21. Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Fuck, he's hot. I knew that already, but Leo in the middle of the sparring arena all fired up and about to make a mess of one of our best fighters takes it to a whole new level.

I've never thought a man could drive me crazy like he does. The moment his eyes cut to mine, a wave of liquid fire spreads through me. They almost glow, livid and intense as they zero in on my mouth. I'd do anything to have his on me. Any part of me. I want to know what he tastes like, what he smells like when he's turned on. I want to hear what noises he makes when he feels good.

Leo rolls his shoulders, stretching. Muscles ripple along his bare arms, but unfortunately, the tank top covers the rest. His legs look just as defined and even if I can only see the part below the knees, I can tell they are strong. Powerful enough to hold me in place. To prevent me from moving. To keep me exactly where he wants me.

I suck in my bottom lip, heat surging to my core, as I am entranced by his captivating eyes that haven't left mine. He adjusts himself. My dick jumps as images of us rolling around on the ring flood my mind. I cross my legs, trying to keep my erection under control. Leo's gaze drops to my crotch. He grins like he's about to lose it. It's extremely sexy, offsetting all kinds of alarms in my head.

I thought he might get angry about the Arena. He didn't sign up for this. But as silence settles across the room and he sizes up his opponent, I can tell he's excited. He's shuffling, unable to stand still. He's looking forward to the fight . His shorts-clad ass bounces with every jump, drawing my eyes until he's on the other side of the ring and I can no longer enjoy the view.

The referee finally jogs over to the center, lifting the flag. But before he pronounces the start of the fight, my father stands up, raising his hand.

"Wait," he says, squinting at Leo. His lips upturn on one side. My insides twist. I know that calculating look. "Leon Caruso. If you wish to be Kwanchai Akiyama's bodyguard, you will have to do better than this."

The hairs on my neck stand. He can't be serious. "Fathe—"

A glare my way halts me halfway up from the chair. Squeezing the armrests, I lower myself down. I need to stay calm. Arguing with my father when he's made up his mind won't do me or Leo any good.

Cold sweat breaks out all over me as I watch my father wave a second man to the ring. I recognize this one by name. It's Ito. He's a top fighter, like the first one. Leo sizes the guy up, cracking his knuckles and adjusting his left hand wrap. He aims a quick scowl my father's way, but doesn't protest, returning his attention to his two opponents .

"No surrender. Fight until you can't anymore!" my father proclaims, sinking back into his chair with a laugh as the room explodes in cheers.

Fear seizes my whole body. This will end in one of two ways—Leo will either pull off a miracle and win, or he'll be beaten to death. Frantic, I seek out Aran's gaze, pleading him with my eyes to do something as my heart threatens to break out of my chest. He shakes his head, expression taut and lips pressed in a firm line.

I take a deep breath, digging my fingers into the armrests. Leo is good, I know this firsthand. But he's at a disadvantage fighting two men head on. There is no element of surprise he could use, no way to catch them off guard. I clench my teeth. It's fine, he's got this . He has to; otherwise, he's as good as dead.

The referee waves the flag and steps away as the match begins. Leo takes on a defensive stance, fists in front of his chest. The two guys look at each other and laugh, then charge at him at the same time.

Placing his feet a little wider, he angles the left, blocking the first punch with his forearm while dodging the second by twisting his body. He connects to an uppercut, but his current opponent, Ito, just about manages to block, using his other hand to jab at Leo's side.

Leo grunts, ducking as the first man tries for his neck. My heart skips a beat, fear and adrenaline flooding my bloodstream. Half the crowd cheers while the other one boos, but it all blends together into a muffled, muted sound that my brain barely registers.

My focus is on the ring. On Leo, who bends to the left as a jab is about to crash into the side of his face. Dropping low, he spins in place and sends a roundhouse kick to the first guy's flank. It lands, making him sway, but as Leo is about to capitalize on it, Ito grabs him by the arm and yanks him away.

Leo falls to the mats. Ito is on him, dropping to the ground with a nasty elbow hit to Leo's face. My stomach turns as it connects, though luckily Leo whips his head partially out of the way so that only one side eats the jab. His opponent groans in annoyance, winding up another punch. Leo's legs shoot up and around Ito's torso, squeezing hard. Just as the second guy joins them, Leo twists his entire body, toppling over Ito and using his shoulder to take the brunt of the hit Guy Two aims at his head.

