The Devil's Lover

Chapter 6: Fragile

William Cameron was a nice man who worried about Jayce like they were already a couple.

They had first met in Glorious G. The British heir to Cameron Industries—one of the world's biggest leading corporations when it came to producing men's accessories—was not shy about the establishments he frequented here in Seattle and back in London, nor was he in denial about his preferences. Jayce had spotted William months ago, new to the club but already settling in. He managed to charm William into booking him for a Champagne Room, and since then, William has inserted himself into Jayce's life, appearing at the most unexpected of times.

If asked, Jayce would answer honestly that he treated William like he did any other regular customer. They were colleagues at best, never meeting outside the club but always exchanging pleasant conversation when they're together.

Though Jayce was not blind to the man's advances. William had asked for his number around the fifth time he had paid for a Champagne Room with Jayce, and Jayce didn't see the harm in giving it as long as William kept coming back to Glorious G (which benefitted Jayce greatly).

It was more wishful thinking on Jayce's part that, perhaps like many of his other clients, William just happened to be bored and wanted to flirt with a pretty face.

Jayce didn't take his ringing cell phone out of his pocket until after he'd turned off Pumpkin's engine. "William," Jayce greeted, feeling the February chill across his face after removing his helmet. "This is a surprise."

"Hey. I heard through the grapevine that you were involved in a bit of an altercation the other day." William's voice was definitely lulling, not only because of the accent. He had the voice of a narrator, his deep baritone heard clearly over the phone.

Jayce rolled his eyes nearly to the back of his head. "I would have thought that William Cameron was above such things, like gossip from the mouths of security guards."

William's laugh was also irritably soothing. People could practically fall for the man's voice alone. "Usually I am, but apparently my interest is more obvious than I thought. Keith happens to be an old friend, and he couldn't resist sharing details of what he witnessed. He said it felt like he was in a drama of sorts."

Jayce wanted to point out that everybody working in Glorious G knew about William's interest, he was one of Jayce's regulars. The man practically stood on his tip-toes every time he entered the building in hopes of spotting Jayce easily in the crowd.

"It wasn't my proudest moment, but I don't regret it," Jayce said.

It was then that Miles came out the back door, holding it open for Jayce's co-worker who was about to enter. Miles Gallant had his packet of cigarettes already in hand, leaning against the wall and about to light a stick until his eyes spotted Jayce.

"I hope you forgive Keith, he just knows I worry about you. Are you alright, Jayce?"

Miles jogged over. Jayce held up a hand to signal his friend to keep quiet. "Yes, I'm alright. I was the one who threw the umbrella, not the other way around." Miles' eyebrows raised at that. "You don't need to be so worried about me."

"Force of habit, I'm afraid." Jayce heard William sigh. "I do wish I could go and see how you're doing in person, but I'm stuck in a dinner meeting. Have you ever been to Vesta's Voyage?"

"That's the fancy restaurant in Downtown with Greek statues outside?"

"That's right. It's quite a nice place, the food seems scrumptious if the number of customers is anything to go by." William paused. "I'd like to take you here some time."

Jayce should have said yes in an instant.

It was a polite invitation made by a man who's been nothing but kind to him so far. Their meetings were always cordial, Jayce didn't hate William's company, and the man hadn't given him any reason to say no.

And yet...

"I don't know. I've been pretty busy lately." Jayce bit his lip, then forced himself to add, "It's ironic saying that to you. I know you're not in Seattle for a vacation." Maybe that would help soften the blow.

Miles was definitely intrigued now, making dramatic shocked faces that had Jayce glowering.

Because William was benevolent in everything he did, it made sense that he'd take Jayce turning down his invitation in stride, the man letting out a soft laugh. "True as that might be, I do understand that you have your hands full. That just means I'll have to ask another time, yes?"

"Um... sure?"

"Sorry to cut this short, my business partner just walked through the doors. You'll be careful, won't you Jayce? Don't hesitate to call if you need any help, or if you find yourself in another sticky situation. I mean it. I want you safe."

The furrow on Jayce's brow was instantaneous. "Uh-huh, okay. Bye, William." He didn't wait for a response before pressing the End Call button on his screen a bit too aggressively.

Miles hummed. "I thought William Cameron was the good guy?"

"He is, but he found out about my scene with Henry the other day."

