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It was tempting to touch him. To slip beneath the silky comforter and curl up against the delectable doctor's back. To wake him with a trail of kisses along his bare shoulder and Pavel’s cock pressed against the globe of his firm ass.

Or maybe to just wake him with his cock already inside of him, pounding away, making Zane moan.

Forcing the other man to acknowledge they had sexual chemistry had been step one, but it was taking a lot longer than Pavel had hoped to break down Zane’s defenses. It’d been easy enough for Kazimir, so why was his bashert being so stubborn with him?

What did Kaz have that he didn’t?

Pavel hovered at the side of Zane’s bed, watching the delicate rise and fall of his chest as he slept. He was on his side, facing away from the window with one of his pillows clutched tightly against his chest as though he was dreaming about cradling someone close.

If he was dreaming about Kazimir, Pavel would lose his absolute shit. It was already a struggle not to storm over to Wells Diar’s home and sneak in to kill the guy. If it were an option, he’d do it slow, make the man suffer for daring to covet that which didn’t belong to him.

“I don’t belong to anyone.”

That whispered statement Zane had made in the pool room days ago kept coming back to Pavel randomly. He wondered if the doctor even realized how sad he’d sounded when he’d said it.

Probably not. As badly as he wanted someone so obsessed with him they couldn’t think straight, he panicked the second that actually occurred—case in point, his resistance toward Pavel.

His bashert had a tendency to let those with power walk all over him, when they all knew he could slit their throats in a flash they wouldn’t even see coming. But he stumbled in the face of his inner demons, those doubts that tried convincing him he was unlovable. The ones that simultaneously begged to be significant to someone and didn’t believe it was possible.

“Is becoming the Royal Doctor really that important to you?” he murmured, reaching out toward Zane’s hair. He caught himself at the last second, pulling back just in time. It wouldn’t do to wake him, despite all the fantasies running through his mind urging him to. That wasn’t why he was here.

Zane thought the only way he could make himself matter to anyone was by becoming the Royal Doctor, that much was apparent. His desperation practically bled through everything he did now that Pavel was aware of it. Before, he’d wrongly thought perhaps his ambitions stemmed from the need to impress the Solace family, to prove to them they’d chosen correctly when they’d ripped him from Hexa and all he’d once known.

And forgotten about.

It was clear now, however, that Zane wasn’t doing this for anyone other than himself, which, really, was extremely true to character.

Ironic, that a person who wanted others to want him cared so little about the people around him. He’d toss any one of them aside to achieve his goals.

That wasn’t entirely fair. He was good to the Retinue and always had been. Took his position among them very seriously, and not just because it meant keeping him close to the Royal Doctor title. Zane cared for them all in his own way.

But that wasn’t enough for Pavel.

With a sigh, he turned on his heels and got to work, moving about the large room in the Little Palace that Zane had called home for the past five or so years. He’d been given his own wing at the south of the building, but there were rarely any changes made to it, almost as though he still felt he didn’t belong. His dorm room on campus had been the same.

Whenever Pavel had snuck in, he’d always found the place practically untouched. The bed was always made, the books stacked neat and tidy, and the clothes in his closet always pressed and hung up, even the ones he slept in.

It was like Zane feared a member of the Imperial family, or his own, making a sudden visit. Sure, some people were just like that, but not his bashert. In the past, the one thing Zane had truly desired had been a home, a safe space where he could fully be himself and let his guard down.

Being too afraid to even change the curtains proved this place wasn’t it.

Pavel felt a rush of giddiness sweep through him as he entered the walk-in closet, eyes closing as he inhaled deeply, practically growing hard from the onslaught of Zane’s scent. It was spicy and floral, with notes of beach wood. It was a scent that hadn’t changed, no matter how much the person it belonged to had.

For a long time, Pavel had been bitter over those changes. Or, more accurately, bitter over being left behind. But not anymore. Not when he was finally so close to obtaining the one thing he desired most in the universe.

Worried Zane would rouse and catch him, he forced himself back into motion, heading straight for the section of the wardrobe where the jackets were kept. He wasn’t a big fan of accessorizing, so aside from a row of sunglasses in the case in the center of the room and a few cuff links for formal events, there wasn’t anything of worth to swap out. But the jackets…

They’d had a school uniform throughout their entire education, but Zane had gotten away with standing out through his coats. Pavel had always thought of it as his one tiny rebellion, even though technically there was no one to stop him and he wasn’t the only one who got creative with the parts of their wardrobe they could get away with.

