firm, and quickly realized he had walked straight into Marco. Distracted by his thoughts, he hadn't noticed that Marco had stopped.
Marco turned around, his towering height making Rafael feel small in comparison. His voice was calm as he asked, "You okay?"
Rafael couldn't answer, lost in the mesmerizing sight before him. The last time he had been this close, he'd been too preoccupied with the situation to really take in Marco's features. But now, with no immediate threat pressing down on him, he had the chance to really look.
Rafael's eyes roamed over Marco's face, taking in the jet-black hair neatly swept back, and the striking shade of brown in his eyes that seemed to look right through him. His nose was sharp and perfectly sculpted, and his lips... they were nothing short of divine.
A sudden urge to feel those lips against his own washed over Rafael, and he found himself involuntarily leaning closer, lost in Marco's world. He vaguely registered his name being called, but it wasn't until he noticed Marco's lips moving that he snapped back to reality.
Is he going to kiss me? He had wondered, closing his eyes in anticipation. But instead of a kiss, he felt a sharp flick on his forehead.
"Ouch!" Rafael exclaimed, holding his head as he looked up at Marco, a questioning look on his face.
Marco appeared slightly irritated, though a teasing glint danced in his eyes.
"Why don't you stop fantasizing and just wait for the moment?" he quipped before turning and heading back into his office.
His voice trailed behind him as he added, "You should stop daydreaming while you walk. You might get hurt. Now, follow me, I need your expertise."
"Sorry, Don. I'll do just that," Rafael muttered, cursing himself silently for almost making a fool of himself, closing his eyes like an idiot and waiting for a kiss that never came.
Taking a deep breath, Rafael opened the door to Marco's office. The room was nothing short of impressive, exuding elegance and power. The walls were adorned with rich, dark wood paneling, and the floor was a polished marble that gleamed under the soft lighting.
A massive mahogany desk dominated the center of the room, its surface meticulously organized with papers, a sleek laptop, and a few personal items that hinted at Marco's refined taste.
On one side of the room, floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline, the setting sun casting a warm glow over the space.
Opposite the windows, a door led to an adjoining room, its slightly open door revealing a glimpse of a plush bed. It was clear that this office was more than just a workspace; it was a retreat where Marco could rest and regroup in between his demanding responsibilities.
Marco moved toward the desk, his presence commanding the room, yet Rafael's eyes couldn't help but drift toward the bed.
Wait…does he actually sleep here? Rafael wondered as he watched Marco move away from the desk, adjusting a few things with unsettling precision.
Marco's stride took him toward a slightly ajar door that led to an adjoining room. Without looking back, he gestured for Rafael to follow. "Come on."
"Huh?" Rafael blinked, momentarily stunned by the casual invitation.
A sense of unease crept over him as he recalled the unsettling rumors he'd heard about Marco. His pulse quickened, and he hesitated, but Marco's unwavering gaze left little room for doubt. Swallowing hard, Rafael forced himself to step through the doorway.
The room beyond was a stark contrast to the office. Dimly lit, the atmosphere was thick with an unmistakable sexual tension. The walls were lined with shelves, each cluttered with items that made Rafael's heart skip a beat; various sex toys, leather straps, and other implements that he barely recognized but instinctively understood the purpose of.
A large, luxurious bed dominated the center of the room, its dark silk sheets both inviting and intimidating. The faint scent of something musky hung in the air, intensifying the already oppressive atmosphere.
Rafael's throat went dry. What the hell have I walked into?
For a moment, excitement flickered in him at the thought that Marco might share his feelings, but the sight of the room made him rethink everything. Marco hadn't been harsh with him, as Rafael had initially feared, but this… this setup was something entirely different. The idea that Marco had possibly brought him to a room where he had known many other lovers made Rafael uneasy.
His eyes darted around, trying to take in everything at once. The place reeked of experiences far beyond anything he was ready for, the kind that involved things he had never even considered. Sure, he was attracted to Marco – who wouldn't be? But this… this was something else entirely.
Marco turned to face him, the dim light casting shadows across his chiseled features. There was something unreadable in his eyes, something that made Rafael's stomach twist in knots.
"Marco…" Rafael began, his voice catching as he tried to maintain some semblance of composure. "What exactly do you plan on doing here?"
"Oh…that," Marco said, nonchalantly as he began unbuttoning his shirt, his eyes locked on Rafael's. "Sorry about all the sex toys and everything."
Rafael's heart skipped a beat. His shirt is off? And then 'sorry about all those sex toys'? Does he mean that he won't use them? Damn! What am I even thinking… His abs are making it hard for me to think straight. Should I take off my shirt too? What the hell am I doing?!
Rafael's mind was in a whirlwind, and his hands instinctively moved to his own shirt, about to unbutton it.
But then, Marco climbed onto the bed and lay down, bareback against the silk sheets.
"Come on, I heard you're skilled in massages. Show me what you've got," Marco said, his voice relaxed as he settled into the bed.
Rafael's hand froze in mid-air. So, I was getting ahead of myself?
He facepalmed, realizing that he had been the one jumping to conclusions.
I've been the horny one all along, he thought, mortified at how quickly his mind had spiraled.