"And now we hate him because he sticks his nose into other people's business?" Miles asked slowly, his chocolate brown eyes narrowing as he tried to comprehend the apparent shift in Jayce's mood. The cigarette pack in his hand has since been forgotten.

"No, we don't hate William. He's just, you know..." Jayce gestured vaguely with one hand, searching for the right word. "...kind of presumptuous about the whole thing. We're not even close, but he gets too worked up about my safety or whatever."

"Did he ask you out?"

"I turned him down." Jayce looked at the space in front of his worn sneakers. "And somewhere in Seattle Central College, Teressa Martinez wonders why she suddenly feels a deep disappointment in Jayce Terrell."

"I'm not good with words like Tes, so sadly I don't have the skillset for this part. Can I offer you a hug instead?" Miles spread his arms with a smile that revealed the majority of his teeth. He was wearing a puffy bomber jacket on top of a thick sweater, and Jayce was tempted to find out how warm a hug from Miles would feel right now.

Before Jayce could accept the offer, Miles dropped the smile, something more earnest settling over his face. "You know, it's not a bad thing to have people worrying about you."

The sentence had Jayce pressing his lips together.

Suddenly he didn't feel like hugging Jayce, never mind that his best friend was still waiting with open arms. "It's different when it's you, or Tessa, or my aunt."

His words had come out a bit defiantly, and once again Miles tried to keep up. "We're the only ones allowed to worry about you?"

"Yes," Jayce nodded. "I know I have terrible exes and a not-so-perfect life, but I'm not about to break down like a child. Why does everybody seem to think so?"

Visibly, Miles was getting irritated. "I don't think our points match up."

Jayce didn't want him and Miles to fight. Jayce hadn't been aiming for that, had no clue whatsoever what took over him. With his gaze shifting to the ground, Jayce said, "I'll just head inside. Tell me about your first day at the bistro later." He gripped onto the strap of his duffel bag and shuffled into the building. He tried not to let it bother him; how Miles didn't bother saying anything else. The man wasn't good with words after all.

Barely three steps inside, Jayce collided with a firm chest which knocked his helmet out from under his arm.

There was some hideous sort of frustration building inside him, and Jayce let it slip into his words before he could stop himself. "Watch where you're going!" He bent down to pick up his helmet, refusing to meet the eyes of whichever i***t bumped into him.

His sharp tone was met with a calm reply, "And here I thought you'd be happy to see me."

It turned out, William Cameron was not the only person who appeared in Jayce's life at the most unexpected moments.

Jayce was not in the mood to be near Choi Seuljin. He walked past the man, barely looking at him as he went.

"What's gotten into you?" He heard Seuljin ask from where he followed Jayce, footsteps not far behind. Given that the club had been open for nearly an hour now, there weren't a lot of other strippers or bartenders hanging at the back.

The few employees they passed by shot questioning looks at Choi Seuljin's form tailing after Jayce.

"I have to get ready for work, Mr. Choi." Jayce didn't head for the dressing room though, instead taking a detour to the men's room based on the last minute decision that he needed to avoid being seen with Seuljin within the realm of anything even remotely unprofessional.

Having William Cameron's attention on him had already exposed Jayce to suspicious gazes from his co-workers. He didn't need to be seen with Mr. Choi.

Hopefully, if Jayce went into the employee's restroom, Seuljin would get the message and leave him alone.

Seuljin followed him inside without hesitation. Jayce sighed because, really, he should've known his plan wouldn't work.

"I was hoping I could talk to you, that's why I was back here in the first place." Seuljin closed the door behind him as he studied Jayce's expression. "Clearly, you're bothered by something."

"Yeah. Clearly, I am." Jayce tossed his motorcycle helmet onto the counter next to the sink along with his duffel bag, both items making dull sounds that echoed off the walls. "I am also clearly in no mood to talk, so just be quick and tell me what it is you came to say." Though Jayce's voice wasn't getting any louder, more of his frustration was leaking out and getting absorbed by his sentences.

All he needed was a moment to sort himself out, and he couldn't even do that with Seuljin standing a few feet away.

"Does your behavior still have anything to do with your ex, Henry?"

The question had Jayce so shocked he reeled back. "No. No, God. This isn't about Henry."

"No need to bring God into this." The side of Seuljin's lips twitched upward, amused at his own words, but only for a second. "Seriously, what's wrong?"