Pavel dropped the backpack he’d been carrying to the ground at his feet and used his night vision to select a few jackets he knew were Zane’s favorites. This wasn’t the first time he’d snuck in and taken things, but this time was different. It wasn’t stealing .

It was relocating.

Just like last night and the night before had been.

As far as he could tell, Zane had yet to notice. For the most part, Pavel hadn’t wanted him to, starting with smaller items and slowly working his way up to something as large and less easy to overlook as a coat. Since their romp through the woods, he’d gotten bolder. Before that, he only allowed these little excursions every few months or so.

He was losing his grip, something his brother would have a field day with if he ever found out.

Which was why Pavel hadn’t told him and wasn’t going to. Typically the two of them shared everything, but this…This was personal. Private.

Everything about his bashert was. Everything about him was meant to be cherished and prized and honored. That was part of the reason Pavel was even here, switching out items, bettering his baby’s life one stylus at a time.

And if the brand he’d chosen to swap Zane’s old one for happened to be the same one he used?

Total coincidence.

Obviously.

It was hard to choose a single jacket and leave the others behind, but somehow he managed, pulling out the replacement he’d brought from the bag. He hung it up with the others, careful not to make it seem too obvious, and then left to head to the bathroom. Since there was only one, the toothbrush was easier to exchange.

When he opened the glass shower stall door and stepped inside, he breathed in deeply once more, practically purring. The smell of Zane’s products here helped accentuate his natural scent, which was the only reason Pavel was going to allow him to keep using them.

Okay. Stealing one item wasn’t that big of a deal.

Right?

Right.

He grabbed the small bottle of body wash, thrilled to find it was already half empty meaning Zane had gotten good use out of it, and then tossed it into his bag.

On his way out, he glanced at Zane’s multi-slate which was set on the end table, eyes narrowing when he saw there was a message from Wells Diar. That bastard had a serious death wish, and there was no telling how much longer Pavel would be able to hold back.

He clicked to open the message, skimming it over before clicking delete. It was just garbage about wanting to meet again to discuss Zane’s research project, as though Zane needed any sort of help from Wells in the first place.

The fact that Zane entertained scum like Wells and Lyra seriously pissed him off, and Pavel felt his eyes begin to glow as he set his sights on the sleeping form turned away from him. It’d be so easy to slide into bed with him and—

No.

No, if Zane realized he was here, it would ruin the game.

But then again…Pavel didn’t have to wake him to get off…

Setting the bag down as quietly as he could, he moved to the other side of the bed where he could get a better view of Zane’s sleeping face. He looked so peaceful in slumber, those sharp glares and pinched expressions he was known for when awake absent.

His cock came out of his pants with ease, already rock hard and leaking. Pavel took his time with it, swirling his thumb around the flushed head of his crown before pressing against his slit. He almost moaned, just barely holding it back as his hips flicked forward.

Zane’s lips parted on a sigh and he shifted in his sleep, causing Pavel to freeze up. But he wasn’t waking, still completely unaware that he was being watched.

Pavel’s hand started to stroke himself, precome instantly creating a glide for his palm and fingers. He couldn’t help but stare at that mouth, imagining what it would feel like to step around the bed and force himself past those burgundy lips.

Would Zane panic and try to bite him, or would he come awake knowing who it was?

Would he suck him off like a good boy, or fight like he had in the woods and in the pool?

Maybe Pavel would have to tie him down. Chain him to the bed, straddle his face, and drive himself in deep enough to choke Zane on his dripping cock. He’d face fuck him hard enough the headboard would whack repeatedly against the wall. Loud enough to draw attention from the guards that roamed the grounds. They’d come to investigate—or better yet, they’d wake Lyra and bring her directly. She’d walk in and see firsthand exactly who Zane Solace had been made for.

She’d finally learn who he belonged to.

Pavel groped at his balls, tugging at them as he tightened his grip around his cock and thrust harder. The urge to claim his bashert was growing, matching the way pleasure coiled tighter and tighter in his lower gut until he knew he was about ready to burst.

Before he could change his mind or consider how risky it was, the hand on his balls dropped, grabbing onto the edge of the comforter. He lifted it, exposing Zane’s bare legs, moving higher until he could see the space between his thighs and the tight black boxer briefs he was wearing.

The only thing he was wearing.

Matching undies.

That’s what they needed.

That’s what Pavel would switch out next.

He aimed his cock just as the orgasm hit him, ringing himself over Zane, splattering his thighs and covered junk with come. It went on for a while, so long, in fact, he started to worry Zane really would wake up and catch him, but he forced himself to keep stroking, the need to cover what was his overwhelmingly intense.

