Chapter 17: Where His Eyes Wandered

Kayden woke up early, the morning still quiet and hushed. Without hesitation, he walked to Thaddeus's room, knocking once before slowly pushing the door open. Things between them weren't official yet, but they had grown comfortable in each other's space.

He crept inside, barefoot and gentle, and climbed into bed beside Thaddeus like a child seeking warmth. He curled close, watching the man's face in silence. Thaddeus lay still, pretending to be asleep, curious to see what Kayden would do next.

After a few long seconds, Kayden leaned in and pressed a soft kiss on his lips.

"Good morning, Daddy," he whispered against his mouth.

Thaddeus didn't respond. He remained still, though the corner of his mouth twitched.

Kayden slowly unbuttoned the top few buttons of Thaddeus's shirt, revealing the warmth of his skin. He kissed his chest before letting his lips find a hardened nipple. He suckled softly, letting his tongue flick against it, and Thaddeus let out a low, involuntary moan.

As if on cue, Thaddeus's eyes opened, only for Kayden to meet them with another kiss deeper this time, as his hand trailed downward, slipping under the soft fabric of Thaddeus's pajamas.

Kayden grinned as he felt him, already thick and hard in his palm.

"I love your dick, Daddy," he said in a voice that was playful, teasing, and affectionate all at once.

Thaddeus didn't speak. He simply let the tension melt from his body as Kayden began stroking him slowly, lovingly, with purpose. For the first time in a while, Thaddeus didn't hold back. He let himself enjoy it, the closeness, the heat, the soft gasps that escaped his own lips.

Kayden kissed his chest again, then slid lower, positioning himself between Thaddeus's legs. His mouth found its way around him, lips wrapping over the tip, tongue working in slow strokes. Thaddeus gasped his name and threaded his fingers through Kayden's hair.

"Take this off," Thaddeus muttered, voice rough.

Kayden didn't hesitate. They removed his sleepwear together. He was already trembling with effort but determined to please him.

Thaddeus tched him, knowing Kayden's energy wouldn't last much longer. Still, he cherished his effort, the eager strokes, the warm mouth working him with such focus.

When he saw Kayden growing weaker, his arms trembling slightly, Thaddeus reached for the small tube of lubricant inside the drawer beside bedside. He squeezed some into his hand, warming it between his palms before coating himself slowly. Then he pulled Kayden closer, his voice gentle but firm.

"Relax," he whispered, kissing his shoulder.

With care, he pushed inside, inch by inch, until he was fully seated within him. Kayden gasped but didn't protest. Thaddeus began to move slowly, his hand never leaving Kayden's length, stroking him in rhythm with his own thrusts.

Their breathing filled the room, soft moans echoing between the walls.

It wasn't long before Kayden cried out, his release overtaking him, body shaking as he spilled in Thaddeus's hand. He buried his face into the sheets, breathing hard, already spent.

But Thaddeus was still far from his own release.

"Just a little longer, huh," give me ten more minutes, he said, his voice strained.

He held Kayden's hips firmly and continued to move inside him, but the pleasure was already beginning to push against the edge of pain for Kayden. Still, he didn't complain.

Eventually, sensing the shift in Kayden's body, Thaddeus slowed. He pulled out, kissed Kayden's shoulder, and whispered, "Give me a moment."

Kayden didn't ask. He simply nodded, curling slightly beneath the blanket.

before slipping into the bathroom.

The sound of water running filled the silence…

Kayden lay there, dazed, eyes barely open, when he heard it, a deep groan from the other side of the door. Thaddeus's final release came in the privacy of that space, his voice echoing low and satisfied.

He'd heard it.

He knew Thaddeus hadn't finished with him. Again.

But he said nothing.

When Thaddeus returned a few minutes later, freshly washed and calm again, he slid into bed beside Kayden. Without a word, he pulled him close, his hand gently stroking Kayden's back.

A kiss was pressed to his forehead.

And then silence.

They tangled, hearts beating softly into each other's skin.

Kayden shifted under the sheets, still nestled in the warmth of the bed beside Thaddeus. He glanced at the clock on the nightstand, then turned to face him.

