Teach me, Touch me. 

Part 9: Can I Have Your Number?

 

Kanthi woke up late in the morning, his personal secretary having already informed him that there were no pressing engagements scheduled for the early hours. He squinted at the empty space beside him on the bed, though someone had been there the night before.

 

"Gear," he called out, his voice steady, without bothering to glance around the room.

 

"Gear..." he called again, but the silence that followed confirmed that he was alone in the spacious, square bedroom.

 

A man in his thirties wouldn't have been ghosted by a senior college student, right?

The thought crossed Kanthi's mind, tinged with a hint of pessimism. He sat up abruptly, running a hand through his dishevelled hair in an attempt to shake off the lingering drowsiness. His sharp eyes caught sight of a piece of paper on the bedside table. He reached for it immediately and read the note. ‘Left early. I have class this afternoon.'

 

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he pictured the writer's face. Still, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret for waking up late. If he'd risen earlier, he might've had the chance to drop the young man off at class.

 

Kanthi climbed out of the bed that still bore traces of the previous night's passion and headed to the bathroom. Standing shirtless in front of the mirror, he examined his stubble, debating whether it was time to shave. His gaze shifted to his chest, noticing faint rose-colored marks left by the young man he'd guided the night before. His broad back bore scratches from eager nails. The thought struck him-if he bore such marks, then the boy… Hopefully, he's not too bruised...

 

The concern for Gear crept in unbidden. Despite holding back considerably during their intimacy, Kanthi worried it might have been too much for someone as inexperienced as Gear.

 

Donning an expensive suit over a crisp white shirt, Kanthi prepared to step into his role as the owner of a luxury car showroom. His schedule was clear: a meeting at the main branch to discuss the final quarter's sales figures. Without delay, he headed to his destination in his sleek car.

 

"What brings you here?" Kanthi asked his close friend, who was waiting in his office, a rare occurrence.

 

"Just checking if you're still alive."

 

"The hell?"

 

"Last night, you suddenly bolted out. I called, but you didn't pick up." The accused furrowed his brows, sinking into his chair and pulling out his slim phone. He glanced at it briefly before sliding it onto the desk, seemingly uninterested.

 

"I had it on silent. I was busy."

 

"Bullshit!" Kanthi could only glare at his friend, who had a habit of speaking bluntly and crudely. "There's only one reason you'd put your phone on silent, Kan."

 

"So, you came here just to interrogate me?"

 

"Exactly."

 

"I have a meeting in twenty minutes. You should leave."

 

"And if I came here because of Gear, would you make time for me?" At his friend's words, the luxury office owner immediately shifted his focus from the documents in front of him to meet his friend's gaze.

 

"What is it? Speak."

 

"Ha! Now you're interested."

 

"Now!"

 

"Sorry, but I didn't come here because of N' Gear. I got drunk last night and scraped my car against a pole, so I brought it in for a paint job."

 

"Porsche, you're wasting my time."

 

"Well, now I know there's definitely something special between you and that boy."

 

"You're imagining things," Kanthi cut him off, standing up to prepare for his meeting. If you end up falling for a boy, don't come crying to me. I've seen plenty of people who claimed someone wasn't their type, only to fall hard." 

 

Kanthi paused at his friend's warning, waving him off dismissively before walking out. Kanthi, regret a love affair? Utter nonsense...

 

Shaking off his friend's words, Kanthi shifted into work mode. Occasionally, the thought would resurface, but it never distracted him. Everything proceeded smoothly until nightfall, when he debated his next move. His usual options were to return to his condo or stop by the Rose Club for a drink and take someone up to the fifth floor for some VIP treatment.

 

"You don't need to drive me. I'll handle it myself," he instructed his driver before speeding off to the Rose Club. While a drink was still part of the plan, he hesitated over the idea of taking someone upstairs for pleasure.

 

His luxury car pulled into the club's lot. Shedding his suit jacket, he rolled up the sleeves of his white shirt and left a few buttons undone, revealing a hint of his chest. As always, he was enveloped in the lingering scent of expensive cologne. Stepping out of the sleek black car, he handed the keys to the valet and strode inside.

 

Kanthi's striking looks and magnetic charm drew eyes as they always did. Yet, his gaze searched for only one person in the familiar corner where they'd first met.

 

"Thought you weren't coming. Why so late today?"

 

"Busy with work. What about Gear? Did he come?" Kanthi quickly answered his friend's question before asking his own.

 

"Do I look like I have time to keep tabs on every customer? How would I know who's here or not?"

 

"Go find out and let me know."

 

"You're unbelievable," Porsche grumbled, calling over a staff member to handle his friend's request. Kanthi waited in his usual corner, sipping his drink in silence.

 

"Did you arrange to meet him?"

 

"No."

 

"Then call him."

 

"Call him with what? I don't have his number."

 

"What?"

 

"I don't have any way to contact him. Okay?"

 

It wasn't unusual for Kanthi to lack contact information for his partners, even when they met often. He hadn't thought differently about Gear. Yet, now it seemed like an oversight-a surprising one at that.

 

Kanthi firmly instructed the owner of the Rose Club to call him immediately if Gear showed up. But after two or three days with no sign of him, Kanthi began to think the young man was content with their passionate night and that their encounter had ended.

 

He couldn't deny it. The clumsy kisses, the inexperienced intimacy, and the naturally pleading eyes he'd never encountered before made him yearn to see the boy again.