The second he went flaccid, he let go of his cock and removed his multi-slate, carefully angling it beneath the blanket to avoid the flash bothering Zane. He snapped a quick photo, biting the inside of his cheek to keep back a groan, and then quickly tucked both Zane and himself away.

He needed to go before his cock recovered and he lost all control.

Pavel shifted into his bashert before stepping out of the room, just in case any of the guards spotted him as he creeped out of the Little Palace like a robber in the night.

Which, technically, he was.

Lucky him.

* * *

“Where were you last night?” Ledger lounged across the hood of his car and sipped idly at the fast food drink he’d showed up with. It was lunchtime and the two of them were meeting in the parking lot closest to the library at Vail, enjoying the rare sunny weather. “I went to your room to ask you something and you weren’t there.”

“Did you search the rest of the apartment?” Pavel asked, acting like it was no big deal.

“Yeah, dipshit, I wasted my precious time looking for a full-grown adult.” Ledger rolled his eyes. “Why aren’t you eating?”

“Not hungry.” Truthfully, he’d lost his appetite when he’d spotted Zane stepping into Wells Diar’s office that morning, despite having deleted that text last night. His hands clenched into tight fists, and he crossed his arms to prevent his brother from noticing.

“Mom says to never skip your meals.”

He sent him a snide look. “Are you going to tattle on me?”

Ledge chuckled and winked. Ever since they’d been kids, it’d been like this between them. Though they were the same age, Ledger took on the role of older brother whenever he got the chance. Almost like he’d taken it upon himself to ensure Pavel never felt out of place anywhere, especially within their family.

Speaking of…

“Madden came through and got your boyfriend a spot at school,” Pavel said. “What now?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m asking what the plan is, you know. For the future?”

Ledger shrugged. “Why does everything always need a plan? Why can’t we just carry on the way we have been and let nature take its course?”

Pavel shook his head and perused the parking lot. They weren’t the only ones who’d gotten the idea to hang outside, and the hill leading up to the library was covered in blankets and students studying and eating.

Many of whom kept glancing their way.

He sighed. This was not the attention he wanted. He wanted—

Oh.

Zane appeared at the top of the steps leading from the path to the lot, momentarily scanning the area before his eyes landed on Pavel.

That. He wanted that.

Even if that was currently wearing a pissed-off expression and storming toward him like he was debating taking out one of his fancy knives and putting it to Pavel’s jugular.

“Gorgeous—” the rest of his sentence died on his tongue as he found himself shoved against the side of the car with Zane’s forearm—unsurprisingly—pressed against his throat.

“Don’t fucking gorgeous me right now, Pavel.” Zane’s eyes swept over him and he growled. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

“That’s my line.” Ledger climbed off the car but kept his distance when Pavel held up a hand to stop him. “You can’t seriously expect me to just stand here and let him attack you?”

“He’s not attacking me,” he corrected, grinning when that made Zane scowl. “We’re playing.”

“Whatever,” Ledger stated when Zane didn’t immediately disagree. He sucked down the last of his soda, loud enough to be annoying on purpose, and then turned to go. “I’ll see you at the club later.”

“Bye, brother.” Pavel waited a bit to be sure Ledger was far enough not to eavesdrop and met Zane’s angry gaze with a smile. “Hello, lover. Beautiful day, don’t you think?”

“I think that’s my jacket you’re wearing, asshole.”

“Could just be a funny coincidence.”

“There’s a stain on the sleeve,” Zane tugged Pavel’s left arm up by it and shook it. “That’s blood from one of my spars with Flix where I cut him too deep.” He shoved away. “Take it off.”

“No, I don’t think I will.”

He blew out a breath, obviously having expected that response. “Where did you even get it? Did you take it that night you snuck into the pool room?”

So he still hadn’t noticed any of the little changes Pavel had so painstakingly made. He was curious about what Zane thought of the mess.

“Why are you in such a bad mood, gorgeous? Did you have a bad dream last night? Or…” He gave him a suggestive smirk. “Did you have a really good dream, is that it? Did you wake up having comed your pants dreaming about me fucking that tight ass of yours and wish it were reality?”

Zane’s face heated and he looked away.

Oh. How adorable. He really did think all that dried come he’d woken with was his. If only he knew the truth. Good Light. Pavel wished he could have been there to watch him wash it off in the shower.

