3. Theo Glass

Chapter 3

Theo Glass

The city’s heartbeat pulsed beneath my feet as I walked through the rain-slicked streets, the golden chain around my neck tight against my skin. It matched with the two gold earrings I had recently bought after spotting them in a window display.

Jace Holloway exited the building across the street. There was clear tension in the detective’s shoulders, hunched nearly to his ears. There was something captivating about him—a darkness that mirrored my own. I followed Jace at a distance, the thrill of the hunt sending a familiar rush through my veins.

And then the fool almost made himself roadkill.

Lucky he was being stalked.

But I wasn’t done with him. I was intrigued by those deep brown eyes and that crooked smile of his. Like a crow—a rave—finding something sparkly and bright to bring back to its nest.

Jace walked past the subway station, down five city blocks, turning toward a street that was cramped between two large office buildings, leading me to an unmarked door with a subtle neon sign—Chained. It was a bathhouse known for anonymity and indulgence. I smirked.

The night was about to get interesting.

I paid my entrance fee, the man behind the thick glass giving me a subtle look of recognition. It wasn’t the first time I’d visited.

Inside, the air was thick with steam and the scent of musk, sweat, and sex. There were dark iron chains hanging from the ceiling. They clinked together as men walked through them. I shed my clothes in the locker room, revealing the tapestry of tattoos that adorned my toned physique. The phoenix on my left thigh seemed almost alive, wings outstretched as if ready to take flight. I wrapped a towel loosely around my waist, the fabric resting low on my hips, and adjusted the golden chain so it lay flat against my sculpted chest.

Let’s play.

I moved through the labyrinth of dimly lit corridors, chains brushing against my sides, eyes scanning the shadows. Men glanced appreciatively at me, some bold enough to reach out and touch me, but I paid them no mind. My focus was singular.

I enjoyed the male body, enjoyed seeing its form in all different kinds of ways. I appreciated soft dicks, hard cocks, big bellies, fat asses, strong thighs, sculpted abs, hairy, smooth, twinks, otters. All of it.

But I only wanted one body tonight .

I tended to have hyperfixation issues. That was undeniable. And tonight, my fixation settled on the detective who happened to be just as fixated on me—he simply didn’t realize it yet.

I found Jace leaning against a tiled wall in a secluded hallway, eyes closed as if trying to escape the world. I took a moment to appreciate the sight—the way the soft light accentuated the sharp lines of Jace’s cheekbones, the taut muscles of his chest rising and falling with each breath. He was leaner than me, slightly shorter. He had a scruffy dark beard and a buzzed haircut. His towel revealed that he was also packing down there, the bulge already making my mouth water.

“Didn’t think you’d be the type to frequent a place like this,” I drawled, my voice cutting through the muffled sounds of pleasure echoing around us. Someone in a room nearby shouted to be fucked harder.

Jace’s eyes snapped open, surprise flashing before he masked it with a smirk. “Theo, right? Guess we’re both full of surprises.”

I stepped closer, the heat between us as powerful as an open furnace. “Seems that way.”

Jace’s gaze drifted over my body, lingering on the tattoos across my chest. “Nice ink,” he commented, his eyes darkening with interest.

I chuckled softly. “Thanks.”

“Care to share what any of them mean?”

“Maybe another time.” I let my gaze roam over Jace’s form, taking in the broad shoulders, the slightly defined abs, the way his towel hung precariously on his hips. He had a dark happy trail that led to a bush of pubic hair hardly concealed by the thin towel. “Feel like finding somewhere more quiet? I’ve got a private room.”

Jace held my gaze for a moment before nodding. “Lead the way. I still have to thank you for saving my life.”

Oh, you’ll be thanking me alright.

I guided him to a door at the end of the hallway, pushing it open to reveal a private room bathed in a soft, amber glow. The air was warm, scented with hints of sandalwood and something muskier. It was small, the walls dark. There was a bed with black sheets on it and a small nightstand slick with leftover lube. As the door closed behind us, the sounds of the outside world faded, leaving just the two of us enveloped in the grimy and yet intimate space.

