Bentley's POV 
The gadgets arrived in the morning. Damian didn't tell me he added culinary equipment to the list—he said they were mine and I could use them for the channel. 

He got a logo, an animated intro, and selected brand colors that fit my aesthetics—brown and white. He seems even more excited about the plan than I am. He wanted to hire a whole crew to help with the shoot; he wouldn’t have listened if I hadn’t told him I knew how to edit videos. 

Now, there was only one problem—I hate being on camera. Don’t get me wrong, I love getting things on camera, but I get awkward when the focus is on me. 

We set up the equipment together and were ready to start shooting. “I’m starting the shoot, ready?” Damian asked, lifting his gaze to me. 

I swallowed hard, nodding. “Take one,” he said, starting the camera. 

“Ah... hi,” I forced a smile. “I-I’m Bentley. W-Welcome to my YouTube channel—” 

“Cut!” Damian yelled, stopping the video. “You’re too stiff, you’ve gotta free yourself a little bit. Act natural,” he advised. “Let’s take that again, shall we?” 

I nodded, taking a deep breath. Damian bent to the tripod’s height. “Okay... action!” 

“Hi, I’m Bentley, welcome to my YouTube channel.” I smiled, continuing. “I’m a professional cook, and I’ll be showing you how to make lots of yummy foods here.” I took a short pause. “Today, we’ll be making beef—I mean, lobster risotto,” I groaned, face-palming. 

Damian stopped the video. “Relax, you’re doing great. This will be edited,” he grinned, giving a thumbs-up. “Do your best, okay? I’ll kiss you after.” 

“Huh? Don’t say things like that. How do you expect me to focus now?” I mumbled, pouting, my cheeks turning red. He smirked, chuckling at my reaction. 

***

I uploaded the video after editing it, a bit of anxiety lurking in the back of my mind. I wasn’t sure how people would react—what if they didn’t like it? Or if internet trolls found my channel? What if we didn’t get the expected results? Damian’s investment would become a waste. 

His phone rang, pulling me from my thoughts. “Excuse me,” he said, turning to me, then picked up the call. “Yeah, good morning,” he said, standing up from the couch and walking away. 

I sighed, lying down on the chair. Today was my day off, so Damian said he was going to take a day off too, to help with the video. 

My eyes widened, startled by the repeated buzzing of my phone. Damian entered the room. “Everything’s been taken care of. You can turn your phone off so you don’t go crazy,” he chuckled. 

“Thanks, I’ll do just that,” I giggled, pressing the power button and swiping the red one. 

He turned to the stairs. “I’m going to lie down in my room.” 

“What about the kiss?” I murmured, upset that he didn’t keep his promise. That was my motivation to subdue my nervousness. 

“What?” he said, darting back to me. “Never mind,” I replied. 

I glared at him as he ascended the stairs, completely forgetting his promise. I would’ve thrown my phone at his head—if I could afford another one without starving to death. 

*** 

I walked to his room ten minutes after contemplating whether I should remind him. I didn’t want to appear desperate or petty, but then I remembered the numerous ways he had shamelessly proven his desperation for me—I was embarrassed on his behalf. 

Damian’s gaze shifted to me—standing outside the open door—as if he’d left it like that on purpose. “Don’t just stand there, come in,” he said, sitting up, a sly smirk forming on his face as I approached him. I glanced at his shirtless body, my heart skipping a beat, and I gulped. 

“Do you need something from me?” he asked, locking eyes with me. “Why do I have a feeling you already know what it is?” I said, squinting suspiciously at him. 

The open door, his shirtlessness, the sly smirk on his face, and that dark glint in his eyes couldn’t have been coincidental—he was trying to seduce me, and my knees were already weak. 

“Me? I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he said with a shrug. 

“The kiss,” I paused, saying with all seriousness. “You promised me a kiss when the shoot was over.” 

He did a dramatic gasp. “Oh, that kiss,” he said, emphasizing the last word. 

“Yeah, that one. Now give it to me,” I snapped, staring at him. Damian laughed. “You’re this worked up about a kiss? You must really like me,” he smiled mischievously, grabbing my hands and pulling me onto his lap. 

I froze on the spot, stunned by how easily he did that with one pull; I knew it was the result of his workouts, but I couldn’t help it. 

My face and ears flushed deep red. “J-Just kissing, okay? Do it with my clothes on,” I muttered, breaking eye contact with him. 

“Your wish is my command,” he answered, holding the back of my waist and giving me a quick kiss. “There, your kiss,” he teased, flashing a cheeky grin. 

“What? That wasn’t a kiss!” I frowned, staring knowingly. 

“What would you call it then?” 

“That was just a peck on the lips. You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” I glared at him, watching as he pressed his lips together to hold back a laugh. 

“You have to describe the kind of kiss you want. I’m not a mind reader,” he retorted. After a prolonged stare, I mumbled, “Use your tongue.” 

He leaned closer, beaming. “What? I can’t hear you—” 

“A French kiss! Okay?” I snapped, a faint blush glowing on my cheeks. I screamed internally, wishing I could shrink into a hole and never return, for my dignity was nowhere to be found. 

Damian grabbed my jaw, kissing me slowly and slipping into my mouth. I shifted closer, snaking my hands around his shoulders and kissing him back. 

My desire for him keeps growing day by day. I’ve never been this attracted to someone to the point of losing my self-control. I guess that’s one of his charms—being irresistible. I’m not attracted to guys, but I’m gay for him. 

Author's note:
Lol, I almost fainted today, but I nursed myself back up and updated. (Perks of being a Nursing student.)

Stay tuned for the next chapter.❤️