Chapter 23
The next morning at Crane Corp, the air still carried remnants of the tension from the previous day. After the humiliating conference room scene, Jace kept his head low, focused on the work piling up on his screen. Though his pride still ached, he reminded himself of the bigger picture. This job, no matter how twisted, paid well enough to keep his brother’s treatments going.
By midday, Elias’s assistant appeared at Jace’s cubicle. "Mr. Crane wants to see you in his office."
Jace hesitated, heart thudding. He’d barely looked at Elias since yesterday. But he stood up, composed himself, and walked into the lion’s den.
Elias stood by the window, back turned, his tall frame silhouetted by sunlight. When he turned, his eyes softened.
"Close the door."
Jace obeyed silently.
"I owe you an apology," Elias began, voice low. "My father was out of line. What he did in that meeting... it won’t happen again."
Jace studied him, arms crossed. "He made it very clear how he sees me."
"And I made it clear I won’t tolerate it." Elias stepped closer, lowering his voice. "There’s a company ball tomorrow night. Black tie. A private event for VIP partners and board members. I want you to be my date."
Jace blinked. "Your date? In public?"
Elias nodded. "Yes. With me."
The words hit Jace harder than he expected. Part of him lit up, but another part warned: this was dangerous. He couldn’t afford to lose sight of the plan.
"Will your father be there?" Jace asked.
"He will. But he won’t pull that stunt again." Elias paused.
Jace looked away. He could already hear Victor’s voice from yesterday, dripping with contempt.
But another part of him, one he was trying hard to silence, wanted this.
Jace hesitated, then nodded. "Fine. I’ll go."
\---
That evening, Jace stood in his cramped apartment, staring at his bed where he’d laid out his only decent clothes. The same thrifted suit pants from the meeting. A worn white shirt. His old bartending vest. And the only shoes he owned that didn’t scream struggle.
He sighed and slipped his shirt over his shoulders.
His phone buzzed. Elias.
He answered. "Hello?"
"I’m at your apartment building. Let me in."
Jace blinked. "What? How do you..."
"Don’t keep me waiting." The line went dead.
Jace swore under his breath, scrambling to clean up his space. His apartment was barely the size of a walk-in closet. The single-room flat had peeling walls, a mattress on the floor, and an exposed kitchenette. His entire life fit into this shoebox.
A few minutes later, Jace opened the door.
Elias stepped in, taking in the apartment silently. His eyes scanned the room, pausing briefly on the cracked ceiling and makeshift curtain. His walk-in closet at home was easily twice this size.
"I got something for you," Elias said, holding out a sleek black box.
Jace took it slowly. "What is it?"
"Open it."
Inside was a stunning designer suit deep navy, Italian-cut, with subtle silk detailing along the lapels. The kind Jace used to pause to admire in glossy store windows. It felt soft like water under his fingers.
"Wanted my plaything to look his best tonight," Elias said.
Jace tried not to smile. "You didn’t have to."
"But I wanted to. Keep going. There’s more."
Jace pulled the suit out, and nestled beneath it was a gleaming silver watch with a black leather strap. Minimalist but luxurious, the kind that cost more than his rent.
"Elias..."
Elias handed him another box. Inside were polished black leather shoes. Jace checked the label perfect size.
"How do you know my size?"
Elias smirked. "I should know. You’re mine."
Jace flushed. Elias sat on the edge of the mattress, folding his arms.
"Put everything on. I want to see."
Jace hesitated. There was nowhere else to change. Elias had already seen him naked many times. Still, stripping in front of him like this felt... different.
He unbuttoned his shirt slowly, the room quiet except for the shifting of fabric. Elias’s eyes roamed over every inch of him, hungry and possessive.
Jace peeled off his pants, standing in only briefs. He reached for the suit, but Elias’s voice stopped him.
"Not yet."
Elias came up behind him, hands sliding around Jace’s waist like they belonged there. His lips found the soft spot just behind Jace’s ear, then trailed slowly down the side of his neck. Each kiss sent a shiver straight down Jace’s spine.
"You belong to me," Elias whispered.
He turned Jace around, cupping his jaw, kissing him slowly. It wasn’t rushed. Their mouths moved in sync, breath mingling. Elias’s hands slid down Jace’s chest, to his briefs, pulling them down.
Jace gasped as Elias dropped to his knees, trailing kisses down his abdomen. The mirror behind them reflected their silhouettes, Elias worshipping him, Jace breathless.
Elias stood again and walked him backward until Jace’s legs hit the bed. He pushed him down, lips meeting again in a fiery kiss. Elias undressed as Jace watched, every movement deliberate. When he climbed over Jace, the weight of him felt like everything Jace had been craving.
Their bodies tangled. Elias kissed down Jace’s chest, fingers teasing, stroking. Jace arched up to him, lips parted.
Elias was slow, dominant, taking his time. When his cock entered Jace, their eyes locked. They've had sex multiple time but this time It felt different like it wasn't just sex. Jace gasped as Elias moved, deep and steady, his hand gripping Jace’s thigh, the other holding his wrist above his head.
They moved together in rhythm, heat sparking between them like wildfire. Elias kissed down his chest, pausing to tease a nipple with his tongue, his fingers stroking the inside of Jace’s thigh. Jace arched up into him, needing more, needing everything.
"Elias…” Jace moaned, nails digging into the sheets as Elias began to move, his rhythm deep, unrelenting, but tender. One of Elias’s hands gripped his thigh, the other pinned his wrist above his head, anchoring him, owning him.
Elias kissed his shoulder, then his lips, his pace increasing, thrusts becoming harder, needier. Their bodies slicked with sweat, moving in sync. Jace met every motion, panting, moaning, giving in.
The sound of skin on skin, the bed creaking beneath them, filled the room.
And then, on the edge, with the pleasure coiling tight in his gut, Jace heard it.
A whisper, just barely above a breath.
“I think I’m falling for you, Jace.”
Jace froze for a heartbeat, Elias’s words echoing like a spark in dry tinder.
His breath caught then shattered.
Elias fucked him harder, deeper, like he wanted to drive the confession into his bones. Jace cried out, back arching, cock throbbing as his orgasm ripped through him. His body shook, his cum spilling over his stomach as Elias grunted above him, fingers bruising his thigh.
“Fuck take it,” Elias growled, slamming in one last time before he came, deep inside him, thick and hot.