he club was loud—too loud. But the ringing bass, the flashing neon lights, and the hum of bodies moving around them didn't matter. Not when Matthew could still feel the ghost of Vinny's breath against his ear.
"You're mine."
He hated how easily those words had sunk under his skin. Hated how, even now, he was still thinking about them.
Vinny had followed Tom toward the back of the club, disappearing behind a curtain of people, but Matthew hadn't moved. He stayed planted in the same spot, drink in hand, forcing himself to breathe like a normal person.
Kieran nudged him. "You look constipated."
Matthew scowled. "Screw you."
Kieran chuckled, sipping his drink. "Not my type."
Matthew rolled his eyes, barely listening. His focus was still on the path Vinny had taken, irritation thrumming under his skin.
Kieran raised a brow. "If you wanna go drag your boyfriend back, just do it."
Matthew shot him a glare. "He's not my boyfriend."
Kieran smirked. "Sure, dude."
Matthew clicked his tongue, knocking back his drink before slamming the glass onto the bar. The warmth in his chest wasn't just from the alcohol—it was something else, something he didn't want to name.
Then, as if summoned, Vinny reappeared.
He slid back into Matthew's space like he belonged there, his lips curled into a smirk that was both infuriating and devastatingly attractive.
"Miss me?" Vinny teased.
Matthew scoffed, but his hands twitched at his sides. "Took your time."
Vinny shrugged. "Tom's annoying. Had to make sure he wasn't about to do something stupid."
Matthew's jaw clenched. He hated how casual Vinny was about it—like he hadn't left Matthew standing here, thinking about that damn mine comment like some lovesick idiot.
Vinny tilted his head. "What? You jealous, lover boy?"
Matthew's lips parted, but the words didn't come fast enough.
And Vinny? That bastard just grinned, like he had won.
Matthew narrowed his eyes. Two can play this game.
He stepped in, closing the space between them. "Say it again."
Vinny blinked. "Say what?"
Matthew's fingers brushed Vinny's wrist, featherlight. "You know what."
Vinny inhaled sharply, but his smirk didn't fade. "And what do I get if I do?"
Matthew leaned closer, lips ghosting over the shell of Vinny's ear. "Try me and find out."
Vinny's breath hitched.
Matthew smirked. Got you.
But then, Vinny turned the tables in an instant.
He dragged his fingers down Matthew's chest, slow and teasing, stopping just above his belt.
Matthew swallowed hard.
Vinny's voice dropped to a murmur. "You really wanna hear it again that bad, huh?"
Matthew hated the way his body reacted. Hated the way his breath hitched, the way his pulse kicked up.
Vinny leaned in, lips brushing dangerously close to his jaw. "You like being mine that much?"
Matthew tensed. His fingers curled into fists at his sides, his body burning with something dangerously close to need.
He didn't answer. He couldn't.
Because the worst part?
Vinny was right.
Losing the Upper HandThe teasing didn't stop at the club.
Matthew should've expected it, but Vinny was relentless.
By the time they stumbled out onto the streets, Vinny was still pushing his buttons.
"Hey, lover boy," Vinny drawled, looping an arm around Matthew's shoulders. "You gonna take me home or just stare at me all night?"
Matthew exhaled slowly. "You are home."
Vinny grinned. "Hmm. I could go back to my place, but you like having me around, don't you?"
Matthew didn't answer, but the corner of his mouth twitched.
Vinny hummed, satisfied. "Knew it."
Matthew shoved him off, but Vinny only laughed, shoving him right back.
By the time they made it inside, Vinny was still full of himself. He flopped onto Matthew's couch like he owned it, stretching out like a damn cat.
Matthew sighed, undoing the top buttons of his shirt as he leaned against the counter. "You gonna crash here again?"
Vinny grinned. "What can I say? You have a nice place."
Matthew snorted. "You mean you like annoying me."
Vinny's smirk widened. "That too."
Matthew rolled his eyes, pushing off the counter. "Fine. Stay. But don't—"
Vinny grabbed his wrist before he could walk away.
Matthew froze.
Vinny's grip was firm, his fingers warm against Matthew's skin. The teasing glint in his eyes was still there, but underneath it, something else lingered—something raw, something real.
Vinny tugged him forward slightly. "Admit it."
Matthew exhaled. "Admit what?"
Vinny tilted his head, his smirk lazy but his eyes sharp. "That you like it."
Matthew swallowed. "Like what?"
Vinny pulled him closer until their bodies were nearly flush. His voice dropped to a whisper. "Hearing me call you mine."
Matthew's pulse spiked. His jaw clenched.
Vinny leaned in. "You do like it, don't you?"
Matthew grabbed Vinny's chin, forcing their eyes to meet. "You talk too much."
Vinny chuckled. "And yet, here you are, hanging onto every damn word."
Matthew's fingers tightened slightly before he let go. He turned away, heading toward his bedroom. "Go to sleep, Vinny."
Vinny smirked. "Sweet dreams, lover boy."
Matthew didn't slam the door.
But he almost did.
And the worst part?
He really did like hearing it.