Jace leaned against the wall, his eyes never leaving mine. “So, what’s your game?”

“No games,” I replied, stepping closer until our chests nearly touched. “Just two men looking for a distraction.”

“Is that what this is?” Jace’s voice was low, challenging.

“Unless you’d prefer something else.”

Jace’s lips curved into a half-smile. “I think a distraction is exactly what I need after today.”

I reached out, my fingers tracing the line of Jace’s jaw before sliding to the back of his neck. I pulled him into a kiss—firm, unhurried. Jace responded immediately, his hands gripping my hips as he deepened the kiss. Our tongues danced, a seductive battle for control that neither of us was eager to win.

Not yet .

I let my towel slip to the floor. I pressed my naked body against Jace’s, skin to heated skin. Jace removed his towel. Our stiffening cocks rubbed together, and a powerful current of electricity sizzled through me.

Fuck, I loved this feeling. Having another person’s manhood pressing against my own. Feeling him getting hard against me. My body reacting in the same way. There was a primal heat to it that drove me absolutely fucking wild. I broke the kiss, my breath already ragged.

“You’re not shy, are you?” I murmured, my lips grazing the sensitive spot just below Jace’s ear.

“Never have been,” Jace replied. His hands roamed over my back, fingers tracing the black-and-white tattoo of a dagger just above my hip.

I dropped to my knees, running my hands along the hard planes of Jace’s thighs. I looked up, meeting Jace’s gaze. “Fuck, look at how hard you are.”

Jace’s eyes flashed with desire, dropping to the stiff cock that jutted from between my legs. “Could say the same to you.”

I wrapped my hand around the base of Jace’s cock, stroking slowly as I leaned in to tease the tip with my tongue. His salty taste burst across my senses. This close to him, I could smell the woodsy scent of man and sweat and skin.

Intoxicating.

Jace let out a low groan, his fingers threading through my hair.

Taking him deeper, I set a steady rhythm, hollowing my cheeks. Jace’s hips bucked slightly, seeking more. It was made all the more delicious when mixed with the thought of who I was currently servicing.

The man responsible for hunting me down.

What a sick and dangerous game this was.

I fucking loved it.

“God, that feels good,” Jace muttered, his grip tightening in my hair. There was a soft pain to it, like he was pulling on my scalp.

I pulled back with a wicked grin. “We’re just getting started.”

I stood, and Jace seized the moment to reverse their positions, pushing me back against the wall. “My turn,” Jace said, his voice rough with need.

Jace’s mouth found my neck, kissing and biting a trail down to my collarbone. His hand wrapped around my cock, stroking me with confident, measured strokes. I let my head fall back against the wall, a low moan escaping my lips.

Jace kissed his way down my chest, pausing to flick his tongue over a hardened nipple before continuing lower, over the tattoo of a hammerhead shark curling around an anchor. Fireworks burst inside me. He traced the lines of my abs with his tongue, following the path down to where my cock throbbed with need.

Jace took me into his mouth, tilting his head so he could stare at me as he did it. The heat, the lips, the tongue—it was almost too much. I placed my hands on Jace’s head, eyes half-closed as I watched the detective work me over.

“You’re full of surprises yourself,” I managed to say between breaths .

Jace released me with a smirk. “Like I said, we’re both full of surprises.”

We moved to the bed, bodies entwined as we fell onto the soft surface. I kissed Jace deeply, our cocks pressing together, slick with precum. The friction was exquisite, each movement stoking the fire between us, making the room feel as though flames licked up the walls.

“I’m on PrEP, and I’ve been tested. Negative,” Jace said.

“Same here.”

“Do you have—” Jace began, and I reached over to the small table beside us, already knowing what his question would be. I opened the drawer, retrieving a bottle of lube.

Jace took the bottle, pushing me back against the cushions. “Do you like to take it?”

“I do,” I said against Jace’s lips, my hole already twitching.

“Turn over,” he instructed, a commanding edge to his voice.

I arched an eyebrow but complied, rolling onto my stomach and propping myself up on my elbows. I felt Jace’s hands on my ass, kneading the firm flesh before spreading me open. The cool slickness of the lube was followed by the gentle pressure of a finger circling my entrance.