The concern in Seuljin's eyes sent the imaginary kettle whistling, boiling water overflowing. Jayce felt the last piece of his composure crack. "Don't look at me like that."

It was Seuljin's turn to be taken aback. "Look at you like what?"

"Like you think I'm about to fall apart! Like I'm barely held together, or that I'm spilling from the seams." Jayce ran both hands through his matted hair, tugging at the roots in a display of aggravation before releasing.

Now that Jayce had started, he couldn't stop himself from going off about the very thing that's truly been bothering him since Henry had begged him to get back together. "Why do people think I can't handle myself in difficult situations? I appreciate the sentiment, but I don't need someone constantly hovering over me, waiting to kiss away every boo-boo I get. I especially don't need men who think they can just waltz into my life and save me from despair like they're some kind of knight in shining armor."

Jayce wasn't even angry at Seuljin to begin with, but Seuljin had followed him into the empty restroom and then the man looked at Jayce the way other people looked at Jayce whenever they found out he was a stripper, or that his mom had died, or his father had been a violent alcoholic, or that Jayce had been in an abusive relationship after his first boyfriend cheated on him.

He was sick of that look.

There's a tense silence after Jayce's little speech.

He readied himself to watch Seuljin awkwardly make excuses as the man shuffled out the door with an expression of pity or confusion or both, and Jayce wouldn't even blame him. He wouldn't blame Seuljin for never talking to him again after this encounter.

Seuljin stayed firmly in place, Jayce's outburst surprising him, but not enough to get him to leave.

"It must be terrible having people underestimate you all the time."

Seuljin did not have William's voice. William sounded like smooth jazz, meanwhile Seuljin's voice took on a more raspy sound, something gravelly but still enticing in a completely different way.

Jayce's face was heating up again, no longer because of annoyance. "What?"

Choi Seuljin stepped forward until he was close enough that Jayce could see the tiny stitched details on his necktie. The usual matching blazer was absent, leaving the man in a white button down with the sleeves expertly folded up to his elbows. Seuljin made sure to stare directly into Jayce's eyes as he said, "You don't need to convince me, I know you can take care of yourself. You're not as delicate as people think you are."

Five seconds.

It took about five seconds for the words to sink in, five seconds before Jayce finally, finally caved into the overwhelming desire to kiss Choi Seuljin.

Jayce had to wind his arms around Seuljin's shoulders and pull the man down so their lips could meet. He heard the surprised intake of breath, but Seuljin was quick to respond. Seuljin's big hands settled on Jayce's waist, maneuvering them while he licked into Jayce's mouth, their tongues pressing hotly and setting Jayce's skin on fire.

He was pushed against the sink counter, the hard edge digging into his lower back and he couldn't have cared less because wow, Seuljin was a great kisser. It was hot and heady, Seuljin tasting of mint and his hand cupping the nape of Jayce's neck, pressing their bodies impossibly close. Jayce had no choice but to slide onto the marble counter.

A particularly stinging bite on Seuljin's lower lip had the man pulling away. He looked just as dazed as Jayce felt, both of them breathing hard.

Seuljin slid his hands under Jayce's leather jacket, under his shirt, until the man was touching Jayce's bare skin. His hands glided upwards, Jayce's shirt riding up with the movement, thumbs running over Jayce's ribcage and making goosebumps erupt.

"What happened to not fooling around with your boss?"

Jayce swallowed. "You're not my boss," He answered, arms tightening around Seuljin. "I thought you wanted this."

The look Seuljin gave Jayce then...

Choi Seuljin looked at Jayce like he wanted to devour Jayce.

They were kissing again, this time filthier, with more teeth, grinding in search of friction until Jayce strained against his jeans. He's had enough hurried sessions in cramped places that sliding his bottoms down along with his boxer briefs while still remaining on the sink was no problem at all.

Seuljin quirked an eyebrow at this apparent speed, which he probably mistook as Jayce being desperate—which, okay, he was but it's not like Seuljin was any better. Jayce could feel the man's impressive length through the black slacks as Seuljin slowly ground himself on the inside Jayce's right hip, making Jayce whine low in his throat.

"One day, I'm going to take you apart slowly," Seuljin said in between kisses under Jayce's jaw and nips to his neck. Jayce gasped at the sensation of Seuljin repeatedly sucking and biting, using his tongue to afterwards soothe the sting. "I'll push you to the edge then bring you down until you're begging me to let you finish."

