Page 18

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

The next morning, after finishing a light breakfast and showering, Gabriel walked out of the bathroom and into the bedroom with a towel around his waist. He hadn’t seen Viktor at all since waking, so he assumed he was either working in the office or out of the house.

With an entire day ahead of him, Gabriel felt a little disheartened to know that he’d be spending it doing the same things he’d done the previous days, either watching TV or hanging around the bedroom, bored and waiting for Viktor to come in and use his body again. Although he didn’t hate it when Viktor fucked him, he needed more substance, something he could do with his time that felt worthwhile and fulfilling.

The door opened and he glanced at Viktor as he stepped inside. Looking away, Gabriel pulled the towel from his body and dried himself before putting on underwear, sweatpants, and a T-shirt. All the while, Viktor stood there and waited patiently, no doubt watching him. Gabriel turned his head to look at him again and smiled.

“Come,” Viktor said, offering his hand to him. “I want to show you something.”

Gabriel took his hand and walked with him out of the bedroom and down the hall.

“Where’re you taking me?” Gabriel asked.

“You’ll see,” Viktor said.

They walked past the living room and towards the other side of the house, where the familiar hallway and set of short steps that lead to the basement greeted him.

Gabriel froze and glanced up at Viktor with a frown. Viktor paused and glanced at him, but he didn’t show any discernible expression on his face and just continued onward until they stopped outside the basement door.

Oh God . Was Viktor going to lock him in the basement again? Gabriel’s body tensed up tight as Viktor put a key in the lock and turned the knob.

“Viktor . . .” Gabriel started.

“Relax,” Viktor said as he looked at him. “Trust me.”

Trust him? Gabriel stood stock still, afraid to take another step forward as he stared at the basement door, which was now open a crack.

Viktor walked behind him and covered his eyes with his hands, and as his vision blackened, Gabriel began to tremble. He swallowed once, then twice, but his mouth still felt dry. He didn’t want to end up in the basement again, but he knew fighting Viktor or trying to run away wouldn’t get him very far. What had he done wrong? Had he said something to upset Viktor?

“Walk,” Viktor murmured from behind. He didn’t sound angry, and all it did was confuse him even more.

Gabriel took a few careful steps forward.

“Stop,” Viktor said.

Gabriel stopped moving.

When Viktor pulled his hands away, Gabriel’s eyes widened as he looked around the room. There were two easels set up by the wall. In the corner, plain white canvases rested against one another as they leaned against the wall. Colorful bottles of paint and paintbrushes still in plastic packaging were placed upon a small white desk, a chair tucked neatly under it.

The single bed that used to be in the other corner was gone, now replaced by a blue two-seater couch with a smock draped over the side of it. There were also sketchbooks on the cushion, with pencils in the tin next to it. Everything looked brand new, and the basement had been completely transformed into what Gabriel could only describe as an art room.

He had always dreamed of having a room like this in his apartment, but he’d never had the space or the money to create one, so all he could do was set up an easel in the corner of his bedroom when he painted, then pack it up again when he was done.

Still staring with wide eyes, Gabriel snapped his attention to Viktor, who was intently watching him with a slight curve at the corner of his upper lip. When had he had the time to do all this? Maybe he’d done it while Gabriel spent all that time in the bedroom.

“I—” Gabriel turned to glance at the room again, almost like he was trying to confirm it was real and not his imagination. He had not expected Viktor to do this, especially when he viewed him as only his kidnapper. Now Gabriel was seeing another side to Viktor, and he was in awe. “You did this for me?”

“All for you,” Viktor said.

Gabriel’s eyes burned, and for the first time in weeks, he remembered what it felt like to have joy and excitement again. He felt like he actually mattered, that he deserved happiness, and that Viktor cared about him. Why else would he have gone to all this effort to create this art room for him?

“Do you like it?” Viktor asked.

“What do you mean?” Gabriel wiped away his tears and grinned at him. “I love it.”

“You can come here whenever you want. Paint as much as you want.”

“Thank you,” Gabriel said. “I really can’t explain how happy this makes me.”

If Gabriel wasn’t mistaken, he swore he saw Viktor’s lips break into a closed-mouth smile. Gabriel smiled back at him before looking at the room again, this time focusing on the easel and blank canvas atop it.

“Can I start painting now?” Gabriel asked as he glanced at Viktor again.

“Yes.” Viktor had an intense look in his blue eyes as he watched him, and Gabriel’s attention lingered on him in return. He couldn’t pull his gaze away, and felt a sudden strong desire sweep over him.

Gabriel stepped up to Viktor and kissed him on the cheek. He then turned around and walked to the art supplies, taking a closer look at what he had to work with. While staring at the paints, Gabriel couldn’t ignore the heat in his cheeks, and he chewed on his lower lip, knowing that Viktor was still in the room with him, observing him.

Despite the transformation, Gabriel still felt a sense of vulnerability about being in this room. The basement was the first place he’d known when he’d been kidnapped and brought here, and he didn’t exactly have good memories about it either.

But it’s different now , Gabriel told himself. This is my art room, and that’s how it’s going to stay. I can create new, better memories in here from now on.

