Devil's Eye

Chapter 17

5' 3"

Ethan was about to deny Morgan's generous offer because, at least, he was fully aware of how difficult it was for him to stay calm while even sitting next to Noah. What would Thomson have to go through if they ended up laying in the same bed? The whole pile of unbearable torture accompanied by dirty thoughts caused by hormones and intoxicating lust? Or maybe the Hell in his pants that couldn't be put down with a cold shower and a minute of alone time? Emotional oblivion on the edge of delirium? Ethan's patience was slowly vanishing. He felt its limits like never before. Morgan shouldn't have welcomed a stranger into his bed. He could never know how the stranger was picturing him at that moment. Morgan would look great lying on his stomach, his hands tied up behind his back. Ethan wouldn't mind seeing that in real life.

'Just say No,' Thomson ordered himself, his eyes moving around the flat, understanding that there was no way they could find a compromise. There was nothing but one bed to sleep on. It was doubtful that Morgan wanted to place Ethan, or himself, on the floor to sleep. Frankly speaking, there was no room on the floor, either.

God damn you, just say No.

But Morgan looked like he was...begging. It was disarming. And it was also arousing. Helplessness suited Noah. Not a fake one, but hidden and concealed behind fake smiles and bold phrases. The more this helplessness showed, the more Ethan wanted to protect him. He knew that it wasn't right to think that way, but he couldn't resist the feeling that someone might need him only in these types of situations. It didn't matter what source of defense they were seeking: moral, financial, physical, or even legal. Thomson thought of himself as someone who could be useful only in those scenarios.

Noah's proposal didn't sound like an invitation to a spontaneous and hot one-night stand. No. The only person who wanted something spontaneous and hot was Ethan. Because of that feeling, Thomson wanted to hang himself up. Morgan, on the other hand, didn't have a clue about the thoughts torturing Ethan; he just didn't want to be alone. He was afraid of loneliness, which made him defend himself on his own, of which he felt extremely tired. Probably, at that moment, Ethan was the only person who reminded Noah that he wasn't the person people had thought of him.

"Don't worry! I've got tons of pillows! We can build a small barricade on the bed so that I won't accidentally touch you in my sleep," Morgan suggested calmly, and he headed towards the bed without waiting for Ethan's answer. He felt a bit dizzy, and that showed clearly that he was probably more drunk than it seemed.

Ethan wouldn't mind a touch. A lot of it, to be fair. Touch strong and firm, so that he would feel pins and needles in his fingertips, so that his lips would hurt, and so that bruises would blossom on the thin skin, like peony flowers. The touch that would make him moan, his skin burn, and his muscles feel sore. The touch, that would make his mind get lost, and his blinding emotions would mix with physical pleasure because it wouldn't happen with just anyone. It would happen with Morgan. If only Noah knew the whole truth.

Just tell him No.

"Okay," Ethan said, understanding that Noah had already decided everything. In other circumstances, Thomson wouldn't be happy with that scenario. But was it even possible to say anything against Morgan's will? Ethan felt himself as a mad, but loyal, dog on a short leash. It was a horrible feeling. He was a step away from boycotting love. At least, the owner turned out to be a good guy. Well, until Noah didn't have a clue about the status he had. Everything could change drastically as soon as Morgan found out how much he influenced Thomson. Ethan was extremely aware of how power, no matter how big it was, could disfigure even the nicest face of the sweetest emperor.

There were, indeed, tons of pillows. Morgan lined them up nicely to divide the bed into two equal parts.

"Do you need some sleeping clothes to change into?"