Fear washes over me as I register the blood dripping from Leo's mouth. But I have no time to worry about it as a punch gets him in the face again. It's the same side and the same area, which tells me it's intentional. Leo cries out in pain, shaking his head while still clutching onto Ito. Using his forearms to block a series of quick jabs, he lets go and jumps to his feet, tripping the asshole who busted his already busted lip.

The guy goes down, yelping in surprise. Leo wastes no time attacking his windpipe. He's out in seconds, but Ito grabs Leo by the hair and pulls him away, tagging his chin with a wide hook.

My body shudders just imagining the nasty hit connecting. They are on the ground again, rolling and grunting and trying to get the upper hand on one another. Eventually, Ito pins Leo down, using both hands to strangle him. C'mon, Leo, you got this. Thrashing, Leo tries to shake him off, but fails. His face is turning red, and he looks just about to pass out.

Fear paralyzes me, my blood going still. Leo's eyes find me in the next moment, wild and crazy as they roll back in his head. He goes completely still, either passing out or dead. His opponent raises his arms, waving and cheering. I think I'm gonna puke. I can't breathe.

Amidst the chaos, Leo grins. His eyes blaze when they snap open, locked on me for a second, before they cut to the guy still sitting on top of him. In one fluid motion, Leo arches off the ground, grabbing Ito's torso and toppling him over. His head hits the mats with a thud. Blood dripping from his mouth, Leo follows up with a jab to Ito's neck, landing point blank at its target.

The room goes completely silent. The referee rushes over, checking the two downed fighters while Leo scrambles up, heaving. He spits blood, swaying as he tries to keep his balance.

I hold my breath, my eyes bouncing from him to the referee and back to him.

"Ken and Ito are out. The gaijin wins!" the referee announces with a confused frown.

The cheers of the crowd are loud and apprehensive, stopping abruptly as my father stands up. He lets out an unimpressed scoff. I scowl at him, vibrating with the need to rush over to Leo.

"I suppose my son has a good eye, if nothing else," he grumbles in dissatisfaction, causing another wave of cheering. "Clear the blood and go back to training. Aran." He wrinkles his nose, shifting his attention from me to his friend and right hand. "Make sure Leon Caruso is patched up and ready for tomorrow. He will accompany my son to Tokyo… Does he know how to shoot?"

"No. But I'll arrange for a crash course in the morning. He'll be trained properly once he's back."

My father nods, fixating his authoritative gaze on me. "Your bodyguard better not disappoint me, Chai, or he won't last long. "

I straighten my posture, dipping my head. "Yes."

It's a threat as much as a confirmation of acceptance. Part of me wants to snap at my father for throwing that second guy at Leo, but I also want to get to the blond brat as fast as possible so I can make sure he's okay.

Swallowing down my annoyance, I say, "Aran can handle the trip. I'll take Leo to Doc."

My father narrows his eyes as if searching my face for something. Clenching fists, I maintain as neutral an expression as I can muster, considering I'm buzzing to get to Leo. "Do as you wish. I'm expecting a report tomorrow evening. We'll discuss the changes to your trip to Bangkok when you return from Tokyo."

I wait until my father has gotten off the bench before I rush over to Leo. He's undone one of his hand wraps, holding the cloth to his mouth.

"Your old man's evil. I almost died," he says, wincing as he tries to smile and show off his charm.

"That's him being nice. Trust me, you don't want to see how he is when he's decided he's due a power trip," I counter, grabbing his hand.

Leo chuckles, wincing again. "So, what now? I'm officially part of the gang, then?"

I wonder if I should apologize as I drag him to the elevator and give him a sideways look. He's battered up, but his eyes are bright and amused. Proud too, the twinkling spark in them causing pleasant zaps of electricity across my nerve-endings.

"You are officially my bodyguard, yes. And…" I bite on my lip, pressing the floor number where the guest suites are. "Sorry about the fight. I should've warned you something like that might happen. "

Leo hums, leaning against the wall and closing his eyes until we reach our floor. I should take him to the doctor's office in the building's north wing, but he doesn't look like he needs one immediately. If it's just the mouth, I think I can take care of it myself. In fact , I want to. Just the idea of it has contentment and want bubbling inside my chest, and I revel in that feeling as I grab the med kit from the reception area and lead him to an empty suite.