 

Today was another lonely day, one of those days when Kanthi chose to unwind and relax with his close friends. Everything stayed the same as always-the image of a playboy with someone sitting close by his side, never straying far. Yet, even so, there were still plenty of people who locked eyes with him, eager to clink glasses and get to know this charming man. 

 

However, lately, Kanthi hadn't been indulging in his usual habits. He rarely responded to the flirtatious gazes thrown his way. Maybe occasionally, but not to the extent of taking things further, like continuing the connection in the bedroom or anything of that sort.

 

"Excuse me, I'm stepping out for a smoke," he told the blond man clinging to his arm. Nodding at Porsche, he stepped outside to the designated smoking area.

 

Holding the cigarette loosely between his prominent lips, he shielded it from the wind as he lit it. He took a deep drag, letting the smoke fill his lungs before exhaling a cloud into the night air. Flicking the ash off the end, he stared at the tiny embers as if lost in thought.

 

Finally, he stubbed out the cigarette in the designated bin and re-entered the club. The dazzling lights made it hard to focus on anyone until he nearly bumped into someone.

"Kanthi," the young man called out, his eyes lighting up with joy. Nearly a week apart had left Gear unable to hide his smile.

 

"Gear," Kanthi smiled back. Their mutual happiness was evident, though Kanthi kept his emotions in check, expressing them only through his gaze. He scanned the area, checking if the boy had come with anyone.

 

"Looking for someone?"

 

"Did you come alone?"

 

"Who else would I come with?"

 

"I don't know. You disappeared. I thought maybe you had a boyfriend or something."

 

"Just busy with university stuff."

 

"And today? You're free to go out now?"

 

"Go out? Not exactly, I just thought I could see you here."

 

"You wanted to see me?" he asked, a faint smile playing on his lips.

".."

 

"Why don't you take my number? That way, if you ever want to see me, you can just call," Kanthi suggested, leaning down until their eyes were level. His mischievous charm was once again at play, targeting the inexperienced young man with calculated intent.

 

"That feels like I'm the one asking for your number."

 

"Then give me your number. I'll make the sacrifice and ask for yours instead," Kanthi teased, straightening up. He reached into his pocket, pulled out his phone, and handed it to the boy without hesitation.

 

"Gear hesitated for a moment, staring at the sleek phone in Kanthi's large hand. After a brief pause, he entered his ten-digit number as requested.

 

Kanthi hid a sly smile behind his composed expression. One hand rested casually in his pocket while the other took the phone back. He glanced at the number on the screen and pressed a button.

 

"Hmm?"

 

"That's my number. In case you can't resist missing me, you can call me first," Kanthi said, his voice laced with playful arrogance.

 

"Can I call you right now, then?"

 

"Does that mean you're already missing me?"

 

"No, not at all," Gear replied softly, lowering his head to hide his smile. He hadn't expected his playful comment to backfire, leaving him cornered by Kanthi's wit.

 

"Or maybe you're missing my sex?" Kanthi teased further, stepping closer until their bodies were nearly touching. He grabbed Gear's hand and placed it against his firm chest, the muscles evident beneath his light-colored shirt.

 

".."

 

"Or is it this guy you're missing?" Kanthi's hand guided Gear's lower, stopping at the designer belt around his waist. His intense gaze conveyed a message that needed no words.

 

"Kanthi, you're so dirty," Gear scolded softly, his eyes widening slightly in mock disapproval. His voice was barely audible, but the blush spreading across his pale face was unmistakable, even in the dim light. He avoided Kanthi's gaze, too flustered to meet Kanthi's teasing eyes.

 

"This is why teasing you is so much fun," Kanthi said, gently tilting Gear's chin up so their eyes met.

 

The boy's embarrassment from the suggestive remarks began to fade, but he still struggled to hold Kanthi's captivating gaze. Those eyes so full of charm were never soft or gentle. Kanthi's eyes have never been tender, not even once...

 

"Gear, I really want to kiss you, but I just had smoke," Kanthi admitted, his voice smooth yet tinged with regret. His fingers lightly traced the boy's chin, a silent plea in his touch.

"...don't mind."

 

Kanthi's lips curved into a satisfied smile at the boy's open invitation. Without hesitation, he wrapped an arm around Gear's waist, pulling him close until their bodies pressed together. Then, he captured the boy's lips in a fiery kiss, unrelenting and passionate. His lips moved against Gear's, seeking the familiar sensation, while his tongue explored, mixing sweetness with the faint bitterness of nicotine. 

 

"Mmm," Gear let out a soft moan, the sound muffled in his throat. It was a clear sign of his pleasure. The intensity of Kanthi's kiss left the inexperienced boy breathless, his strong body suddenly feeling weak under the man's dominance.

 

"Can't stand anymore?" Kanthi asked, his voice low and teasing.

 

"Because... you.." Gear trailed off, unable to finish his sentence under Kanthi's probing gaze. Kanthi already knew the answer, but seemed to enjoy watching him struggle to admit it.

 

"So, do you mind me?"

 

"I like it," Gear confessed. While he wasn't particularly fond of the smell of cigarettes, something about Kanthi made it different. On him, it became a dangerous allure, a magnetic pull that was impossible to resist.

 

"Then why don't you come with me? I'll make sure you like it all night long."