Wished he’d been there so he could wait until Zane had cleaned off the last drop, just so he could dirty him up all over again.

Pavel straightened off the car and adjusted the collar of the coffee-colored jacket he’d stolen and had no intention of ever returning. “Have you eaten?” He angled his head toward the vehicle. “Get in. It’ll treat you to lunch.”

“Yeah, that’s not going to happen.”

“Why not?” He didn’t bother masking his sudden irritation. “Because Professor Diar wouldn’t like it?”

Zane’s spine stiffened and he stared at him for a moment before he licked his lips. “Fine. Move.”

Pavel didn’t have to be told twice. He stepped aside but waited just to be sure Zane wasn’t messing with him and was actually going to go with him. Sure enough, when the other man yanked open the passenger side door and slid in, Pavel felt something inside of him preen.

He shut the door after Zane, sealing the other man in as he went to the other side, excitement bubbling as he dropped into the driver's seat. “I’m craving Bibo’s. You?”

“Fast food is unhealthy. I don’t eat it.”

Pavel blinked. “You’ve got to be kidding me. I choke you for fun.”

“That’s different.”

“Yeah because one of those things is more likely to kill you than the other.”

“Maybe kill you quicker.”

Pavel pinched the bridge of his nose. “Tell you what. We’ll each get a burger and we’ll split a side of fries, how’s that? You let me order and you eat it, and then I’ll take you to the woods and we can run the calories off.”

“I didn’t say it was a calorie issue,” Zane said.

But he also didn’t say he wasn't interested in the woods proposal, Pavel noted.

Zane buckled in. “Well?”

Movement from the corner of his eye caught his attention, and he tried hard not to look directly. They’d gained an audience when Zane had shoved him against his car, but their new admirer wasn’t someone Pavel was willing to tolerate.

Quick as a whip, he grabbed Zane by the nape and hauled him over the center console, smashing their mouths together in a brutal kiss that caught the other man off guard.

Zane only struggled a little before he gave in, tongue wrapping around his to duel for dominance as they practically ate each other alive. It was messy and intense, the kind of kiss you’d expect from long-distance lovers meeting for the first time in months. When he finally pulled back, only allowed to move away an inch or so with Pavel’s strong hold on his neck, his face was flushed and the tips of his ears were bright red.

“What was that for?” he asked, voice husky and breathless. His eyes lingered on Pavel’s mouth, almost as if he was debating whether or not to kiss him again.

“Professor Diar is watching,” Pavel informed him quietly, certain he’d made a mistake when that instantly had all of the lust written on Zane’s face draining away. “Why are you so afraid of him, gorgeous? You could overpower him easily if he tried anything. What did he do to you?”

“It’s not fear that I’m feeling.” He pushed Pavel off and settled back in his seat, refusing to look at him, quiet a moment before adding, “And if I told you, would you kill him?”

“Yes.” There was no question about that.

Zane blew out a breath. “That’s exactly why I’m choosing to stay silent on the matter. Now, are we going for burgers or not? Because if you’ve changed your mind, I’m getting out.” His hand had barely managed to rest on the door handle before Pavel had the car purring to life.

He couldn’t help but grin as they passed Wells Diar, blowing him a kiss for good measure that went unnoticed by the sulking man at his side. Once they were on the road, headed toward Bibo’s, Pavel risked breaking the silence. “Do we really have to share a fry? Can’t we both just get our own? Fries are the best part, Doctor.”

“Then you get them for yourself,” he said, crossing his arms. “I don’t need any.”

“It’s not about need.” Pavel resigned himself to his fate. “All right, fine. We’ll share.”

“Don’t put yourself out.”

“For you?” He shook his head. “Never. It’s never a hardship to share with you, Zane. I’m glad to do it.”

Just like how later he’d gladly share his cock.

“Can we just,” Zane hunkered down in his seat, “have a normal conversation for once?”

“Sure,” he shrugged. “What do you want to talk about?”

“You.”

“Not my favorite subject, but all right.”

Zane’s head turned toward him. “What’s your favorite subject?”

“You.”

“Stop the car.”

“Okay, okay. Fine. I’ll answer seriously.” Pavel thought it over. “I honestly don’t know. Business I guess?”

“Is it easy? Running Concealed by yourself?”

“I’m not entirely alone. I have hired help to keep the place floating while I’m at school or elsewhere.”

“When you’re wasting hours on your favorite pastime, you mean.”

Pavel frowned. “What’s that?”

“Stalking.”

