Chapter 29

Adam's skin crawled as the man's lips pressed against his neck. A deep, gut-wrenching disgust churned inside him, sharp enough to cut through the haze of the drug. His heart pounded wildly—not from desire, but from the sheer need to get away.

His breath hitched as panic clawed at his chest, but just as the weight of the man threatened to suffocate him, something inside him snapped.

He didn't know where the strength came from, but suddenly, his body moved on its own. With a burst of raw force, Adam shoved the man off him.

The man let out a startled grunt as he was thrown backward, landing hard against the couch. For a moment, silence stretched between them—thick, heavy, charged. Adam's own breathing was ragged, his body trembling, but not with fear.

His arms felt strange, his muscles tingling as if something inside him had awakened. The feverish heat that had overtaken him wasn't just from the drug anymore. It was something else. Something powerful.

His pulse thundered in his ears, every sensation around him suddenly magnified. The sound of the man shifting, the faint rustle of fabric, even the distant music outside—it was all too clear, too sharp.

The man stared at him, rubbing his wrist where Adam had shoved him. But there was no anger in his expression—only shock.

"You…" The man exhaled, eyes narrowing down the Adam like he was seeing him for the first time."Where the hell did that come from."

Adam had no answer. His body was still thrumming with that unfamiliar energy, his chest rising and falling with each unsteady breath.

All he knew was that whatever had just happened…

He wasn't the same anymore.

The man took a slow step forward, his smirk deepening as if he found Adam's defiance amusing.

"Come now, here" he drawled, voiced laced with mockery."You are burning up. You really think you can------"

With a sharp inhale,Adam dodged to the side just as the man reached for him. In the same swift motion, Adam clenched his right hand into a tight fist and swung.

His knuckled collided with the man's jaw with a crack. The force sent the man stumbling back ward, his body slamming into the couch with a heavy thud.A low, guttural groan of pain escaped him, his hand flying to his jaw as he tried—and failed—to push himself up.

Adam didn't wait to see if he recovered. He turned and ran.

His heartbeat pounded in his ears as he reached for the door, his hands shaking but determined. With a sharp pull, he yanked it open—only for his body to collapse forward.

Before he could hit the ground, strong arms caught him.

His vision blurred, breath hitching as exhaustion and the remnants of the drug threatened to pull him under. He barely registered the warmth of the chest he had fallen into, nor the firm grip that steadied him.

"…Adam?" A voice, deep and familiar, reached through the fog in his mind.

His head tilted up slightly, his breath shaky as he blinked up at the person holding him.

The man holding him was tall, his presence overwhelming yet strangely comforting. Adam turned his head slightly, catching a glimpse of sharp features and piercing eyes. The man was looking at him intently, as if assessing his condition. Then, without warning, he leaned closer, inhaling deeply near Adam's neck.

The action should have felt invasive, but instead, it sent a shiver down Adam's spine. The nausea that had plagued him earlier vanished, replaced by an inexplicable sense of calm. His body, still burning with heat, leaned instinctively toward the stranger, seeking more of that soothing presence.

The man frowned, his jaw tightening as he pulled Adam closer. "Who the hell dared to drug him?" he muttered under his breath, his voice a low growl. His arms tightened protectively around Adam, one hand gently stroking his back as if to ease his discomfort.

Adam, lost in a haze of heat and need, didn't register the words. His instincts took over, and his hands moved on their own, wrapping around the man's neck. His legs lifted, locking around the man's waist as if it were the most natural thing in the world. He buried his face in the crook of the man's neck, inhaling deeply. The man's scent was intoxicating—rich and earthy, with a hint of spice that made Adam's head spin.

The man hesitated, then exhaled sharply before wrapping his arm around Adam waist.

"Come with me"

Before Adam could process what was happening, he felt himself being guided away.

The stranger led him down the hall, his steps purposeful yet careful, making sure Adam didn't stumble. They moved past the dimly lit corridor until they reached another private room.

With a soft click, the door shut behind them.

Only then did Adam finally exhale, his body still tense but no longer on the verge of collapsing. His fingers slowly uncurled from the man's shirt, but he didn't step away. His forehead rested against the stranger's chest, his breaths shallow.

He pressed his lips to the man's neck, his tongue darting out to taste the skin there. A soft groan escaped him as he bit down gently, his teeth grazing the sensitive spot. The man stiffened, his grip on Adam tightening as his body tensed.

"Adam," the man said, his voice strained. "You're not yourself right now."

But Adam wasn't listening. His lips moved along the man's neck, leaving a trail of warmth in their wake. His fingers tangled in the man's hair, tugging slightly as he pressed even closer. Every fiber of his being seemed to crave the man's touch, the fire inside him demanding more.

The man clenched his jaw, his control hanging by a thread. He was no stranger to desire, but this was different. Adam's actions weren't born of conscious choice—they were the result of whatever drug had been slipped into his drink. And as much as the man wanted to give in, he knew he couldn't.

He shifted Adam slightly, one arm supporting the younger man's weight as he reached for his phone with the other. His fingers moved quickly, dialing a number he knew by heart.

"Hugo," he barked as soon as the call connected. "Bring the antidote to the Private room Now."

There was a brief pause before Hugo responded. "Antidote? Are you—"

"Now, Hugo," the man snapped, his patience wearing thin.

Minutes later, the door of the private room opened, and Hugo stepped in, a small vial in hand. He stopped short at the sight before him. Adam, flushed and clinging to the man like his life depended on it, was a picture of desperation. Hugo's eyes widened as he took in the scene, his gaze shifting to the man holding Adam.

"Is that...?" Hugo began, but the man silenced him with a glare.

"Keep an eye on the door. No one comes in," the man ordered, his voice sharp.

Hugo nodded quickly, stepping outside to stand guard.

The man turned his attention back to Adam, who was now nuzzling against his neck, his breaths coming in soft pants. "Adam," he said gently, tilting the younger man's chin up so their eyes met. "You need to drink this."

Adam blinked at him, his pupils still dilated, but he didn't resist as the vial was pressed to his lips. The cool liquid slid down his throat, and the man watched intently, waiting for the antidote to take effect. His grip never loosened, his protective hold keeping Adam grounded as the drug began to fade from his system.