Defying Dominance (MxM) (18+)

20

Chapter 20: Daniel

This definitely isn't how I thought my first time going to Jace's house would go. After a promise to show me around properly later, Jace takes my hand and guides me upstairs, barely giving me time to process anything about the house.

"We're going to the sitting room."

"You have a sitting room on the second floor?"

"Yes," Jace says simply, pushing open the door.

I can tell he's stressed, so I don't comment on the all-leather furniture, or the huge painting on the wall, or the flat screen opposite that, or the huge rug covering the floor. Cameron is already here, and he stands up when Jace and I enter.

"Jacey...you feeling any better?"

"Daniel bought me ice cream. He wouldn't let me pay."

"I did. On the way here. And of course I didn't let you pay. I wanted to get you something to help you feel better."

Cameron smiles and ruffles his brother's hair, but I can see him frowning slightly. Why, I'm not sure. "Jacque's late, of course. Sit." Cameron gestures at the couch, so I sit.

Jace takes the seat next to me, but he might as well be on my lap with how close he's pressed up against my side, head partially resting on my shoulder.

"What if Jacque-"

"Max will smack some sense into him," Cameron says.

"Max is coming?" Jace's expression brightens a little. "I like Max."

Cameron nods in agreement. "Yeah. And Jacque will at least somewhat listen to him, so...Maybe he'll help get some stuff through Jacque's thick skull."

Jace goes to say something, but the door thuds open before he can, followed by slightly too-loud voices.

"Lay off it, Max!"

"No! It's is way too early for you to get drunk off your ass!" Max says, snatching a glass out of Jacque's hand. "At least wait until dinner."

"What are you, my nanny? It's fine."

"Your brothers want to have an important discussion with you, you should at least be sober," Max says firmly, lightly pushing Jacque towards the loveseat. "Go."

"I swear if you give me one more goddamned order-"

"I know, I know, you'll kick me in the balls." Once Jacque sits, Max tips the glass in my direction. "Hello. I'm Max."

I nod and wave, taking a moment to look him over. He's dressed nicely, in a button up and jeans that look brand new, but he doesn't scream wealth the way that Jace and Jacque do. Well, except for the Rolex he's wearing. His brown hair is long enough to pull into a short ponytail. "I'm Daniel. I'm Jace's..." I trail off. I don't know if Jace wants to announce it, or if he's already told them. I don't think he has.

"Boyfriend. Daniel is my boyfriend."

And there goes my heartrate. God I love hearing him say that.

Jacque snorts. "You two went on one date."

"Don't start, mister-one-night-stand," Max says, nudging Jacque aside. "Scoot over so I can sit too." Jacque does, just enough for Max to sit, despite having a lot of extra room to move over more. "At least he's not constantly calling me to come pick him up from some shit motel."

"If it pisses you off so bad, don't come next time."

"And let you try to drive home drunk? No fucking way."