[BL] The Mafia Boss Wants My Body-Chapter 35: Mine to Be Jealous Over

Adrian groaned. "And what exactly does ’cutely’ mean to you?"

Matteo smirked, pulling Adrian closer against him. "Say, please, sweetheart... come shopping with me and wear something colorful for me."

Adrian made a gagging sound, laughing even though he tried not to. "Never. I’m not saying that."

"Then I’m sticking with my black suits," Matteo declared, looking proud of himself.

Adrian hesitated, really wanting to see Matteo in something other than black. He let out a long, defeated sigh. "Please?"

"Please what?" Matteo prodded.

"Please wear it."

"Say: ’Please, babe,’" Matteo bargained, his grin widening.

Adrian squeezed his eyes shut, his face turning a soft shade of pink. "Fine... please... babe. Please wear something other than black."

"I can’t hear you," Matteo teased, leaning his ear closer. "Louder."

"Please, babe! Wear it for me!" Adrian practically shouted, hiding his face in his hands.

Matteo let out a deep, genuine laugh, the sound filling the room. Adrian, fueled by a mix of embarrassment and playfulness, grabbed a nearby pillow and smacked Matteo right in the chest.

"Stop laughing!" Adrian said, but he was giggling too.

Matteo easily caught the pillow, tossed it aside, and pinned Adrian to the mattress, his fingers finding Adrian’s ribs. "What was that? You’re attacking me now?"

"Matteo! No—stop!" Adrian shrieked, squirming and breathless with laughter as Matteo began to tickle him mercilessly. "Stop it!"

"Say: ’Stop, baby,’" Matteo said, his fingers dancing over Adrian’s sides.

"No!" Adrian gasped between wheezing laughs, his eyes bright and watering. "Never! Stop!"

They wrestled for a few more moments until Adrian finally went limp, exhausted and laughing softly. Matteo settled over him, his hands slowing from playful tickles to gentle strokes along Adrian’s back.

The room grew quiet, their breathing gradually evening out.

Adrian shifted slightly, looking up at him. "How old are you, anyway?"

"I’m still pretty young," Matteo replied with a small smirk. "I turned thirty-three two months ago."

Adrian tilted his head, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "Then why did you lie to me? You invited me to your birthday party when we had just met... even though it had already passed."

Matteo didn’t bother hiding it; "I invited you so I could get you into my bed, Adrian. I needed a reason to keep you close."

Adrian huffed. "You’re absolutely ridiculous. Do you really want to sleep with me that badly?"

Matteo’s lips curved into a slow smile. "I already have... and I’m not planning to stop anytime soon."

Adrian shook his head, trying to hide his embarrassment. "You’re really something... very naughty."

Adrian went quiet for a moment, his fingers tracing the faint scar on Matteo’s shoulder. "But you’re still young... can you stop?"

"Stop what?" Matteo asked, his voice lowering.

"Stop all of it. Being the boss... the mafia."

Matteo’s expression turned serious. "It’s not that easy to walk away once you’re in this life, Adrian. I’ve made too many enemies. If I stop now, it gives them an opening. I have to stay in it... just to keep the people I care about safe."

Adrian reached up and hugged him tightly, his voice muffled against Matteo’s chest. "So you can’t go anywhere without taking your bodyguards with you?"

"Of course I can," Matteo countered gently. "I’m in this bedroom with you right now, aren’t I? My men aren’t in here. That’s freedom enough for me."

Adrian pulled back just enough to look at him, his eyes filled with a soft, lingering sadness. "You look... pitiful, Matteo."

"No, Adrian," Matteo said firmly. "I’m happy."

"What is happiness if you can’t even walk down the street alone?" Adrian asked softly. "You don’t truly know what happiness is... so how could you understand what freedom feels like? And without those two things... how will you ever know what it’s like to have true peace of mind?"

Matteo went silent, the weight of the words hanging heavy in the air. "Right now," he murmured, "you sound exactly like Mark."

"But it’s the truth," Adrian insisted.

Matteo reached out, gently cupping Adrian’s face, his touch too soft for a man shaped by violence. His thumb brushed slowly over Adrian’s lower lip as his gaze darkened.

"And that’s exactly why I want you," he murmured. "So you can be my peace... my happiness... my calm in all of this."

He leaned closer, his voice dropping, quieter and more honest.

"When I’m with you, Adrian... everything else fades. My heart feels... free." A faint pause. "And that’s the only freedom I need."

Adrian leaned into his touch. "I hope one day you can live without having to worry about anything."

Matteo’s expression shifted slightly. "Don’t worry too much. Everything is under control," he said quietly. "You just have to learn to adjust to the life I’m living, Adrian."