It's a standard room with an en-suite, comprising a king-size bed and wardrobe, a dining corner, a balcony, a lounge with two sofas and a mounted TV. He protests when I tell him to sit on the bed so I can check his injuries but gives in when I threaten to take him to a hospital if he's being a brat.

"I am not a brat," he argues, pinching his blond eyebrows together.

"Mhm. Yes, you aren't." Soaking a bandage in antiseptic, I snatch the hand wrap he's pressing to the left side of his mouth.

He whimpers, huffing in indignation. "Gentle, dude."

His eyes meet mine, the wild flicker not as prominent as earlier but still there. It's enough to captivate me, putting my body in a fight-or-flight state. The sweet hum rekindles, spreading like smoke through a burning forest until I'm overly aware that it's just the two of us alone in the room.

I can feel the heat of his body seeping into mine. I can smell him, the mountains and sweat everywhere. Surrounding me, enveloping me, invading me. I breathe in, I can't help it. He inhales sharply, eyes darkening.

Leaning in without breaking eye contact, I wipe the blood off his mouth. His upper lip is cracked, but it doesn't look like it needs stitches. The area has started to bruise and swell a little, so I'm extra careful.

"How bad… is it?" he whispers, his voice low and hoarse and going straight to my dick.

The cut is sexy. It's proof that he's a fighter and not a coward. He could've refused. He could've told my father he didn't want the job and left. But he didn't. He stayed.

Is it just because of the visa, I wonder, or is there more to it?

You want there to be more, don't you?

I lean in further, drowning in his dark blue gaze. It beckons me, irresistible as it dips to my lips when I run my tongue over them. I fist the silk bedcover with my free hand, my mind racing. His eyes flutter closed on a shallow inhale, opening slowly to show me even more of that titillating gleam of arousal.

I want him.

His hand comes up, gripping my wrist. His hold is firm and gentle at the same time, sending tingling sparks all over me. I shiver, every nerve ending alive.

I want him.

"It isn't too bad," I rasp, my voice hoarse and low. "Your lip. No need for stitches."

I do another pass with the antiseptic, anticipation building up within me. I'm air under pressure, feeling like I'm about to explode.

"You looked freaked out," he says, wince-grinning. "When the guy was strangling me on the floor."

I want him.

"I was freaked out," I correct without thinking.

Then I regret it immediately.

His fingers grip my wrist tighter. It's almost too tight, but in the best way possible. He clenches his jaw, his eyes blazing. They implore me. Invite me. I go from semi to fully hard in a heartbeat. I've never wanted someone like this. It's too much. I don't know what to do with it. It's terrifying, and if I stay here even a minute longer, I'm going to lose my mind.

I need to leave. I need to get away from him and calm down before the desire he stirs within me consumes me.

Shoving the bandage in his hand, I scramble up from the bed. His eyes stay on me as I cross the room and open the door. Did I brief him about anything? I don't remember. Probably not. But I'm in no condition to stay with him and do that now. Tomorrow, when we are on the way to the warehouse, will have to suffice.

"You can sleep here tonight. Get some rest. We're leaving for Tokyo early in the morning."

My words are clipped, desperate, betraying just how much he affects me. How close I am to surrendering to the want and the desire when I shouldn't. Because he's my bodyguard and I am his boss. And because this strong attraction I feel is scary. New. Too much. Too out of control.

"Chai, wait," Leo pleads in a rumbly voice that hijacks my entire being, freezing me mid-step.

I let go of the handle, turn around and face him. I just can't refuse him. He's followed me and is now standing where the hallway wall begins, leaning one shoulder against it.

He doesn't say anything further. I don't either. We just stare at each other as the door closes with me still in the room. The silence around us charges with something explosive, getting worse by the second. Breathing becomes a challenge no matter how fast my heart pumps. My skin feels too tight. Too hot. I want to rip my clothes off .

He grabs the hem of his tank top and lifts it, wiping sweat off his glistering neck. My eyes fixate on his abs, following them to his bellybutton and flat stomach, then below. His shorts hang low on his hips, a trail of trimmed blond hair disappearing under the fabric.

My mouth waters as I swipe my hand over my erection, trying to conceal it.

Leo doesn't miss my futile attempt. "Like what you see, Chai?" he drawls, his voice dripping desire. His dangerous eyes trap mine, a sexy smirk lifting that cracked corner of his lips. "I bet looking isn't the only thing you wanna do though."

My mind shorts. That's it, I can't take it anymore. I lunge at him, ravenous. I want him. I want him and I don't care if I'm gonna go crazy the moment I taste him.

