A sharp ding pulled him from his thoughts. He pulled out his phone.

Rik: Meet me for lunch.

Daniel: Busy.

Rik: It’s about Cole.

Daniel exhaled slowly, watching the smoke curl in the air. Rik was irritating, but if it was about Cole… he needed to hear it.

Daniel sat across from Rik, arms crossed, eyes sharp. “Talk.”

Rik smirked, taking a slow sip of his wine. “Always so impatient.”

“Rik,” Daniel warned.

Rik sighed, setting down his glass. “I know you have feelings for Cole. But let’s be real, Daniel. Cole will never love you.”

Daniel’s fingers twitched, but he didn’t speak.

Rik leaned forward. “Do you know what happened to Cole’s last boyfriend?”

Daniel stiffened.

“Cole used him,” Rik continued. “Fucked him for months, made him think they had something real, and then tossed him aside the moment things got complicated.”

Daniel’s stomach tightened. “You’re lying.”

Rik chuckled. “I wish I was. The guy was shattered. And do you know why Cole left him?”

Silence.

“Because he didn’t trust him.” Rik’s voice was smooth, almost amused. “Cole doesn’t do relationships. He doesn’t do love. If you think you’re different, you’re a fool.”

Daniel’s heart pounded in his chest. He wanted to deny it. But deep down, he knew Cole had walls. And if what Rik said was true…

“So what?” Daniel muttered. “Why do you care?”

Rik smiled. “Because I like you, Daniel. And unlike Cole, I won’t treat you like trash.”

Daniel let out a bitter laugh. “You’re no better than him.”

Rik smirked. “Maybe. But at least I won’t lie to you.”

Daniel stared at Rik, his emotions tangled. Why was he even here? Why did he let Cole mess with his head?

He should have just left.

But he didn’t.

Instead, he leaned back in his chair, looking Rik in the eye. “Fine. Let’s go.”

Rik raised an eyebrow. “Go where?”

Daniel’s voice was flat. “Your place.”

Rik’s smirk widened.

The second the door closed, Rik was on him. Daniel didn’t hesitate—he grabbed Rik’s shirt, pulling him into a rough kiss.

It wasn’t like kissing Cole. Cole’s kisses burned—full of heat, anger, control. This? This was different. Sloppy. Desperate. A distraction.

Rik pushed Daniel against the wall, hands roaming, lips trailing down his neck. Daniel let his head fall back, eyes shut, trying not to think.

Clothes hit the floor. Rik’s hands slid over Daniel’s bare skin, pushing him onto the bed. Daniel’s breath hitched as Rik’s mouth trailed lower, his tongue teasing, his fingers digging into his hips.

Fuck, what was he doing?

Daniel shut his eyes and let himself drown.

After

Daniel stared at the ceiling, chest rising and falling. Rik lay beside him, smirking.

“That was fun,” Rik murmured, tracing a finger down Daniel’s arm.

Daniel turned his head, his expression unreadable. “Don’t get attached.”

Rik laughed. “You wound me.”

Daniel sighed, sitting up. He needed to leave. He needed to forget this.

But he knew this wouldn’t be the last time.