After their quiet conversation, the weight of the world seemed to lift slightly. They showered and dressed for the day, heading downstairs for a quiet breakfast. As they finished, Matteo checked his watch.

"We’ll go shopping first," Matteo said as they walked toward the car. "I have something to take care of tonight, so I’ll be busy later. And let your friends know, the car will be ready tomorrow evening. We’ll be leaving for the villa tomorrow."

Adrian nodded, pulling out his phone to text Frank and Charles as they settled into the back of the car. Matteo said nothing, but he reached over and took Adrian’s hand, lacing their fingers together.

Not long after the drive, they arrived at an exclusive, high-end boutique, one reserved for a select few.

As they stepped inside, the staff immediately lowered their heads in quiet, synchronized respect.

The atmosphere shifted the moment Matteo walked in, his men trailing behind him while his hand remained firmly around Adrian’s. The air grew heavier with a mix of respect and quiet, unspoken fear.

A staff member stepped forward to guide them, but Matteo was already moving in that direction, his hand still holding Adrian’s as they walked.

When they stopped in front of the designer section, Adrian reached out and picked up a piece.

"Try this," he said, holding up a vibrant emerald shirt.

Matteo made a face. "No. Too bright. I want something deep."

"You promised!" Adrian reminded him with a grin.

He started pulling out vintage-style pieces in softer tones, holding them up against Matteo’s broad chest.

"Absolutely not," Matteo muttered when Adrian held up a soft cream linen shirt.

But under Adrian’s persistent pouting, he eventually gave in.

They picked out a few pieces for Matteo, deep navy, rich burgundy, even a soft grey, before Matteo turned the tables, insisting on choosing a new wardrobe for Adrian as well.

"Go try the last one on," Adrian urged, nodding toward the fitting room. "I want to see how it fits before we buy it."

While Matteo was in the fitting room, the bodyguards stood like statues near the entrance. Adrian wandered toward the front of the store, studying a nearby display, when the soft chime of the door echoed through the space.

A classy, elegant woman stepped inside, followed by her own security detail. She carried herself with effortless confidence, the kind that came from being born into power. Iris.

She caught sight of a familiar profile and froze mid-step. "Adrian?"

Adrian turned, his eyes widening in surprise. "Iris?"

Before he could react, Iris let out a delighted gasp and rushed forward, wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug. "Oh my God, it’s been forever! I can’t believe it’s you!"

She held on so tightly Adrian could barely breathe. Just as he was about to return the hug, a sharp, cold cough echoed from behind them.

Adrian startled, quickly pulling back and gently easing Iris away. Matteo stood a few steps behind them, his gaze sharp as it settled on the woman still too close to Adrian.

"Iris, hi... how are you?" Adrian stammered, his face flushing.

"I’m great! I actually went to visit your father yesterday," she said, her voice bright and quick. "He was saying you were—"

"Okay, okay, wait," Adrian cut in, glancing nervously at Matteo, who was now walking toward them with slow, deliberate steps. "I know we have a lot to catch up on, but I’m in a bit of a hurry. Can I get your card? We can talk later... maybe meet up soon."

"Of course!" Iris reached into her designer bag and handed him a sleek business card. As she did, her gaze lifted to the man standing behind Adrian.

She didn’t spend much time in the country, but as a politician’s daughter, she was well aware of the people who held power. She recognized Matteo Marcone instantly.

A flicker of confusion, and something close to alarm, crossed her face.

What was her childhood friend doing with someone like him?

She didn’t say a word as the bodyguards stepped forward to gather the shopping bags.

Adrian and Matteo walked out to the car, the tension between them thick and unmistakable. Once they settled into the back seat and the car pulled away, Adrian glanced down at the card, a nostalgic smile tugging at his lips.

"Iris... it’s been so long," he murmured. "She hasn’t changed that much."

Matteo said nothing. He sat in silence, his expression hard as he watched Adrian smile at the card. The jealousy coming off him was quiet, but sharp enough to be felt.

Adrian finally noticed the silence and glanced over, catching the dark look on Matteo’s face. "What? She’s my childhood friend, Matteo. We grew up together."

Matteo didn’t look at him. He kept his gaze fixed on the window, his voice low, edged with jealousy. "She was holding you like she didn’t want to let go."

Adrian shot him a look. "Do you get jealous over everything?"

Matteo didn’t hesitate. "Yes."

He finally turned to him, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "And she’s not even that beautiful. She doesn’t stand a chance next to me."

He leaned back slightly, completely unfazed. "I’m hot as fuck."

Adrian stared at him for a second, then burst out laughing.