Chapter 323: The Home Sweetest Distraction

"How do you look at yourself in the mirror and pretend that abandoning a child who was begging for guidance makes you the victim? You aren’t a mother. Not to me."

Without another word, Matteo turned toward the door. He walked out of the house without a backward glance, leaving his mother to break down alone on the couch.

His steps were slow and heavy as he made his way toward the waiting convoy outside. The moment Harry saw him approaching, he immediately opened the back door of the car, and Matteo sank into the leather seat. Sensing that he needed a moment alone, the driver quietly stepped outside while Harry remained standing guard beside the car.

Left alone in the silence of the cabin, Matteo finally broke down. He cried uncontrollably, burying his face in his trembling hands. "This is too much for me," he gasped to the empty air. "I thought I was a good person... so why do I have to face this?"

Feeling as though he were completely losing his mind, he fumbled for his phone with trembling fingers and dialed Adrian’s number.

Adrian answered on the very first ring. "Hello, baby," his warm, familiar voice came through the speaker.

Matteo completely broke at the sound of it. "I can’t do it, Adrian," he cried, his words stumbling over breathless sobs. "It’s too much. I really thought I could do this, I thought I was strong enough to overlook it all, but I can’t. It’s just too much for me."

Adrian listened patiently, letting the storm of Matteo’s grief pass before murmuring, "Hey, it’s okay. Just breathe for me. Deep breaths, first."

Matteo squeezed his eyes shut and forced air into his shaking lungs.

"Good boy, baby," Adrian praised gently. "You don’t have to push yourself so hard. You already did a brilliant job just by finding the courage to go and see her today. Now it’s time to come home. Don’t forget, I’m right here waiting for you. Come home to me. Don’t sit out there alone where I can’t hold you while you cry. I told you, Matteo, I want to feel whatever you feel with you. You’re not alone in this, okay?"

Adrian’s words acted as an immediate balm to his frayed nerves. Sniffling, Matteo wiped fiercely at his tear-stained eyes. "I’m coming to you," he whispered.

"Alright, baby. I’ll be right here waiting. I love you."

"I love you more," Matteo murmured.

After the call ended, Matteo felt a small measure of peace return to his chest. He leaned his head back against the seat, closing his eyes to gather himself. After a long moment, he tapped the glass to call his driver and Harry back inside.

The engine purred to life, and the convoy finally rolled out into the street.

As the car cruised down the street, they passed a quaint dessert shop that looked like it had just opened. Even though Matteo was hurting, he still found himself thinking that if Adrian were with him, he would have loved to try it. Knowing that instantly, Matteo told the driver to pull over.

Even though Matteo himself didn’t care for sweets, he picked out five different flavors for Adrian and Maxwell. Harry carried the boxes back to the car, and they resumed their journey home.

By the time they arrived back at the estate, it was already early afternoon. The convoy pulled into the garage, but before the engine had even stopped, Adrian was already hurrying out to meet them.

The moment the car came to a stop, Adrian pulled open the back door, climbed onto Matteo’s lap, and wrapped his arms tightly around him.

Understanding their need for privacy, the driver and Harry quickly stepped out, leaving the two of them alone in the back seat while the rest of the guards waited outside.

Matteo closed his eyes with a heavy sigh, melting into the embrace as he hugged Adrian back just as tightly.

They stayed like that for a long time. No words were spoken, and no questions were asked. They simply held each other, finding comfort in the quiet safety of the car, until Adrian finally pulled back just enough to press a gentle kiss to Matteo’s forehead.

"Do you feel better?" Adrian whispered.

Matteo nodded, a faint smile finally breaking through his exhaustion. "Yes. I feel recharged. My energy is back."

A soft, shared laugh passed between them, easing the lingering tension in the air.

Then Adrian’s gaze dropped, catching sight of the beautifully packaged boxes on the seat.

"Oh, wow! Where are these from? Are they for me?"

Matteo’s smile widened. "Yes, baby. Some are for you, and some are for Maxwell."

"Oh, that’s so sweet of you!" Adrian beamed, his eyes lighting up with genuine delight. "You’re so thoughtful. After everything, you still took the time to stop and get these for us?" He leaned in and kissed Matteo again. "Thank you, baby. I love you so much. You’re the best."

Matteo smiled softly. "You’re welcome, love. I’ll do anything, everything, just to see you smile."

"Me too, baby. I’d do anything to see you smile too."

Adrian called Harry over to the open car door. He handed him most of the boxes, instructing him to take them inside and make sure Maxwell got his share.

However, Adrian deliberately kept one box for himself, settling comfortably back onto Matteo’s lap so he could enjoy his dessert right there in the quiet sanctuary of the car.

