“You’re getting too close to her,” Leyton said, his voice low, angry.
“Says you. She doesn’t seem to think so.”
A lengthy pause ensued, the tension wrapping around Jase and threatening to choke him.
“Inside. Right. Fucking. Now,” Leyton ordered gruffly, his attempt at keeping his voice low failing.
Leyton stormed off, but several people, including Ashlynn, had heard his command. She turned to look at Jase, a question in her eyes. He shook his head, silently telling her not to worry, and then followed Leyton inside Max’s house. Clearly pissed, Leyton was waiting for him outside Max’s office, so Jase marched toward him, making sure Leyton saw his anger as well. He could endure quite a bit of shit, but being snapped at by a man he didn’t work for only pissed him off.
The door closed instantly behind him, and the next thing Jase knew, he was being jerked backward. At the first touch, instinct kicked in. He grabbed the hand on his shoulder, twisted, wrenching Leyton’s arm behind his back before slamming him against the wall, chest first. Leyton was only a couple of inches taller than Jase, but Jase was broader, and he had a significant amount of training that most people didn’t realize. Leyton knew, though, so his reaction had been fueled by emotion, which was how Jase had gotten the jump on him.
“Don’t do that shit,” Jase warned, instantly letting go and shoving away from him.
Leyton spun around, damn near slamming into Jase once again.
What the fuck?
“You think this is all fun and games?” Leyton roared, gripping Jase by the front of his shirt, jerking him forward until their noses were only centimeters apart.
A deep throb started in his groin, his cock thickening as their bodies collided. Jase inhaled sharply, stunned by his body’s immediate reaction to Leyton. Sure, he’d been aware of his attraction to the man, but he hadn’t anticipated how much.
“Depends on what you’re referrin’ to,” Jase taunted, trying to keep his voice steady.
“You know damn well what I’m talkin’ about.” Leyton’s voice held the same desperate edge that Jase felt. “You can’t protect her when you’re more worried about gettin’ off.”
“I’ve never failed her yet,” Jase countered, his voice dense with annoyance as he stared into Leyton’s bright green eyes. He knew the words would hit hard, because Leyton held himself responsible for Max being shot several months ago by the crazy bitch who’d almost convinced Max to marry her. Leyton had been there that night, and Max had nearly died.
But that wasn’t what Jase had intended. Shit happened, and everyone knew Leyton wasn’t responsible. Everyone but Leyton.
“Point received,” Leyton hissed, releasing Jase’s shirt and pushing him back. “That doesn’t mean you won’t fail her. Keep fuckin’ her and you’re gonna let your guard down.”
Jase studied Leyton for a moment before he spoke.
“Are you worried about her safety? Or are you more concerned that it’s not your dick in her mouth?”
Leyton’s eyes narrowed.
An inexplicable force drew him, made him desperate to touch Leyton again. Going with his gut, he took a step closer, bringing him face-to-face with the man he’d fantasized about on more than one occasion. From this distance, he could smell him—that intoxicating cologne Leyton favored made Jase’s dick harder.
Trying not to be too affected by him, Jase said, “I don’t think this has anything to do with my ability to do my job.” Damn, the guy had the sexiest green eyes. “We all know I’ll keep her safe. Your problem is that you want somethin’ you think you can’t have.”
Leyton’s eyes narrowed, his lips slightly parted, but he didn’t speak.
“The question is,” Jase continued, lowering his voice and stepping even closer, close enough he could feel the warmth of Leyton’s breath on his face, “which one of us do you want more?”
Neither of them moved. They seemed to be lost in the moment, their mouths hovering dangerously close. If Jase moved a fraction of an inch, he’d get to feel the exquisite sensation of Leyton’s lips on his. And fuck if he didn’t want it.
“You’re fuckin’ outta your mind,” Leyton retorted but didn’t move back.
Jase was tempted to crush his lips to Leyton’s, to thrust his tongue into Leyton’s mouth and show him just how fucking out of his mind he was. This dance they were doing was getting tiresome, and Jase wanted more. As did Ashlynn. The only person who didn’t seem to be on board was Leyton.
Jase eased closer, but this time Leyton moved back a step. He tried again. Leyton moved as well, until finally, Jase had Leyton trapped against the wall. Goddamn, it wasn’t easy to keep from taking what he wanted, but he managed to refrain.
“You like watching us,” Jase whispered, his lips brushing Leyton’s ever so slightly while he allowed his hand to graze Leyton’s dick. Yep, hard as fucking stone. No way to deny it now. “You like thinkin’ about drivin’ your dick into Ashlynn’s tight pussy, don’t you? But you also like the idea of my lips wrapped around your dick, right? Or how about my dick buried in your ass?”
Leyton’s sharp intake of breath was the only answer Jase needed. He’d nailed it. And Jase could no longer resist the temptation before him.
Planting his hands on the wall beside Leyton’s head, Jase leaned in, firmly resting his lips atop Leyton’s. He lightly caressed Leyton’s lower lip with his tongue. Pressing closer, he crowded him against the wall but didn’t trap him completely. He wanted Leyton, but he wasn’t interested in forcing him.
“Kiss me,” Jase whispered. “I know you want it as bad as I do.”
Fully expecting Leyton to push him away, Jase was nearly knocked off his feet when Leyton’s thick arms slid up Jase’s back, jerking him forward until their mouths were sealed, tongue gliding against tongue.
Fuck.
It was so much better than Jase had anticipated. Leyton wasn’t a submissive lover. He took what he wanted, giving as much in return, as the kiss heated, charged with an underlying emotion that Jase couldn’t quite name.
The passion was fueled by adrenaline, sending Jase’s pulse into overdrive. When Leyton flipped them, slamming Jase against the wall while plundering his mouth, Jase gave everything he had. Taking control once more, Jase came out on top, putting Leyton against the wall roughly while nipping Leyton’s lower lip. Unfortunately, it didn’t last nearly long enough. When Jase growled his approval, Leyton shifted, pulling back and putting some space between them. Jase didn’t back away, though. He couldn’t.
“Fucking hell!” Leyton grumbled harshly. “We can’t do this. I can’t do this.”
Jase wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, continuing to stare at the sexy man who’d just kissed him like he’d never been kissed before. “But you want it.”
“It doesn’t matter what I want,” Leyton finally said.
“Oh, it definitely does.” Jase was still close enough to kiss Leyton, their chests touching, the hard ridge of Jase’s dick brushing against Leyton’s. Desire was pouring off Leyton in waves, but he was fighting it. If only he would give in, give it a chance.
Before Jase could get up the nerve to kiss him again, Leyton forced him back, pushing him away as he cleared his throat and thrust his hands through his hair. “No. It doesn’t matter. And you’d do well to remember that. My loyalties lie with this family. With Max. And I damn sure don’t intend to do anything that’ll jeopardize that.”
Jase hated the fucking excuses. “What does Max have to do with…?” Staring at Leyton, it hit him then. “Max warned you to say away from her?”
Leyton didn’t respond.
“Of course he did. If he hadn’t, you’d have already given in. Because you want her more than your next fucking breath.”
“Like I said, it doesn’t matter.”
“Tell me,” Jase insisted. “Fucking tell me you don’t want her.”
Leyton’s green eyes glittered. “Yes! Goddammit. I fucking want her. I’ve always wanted her.”