His eyes go wide for a split second, as if he hasn't expected my actions. But he recovers quickly and grabs me by the forearm as I'm about to reach him, shoving me against the wall. My back collides with it and a tinge of pain travels down my spine. But I don't care. Because I have hold of Leo, too.

Baring my teeth at him, I pull him in by the collar of his tank top, crashing his body and mouth into mine.

He moans and goes feral.

His tongue meets mine as we both open our mouths in search of each other. It's hot and greedy, licking its way past my teeth as I try to do the same so I can explore him. His mountain scent is part of his taste too, mixed with pineapple.

He must've found my stash of candy in the car.

My hand is trapped between us, but I use my free one to grab the back of his neck and force him even closer. He groans, shoving his tongue deeper in my mouth. It's aggressive and dominant, chasing mine as if his life depends on it and he will die if he doesn't taste every inch of me.

I can't get enough of his desperation, of the need pouring off him. My body vibrates, experiencing the kiss with every cell I possess. His hands come up to my face, clasping my head and keeping it where he wants it so he can continue pillaging my mouth.

I'm painfully turned on, the sensation threatening to drive me crazy as I feel more of his body. Everything is hard muscles and sharp angles. Strength and power. The curves and the softness are minimal. He's a man like me, and that somehow makes everything feel even better. More dangerous, more titillating, more perfect.

Shivers leave no inch of me untouched, and once I fully give him control of the pace, his hands start to roam. They slide down my sides to my ass, groping it like they own it. I moan, feeling his neck vibrate with the sound of my pleasure.

"You like this?" he growls, slowing down the kiss to nip along my lips. "Fuck, I've been wanting to do this all day."

His words almost derail me. I take a gulp of air, trembling as his hands keep kneading my ass. I like it. And I suspect I'll like anything else that he does.

"What do you think?" I press my erection against his, shivering with delight when I find him equally hard.

He grins, following the curve of my jaw with his lips. I feel the smile against my skin. "You are so fucking sexy, Chai," he says when his mouth latches on the side of my neck.

Spreading my ass, he drags his fingers along the crease while rolling his hips. I suck in a breath and join in, humping against him so I can feel more of that sweet friction.

"Shit," he rasps, eyes gleaming. "Are you wearing a thong?"

"Yes."

He presses his fingers harder, rubbing along my hole through my pants. "Fuck. You're killing me."

It feels good, but it could be even better. Craving his taste, I grab his hair and force him to look up, smashing my mouth against his.

He grunts, a little surprised. I coax him to open for me, sliding my tongue past his lips. His hands let go of my ass and find the buttons of my shirt. I help him out as I lick around his mouth, unable to get enough of him.

His taste is intoxicating. I'm addicted already. I need to stop this. I need to end it before it's too late. But I can't. Because I need more. I need all of him, naked on that bed so I can claim every inch I haven't already.

Grabbing his shoulders, I force him off me. I'm heaving, my bare chest rising and falling too quickly. He watches me, his eyes dark with lust that threatens to steal the last of my sanity.

No one has ever made me feel like a livewire the way Leo does. No one riles me up like he does without even trying to. A smile or even a look my way is enough for that annoyingly sweet hum to spread, to make my world narrow down to him.

"Why aren't you naked?" I demand, licking my lips as I zero in on his bulge.

He grabs it with one hand, shooting me a one-sided smirk. "Why don't you get me naked?"

I approach him, forcing him to walk back until we reach the bed. I push him down, then slip out of my shirt, dropping it on the floor. I pull his tank top over his head, discarding it next while also undoing my belt and zipper. Taking a moment to appreciate his physique, I drag my fingers along his defined abs, the dips and peaks prominent. His chest is equally impressive, though what catches my attention are his hard nipples.

I flick one then twist it, making him groan. His low, growly voice reverberates through me, making my ass clench and my cock beg to be freed.

"What happened to getting me naked, Chai?" he whines when I keep rubbing his nipples, desperation oozing off him.

"I like taking my time."

He clasps my wrist, pulling me down until I'm straddling his hips. His mouth latches on my left nipple, licking and sucking while his hand claims the right one. No one has ever touched them and it's a little strange at first, but soon enough it starts feeling good. I burrow my nose in his hair, breathing him in as I stifle a moan. Sweat, mountains and a hint of lilies.

