Belonging

Chapter Two (new)

Jayce Ramirez
Downtown Atlanta, GA
2:15 AM
—

The house was quiet in a way the club never could be. 

The door shut behind them with a soft click. 

Xavier didn't move further inside at first. He stood there, taking it in--- high ceilings, dim recessed lightning, clean lines, glass and stone intention. 

Jayce watched him instead of speaking. 

He liked observing before touching. 

"Still as quiet as before." Xavier remarked, slipping his jacket off slowly. 

Jayce took a step closer. Not enough to crowd him. Enough to shift the air.

"I prefer to see what someone does when they think no one's looking." 

Xavier's mouth curved faintly. "And what am I doing?"

"Deciding," Jayce said.

A pause.

Then--

"Deciding what you'll allow."

That made something flicker in Xavier's eyes. Not fear. Not hesitation.

Interest.

"You talk like you're in control," Xavier murmured.

Jayce stepped into his space now. Close enough that their chests almost brushed. Close enough that Xavier would have to tilt his chin slightly to hold eye contact. 

"I don't assume control," Jayce said quietly. "I wait for it to be offered. "

Silence stretched.

Thick.

Charged.

Xavier didn't step back. 

Instead, he reached up and adjusted Jayce's collar --- slow, deliberate --- fingers brushing skin just long enough to be intentional. 

"Maybe I don't offer," Xavier said softly, suggestively. 

Jayce's jaw flexed once. 

"Then I'd convince you."

The air shifted. 

This time when Jayce touched him, it was controlling. One hand at Xavier's waist. Firm. Testing. 

Not pulling. Just waiting. 

Xavier's breath changed first, barely. 

But Jayce noticed.  

"You tense when I don't rush," Jayce whispered near his ear. 

Xavier swallowed. "You analyzing me now?" 

"Yes."

Jayce's hand slid slightly lower--- slow enough for Xavier to stop him.