Chapter 47
The office buzzed with its usual rhythm, keyboards clacking, phones ringing, and the low hum of conversations blending into the static of another workday. Jace tried to drown himself in it, burying his guilt beneath numbers and tasks that never seemed to end. But his chest remained tight, his pen trembling slightly in his grip as if the simple act of writing required more effort than it should.
A sharp sound of someone clearing their throat drew his head up. Aiden stood at his desk, casual as ever, dressed in a black shirt rolled at the sleeves, a grin tugging at his lips.
“Some of us are going out after work,” Aiden said, his voice smooth, deceptively light. “Movie night. You should come.”
Jace hesitated, his pulse quickening. He should not. He knew he should not. But the thought of escaping his own mind for a few hours was tempting. And it was not like it would be just the two of them. With friends around, Aiden could not corner him into another conversation about second chances.
“Fine,” Jace said at last, trying to sound casual. “Could use the distraction.”
Aiden’s grin widened.
\~~~
By the time Jace got home that evening, he caught himself spending too long in front of the mirror, adjusting his shirt, re-combing his hair. Why was he nervous? It was just a movie.
Aiden picked him up, the ride was silent.
The moment they stepped into the cinema Jace noticed how eerily quiet it was. Rows of empty red velvet seats stretched endlessly, and the glow of the screen cast long shadows on the polished floor.
“Where is everyone?” Jace asked, his brows knitting.
“Some canceled,” Aiden answered smoothly, steering him toward the center seats. “The rest are running late. You know how people are.”
Jace sat, though unease prickled at his skin. He kept glancing around, waiting for footsteps, laughter, something. But the silence was thick and intimate, like the room itself belonged only to them.
When waiters appeared with trays of wine and food they had not ordered, Jace froze.
“What is going on?... what the hell is this?” he asked, turning to Aiden.
Aiden smirked, leaning closer, his voice low enough to vibrate against Jace’s skin. “okay, fine... It’s a date. I didn’t know which other way I could make you come with me."
Jace’s mouth opened, ready to spit out anger, ready for resistance. But instead, warmth rushed through his chest. His heart stumbled, traitorous. No one had ever done something like this for him. No one had made him feel... Desired.
The lights dimmed, the movie flickered onto the screen, but neither of them seemed to be watching. They leaned into each other, sharing little touches that lingered.
Aiden was attentive, gentle, and relentless in the way he looked at Jace as if nothing else in the world mattered.
It felt like time stopped for a moment and Jace’s breath caught.
The silence between them carried a single thought, shared without words, and in the next breath their mouths collided.
The kiss began clumsy, laced with the sweetness of wine but soon it deepened into something consuming. Aiden’s fingers slid into Jace’s hair, tugging with a tenderness that stole a moan from Jace’s lips, a sound that melted into the heat of their mouths.
Aiden broke the kiss just long enough to whisper against his mouth, “I’ve missed you, Jace.”
The sincerity in his tone nearly undid him. Jace kissed him harder, as if words weren’t enough.
Their bodies shifted, urgency building. Aiden tugged Jace gently onto his lap, and Jace straddled him, their chests pressed together, hearts thundering. Aiden’s hands explored his back slowly, sliding under his shirt, tracing his skin as though memorizing every inch.
Jace shivered, his head tipping back as Aiden’s lips trailed down his neck. The soft scrape of teeth, the warm slide of his tongue—it was intoxicating. Jace’s body trembled with need.
Aiden did not rush. He touched him like there was no need to hurry, no need to prove anything. Every kiss, every caress felt deliberate.
By the time their clothes were tugged aside, Jace was already shaking, from the overwhelming ache in his chest. He felt wanted.
When Aiden finally pushed inside him, it was not sharp or claiming, but slow, steady, coaxing Jace to meet him in every movement. Jace clung to him, arms tight around his neck, his breath catching with each thrust. Their foreheads pressed together, lips brushing, moans tangled.
“Aiden…” Jace’s voice cracked, his eyes stinging with tears he had not expected.
Aiden cupped his face, kissing him deeply, his own voice breaking against Jace’s mouth. “I’ll love you... Always.”
The words shattered something inside him. Jace had never felt this—never been looked at like he was worth something in this world, never been touched as if his body was sacred. The cinema around them dissolved; there was only heat, skin, breath and the relentless pounding of his heart.
Every movement felt like a confession. Every kiss like a vow.
Pleasure built between them, sharp and unrelenting
When Jace finally came undone, it was not just his body that broke open... his heart too. He buried his face in Aiden’s shoulder, gasping, trembling as waves crashed over him. Aiden followed, holding him tight, spilling into him with a muffled groan, their bodies locked in desperate closeness.
Silence fell again, broken only by their panting breaths. Jace stayed in his lap, unwilling to move, his cheek pressed against Aiden’s chest where his heartbeat thundered.
For the first time in his life, Jace didn’t feel like a game piece or a conquest. He felt… loved.
And it terrified him more than anything.