He heard movement from behind and glanced back in time to see Viktor walking out of the basement, his back to him. He left the door wide open, and Gabriel felt a stronger sense of relief knowing that he wasn’t going to be locked in a room again.

Time seemed to pass quickly as Gabriel reacquainted himself with painting. He didn’t know how long it’d been since he was able to feel the wooden handle of a brush, or feel the bristles against the canvas as he spread pigment on the blank white surface. All he knew was that it’d been too long, and doing this again filled him with so much joy that he didn’t want to stop.

By the time he felt like he’d had enough for the day, he saw through the small window above that the sun was already setting, and his stomach was grumbling and clenching with hunger.

Gabriel removed his smock, which was already stained with dried acrylic paint, and draped it over a hook on the wall. He made sure to rinse the brushes in the glass mason jar filled with water before setting them upwards so as not to damage the bristles. He then flicked off the light and went to the bathroom down the hall where he washed his hands, removing specs of blue and yellow paint that’d gotten onto his skin.

As he dried his hands on a towel, Gabriel realized that he hadn’t been interrupted at all during his time in the basement. It was as though Viktor wanted him to make the most out of the new art room, and Gabriel felt a heavy warmth fill his chest and spread to his belly.

The more he thought about Viktor, the more he started to realize that he wouldn’t have done something like this for Gabriel if he only saw him as a fuck toy. He didn’t want to get his hopes up, but Viktor had actually remembered when he’d told him that he liked to paint, and he had actually cared enough to create the art room for Gabriel in the first place.

Those brands weren’t cheap, either. Gabriel knew each tube of paint would have cost a lot of money, and in total, Viktor must have spent hundreds of dollars for all those supplies he’d purchased for him.

Gabriel felt his heart beat a little faster than normal. Sure, they had had a lot of sex, but he didn’t think his mouth was that good, or that his ass was special enough to make Viktor want to create the art room for him. But somehow Gabriel had earned it. For some reason, Viktor thought he deserved it. Gabriel hadn’t asked for any of it, and yet, Viktor chose to do it for him. Did Viktor... love him? He shook his head, but he couldn’t stop thinking about it, or smiling.

Gabriel released a long slow exhale as he gazed at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. He couldn’t remember a time when someone had done something like this for him before. Growing up as a mafia boss’s son, Gabriel had spent most of his childhood being ignored and neglected, and his father had beat him for most of his teenage years for not being “masculine enough.” In his father’s eyes, he wasn’t a man, and being gay only exacerbated that.

After Frank disowned him, Gabriel had been on his own for a while. One night, when he’d been feeling down and lonely, he’d gone to a bar and met Enzo. The memory made him grin, because at the time they’d thought each other to be tops, only to discover they were both bottoms. That misunderstanding had actually broken the ice between them, making them laugh hard when they’d realized it. It had been the catalyst for them hanging out for hours afterwards and talking, and it hadn’t taken them long to bond and become best friends.

He and Enzo had done nice things for each other since then, but other than his best friend, no one else had ever gone to the effort of doing anything special for him. None of his hookups had even taken him on a dinner date, or shown a desire to see him again.

Gabriel knew those guys had used him, and he blamed himself for letting it happen while he was in search of being loved by someone. But that was all in the past now, he had to accept it and move on, to leave it all behind him.

Now Gabriel really was starting to believe that Viktor was different, that he might actually love him, even after considering the fact that Viktor had kidnapped him and had threatened to kill him to avenge his sister. But now things had changed. Viktor had decided to let him live, albeit making him his toy in the process, but he also chose to make him happy by turning the basement into his very own painting room. It was absurd to think this way about his captor, but Viktor had made his dreams come true.

Unlike the weeks prior, today had been an amazing day, and the high was yet to wear off. With warmth and happiness hugging his entire body, Gabriel walked out of the bathroom, down the hall, and to the opening that led to the living room. The aroma of herbs and spices greeted him, and he saw Sasha standing by the dining table setting down plates. Sasha glanced at him, then at Viktor, before nodding once and walking out of the living room, leaving them alone.

“Gabriel,” Viktor said as he watched him. “Come, let’s have dinner together.”

Gabriel walked to the table and pulled out a chair, sitting down in his usual seat. Before him was a plate of pasta and a glass of red wine, and Gabriel’s face began to heat up. This was the first time they were having dinner, just the two of them. It looked and felt like a date, and when Viktor sat down at the table across from him, Gabriel felt a strong sense of intimacy. It wasn’t the type of physical intimacy he’d experienced while having sex with Viktor, this was different. It felt like something you’d do with someone you were in a relationship with, and all it did was make Gabriel’s feelings for Viktor deepen.

Gabriel smiled. “This is nice,” he said before picking up his fork.

Viktor did the same and watched him intently. “I hope you like pasta.”

Gabriel took a bite and held himself back from moaning. “Sasha’s cooking is so delicious, it’s like being in a restaurant.” Picking up his wine, he sipped from it before placing it on the table.

Viktor’s lips quirked into a small smile. “Good, I want you to enjoy it.”