He laughed. “It’s only my favorite when I’m stalking my favorite subject, which is still you, gorgeous.” Before he could be scolded for that, he asked, “What’s yours? Are you really into the whole medical stuff, or are you just naturally good at it?”

Zane shrugged. “Not sure. I think I enjoy it. Learning about how to take people apart and put them back together? What’s not to love about that? The pressure isn’t that bad either it’s just…” He exhaled in mild annoyance. “We’re supposed to be talking about you.”

“What else do you want to know about me?” The fact that he was curious at all had all sorts of things happening inside of him.

“Your relationship with Ledger, how’d it get so good?”

“What do you mean?”

“You guys are really close.”

“We’re family.”

“Don’t play stupid,” Zane stated, parroting back the insult Pavel had used on him in the cafeteria weeks ago.

“Touché.” Though it wasn’t really well known to the public, the Retinue all knew that Zane wasn’t exactly close with his family. “How often do you meet with your parents?”

“Once or twice a year.” It was hard to tell how he felt about that based on tone alone. “You?”

“Once or twice a week.” The family home was in the city, so it wasn’t exactly a hardship to travel to see his Mom and Dad every now and again. “My mom is a doctor at Void + Ambrosee Hospital. She’s usually pretty busy, but we meet up during her lunch breaks—which are typically more like coffee breaks—now and again. She’d like you.”

“We’ve met,” Zane reminded.

“Right, you’re in the same field.”

“We’re about to be, and that’s not what I meant. Our families both attend the same tedious end-of-the-year galas the Emperor puts on, remember?”

Kelevra’s oldest sister, the Emperor of Vitality, did have a knack for arranging the most boring events imaginable.

“She’s always seemed…nice,” Zane concluded.

“She is.”

“How unfortunate for her to get saddled with a son like you then.”

He scoffed, pretending offense. “I’m fantastic.”

“Fantastic at stalking, maybe.” Zane quieted for a moment and then in a quieter voice asked, “How long have you been doing it? How long have you been following me around?”

“Since you arrived on planet,” he admitted, smiling when Zane’s eyes went wide. “What? I’ve always known what I want, gorgeous. There was never any question of that.”

“Then why wait so long to tell me?”

“I already answered that.” He pulled into Bibo’s and was about to roll up to the drive-thru, but Zane stopped him.

“Let’s go in.”

Like a real date?

Pavel practically sped into an empty spot in the lot, ignoring the way Zane glared when his head almost hit the dash from the sudden stop. He undid his seatbelt and got out of the car, knowing Zane would follow and not wanting to give him the chance to change his mind.

Inside, the blue and pink walls were cheery to rival his good mood, and the smell of grease and clogged arteries had him inhaling and grinning with glee.

Zane gave him an odd look and shoved his hands into the front pockets of the lab coat he was still wearing. “You really like this shit that much? What about the five-star restaurant you’ve got in Concealed? Why not put in a fast food joint instead?”

“The club is for other people to get their rocks off, not me,” he stated absently, then waved toward a corner booth that was empty. “Go sit. I’ll order.”

It was exciting when the doctor didn’t argue. Was it really this easy? If so, he should have dicked him down sooner.

He placed their order at the counter with a bubbly guy who looked around his age, only partially listening as the man tried talking to him about the weather or some other small talk he didn’t care about. As soon as he’d paid, he headed straight back to Zane, elated to see him sitting in the booth, staring out the window.

“We aren’t done with our conversation,” Zane said as soon as Pavel sat across from him.

Right. About why it’d taken him so long.

“Kazimir got you first,” he explained. “And then there was Lyra.”

“So you just…let them have me?” Zane seemed really annoyed by that. “You couldn’t have wanted me that badly then.”

“You were using them,” he pointed out. “I knew it. That’s why I backed off. I was letting you have your fun while you still could. You’ve got to understand, Doctor, I’m not the crazy possessive type—”

“Tell that to Samuel,” he snorted.

“That’s different.”

“Everything seems to be with you.”

“It is,” Pavel insisted. “You didn’t want Samuel. You wanted Kazimir and, at least for a time, you wanted Lyra. If I’d known things had gotten bad with them sooner, I would have acted sooner, but you’re rather spectacular at keeping your secrets close to heart, gorgeous. I’m many things, but a mind reader isn’t one of them.”

“Bet that eats you up inside, doesn’t it?” Zane rested his arms on the table and leaned in closer. “If only you could read my mind, the stalking part of your day would be a whole lot easier.”

“You’re teasing me.” He grinned. “I like it.”

