Liquor and Lies 🥃

Arthit Wilde stretched, running a hand through his dark, messy hair, the sheets warm and tangled from the spicy previous night. His mind, sharp as ever, was already moving ahead. Normally, he could indulge in fleeting pleasure and forget it—but tonight, he had a mission.

His phone buzzed sharply on the nightstand.

“Yes?” His voice smooth, teasing, lazy.

“Arthit, keep watch on the bar ‘Eternal Nights’ and its owner, Niran. Gather intel. No one suspects a thing. This is critical,” his handler said, clipped and precise.

Arthit smirked, dark eyes glinting. “Consider it done. I’ll keep an eye on the bar… and him. This should be fun.”

Focus, Wilde, he muttered under his breath. Spy first. Desire second… if that even comes into play.

Niran was finishing a late meeting with business partners, polished, confident, effortless.

“Your bar is thriving,” one partner said. “Ever thought of expanding?”

“Maybe someday,” Niran replied, smirk tugging at his lips. “For now, I want people to feel welcome. That’s enough for me.”

After his friends left, he wiped down the counter, humming softly, unaware of the storm heading his way.

Arthit entered the bar that night like a hurricane. His presence was magnetic, almost predatory. Tall, broad-shouldered, dark eyes glinting with mischief. Niran froze.

“Evening,” Arthit said, leaning casually against the counter. “You must be Niran. Cute name for a cute owner.”

“And you must be trouble,” Niran replied, smirking.

Arthit laughed low and teasing. “Maybe. Depends if you can handle it.”

“I can,” Niran said, bold and playful.

Arthit leaned closer. “I like a challenge. So… how about we skip the small talk? I want… you. Tonight.”

“You’re bold,” Niran said, eyebrow raised.

“Direct gets results,” Arthit murmured. “So… will you sleep with me?”

Niran smirked. “Only if you can keep up.”

“Oh, I can. And I plan to. All night.”

The night ignited with teasing, heated kisses, lingering touches, and whispered challenges. Teeth occasionally brushed, laughter mixed with gasps, hands roaming, playful dares exchanged.

“You’ve got quite the stamina,” Arthit murmured against Niran’s lips. “I didn’t expect anyone to keep up with me so well.”

“You underestimate me,” Niran teased, holding his gaze. “I’m not easy to tire.”

“Oh? I like that,” Arthit whispered, pressing closer. “Don’t think I’m going easy.”

“Try me,” Niran said, smirk playful and daring.

By dawn, tangled and flushed, Arthit dressed, muscles sore but satisfied.

Focus, Wilde, he thought, tugging at his tie. Spy first. Stay close. Learn everything.

“Bye, Arthit!” Niran called from the doorway, smiling bright despite exhaustion.

Arthit paused mid-step. That smile… that energy… it caught him off guard.

This guy… he’s really different. How can he still smile like that after… everything? He’s got something in him, he murmured.

“What was that?” Niran asked, tilting his head, curiosity flickering.

Arthit smirked. “Nothing… just forgot to pay for the drinks I had last night.”

“Oh, that’s fine,” Niran said, playful. “How can you take payment from someone who gave you… such satisfaction? Drinks are on me now.”

Arthit blinked, momentarily caught off guard. “W-what?”

“What, what??” Niran grinned.

Arthit chuckled, brushing it off. “Nothing… byee.”

For the next two days, Niran carried on his routine at the bar. Orders, suppliers, cleaning, small chats with customers—life as usual.

Arthit, however, stayed in the shadows. No visits, no contact, just watching from afar. Using discreet, sometimes illegal means, he gathered intel:

The bar’s finances, suppliers, operations.

Niran’s past: a two-year-long relationship with someone who mysteriously disappeared; no one had heard from him since.

Details about Niran’s habits, strengths, and weaknesses.

Arthit’s mind ran calculations, analyzing every move. He had to stay careful, unseen, precise, but curiosity about Niran’s charm, energy, and mysterious past gnawed at him.

On the third day, fate intervened.

Niran was carrying a crate to the back door when—BAM!—he collided with someone. Boxes tumbled everywhere.

Arthit.

“Careful,” he said, smirk in place, eyes dark and teasing. “You really can’t stay out of my way, can you?”

Niran froze, cheeks flushed, heart hammering. The fire from that night still lingered, sharp and unexpected.

End of Chapter 1.