Behind Lies And Promises

[Johan's POV]

"I slipped in the bathroom."

That was the alibi he gave the room attendant when they requested a change of bedsheets. The handcuffs had been temporarily removed from the bedpost, but it remained attached to his wrists, concealed by the long sleeves of Adrian's jacket.

Johan wondered which embarrassed him more; the knowing smile veiled within the lady's customer-service face, or Adrian's amused grin behind his fingers? With a blush on his face, Johan excused himself and trudged to the terrace.

He basked in the eleven o'clock sunlight, trying to get rid of the remaining shivers in his body. They stayed too long in the shower making out, with Adrian prepping him from behind.

Just thinking about it caused more blood to rush down his groin. His boner remained stiff beneath the fabric. Johan pulled the hem of the jacket down, the handcuffs jingling at his movement. He flushed.

Staring at the busy road below; with people walking here and there on both sides, with the honks and roars of vehicles tickling his eardrums, Johan realized he looked like an escaped criminal. Or a step closer to being an exhibitionist because he's standing on the hotel's terrace, in Adrian's clothes, with handcuffs adorning both his hands.

'What the actual fuck?'

It was the coffee's fault. It's not an ordinary one. It's an aphrodisiac coffee. Why his grandfather owned such a product—fuck, he's not interested to know. But he took it anyway because his curiosity was a bitch.

Add to that, he's been eating oysters, bananas, and chocolates during his stay at Sean's house. He already got a healthy libido. Amplified with aphrodisiac drink and foods, it reduced him into a fucking horny goat.

He's not that shameless to relieve himself in his cousin's house, so he had to see Adrian because he's the safest option he had.

"Han," Adrian called from the window. He jerked his head, beckoning for him to come inside, a lecherous smile on his face. "She's gone."

Johan didn't know if he should be glad Adrian's around or not. As the object of his everyday fantasy, and also the root cause of his misery, he's tempted to drop him below the street, then follow shortly after.

What's with his criminal-induced brain? Was it the handcuffs?

With a frustrated sigh, Johan walked back inside and crushed his murderous thoughts. Like he could get rid of Adrian when he's casually reclined on the heap of pillows with freshly changed covers, looking like a billboard underwear model.

"Come here, Han." Adrian straightened his blue checkered boxers and patted his lap. As if on autopilot, Johan's gaze locked on his bulge. Adrian snickered. "You're checking me out as if you didn't give me a blowjob earlier."

Johan's face burst, and he shot Adrian a glare. The effect of the blond's sex flirting on him never gets old. Instead of walking to the bed, Johan went for his bag on the single-seated sofa. "I'm going home."

"Now, don't be like that, Han." A smug smirk was evident in Adrian's voice as he jiggled a key in his hand. "Like you can go outside with those handcuffs."

"Asshole," Johan muttered, resisting the urge to smile as he took a step forward. He tried to snatch the key, but Adrian grinned and shoved it in his underwear.

"Get it if you want it."

"Are you challenging me, Adrian?" Johan connected their mouth and bit Adrian's lower lip, inserting a hand inside his boxers.

Adrian moaned when he curled his fingers around his shaft. "I think you grabbed the wrong key, Han."

That's because he has no intention of getting the key in the first place. Johan gave a squeeze at the throbbing member, blood pulsing in its veins, feeling Adrian's cock with more blood. Johan smirked. "Did I?"

"Yeah," Adrian breathed. "Unless there's another keyhole you wanted to unlock."

Johan removed his hold with a snort. "You're such a dork."

"And you're such cocktease."

When Adrian flipped their position, Johan didn't resist. His body sprung on the bed, and he let Adrian undress him. In less than a minute, they're both down to their boxers; chest to chest, lips locked in a passionate kiss.

"Would you still like to be restrained?" Adrian asked, unlocking the vacant cuff. Uncertainty danced in his blue irises, gaze flickering to his wrists. His expression morphed from excited to anxious. "I think the metal grazed your skin."

"It's not that bad."

"Sorry." Adrian held his arm. Soft, moistened lips showered the welts on his reddened wrist with tender kisses, sending unexplainable warmth in Johan's chest.

"W-what are you even sorry for? I already told you—"

"I'm sorry for selfishly wanting you even if it's wrong."