“That’s because you’re a freak.” Zane fell back against the plush pink seat. “To be clear, no part of me was insinuating I ever needed you to come and save me. I’m not some damsel in distress. I don’t need rescuing.”

“Of course not, gorgeous.”

“And I’m only here because that prick Wells asked me to lunch and wouldn’t believe me when I said I already had plans.”

Ouch. But…

“Is that really the only reason?” Pavel reached out and drew a circle with his pointer on the back of Zane’s left hand.

“Why did you steal my coat, Pavel?” He didn’t pull away or tell him to stop touching him.

Progress?

“Because I—”

“Here’s your order!” a sing-song voice interrupted, and the guy from the register appeared. Just as he was about to reach them, he tripped over his own feet, the tray in his hands tipping forward. He managed to right it in time to save the food, but not the large soda.

The drink—the single drink Pavel had ordered thinking he could convince the doctor to share it with him—toppled over the edge of the blue tray and fell into his lap. Cold beverage instantly covered him, chilling his thigh and making him curse. Most of it ended up on his pants and his shirt, but some seeped into the front of the coat, and he stilled, staring at it as a sharp anger pierced through him.

“Good Light, I am so sorry!” The waiter set the tray on the table and then reached for the napkin dispense, grabbing fistfuls before turning back to Pavel. He started dabbing at his lap, getting far too handsy with him as he spewed the word sorry over and over again like a fucking broken record.

Just as Pavel was about to break his wrist, something amazing happened.

Zane stood and shoved the waiter away from Pavel with enough force to send the guy slamming into the booth on the opposite side of them. He put himself between the two, spine straight and shoulders stiff.

He was silently glaring the waiter down when a woman with a manager's badge came racing around the corner, face beet red.

She took one look at the scene, must have registered who they were, and a flicker of fear passed through her eyes before she forced herself to get closer. “I am so sorry about this, Mr. Solace, Mr. Hart. He’s new here and a bit clumsy. The food is of course on us, and if you’d like to pass on the bill for whatever dry cleaning you end up needing, we’ll of course cover that as well.”

“Clumsy?” Zane cocked his head and quirked a brow, his voice icy.

It was like seeing his delectable doctor slipping into a role. The cold Prince of Medicine. The Royal Zane Solace.

“He did it on purpose so he could cop a feel,” he accused, all with a straight face and deadpan tone.

The waiter rightened himself and opened his mouth to deny it, but one swift glare from the manager had him clamping his jaw shut and dropping his gaze.

“I promise you, that’s not how we do things here. He’ll be severely reprimanded. Whatever you want, Mr. Solace, we’ll—” she didn’t get to finish.

“What I want?” He took a single threatening step closer to the waiter. “What I want is a confession. You were standing around the corner eavesdropping before you came over, weren’t you? And that tripping stunt you pulled? You planned it.”

“I…” he wrung his hands in front of himself and then gave a single, humiliated nod in agreement. “I’m sorry.”

Pavel let out a low whistle, no longer upset now that his doctor was taking control of the situation so beautifully. “Were you really that jealous that I’m with him? Looks like we’ve found one of your fans, Prince.”

“No, I—” the waiter risked a glance at Zane before setting his sights back on Pavel, “I come to the club sometimes. Your club, I mean. I’ve always wanted to talk to you…”

Oh, so he was a fan of his and not Zane’s? Interesting. Poor thing.

“That’s never—” Pavel found himself hauled up by the collar of the coat, Zane only giving him a second to blink in surprise before his mouth was on his, tongue brutally shoving past his lips.

Their kisses were never soft or sweet, but there was a ferocious intensity to this one, a sort of wild energy that spilled out as Zane feasted on his mouth, dominating him in front of their audience. He held Pavel tightly and sucked and nipped at him, sure to make all the lewd noises he could in the process.

Just as Pavel’s cock threatened to burst the seam of his pants, Zane disengaged.

He glared viciously at the waiter who looked close to tears. “Fire him.” Then grabbed Pavel’s hand and started swiftly for the door. “Come on. We’ll eat somewhere else where there’s less chance of me committing a murder.”

Pavel allowed him to pull him behind, only stopping once they’d made it back to his car. He went to let go and step to the driver’s side, but Zane yanked him back, that anger from earlier still swirling in his dark gaze.

“For the fucking record,” Zane said. “I am the crazy possessive type.”

With that, Zane practically chucked Pavel’s hand away as if burned and stormed to the passenger side in the biggest show of an adult tantrum Pavel had ever seen.

And he loved every damn second of it.