"Aren't you going to be late for work?" he asked softly.

Thaddeus, still resting on his side, eyes half-lidded with sleep, gave a small smirk. "It's my office. I can get there whenever I want." He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from Kayden's face. "I don't really have much to do today anyway. Besides…" he added, voice dipping lower, "I have somewhere else I need to be."

Kayden blinked up at him. "Where?"

Thaddeus hesitated, just for a moment before replying, "It's work-related. I'm meeting a new client."

Kayden propped himself up slightly on his elbow. "Since I don't have class today… can I come with you?"

Thaddeus paused again. He looked at Kayden for a beat too long before shaking his head gently. "No. Just stay home and study, okay? Your exams are starting soon, you need to prepare."

Kayden's expression faltered for a second, but he nodded slowly. "Okay."

Thaddeus didn't say anything else. He just leaned forward and pulled Kayden into a sudden, firm hug, wrapping his arms around him tightly, as if trying to say more with the gesture than with words.

He lay still in Thaddeus's arms, his body warm against the older man's chest, but his thoughts far from rest. He had questions about where Thaddeus was going, why he never stayed to finish with him, but he stayed silent.

But his mind wasn't quiet.

He'd heard the sound, Thaddeus's groan, the unmistakable release behind a closed door. And it wasn't the first time. He was beginning to see the pattern now. Every time they were together… it always ended the same way.

Thaddeus would stop before finishing with him. He would pretend. And Kayden never questioned it... until now.

Why?

Why does he pull away when I give him everything?

Does he not want me like I want him?

He wanted to ask. The words sat on the tip of his tongue, aching to be spoken. But fear held him back. Fear of the answer. Fear that maybe what they had, what he felt, wasn't as equal as he'd believed.

So he didn't ask.

But sleep didn't come easily. Even with Thaddeus's arm around him and the faint rhythm of his breathing, Kayden's heart felt heavy.

A few hours later, Thaddeus stirred awake. The early light filtered through the curtains, casting soft shadows over the room. Beside him, Kayden had finally fallen into a deep, peaceful sleep, curled slightly on his side, his breathing steady, lips slightly parted like a child.

Thaddeus sat up quietly, careful not to wake him. He took a moment to look down at him, then leaned in and placed a tender kiss on Kayden's forehead.

"Sleep well," he murmured.

He got dressed in silence, slipping into his crisp shirt and watching. As he left the room, he checked his phone. It had been silent. Multiple missed calls and messages from Ryland flashed on the screen, one of them including the address of the woman he was supposed to meet.

Downstairs, the house was quiet. Thaddeus sat at the breakfast table, absentmindedly chewing while scrolling through the messages. Just as he finished his last bite, his phone buzzed again.

Ryland.

He picked it up and placed the phone to his ear. "Yeah."

"Finally. I've been calling you all morning," Ryland's voice was light but persistent. "She's already at the hotel. When are you going?"

Thaddeus rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I got the address."

"Well?"

"I'll call you when I get there," he replied, glancing toward the staircase as footsteps echoed softly from above.

Kayden.

Thaddeus lifted his head just in time to see him descending the stairs, his hair slightly tousled from sleep, still dressed in his oversized T-shirt. His eyes were heavy, like he hadn't fully shaken off the dream world.

Thaddeus quickly spoke into the phone, "I've heard you, Ryland. I'm going now."

He ended the call and tucked the phone away before Kayden reached him.

"You're awake?" Thaddeus asked.

Kayden nodded, rubbing one eye. "Yeah. I woke up and… you weren't beside me."

Thaddeus stood from his seat, straightening his collar. "I have to go now. Don't skip breakfast."

Kayden blinked, watching him move toward the door. "Okay…"

As the door shut behind Thaddeus, Kayden exhaled quietly. He stared at the space Thaddeus had just occupied, the lingering warmth still etched in the air. Then, he turned and called softly toward the kitchen.

"Can someone bring me breakfast, please?"

One of the maids hurried over with a nod, but even as the smell of food filled the dining area, Kayden's appetite wasn't quite there. Something about the way Thaddeus left, hurried, distant, settled like a weight in his chest.