Johan stilled at the honest emotion in Adrian's apology. Instead of restraining him to the bedpost, Adrian cuffed the other to his own wrist. The rachet grated with a final snap, fingers slipping between the gap of Johan's digits, connecting them together.

"A little more time, Han," Adrian whispered. His face inched closer to him; nose bumping with his own, their breath mingling. "I will make this right. For you. For us."

Any protest there may have been was silenced with Adrian's lips. Johan's eyes slowly fluttered shut, his free hand coming up to caress the heated skin of Adrian's back. He's never been thankful for not being tied until now.

Adrian didn't even need permission for a deeper kiss. Johan slacked his jaw and welcomed Adrian's slick tongue in. Every inch of his body melted. Sweet, sinful desire fogging his mind.

There was no need to battle his dominance. Johan surrendered himself to the soft control Adrian had on him. Their lips parted with a throaty sigh and Adrian trailed lower to his neck, his fingertips caressing the side of his torso down to his hips.

Johan felt the sting when Adrian suckled below his collarbone, his heartbeat increasing when the pad of his tongue swirled to his left nipple. He must have felt it because he stayed there for a long time, sucking, teeth pulling the hardened nub.

When Adrian let go, Johan opened his eyes, meeting the stare of his dilated pupils. His desire spoke to him, making him shiver. Adrian held his gaze when he grasped his waistband and tug his boxers down, slowly.

Twiddling his toes, Johan fought the urge to use his foot to help Adrian undress. He wanted to speak, but he feared he might disrupt the atmosphere Adrian built if he did.

"You've gotten quiet again, Han," Adrian said, reaching beneath the pillows. "Usually, you're telling me what to do."

"I..." Johan gulped as he watched Adrian tore the packet with his teeth and slid the condom to himself. "I-I'm trying to pretend it's my first time. So I want you to lead."

Adrian faltered a little. Hesitation flashed in his face, but he asked, "How was your first time, Han? I mean your first ever sex?"

Confusing. Painful. Empty.

"It's awkward," Johan said, averting his gaze. "So let's not talk about it. It'll ruin the mood."

"Alright." Adrian squeezed out the water-based lube on Johan's groin and lathered them both, the cool sensation stirring his semi-hard erection.

A pillow was slipped under his hips, and Johan breathed in when Adrian aligned himself to the crevice of his ass. Thankfully, Adrian prepared him earlier in the bathroom.

Their gazes locked, and a silent affirmation was given. Johan relaxed himself and breathed out when Adrian pushed in. Despite being stretched, it still stung because fuck, Adrian was thick, but it's nothing he couldn't handle.

Adrian kissed him once he's fully sheathed inside him, deep and passionate. Using his heel, Johan urged him to move his hips. It'll be a boring missionary with their cuffed hands, but Johan didn't complain. He relished the pleasure of every thrust, groans and kisses.

Johan savored the illusion of romance Adrian could offer. Even if it's wrong. Even if it's temporary.

'I shouldn't have wanted you either.

'But I'm weak against your touches.

Forgive me, too, for my own selfishness.'

———

8:12 PM

Johan stood outside the hotel room, elbows propped against the terrace's metal barrier, lost in his thoughts amidst the noise of the city.

Honestly, it's not too different from Olongapo City, seeing there were branches from national establishments like the pawnshop across from them. There's also the same rowdiness usually found in semi-urban cities, giving him a sense of familiarity. But at the same time, he felt alienated to the place he once called home.

Johan wasn't the type to go back to things, places, and people he already left behind. He may visit once in a while for the sake of nostalgia. But a day or two was more than enough to satisfy himself.

Why did he prolong his stay in Alaminos? It's even risky for him to stay idle in the city. Yet, here he was, being impulsive. It's as if a force was preventing him from leaving.

Johan sighed and embraced himself, feeling unsure about the reasoning behind the extension of his stay.

"Are you cold?"

Johan jumped in his skin when Adrian pressed against his back, arms circling around his waist. If they're in Olongapo, Johan would have tried to pull away. They're still outside where people could see them. But when he turned his head to the side, his nose brushing against Adrian's cheek, Johan melted into the embrace.

Would it make any difference if Adrian wasn't there with him?

As he pondered about the answer, Johan couldn't picture himself staying for another day.

"Han?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

Johan closed his eyes and nuzzled his nose at the back of Adrian's ears. "I love you too."

It's a lie, just like always. Yet, it felt genuine between his lips.