"You can go back to your room," Salvatore said, with the same tenderness Milo used to feel when they were alone.

Milo felt he was overreacting whenever he thought Salvatore was being kind to him in certain situations, but he was truly grateful that the man showed him tenderness beyond just training him rigorously.

He stared at Salvatore for quite a while; the man looked back at him with an expressionless gaze, yet at the same time, it managed to draw out the deepest part of Milo’s soul and force him to his knees.

There was something about Salvatore that made him want to get on his knees of his own accord.

Milo bowed his head, feeling his heart pound wildly.

He then stood up. "Do you need anything else?"

Salvatore sensed Milo’s awkwardness, and it intrigued him. He smiled.

Milo swallowed hard. He felt as if Salvatore’s gaze was stripping him bare.

"What is it, Sir?" he asked nervously.

"No, nothing. Go." Salvatore stepped aside to let Milo pass.

Milo had just taken a step when the door swung open.

He stopped immediately, as Salvatore went on alert too.

"Sal! I’m already thinking about it!"

It was Felix, again.

Salvatore’s eyes widened.

"Shit!" He shoved Milo back toward the bed without thinking.

"Argh!" Milo screamed softly, startled by Salvatore’s sudden move.

But before he could say anything, Salvatore lay on top of him and covered his mouth with his large hand.

It happened too fast! Milo could only look at the man, confused and shocked.

His position was really uncomfortable right now, lying down with his feet dangling off the side of the bed and Salvatore’s heavy body on top of him.

Milo swallowed hard. He wasn’t paying attention to what Felix was saying outside the curtain. He was trying to calm his racing heart. It felt like he was running a marathon. And he was sure Salvatore could feel it too, it must be embarrassing.

Salvatore sighed. He looked utterly fed up and annoyed, but he stayed still.

"Can you get out?! You’ve really crossed the line! It’s my private room!" Salvatore shouted at Felix. Milo could feel the tremor in his voice.

"I’m sorry. I was wrong. I shouldn’t have come home. I know you were just trying hard to make me jealous. I know you were just testing me. I won’t back down. I was wrong. So you’d better kick Milo out. I know he’s not comfortable with you!" Felix said confidently.

He walked back to the sofa, but this time without his bag. He looked so upset. He walked down the stairs to the living room, determined not to lose to Milo. He knew Salvatore had just been testing him.

Salvatore closed his eyes and exhaled, looking frustrated.

Milo could sense it, but he didn’t know what to do. Should he help?

Salvatore looked at Milo and whispered, "I’m sorry, but can you help me?"

He removed his hand from Milo’s mouth. Milo was too stunned to speak. He didn’t know what to say in this situation.

Before he could say anything, Salvatore stood up quickly, took off Milo’s sandals, and lifted him onto the bed.

Milo’s eyes widened.

He was even more shocked to see Salvatore unbutton his shirt and jump onto the bed beside him.

Milo wanted to scream (happily?) because he could feel the man’s warm chest against his body.

"S-sir..." Milo swallowed hard as Salvatore unbuttoned his own shirt as well.

No, no way! Were they both going to be naked?

But not as Milo had imagined, the man merely unbuttoned his shirt and hugged him.

Yes, hugged him.

Milo felt his face grow red and hot.

"Sorry, just stay still," Salvatore whispered. He tried not to touch Milo’s chest, but it was impossible given their position.

Milo looked up at the man’s face, which was now maybe two inches above his own. He blinked.

Salvatore was about to say something when the curtain opened.

Felix was standing there. Milo wanted to look, but Salvatore grabbed his jaw and kissed him.

Milo lost count of how many times his eyes widened. He hadn’t expected Salvatore to actually kiss him. Wetly.

He could feel the man’s tongue inside his mouth, gently exploring. He didn’t know how to respond, so he just opened his mouth wider.

He felt Salvatore laugh at him.

What was the man laughing at? Because he wasn’t used to it?

Milo furrowed his brow and deliberately returned the kiss with skill. After all, he’d been trained for this.

Salvatore looked a bit shocked by Milo’s response. He smirked.

"Where is this wild thing coming from?" He broke the kiss, teasing Milo as if they weren’t just pretending.

Felix stood still, watching the scene unfold before him. He couldn’t tell if it was pretend or real. He was too blinded by love. But because of that, his heart ached deeply and painfully.

Did Salvatore really fuck Milo?!

Salvatore sensed Felix was still there. He couldn’t believe he’d gone this far, but he wouldn’t back down. He looked at Milo, who lay stunned beneath him.

That young man was so cute. And he realized he smelled so good. His lips were so soft and...

Salvatore, what are you thinking?!

He closed his eyes, trying to calm himself down.

He continued to rest his face in the crook of Milo’s neck, feeling the young man stiffen. "Relax..." Salvatore whispered.

Milo swallowed hard. He might ruin everything if he pushed the man away. And he felt like he didn’t want the man to move anyway.

Milo didn’t dare look at Felix, he just placed his hands on Salvatore’s back. The man’s skin was hot and taut with muscle.

He closed his eyes, trying to calm down, and simply prepared himself in case the man did more to his body. He felt Salvatore’s breath against his neck.