As they ate, Gabriel noticed how Viktor often looked at him, his eyes lingering, and Gabriel did the same, holding his gaze for a few moments before glancing at his plate again. It was quiet and peaceful between them, and Gabriel didn’t know if it was the wine or something else that eased his body and mind.

“Viktor...” Gabriel said as he set the fork down and looked at him again. “Why did you make the art room for me?”

They made eye contact, and Viktor observed him for a moment before speaking. “I wanted to.”

Gabriel squirmed a little in his chair. Viktor might not have been very open with his thoughts and feelings, but he knew better than to think it was as simple as that. “There has to be more...”

Viktor glanced at the table, slowly breathing in through his nose before exhaling. He looked at Gabriel again. “When you said you were an artist, it reminded me of my sister. I created the room because... it’s like you keep her alive somehow when you paint.”

Gabriel felt his stomach flutter. “That’s really nice of you, Viktor,” he said softly.

Viktor was quiet, and his gaze drew Gabriel in.

“I like seeing you happy.”

Stunned, Gabriel stared at him. His cheeks grew hotter and he smiled. He was blushing, but he couldn’t help it, and Gabriel glanced away before looking at Viktor again. “I... thanks. I really don’t know what else I can say. You did a lot for me by creating the art room, and I’m really grateful for it.”

Viktor’s smile widened a little bit more, and Gabriel stared. Viktor had meant it. He was being honest when he said he liked seeing him happy, and Gabriel felt something deep inside of himself, something he couldn’t easily explain. But at that moment, all he knew was that he felt warm, safe, and like he was actually important for once, that he mattered to Viktor.

When they finished their dinner date, Viktor got up and walked into the kitchen where he put his plate into the dishwasher, and Gabriel followed to do the same.

Viktor then walked into the living room and sat on the sofa before turning on the TV. He opened a movie streaming app and Gabriel made his way into the room. At first, Gabriel sat on the seat away from Viktor, but as the chosen movie started playing—something like an action thriller—Gabriel couldn’t ignore the urge to go to Viktor and snuggle up with him on the sofa. Even though they’d had a pleasant evening, he still felt a little nervous, and it made him pause for a moment as he considered it.

Gabriel gave in and went to him anyway, ignoring the voice at the back of his mind saying that maybe Viktor wouldn’t like this, and that he’d reject him if he tried. He sat very close and pressed himself against Viktor’s side, his head against his chest, and held his breath tensely as he waited for Viktor’s reaction.

Viktor wrapped an arm around his waist and held him close. Gabriel breathed .

He glanced up at Viktor, to his rugged face and handsome profile. His eyes remained forward and on the screen in front of him, his expression calm but with a slight firmness to it. He was already an attractive man, but the longer Gabriel gazed at him, the more he felt a stronger pull and a more intense sense of desire for him. After a few seconds, Gabriel forced himself to look away from Viktor and to the TV.

As the movie continued playing, Gabriel kept his eyes glued to the screen, focusing on Viktor’s heartbeat and his warm, broad chest as it slowly rose and fell with every breath he took. It was relaxing, and Gabriel felt safe in Viktor’s arms. He couldn’t help but think that maybe this could work, that they could actually be together like this.

But he still wouldn’t love you , said the voice at the back of his mind. You’re still a toy and toys are unlovable.

Gabriel didn’t want his doubts and insecurities to take over and ruin the moment, or their night, so he forced the thoughts away from his mind, even though he knew it wouldn’t last. They may have started off in all the wrong ways, but that didn’t stop him from believing things could be better between them from now on.

Gabriel wanted to thank Viktor for the art room, but words alone didn’t seem to cut it, so he decided to do so in the only way he knew how. He lifted his head and slowly started unbuttoning Viktor’s jeans. When Gabriel looked up, Viktor was gazing down at him.

Gabriel bit his lower lip before he smiled. “Can I? You made me feel good, and I want to make you feel that way too.”

Viktor nodded, that familiar haze appearing in his lidded eyes. Gabriel felt proud that he could turn him on so fast, and it made him shiver with excitement. Licking his lips, he pulled down the zipper and took out Viktor’s heavy cock before he sank his mouth onto it.

The bright screen was the only source of light that illuminated the otherwise dark living room. Lying flat on his stomach across the seats of the sofa, Gabriel bobbed his head, focused entirely on the thick hard cock in his mouth. He moaned when fingers idly played with his hair, and the gentle caress felt like Viktor was praising him.

After a few more strokes, Gabriel heard Viktor groan above him, felt him grip his hair and tense up, and then release, his warm seed flowing down Gabriel’s throat in quick spurts.

Closing his eyes, Gabriel savored the salty, musky taste he’d become so familiar with before releasing Viktor’s cock and licking the remaining cum off his lips. As Viktor’s cock started to soften, Gabriel tucked it back into his pants before resting his head on Viktor’s thigh. He stared at the screen, though he was more focused on enjoying the caress of Viktor’s fingers on his waist.

They remained that way until the movie ended, and by then, Gabriel’s eyes were heavy with the urge to sleep. Viktor switched off the TV, and trying to keep himself awake, Gabriel went to the bedroom with him. As they slipped into bed together, Gabriel snuggled up to Viktor’s chest again, feeling as he was pulled close, and he shut his eyes.