The air between them had changed. It was different now—charged, unstable, and crackling like a live wire.
Vinny could feel it the moment he stepped back inside. Matthew was still leaning against the dresser, his shirt slightly wrinkled, his sharp green eyes locked onto Vinny like a predator sizing up his prey.
Vinny smirked. If Matthew thought he had won just because of a few heated kisses and a couple of whispered words, he had another thing coming.
"You know," Vinny started, sauntering closer with deliberate slowness, "you look a little too satisfied for someone who thinks he has me figured out."
Matthew didn't react immediately. He just watched. Calculating. Dangerous.
Then he chuckled, low and deep. "That so?"
Vinny leaned in, his fingers barely ghosting over Matthew's collarbone, a teasing touch, nothing more. "Mmm. You think I'm falling for you, don't you?"
Matthew's smirk widened. "Aren't you?"
Vinny tsked. "You're getting ahead of yourself, lover boy."
Matthew's eyes darkened at the nickname, but Vinny caught the brief flicker of amusement before it disappeared. He pressed in closer, almost close enough for their lips to brush. Matthew didn't move, didn't close the distance, just let Vinny play his game.
Vinny tilted his head. "What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?"
Matthew's voice was smooth, unwavering. "Nah. I just like watching you dig your own grave."
Vinny's smirk faltered for half a second, but he recovered quickly, fingers trailing lower, barely brushing over Matthew's chest. "Oh? And what makes you think I'm not the one burying you?"
Matthew moved so fast Vinny barely had time to react. One second he was playing, the next, Matthew had him pinned against the wall, his grip firm but not bruising.
Vinny inhaled sharply.
Matthew leaned in, lips hovering over his jaw, his breath warm against Vinny's skin. "Because, Vinny," he murmured, voice dripping with satisfaction, "I don't lose."
Vinny let out a soft, breathy laugh, refusing to let Matthew see the way his pulse had spiked. "Tch. Cocky bastard."
Matthew hummed. "And yet, you keep coming back."
Vinny rolled his eyes, shifting against Matthew's hold just to prove he wasn't actually trapped. "Don't flatter yourself."
Matthew's fingers traced a slow line down Vinny's side, featherlight, just enough to make him shiver involuntarily. "I don't need to. You do it for me."
Vinny bit his lip, refusing to react more than that. He had started this game, but damn it, Matthew played dirty.
Still, he wasn't about to let him win that easily.
Vinny arched an eyebrow. "So what now? You gonna gloat? Keep me pinned here like some cheap villain in a bad movie?"
Matthew smirked. "Oh, Vinny. I am the villain."
Vinny exhaled a quiet laugh. "Good. I love bad boys."
Matthew's eyes gleamed with something wicked. "Then you're gonna love me."
And just like that, he let go, stepping back like nothing had happened. Like he hadn't just stolen Vinny's breath and left him wanting.
Vinny blinked, caught off guard. "Oh, you ass."
Matthew chuckled, running a hand through his messy hair. "Takes one to know one."
Vinny scowled, fixing his shirt, even though it wasn't actually wrinkled. "You think you're so damn smooth."
Matthew shrugged. "It's not thinking if it's true."
Vinny let out a sharp laugh. "God, I hate you."
Matthew's smirk didn't fade. "Funny. You kiss me like you love me."
Vinny's heart skipped a beat, but he ignored it, flipping Matthew off as he pushed past him. "Screw you."
Matthew grinned. "Not yet, sweetheart."
Later That Night – A Party They Shouldn't Have AttendedEliza had a bad habit of dragging them into things they had no business attending. Tonight was no exception.
The party was loud. The music pulsed through the walls, neon lights flashing across the room in shades of blue and purple. People were everywhere—drinking, dancing, making out in dark corners.
Vinny leaned against the bar, nursing his drink, eyes scanning the room.
Matthew was talking to Kieran and some other guy Vinny didn't recognize. He looked too good under the dim lights—his black button-up was slightly unbuttoned at the top, sleeves rolled up, collar loose. He looked relaxed, confident, completely in control.
Vinny hated that it pissed him off.
Eliza plopped down beside him, tossing back a shot like it was water. "You look like you're two seconds away from committing a felony."
Vinny snorted. "I'm fine."
Eliza smirked. "Uh-huh. And I'm a nun."
Vinny rolled his eyes, sipping his drink. He didn't care what Matthew was doing. He didn't.
Then Matthew laughed at something the guy said.
Something in Vinny snapped.
Without thinking, he downed the rest of his drink, set the glass down, and strode over.
Matthew saw him coming. His smirk widened, like he knew. Like he had been waiting.
Vinny grabbed Matthew's wrist, pulling him away from the conversation.
Matthew raised an eyebrow. "Jealous, Vinny?"
Vinny scoffed. "Don't flatter yourself."
Matthew tilted his head. "Then what's this?"
Vinny leaned in, close enough for only Matthew to hear. "You're mine."
Matthew's smirk faltered for just a second. Just a fraction of a second.
Then, his hands gripped Vinny's hips, pulling him flush against him. "Say it again."
Vinny swallowed.
Matthew's voice was softer now, but there was something dark behind it. Something dangerous. "Go on, Vinny. If you're so sure."
Vinny's pulse pounded. His pride warred with his desire.
He pulled back slightly, smirking. "Nah. I think I'll make you beg for it first."
Matthew's eyes flashed. "Careful."
Vinny grinned. "Or what?"
Matthew's fingers dug into his hips just enough to make Vinny gasp. "Or I'll remind you exactly who owns who."
Vinny's breath hitched, but before he could retort, someone called his name.
He turned—Tom.
Great.
Tom's gaze flickered between them, his lips pressed into a thin line. "We need to talk."
Matthew tensed beside him.
Vinny exhaled, dragging a hand through his hair. "Again?"
Tom crossed his arms. "Yeah. Again."
Matthew let out a quiet laugh, leaning in close to Vinny's ear. "Better not keep your boyfriend waiting."
Vinny clenched his jaw. He hated how much he wanted to kiss Matthew just to shut him up.
Instead, he stepped away, following Tom toward the back of the club.
He could feel Matthew's eyes on him the entire time.
And god help him…
He liked it.