LEO OR RYAN

Ryan laughed, giving Chris a gentle kiss on the temple. "I think we just burned the bed."

Chris, still breathless, let out a lazy chuckle. "Mmm. Maybe next time we should get a fire extinguisher."

Ryan cocked his head sideways, watching him with a smile. "Next time? Yeah, I'd like that." He rolled over onto his side, propped up on one elbow, his fingers tracing aimless patterns across Chris's chest. "But seriously, do you always play the demanding part every time we have sex?"

Chris blinked, his lips spilling into a smirk. "What are you talking about?"

Ryan laughed. "Come on. The way you took charge—bossy, demanding." He leaned in, nibbling on Chris's lower lip. "I like it. But damn, you exhausted me."

Chris paused for a moment before he replied, looking up at the ceiling as if deciding something. Then, he erupted into a brief laugh and shook his head. "Perhaps it is some after-effect of the whiskey I drank." He turned his head, looking at Ryan through mischief-ticjed eyes. "Or perhaps you bring this out in me."

Ryan hummed, his fingers gliding down Chris's side, tracing the dips and ridges of his body. "Whiskey, huh? I'll have to test that theory next time." He kissed Chris's shoulder before murmuring against his skin, "One more thing. That explicit and rude language you used—where did that come from?"

Chris scoffed lightly, a faint blush creeping up his cheeks. "I don't know. I guess I just… got lost in the moment."

Ryan grinned. "Well, I liked it. A lot."

Chris rolled his eyes playfully but didn't respond. Instead, he closed his eyes, exhaustion creeping in. But as sleep tried to claim him, a thought lingered at the back of his mind.

What the hell were these two men doing to him?

Ryan and Leo.

How had he gotten tangled in this web between them? One minute he's pushing one away, the next he's aching for the other to touch him. It's infuriating and exciting all at once.

**The Flight Back To Rowon Enterprise**

The following morning, following a quiet but cozy drive to the airport, Chris and Ryan flew home. The mood between them was calm but charged with an unspoken understanding. They both understood things were different.

Chris sat by the window, watching the clouds drift by as his mind replayed the past few days. The passion, the uncertainty, the emotional pull between two men he couldn't seem to resist. Leo's face flashed through his mind, and a deep sigh escaped him.

Ryan nudged his shoulder. "Penny for your thoughts?"

Chris glanced at him, trying to smirk. "Just thinking about work. We're heading straight into a meeting when we get there."

Ryan rolled his eyes. "Of course, we are. Business before pleasure, right?"

Chris didn't respond, just let out a small laugh as he gazed back out the window.

**The Meeting**

As soon as they got to ROWON Enterprises, Chris and Ryan immediately went to the boardroom. The regular crew was already present, having small talks while awaiting the start of the meeting.

Chris sat at the head of the table, his keen eyes scanning around the room. Then, however, his eyes came upon Leo.

Something was amiss.

Leo sat at the far end of the table, his face impassive, his body tense. Most of all, he was not looking at Chris. It was slight, but Chris picked up on it right away.

During the meeting, Leo was unusually quiet, only speaking when he had to and responding in short sentences. As soon as the meeting was over and people began to leave, Chris made up his mind.

"Leo, wait a minute."

Leo tensed but nodded. Ryan looked between them before leaving the room, alone.

Chris got up and went to lock the door. Turning around, Leo still stood by his chair, arms crossed, eyes fixed on the table.

"What's happening?" Chris said, his voice a little softer than usual.

Leo shrugged. "Nothing, sir."

Chris's eyebrow creased. "Sir? Since when do you address me with that?"

Leo's jaw clenched. "It's nothing, Chris."

Chris stepped closer. "Leo… don't do that. Talk to me."

But Leo just shook his head, keeping his arms crossed tightly. Frustration brewed inside Chris. He didn't know why it irritated him so much, but seeing Leo like this—cold, distant—was messing with his head.

Chris closed the gap between them and, without thinking, placed his hands on Leo's waist, pulling him in. Leo inhaled sharply, his body stiffening for a brief moment before a shudder ran through him.

Chris lowered his voice, letting it drop to that husky tone he knew sent shivers down Leo's spine. "I'm sorry for not picking up your call last night."

Leo swallowed, his eyes flitting up to Chris's for the first time that day. "It's not about that."

Chris's head tilted a little to the side. "Then what is it about?"

Leo hesitated, but Chris tightened his grip just enough to make Leo exhale shakily. The tension between them crackled like static electricity.

And then, without another word, Leo reached out and clutched the front of Chris's shirt and crashed their lips together.

Chris is quick on his reaction, hands slithering off his waist to his back where he holds Leo close. The kiss is hot, desperate; it is filled with all the frustration, confusion, and unspoken emotions that had been growing between them for weeks.

Both are breathless by the time they pull away, with their foreheads against each other's.

His voice barely above a whisper, Leo finally spoke up, "You drive me insane, you know that?"

Chris smirked. "Funny. I was about to say the same thing."

A small chuckle escaped Leo before he shook his head. "We're so screwed."

Chris hummed, running a thumb over Leo's swollen lips. "Yeah. But maybe not in a bad way."

Leo exhaled, closing his eyes for a moment before finally relaxing in Chris's hold.

For now, that was enough.

END OF CHAPTER 20