After saying this, Marcus lowered his voice further. "There's no one else here now."Caleb suddenly found himself pressed against Marcus' chest, instinctively gripping the forearm resting across his chest.When Caleb used to observe Marcus boxing, he would bring his telescope closer to watch the veins bulging on Marcus' forearm, finding them incredibly sexy.Now, that very forearm was in Caleb's hands. He could feel the warmth of Marcus' skin and even trace the veins through his palm.His heart fluttered uncontrollably, but he had no time to process his feelings properly because he had caught the insinuation in Marcus' words.Though he despised this side of himself, his mind was uncontrollably filled with arousing thoughts. Marcus' breath was warm against the back of his ear, heavy with a raw, intoxicating scent that seemed to seep into his skin. It ignited a fiery rush of excitement throughout his body.Even though Marcus hadn't done anything overtly inappropriate—just encircl
Back in the library, Princess had vanished without a trace.Caleb greeted the correctional officer who had been keeping watch and took his seat in his work area, braving the curious stares of the inmates present.Marcus, however, sat in the front row closest to Caleb, where his comic book still lay unfinished.Usually, Caleb would have been eager for lunch to be over. It was so he could enjoy his free time in the afternoon once the inmates were gone.But today, he dreaded the arrival of two o'clock, because it meant he would be left alone with Marcus in the library again.He had just escaped the suffocating atmosphere of the recreation room and wasn't keen on spending more time alone with Marcus. However, evading the situation was futile. Once the other inmates had left, Marcus was back at his side."Officer Johnson, isn't this uncomfortable for you?" Marcus asked.The work area was so cramped that Caleb and Marcus's knees occasionally brushed against each other when they rela
Even when Marcus was shirtless and wearing only an apron while cooking a steak, he managed to stir every nerve in Caleb's brain. Now, Marcus was so close, and his Adam's apple and collarbone were within easy reach.Caleb struggled to keep himself in check."Marcus," Caleb said, his voice hoarse and strained. "Get away from me."He was at the limit of his restraint, and even his trembling eyelashes were an effort to control. He was afraid that if Marcus came any closer, he might not be able to resist pushing him down and revealing his own unsettling desires."Okay."After what felt like an eternity, Marcus finally moved back to his previous position.Caleb's throat, which had felt constricted, finally relaxed, and he exhaled a quiet sigh of relief. He picked up the newspaper again, this time making an even more deliberate effort to maintain his distance from Marcus.He remained silent, his lips pressed into a thin line and a clear expression of irritation on his face. It was ob
Hector knew he was in the wrong, and he refrained from comparing Marcus to Lucas. But suddenly, he seemed to remember something. Checking the time, he asked, "Aren't you supposed to read the news to Marcus today?""No," Caleb replied.Hector seemed like he wanted to ask more, but just then, Lucas stretched his neck from behind the computer screen and asked, "By the way, Officer Johnson, is it true that Marcus can't do it?""Do what?" Caleb asked, clearly confused."Everyone's saying that Marcus isn't up to it, so he can only be a bottom."Caleb was speechless. He had considered that Princess might spread the excuse Marcus had concocted, but he hadn't expected it to be twisted to the point where it became a rumor about Marcus' inability."Marcus is a bottom?" Hector's eyes widened in surprise when he heard the news."He's not," Caleb frowned. If anything, he was quite the opposite—there was no one more dominant than Marcus."Really?" Lucas blinked, then asked, "So, are you t
After leaving the infirmary, Caleb wandered the hallway for a while before finally deciding against going to see Victor.For a moment, he had the urge to ask Victor to reassign Marcus back to him. But then Caleb thought better of it. After all, he had just sent Marcus away yesterday. It would seem too spineless to ask for him to return so soon.Besides, Marcus would come to the library during yard time. He could confront him then. If Marcus was indeed helping him resolve the rumors, Caleb could use that to offset the teasing Marcus had subjected him to.With that in mind, Caleb returned to the library and waited for yard time to arrive. But by the time noon passed, Marcus had not shown up as usual.Time ticked away, and Caleb kept checking the clock, his impatience becoming increasingly evident. He'd never imagined Marcus would be so compliant—he told him not to come, and Marcus hadn't come at all.Before long, a whispering murmur erupted in the library. Caleb was already on edg
Marcus appeared at the stairwell in less than half a minute.Caleb greeted the correctional officer stationed on the second floor, asking him to keep an eye on the inmates in the library. Then, he strode up to Marcus. He frowned when he saw the blood on Marcus' lip and asked, "Are you alright?"Marcus stopped in front of Caleb. "I'm fine."Caleb didn't take Marcus' word for it. He grasped Marcus' chin and turned his face to the side, inspecting the bloodied corner of his mouth. His frown finally eased after he confirmed that Marcus wasn't seriously injured.Marcus was slightly taller than Caleb, and he seemed surprised, even amused, by Caleb's bold move to grip his chin."Is it good now, Officer Johnson?" Marcus asked."Come with me," Caleb said.He took Marcus by the wrist and led him to the infirmary. Lucas was unusually absent, and Hector was napping on a single bed.When Hector saw them enter, he lazily got up and looked at the cut at the corner of Marcus' lip. "Who did
"Why wouldn't I?" Marcus tilted his head, staring directly at Caleb. "Or did you actually hope I would still come, Officer Johnson?"Caleb shifted uncomfortably under Marcus' gaze and replied stiffly, "No, whether you come or not is up to you."Marcus chuckled softly and asked, "So, do you prefer obedient or rebellious people, Officer Johnson?"Before Caleb could answer, Hector interjected, "Hey, can you two save the flirting for the library?"To Hector, Marcus was still an inmate. Caleb felt Hector's delay in speaking was already showing a lot of restraint. He was about to clarify that he and Marcus were not flirting, but Marcus dropped his playful demeanor and adopted a serious tone."Actually, there's another reason I haven't retaliated."The sudden shift in Marcus' attitude made Caleb realize something—Marcus only spoke casually in his presence."What is it?" Caleb asked."Samuel didn't put much force into it," Marcus explained."He didn't?""He did it like this."Marcus
Before Hector could respond, Caleb grabbed Marcus by the elbow and dragged him to the library door.It was not two o'clock yet, so the inmates were still in the library. Caleb nodded to the correctional officer who was helping him keep watch. Then, he stood at the door, watching the inmates while asking Marcus a question he hadn't had a chance to ask earlier."How did you know Samuel didn't use much force?"The corner of Marcus' lips was bleeding, which didn't exactly suggest a lack of force."I could feel it," Marcus answered, then immediately followed up with another question, "Did you and Dr. Lewis ever date?"Marcus had already asked this question three times.Caleb knew he couldn't dodge it any longer, so he quickly replied, "Yes," before asking, "Was it really that obvious that he wasn't going at it for real?""Yes," Marcus said flatly. "When did you two date?""A few years ago. Why did Samuel hold back?""I don't know. How long did you date?"Caleb instinctively starte