𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝟐𝟓: 𝑺𝒆𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒕 𝒈𝒊𝒈?

The evening light filtered through the curtains, casting long shadows across the room as Leo lay in Adrian’s arms, his body relaxed but his mind still churning. The day had passed in a haze of warmth and whispered promises, but as night began to fall, an undercurrent of unease settled over Leo. He had agreed to take things one step at a time, but there was still so much he didn’t know about Adrian, so much that remained a mystery.

As if sensing Leo's thoughts, Adrian pressed a kiss to his temple. "You’re quiet," he murmured, his voice low and soothing. "What’s on your mind?"

Leo hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "I guess I’m just thinking about... everything. You, us, where this is going." He shifted slightly, turning to look up at Adrian. "I feel like there’s still so much I don’t know about you."

Adrian’s gaze darkened slightly, a flicker of something unreadable passing through his eyes. "There’s a lot to know, Leo. But I promise, I’ll tell you everything in time." He ran a hand through Leo’s hair, his touch gentle. "I’m not going anywhere. You have all the time in the world to ask me anything you want."

Leo nodded, reassured by Adrian’s words but still feeling that lingering sense of unease. Before he could voice any more of his concerns, the shrill ring of a phone cut through the quiet, shattering the intimate atmosphere. Adrian tensed, his entire demeanor shifting in an instant. He reached over to the nightstand, picking up the phone and glancing at the screen. His jaw clenched, and for a brief moment, Leo saw a flash of something dangerous in his eyes.

"Sorry, I need to take this," Adrian said, his voice tight. He slipped out of bed, the phone pressed to his ear as he moved toward the window. "Yeah?" His tone was clipped, all traces of the warmth from earlier gone.

Leo watched him, a knot of anxiety forming in his stomach. Adrian’s voice was low, too low for Leo to make out the words, but the tension in his posture was unmistakable. Whoever was on the other end of the line, it wasn’t good news.

After a few minutes, Adrian hung up and turned back to Leo, his expression carefully controlled. "I have to go," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Something came up at work."

Leo sat up, pulling the sheets around him. "Now? Is everything okay?"

Adrian hesitated, clearly debating how much to tell him. "It’s... complicated. But I need you to trust me, okay? This is something I have to take care of."

Leo searched Adrian’s face, trying to read between the lines. There was something in his eyes, a hardness that hadn’t been there before. "Are you in some kind of trouble, Adrian?"

Adrian’s lips pressed into a thin line. "Nothing I can’t handle," he replied, but there was an edge to his voice that told Leo this was serious. "But you need to stay here. Don’t go anywhere until I get back. I’ll explain everything later."

Leo felt a surge of worry, but he nodded. "Okay. Just... be careful."

Adrian’s expression softened slightly, and he leaned down to press a quick, fierce kiss to Leo’s lips. "I will," he promised. "I’ll be back before you know it."

Without another word, Adrian began to get dressed, his movements swift and efficient. As he pulled on his clothes, Leo noticed the small details he hadn’t really paid attention to before—the way Adrian’s muscles tensed with a controlled power, the deliberate way he buckled his belt, the way he checked his pockets as if making sure he had everything he needed. It was as if he were preparing for something... dangerous.

Leo’s heart raced as he watched Adrian slip on his jacket, the reality of the situation sinking in. He wanted to ask more questions, to demand answers, but something in Adrian’s demeanor told him this wasn’t the time.

Adrian paused at the door, turning back to Leo. "Lock the door behind me, and don’t let anyone in, no matter what," he instructed, his voice firm. "I’ll be back soon."

Leo nodded again, his throat tight. "I’ll be here."

With one last look, Adrian disappeared through the door, leaving Leo alone in the dimly lit room. The silence that followed was deafening, the unease in Leo’s chest growing stronger. He locked the door as Adrian had asked, then sat back down on the bed, staring at the spot where Adrian had been just moments before.

The minutes ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity. Leo’s mind raced with possibilities, each one more unsettling than the last. What kind of work could Adrian be doing that required him to leave so suddenly? And why did it feel like there was so much more to Adrian than he was letting on?

Leo’s gaze fell to the crimson smiley face on his thigh, a physical reminder of the passion they had shared. But now, as he sat alone in the quiet room, that mark felt like something more—like a symbol of a promise he didn’t fully understand, of a man he was only beginning to know.

The night stretched on, and as the hours passed, Leo couldn’t shake the feeling that when Adrian returned, nothing would be the same.

𝘛𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘦𝘥...