Chapter Two #2
Zeus fought not to smile like an idiot as he watched Bronx approach Tracker.
He nearly cackled at Tracker’s expression as he headed Zeus’ way.
Tracker looked completely unmoved by the sexual acts taking place around him, but Zeus knew him too well.
He was horrified. When Tracker reached his side, Zeus couldn’t hold back his huge grin.
“You’re here. You never come here.”
With his hands in his pockets, Tracker rocked back on his heels. “Yeah, well, I came across the membership card you gave me, and I felt guilty for never using it. I imagine everyone here likely pays a ton to be here.”
Zeus motioned for the bartender to hand him another stool.
The chair appeared over the bar, and Zeus made room for Tracker to sit. “There. Now you can join me.”
The moment Tracker sat, Zeus ran his knuckles down Tracker’s back.
He could never resist touching Tracker. Tracker turned his head and met Zeus’ stare.
Zeus’ heart skipped a beat the way it always did.
Truly, Tracker was dreamy. Maybe that seemed like an odd or old way to describe him, but the word was apt.
He had a gentleman-y vibe. Tonight, he looked like a hipster college professor ready to speak on a subject he knew everything about.
“I’ve never pictured you just sitting here all night.”
Zeus’ smile somehow got bigger. “Oh? What have you pictured me doing?” The flirtation rolled off his tongue. Zeus almost apologized until he realized it wasn’t fake. Nothing ever was with Tracker.
Tracker looked as if he gave the question some genuine thought before he answered. “I thought you’d have on less clothes and more leather.”
Zeus snickered. “What else?”
They never looked away from each other. “I suppose I kind of thought you might be joining in on things like this.” He absently motioned toward a dark corner where at least three people had their dicks stuck somewhere.
Zeus cocked his head to one side. “Is that really what you think I do here?”
Tracker looked uncomfortable. His gaze slid away. “I don’t know. Maybe.”
Zeus shook his head. “Yeah. That’s not what I do.” He stood and pulled a Jolly Rancher from his pocket.
Tracker stared as Zeus popped the candy in his mouth. “Are you okay? Are you lightheaded? Your blood sugar isn’t dropping, is it? What do you need me to do?”
There it was. The reason Tracker had stolen his heart. “I’m good, babe. Let’s go.”
Tracker stood. “Where are we going?”
Zeus linked fingers with him. He motioned toward the DJ. The music immediately screeched to a halt before turning into a love song. “You’re dancing with me.”
Tracker didn’t argue. He let Zeus drag him onto the dance floor. When Zeus’ arms wrapped around Tracker and he moved in close, he felt the shaky breath Tracker took.
“I’ve got you.” Zeus moved even closer, ensuring Tracker felt the way Zeus moved against him. Zeus swiped his lips across the spot beneath Tracker’s ear. Goosebumps rose beneath his lips. “Look around.”
Tracker obeyed.
Zeus rewarded him with another light kiss. “What do you see?”
“A lot of hate-filled stares. Envy.”
“Do you know why?”
Tracker chuckled, but he gripped Zeus like he feared losing him. “Because you’re you and you’re holding me.”
“That’s right.” It wasn’t arrogance. They both knew he was built for this place. “They know it’s forbidden to ask me to dance. I choose my dance partners, and I never dance. Yet here you are, someone they’ve never seen, and you have every ounce of my focus.”
Tracker’s hold tightened. “I don’t understand you sometimes. You sound like I’m who you want. Is this a ploy to make everyone’s interest in you triple?”
“No. Last night, you said I have less than zero interest in you. It made me realize I’ve been a little too relaxed when I’m with you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? We’re friends. You’re supposed to be comfortable with me.”
Zeus kissed Tracker’s cheek. “You make me feel so free and like I can be myself that I’ve made you think I’m not all the way into you. Have you decided if I can at least kiss you?”
Tracker’s every breath sounded hard fought at the question.
It was the first time Tracker had shown any sexual interest in him, and Zeus’ heart squeezed.
He fully believed Tracker was demi and didn’t know it.
He used his scars as an excuse for not having a sex life.
Tracker being ready to cross a line meant everything. His desire was love.
“You’ve been kissing me.”
A rumble of laughter vibrated from Zeus’ chest. “Nice dodge.”
Tracker turned his head and met Zeus’ stare. “You make it sound like I’m a coward.”
“You know damn well I don’t think that.”
Tracker gave him a sharp nod. He looked determined. “Do it.”
Zeus didn’t want him to be set on powering through.
He needed Tracker to want his kiss. He felt a sad smile tug at his lips.
The disappointment was thick. He shook his head.
“That’s not what you want.” Even Zeus heard the hurt in his voice.
No one made him feel the way Tracker did.
When they were together, Zeus didn’t have the overwhelming sense of mediocrity he carried all hours of the day.
He had literally been trained not to feel anything.
With Tracker, he felt everything and—for once—Zeus didn’t know how to win someone.
Tracker’s expression went from irritated to crestfallen in an instant. “Oh. Well, I guess I knew I’d lose in this scenario. I should let you get back to work.”
Tracker tried to take a step back.
Zeus didn’t let him. He searched Tracker’s expression.
Tracker honestly believed he had been rejected.
The way he avoided Zeus’ gaze punched Zeus in the chest. Zeus had never met anyone like Tracker.
He had never encountered a single soul he couldn’t immediately read.
Zeus saw it now. Tracker couldn’t make this decision.
Zeus kissed him. The lust that slammed into him rocked his soul on its heels.
Tracker surrendered. He didn’t come at Zeus like a wildcat or pull away.
He melted, and Zeus was ready to marry the guy.
Zeus poured his heart into their kiss. He used every bit of his skill and pent-up desire.
But their kiss wasn’t feral. It was heartbreakingly sweet.
Zeus didn’t want to stop, but they were still on the dance floor. He pulled away.
Tracker looked dazed. “How did I end up with your Jolly Rancher?”
Zeus threw his head back and roared with laughter. Tracker did something to him. While Zeus was considered a master deprogrammer, Tracker was the one breaking him down. The freedom felt amazing.
“Do you want it back?”
Zeus dropped his forehead on Tracker’s shoulder and shook with silent laughter. Fuck. If only Tracker knew. Zeus was in deep. Now that Tracker had kicked open the door to move beyond friendship Zeus planned to take over his life.