He was calm, but at the same time, he wanted to scream. His heart felt like it was racing.

Salvatore exhaled, Felix was still there. If he moved now or looked away, that man would surely think he was faking it.

Salvatore looked at Milo. He felt bad for the young man having to endure his actions in this situation. He felt guilty.

"Tomorrow I’ll buy you something," Salvatore whispered into Milo’s ear.

Milo swallowed hard. He felt the man take off his shirt.

He was ready.

Milo looked at Salvatore. "You can do whatever you want, Si—"

"Salvatore..." Milo quickly corrected himself.

Salvatore giggled softly.

Felix was on fire right now. He was ready to burn a village, hurt anyone, or do anything to vent the pain in his chest.

"Sal, how can you do this? Really..." Felix said calmly, but his voice trembled.

Salvatore kissed Milo’s jaw. "You’re still here?"

Felix clenched his fists. "Why? Why did you go this far just to make me jealous? Is it worth it? I’ve never seen you like this."

Nothing could measure the pain in his heart.

Salvatore lifted his body off Milo’s, though he didn’t look at Felix. Instead, he adjusted Milo on the bed, moving him slightly toward the center.

"I don’t know what you’re talking about. As I told you, don’t jump to conclusions. It’s bold of you to think I’m doing this just to make you jealous." Salvatore now looked at Felix.

"Go away. You’ll never see me do this kind of thing with you. Never." Salvatore continued.

Felix felt even more heartbroken. He wanted to cry, but he certainly wouldn’t, not in front of Milo.

"How can—"

"Stop it. Don’t be pathetic. Go home. Don’t interfere in my private life," Salvatore cut him off.

Felix looked at Milo, who was clearly uncomfortable.

Felix stood there for a while before walking over to the sofa. He didn’t leave.

"Let’s see how long you can keep acting like that," Felix said, still convinced Salvatore was just putting on a show to make him jealous.

He stayed there with a sour expression on his face.

Salvatore sighed. "I’m being kind enough not to drag you out. Get out now before I lose my patience!"

"Why? Can’t you keep going?" Felix challenged.

"What? Are you fucking nuts? Do you want people to watch you fuck?"

Felix pouted, upset. "Whatever. I’m staying!"

"Get out before I call Roderick."

"Roderick is sleeping."

"Felix..."

"I’m not going anywhere!"

"Are you a kid?!"

"I don’t care!"

Salvatore rolled his eyes. He looked at Milo, who was lying completely still. He couldn’t bring himself to do any more than this.

He whispered to Milo, "Stay here for a bit. I’ll handle this."

Milo just nodded.

Salvatore grabbed his shirt and walked to the sofa. He put it on without buttoning it up. Then he grabbed Felix’s arm.

Felix stiffened, trying to resist, but Salvatore used all his strength to drag him along.

"Sal!"

"Never come into my room! I don’t want to shoot you," Salvatore said, dragging the man down the hallway, down the stairs, and shoving him onto the sofa in the living room.

Felix was shocked. He looked up. Before he could say anything, Salvatore was already glaring at him.

"I’m serious. Don’t you ever dare touch my room."

Felix stood up, upset. "I—"

Salvatore motioned with his hand for Felix to stop. "Don’t make a scene. You know I hate this. Leave peacefully and come back tomorrow. I need to talk to you. But if you’re really going to be stubborn, forget about coming here at all!"

Felix fell silent. "You don’t mean—"

"I said it. I won’t let you come if you keep doing these stupid things. I won’t say it again. I’m tired."

Salvatore turned around and headed back to his room.

But Felix grabbed his arm and hugged him tightly from behind. "Please, Sal, don’t do this to me..."

Salvatore sighed. He was really, really annoyed. But Felix was hugging him so tightly that he couldn’t break free.

"Felix."

"No, stay with me, please..."

Salvatore felt like he’d wasted thirty minutes of his life just trying to push Felix out of the mansion. He put him in his car and forced him to go home.

Of all the problems he faced, this one was the most troublesome, since he still intended to keep Felix by his side as a business partner. He just couldn’t cut the man loose simply because he had feelings for him.

But he realized Felix had become too obsessed.

Salvatore sighed. A guard on duty at the front door smiled at him sympathetically.

Salvatore felt relieved when he returned to his room. He wanted to send Milo back to his room since he knew the young man must be exhausted.

But he found that Milo had fallen asleep instead.

He stood there for a moment, watching Milo sleep peacefully. Milo had already put his shirt back on.

He smiled softly. He could have woken Milo and asked him to move, but he didn’t. He was the one who had brought Milo here, and now the young man was asleep.

Salvatore turned the AC up a bit and pulled the blanket over Milo’s body.

Milo didn’t move. Salvatore was stunned for a moment. Milo’s face was slightly pale, and his lips were dry.

Salvatore sat on the edge of the bed and touched Milo’s cheek. It was just a casual touch, but he realized the young man was burning up.

He hadn’t noticed it before because he’d been focused on Felix. Only now did he realize Milo had a fever, and the young man hadn’t even mentioned it.

Salvatore didn’t wake him up, but he placed a fever patch on his forehead.

"Stupid kid."