I'm about to tease him, when he shoves his other hand in my pants and grabs my cock. My eyes roll back, sparks dancing along the peaks of my spine. He squeezes and starts pumping in rough but deliberate strokes, his hips bucking as mine do the same.

"Fuck. Your dick is so hot and hard," he says in slight wonder, scrambling to find my mouth.

It takes me a few heartbeats of trying to keep up with his greedy kiss to realize what his tone could be implying. I clasp his neck and break the kiss, a string of saliva between us gleaming in the low light. "Have you… done it with a man? "

His eyes intensify, potent in their seduction as he drinks in my face. "No. I didn't even know I was into men before I met you."

Satisfaction blooms inside me. His confession almost undoes me. I feel like I'm about to implode, to go crazy. I will be his first man like he will be mine. He couldn't be more perfect.

"Me, too," I barely scrape together as the need within me takes over.

Ravenous, I go for his mouth again. He's mine. My hands find his shorts and pull on the hem. I need him out of them and fast. I need to feel him skin-to-skin. He yelps as I attack him with my tongue and hands, tipping us over. We fall side to side, somehow managing to lose our pants in the process. I reach for his dick immediately. He howls into the kiss, and I don't know exactly what happens next, but I lose control of everything.

He shoves his tongue in my mouth, his hands everywhere as he rolls me over and positions himself on top of me. He clasps my waist and shoulder, pressing his chest to mine. I moan, the sensation of his damp skin against mine heavenly. Next, he slips between my legs, bringing our dicks together. He spreads precum with his hand, then starts pumping, thrusting with his hips at the same time.

I gasp, every glide sending bolts of lightning through my insides. He's big and thick and hot. Pressure builds at the base of my spine, heightening my arousal. Finally, I can feel him. I've been fantasizing about it, but it's ten times better. A hundred times more intense. And the noises he makes, the way his tongue chases mine and can't get enough, is mind-blowing.

And still, I want more .

Snaking a hand between us, I wrap my fingers around his cock, skewing his thrusts and preventing him from gliding it along mine. It's slick and hot, the foreskin pulled back to expose the head. I can't see it from here, but that can wait, because there is something I want more right now.

"Leo," I mutter in between kissing. "Need to come."

He slows down the kiss, but doesn't stop it. "I want to rub against your ass."

My head spins, heat flooding my stomach. My hole twitches. I want to feel his hard dick against my ass while he jerks me off. As he makes me come.

I grab the side of his ass cheek, digging my fingers as I squeeze.

"You want that, too?" he mutters, sounding even sexier.

I nod, not breaking eye contact.

He kisses my chin, then my lips, hovering above me. "Yeah? You want to feel my hard cock pressing against you when I make you come with my hand?"

Fuck. Why is this brat so sexy? I'll come just from the filth he's saying.

I nod again, arching off the bed as he squeezes my cock.

"Chai," he drawls, tracing my bottom lip with his thumb. "I wanna hear you say it." He leans in, grazing his teeth along the curve of my ear. "Like you did in my fantasy when I masturbated thinking about you."

My heart tries to jump out of my chest. I stare at him, trembling and shivering and needing to come even more. Has he also been fantasizing about having sex with me? Granted, it probably didn't involve samurai and feudal Japan .

"Fuck. The face you are making now is unfair," he says, the strain to keep himself under control palpable in his voice.

I can't take this anymore. He's too much. Too perfect, ticking checkboxes I didn't even know I had.

"Leo," I say, summoning the most authoritative voice I can manage. "Make me come."

He smiles and turns me on my stomach with one fluid motion. Positioning himself behind me, he pulls me to my knees and slides his big cock along the crease of my ass while his hand finds my rigid dick. He gives it a few slow strokes, but picks up speed when I let out a whiny noise and start moving my ass to match his glides.

Goosebumps crawl all over me, my senses heightened. The tip of his cock catches onto my hole every now and then, teasing with pressure and precum. His free hand caresses my balls and the added pleasure snaps something inside me, unleashing another wave of tingling heat.

Three more passes over my hole and a slightly rougher stroke as his fingers curl around me tighter, and I spill, crying out as stars fill my vision. He pumps me through my orgasm, letting go only when I collapse to the sheets. I am half-aware as he jerks himself off above me, panting and muttering my name as my hazy brain tries to function again.

With a strangled moan, Leo comes shortly after, burying his face at the small of my back as a hum of contentment and bliss settles across me.