He gently wrapped an arm around Matteo’s neck, his touch grounding and soothing. "I won’t pressure you to talk," Adrian murmured. "Let’s wait until you’re ready. But I’ll ask you a few questions, and you can just rate them for me, okay? That way, you can answer without having to explain."

Matteo nodded, the lingering tension easing slightly from his shoulders. "Okay, baby."

"Alright," Adrian nodded. "First... how bad was it? Rate it from one to ten."

Matteo looked up at him, his dark eyes shadowed by the memory. "Seven."

Adrian’s expression softened with sympathy. "Wow. That really is bad." He paused, gently rubbing the back of Matteo’s neck. "And how good was it?"

A faint, wistful smile touched Matteo’s lips. "Her embrace... it felt good. I’d give that a six."

"Lastly," Adrian said, brushing a stray lock of hair away from Matteo’s forehead, "do you think you’ll try again? Do you think there’s a chance for the two of you to work things out? Yes or no?"

"Yes," Matteo admitted quietly. "But I was hurting so much today. I couldn’t pull myself together."

Needing the physical reassurance, Matteo wrapped his arms around Adrian’s waist, pulling him flush against his chest. "I hope I didn’t let you down."

"Never, baby," Adrian said firmly, holding him tight. "You did great today. And I’m so glad that, despite how hard it was, you still want to give it another try. Just take your time, okay?"

Matteo nodded, burying his face briefly in the crook of Adrian’s neck. "Okay, baby. Thank you for being here with me."

Adrian smiled, letting out a soft, fond chuckle. "You’re my big baby. You never have to thank me."

Shifting his weight on Matteo’s lap, Adrian picked up the dessert box and opened it. He scooped up a small spoonful, humming in delight as he tasted the rich flavor. "Wow, this is so yummy. Here, baby, have a taste."

He offered the spoon, but Matteo immediately turned his head away, his nose wrinkling. He despised sweets.

"Come on, just one bite," Adrian coaxed, holding the spoon close to Matteo’s lips.

"No. You know I hate sweets," Matteo replied stubbornly.

A wicked, seductive gleam flickered in Adrian’s eyes. "Is that so?" he purred.

Slowly, deliberately, Adrian set the spoon aside. Without breaking eye contact, his nimble fingers moved to the buttons of his shirt. He unfastened them one by one, letting the fabric fall open to reveal the smooth, warm expanse of his chest.

Matteo watched, his breath catching in his throat, as Adrian dipped his finger into the dessert. With a slow, languid motion, Adrian smeared a dab of the sweet cream across his plush lips and around his mouth. Then his sticky finger trailed lower, drawing a line down his collarbone, over his chest, before finally swirling the dessert over the peak of his hardened pink nipple.

A low, feral groan rumbled deep in Matteo’s chest. His hands gripped Adrian’s hips, instantly pressing him down hard against his lap, making Adrian acutely aware of the heavy, straining length of his cock pressing upward through his trousers.

A low, feral groan rumbled deep in Matteo’s chest. His hands gripped Adrian’s hips, instantly pressing him down hard against his lap, making Adrian acutely aware of the heavy, straining length of his cock pressing upward through his trousers.

"Baby," Matteo rasped, his voice dropping an octave, raw with sudden, overwhelming hunger. "Do you have any idea what you’re doing right now?"

Adrian offered a sinful, breathless smile, thoroughly enjoying the power he held. He leaned in close, his voice a seductive whisper against Matteo’s lips.

"Daddy... my mouth is messy." He arched his back slightly, offering himself up like a banquet. "My nipple is stained, and my chest. Clean them all for me. Make me wet, Daddy."

"Fuck," Matteo swore, completely undone. He hated sweets, but looking at the delicious, teasing feast presented before him, he couldn’t resist.

His hands tangled in Adrian’s hair, pulling him down. Matteo’s tongue darted out, slowly and thoroughly licking the cream from Adrian’s lips, tasting the intoxicating mix of the sweet dessert and Adrian’s natural flavor. He deepened the kiss, swallowing Adrian’s soft gasp.

Matteo’s mouth trailed downward. He laid a path of hot, wet kisses along Adrian’s exposed throat, his tongue lapping up the line of cream down his chest until he reached his destination.

The moment Matteo’s hot, damp mouth closed over the sticky peak of his nipple, a high, breathy moan tore from Adrian’s throat.

Adrian moaned, "Yes... please... please suck me..."

Matteo sucked the sweet cream away, rolling the highly sensitive bud between his tongue and teeth with expert, ruthless precision.

Adrian writhed in his lap...