“Relax,” Jace whispered.

I closed my eyes, letting myself sink into the sensation as Jace prepared me with careful, deliberate movements. A second finger joined the first, stretching me, igniting nerves that sent sparks shooting through my body. I pushed back. My body craved this kind of pleasure.

Jace positioned himself behind me. “You ready? ”

“Don’t keep me waiting,” I replied, a challenge in my tone.

Jace pushed forward slowly, breaching the tight ring of muscle. I bit back a moan as I adjusted to the intrusion, the burn giving way to a pleasurable fullness. Jace began to move, setting a steady pace that soon had both of us breathing hard.

“Fuck, you feel good,” Jace groaned, his hands gripping my hips. “So fucking tight.”

I pushed back to meet each thrust, the sound of skin against skin filling the room. “Harder,” I demanded. “Fuck me deeper.”

Jace obliged, increasing his tempo. The angle shifted, and I saw stars as Jace hit that perfect spot inside me. Pleasure coiled tight in my belly, building with each thrust.

“Touch yourself,” Jace ordered.

I wrapped a hand around my own cock, stroking in time with Jace’s movements. The dual sensations were overwhelming, and I knew I was already close.

Fuck. I wanted this to last all night. All day. All week.

But my balls were already set to explode.

“Jace,” I gasped. “I’m gonna?—”

“Do it,” Jace urged, driving into me even harder.

My climax hit me with the force of a comet, my body tensing as I spilled over my hand and onto the cushions beneath. The pulsing of my release triggered Jace’s own, and he thrust deep one final time before shuddering to a halt, filling me up with his load.

We collapsed together, a tangle of limbs and slick skin. For a few moments, the only sounds were our ragged breaths and the distant thrum of the bass from the main hall.

Jace pulled out gently, settling beside me. “That was intense,” he admitted, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.

I turned my head to look at him. “You could say that.”

We lay there in comfortable silence. I felt an unfamiliar tug at my chest— I pushed it away. Sex was sex was sex. It didn’t matter how hot or intense it was. I didn’t deal with connections or intimacy. I dealt with pleasure and control.

And death.

“You’re different,” Jace said quietly.

“Am I?” I replied, masking my unease with a casual tone.

“Yeah. Can’t quite put my finger on it.”

“Maybe it’s better that way.”

Jace propped himself up on one elbow. “You always this mysterious?”

“Only when it suits me.”

Jace chuckled. “Fair enough.”

I sat up, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed. “I should go.” The game was over. Time to unwrap myself from this sticky situation before things became more complicated than they needed to be.

“Already?” There was a hint of disappointment in Jace’s voice. “I’m up for round two.”

And he clearly was. His cock was still hard, leaking. It made mine throb. But my post-nut clarity was giving me second thoughts about being here.

“Places to be,” I said, standing and retrieving my towel .

Jace watched me, a contemplative expression on his face. “Will I see you around?”

“Maybe,” I said. “Take care of yourself, Jace. And look both ways before you cross the street.”

Jace chuckled at that. “You too.”

I hesitated for the briefest moment before heading to the door. I paused, my hand on the handle. Without turning around, I said, “Sometimes a distraction is just what we need.”

“Agreed,” Jace replied softly.

I left the room, the door closing with a quiet click behind me. As I walked through the corridors, I felt the weight of my double life settling back onto my shoulders. The encounter had been a departure from my usual control—a risk I couldn’t afford to take lightly.

I couldn’t do this again.

No matter how intrigued I’d become by this. No matter how strong the thrill that still buzzed through my veins.

Back on the street, the rain had picked up again, leaving the city glistening under the streetlights. I pulled up my collar, blending into the flow of pedestrians. I needed to refocus. Jace was a complication—one I couldn’t let interfere with my plans.

But even as I disappeared into the night, I couldn’t shake the image of the detective’s eyes, the way they’d looked at me with equal parts desire and curiosity, how he felt inside of me, how I momentarily forgot about all my worries and obsessions.

A lethal combination after playing a dangerous game.