Desire Me If You Can Novel - Chapter 111

“I see. In that case, may I make the first recommendation? We’ve just created a new cat series this time……”

“Hold on, just a moment.”

Dane quickly interrupted the man’s smooth words. He couldn’t just let himself be swept away like this. It was a crisis, and his mind cleared as if he’d been splashed with cold water. He tried to maintain his composure as he spoke.

“I need to speak with Miller. Could you give us some privacy?”

“Ah…… Yes, understood.”

The manager glanced at Grayson, then obediently retreated. Soon, they were alone in the room. Dane crossed his arms, rapidly bouncing one foot, and stared at Grayson.

“What are you doing? Seriously.”

Grayson tilted his head, as if asking what Dane meant by his growling question.

Look at this bastard. Does he think I’ll let it slide just because he’s batting his pretty eyes?

Dane felt a vein throb in his temple from sheer exasperation, and he continued as calmly as possible.

“Why did you bring me here in the first place?”

He hadn’t thought to ask this, as the whole thing had happened so fast. He should have asked before they entered the store. Though it was a belated regret, it wasn’t too late. Grayson looked confused as he answered Dane, who was frowning and cross-examining him.

“You said you were going to buy cat supplies, so I brought you here?”

“I mean, why here?”

Grayson blinked a couple of times, then curled the corner of his mouth into a smile. He was repeating a habit ingrained in his body, but under Dane’s cold gaze, the expression subtly slipped. Grayson, who seemed flustered, rolling his eyes and opening and closing his mouth as if unsure what expression to make, finally spoke.

“If you don’t like it here, should we go to another store?”

“Where is that?”

“Right next door—”

“Stop.”

Dane cut Grayson off with a single word. He was still frowning, but he understood the situation. In short, these kinds of places were the only type of store Grayson Miller knew. Even for the most trivial item, if he mentioned it in a shop like this, it would instantly be placed before him.

“You have a dog, right?”

“Yeah.”

To Grayson, who nodded readily, Dane asked a test question.

“You clip your dog’s nails, right? Where did you buy the clippers?”

“Here.”

Just as I thought. Dane confirmed his suspicion was correct. That was why places like this created absurd trinkets like erasers and pencils, catering to customers just like him.

“Miller.”

“Yeah.”

Again, Grayson answered immediately and obediently. Dane spoke, trying to teach him about reality with patience.

“Most people don’t just walk into a shop like this to buy dog nail clippers as easily as you do. You should have asked me if it was okay to buy it here before you dragged me inside.”

At Dane’s instruction, Grayson now frowned. Sensing that he had something to say, Dane narrowed his eyes, challenging him to speak.

“But……”

Grayson continued in a reluctant tone.

“You said I shouldn’t spend money. So what else was I supposed to do, if you had to buy it?”

Dane’s leg, which had been rapidly bouncing up and down, stopped dead. He stared at Grayson, his face twisted in disbelief, as if asking, What the hell is this guy saying?

“Haa.”

Dane sighed, as he had many times before, and ran a hand over his face. It was frustrating, but unavoidable. This was merely a difference in perspective arising from their vastly different backgrounds. In situations like this…

“Anyway, I can’t even afford to buy a collar here, alright?”

“Then I’ll—”

“We’re going to another store, one I know.”

Dane cut Grayson off decisively before he could cross the line again. It would be simple to just walk out of the shop. However, seeing the empty coffee mug and dessert plate left him feeling uneasy. He regretted eating them, but it was too late. If you start something, you have to take responsibility.

Grayson Miller does.

“You.”

When Dane called him, Grayson immediately fixed his gaze on him. Feeling the strange sensation of looking at an obedient Golden Retriever, Dane continued.

“Don’t you need anything? Buy something, anything. It feels wrong just to leave.”

“We can just leave.”

Dane knitted his brows and threatened him in a low voice.

“Buy something. Even the cheapest thing is fine.”

Grayson frowned seriously, seeming lost in thought, then rose from the sofa. When he returned from outside, he was holding a small shopping bag.

“I bought something.”

Seeing his smiling face, Dane got up. He had no idea what he had bought, but he didn’t care. At least he had purchased something, so the cost of the coffee was covered.

Only then did Dane feel relieved of his mental burden and walk out first. They received the manager’s farewell and stepped outside.

“Hand over the keys.”

Dane held out his hand as if it were obvious. When Grayson handed over the car key, Dane didn’t hesitate to sit in the driver’s seat. This time, with Grayson relegated to the passenger seat, the car pulled onto the road.

