L*ck Me If You Can

Chapter 195

Koi hiccupped on reflex.

Ashley looked down at him with furrowed brows. Arms crossed, his stern expression immediately brought Koi back to the day they reunited in the detention center—the way Ashley had stared at him then. The coldness in his face, something Koi hadn’t seen in so long, sent a chill creeping through his chest.

“S-Sorry I’m late.”

He apologized instinctively, stumbling over his words.

“I guess I got carried away seeing El after so long... I was trying to get back in time, but there was traffic.”

He had taken a taxi, the same service the doorman mentioned as a “complimentary amenity for residents.” Koi had believed it wholeheartedly. Of course, that service had only existed because Ashley had arranged it behind the scenes in case Koi ever left. And thanks to that, Ashley already knew exactly where he’d been—and with whom.

Meeting Ariel was one thing. What had truly set Ashley on edge wasn’t just that.

He wanted to confront Koi immediately, to lash out—but the anxious look on Koi’s face stopped him. A flash of memory—Koi, cowering after being hit by his father. Then another—Ashley himself, years ago, blinded by jealousy, scaring Koi senseless.

Ashley slowly relaxed his shoulders. Uncrossed his arms.

“I see.”

He forced a gentle tone and smiled. Koi’s face brightened immediately, and Ashley continued smoothly.

“I was worried since you were late. I’m just glad nothing happened.”

“Yeah... nothing happened. Sorry I made you worry.”

Koi apologized honestly, and Ashley opened his arms. Without hesitation, Koi stepped into them. As Ashley wrapped him tightly in his embrace, something made him pause.

There wasn’t a trace left of his scent. The pheromones he’d drenched Koi with that morning—gone. His expression hardened for a second. The air around him thickened with pheromones, but Koi, of course, didn’t notice. Resting his head on Ashley’s shoulder, he spoke cheerfully.

“El’s sink was clogged, so I went to help. I’m glad I could actually be useful for once.”

His voice still carried the joy of having helped a friend. But Ashley couldn’t receive it so purely.

“You showered, Koi?”

Ashley buried his nose in Koi’s hair, inhaling the scent of soap. Koi answered casually.

“Yeah, my clothes got dirty working on the drain... figured I might as well wash up while I was there.”

That answered why his scent was gone—but raised another question.

“So that’s why you changed clothes.”

Ashley murmured over Koi’s head, still holding him close.

“But what’s this shirt, Koi?”

If Koi could sense pheromones, he might have noticed the danger rising in the air. But he couldn’t. Nor could he see Ashley’s face from where he was held. Hearing only the sweet tone in his voice, Koi replied without hesitation.

“Garrett left it—El’s ex. They used to live together, but they broke up recently...”

Koi shared what he knew, unaware that Ashley didn’t care in the slightest. What mattered was something else entirely.

“I see. Well, let’s get you changed first, okay?”

“O-Okay.”

Koi nodded and stepped back. Ashley smiled at him and gently took hold of the shirt collar—then suddenly ripped it open.

“Ah...”

Koi could only stare in dumb shock as buttons flew in all directions. Ashley, still smiling, spoke with chilling calm.

“You shouldn’t walk into my house wearing another man’s clothes.”

Koi looked up at him, bewildered. Something about this didn’t feel right—but Ashley’s unchanging smile made it hard to argue. While Koi hesitated, Ashley’s fingers slipped under his shoulders and slid the shirt down, removing it completely.

“There we go. I’ll toss this. Go upstairs and wash up, change into something else.”

“O-Okay...”

Still dazed, Koi slipped out of the sleeves and hurried up the stairs, bare-chested and flustered. As he went, Ashley asked casually,

“Hey, Koi. Did El help you change?”

“Huh? No...”

Koi paused, looking down at him with a puzzled frown and shook his head.

“Why would she do that? She just gave me the shirt. I changed by myself in the bathroom.”

Ashley found a sliver of relief in the bite marks and faint bruises still scattered across Koi’s skin. He nodded briefly.

“Got it.”

Koi tilted his head at the strange exchange, then resumed his climb. He entered Ashley’s bedroom naturally, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Ashley let a small smile touch his lips—but then glanced at the torn shirt still in his hand. His smile vanished.

He tossed the shirt into the trash without a second thought, then went to the liquor cabinet and poured himself a drink.

Two shots of whiskey, downed instantly—but it didn’t help. Of course it didn’t. Alcohol never worked on him.

Useless pheromones.

Ashley resisted the urge to smash the glass, instead clenching his fist tightly, then letting it go. After standing there for a moment to steady his breathing, he turned abruptly and headed toward his own room, his steps swift and silent. He took the stairs three at a time.

Without knocking, he flung the door open. Koi, who was just buttoning up a new shirt, jumped in surprise and turned around, blinking in confusion. Ashley said nothing, striding across the room with purpose. Koi instinctively backed away—but after only a few steps, Ashley grabbed him by the shoulders.

Koi froze, holding his breath as Ashley spoke.

“Are you really telling me nothing happened?”

“Y-Yeah...”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Koi stammered at the sight of Ashley’s cold expression, the warmth gone from his voice entirely.

“I told you—I just met up with El.”

It was the truth, completely. But Ashley gave a twisted smile and mocked him.

“Are you sure it was El?”

Koi’s eyes widened. What is he even saying?

“El and I are just friends—you know that. She calls me her sister, remember?”

“But you’re not a woman. And El knows that.”

He wasn’t wrong—but he wasn’t exactly right either. Koi’s mouth opened and closed, struggling for words. Eventually, he managed to whisper,

“How could you even say that...? You’re seriously doubting me and El?”

“If not El, ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ then was it that Garrett guy?”

“Ash!”

Koi’s voice rose—but he quickly reined it in, lowering his tone.

“Why are you acting like this? I already explained at the door. That’s all there is to it. I’m telling the truth—and this kind of suspicion isn’t fair to El or Garrett.”

Koi hoped reason would reach him. But Ashley just sneered in response.

“You really didn’t think about what it would look like—showering outside, coming back in another man’s shirt?”

Koi faltered—and Ashley didn’t give him a chance to recover. He leaned down, buried his nose in Koi’s neck, and inhaled deeply. Then, with a low murmur:

“My pheromones are completely gone.”

For the first time, a tinge of fear crept into Koi’s heart. A cold dread, the sense that no amount of logic would get through to Ashley right now.

“I-I’m sorry, Ash...”

Koi hurried to speak.

“It was my fault, I wasn’t thinking. I promise it won’t happen again. Please... forgive me, okay?”

He looked up at Ashley earnestly.

“You know I only love you. You know that, right?”

He held onto hope. Looked up with pleading eyes.

Ashley replied.

“I know.”

His voice was quiet. Calm.

“You said you’ve loved me for a long time. And I believe you.”

“Then—”

Koi started to speak, but Ashley cut him off.

“It’s fine. We’ll just start over.”

A quiet laugh slipped from his lips. Koi looked up at him, stunned, eyes wide.

Ashley smiled.

“I’ll drown your entire body in my pheromones.”