"You're gonna make me beg, huh?" Jayce scraped together enough strength to grit the words out, already sounding wrecked. Seuljin had been ignoring Jayce's hard-on, the man still wearing his slacks, not caring that Jayce was getting precum on them.

The smile Jayce felt against his neck was the only warning he got before Seuljin was kissing him again, then promptly began jerking Jayce off, using Jayce's own precum to make the motions slicker.

Jayce's embarrassing moan was swallowed by Seuljin's lips, a pleasured shiver running up Jayce's spine.

It felt amazing to have someone else's hands on him after a few months since his last one-night stand. Even better that it was Choi Seuljin, who suddenly did this magnificent thing with his wrist that had Jayce gasping loudly. "Oh, holy shi—"

A hand immediately clamped down on Jayce's mouth, all other movements ceasing. Jayce fought the urge to whine in despair.

"Shhh. I locked the door, but if you're too noisy, any janitor with a key can decide to check."

Jayce could feel his own hot, rapid breath fanning over his cheeks, Seuljin's hand still covering his mouth. They stared at each other like that for a moment.

Seuljin took hold of Jayce's jaw with the hand previously covering his mouth. "Open," he said.

Jayce obliged, feeling his heartbeat pick up again when Seuljin placed two fingers into his mouth.

"Now suck."

Heat shot down Jayce's entire body.

He lapped at Seuljin's fingers, giving Seuljin a show and knowing it made the other man imagine how Jayce's tongue would feel on other body parts.

Satisfied, Seuljin got back to squeezing Jayce's member, and Jayce let his mouth close on the man's fingers, barely containing himself from thrusting into Seuljin's fist.

"Patience." Seuljin pulled out his fingers and replaced them with his mouth.

Usually, when he fooled around with people, Jayce didn't much care for the kissing. But kisses with Seuljin felt incredible. Jayce had only been kissing the man for a short time, but he predicted that he'd be dreaming of making-out with Seuljin even weeks after this.

Jayce heard Seuljin's belt buckle fall to the floor. It was shortly followed by Seuljin pressing their erections together, his long fingers enveloping them both.

The pleasure that just shot through Jayce was intense, causing his toes to curl. He bit down on his own lip, truly making an effort to keep quiet during each stroke of Seuljin's hand, the rubbing of their parts eliciting small spasms from Jayce. Small gasps of surprise and delighted moans escaped his mouth no matter his efforts, but Seuljin didn't stop long enough to reprimand him.

Jayce could feel some dampness making his shirt cling onto his back, and from where his hands fisted at the fabric of Seuljin's top, he could tell the man was beginning to sweat too.

It's too much. Seuljin was very good with his hands and his lips. The familiar tension was building in Jayce's lower belly faster than he could comprehend. "Mr. Choi—Seuljin, I'm.. oh f**k. Fuck."

"Come on, Jayce." Seuljin only pumped them faster, Jayce nearly crying out about how great that felt. "Go on, do it. I want to see." Seuljin's voice was the lowest Jayce had ever heard, and his words had Jayce falling off the edge.

Most of his moans were muffled against Seuljin's mouth, their kiss turning sloppy at the shared climax. Jayce gave another full-body shiver, feeling Seuljin's c*m mixing with his.

They came down, came back to Earth, and then they caught their breath.

Jayce was the first to move, truthfully because his butt was starting to hurt, but mostly because they both needed to clean off before someone walked in on them like this.

Jayce tugged off his leather jacket, placing it on the sink next to where Seuljin finished washing his hand. "I guess there's some good things about doing it in a restroom," Seuljin mused.

In one fluid motion, Jayce got his shirt off and tossed it to Seuljin. "You can clean yourself up with that, jizz got on it anyway." Jayce was lucky he had his duffel bag where he kept spare clothes with him.

Before the awkwardness could settle over them, Seuljin was speaking again as he wiped off the evidence of their activities. "I'm not expecting much to come from this. You don't have to start avoiding me when we're inside Glorious G."

Jayce wiped himself down with a wet face towel before shrugging on another shirt. He'll still need to shower before changing into his work clothes.

"Don't expect anything to come from this, Mr. Choi."

Seuljin gave his signature lazy grin. "Nothing's set in stone yet, Jayce."