The place Dane headed for was a run-down commercial district, far removed from the luxury shops. He parked Grayson’s car next to an absurd vehicle that looked like the front of a sedan grafted onto the back of a truck, then immediately got out of the driver’s seat. As soon as Grayson got out of the passenger seat, Dane locked the car and, without looking, flicked the key with his thumb, tossing it to Grayson. Grayson snatched the flying key with one hand and ambled along behind Dane, who was walking ahead.

“Welcome, Dane. It’s been a while.”

An older woman cleaning the store greeted him warmly. After a brief hug and exchange of greetings, Dane explained his purpose for visiting. While he examined the cat carriers, Grayson slowly looked around the interior.

The walls were filled with pet supplies, ranging from toys to food. The store seemed to carry a vast array of items, from cat and dog supplies to products for reptiles and amphibians.

After curiously examining an empty terrarium, he turned his head, and an aquarium came into view. The fish, which had just been fed, were crowded near the surface, mouthing for food. He leaned down and stared blankly at the vacant eyes of the fish. He stayed there, quietly observing the fish, until Dane called him.

“Miller.”

At the sound of his name, he slowly straightened and turned to see Dane watching him. Dane cocked his head to the side and said,

“I’m done. Let’s go.”

Dane gave a quick goodbye to the owner and left the store first, just as he had earlier. When Grayson followed him outside, Dane suddenly turned around. Grayson blinked at the look that seemed to imply Dane had something to say.

“Why?”

Dane now knew that the smile with the turned-up corners of his mouth was just a deeply ingrained habit. But instead of pointing it out, he just watched Grayson in silence.

What were you thinking while looking at the aquarium just now?

Most people would say they wanted to keep fish or were just looking because they had nothing else to do, but Grayson Miller was not like most people. Dane was curious, but he didn’t ask. Instead, he held out the object he had in his hand.

“Here.”

Grayson looked perplexed and held out his hand. Dane placed the object in his palm and withdrew his hand. Grayson stared down at the item Dane had given him.

It was a can of dog treats. To Grayson, who looked up at him with a blinking, questioning gaze, Dane said,

“It’s a gift. It’s supposed to have a lot of nutrients older dogs need.”

“……A gift?”

Grayson repeated Dane’s words. Embarrassed, Dane scratched the back of his head.

“Yeah. Since I’m indebted to you, anyway…….”

I should have put it in a bag, he thought belatedly. The moment he glanced over, Dane stopped his hand in surprise. Grayson was staring down at him with wide eyes. He soon found out why.

“This is the first time you’ve ever given me a gift…….”

Grayson spoke in a voice Dane had never heard before. The faint tremor in his voice sounded like pure emotion. No, that was probably exactly the feeling he was experiencing right now. His shining eyes, faintly flushed cheeks, and vibrating voice were all the proof he needed.

“Thank you. I’ll treasure it.”

The comment was absurd. Dane frowned and snapped.

“Idiot, you’re supposed to give that to the dog. What are you going to do by treasuring it?”

Grayson’s expression didn’t change, though he should have been embarrassed. Seeing that face, Dane felt a sudden twinge of pity and softened his tone.

“It’s not that expensive anyway, so there’s no need to be so grateful.”

Despite his words, Grayson’s expression remained unchanged. He carefully clutched the small-looking can in his large hand. As if wanting to say something but unsure how, Grayson looked down at Dane, lost in thought.

Then, Grayson’s ear twitched briefly.

Dane’s eyes widened, startled by the unexpected reaction. Realizing Dane was looking at his ear, Grayson grabbed it, looking flustered.

“No, this is…… just a habit.”

“Moving your ear?”

When Dane asked, Grayson, looking flustered, nodded and said, “I don’t know the reason, but sometimes it moves on its own.”

Dane stared at him silently. Again, Grayson’s ear twitched. This time, it was clearly visible. Seeing that movement, he understood. He knew why Grayson’s ear was moving.

Grayson might not be able to feel emotions, but that man’s ear knew. It knew what the sensation spreading through his chest was right now.

As he realized this, Dane’s heart began to beat slowly, heavily. The flush rising on Grayson’s pale cheeks was like a blooming flower. Dane slowly raised his hand and cupped that flower with his palm.

Dane knew Grayson was looking at him with surprise, but he didn’t stop. He moved his hand to the back of Grayson’s head and subtly pulled him closer. Grayson hesitated for a moment but didn’t resist. Slowly, naturally, the distance between them closed.

Slowly descending eyelids closed completely. Their warm breaths met. Soon, their lips would touch. They both knew what would happen next. But neither of them pulled away.