* * *
Two minutes before six and Jace pulled open the front door to Callahan’s building. The income disparity between the two of them was immediately clear. His shoes had squeaked across the shined floor as he walked to the elevators, and the rise to Callahan’s floor had been so rapid, his stomach had sank to his feet.
He’d barely caught his breath when Callahan opened the door, and then he lost it all over again. Callahan McMillian was fucking gorgeous. He’d always been, that was the main reason Jace had solicited him in the bathroom the night they’d met at Lion, but God, when he smiled…
Jace inhaled a deep breath and smiled.
“Hey,” Callahan greeted, stepping out of the way. “Come in?”
“Thanks.”
“I ordered Chinese,” Callahan said, closing the door behind him. “I hope that’s okay.”
“It’s good.”
“Come in,” Callahan said again. “Let me give you a tour?”
Jace looked past him, biting the insides of his cheeks to stop his mouth from falling open. Callahan’s apartment, if it could be called that, was massive. It was big, and open, and cold, and Jace hadn’t ever met someone who actually owned a leather couch before. The view though…
He walked deeper into the apartment, setting his camera on the coffee table and walking farther, until he was inches away from a floor-to-ceiling plate glass window that looked out on the city and beyond. He raised his hands, thinking to press them against the glass, but stopping himself. He couldn’t even fathom the labor it took to clean windows that big.
“You can touch.” Callahan’s voice was quiet, but close, and their bodies pressed together, Callahan’s chest against his back. Callahan’s hand snaked down his arm, past his bent elbow. He aligned their fingers and pushed Jace’s palm against the glass. The night outside was warm, and so was the glass, but nonetheless, he shivered.
“This is quite a view,” Jace mumbled.
“It is.”
“Now who’s the smooth one?”
“Is it me?” Callahan dragged his nose along the side of Jace’s neck and pressed a kiss just above his collar.
Jace’s breathing quickened, his heart slamming against his ribs. He flexed his fingers against the glass, and Callahan moved in sync with him. Another kiss. And another. Another. He rolled his neck, letting his head tilt, exposing more skin for Callahan’s mouth.
“So bold.”
“I just know what I want. It’s all clear now.”
“And you want me?” Jace asked.
“I want to know you,” he answered. “I want to deserve you. I want to earn you.”
“I’m sorry,” Jace said, turning quickly. Their fingers tangled and twisted, and his back landed against the glass. “I’m sorry for leaving without saying goodbye.”
“Forgiven.” Callahan leaned in and kissed the base of his throat.
“Callahan.”
Callahan squeezed his hand. Jace’s eyes fluttered closed, and he found himself only seconds away from giving in to Callahan’s mouth. His body burned with want, and with need, and pent-up anger for the things that had happened between them. How had things gone wrong before they’d even gotten started? Was fucking their way through the getting to know you stage going to make it any better the second time around?
“Callahan,” he said again, clearing his throat. “After dinner.”
Callahan nodded and stepped back.
“NowI’msorry,” he said. “I just can’t believe you’re here.”
Jace turned back toward the window, and Callahan’s arms wrapped around his waist. “Is this okay?”
“Yeah,” Jace said. “This is nice.”
